NAVY NEWS, NOVEMBER 2010


29


Doubly forgotten ship


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Given the volume of


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Picture: MC1(AW) Cassandra Thompson, US Navy


PAGE 8 (October) shows a great picture of the ‘forgotten ships’ of the Gulf operation during their Exercise Bilat 10, but the caption is wrong. The story gives the ships’ names but the picture caption leaves out HMS Grimsby (last


formation) and inserts Cattistock, and additionally there is no Cattistock crest.


in the


I have a son serving in Middleton, so have a special interest! – Nicolas Wright, Bridgwater, Somerset


Indeed you’re right – not sure where Cattistock came from but the caption should have read Chiddingfold, Middleton, Grimsby and Pembroke just as the text of the article – Man Ed


REGARDING Mr K A Holloway and his criticism of Lt Cdr Lester May using his rank even though retired, (letters, October) in my opinion we should be proud of what we


were and of our service. To use our past rank or to wear a commemorative medal does smack of elitism and a touch of snobbery but we were in the Royal Navy and we will forever be proud of that. Old men after all should be humoured. For my part I choose not to


use my past rank or wear any commemorative medals and am quite happy to be addressed by my first name. Chief! – Brian J Bloom, Shenley, Herts, ex CPO OPS HQ RNR


...I WAS surprised to see this old chestnut raised in your column.


Mr Holloway as an ex-CPO


Writer should be aware of the correct address of officers on the retired list, as he must have been privy to this in his duties, possibly serving in a captain’s office. If his captain were writing to


the Prince of Wales would he have shown discourtesy and addressed


I SEE that the NAAFI is to market its own tea. As a young armourer I was sternly warned by my older oppos when I joined the RN not to drink the tea on a Saturday. It was said to contain bromide, designed to act, shall we say, as an ‘anti-inflammatory’ and a sort of cooling agent on one’s ardour. If


the NAAFI could just letters A rank discourtesy


the envelope as Mr HRH The Prince of Wales? I served in the Fleet Air Arm for


42 years, 12 on the lower deck and 30 with a Queen’s commission. When I was transferred to the


Retired from the Active list a letter was sent to me by MOD reminding me that I was still entitled to use my rank, further that the suffix (Retd) should not be used. When the subject arises in


conversation with civilians I ask them if they address their GP or a university professor when they retire as Mr and they say no, accepting that they hold on to their titles. Mr Holloway’s attitude is


equivalent to one of his junior rates meeting him in civilian life and calling him mate! One which I am sure he would not like. ‘Icarus’ (name, address and rank supplied)


...THE correspondent who thinks it smacks of snobbery for retired offi cers to use their rank might think differently were he to know that I sign letters with (Lieutenant-Commander RN) after my name, a practice common in many professions when writing


A cure for stiffness?


confirm that it works equally well on arthritis I would now willingly scupper as much as I could drink, I don’t suppose I would even notice the side effects nowadays. I hope you can help in this


delicate matter. Mike Holdsworth ex CAF(O) Armourers’ Association,


Aylesham Lodge, Canterbury


voucher to the letter which amuses, impresses or enlightens us the most.


A £25 Amazon


to print media. I certainly never address myself


as such! Letters editors often prefer their


readers to know that the writer has some knowledge of the subject, particularly when it comes to matters in our sea-blind nation such as the sea, the RN and HM Armed Forces. In 1971, when age 20, I enjoyed being able to tell people that


was one of the country’s Leading Writers. In truth, I only shipped my hook a few months before being promoted Cadet, but I still have a wry smile when I think that the Royal Navy gave this


seaman’s son from a council estate the chance to be styled with ten different ratings and ranks – from Junior Assistant Writer Second Class to that I am now chastised for occasionally using. Let’s direct our guns on those


who would diminish the Navy rather than sniping at,


diminishing, ourselves. Lester May (hopefully still something of a leading writer!) Camden Town London


and able I


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