30 NAVY NEWS, NOVEMBER 2010


Big day for young and not so young


YEOVILTON hosted a double celebration


students were presented with their wings – and a veteran received medals for his wartime service. The four students of 3/09 Course had just completed eight months flying training with 848 Naval Air Squadron, the culmination of two and a half years of hard graft. During


more than six months in Lincolnshire flying the fixed-wing Firefly, six months in Shropshire flying the Squirrel helicopter, and studying on a number of shorter, ground-based courses.


Yeovilton for conversion to the Commando-role Sea King. Individual prizes were also


to PO Adrian Wallace, a friend and neighbour who serves with 848 NAS, that Adrian volunteered to sort the matter out on his behalf. On the arrival of the medals


the serving senior rating had them


awards ceremony, during which the presentation was made by the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations) Air


Marshal Andrew Pulford RAF. Mr Anthony volunteered for


the Navy on the outbreak of the war, serving in HMS Kenya and with 829 NAS, a torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadron.


Awards recognise sacrifice


THE widow of a senior rating who died in the Falklands Conflict in 1982 has been presented with the Elizabeth Cross at a ceremony on board HMS Victory. Sue Fagan,


of Gosport, was


given the decoration by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Dame Mary Fagan, at an event hosted by Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Charles Montgomery. Mrs Fagan’s husband PO


Robert Fagan was a chef in HMS Sheffield when the destroyer was struck by an Argentinean Exocet missile on May 4 1982. She said: “This was a great honour for me and it was presented in such a beautiful setting.” Three other Crosses were


awarded at the same ceremony, to Winifred Major, the widow of Quartermaster Sgt Graham Casey RM, who died in Cyprus in May 1957; to Jan Newton, the widow of Lt Kenneth Francis RM, a helicopter pilot shot down in the Falklands, and Tania Watson, the mother of Mne Richard Watson, killed in Afghanistan in 2006. The silver Elizabeth Cross is


national recognition of the loss suffered by the next of kin of UK Armed Forces personnel who have died on operations or as a result of operational service, or as a result of terrorism, since 1948. Applications for the Elizabeth


Cross may be made to the MOD Medal Office, Innsworth House, Imjin Barracks,


Gloucester, GL3 1HW. An


application available


DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/ Veterans/Medals/


at www.mod.uk/


Innsworth, form


is court-mounted for the Vice


was Douglas Anthony, an 87-year- old former Fleet Air Arm senior rating who never applied for his war medals “because he was just so glad to get home, and felt lucky to be alive,” according to his wife Alma. It was when the veteran chatted


to LA Stephen Hendry for best overall student and the Bill Murton trophy to S/Lt Frederick Durrant, the person who best personified the Commando aviation ethos. The trophy is named after a distinguished naval aviator who was killed in a flying accident. At the other end of the scale


the Westland’s Prize They finally pitched up at


awarded to the fledgling aviators, including


that time they spent when the latest


Yeovilton outlook is healthy


A ONE-off health promotion fair at RNAS Yeovilton proved such a success it is hoped to


make it an annual event. The fair, brainchild of Leading Dental Hygienist Damien Clayton and organised with the help of


promotion plays an important role in improving the health and wellbeing of Service and MOD civilian personnel. “We are hoping that the day will help to educate personnel here at Yeovilton about healthy living and lifestyle choices.”


In line with Department of Health guidelines, the organisers invited exhibitors from a range of charities and health organisations across Somerset and the South West.


“Health


● Surg Lt Cdr (D) Mel Oura performs Indian head massage at the Yeovilton health promotion fair


Wings link between the generations


HMS Heron Dental Department, highlighted current health topics and promoted healthy living and lifestyle choices.


A NAVAL pilot has been awarded his wings to complete the only father and son currently qualified to fly Fleet Air Arm helicopters. Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet Vice Admiral Richard Ibbotson awarded Lt Chris Suckling, 24, his flying badge at a ceremony at Culdrose. And in the audience was Lt Cdr Rob Suckling, 44, who gained his Observer wings in 1987. Chris, who also won prizes for being the best pilot and best overall student on the course, said; “I have looked forward to this day for many years. “To finally have wings on my


Held in the Junior Rates’ dining hall, the fair was open to all Service and civilian personnel across the air station and dealt with a wide range of subjects, from cancer awareness to mental health and trauma risk management. Damien said:


sleeve is an amazing feeling.” Chris can now expect to fly the


Royal Navy’s Merlin in one of three front-line squadrons. His father has flown several machines during his Naval career, including the Merlin, and is currently with 771 NAS, the Culdrose search and rescue unit.


First and last


THERE were very different emotions at HMS Sultan when Cdre Mark Slawson and chaplain Fr Mark Jackson attended divisions at the Gosport establishment. The


● A naval lieutenant tests her skills at the Avon and Somerset road safety stand


The main contributors were Smokefree Somerset, South West Diabetes,


Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Avon and Somerset Road Safety and Police, Cannons Gym (Yeovil), Sexual Health and Genito-urinary Clinic, RN Mental Health and Trauma Risk, and Service medical and dental staff. Funtasia,


a local events Macmillan Cancer,


entertainment company, donated equipment for the day to promote fun ways to exercise – which proved particularly popular, with large numbers of brave people donning sumo suits and using the Nintendo Wii to add a different dimension to keeping fit. Cdr Tim Fearns, HMS Heron’s Executive Officer,


idea was to increase awareness of current health issues in order to


help prevent future health


Father follows in his son’s footsteps


ONE in, one out – a military family


is maintaining its own


presence in Afghanistan as dad takes over from son. By a fortunate twist of fate,


Territorial Army Capt Christopher Wilcock, 41, of 23 Engineer Regt Air Assault,


serving with 1st


Battalion Irish Guards Brigade Advisory Group, met up with his son, Mne James Hoyes, 22, of 40 Cdo RM, just before the Royal headed back to Taunton after a tour of Helmand Province. Christopher said: “It’s surreal to end up together with so many factors conspiring to keep us apart and yet here we are in the same place.”


The reservist said he was very happy to see James safe and well, on his way home for some well- earned leave, and added: “I am extremely proud of what James and his mates have done. “40 Cdo have had a difficult time in the last six months in a notoriously difficult place.” James was inspired by his father


to follow him into the military, joining the Corps in 2008. Ever supportive, Christopher completed the last ten miles of James’


gruelling 30-mile test


alongside him, and then had the honour of presenting James’ green beret on Dartmoor. Now Mne Hoyes is on his way back to the UK having patrolled the notorious Sangin district on a daily basis, speaking to local people in Pashtu. He said: “Pashtu skills helped break the language barrier; the locals were definitely more friendly to me.


“They like banter and having a laugh and a joke.” “It was different to what I had heard of previous tours in Afghanistan. “We made a positive impact but


● Ray Board with members of the Royal Naval Police team at the RNP Western HQ in Devonport


Arresting memories for former crusher


A FORMER Royal Naval police officer was welcomed back by his modern counterparts to mark 65 years to the day since he joined the naval regulators’ branch. Ray Board, 86,


returned to


Devonport, where he was treated to lunch with the Captain of the Base, Capt Mark Knibbs, the Naval Provost Marshal (Western), Lt Cdr Bob Colley, and his staff. This was followed by a tour of the RN Police HQ Western and the wider naval base. Mr Board spent 21 years as a


naval policeman, having joined the Mob as a Boy Second Class in 1939 at the age of 15.


● Capt Chris Wilcock with his son Mne James Hoyes at Camp Tombstone in Afghanistan


Picture: Lt Jonathan Boardman AGC


it was a hard fight where we were. “But two kilometres down the road 120 shops opened during the last six months. We definitely made Sangin a better place. “My experience out here has made me look at life differently. I can now see how much people


take the small things, like hot water, for granted especially after you see how the Afghans live.” Capt Wilcock is on his second


tour of Helmand as part of an Army advisory team working alongside infantry and engineers of the Afghan National Army.


He joined cruiser HMS Kenya in 1940, seeing action on Russian and Atlantic convoys, the siege of Malta and in Norway. His first post as a crusher was


at HMS Nuthatch in Carlisle, and he later served in Plymouth, Sri Lanka – where he was commended for nabbing a fuel thief – and Gibraltar.


Mr Board said: “I volunteered to join the regulators to rise above the most basic level of the Navy and enjoy my career. “I am pleased to have been


invited by the regulators here in Plymouth and I am impressed by their work and standards.”


Sports stars visit museum


TWO budding speedway stars from Down Under have paid a visit to the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton. Australians James Holder and Sam Masters, of the Somerset


Rebels team, based at Highbridge near Burnham-on-Sea, attended a sponsor’s event at the museum, taking along a speedway bike. The pair were surprised to learn that the engines on the


machines they ride are almost as powerful as that on the fabled Sopwith Pup fighter, flown by their countrymen in Europe during the Great War and one of the star exhibits at the museum.


problems, which may


detrimental to an individual’s health and to the operational capability of the Armed Forces. “I am very encouraged by what


said: “The


I’ve seen and it is obvious that a lot of hard work has gone into ensuring its success. “Health and fitness


important in the Armed Forces and I am keen that we build on this success for another event next year.”


is very become Slawson’s


divisions as the new Commodore of Sultan – and Fr Mark’s last before he leaves the Royal Navy in January.


occasion first


was ceremonial


April 1983 and has spent time with the Fleet Air Arm, in Hong Kong, with small ships, the Submarine Service, the RFA, the Droggies and the UK Defence Academy. His claim to fame is that, according to official records (standfast Admirals of the Fleet) he is currently the oldest serving member of the Royal Navy.


The padre joined the Navy in Cdre


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53