NAVY NEWS, NOVEMBER 2010


37


Deaths


Lt Joshua Woodhouse. Joined BRNC January 2007 then Initial Sea Training in HMS Illustrious. On completion of offi cer training he spent his CFT in destroyer Edinburgh then joined Sultan to continue his training as an engineering offi cer. Joined Iron Duke as AMEO, served in Nottingham and Scott then completed his course at Sultan joining Ocean January 2010 as SSEO. Died August 10 whilst serving on board Ocean. Aged 25.


Vice-Admiral Sir Louis Le Bailly KBE,


CB. Entered as a cadet through Dartmouth at the age of 13 intended for the seaman (executive) branch but due to


defective


ARTICLE 23 of the 1918 Armistice, which ended World War 1, stated that 74 surface ships of the German High Seas Fleet were to be interned in Scapa Flow, in the Orkney Islands, while a decision was made regarding their long-term future. On November 15 1918 Rear Admiral Meurer met Admiral Beatty, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, on board the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth to


details for the surrender of his German ships.


The arrival of the cruiser Königsberg, carrying Admiral Meurer and his staff,


delayed by fog, but they were eventually transferred to Queen Elizabeth where they were to meet Admiral Beatty. With the formalities on


the battleship’s quarterdeck completed,


were escorted below decks to the compartment, heavily guarded by armed Royal Marines, where the internment arrangements were finalised.


to be


Under the shadow of a painting of Nelson, the historic conference, unparalleled in history and which was to arrange for the surrender, without firing a shot, of the second Naval Power in the world to the first, began. Six days later the High Seas Fleet, formed in line ahead and led by the cruiser HMS Cardiff, arrived in the River


the Germans was arrange the


Forth estuary where they were met by and passed between an Allied force of over 250 ships formed in two columns. In a reference to the


The evolution to ensure the arrival, surrender and internment of the High Seas Fleet was codenamed Operation ZZ, and the arrangement of the two erstwhile rival fleets on November 21 is depicted in Trophy No.23127, entitled Der Tag – ‘The Day’. The German ships retained small crews while at Scapa Flow and on June 21 1919, with the final terms of the Armistice in the Treaty of Versailles stating that the Fleet was to be surrendered to the Allied powers, the German crews scuttled their ships.


Entries for the Deaths’ column and Swap Drafts in December’s Noticeboard must be received by November 11


NOTICEBOARD ENTRIES


■ Notices for this page should be brief, clearly written or typed and addressed to – The Editor, Navy News, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth. PO1 3HH or email: edit@navynews.co.uk. If you are sending your notice in via email, please include your full address and telephone number.


■ Reunions appear in date order, and requests to place an entry in a particular edition cannot be guaranteed.


■ Please send in Reunions at least three months (preferably four) before the month of the event.


■ There may be a delay before items appear, due to the volume of requests.


■ Entries are free to non-commercial organisations. Items pertaining to commercial work, books and publications for profit can only appear as paid-for advertising.


■ The Editor reserves the right to edit or refuse publication of submitted notices.


■ Space does not allow us to accept more than one free insert. Any subsequent notice will have to be paid for at advertising rates.


apparent reluctance of the High Seas Fleet to leave harbour in the closing months of the War, Admiral Beatty is reputed to have remarked to his Staff Officers, “Didn’t I tell you they’d have to come out?” To the Germans he signalled: “The German ensign will be hauled down at sunset today, Thursday, and will not be hoisted again without permission.” Checks were made to ensure that the German armament had been disabled and, once this was complete, they sailed in groups for Scapa Flow over the next five days.


eyesight became an engineer. Served twice in Hood as a midshipman and as an engineer sub-lieutenant. Appointed to Naiad (1939) in the Mediterranean attempting to keep supplies open to the Eighth Army in North Africa then Duke of York in the Pacifi c operating alongside the American. As a result of being asked for a report on why the British Fleet’s operational capacities were so far short of the US Navy he sent a critical engineering report listing technical shortcomings and was invited to withdraw it by the senior engineering staff offi cer; which he refused to do. Later gained a more sympathetic hearing through such appointments as naval assistant to the Controller of the Navy (1960-62) and Deputy Director of Marine Engineering (1964-67) and made his input into a modernising process which ended with gas turbines powering all major naval units. His fi nal appointment was Director General of Intelligence, Ministry of Defence (1972-75). He wrote several books The Man Around the Engine (1990), From Fisher to the Falklands (1991), Old Loves Return (1994) and We Should Look to Our Moat (2007). October 3. Aged 95. Cdr Malcolm Burley. Joined the RN 1945 and served in Frobisher then Leander in the Mediterranean where he witnessed the Corfu Channel Incident on October 22, 1946; he was lent to Volage to list the personal effects of the dead. Promoted sub- lieutenant he joined Kenya for a two-year Far East commission, which was interrupted by the outbreak of the Korean War (1950) and headed to Japan for month-long patrols. His fi rst commission in Protector started in 1960 and repeated in 1964 when he set up an expedition emulating Shackleton’s journey of 1916. As leader of the 1964-65 Combined Services expedition crossing South Georgia, he was the fi rst to ascend Mount Paget and Mount Sugartop, while Mount Burley is named after him. He subsequently served as a supply offi cer in Eagle until 1967 and then as secretary to the admiral at Greenwich naval college followed by a staff post at Fleet Air Arm headquarters. In 1970-71 he led an expedition to Elephant Island in Antarctica and was appointed MBE and awarded a fellowship as well as the Cuthbert Peek prize by the Royal Geographical Society and was appointed to Sultan in the rank of commander; he began a second career in 1973. He held the freedom of the City of London, was a naval diver, a glider pilot and a Royal Yachting Association qualifi ed offshore skipper. August 23. Aged 82. Capt ‘Mickie’ O’Brien RM. The son of a Royal Marines offi cer he lived his childhood in barracks and was commissioned into his father’s corps in 1940. Whilst commanding Y Troop of 47 (RM) Commando at Normandy in 1944 he led a patrol on a covert raid on German lines east of Sallenelles, however a man trod on a mine, yet under the heavy machine-gun fi re he rallied and charged to take down the enemy; he returned to his own lines with a prisoner to fi nd that some of his patrol were missing, he headed straight back through defensive fi re into the minefi eld staying until daybreak for the rescue of the wounded and was awarded an immediate MC. Later he was posted to the Far East and was seriously wounded in the Battle of Hill 170 at Kangaw in Burma; when he recovered he became a climbing instructor and retired from soldiering in 1950. August 29 in Spain. Aged 89. John Codrington. Joined the Navy at


outbreak of war but when his fi rst ship was not ready on completion of his training he volunteered as a supernumerary offi cer in the sloop Enchantress, a former Admiralty yacht then joined Vanity and continued his watchkeeping duties on almost 70 voyages; he applied to join the submarine service but his eyesight was poor so he transferred to the Royal Marines where he was temporarily attached to the King’s African Rifl es, with whom he encountered Japanese patrols on the Chindwin river. Appointed a troop commander with 42 Commando during the landings at Myebon and ended his war receiving


the surrender of the Japanese


radar station on Hong Kong’s highest hill. July 7. Aged 91. Mary Rundle. WRNS. Her father, grandfather and uncle were all admirals and she commissioned into the WRNS as a First Offi cer 1939. Based in Portsmouth 1940- 41 she also served at Calliope (Newcastle- upon-Tyne) and Daedalus (Lee-on-Solent). Promoted to Superintendent at the end of the war and worked at the Admiralty establishing the WRNS as a permanent peacetime service; awarded the CBE 1948. A founder trustee of the WRNS Benevolent Trust, vice-chairman 1947-50 then chairman 1950-58 she is recorded as having a great infl uence on the development of the trust. Aged 103. Lt Cdr James ‘Jock’ Mullen. Joined 1947 as a boy seaman at Bruce then served in Cardigan Bay, Jamaica, Illustrious, Vanguard, Whale Island (Long G course), Cambridge and Eagle. Promoted to Lt Cdr then Pitreavie as FOSNI’s Staff; retired and took up an RO2s post till fi nal retirement 1978. May 29. Aged 79.


Arthur ‘Jim’ Green. Ordnance Artifi cer. Served in warship Liverpool 1941-42 and a member of the association. September 15. Ralph ‘Scouse’ Worthington. CMEM(M). Served 22 years in Raleigh, Drake, Tiger, Brawdy, Ark Royal and Scylla. September 12. Aged 79. John Faint. CPO (AH1). Served 1965- 73 at Naval Air Stations Seahawk, Osprey and Heron (where he received his chief buttons); and ships Victorious, Bulwark, Albion (including 848 NAS). Upon leaving the Fleet Air Arm he joined the Royal Naval Reserve 1986-91 attaining the rank of A/L MEM. Aircraft Handlers Association. June 8. Aged 64.


Jimmy ‘Jock’ Hall. POREL. Served 1958- 67 in Collingwood, Finisterre, Maidstone and Arethusa. Member of the RNEBA. September 17. Aged 70. W E ‘Wally’ Breton DSM. PO Tel. Served


1931-46 in St Vincent, Caradoc (Yangtze River 1932-34), Selkirk, Escapade and Exmouth; L/Tel. W/T Singapore (1937- 39)


then Cardiff and Whitehall (1939);


mentioned in despatches at Dunkirk 1940. Commendation CINC Western Approaches


as PO Tel. 1941 and awarded DSM 1942 whilst on board Malcolm on Russian Convoy PQ18. Specially rated Chief Tel by FO West Africa in Wolverine and fi nally Drake. Guernsey Association of Royal Navy & Royal Marines. September 19. Aged 95. Kenneth Edward ‘Windy’ Windebank. L/Seaman TAS rating. Joined 1956 and served with his brother Ron in his fi rst ship Newfoundland 1958-59 (last commission). 22 years service. September 23. Aged 70. Griff ‘Jess’ Owen. PO AA1. Served 1934-45 Chatham ships: Vanquisher (Abyssinian Crisis 1935), Havock (1st commission and search for Graf Spee), Manxman (as Vichy French cruiser Leopard in Operation Mincemeat), Phoebe (Operation Pedestal) and Troubridge (recommended for BEM for outstanding seamanship). August 19. Aged 94. William ‘Bill’ Smith. Served as Stoker on


Honours


The operational honours list which recognises service on operations in Afghanistan and national operations for the period October 1 2009 to March 1 2010.


Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) Sgt Robert Turner, Royal Marines Military Cross (MC)


AFGHANISTAN


Maj Nigel John Powell Somerville, MBE Royal Marines Sgt Richard Edward Wiseman, Royal Marines Mention in Despatches (MiD) Mne Tobias Gutteridge, Royal Marines


Queen’s Commendation for Bravery (QCB) Cpl George Burgess, Royal Marines C/Sgt Mark Stuart Knowles, Royal Marines


board Morecambe Bay for 1955 commission. Died October at the Morecambe Bay Association reunion in Portsmouth. Ted Stokes. Sto. Served 1943-46 in


Dorsetshire, Adventure, Hamilcar, Renown, Implacable and LCG 17 at Walcheren. October 3. Aged 89.


Wizard, Paragon and Tyne. Wizard and Cadiz Association. August 5. Aged 85. Dennis Loveridge. Able Seaman. Served in Daring 1952-54 and a member of the association. August 14. Aged 80. David Beattie. RM. Served 1938-49 in


on board Daring in Korea (1952-54) and later at Suez. Daring Association. Congleton branch. September 10. Aged 80. Irene Lancaster. WRNS. Served 1943- 45 at Daedalus II. Skipton & District branch. July. Aged 84. Arthur Norton. Served in Britomart on Russian convoys and part of convoy PQ17. Skipton & District branch. August. Aged 89. Cyril W Turner. Seaman Gunner. Served 1942-45 Coastal Patrol Service. Ganges, MFV 51, HDML 1017, 1384 and 1252 also MMS 171. Eastbourne RNA. September 16. Aged 85.


Trained at Ganges (early to mid 1930s) and served (pre-war) Leander, Calypso, Terror (Singapore) and Adventure. Published his autobiography Riding Madly off in all Directions giving an insight to the pre- war Royal Navy. Past member of Sawston branch. August 3. Aged 94. Stan Averiss. A founder member of Dursley and District branch. Joan Margaret Kissinger. Associate member Beccles branch. September 19. Aged 77.


Ronald ‘Dinger’ Bell. Signalman.


Kenneth Summerfi eld. Durham City branch. August 20. Aged 84. Robert Simpson. Durham City branch. August 20. Aged 84. Brian E Soppet. Telegraphist. Served 1951-53 and RNR 1953-65 Fleetwood, Myngs, Verulam, Boxer, MMS 1090 and Starling. Redcar & District branch. Tenerife September 20.


Lt Cdr (SCC) John R D Lewington RNR. Joined the Sea Cadet Corps 1949 and completed National Service aboard Duke of York and Ceres. Past CO of TS Hornet (Gosport) and District Offi cer for Central District in Southern Area SCC. Member of the RNA and Duke of York Association. September 23. Aged 81. Leslie Arthur Comber. Served 1943-46. Gunner on board Virago, served on Arctic convoys and Pacifi c. Llandudno branch. September 30. Aged 85. James Mercer. POM(E). Joined Raleigh 1951 and served RNB Drake, Indefatigable, Carisbrooke Castle, Alaunia, Loch Fyne, Barnstone and Clion. Leicester branch. September 27. Aged 77. Jean Colechin. Associate member Nuneaton branch. August 21. Aged 84.


SUBMARINERS ASSOCIATION G H ‘George’ Badland. ERA. Submarine service 1941-45 in Taku. Colchester branch. Aged 95.


J D ‘Donald’ Byrne. ME1. Submarine Service 1964-69 in Valiant (65-69) and Churchill (69-72) Barrow branch. Aged 70. E ‘Ted’ Coll. AB LR3. Submarine service 1944-45 in Urtica and Truculent. New Zealand branch. Aged 86. Lt Cdr R C H ‘Dick’ Mason. Submarine service 1943-57 in Varangian (43-44), Statesman (44-45), Tradewind (‘46), Truculent (47-48), Turpin and Sirdar (‘51). Australian branch. Aged 86. A ‘Tony’ Massey ME1. Submarine service 1966-71 in Tiptoe, Andrew and Tabard. Middlesex branch. Aged 66. D ‘Derick’ Ramsdale. AB RP3. Submarine service 1953-56 in Truncheon, Totem and Acheron. Australia branch. Aged 77.


ALGERINES ASSOCIATION William ‘Bill’ Cock. FCPO (Stoker). Served 1952-79 latterly in Sirius, Triumph and FMU Chatham. Also a member of the Ton Class Association and 8th Destroyer Association. September 14. Aged 77. Henry Day. PO. Served in Truelove. August 21. Aged 92. Laurie Arnold. Ldg/Stwd. Served in Cockatrice. September 13. Aged 83. Gordon Newlove. AB. Served in Maenad. September 22. Aged 85. Derek Bamford. L/Sto. Served in Bramble and Pincher. October 14. Aged 77.


LST & LANDING CRAFT ASSOCIATION R G Price. Served LCTs 301, 548 and 560 also LCT(R) 362. September 6. S T Wright. Served LCT 2437 and with 110th Flotilla. Australia, September 7. R E Barron . Served LCI(L) 258 and LCT 499. September 7. W W Croft. Served LSE 2, LSE(LC) 52 and MBMU 50 and 64. September 11.


HMS ILLUSTRIOUS ASSOCIATION Lt John W B Annesley RNVR. Aboard 1943-46 in Fighter Direction. March 18. Frank Bishop. L/Seaman. Aboard 1952-


54 and remained in the RN until 1971. June 14. Aged 79.


Roy Chapman RM. Signalman. Aboard 1949-50 Communications department. April 19.


HMS GAMBIA ASSOCIATION Leslie Newman. Sto.Mech. Served in Illustrious 1949-51 and a member of the association; also founder and life secretary of HMS Gambia Association and died whilst attending its reunion in Southsea, September 12.


Bill Casbolt. EM. Ex-chairman. July. Geoff Walker. Ord Tel. February. Allen Bunch. AB. Rodney Smallridge. Ch.RE. August.


Please call 023 9272 6284 for details or email:


subscriptions@navynews.co.uk


ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION Kenneth George Wright. Stoker/Mech. Served 1944-48 in Royal Arthur, Pembroke, Fancy, Recruit (minesweepers) and Apollo. Founder member of Uttoxeter RNA. September 8. Aged 83. George Williams. Able Seaman. Served


Offi cer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) Capt Nigel Anthony Jones, Royal Fleet Auxiliary


REST OF THE WORLD


Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS) Cdre Timothy Miles Lowe, Royal Navy


Queen’s Gallantry Medal (QGM) PO ACMN Dian Jonathan Lacy, Royal Navy


Ask Jack


Essex, where we both were drawn together in the ATC; he went into the RAF and I served in the FAA air mechanic. Ronald Tilley would be now about 85. One of the ironies of those years ago was that he fl ew alongside my cousin a RCAF bomb aimer, a Sgt Harold Constable, Lancaster Sqd 153 who was shot down but made it home. If anyone has any information regarding Ronald could they contact John Constable at john1926@ btinternet.com or tel: 01245 441115. Wrens: I am an ex-leading Stoker and attend 1940s events with my wife. I have the same uniform style that I had in the 1960s and I have managed to kit my wife out as a leading Wren. What I am fi nding impossible to get is a Wrens Long service and Good Conduct Stripe. There is plenty of Red or Gold, but alas, no Blue. are there any former Wrens that could possibly help us out? Please contact John Pittock, 5 Halstead’s Way, Steeton, West Yorkshire. BD20 6SN. HMS Sussex: Found in Perth/Fremantle,


Australia, a WW2 whistle inscribed ‘HMS Sussex CPO A (possibly R) – W Evans’. We would like to return to W Evans or his family. Contact Jenny O’Toole at jennyo1@ iinet.net.au or write to 65 Melville Beach Road, Applecross, Western Australia 6153 Australia.


Bulwark, Albion & Centaur Association: Did you ever serve in Bulwark, Albion or Centaur? The Association is open to anyone who served at any time on these ships. Magazine three times per year plus events including AGM/Social, sea-days and anniversary commemorations. Whilst our ‘Home Port’ is Pompey, next year’s AGM/


Talking Navy News goes digital


Navy News is available free of charge as a digital file on memory stick or email from Portsmouth Area Talking News for those with difficulty reading normal type. Contact 023 9269 0851 and leave a message with a contact number, or email patn-rec@hotmail. com. A speaker that will take a USB plug is required but this can be obtained from the Talking News, or the file can be played back through a computer.


Flying: Flight Lt John Bradbury, formerly WO1 WEA, is now a fl ying instructor at the Central Gliding School RAF Syerston near Newark, Nottinghamshire. John left the RN in October 2005 after 34 years service to take up a full-time fl ying appointment with the RAF to train instructors in gliding and motor gliding for the Air Training Corp. As well as training instructors he also visits the 27 Volunteer Gliding Schools to carry out standardisation checks. In addition he also fl ies the Robin DR400 for aero towing as required. Originally from the Nottingham area he now lives at Winthorpe near Newark with his wife Elaine. Although he now lives in the East Midlands he is still a member of the Portsmouth Naval Gliding Centre and regularly helps out on various gliding courses. Always keen to promote aviation John strongly recommends anyone interested in fl ying to contact any of the three naval gliding clubs at Portsmouth, Yeovilton and Culdrose to arrange a trial fl ight. It might even lead onto a second career with the RAF! Contact John on 01636 643819 or 01400 264526. PS Waverley: Seeking any former crew who served aboard PS Waverley at Dunkirk prior to her loss in 1940. Also are there any survivors who managed to escape before she sank. Contact Timothy Smith, 9 Hollybush Close, Chippenham, Wilts, SN14 6RH or tel: 01249 460689. Ronald Tilley: Seeking any records of Sgt Ronald Tilley, a rear gunner in Lancasters and wartime colleague, fl ying from the Diss area. I


last met him in 1946 in Laindon,


Social will be held in Bracklesham Bay on the South Coast from May 13. We also sponsor sea cadets from our affi liated SCCs on the training ship ‘Royalist’. Membership is just £8 per annum! Enquiries to Leigh Easton at ngsfo@tiscali.co.uk or website: http:// www.bulwarkassoc.plus.com or write to Glenmoray, Hayford Place, Cambusbarron, Stirling, FK7 9JX. HMS Oracle: Planning a reunion for summer 2011. If anyone is interested or requesting further details contact WO1 Duffy on 01329 333196 or MOD: 93825 3196.


Contact sheet


www.royalnavy.mod.uk Veterans Agency: 0800 169 2277, www. veterans-uk.info


www.royal-naval-association.co.uk Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity: 023 9254 8076, www.rnrmc.org.uk RNBT: 023 9269 0112 (general), 023 9266 0296 (grants), www.rnbt.org.uk British Legion: 08457 725725, www. britishlegion.org.uk


227912, navysearchpgrc@tnt.co.uk Royal Naval Association: 023 9272 3823,


RN and RM Service records: 01283


www.mod.uk Royal Navy recruitment: 0845 607 5555,


Ministry of Defence: 0870 607 4455, MISCELLANEOUS AWARDS


Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS) Lt Gary McCall, Royal Navy


4374, www.nff.org.uk Seafarers UK: 020 7932 0000, www.


Naval Families Federation: 023 9265


seafarers-uk.org SSAFA Forces Help: 0845 1300 975,


www.ssafa.org.uk RN Community: www.rncom.mod.uk Medals enquiries: 0800 085 3600 Royal Naval Museum: 023 9272 7562,


www.royalnavalmuseum.org Fleet Air Arm Museum: 01935 840565,


www.royalmmarinesmuseum.co.uk RN Submarine Museum: 023 9252 9217,


www.rnsubmus.co.uk National Maritime Museum: 020 8312


www.iwm.org.uk


www.fl eetairarm.com Royal Marines Museum: 023 9281 9385,


6565, www.nmm.ac.uk Imperial War Museum: 020 7416 5320,


Competition


The World at War competition: two DVD box sets and two supporting books. Competition appeared in our September 2010 issue.


Winning answer: ‘Henry V’ The World at War DVD Sets: Mr D O’Gorman,


Trevor Williams, CTCRM Lympstone. The World at War book: Mr A Hamilton, Inverkeithing, Fife and Terry Hall, Stanley Village, Derbyshire.


Cippenham, Berkshire and


Speak to John Lister


01395 568028 www.burialatsea.co.uk email@burialatsea.co.uk


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