NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2011


33


Plotters plan for more


A GROUP of former radar plotters returned to their alma mater when they staged a reunion at the old HMS Dryad on Portsdown Hill. Most of the 22 were ex-PRIs – plotting and radar instructors – who served at Southwick during the 1950s, 60s or 70s. One of the organisers,


Phill


Hadfield, said: “Thanks to the Chief of Staff at the now Defence College of Policing and Guarding (HMS Dryad), Sqn Ldr Jeanette Van Halteren, the day was a great success.


“It began with a welcome and a superb presentation on Southwick House of the World War 2 map of the D-Day Landings, followed by a meander around our former home. “For all you ex-Dryads, not too much has changed, all of us remembering what a great setting it was for a training establishment. “On retiring to the Golden Lion many a story had to be told – remembering such things as being North Cross sentry and the woodcutting party.” Many attendees were ex-members of the defunct PRIs Association, but Phill hopes that the meeting will not be the last. If anyone would like to contact Phill or fellow organiser George Allsop, email them at george. allsop369@btinternet.com or philliprhadfield@talktalk.net


Busy month


OCTOBER was a busy month from start to finish for Southend branch.


It began, appropriately enough, on the first of the month when members put on a display for an old people’s home to support Older Peoples Day. And


appropriately, with a Hallowe’en party for children on the 30th. In between there was an official


The annual collection that raised over £2,000 was held at three local supermarkets.


it ended, not so


Trafalgar Dinner, with guest Sir Teddy Taylor, and a Trafalgar Night with traditional ‘up spirits’ at the club.


Navy pays tribute to Eastchurch pioneers


COMMODORE Fleet Air Arm Cdre Martin Westwood led tributes to the pioneer Naval aviators at an annual service of commemoration and flypast held at Eastchurch


on the Isle of Sheppey. The first Naval flyers began training on March 1 1911 at Eastchurch airfield, taught by instructors from the Royal Aero Club.


By 1912 an aircraft had taken off from a ship under way for the first time.


In a short speech Cdre


Westwood drew parallels between the first Naval aviators and those of today, noting that the Fleet Air Arm had always been, and would remain, innovative, daring and cost-effective.


He emphasised the ongoing commitment of the Fleet Air Arm to current operations with aircraft, crews and maintainers serving in Afghanistan and wherever the Royal Navy is deployed. Cdre Westwood remarked that


this year saw the 70th anniversary of the attack at Taranto in Italy on November 11 1940 by Swordfish aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm operating from HMS Illustrious where, for the first time in history, a strike force from sea-based air power delivered a decisive blow to an enemy fleet which greatly benefitted the allied cause on land, at sea and in the air. This was, in other words, a truly


“joint” operation, he said. Cdre Westwood thanked Swale


● A veteran Navy Sea Hawk draws plenty of attention during the ceremony at Eastchurch


Borough Council and Eastchurch Parish Council, who host the memorial, for their dedication in raising and maintaining the tribute, erected in 1955 following a public fundraising appeal. Cdr Geoff Bowker joined him in thanking council staffs for their


Glasgow members at Seafarers service


MEMBERS of the City of Glasgow branch attended the Seafarers service held at Glasgow Cathedral. Shipmates were inspected by Naval Regional Officer Cdre Charles Stevenson, the service was conducted by the Rev Dr Laurence Whitley, and the Rev Andrew Allcock, chaplain to HMS Neptune, gave the sermon.


After the service the RM Band Scotland played a short concert. £50 (AND WOOD’S RUM) PRIZE PUZZLE


help in organising the event. The Royal Navy Historic Flight Sea Hawk flew overhead in tribute to the service rendered by generations of Naval airmen, and standard bearers from local Fleet Air Arm Association and RNA branches paraded in their honour.


Sea Cadets were on duty, and children from Eastchurch Primary School lined the route from church to memorial, while members of the local authorities joined in commemorations for the start of a tradition of innovation and service that continues to this day.


Hunt on for Italy veterans


THE Italy Star Association is looking for its missing members. The organisation, which covers the Italian military campaign of 1943-45, believes there are possibly thousands of veterans who were awarded the Italy Star but do not know of the existence of the Association, which was started almost 30 years ago. The Association aims to foster the comradeship formed during the war years through social activities, reunions and the like. Apart from the troops, membership is also open to all RN and Merchant Navy personnel who gave Naval and logistical support, who will have been awarded the Italy Star decoration. Associate membership is offered


to relatives of Italy Star veterans. Anyone keen to take up the offer should phone association National Secretary on 0208 241 0275.


Devon vs Cornwall


Holsworthy Golf Club took on a team from the ‘Fighting 99’ for the HGC vs HMS Cornwall Challenge Plate – and won both the trophy and the Stableford result. “It was a real pleasure to receive the team from the frigate and they seemed to enjoy Jo’s catering too,” said S/M Bob Gelder, branch secretary and member of the veterans team. “We look forward to meeting the guys again following their return to the UK after their deployment to parts foreign.”


Branches gather to refl ect on Trafalgar


BRIDPORT branch managed to attract a Naval officer named Nelson to speak at their Trafalgar dinner, thanks to family ties. Lt Cdr Chris Nelson, who was accompanied by his wife Nichola, happens to be the son of S/M Vaughan and branch secretary S/M Carole Nelson. Members of Portland branch


THE mystery ship in our October edition (right)


was HMCS


Labrador. The winner of our £50 prize was


Mr Rudge of Paignton, while the bottle of Wood’s Old Navy rum goes to Mr Long of Taunton.


This month we again have two prizes – our normal £50 and a bottle of Wood’s Old Navy Rum. To be eligible to win the rum you must confirm that you are 18 years old or over, and you must also live in the UK (including Northern Ireland, Eire and the Channel Islands). The submarine pictured around 50 years ago (above) is doing what comes naturally, according to her name.


Built by Vickers-Armstrong in


Barrow and launched in the spring of 1956, she was the name-boat of her class.


But the sleek black look went in the mid-1980s when she ended her days in a somewhat ignoble fashion,


painted fluorescent red and sunk by her own side. What was her name? Complete the coupon and send it to Mystery Picture, Navy News, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH. Coupons giving the correct answer will go into a prize draw to establish two winners. Closing date for entries is January 14 2011. More than one entry can be submitted but photocopies cannot be accepted. Do not include anything else in your envelope: no correspondence can be entered into and no entry returned.


The winners will be announced in our February edition. The competition is not open to Navy News employees or their families.


MYSTERY PICTURE 190 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . My answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I confirm that I am 18 years old or over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


also attended, as did old friends from Bridport and Lyme Regis RAFA, with whom the branch shares various functions throughout the year. The memorial service held


two days later was also a good opportunity to present the Shipmate of the Year trophy, which went to S/Ms Graham and Betty Belsey. Bourne branch celebrated


Trafalgar Night in traditional style, with a bedecked hall and almost 110 members and guests sitting down to a four-course meal to the accompaniment of nautical music. During the evening Life Membership was presented to branch president S/M Nobby Middleton, prompting a standing ovation. Harrogate and District held


national president, while enjoying a excellent meal at the Ascot House Hotel. Wansbeck branch also took the opportunity of a good turnout to pay tribute to one of


loyal shipmates during Trafalgar celebrations. Former chairman and long-


serving committee member S/M Peter Wilson was awarded Life Membership by branch chairman S/M Brian Lawson. Market Harborough branch


their the


● Standards on display at Capt Edward Parker’s tomb during the Trafalgar Day service of the Deal and Walmer branch of the Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men


celebrated the big day with 70 members and guests sitting down to a five-course formal dinner at the local golf club.


Guest of honour Capt Paul


their Trafalgar Dinner on the same night as Bourne, and enjoyed an “informative and humorous” speech from guest speaker Vice Admiral John McAnally,


Quinn, the General Secretary of the RNA, and his wife Liz were piped in, and S/M Paul went on to outline plans for the future of the Association as well as examining the battle itself. S/M Paul’s predecessor as General Secretary, S/M Paddy McClurg, was guest of honour at the City of Inverness event, held at the Waterside Hotel. S/M Paddy was presented with


a ‘kilt towel’, and in return – to the surprise of the recipient – S/M Paddy presented


Life


Membership to branch chairman S/M Bob Coburn. Egerton Park Indoor Bowls Club


was the venue for the Bexhill-on- Sea branch dinner, attended by more than 40 shipmates and their guests.


Each diner was presented with an individually-named programme for the evening, produced by secretary S/M Fred Cayton.


with Ramsgate RMA, the HMS Phoebe Association and local RBL branches were on display at the Trafalgar Day service organised by the Deal and Walmer branch of the Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men. The service was held in St


Folkestone branches, Walmer, along


George’s Church, Deal, and on completion the 120 guests who attended watched as wreaths were placed at the tomb of Capt Edward Parker,


situated in the


church’s Garden of Rest. Capt Parker was one of Nelson’s


favourite captains, and the hero of Trafalgar attended Parker’s funeral at the church in 1801. Meanwhile, Cyprus


branch


welcomed back some familiar faces for their Trafalgar Night dinner at the Moniatis Hotel in Limassol – honorary life vice president S/M Nobby Hall and his wife Helen. There was a BZ for vice


chairman S/M George Williams, who found the venue and made all the arrangements.


Standards from Deal Ramsgate


and and


BUDE branch played a pivotal role in setting up a match between a golf club in Devon and a team from HMS Cornwall. The veterans section at


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