NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2011
Christmas parcel plea by MOD
A CAMPAIGN last year to reduce the burden on the Forces’ logistics system succeeded in cutting the volume of unsolicited mail by 90 per cent on the 2009 figure. And once again the message is:
if you want to support the Forces over Christmas, please back an existing Service charity rather than sending goodwill parcels. By doing so, there is a very good chance that men and women serving in places like Afghanistan will have a good Christmas, surrounded by presents and mail from their families and friends. “We are extremely grateful for
the levels of support shown by people right across the country, which provides clear evidence of the respect and affection in which our Armed Forces
are held,”
said Lt Gen Sir William Rollo, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Personnel and Training). “Such support means a great deal to our men and women, particularly those deployed on operations.
“The unceasing generosity and heartfelt support of people at home is vital in keeping up morale, often in very difficult circumstances. “However,
you
aware that the MOD provides a comprehensive welfare package to all those serving abroad, including free phone calls home, free email and Internet access, in addition to free mail services for families and close friends. “On top of this, we want the public to be able to show their support in ways which do not place undue strain on the postal and logistic system and increase personal danger to those delivering mail, particularly towards the front line, which involves helicopter flights or road convoys. “It is estimated that the Armed
Forces mail system will handle approximately 22,500 parcels per week over Christmas this year – the eight-week period between mid-October and mid-December – as opposed to 10,000 parcels over a ‘normal’ eight-week period. “Our main priority remains to ensure that letters and parcels from families and friends get through in good time. “If the system is swamped by the public’s generosity in sending their own goodwill parcels to people they do not know, the all- important personal mail can be significantly delayed.
“Although parcels from the public are well-received,
if it h h h
means that mail from family and friends does not get through, it can cause disappointment and heartache.” Alternative means of support suggested by the MOD include: The Operational Welfare Fund,
run by SSAFA Forces Help (
http://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/OperationalWelfareFund) Charity uk4u Thanks, which sends a special gift box full of presents to every Serviceman and woman on operations over Christmas (
www.uk4u.org) Details of other
charities can be found at www.
mod.uk/publicsuppor tforour servicepersonnel
Service l RPO McIndoe searching with RMP RN Police scour returning ship
MEMBERS of the RN Police from RNP HQ(E) at HMS Collingwood participated in a UK Border Agency (UKBA)-led operation searching of the cargo and vehicles landed from MV Anvil Point, which docked at the Sea Mounting Centre at Marchwood on its return from the Middle East. During
the operation more than 50
personnel from UKBA and the Forces’ police services, including the MOD Police, carried out searches of the cargo and vehicles on board on the lookout for contraband. This was the second such operation of its kind conducted this year and the team, including Drugs Detection dogs, police search teams and vehicle-mounted X-ray technology, searched
more than 120 vehicles, 50 ISO containers and personnel who had been on board as security for the vessel on her transit home.
The search resulted in some contraband
material being seized, and whilst no formal action is being pursued by UKBA on this occasion, this may not be the case in the future. The operation sends a very clear message to
Service personnel that smuggling contraband within military transport and freight will not be tolerated; possession of contraband may result in criminal prosecution, as certainly would be the case with the importation of illicit drugs or other items of interest. UKBA have indicated their intent to target future operations at ships returning.
Rustling up treats in Brocklesby’s galley
should be
SERVING three square meals a day to a fighting force on the front line of a high-profile conflict was all in a day’s work for LCH Gavin ‘Buster’ Brown,
head chef in HMS Brocklesby. After keeping shipping lanes off
Libya clear of mines, the Hunt- class minehunter returned to a rapturous welcome in the summer. Brocklesby recently visited London to support the international WorldSkills competition and conference on
training and
vocational skills at ExCeL. And Gavin was only too pleased to get the opportunity to meet and cook with award-winning chef and rising celebrity Will Torrent, who
has family links to the Navy. Will is a WorldSkills alumnus, winning the coveted Medallion of Excellence in 2007 in Japan as a specialist patissier and chocolatier – a first for a UK pastry chef. At just 25 he has worked with the likes of Heston Blumenthal, Delia Smith and Brian Turner, and is a consultant to Waitrose. Will was delighted to bring his
sweet treats’ know-how to the chefs on board Brocklesby and enjoyed helping Gavin out in the rather confined working space of the ship’s galley on board and hearing his stories of catering for a hungry crew with a battle to fight. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a helicopter carrier, a
destroyer or a minehunter,” said Gavin.
“One of the few things which unites everyone, from the CO right through to the most junior sailor, is the food. Good scran keeps morale up and everyone shipshape for the job.
“Meal-times are an important
part of the day’s structure and we take great pride in producing good quality food for the ship’s company so that they in turn are able to continue to represent the Royal Navy and, indeed, the UK at the sharp end of operations.” Gavin continued: “The trickiest thing of all is operating in a confined space. And during our Libyan deployment there was also
quite a lot of heat to cope with. “But, as the old saying goes, if
you can’t stand the heat… I was really proud to be a key member of the team on board, serving up 45 meals four times a day to a hot, battle-honed crew. “So it’s nice to be able to sit back just for once and let someone else whip up the treats. Will has been great – a thorough professional and very helpful.” After being put through his paces by Gavin with a bit of prep and cooking for an evening meal, Will took over the galley. He was able to get Gavin and his colleagues to help him out as he produced a dark chocolate and rum tart with glazed oranges and vanilla cream for the crew of 45. “I’ve become used to cooking in
in the Royal Navy, so today it has been an incredible honour to serve up a bit of a treat for these guys who have so recently returned from the front line.” WorldSkills London 2011 is the largest international skills competition; 1,000 young people from 55 countries and regions competed to become the best of the best in 46 skill areas across seven sectors, from health to engineering.
some truly exceptional kitchens,” said Will. “I can’t believe how well- equipped, but very cramped the galley is on one of these ships – it’s a very hard-working environment and has certainly been an amazing experience for me. “Both my grandfathers served
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Trafalgar Night in India
WHERE better to hold a Trafalgar Night celebration than in Trafalgar House? That being the case, an Indian training establishment was the setting when Lt Cdr James Richards hosted a party to mark the occasion. Lt Cdr
the Indian Staff Course at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, South India, living in Trafalgar House. The Senior Service invited the
James is attending
British Army and RAF to join in, along with fellow students Cdr Srikant Koduri from the Indian Navy and Lt Cdr John Stogdill of the US Navy. “Everything went according to plan until the neighbours started to complain about the re-enactment of the battle with the use of several cases of Diwali firecrackers,” said Lt Cdr Richards.
Minister’s visit
NEW Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has visited troops in Helmand Province. The minister flew to Afghan capital Kabul for meetings with senior Allied and Afghan officials. He then flew on to Lashkar where he met local
Gah,
commanders for briefings before meeting soldiers from 3 Scots, accompanying them on a foot patrol to the local bazaar.
Last delivery
THE Royal Naval Philatelic Society, which was
1972, has announced that it will cease to exist from December 31. RN Philatelic Officer Robert
created in
Fosterjohn has expressed his grateful thanks to all members, and to the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.
Medals sold A COLLECTION of three
medals, including a silver officer-
class Davison’s Nile Medal, has been sold by Nantwich auctioneers Peter Wilson for £9,000. The medals were presented to
the Atkinson family in the 19th century, with the Nile Medal being claimed by Thomas Atkinson, a friend of Nelson and described by the admiral as “one of the best Masters I have seen in the Royal Navy.”
Atkinson was the Master of HMS Victory at Trafalgar.
Gannet mast replaced
WHILE HMS Victory in Portsmouth has lost most of her masts while undergoing conservation, another veteran warship has just regained one of hers. Victorian sloop HMS Gannet, open to the public
which dates from 1878, and submarine HMS Ocelot. It was then
at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham – where HMS Victory was built – now has a new 70ft lower foremast.
Built in two sections and made up of around 200 pieces of kiln-dried Douglas fir, the mast was rigged up and fitted out in the space between the sloop,
tonne crane, and dropped through the deck to slot into the keel (pictured above). In keeping with Naval tradition a coin was placed under the base of the mast – on this occasion a £5 coin commemorating the Queen’s coronation. The mast was assembled in No 3 Covered Slip by
Theatre festival is launched
THE 2012 RN Theatre Festival has
been officially launched
by the Senior Service’s theatre association president. Rear Admiral David Steel, Chief of Staff (Personnel) was supported by rehearsing cast and crew of the Admirals’ Players pantomime Little Red Riding Hood (pictured). The festival, which will run from March 5 – April 27, is open to groups representing ships and Naval Service establishments, staffs of flag officers, detached naval units and theatre clubs from Joint Service establishments where Naval Service personnel are assigned. Full details and rules are in
2011DIN10-038. Rear Admiral Steel said he was
particularly pleased to see the moral component in action with members of the Naval Service, civil servants and their families working together outside of their
normal daily environments. He continued: “Participation in extramural activities such as amateur dramatics is an excellent way
for their individuals communication
to develop skills
and confidence, and I would ask all Commanding Officers to encourage their people to participate in an existing theatre club or even better start up a new club with a grant from the RNTA.” The RNTA always welcomes new members, whether budding actors, directors or stage crew. Coming up will be a workshop
covering lighting, auditions for Spring festival productions and preparations for the summer production of Much Ado About Nothing in conjunction with the RSC’s Open Stages. Anyone interested
in joining
the RNTA should email
rntheatreassociation@gmail.com
lifted across to the ship using a 300-
shipwright Ben Jefferies, assisted by Dave Appleton, and dressed, rigged and stepped by Ian Bell.
NEARLY 700 people filled Portsmouth’s Catholic Cathedral to pay tribute to one of the Navy’s most influential late-20th Century leaders.
Front-line operations and day-
to-day life across the Fleet are still shaped by the actions of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Julian Oswald nearly two decades ago. Sir Julian, who died in July
at the age of 77, was head of the Senior Service for four years during a period of tremendous change – notably the end of the Cold War and female sailors going to sea, a policy he steered through to its inception. The admiral served as First Sea Lord from 1989 to 1993 and was instrumental in making the case for helicopter carrier HMS Ocean; he is credited with laying the foundation for the Navy’s
Ancient pudding A CONTENDER for the title
of oldest Christmas pudding in the world has been given to the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth. The tinned pudding was found in the back of a family’s food cupboard, and dates from 1900. It was one of hundreds of
Peek, Freen & Co’s Teetotal Plum Pudding sent to members of the Naval Brigade during the Boer War by Aggie Weston.
Tributes are paid to Sir Julian at service
current amphibious capability. Such is the regard in which the admiral was held that St John’s Cathedral in Portsmouth was filled for a memorial mass, with today’s senior sailor, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, representing the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh and paying tributes on behalf of his men and women. “The consequences of Admiral
Oswald’s considerable wisdom, foresight and progressive thinking are legacies that happily endure in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary to this day,” Admiral Stanhope said. “He was a highly personable of
man immense courage,
conviction and compassion.” Sir Julian joined up in 1947, and his commands included HMS Bacchante, HMS Newcastle and BRNC, Dartmouth. He was promoted Rear Admiral in 1982 and went on to become Flag Officer Third Flotilla and then Commander-in-Chief Fleet. Sir Julian is survived by his wife
Lady Veronica (Roni) Oswald and his two sons and three daughters. The service was conducted by the Rt Rev Richard Moth, Bishop of Her Majesty’s Forces and the Very Rev Canon David Hopgood, Dean of St John’s Cathedral. Buglers from the Royal Marines
Band Portsmouth and a Colour Party from HMS Collingwood took part in the service.
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