‘ONCE NAVY, ALWAYS NAVY’
Home is proud of veterans
A CARE home in Banstead, Surrey, celebrated the contributions and sacrifices its residents have made to the UK in their seafaring backgrounds to mark national Older People’s Day on October 1. The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has provided nursing care and accommodation to support elderly, sick or disabled seafarers, their widows and dependants for more than 150 years. One of the home’s tenants is Roy Ticehurst (above), who spent time as a Naval guard in Sri Lanka, protecting members of the WRNS and supplies, and also saw action in the D-Day landings. Roy, who moved to the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society as a tenant in 1992, has taken part in projects run by the society to raise awareness among the younger generation of the important role both Navies play in our society. Home manager Anne Kasey said: “Roy’s time at sea and at the D-Day Landings is just one of the amazing stories our residents tell every day. “Many residents and tenants have spent time serving their country, whether through the forces, in the Merchant Navy or battling the elements as fishermen to contribute to the economy of our island nation. “We are proud of all our residents every day, but this Older People’s Day we want to raise awareness of the sacrifices many of the people who live here have made and celebrate their stories. “As our population grows older, it’s important we acknowledge the role of older people in our communities and celebrate all they have to offer for us to learn from.”
Town remembers ‘other’ HMS Ajax
THE town of Ajax in Canada was named after the wartime Royal Navy cruiser – but a visit by her successor in the 1970s merited civic ceremonies to mark the anniversary.
Farmland beside Lake Ontario was converted to a huge munitions plant during the war, supplying shells to the Royal Navy. At the war’s end, the new community stayed put; it needed a name and chose one that would reflect their raison d’etre. Thanks to the Battle of the River Plate, in which Ajax took part, the town of Ajax – believed to be the only town in the world named after a ship – was born. Most of the streets are named in honour of those who served at the River Plate and in HMS Ajax. The HMS Ajax and River Plate Veterans Association retains very close links with the town, and the most recent trip was made earlier this year. It marked the anniversary of a visit by the cruiser’s namesake in 1976, when the Leander-class frigate sailed up the St Lawrence Seaway into Lake Ontario. Several members of that crew, one cruiser veteran and other association members marked the anniversary. Besides obligatory excursions to Niagara Falls and the CN Tower, inter alia, the town laid on three days of special events. The first was the unveiling of an ‘Historic Wall’ in the Veterans Point Gardens, containing the names of over 4,500 crew members who served at the River Plate in Ajax, Achilles and Exeter, those who served in Ajax generally, and many who visited 40 years ago, plus association chairman Peter Danks. Malcolm Collis, on behalf of the association, presented the town a bench to go next to the wall. Nigel Masters presented to the Sea Cadets an award in memory of Vice Admiral ‘Tubby’ Squires who had been the frigate captain
l (Above) The British visitors march through Ajax in Canada; (below) Members with the respective road signs at the association reunion in Southsea last month at the time of the visit. Next day saw a departure from the town’s street-naming policy with new names in honour of some of the frigate crew – although first stop was Collis Lane to show Joseph his great grandfather’s street. Then off to London Lane, under construction, for the presentation of the street sign by Mayor Steve Parish – the lane honours Exeter veteran Jim London. Others honoured were Alf Larkin (Larkinly Lane), Nigel Masters (Masterson Lane), Mike Fox (Foxtrot Lane) and former Master-at-Arms Fred Coates (Coates-of-Arms Lane). Signs were also presented to Alan Styth (Stythinson Street), Glyn Seagrave (Seagrave Street), Ian Cunliffe (Cunliffe Street) and Peter Danks (Danks Ridge Street), in recognition of his work with the association. Hunter Drive is named after Stuart ‘Jock’ Hunter, in Ajax at the River Plate, who died years ago not knowing he had a street. His grandson Lee Hayward, a serving CPO, along with his family, was there to receive the street sign and plaque, fulfilling a
long-held family wish. The final stop was Darbyshire Court, dedicated to Ian Darbyshire. The next day saw the Navy men trying to remember how to march before setting off behind the association’s standard, with marching bands, to re-enact the Freedom of the Town march of 40 years ago. Fortunately fixed bayonets were not evident... Two of the group, whose marching days were over, were transported by a Willys Jeep. At the Royal Canadian Legion a service rededicated the frigate anchor, presented when Ajax was scrapped – her bell hangs in Council Chambers and is rung to
commence proceedings – and the day ended with a civic reception. The final day saw Whitby Yacht Club take the visitors sailing along the lake to the port of Oshawa, where Ajax had berthed 40 years ago. The first event of 2016 was a memorial service and lunch at the National Memorial Arboretum in April around our Battle of the River Plate memorial. The final event was the reunion in Southsea when 50 members gathered, including three cruiser veterans – one of whom, Ted Wicks, was at the River Plate. For further information about the town and the association visit www.hmsajax.org
A NEW Remembrance Centre has been officially opened at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Staffordshire. The £15.7 million project is the result of a successful fundraising campaign and a final generous contribution from the Royal British Legion, of which the NMA forms a part. The iconic new building was designed by the prestigious Glenn Howells Architects, and at its heart is an interactive exhibition providing a preview of the arboretum and an introduction to the concept of
Remembrance, which was made possible by a £2.85 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. There are also a wide variety of high quality, interactive activities, which engage audiences of all ages. Visitors will experience an immersive film experience, projected onto multiple screens inside ‘The Drum’. Enhanced learning facilities are a fundamental part of the new centre; new spaces will allow school visitors to grow from 15,000 to 25,000. The learning team is harnessing the arboretum’s assets – the
memorials, the local area and wildlife - to generate a greater understanding of Remembrance in a relevant and engaging way. The Remembrance Centre is also host to new exhibition galleries, a large restaurant and shop, and separate coffee shop. Adjacent to the centre is a new landscaped area to explore, Heroes’ Square, featuring commemorative paving stones, engraved with cap badges or crests of the Royal Navy, the British Army, the Royal Air Force and City Livery Companies. A new sensory play garden, full of textures, scented foliage, and natural materials, offers another way to engage younger visitors. At a preview gathering Maj Gen Patrick Cordingley, Chair of the Appeal Council, thanked those who had played a role in the campaign – including Navy News’ graphics officer Andy Brady, who provided drawings for the engraved pavings, and who was invited to the event. David Addis, chairman of the Regulating Branch and RN Police Association, was one of those attending the preview event. He said it was a proud day for his members – former and serving Reggies and police officers raised £3,000 in just seven months to have their own paving slab laid in Heroes’ Square.
New Remembrance Centre opens at arboretum
38 : NOVEMBER 2016
Russians seek convoy veterans
OVER the last couple of years the Russian Embassy has made a big effort to present an Ushakov medal in person to each and every surviving veteran of the Arctic Convoys, according to Konstantin Shlykov, Head of Press Office at the Russian Embassy in London. Today, after some 3,000 presentations, only about 150 of them are waiting for a medal, which will be presented in the next few weeks. However, despite all the Russians’ efforts and those of the UK Ministry of Defence, they have been unable to locate some 160 veterans. They are publishing on their website a list of names, with their last known area of residence, in the hope that readers will be able to trace them – see http://www. rusemb.org.uk/fnapr/5780
Falklands date
A MESS dinner to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict for all personnel still serving in the RN/ RM who took part in the fighting will take place on Friday June 9 2017 in HMS Collingwood Wardroom. This will be an All Ranks/ Rates event; the only criteria for attendance is possession of the South Atlantic Medal with Rosette, and to still be serving full time on any form of commitment. Further details of the dinner will be issued in due course, but if you are eligible you are strongly encouraged to save the date now. Any questions on the event should be forwarded to Cdr N J Hall RN at NAVY PSYA-INFOCYBER SY SO1 or 9380 27142.
Woking mourns
WOKING branch members are mourning the death of their chairman S/M Ian Fraser. Ian joined the Navy in October 1951, training as an electrical mechanic at HMS Collingwood, going on to serve in HMS Theseus, Bellerophon, Messina, NP 1214 and HMS Victory. Leaving the service in 1958 he became a manager with the GPO. He joined Woking in 1986 – he and his wife June were very active members – and he became chairman three years ago.
l THE Scottish Area Chairman models the new RNA tartan commissioned for the National Conference in Perth, Scotland, next June. Anyone wishing to purchase the tartan can contact Brian directly – his number is in the RNA Diary www.navynews.co.uk