32
NAVY NEWS, APRIL 1994
the best leisure offers British Airways
041-226 4321 The Military Sales Hotline is open Monday to Friday 0900 - 1700 for:
End of the RNXS but their talents live on
The Royal Naval Auxiliary Service disbanded on March 31 after 32 years in support of the Naval Control of Shipping organisation. The RNXS developed out of the Royal Navy Minewatching Service — marking the shift to its latterday prime function, which actually had its origins in the Corps of Sea Fencibles, formed in the Napoleonic Wars. Then the Fencibles were tasked with defending ports and rivers and supporting Naval shipping — for a free uniform and a shilling a month. In 1962 60 RNXS units were formed, covering all the strategic ports around the UK seaboard, with some 2,700 volunteers and 12 little ships, including Fleet Tenders and P20 patrol boats. After over 30 years of giving freely of their time in support of the Navy, the end of the Cold War rendered them superfluous to defence requirements, though — and the order came to stand down. In a tribute to the RNXS, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Benjamin Bathurst told Navy News he "fully appreciated the sadness with which everybody received the news." "I want to place on record the Board's thanks for all their efforts over the years. "During the Gulf War we had 30 members of the RNXS closed up at HMS Centurion in the Casualty Co-ordination Centre — which showed the flexibility of these very willing volunteers. "Other incidents they've been involved in include the Torrey Canyon incident in 1973, when RNXS craft were called into help with pollution control.
Instructors
• Special flight offers • Competitive rates for: - Car Hire — Hotel Accommodation — Travel Insurance These offers are available only to members of the Armed Services, full and part-time MOD civilian employees, Service Pensioners, SSAFA members, their spouses, unmarried dependent children up to the age of 25 and the parents of the eligible persons.
BRITISH AIRWAYS In conjunction with the Services Booking Centre
"They were also involved with the Pacific Glory fire off the Isle of Wight — and when we lost a Tornado off the Welsh coast in 1992 they turned out then. "On so many occasions, such as the Silver Jubilee or the Battle of the Atlantic commemoration in Liverpool last year, they have been a tremendous contributor to every aspect of Naval business. "I particularly welcome the fact that some of
them are transferring to the RNR. Others are joining the Sea Cadet Corps as instructors — and 150 of them have volunteered to assist the Chatham Royal Dockyard Historic Trust to restore and operate some of their ships. "Police forces are contacting them — and in Jersey RNXS personnel have been recruited to form the States Coast Watch organisation.
1 hope we will see them reappearing in many corners of naval business' "So their talents are fully recognised by people other than us — but it is a sad day that they are passing and although they are formally disbanded this Spring they will certainly not be forgotten. "I hope we will see them reappearing in many corners of naval business." To mark their own disbandment the London Unit RNXS held a dinner at HMS President attended by Second Sea Lord Vice-Admiral Sir Michael Layard — who unveiled an RNXS commemorative plaque on the gangway and carried out a full inspection of the unit. Other ceremonies around the country included a last ceremonial entry into Devonport by XSV Loyal Chancellor and XSV Express, whose familiar black hulls and grey upperworks have been familiar to all afloat along the South Coast for many years. • Below: artwork for RNXS London Unit's farewell dinner menu by QNX Steve BrittHazzard.