22
NAVY NEWS. NOVEMBER 1995
Options
At Your Service
Reunions NOVEMBER MM ships Hecla, Venomous and Marne 1940-42 5th annual memorial service and reunion of survivors, rescuers and associates at Solihull November 10-13. Details from Harry Cliffe, Oak Tree Cottage, Post Office Lane. Norley, Warrington, Cheshire WA68JJ. Tel 01928 788181. HMS Capel, Affleck, Moorsom, Cranstoun, Burgess and all other ships of the 1st, 3rd and 17th escort groups, a reunion will be held from November 17-19 at the Stretton Hotel. 206-14 Promenade. Blackpool FY1 1RU. Details from John Wickens (Moorsom) Tel 01442 251231, Harry Rawson (Cranstoun) Tel 01460 234583 or Stan Wilkinson (Capel) Tel 01617 756732. HMS Barham remembrance and wreath laying service. Westminster Abbey. November 25. Details from Percy Cullum, 41 Roedean Rd. Worthing. BN13 2BT. Tel 01903 263350. DECEMBER 881 Combined Ops Bombardment Battery Royal Artillery, TA, annual reunion at the Stag and Hounds. 327 St Leonards Rd. Windsor, 2030hrs December 5 (formerly Naval Gunfire Unit). Details from Mr N R Feeley, Tel 01753 868771. LSTand Landing Craft Association, Bristol Region, meet in The Star Inn, Congresbury. Nr Bristol, for their annual Christmas lunch. Book early! Contact G Kirkman-Page. 30 Downend Rd, Downend, Bristol. Tel 0117 956 1070.
1996 Ceylon revisited: 5th reunion in Sri Lanka for ex-Service personnel, spouses and friends. February 13-29, 1996. Inclusive price of £1.088. Visits to forces bases, war cemetaries and cultural wonders. Details from Mr RG Harrison. 36 Hartley Down, Purley, Surrey CR8 4EA. Tel 0181 660 6459 or fax 0181 6608772.
HMS Cadiz and HMS Wizard reunion to be arranged in March 1996. Contact Darky, 35 Gawsworth Ave, Crewe. Cheshire CW2 8PB Tel 01270 662851. Wrens (Radar) All serving and former Wrens (Radar), including those who transferred and became officers, a reunion is to be held at HMS Dryad, March 22. 1996. cost £7.50. Details from POWren (R) Saranne Jones, SSCS Section. Purbrook Block, HMS Dryad, Southwick, Fareham, Hampshire PO17 6EJ. Tel 01705 284423. Please enclosed a SAE. HMS Dasher, lost March 1943. The annual reunion of survivors and families will be held on March 30. 1996. Flowers can be laid on behalf of families at the Dasher memorial. Details from Mrs Brenda Mackay, 19 Eglington Square, Ardrossan KA22 8LN Tel 01294 464491. APRIL HMS Newfoundland Association holds its eighth annual reunion April 12-14. 1996, in Babbacombe Bay, Torquay. Contact Tom Roxby, 8 Lindale Close, Buglawton. Congleton, Cheshire CW12 2DG. Tel 01260 279819. HMS Forester The fourth reunion will be held St Ives Hotel, St Annes-on-Sea. Lancashire, April 22-25, 1996. Contact Trevor Lloyd, 6 Matford Hill, Chippenham. Wiltshire SN15 3NX. Tel 01249 654420. LST and Landing Craft Association now booking for the annual reunion at Scarborough, April 28-May 1. 1996. Contact G Kirkman-Page. 30 Downend Rd. Downend, Bristol. Tel 0117 956 1070. MAY HMS Dido 1940-58 The next reunion will be held in Birmingham, May 24-25,1996. Details from Mr ET Commander, 81a Hawkinge Gardens, Ernesettle, Plymouth PL5 2RY. Tel 01752 360533. Please enclose a SAE. 42 Cdo RM, MT Section 1959-62 Association hold its 4th reunion on May 25.
1996. at the Royal Sailors' Home Club. Portsmouth. Details from Mr R A Hunt. 26 Liddiards Way, Purbrook, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 SOW. Tel 01705 262427. JUNE HMS Pique 1943-47 Reunion at The Royal Sailors' Home Club. Portsmouth, June 4-5, 1996. Details from Guss Gagg, 22 St Augustine's Court, Mornington Rd, Leytonstone, Essex E11 3BQ. Tel 0181 556 0367. HMS Tattoo 1943-46 Reunion at the
Royal Sailors' Home Club, Portsmouth, June 4-5, 1996. Contact: Joe Rue, 30 East Drive, Blunsdon Abbey, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 4DP. Tel 01793 724490. HMS Antrim reunion, the Royal Sailors' Home Club, Portsmouth. September 20-22, 1996. Contact Terry Bullingham, Tel 0121 429 2428. HMS Cossack 1937-59 Shipmates from LOS and D57 and their families are invited to contact Mr FV Thomas, 14 The Common. Harleston. Norfolk. IP20 9JT. Tel 0137 985 4649.
Calling old shipmates ABKVStaddon. originally from Barnhurst, Kent. Please contact Mr G Thomson who served with you in HMS Ganges. Iron Duke and York. 261 Muirfield Rd. South Oxhey. Watford, Herts WD1 6HZ. HMS Cassandra 1944-66 Newly formed association seeks new members to attend a a second reunion in early 1996. Contact Bob Shead. 9 St Albans Drive. Sheffield S10 4DL Tel 0114 230 7007. HMS Hotham Changi 1946 Arthur King would like to hear from the scouse shipmate (who also served on HMS Sheffield) who saved him from drowning. 34 Snowdon Avenue, Bryn y Baal, Mold, Clwyd CH7 6SZ. Tel 01352 758192. Ted Longhurst. Ganges 1953, Whitesand Bay 1954. Loch Killisport 195556. Mr Paul Jones would like to hear from you. 6 Orchard Rd, Sawston. Cambridgeshire CB24BE. Tel 01223 573676. HMS Hart Far East 1949-51 Wally (Scouse) Devon seeks old shipmates, especially Frank Halliday, Jim Jameson and anyone else who brought the ship home from her last Far East commission. 62 Fincham Rd, Liverpool L14 9NW. Tel 0151 480 6482. HMS Fisgard September 1955 Articifer apprentices of this entry who missed the 40th reunion can contact old shipmates through ex-WOMEA(H) Brian Wines, 40 Roundway, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 7QD. Tel. 01705647708. HMS Gamecock April 1957 No 8 class Brian Goouge and Terry McKee would like to hear from you. 17 Thornberry Ave, Weeley, Essex. Tel 01255 830 877 or 01452 411877. HM submarines Trenchant and Templar 1940-44 Crew member Dewis, last known residence in Derbyshire, is sought by old friend Arthur Cornish, c/o J Hallard. 2 Walker Street, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia 2580. HMS Houghton 104th Mine-sweeping Sqn Singapore 1960-62 Bob Bragg is still trying to find Derek Clewes, Nobby Clarkson, Oily Oliver and Woody Woodward, or any other crew members from that time. Tel 01473686541. Joe Barrett. AAI845 MAS. Sarawak 1964. Please contact Cliff Howard at 58 Wykeham Crescent, Cowley. Oxford OX4
SSBTel. 01865775307. HMS Ranpura 1939-41. HMS Philoctetes artisans and shipwrights mess July 1943-45: PJ Constable would like to hear from old shipmates. 63 Uplands Rd, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 7FA. The Aircrew Association is open to all serving and ex-Service members of all three services, including Allied, Dominion and Commonweatth air forces with a flying badge. Send a SAE to Fred Mcmillan, Hon. Registrar. 16 Marescrofl Rd, Slough, Berks SL2 2LW. Jimmy Green and Robert Slack, HMS Birmingham, Korea. Tesbo Inglis, HMS Cleopatra, and any other old shipmates of Roy Sykes interested in a surprise reunion, please contact his daughter, Mrs A Laverick, 16 Ayton Rd, Longwood, Huddersfield, West Yorks HD3 4TN. Tel 0 1484 659194. HMS Repulse 1939-41 Ted (Jessy) Matthews, later HMS Capetown, would like to contact AB Jock MacBeth of Hamilton, Scotland and other shipmates. Tel 01978 312659 or write to Alan Matthews, 4 Stone Cottages. Marchwiel. Wrexham, Clwyd LL13 OPP.
The Royal Marine Buglers Association seeks ex-Pompey, Chatham and Plymouth buglers who are interested in a get-together at Gosport, October 19, 1996. Contact Bill Evans, 17 Cherry Rd, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 3PJ Tel 01945 581890. HMS Royalist and HMS Sister Anne. George (rich/Yankee) Craddock would like to hear from old shipmates, especially Harry Stafford from Stafford and Ernie Lewis from Burton-on-Trent. 103 Broadmeadow Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B30 3PB. Tel 0121 4585621. Hal Boden, HMS Breconshire. please contact Ron Backhouse, Stockhill Fold, Bradford, West Yorks, BD10 9AY. Tel 01274 614142. Z Class Destroyers After May's reunion in Copenhagen, an association is to be formed for any who served in Zs from 1944. Contact Paul Andrew, Prospect House, Laughton, Lewes. E.Sussex BN8 6DD. HMS Tenby WWII Minesweeper J34 9th Flotilla and A/S frigate F65,1955-73 Seeking
THE ASSOCIATION OF ROYAL NAVY OFFICERS Patron Her Majesty The Queen ARNO, the Officers' Charitable and Social fellowship, is open to all Serving and Retired Commissioned Officers of the RN, RM, WRNS, QARNNS and their Reserves. Formed in 1925. ARNO's primary purpose is to assist Members including Honorary Members (the widows or former members) with grants and bursaries from the proceeds of its assets which exceed £1 million, wherever there is a need. Today the financial advantages of membership comfortably exceed the annual subscription (£10 per annum of £150 for Life) and include: 'House Purchase Generous cash payments with mortgage and with Life Assurance, and competitive conveyancing costs *AA Membership saving up to £30 per year 'Legal & Medical Consultations at free or favourable rates 'Trade Discounts of up to 33% in a wide range of services including insurance, travel, medical, jewellery, wines and many more. A List of Members and a Year Book are issued, and ARNO organises: •Regional Social functions and group holidays, *a list of members worldwide who would like to exchange homes for holidays 'Social introductions * Mail redirection 'Swords and uniform items for sale 'an ARNO credit card. For membership application form complete the following: To: Lt Cdi I. M. P. Coombes RN, ARNO, 70 Porchester Terrace, London W2 3TP. Please send me details and a membership application form.
J34 ex-canteen manager living in the Gosport area, also any ex-crew for a reunion in May 1996 at Trecarn Hotel. Babbacombe, Torquay. Phone Jeff May 01344 59368 or Roy Tapping 01202 301903. HMS Whitesand Bay 1952 Tom King, Jeff Steed and Dougie Worboys and any other ex-crew are sought by Geoff Nightingale. 268 Galley Hill. Gadebridge, Hemel Hempstead. Herts HP1 3LD. Tel 01442 63405. FWA Bellchambers, from HMS Ganges 1938 and submarines 1950, Peter Piper and Nick Carter would like to hear from you. Tel 01255 427885 or 476360. HMS Pheasant 1945-48 and HMS Veryan Bay 1945-55 Any old shipmates interested in a get-together next year in Birmingham, contact Vic Neale on 0121 783 8920. HMS Escapade, Battle of the Atlantic. Ex-AB Tom Shirton would like to hear from old shipmates or anyone who knows which flotilla Escapade belonged. 108 Argyle St, Heywood, Lancashire OL10 3SP Tel 01706 369970. 826 Squadron FAA any ex-members involved in clandestine operations behind German lines in the Western Desert, July 910, 1942. please contact Stephen Hall DFM, 11 Birch Rd, Norman Hill, Dursley, Gloucester GL11 5SF. Tel 01453 543 492. HMS Ripley 1942-43 Mr Mervyn Williams would like to hear from any members of the crew. 87 Olive Rd, Coxford, Southampton SO16 5FT. Tel 01703 775 875.
HMSJaseur 1950-54 Mr Tom Stanley would like to hear from ex-crew members. Corbiere, Weston Rd, Weston-Upon-Trent, South Derbyshire DE72 2BH. Tel 01332 700841. MV Suffolk and Esperance Bay, Atlantic run, also 1944 on Loch Killisport as barber and postman. Ex-Dems gunners are asked to contact Jim Farrow with a view to a reunion. 3-4 Alibey Apartmentos, Calo Des Moro 17820, San Antonio Abad, Ibiza Baleares, Spain. Tel 347 134 6696. HMS Wotton 1960-63, or HMS Appleton, Persian Gulf, 63-65. Mockers Skinner, Joe Heaton, Rod Frostick, A Hensman or any crew, please contact Bill Cock on 01304 205784. 31 Old Park Hill. Dover, Kent CT16
PRIZE PUZZLE WINNER of Navy News' Mystery Picture competition No. 7 which appeared in our September edition is Mr Reg Percival of Chichester, West Sussex. His entry was drawn at random from only ten replies which correctly identified the photograph as showing the fast minelayer HMS Manxman leaving Hong Kong in 1968 (after six years in the Far East). Mr Percival receives our cash prize of £25. A further prize is offered for the correct solution to this month's competition. Tell
us: 1. The name of the ship photographed. 2. Which two statistics put her in the record books. Fill in the coupon below and send it to Mystery
Picture, Navy News, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth, Hants
PO1 3HH. Coupons giving correct answers to both questions will go into a prize draw to establish a single winner. Closing date for entries is December 15, 1995. 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 winner will be announced in our January edition. The competition is not open to Navy News employees or their families.
MYSTERY PICTURE 9
2AW.
Jutland veterans TO MARK the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, Navy News is planning a feature based on firsthand accounts, for publication in May next year. Anyone who participated in the battle as a member of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines or German navy, is invited to send us their recollections from which we will draw. We are also seeking original photographs from the period. They will be returned after use.
Name Address...
1. SHIP NAME? 2. RECORDS STATISTICS?
Over to you AB(R) Mark Winter (HMS Dryad and HMS Sheffield) was killed in an accident in December 1996. Shipmates who have snaps of him are asked to contact his mother, Mrs Joan Winter, 30 Ladywell Rd, Delves Lane, Consett, Co Durham DH8 7DQ. HM submarine Stubborn Lt PDV Jones was lost when a junk was boarded off Bali. His cousin, William Zimpel, seeks details. 26 Sublime Point Rd, Leura 2780, New South Wales. Australia. Tel 047 841015. HMS Lively, sunk May 1942. A stained glass window and plaque was dedicated to the men who lost their lives. It is believed to be in a church in Liverpool. If you have details please contact Mrs Dorothy Webster, 17 Argosy Close, Bawtry, Doncaster DN10 6PP. Tel 01302 711406. HMS Mansfield 1942-44 Details of Warrant Engineer William ED Cater are sought by Mr R Pond, 6 Church Rd, Abbots Leigh, Bristol BS8 3QP. Ted Smart, HMS Colingwood, HMS St Kilda 1944, born October 29, 1924, once a dispatch rider with Ken Saunders, please contact Barbara Mellum, Old Causeway Bakery, Hazelbury Bryan, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 2BH. Tel 01258 817228. C.Eng James Peter Thompson DELL DSM RNR. Mr Lawrence Woodcock has his medals, Africa, Atlantic and Pacific Stars and RNR LSCG. DSM awarded for service in HM Trawler St Loman. Anyone who served with him or has details, please write to 127 Silverleigh Rd, Thornton Heath. Surrey CR7 6DT.
WWII khaki uniform with combined ops badge and RN shoulder flash, and caps from both officers and men. These items are wanted by a museum in Belgium. Contact Mr K H James, 28 Groveland Rd. Speen. Newbury, Berks RG14 1SS. Tel 01635 42772. HMS Queen Elizabeth 1938-43 If you knew Warrant Engineer Leonard Walter Green, who may have established a record by serving in the ship from June 1938 to February 1943 or if you have copies of the ship's newspaper, please contact Christopher Green, 16 Alma Rd, Heaton Moor, Stockport, Greater Manchester SK4 4PU. Tel 0161 432 1142. 18-inch guns Do you know of any British warship fitted with two 18-inch guns? Write to Joseph McLoughlin, 4 Aigburth Hall Rd. Grassendale. Liverpool L19 9DQ. (postage will be refunded). CPO TE Churcher RN 148116 Surviving relatives are asked to contact Mr PL Hills, Fourways, Tetbury Rd, Sherston, Malmesbury. Wiltshire SN16 OLU. Tel 01666 84D685.
Bessie, coder/decoder Queen Mary July to November 1943. Last contact from Alexandria in January 1945. If you have information please contact John Fenn, 112 Singleton Crescent, Worthing BN12 5DJ. at Nabsford ratings stationed Archerfield, Brisbane, Australia, assembling Seafires, Hellcats and Corsairs. If you know of any books on the base or have photographs, please contact Mr Allan Bate, 15 The Inches, Dalgety Bay. Dunfermline, Fife KY11 5YG.
HMS Devonshire explosion, near Skiathos, July 1929. Survivors and relatives are asked to contact the daughter of Royal Marine Augustus McDonald who was killed. Write to Muriel Quick, 18 Crashaw Close, Crownhill, Plymouth PL5 3TT. Arancy Bay. near Marmaris, Southern Turkey. Mr CH George, HMS Armada and Chevron, remembers annual regattas here in July 1950-52. Does anyone know its exact location? 22 Pinewood Rd, Hordle, Lymington, Hampshire S041 OGP. Tel 01425629188. M Vickery has an oil painting by Pamela Drew of the destroyer HMS Trafalgar and two other ships. Can anyone who knows of the picture or the artist identify the others? Write to "Comus", Howberry Lane, Nuffield, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 5SU. Tel 01491 641411. Naval Party 1732 (Rotterdam) and HMS Royal Philippa (Aarhus, Denmark) Mr C Bromley-Martin would like to hear from anyone who knew his father, Lt Cdr GEM Bromley-Martin RNVR at either establishment from September 1944-45. 40 Eaton Rd, Norwich, NR4 6PZ. HMS Roberts. October 1941 to April 1943. Details are sought by a relation of exMaster-at-Arms Des Howetl. Write to Mr Lawrence Bovey. 229a Exwick Rd. Exeter EX4 2AT. Mine wantedl To stand outside Maritime Museum in Fleetwood. Contact Fleetwood RNPSA, c/o Mr Charles Stewart, 41 Macauley Avenue, Blackpool, Lancashire FY44YF. Tel 01253 768097. KII-Boats. Bees, Subchasers, Frigates? The correct category of these boats, built in Chicago and based at Gibraltar and Freetown 1943-45, was never clear. Has there ever been a function or reunion for the men who served in them, particularly Kilkhampton and Kilmalcolm of 56th Escort Group, Freetown? Write to Tubby Hogg. Kissy. Brighton Marina, Brighton. HMS Defence, Jutland 1916 Can you remember Gunner John Went? Contact R Hammett, 37 Craven Drive, Colchester, Essex CO4 4BE.
POMM R S Lee, last known location Beirut, June 6, 1944. Please contact Nigel Baxter Martin, son of wartime friend David Baxter Martin; Five Ways, Gorsey Lane, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4BN. Tel 0161 928 6767. HM destroyers Fortune and Forester Can any of the ship's company provide details of the sinking of U27 on September 20, 1939, 60 miles West of the Hebrides? Write to Roy Beveridge, 61 Parkside St, Rosyth, Fife, Scotland. Revd David Jonathan Jones, Chaplain RN 1914-38. HMS Renown 1928-29 then RNH Chatham, Eastney Barracks and HMS Vernon. Information is sought by John Welsh, 59 Woodcote Grove Rd, Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 2AH. Tel 0181 688 8019. HMS Dunedln 1941 Mr Bernard Pratt would like to hear from survivors of HMS Dunedin who knew his uncle, S/Lt Robin Alec Stephen Pratt, who was lost when the ship was sunk by U124 in the South Atlantic, November 1941. Write to Newcourt Lodge, Old Rydon Lane. Exeter, Devon EX2 7JU Tel 01392874731. White Ensign required by Beeston Victory Club. If anyone is able to donate one, please contact Mr LK Hewlett, 25 Fletcher Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2EL. AB William James Richard Foss, born October 20, 1907 in Plymouth, son of LS William Edmund Foss RN and Georgina Elizabeth Foss (nee Saxby) at 2 Bridwell Rd. Devonport. Where are you? Believed to have served HMS Rodney and Caledonia. Last heard of early 1930s in Aberfan, Mid Glam. Contact Mrs Katheryn Wall, 8 Linden Terrace, Pontefract, West Yorkshire WF8 4AE. Tel 01977 706024. HM ships Tern, Enterprise, Vesper, Aurora. Mrs H Sandall, Quint House, Waters Upton, Telford TF6 6NP Tel 01952 541650 seeks memories of her father, Surgeon Lt Wilfrid Viret who served from 1937-45 on the Yangtse River. Convoys DS61, SD61 January 1945 and HX336, February 1945. John Hudson of 49 Campion St, Derby DE22 3EG would like details. Tel 01332 367791 after 6pm. Force X 1944-45 (HO ships Clan Lamont. Glenearn. Broadsword, Halberd, Mace and Spearhead) carried RM LCA flotillas to the Phillipines (Luzon and Layte) via Panama and New Guinea. Information wanted, specifically LCA 737 which carried Cromary Drum. Cpl in charge Macroire?. Please contact Ken Scott, Garden Cottage, Inshes by Inverness IV1 2BG Scotland 01463232261. Photographs Pictures of a Dragonfly on HMS Glory, a firefly and a Handley Page
bomber, which were lent to Mr John Macklacklan by Navy News readers, are now in the possession of Mr John Rowlatt, 63 Gordon Rd, Corringham, Essex SS17 7QY. If you have been waiting for them to be returned please write. AB George Doyle, HMS Danae, then drafted HMS Sultan, Singapore, reported missing after the fall of Singapore. Mrs J Lawson (his sister) has heard nothing since, can you help? 6 Gosford Place, Edinburgh, Scotland. HMS Formidable 1944-45 AB John Shearman (or Sharman) is sought by Marcia McGuire on the staff of Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser in Sydney. He is believed to be from the midlands. If you have details ring HMS Formidable Association Chairman Dennis Smith on 0116 2694019. Norway 1940 Were you involved in the transfer of 46 Sqn RAF aircraft and personnel to and from Norway? Do you have pictures of the pilots? The ships involved are believed to have been HMS Glorious, Walker, Firedrake and MM Andora Star. Please contact Mr Michael Robinson, 25 Byron Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 5BD Tel 01908 377095. HMS Prince of Wales Peter Struthers is researching a book on the battleship and would like to hear from any seaman who served in her, particularly in convoy HX143 to Malta, any sailors from accompanying ships, and any dockyard hands who worked on her in UK or abroad. 282 Pappert Estate, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire G83 9LH. Fleet Air Arm Field Gun Team, Royal Tournament 1959 Does anyone have a photo? Please contact Mrs M A Smith, 36 Stonehill, Castle Donington, Derby. Chatham, Rochester and Gllllngham WWII Do you have any memories or pictures of the public houses in these towns around WWII? Contact Roy Murrant, 63 Crestway, Luton, Chatham, Kent ME5 OBD. Tel 01634 301460. S/Lt Alan Davis, killed during the assault on Elba, off Italy, 1944, serving with Royal Marines Commandos in naval party 1052. Cousin Ron Hicks would like details of the action. 3 Sutherland Ave, Downend, Bristol BS 16 60J Tel 0117 956 4896. HMS Thanet, destroyer sunk Endau Bay, Malaya, on the night of January 26/27 1942. The son of AB Harry Bonner seeks any survivors or ex-Japanese POWs who may know of the fate of his father, believed to have been rescued and taken prisoner. Contact Mr A A Bonner, 158 Bon Accord St, Aberdeen, Scotland AB1 2TX, or telephone Mrs Wallis on 0181 568 9736.