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NAVY NEWS, JULY 1996
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In the footsteps of Lawrence BRAVING some of the most barren and isolated desert terrain in the world, four Royal Navy personnel took a step back in time to trace part of the route of the Turkishbuilt railway devastated by Lawrence of Arabia. Led by Lt Cdr Larry Young, the small RN team followed I6()kms of the disused Hejaz railway from Mada'in Salih to Medina in Saudi Arabia. The railway never recovered after World War I and has lain disused since the 1920s. The trip involved off-road driving over sand dunes and volcanic rock. Four nights were spent under canvas and several climbs were made in the hills and mountains which rise to over 1,800 metres. Lt Cdr Young, an experienced Scottish mountaineer, said temperatures of 40C made heat exhaustion and dehydration the main hazards - quiter different to those he encounters in Scotland. The four took the opportunity to make the expedition while working with the Al Yamama project involving the sale of three Sandown-class minehunters to the Saudi navy.
Sherene wows the Yanks IT WAS not only the Royal Marines who were impressed by Miss Globe and Laurel when she visited members of the Corps and Royal Navy personnel on Diego Garcia. WO2 Chris Townsend, reported that members of the US Marine Corps on the tiny Indian Ocean island were so taken with Sherene Fogg that they asked how they could join the British outfit. Sherene is pictured with Mne Cal Callaghan of the British Indian Ocean Territories customs organisation.
Heraldry adviser resigns THE ROYAL Navy's Adviser on Naval Heraldry has resigned due to ill-health. Sir Walter Verco (89), Surrey Herald of Arms, had held his Naval appointment for 25 years. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jock Slater, said of Sir Peter: "Over his 25 years of service he has contributed much to our badges and names business by bringing together his knowledge of heraldry along with a distinct sense of history and awareness of Naval tradition. " . . . I believe his designs, which stand out for their aptness, clarity and use of colour, now grace more than 70 of our warships."
WOLFIE FLIES 5,000th HOUR
Dutch honourRoyal MarinesGeneral
A HELICOPTER pilot who saw action in the Falklands War has chalked up his 5,000th flying hour. Lt Cdr Wolfie Wolstenholme (right) is now serving as a detachment commander with 819 Naval Air Squadron at HMS Gannet. But in 1982 he flew with 825 and 826 Squadrons, taking part in the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram rescue operation. After qualifying as an instructor in 1985, he flew for a
time as a member of The Sharks Royal Navy helicopter display team. More recently he took part in the flypast over London to mark the 50th anniversary of VJ Day.
Submarine Command Golf Championships Sponsors: Rolls Royce Naval Logistics Group Gotech Avis Rent-a-Car The Lindsay Group Bank of Scotland Custom Golf Nat West Bank Neptune Taxis VSEL ABT Engineering Wylie & Frame
June 1996
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• In 40C, traditional Arab headgear becomes necessary rig of the day for Lt Cdr Larry Young (second from right) and three other members of the Al Yamama project - Lt Cdr Mark Smith (left), LWTR Mark George and WO(D) Tony Devitt (right). In the background is a wrecked one of locomotive Lawrence's victims?
Slater Menswear Strachen & Henshaw Murray & Biggar MacTaggart Scott Babcock Ltd Aggreko Emirates Airline Singapore Airline British Midland Hilton Park Golf Club R.D Taylor & Co
IN RECOGNITION of his role in co-operation between the British and Dutch Marine Corps over more than 20 years, the recently retired Commandant General of the Royal Marines has received the Netherlands Medal of Merit. Lt Gen Sir Robert Ross received the award from Defence State Secretary Gmelich Meijling in a ceremony on board the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible in Amsterdam. The presentation coincided with one of honorary CBE to the commander of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, Maj Gen Spiekerman van Weezelenburg. His award was presented by the British Ambassador to the Netherlands, Sir David Miers.
Generals Ross and van Weezelenburg after receiving their awards in HMS Invincible.
Picture: Mne F Bradford RMR
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Medals for 345 years service,
IN A RARE mass presentation, these 22 Naval personnel went on parade together at RN air station Culdrose to receive Long Service and Good Conduct Medals - each marking 15 years meritorious service. Commodore Simon Thornewill, the Command Officer of Culdrose, presented the medals, including a clasp to a LS & GC Medal - denoting 30 years service - to CPO David Roberts. Picture: LA(PHOT) Paul Smith.