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NAVYNEWS, JUNE 2001
Ipswich cadet wins prestigious prize
IN BRIEF Memorial for Neptune dead
THE Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk's award for the best CCF Cadet has been won by PO Samuel Carter of Woodbridge School, Ipswich. The award was presented by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant at Ipswich TA centre. Guests at the presentation of Sam's certificate (pictured below) included his Officer in Charge, Lt Lou Van Zwanenberg, and the Royal Navy representative, CPO (M) Scouse Gregory.
SAILORS killed during the D-Day landings are to be honoured with a new memorial at Hermanville
in Normandy. Operation Neptune was the Naval element of Operation Overlord and the memorial will be the only one dedicated to the Allied navies which took part. Hermanville was part of Sword Beach on D-Day and the memorial is to be unveiled on June 6 by Capt John Gower who commanded HMS Swift during Operation Neptune (See page 29). The memorial was proposed by D-Day veteran David Cottrell who has spent the last seven years making the idea a reality, and he is still trying to raise the final £2,000 needed to pay for it. The Mayor of Portsmouth will be among the guests at the unveiling and Mr Cottrell would like as many Neptune veterans as possible to attend. For details, or to make a donation, contact Mr Cottrell on Bristol 0117 946 7326.
NAAFI launches 'Cars Direcf NAAFI has set up a car sales operation designed to supply sailors, soldiers and airmen with new cars at wholesale prices. NAAFI says that 'Cars Direct' will provide a onestop shop for anyone wanting to buy a new car, with a huge saving on the normal UK retail price. Finance, part exchange, insurance and delivery can all be handled by NAAFI, who will also be arranging special offers which will be promoted in stores every month. NAAFI'S Financial Director, Al Voice, said: "For many years now our customers in Germany have been able to buy cars tax free from NAAFI but now, with NAAFI Cars Direct, our customers in the UK have an easier way to buy a new car with really excellent cost savings." For more details, call 0800 085 6190.
• Cdr Keith Blount, CO of HMS Somerset, and the Defence Attache, Commodore John Milne, with the veterans and the colour guard. Picture: POMEA Bob Hum.
HMS Somerset in moving visit to Kalamata MS SOMERSET anchored off the Greek town of Kalamata for a ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Greek Campaign during World War II.
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The Brotherhood of Veterans of the Greek Campaign organise a commemorative visit every year as a memorial for the men who were lost in battle during the evacuation of troops from Kalamata in 1941. HMS Somerset was represented by her CO, Cdr Keith Blount, and a White Ensign party and the Ship's Guard marched from the harbour to the memorial service. On the evening before the service the Defence Attache to Athens, Commodore John Milne, hosted an official reception for members of the Brotherhood of Veterans of the Greek Campaign and their families, the Mayor of Kalamata and representatives of the Greek armed forces. The evening proved to be a humbling experience for the ship's company as the extraordinary tales of valour and heroism of the modest octogenarian guests were extremely moving. One man kissed the deck of the ship on being helped up the accommodation ladder, before
explaining to the Captain that the last time he had been on a Royal Navy Warship was 60 years ago in the very same bay. Another veteran celebrated his 89th birthday that evening and there were guests in their 90s who were determined to continue their annual pilgrimage to Kalamata in order to honour their fallen comrades. Many widows of those that died 60 years before were also able to travel with the Brotherhood of Greek Veterans in order to remember their loved ones. The memorial service was held at the monument erected by the Brotherhood of Veterans and the service was conducted in Greek and English by the Revd Richard Palmer and a Greek Orthodox Priest for Greek war veterans and members of the Greek Armed Forces. The "We will remember them..." oration was read by Edgar Harrison QBE, MC, BEM, and wreaths were laid by servicemen who escaped from the beaches, men who were taken prisoner, war widows and representatives of the Red Cross and Greek and British Armed Forces. 'The Last Post' was played by Royal Green Jacket Rifleman Davies from HMSSomerset's affiliated regiment, and the flags were lowered. Local bands then played the national anthems, and there were general salutes from the Greek and Royal Navy guards present before Lt Paul O'Shaughnessy and CPO James Wharton marched the White Ensign party and the Guard from away from the memorial through an enthusiastic crowd of families and onlookers. After the Service the Mayor of Kalamata hosted the visitors to drinks and lunch at a local taverna and the ship's company were able to relax and enjoy the small but very welcoming Greek town before sailing the next morning. After Kalamata, the Somerset set sail for Toulon for Exercise Trident D'Or' with the French and other allied navies. She is also due to visit Palma in Majorca and the ship returns to her home port of Devonport for scheduled maintenance in June.
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BACK in 1976 former First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jock Slater was Captain of the guided missile destroyer HMS Kent. So the Admiral was deliahted to
find "the great Kent spirit" alive and well on board his old ship's modern day namesake when he visited the new HMS Kent at Portsmouth Naval Base. ^
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the latest Type 23 fr.gate by the
ship's Commanding Officer. Cdr John Clink. He was particularly pleased to see so much memorabilia from former Kents all around the ship and he added to their collection by previous sailors. The former First Sea Lord went on to take command of the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and he was
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Capt Charles Style, and by Flag Officer Surface Flotilla, Rear Admiral lan Forbes. HMS Kent has recently completed basic operational sea training and
company. The visit also provided an ideal opportunity to present commendations to HMS Kent's Lt Rob Williams. l u i n c r u u n 1 1 1 3 v i a i L tu nm*9 r v c u t u y LOW Haaay i'the current co o f HMS Illustrious. Stuart Bennett.
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