NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2002
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Woodcock and Walker, father and son HMS WOODCOCK had a distinguished war with the Second Escort Group commanded by the legendary Capt F. J. "Johnnie" Walker and later with the British Pacific Fleet. She was the first ship to go alongside in Tokyo Bay at Yokohama on September 2, 1945, after witnessing the surrender being signed and seeing the first POWs brought out of Japan on board the carrier HMS Speaker. In 1946 she was in Hong Kong where a long article about her appeared in the South China Morning Post - and among the officers mentioned on board was Lt N. M. Walker, the son of "Johnnie" Walker. While in Hong Kong PO Fred Dougan was presented with our Chow dog 'Chang' - sadly he died in the Bay of Biscay on our return home. - L. A. Joynes, Newark, Notts. • HMS Woodcock and (inset) Chang the Chow
Goer/tig's yacht REGARDING unofficial ship's names like The Saint' (April issue), HMS Royal Prince, the Royal Navy Rhine Squadron base in Germany after the war had four Mk4 LCTs and all had unofficial names. Our lead ship was Karen II, formerly Goering's private yacht, and she was called HMS Prince Charles, departing from the tradition of not naming ships after living people. Mine was called 'Dinosaur' and we called her 'Dinah Shore'. The squadron took part in rescue operations in Holland during the disastrous floods of 1953 and
we all received a certificate from Queen Juliana - I've still got mine. After retirement I joined the Royal Observer Corps. At the stand down parade at Bentley Priory the Duke of Edinburgh approached me and asked about my Korean War ribbons. "What ship?" I told him HMS Belfast. "What other ships?" I said I was once in one called HMS Prince Charles. "What? There's not two of them, is there?" he said. - P. H. Fender, New Romney, Kent
Medal mix-up IN THE April issue of Navy News you printed a letter from L. E. Wells which stated that the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal on sale from Bigbury Mint has been approved by Buckingham Palace and may be worn after campaign medals. This I am afraid is not the case.
I know that Bigbury Mint advertised on their letter heads that this approval had been given but they have been asked by DS Sec to remove this comment. I believe this has now been done so maybe Mr Wells had an old copy of the advertisement. As far as I understand the only official medal is that which is supplied by the Royal Mint. This medal is then issued only to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Both the Royal Mint and Toye,
Crumpets for the Uon of Judah j READ with interest the item in The Time of Your Lives' about HMS Jaguar attending the Ethiopian Navy Days (April issue). During 1969 I was serving
in HMS Terror at Singapore as a musician with the Royal Marines Band of the Commander Far East Fleet and we were flown to Ethiopia for the Navy Days then, being billeted in HMS
Leander's helicopter hangar. Emperor Haile Selassie inspected us and presented our Director of Music Lt Ray Woodfield with a gold medal. This was the Cold War period and we were sur-
rounded by warships from all over the world - all of course 'pinging' each other. - G. Sketchier, Southampton. A year later, in 1970, HMS Chichester is seen receivingthe imperial salute from Emperor Haile Selassie as she steams past his yacht Ethiopia during her triumphant visit to the annual Navy Days. In the swimming, water polo, track and field sports, the Chichester had the best record of all the visiting ships. She had two encounters with the Russian Navy, winning the tug-of-war and sustaining a hard fought 1-1 draw at soccer. The ship provided a guard of 36 to escort the colour at the graduation ceremony of cadets at the Imperial Ethiopian Naval College. When the Chichester received the 'Lion of Judah' with a Royal Salute and Royal Guard, he met officers and ratings and was entertained to tea of crumpets and strawberry jam - a traditional gesture from the Royal Navy to the 79-year-old Emperor, who had spent the years of the Italian occupation (1936-41) in England. He was deposed in 1974 and died in captivity the following year. - Ed
Kenning & Spencer Ltd have been given approval to produce QGJ Miniature Medals. - P. Thomas, NAVSEC H&A, HM Naval Base Portsmouth.
Battleaxe and Batty
I still have fond memories and believe the Brazilians have got themselves a good ship. I assume she took up her old duties of carrier escort in Brazil, where she would be "goalkeeping for my father's old ship, the exHMS Vengeance. - R. Patten • Kathy Staff as 'battleaxe' Nora Batty (artist unknown)
I SERVED in HMS Battleaxe from 1983-86 and what a strange situation it was. Apparently she was one of only two ships in the Navy without an official motto (the other being Broadsword) Furthermore, she was part of the 2nd Frigate Squadron but her captain was senior to Captain F. She had an official mothers-inlaw club. Her official pin-up was the actress Kathy Staff (a very nice lady) who plays Nora Batty in TV's Last of the Summer Wine. We were the only ship to go to 'Battlestations' rather than Action Stations.
The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children's Fund Patron: Her Majesty the Queen Registered Charily No. 1075015
HISTORY Children of the Royal Naval Services have been supported for over one hundred years by the charitable funds, originally as orphanages but now in ways appropriate to present day needs, such as schools, homes, special needs establishments, holidays and in their own homes in times of family crisis.
AIM The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children's Fund Formed from The RN & RM Children's Trust and The RN & RM Children's
Home is the premier charily for providing charitable help to children of serving and ex-serving personnel of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, The Queen Alexanda Royal Naval Nursing Service, the former Women's Royal Naval Service and the reserves of these forces.
HOW HELP IS ORGANISED Consideration of every circumstance is given swift and sympathetic attention by people who understand the difficulties of service and seafaring life. Applications can be made at any time. Those seeking assistance can contact the office direct for an application form.
The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children's Fund 311 Twyford Avenue, Stamshaw, Portsmouth PO2 8PE Applications and referrals should be made to: Mrs. M. A. Bateman or Mrs. L. Smith at the address above or hy phone Tel: 023 9263 9534