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NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2003
People lit ffte News Holbrook Old Boys meet up for school reunion
• Former US-Navy pilot and NASA astronaut JeffAshby on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis who visited Portsmouth Naval Base Picture: Courtesy of NASA just days prior to his colleagues' loss IN AN UNUSUAL coincidence, six of the current Heads of Department in the Maritime Warfare School are old boys from the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook. The photograph shows from left to right: Cdr Ian Annett, Commander Future Development; Rev Bernard Clarke, Senior Chaplain; Cdr Stuart Crozier, Director of Finance; Cdr Kevin Robertson, Commander Communications Training Group; Lt Cdr Simon Cole, Commander Warfare Skills Training; and Cdr Alan Burgess, Property Manager.
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"The Bletchley SHARK in the Atlantic" 17-18 May 2003 This event commemorates Bletchley Park's contribution to winning the Battle of the Atlantic and will have an overall naval theme. *• Special displays on the Battle of the Atlantic, the success of Gape Matapan, the fascinating story of HMS Petard and other relevant successes to which Bletchley Park has contributed *• Sea Cadets will be marching and roping on site (tbc) «• A unique display of model boats (tbc) •• Re-enactors prominent on site » The Enigma cinema will be showing footage on the Battle of the Atlantic »• A Battle of Britain Memorial Flypast has been applied for Further information will be available in the near future. For further information please contact Christina Cordes on 01908 63 11 37 or at ccordes@bletchleypark.org.uk
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Shock of shuttle disaster THE AFTERSHOCKS from the destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia have impacted on Naval personnel around the world.
Those affected include people from within Portsmouth Naval Base who had recently welcomed visiting astronauts from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and extended to a former Naval chaplain now based in Moscow. At the request of the US ambassador to Russia and the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Canon Simon Stephens of St Andrew's Anglican Church in Moscow officiated at a memorial service for the Space Shuttle Columbia held in Mission Control in Star City at the edge of the Russian capital. Both Russian and American astronauts attended the service, conducted by the former Naval chaplain who served from 1980-97 and his ships include HMS Ark Royal (1988-91) and HMS Endurance (1996-7). Just ten days before the explosion, the crew from a previous space mission had visited the Royal Navy at Portsmouth at the instigation of their mission commander Jeff Ashby, formerly a Captain in the US Navy. The presence of British-born crew member Piers Sellers in the team was enough excuse for Capt Ashby to press for the NASA tour to the UK, a long-held ambition of his own.
CCF Naval
cadets welcome back VC
EIGHT Naval cadets at Framlingham College played a role in the ceremonial return of the Flowcrdcw Victoria Cross in early February. The cadets, along with fellows in the Army and RAF branches of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), provided an Honour Guard at the ceremony and marched with weapons drill as part of the welcoming event for the return of the VC from Canada. The cadets, aged 15 to 18, did their Services proud at the event after four weeks intensive drill instruction. Sub Lt Dave Coyle CCF RNR said: "The cadets were brilliant. They really enjoyed themselves, and worked incredibly hard. At the end they all said how proud they felt to be a part of it." Capt G.M. Flowerdew attended Framlingham College from 1894 to 1899. He was awarded the VC for his bravery in leading a charge of his squadron at the Battle of Moreuil Wood in March 1918 as a member of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). The medal was presented to the school by Capt Flowerdew's family, then loaned to the Strathcona Regimental Museum in Canada. Lt Col Cade, Commanding Officer of Lord Strathcona's Horse, returned the medal in person and inspected the Guard of Honour.
"I wanted to see HMS Victory," he admitted frankly, a chance that had never come up during his long Naval career as a pilot. He explained that over half of the astronauts employed at NASA are on loan from the US military, THE Anglican Bishop in Europe, and some, like Capt Ashby, on the Right Reverend Geoffrey leaving the military service sign on Rowell, met with British military again as NASA civil servants to personnel including Lt Cdr Mike continue their passion for space Robb of the Royal Navy, serving at exploration. NATO's Regional Headquarters As well as a special tour around Allied Forces Southern Europe in the Second Sea Lord's historic Naples, Southern Italy. flagship, the six men and women of the NASA crew visited the Mary Rose and Warrior. In ultra-modern Action Stations, they gave a dynamic presentation to a group of excited school-children on their recent space mission STS-112. Excitement turned to shock ten days later with the loss of the seven astronauts from mission STS-107. A FLEXIBLE approach to her job Three of the seven were US has won LWWTR Sue Rutland Naval officers: mission specialists a Herbert Lott efficiency prize Capt David M. Brown and Cdr for her hard work as part of Laurel Blair Salton Clark; and Flag Officer Sea Training's pilot Cdr William C. McCool. (FOST) organisation. Acting Secretary of the US Sue filled a number of posts Navy, the Hon Susan M. from being Personal Assistant to Livingstone said: "The astronauts the Deputy FOST, Legal Assistant of the Space Shuttle Columbia to Training Support and working represent the best in humanity. in the Travel and Facilities cell. The courage, service and sacrifice In her duties she has reof these explorers are an inspiraorganised, cleared backlogs of tion to us all. As we grieve for the paperwork, collated budget data loss of all aboard, the Navy mourns and resolved complex travel the loss of three of our family who requirements. flew aboard Columbia." The citation reads: "Rutland's She added: "The men and dedication and commitment have women of the Navy and Marine been exemplary." Corps are with you." • For more information on the Space Shuttle missions, visit the NASA website at: www.spaceflight.nasa.gov.
Bishop drops in
• LMSA Steve Stewart
Academic reward for Steve's hard work PROUD possessor of a Higher National Diploma in Health and Care, LMSA Steve Stewart of MDHU Derriford, Stonehouse ward, has worked long and hard in his spare time for the certificate from the University of Plymouth.
TV Ant & Dec take on the PTI challenge A TEAM was formed at 48 hours notice from members of the Royal Navy's Physical Training branch to perform live on the Ant & Dec Saturday Night Takeaway' show. The eight-strong team, under the direction of WOPT Brian Richardson, quickly learnt a routine using two 10ft long wooden logs. The two hosts of the show were completely unaware of what was in store for them, but performed admirably with the display team, successfully completing the physically demanding routine. The team consisted of: WO Richardson, POs Gray, and Breed, LPTs Gay, Wilson, and Matthews, LWPTs Blake and Whittle. • See photo page 38.
FOST's Sue wins efficiency prize
i LWWTR Sue Rutland
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RALEIGH'S Passing Out Parade brought together nephew OM Ben Wilkins and uncle RPO Gary Hall. Proud mother and sister Sharon Wilkins said: "I'm so proud of them both and want to share their success with your readers."