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NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2003
Roval Naval Association Enf ield put out welcome mat ENFIELD branch was delighted at the success of its 56th annual dinner, which was attended by members of the Cheshunt branch as well. Messmate of the Year was branch chairman S/M Jim Mcader. and Associate of the Year was S/M Hazel Short. S/M Nick Morris was made a life member for his work and dedication to the branch and Association over the years - he has been a delegate for 14 years and social secretary for 12 vears.
Durban branch mourn death while Natal group pay visit to British auxiliary
Farewell to Geoffrey
FROM South Africa comes news of the death of wartime veteran Shipmate Geoffrey Wingrove, one of the great characters of the Durban branch. Well-known to all the sailing fratcrnitv and to many visiting Roval
Navy ships, he was a familiar figure around the harbour in his jaunty sailing hat. As an ex-PO and survivor of the wartime HMS Southampton. Geoff was tremendously proud of his Naval service and would talk about his experiences as a young sailor to anyone with time to listen.
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Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
Once Navy, Always Navy Reg. Char. 266982
The Royal Naval Association believes firmly that "welfare is not only money" It offers a broad range of support to people with a Royal Navy connection. We are 'all of one company' in helping the disabled, looking after the needy, cheering up the distressed, maintaining naval traditions, supporting naval cadets, enjoying social activities and re-uniting shipmates.The 480 branches in the UK and abroad offer an instant 'network' of local knowledge, assistance and support to 34,000 Shipmates all over Britain and in many places overseas. The Association is for all serving and former officers, men and women of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, WRNS, QARNNS,the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and their reserves. For details of RNA membership, please complete the slip below. NAME: ADDRESS: Postcode SENDTO: THE GENERAL SECRETARY, ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION 82, CHELSEA MANOR STREET, LONDON. SW3 5QJ
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As Captain's Cox'n aboard the Orion during the terrible evacuation of Crete, he witnessed the death of the Orion's eaptain, Capt G.R.B. Back - who died in Geoff's arms - and 112 members of the ship's company. Of the 1,100 soldiers aboard. 150 were killed and hundreds wounded. the ship reached When Alexandria, Geoff volunteered with others to go down into a lighter which had been brought alongside, to assist in identifying the bodies, including that of his eaptain. The experience was to haunt him for the rest of his life. • S/M Geoffrey Wingrove Geoff's Naval career ended when he was taken by stretcher to a memorial service, the following hospital in Pictermaritzburg, and lines from a poem written by one on recovery was invalided out of of his students at the sailing club the Navy. sums him up: 'Who's that on the He got married and before set- walk-on battling the gale, his tling in Durban, formed the arms full of ropes and an old Pietermaritzburg unit of the Sea piece of sail? There's only one Cadets. man who'd go out in all that, His love of the sea involved him It's Geoff Wingrove RN in his in many activities. old sailing hat.' For 25 years he taught ropework According to his fellow shipat a Durban sailing school. He remate, Cdr W.F. Brabrook RN wrote the service for burials at sea (rctd), who joined the Navy when and arranged the same, going out Admiral Bcatty was First Sea Lord, in a harbour vessel. and retired in 1975 as an Inspector He was also a regular contribu- of Naval Ordnance, Geoff would tor to the magazines of two major have been very proud to sec so yacht clubs. many at his memorial service wearOf the many tributes at his ing RN tics and lapel badges.
Cyprus branch is recruiting
Shipmates visit RFA oil tanker RNA MEMBERS in South Africa welcomed a British auxiliary when she paid a brief visit to Durban for audit and repairs. RFA Grey Rover, skippered by Capt Paul Whyte, has an executive officer - Marcus Smith - who is an active member of the RNA in the UK.
Marcus understands the importance of meeting with fellow shipmates at home and abroad, and keeping them abreast of the modern Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The visit was arranged through the liaison officer in Pretoria, so a party from Natal branch toured the ship and swung the lamp. Natal chairman Bill Skinley presented the officers with an RNA Natal plaque, which they have been promised will take pride of place in the wardroom. The branch would also like to remind any RN or RFA ship which visits Durban to contact them so that social events or outings can be arranged. For details, please contact Paul Knapp by email on manatalsa@mweb. co.za
£50 PRIZE PUZZLE
THE CYPRUS branch is launching a drive to bring membership numbers up to 100 by the end of this year. The branch started with just four people in August last year, but by the time it commissioned in October around 40 members enrolled at the first meeting. Today that figure has grown to 70 full and associate members. Meetings are held monthly at Episkopi, and begin with business matters, followed by a more informal get-together of reminiscing shipmates in the bar. For details of meeting dates and joining information, contact the Secretary on 252 11139.
Branch salutes veteran Frank A FORMER sailor was spared a lonely funeral when members of the Ipswich branch were notified of his death. Frank Jackson died aged 78 in Ipswich Hospital on New Year's Eve, and the administrator of the nursing home where he had spent his last few months was determined she would not be the only person at his funeral. Joyce Fisk contacted the Association, who turned out in force, complete with standards, with colleagues from the Royal British Legion and the Veterans Agency to salute Frank at the service at which was held at Ipswich Crematorium.
Visiting London? Then drop in! MITCHAM, Morden and Wimbledon branch have issued an open invitation to any RNA branch and club shipmates visiting London. Any such groups who "wish to partake in a drink and refreshments before returning home" in the club at Colliers Wood, SW19. should contact Fred Ticehurst on 0208 540 0066.
The mystery submarine in our January edition was the conventionally-powered submarine HMS Oberon. The winner of the £50 prize for identifying her was A. Howard of Strood, in Kent. Can you name this warship the first of her innovatory class - making her way through a heavy sea? The correct answer wins
another £50. Complete the coupon and send it to Mystery Picture, Navy News, HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH. Coupons giving correct answers will go into a prize draw to establish a winner. Closing date for entries is April 4. 2003. 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 May edition. The competition is not open to Navy News employees or their families.
MYSTERY PICTURE 97
Name .
Address
My answer