www. navy news, co. uk
NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2003
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Sea Cadets
Proud moment at Luton, 1949
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HAVING had the Navy News since its inception, I was very interested in the article about the Canada Trophy in last month's issue, writes R. A. W. Howe of St Asaph, Denbighshire. The Luton Sea Cadets, TS Keyes, which was started in 1942, was the first unit to be awarded this trophy. It was presented by the late Vice Admiral Sir Gilbert Stephenson on July 1,1949. The first Commanding Officer, Cdr Keyes, is pictured (above) wearing a Trilby hat. The gentleman in the overcoat, Mr Hyde, was First Lieutenant, later our second C.O., while Mr Bone (far right) was to become our third. I was then First Lieutenant (I am second left in the picture, pointing to the trophy). I joined in 1942 and left in 1958, taking time out to serve in the Royal Navy. I will once again be in Portsmouth in September for the 17th Destroyer Flotilla Association 25th reunion.
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VICE-ADMIRAL Sir Gilbert Stephenson was one of the most colourful characters in the Royal Navy of the first half of the 20th century. As Commodore HMS 'Western Isles' 'Puggy' or 'Monkey' Stephenson, as he was popularly known, earned his nickname 'The Terror of Tobermory' when he made an important impact on the Battle of the Atlantic by the miraculous results achieved through the men he trained in Tobermory Harbour on the Isle of Mull. Over a thousand• uncoordinated groups of mainly inexperienced landlubbers passed through his hands, and in the incredibly short time of two weeks were welded into a disciplined ship's company, good enough to take an immediate part in the war at sea. Some 130 enemy U-boats were sunk by Tobermory-trained ships, which also accounted for 40 enemy aircraft. Stephenson's story - he was Honorary Commodore of the Sea Cadet Corps after tl war. during which he was recalled to duty in his sixties - is told by broadcaster Richard Baker, himself a former RNR officer, in The Terror of Tobermory (W. H. Allen. 1972). - Ed
'A CREDIT TO HER CORPS AND COUNTY' SELLING poppies, distributing Christmas hampers, filling emergency boxes for a disaster relief fund and building a bonfire to help buy an artificial limb for a local girl - all these good deeds helped appoint Chorley Unit's PO Emma Dovaston Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for Lancashire. Her duties will include assisting the Lord Lieutenant at a series of military and cadet functions in the county. Watched by her parents and brother James and sister Sarah, Emma received her certificate from the Lord Lieutenant, Col The Rt Hon The Lord Shuttleworth, at a special ceremony held at Kimberley Barracks, Preston. The citation for her appointment, read by Lt Col Ian Sawers, Deputy Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for NW England, described her as being a credit to her Corps and to Lancashire. Emma is currently working as a trainee for a local firm of solicitors.
Castle helps band contest go public LINCOLN Castle's walls echoed with the sound of music as Sea Cadet bands from Harrogate, York, Lowestoft and Biggleswade took part in Eastern Area's annual contest. There were also solo competitions for best drummer and best bugler which included entrants from Sheffield and Grimsby Units. Running alongside the contest were a range of Field Craft displays by Scunthorpe Marine Cadets and a competition between three teams to see how fast they could rig a Topper dinghy. Northampton Unit showed how the famous field gun run should be done and there was poetry in motion on the programme with a drill display by home team Lincoln Unit. This was the first time the event had been held in public and it provided extra entertainment for all visitors to the castle.
The good-natured rivalry culminated in an awards ceremony in the grounds from which all the Units marched away with some recognition of their achievements. They were presented by the Chairman of the Sea Cadet Association, Vice Admiral Sir Jonathon Tod. A spokesman for the Sea Cadets said: "We were delighted to be working with the Castle on this important event and thank them for all their support. "This was a real team event and it is to the credit of everyone involved that the day not only provided a great contest but also a great show. "Our thanks go to everyone who made the event such a showcase for our young people."