NAVY NEWS, JANUARY 2006
35
NOTICEBOARD :Reunions February 2006 RM Buglers Branch reunion at WOs, CPOs, SRs & SNCOs Mess, HMS Nelson on February 11 at 1900. Dress for the evening is Lounge Suit / female equivalent. Up dated information can be found at http://www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk
March 2006 HMS Wizard & HMS CadizAssociation: AGM/Reunion at Torquay March 24 to 27. All commissions, ranks and rates most welcome. Contact Torn Fox, Maroheto,
Church Lane, Meriden, Coventry, CV7 7HX or tel: 01676 523296. Fleet Air Arm Armourers Association Reunion: Royal Court Hotel, Coventry March 31 to April 3. Dancing, Cabaret, Free Tot, Free Ladies Outing to the Wedgwood Centre, Happy Hour all weekend @ £1.50. Three nights for £95. Contact Mick Holdsworth at bombheads@btinternet. corn or 01227 832826 or see our website:
interested, contact Ronnie (Dixie) Dean on 01204 300162.
May 2006
www.bombhead.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk HMS Illustrious Association: Reunion at Hacketts York House Hotel, Blackpool from March 31 to April 3. Prices as last year. Gala Dinner and entertainment, If
RNXS (East Anglia Group): Reunion will take place in 'The Shipwreck' (en Enright Block, HMS Ganges), Shotley from 1200 to 1500 on April 2. Further details from Peter Brooke, 7 Penn Close, Capel St Mary, Ipswich, 1P9 2UE or tel: 01473 310189. HMS Grenville 1943/47 Association and 25th Destroyer Flotilla: Reunion in Blackpool from April 4 to 6. Contact J W
Lund on 01243 605057 for information. HMS Ladybird (Sasebo Japan) Association: Reunion takes place from April 21 to 23 at the Grand Atlantic Hotel, Beach Road, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset. Cost per person for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast £99. Please note the Hotel do not take bookings. Further info from Terry Cooper, 28 Hopgrove Lane South, Malton Rd. York, YO32 OTG, Tel/Fax: 01904 425883 or email: TERRYCOOPER7@aol. corn TS Apollo: Celebrates its 50th anniversary and is planning a Mess Dinner at the Unit in Wethered Road, Marlow, Bucks on
April 23. If you were a cadet at the unit anytime in the past 50 years they would love to hear from you. Contact Ms Denise Roberts at Dairoberts23@aol.com or write to White Pillars, Seymour Plain, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 3DA or tel: 01628 487332. LST & Landing Craft Association: Reunion will be held at Norbeck Castle Hotel, Queens Promenade, Blackpool from April 24 to 28 with a Remembrance Service at St John's Church on 26 at 11.30. Details from Mike Cresswell, 1 Gamrudding, Green Lane, North Duffield, Selby, North Yorkshire. YO8 5RR. Tel: 01757 288752 or email: mike@gamrudding.freeserve.co.uk
HMS Forth: CPO Roy Kennedy HMS Forth D.O.A.S. 30th May 1044,Scotland whilst serving aboard HMS Forth, aged 48 (had served previously throughout WW1(. Seeking cause of death on that day should anyone recall the event, which occurred in Scotland. Contact Roger Vanhinsbergh, 4 Fen Road, Guyhirn, PE134AB or tel: 01945 450529 rogabadgewtbtinternet.com HMS Hermes: Carol Williams is seeking information on Sid Deller who was on Hermes in 1963. Carol was a friend of Sid's wife, Doreen. They had 2 children. Paul and Susan. They lost touch after Carol emigrated to Canada in 1965. She heard that the Deller's emigrated to Australia in the late 60s. It you can help contact Carol
at carol_ann1945@hotmail.com or write to 19929 Silverhope Road, Hope, BC, Canada, VOX 1L2. HMS Intrepid: Curious to know more about a 'Fisgig' (a form of harpoon), mounted on a polished wooded plinth and was presented to HMS Intrepid by HM Dockyard Portsmouth 'to commemorate a successful combined op. Jan 1974 to Jan 1975'. Mark served in HMS Intrepid from 1984 - 1987 and carries many fond recollections from the period. He would be most interested and grateful it anyone could advise him of the significance of the Fingig in relation to what he assumes was a DED or mini-refit undertaken by Portsmouth Dockyard during the period Jan 74- Jan 75.
Contact Mark Churchill at mark.churchill@r oyalmarinesmuseum.co.uk or tel: 023 9281 9385. Malta 1941: Seeking information regarding the Chief Officer of a submarine, Billy Anderson, his wife Jessie and 3 children, Patricia, Sylvia and Gloria. They all lived at No. 17, opposite Haiting Gardens, Valletta, Malta. Carmela's mother, Josephine (flee Rickard) used to work and live with them. Josephine, now 80, would like to hear from them or their children. Contact her daughter Carmela Saliba, Le' Fleur, Triq II - Kavallieri Ta' Malta, M'Scala, ZBR12, Malta or email: sallcarm@global.net.mt ORB John Patrick. Commander RN (in 1957): Seeking any information concern-
ing thin man or his kin, please contact Mrs S Vanstone at: Lineforce Probate Ltd. 98 Bayswater Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9NZ. Tel: 01865 761292 or Fax: 01865 744774 or email: lineforce@btconnect.com RNR: Trying to trace John Austin McEwan, born 1925, who served in the Royal Navy Reserve as a Sub Lt during latter years of WW2. Any one who knew him, or has information re his whereabouts or descendants (possibility in South Africa) please contact his cousin, Geoffrey E Laws at Geoffrey@geoffreyandanne.worldonline. co.uk or write to 22 Pine Grove, Honiton, Devon, EX14 2HS, Tel: 01404 43240.
HMS Ganges/HMS Shamrock: A series of pictures taken by Edith F Driver are on a mebsite: http: www.tao.freeola.com Can anyone provide any information about them. If so contact Larry Taylor, 21 Hillrise Avenue, Sompting, West Sussex, BN15 OLX or email: l.taylor97i0ntlworld.com Mallinson Sadler Productions are making a series of documentaries about use of anti mine fields off coast off SW England and are looking for officers who served in HMS Plover and HMS Apollo or anyone who can inform about strategy. It you can help please contact John Chambers Tel: 01179731941, Mob 07762849310 email: johntchambers@hotmail.com
Officer on trueirnpregnable@aol.com or ring 07932 112623. HMS Narvik, 1952-59: Seeking Messrs McMiIIan, Mihalop, Oakley, O'Dell, Peel, Peters, Roberts, Sanderson, Small, Westmore, Willis, Hurlock and Merritt. Contact Rod Jenkins, 33 Paston Ridings, Paston, Peterborough, Cambs, PE4 7UR or tel: 01733 751019. NATO: Trying to trace a very good friend called Phillip (Shiner) Wright he is POPT recently stati6Eed at a NATO base in Portugal. He tried to contact me at the start of the year but due to email address changes it failed. Adrian is an ex POPT in the Australian Navy and looked after Shiner when he visited
here on Longlook in 1998 and again in 2001 with his wife Tracey for holidays. Could someone please pass on the email address and name or contact Adrian Hamill at adrianhamill@optusnet.com.au or shfitnes©bigpond.net. au or write to Secret Harbour Fitness, Shop 6 Oasis Drive, Secret Harbour, Western Australia, 6173. HMS Plover 1955/57: Arnold Brookes - Stokers )Horace grot.) looking for Ian Lang and Fred Handy. Can contact by email: arnold.brookes@speed-mail. co.uk or by post to: 10 Cedarfield Road Oughtrington Lymm Cheshire WA13 9HN or by telephone to: 01925 752525. HMS Raleigh: Seeking any National
Servicemen 1947/49 who were at HMS Raleigh, September 1947 in Foretop Division. The P0 was 'Jan' Thomas. Also anyone who served with Neville Fish on HMS Wolfe and HMS Sirius. Contact Neville at Oystercott, lngham Hall Gardens, Parson Drove, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 4JY or tel: 01945 700845. HMS St Angelo: Seeking contact with Jonathan Head, Smudge Smith and Taffy Jones, all served with John at HMS St Angelo on FO2s barge, We had a 45 foot and a25 foot barge. Does Taffy remember our Sunday's lying off Cominuto while the Admiral and his wife and daughter went swimming. Remember the dripping sandwiches and diluted lemon barley water? Contact John Morriss (US), 9 Ouex Road, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, CT8 8AT, tel: 01843 833817 or email:
HMS Sultan: Trying to contact all classmates from 123 MOO. Contact Buff Griffin at Biff@anchorOl.fsnet.co.uk or tel: 01726 70025 HMS Triumph: Ex-chief shipwright Christopher R. Arnold is looking for Derek Hornet and any apprentices who served with him at HMS Caledonia, Rosyth, Scotland from 1955 -1957. Also people who served with him in Singapore on HMS Triumph. Please contact Christopher Arnold at olivebranchgwen@telkomsa.net or write to The Olive Branch, 38 Ranger Road, Fish Hoek, 7975, South Africa. HMS Vanguard: All former shipmates of HMS Vanguard are invited to attend the next reunion in Liverpool in October. There must be many former shipmates that have not attended a reunion, why not join us then? Contact D R Scrivener, 70 Beach Road, Fleetwood, Lancs, FY7 8PN. RNAS Yeovilton: Seeking information about Nick Sargent, last heard of as a Lieutenant in 848 Squadron. Contact Paul Marston at paul©pedigreelans.com or write to 26 Arden Road, Bulkington, Warwickshire, CV12 9JJ or tel: 07868 744532.
April 2006
HMS Fisgard, Series 27 Boy Arts: S0yrs reunion. May 7/8 in the Portsmouth area. Contact Cliff Pantrey on 01837 55830 or email: cliffpantreyGsuretish.co.uk
September 2006 HMS Suffolk Association: September 17th will be an historic event at Brighton. Public Ceremony. The dedication of the Standard and the reading of the Battle Honours. If you have any connection with HMS Suffolk, contact the Secretary on 01273 302147.
Over to you HMS Duke of York. Bill Griffin is compiling a book of biographical details of those whose names appear on the war memorial at Newton Ferrers. One name is that of Plumber (1st Class) William John Littleton who died aboard on May 13 1943, aged 38. On that day the Duke of York was day-running from Scapa Flow for gunnery exercises, and she returned to harbour at 2030. The next entry in the log is "2040 Plumber WJ Littleton died of Primary Haemorrhage following a lacerated wound of the neck." If this stirs any memories amongst any of our more senior readers, contact maili8iwgriffin. wanadoo,co,uk or write to 70 Court Road, Newton Ferrers, Plymouth, PL8 1 DA.
Calling old shipmates HMS Andromeda 1980/84: Would like to hear from any Ops branch serving during this time. Contact 'Robbie' Roberts (Radar) on 01792 540848 or email: a.roberts6800ntlworld.com HMS Barfleur: William Rickwood, Harry Randall and Ray Mullaney, son of Ronnie wouldlike to contact other shipmates from HMS Bartleur. Contact William Rickwood, 84 Gainsborough Drive, Gunton Park, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 4%. HMS Cleopatra Old Shipmates Association: are actively recruiting new members )from the cruiser and frigate). A thriving organisation, with over 270 members. If you are interested in joining, contact Warwick Franklin at warwick
franklin@hotmail,com or write to 127 Kit Hill Crescent, St Budeaux, Plymouth, PL5 1 ELortel: 01752 366611. HMS Fife, and Excellent, 1968-1971: Seeking Eric )Jock/Father( McLean LJSea OA2. Eric came from Paisley where his wife ran a chip shop, he was OM on the Fife and Capt of A Gunhouse. Contact Stuart )Topsey) Turner on 01785 245226 or email stfriffo-turner.freeserve.co.uk HMS Impregnable: The Chatham/ Portsmouth/Devon port Divisions of the HMS Impregnable Association welcome all ex boy seamen and crew who served onboard the famous training establishment . For a full factual broadsheet and - contact the exciting details Publicity
THE TIME OF YOUR LIVES
NAVY NEWS looks back through its pages to recall some of the January headlines of past decades....
" Sisters side by side, HMS Hydra (foreground) with sister HMS Hecate in 1976
40 years ago
FRONT page news was the commissioning of HMS Hecate, the second of a new class of of three survey/oceanographical ships. The ceremony was held in Glasgow, unusually, on a Sunday, as the ship's programme was tight, and there was a need for the ship's company to get their Christmas leave in at Devonport before sailing for operations in the Bay of Biscay. Novel features of the ship included air conditioning, a strengthened hull for ice operations, a propellor fitted athwartships in the bow for position maintenance and she had a Wasp helicopter and a Landrover.
30 years ago
TEN years later and Hecate's sister-ship HMS Hydra was operating in much more agreeable and sunny climes. She was carrying out survey work in the Seychelles and Amirante Islands. On board for their visit to the nearby d'Arros Islands were His Imperial Highness Prince Chahram, Crown Prince of Iran, and Princess Niloofar. They had just purchased the islands and were planning to build an airstrip there. The ship's helicopter was put to good use during the visit, airlifting the ship's surgeon ashore to treat an 18-month Seychellois boy, suffering from severe burns.
20 years ago
HERALD divers swim the Equator - well, sort of. The seven divers had rigged up a swimming pool on the upper deck, and as the ship sailed across the Equator they took part in a "marathon" swim in the pool! HMS Herald was at that time in the Pacific, making her way north from a sevenmonth deployment in the South Atlantic. She passed through the Panama Canal, and then on home to Devonport. It was an especially joyful homecoming for P0 Kevin Graves who saw his fourmonth-old baby son for the first time.
john@johnmorriss.wanadoo.co.uk Submarine P552: Eric Wills is seeking information about Fred Phillpott with whom he served. Fred was at Eric's wedding in SouthAfrica. Eric would like to contact Fred or his family. Contact Eric at 13 Whiston Road, Northampton, Northants, NN2 7RR or tel: 01604 711366.