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Narrow escape for shipmates

MEMBERS of the two Cyprus branches consider themselves very fortunate to have avoided being caught up in a fatal explosion on the Mediterranean island. Shipmates from Eastern Cyprus and Cyprus branches had decided to hold a joint social event in the form of a banyan at the Faros fish restaurant at Governor’s Beach. Held in celebration of Sea Sunday, the occasion allowed for speeches and exchanges of gifts, as well as the making and renewing of friendships. Just 14 hours later the Governor’s Beach area suffered widespread damage by a munitions explosion around a kilometre away at the Evangelos Florakis naval base, which killed 13 – including the country’s most senior Naval officer – and injured more than 60. Cyprus branch President S/M Sir Edward du Cann wrote a letter of condolence to the President of Cyprus on behalf of the RNA.

Cruise passengers support ceremony DOUGLAS Banks, Chairman of the HMS Indomitable Association, recently took a cruise on the Fred Olsen ship Boudicca.

HAMPSHIRE County Council has joined the Heroes Welcome initiative, and is encouraging local authorities and businesses on its patch to do the same. The scheme allows organisations to demonstrate their support for the Service community – serving and veterans – by offering concessions and support measures. For more details of participants and offers, see www. heroeswelcome.co.uk

One of the ports of call for the liner was Valletta, the capital of Malta, and a harbour which had particular resonance for anyone connected with Indomitable. Indomitable was part of Operation Pedestal, to lift the Axis siege of Malta in 1942, and though the carrier suffered damage from dive bombers and the Allied lost many men and ships, one tanker – the Ohio – did get though and Malta fought on. “Many years later, in 1953, as HMS Indomitable approached Grand Harbour there was a terrible high-octane explosion that swept through four decks, killing and badly burning members of the crew, some of whom were buried at the Naval cemetery in Malta and others buried at sea. “It had been a long-held ambition of mine to one day place a wreath in the Naval cemetery and also a wreath at sea. “I spoke with Capt Jan Thommessen of Boudicca, and he agreed to assist in a small ceremony. “This was announced in the daily newspaper produced on board.

ON Sunday October 23 the White Ensign will once more fly over Exeter Cathedral for the annual service to celebrate Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar in 1805, organised by the Exeter Flotilla. Events begin with a planned fly-past by a Sea Fury T20 of

the Royal Navy Historic Flight at 1115, and the service starts at 1130 with seven bells being struck on the bell of HMS Exeter. All are welcome; for details please Christopher Seaton on 01395 514367 or email christopher.seaton@virgin.net

More for heroes

Trafalgar service

£50 PRIZE PUZZLE

THE mystery ship in our July edition (right) was HMS Burnaston, and Mr M Kirkham of Lee-on-the-Solent wins our £50 prize for identifying her. This month’s mystery ship (pictured above) was one of a pair of dry cargo ships taken up as bare boat charters and operated as Royal Fleet Auxiliaries. This ship, at just over 4,800 tons, was completed in the latter half of 1962. Her sister, completed just months before, was badly damaged by fire in 1978 and her charter was ended, though once repaired she continued to serve as a merchant vessel. What was the name of our mystery auxiliary, and what was the name of her ill-fated sister? Complete the coupon and send it to Mystery Picture, Navy News,

l S/M Douglas Banks (in beret) and Capt Jan Thommessen, the Master of the Boudicca, during the wreath-laying ceremony for victims of the fire on board HMS Indomitable in 1953 “I was asked to meet the captain on deck aft. “I arrived expecting a simple ceremony of putting the wreath overboard, but to my amazement the Captain and most of the officers and crew plus some 600

to 700 passengers had turned out. “It was a simple but very moving ceremony, with a bugler playing the Last Post and a minute’s silence. “Escorted by the Captain we together put the wreath overboard

and I broadcast the famous words ‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our today.’ “Many tears were shed amongst the passengers and I must admit I had a lump in my throat.”

ONE of the heaviest losses the Royal Navy suffered in World War 2 will be commemorated in November when members of the Neptune Association will march past the Cenotaph. Cruiser HMS Neptune was sunk just after midnight on December 1941 in the Mediterranean, taking 836 men and boys with her – the fifth worst loss of life in a single incident. The Association will also be holding its AGM at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, which will include a short service at the Association’s memorial. For more information on both events, and the second publication of Mediterranean Minefield, a 250page volume which serves as a tribute to the victims, visit www. hmsneptune.com Since 2002, 440 relatives of victims have been found by the Association – almost 396 remain unaccounted for.

THE South Bristol branch was allocated a stall at the Harbourside for the Bristol Harbour Festival finale weekend, and members made the most of the opportunities it afforded. With assistance from both the Bristol and South Gloucestershire branches, shipmates manned the stall throughout both days of the weekend, raising awareness of the Association with the people of Bristol and beyond – and also gaining a few new members into the bargain. Wielding the new marketing material, launched earlier this summer at the national Conference in Plymouth, shipmates worked the crowds, not an easy task when an estimated 250,000 people turned up to join in the fun over the two days. It was also a chance for the branches to raise funds for maritime charities the RNBT and

Seafarers UK. Members reported that enquiries about membership covered not just the urban area, but well out into the hinterland, including area such as Bridgwater, Gloucester, Leicester, Nottingham, Street and Poole. They hope their efforts will result in some fresh faces attending the relevant local branches. The Royal Navy also turned up at this, the 40th such festival. Hunt-class minehunter HMS Cattistock was the centre of attention, though locally-based Archer-class patrol boat HMS Raider and HMS Tracker also played their part as thousands of visitors endured lengthy queues to be able to file through to see inside a Royal Navy ship. The festival, one of the biggest free events of its kind in the country, encompasses a wide range of attractions, including music acts, food, circus performers, comedy dance and theatre. The harbour was filled with boats and ships of all shapes and sizes, many participating in the festival while others were just moored up for their owners to enjoy the show.

Neptune Raising profile, in parade Bristol fashion

HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH. Coupons giving the correct answer will go into a prize draw to establish a winner. Closing date for entries is October 14 2011. 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 November edition. The competition is not open to Navy News employees or their families.

Trust seeks COPP men

MYSTERY PICTURE 199 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................................................. ................................................. My answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NAVY NEWS, SEPTEMBER 2011

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l HALF a century ago HMS Tactician was running out of Singapore, and the submarine visited Karachi to coincide with the Queen’s visit to Pakistan. The Queen and the President of Pakistan, Muhammad Ayub Khan, reviewed the home fleet aboard the Presidential Yacht. On board Tactician was Roy ‘Happy’ Day (third from left of the picture), who recalled that as the sole RN representative, the boat was stationed at the end of the line. He particularly recalls the signal from the Queen to slice the mainbrace, shortly before the boat slipped the buoy to proceed to sea

ORGANISERS of the COPP Heroes Memorial Trust, which is planning a memorial on Hayling Island to the personnel of Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP), are hoping to track down veterans of the unit. The men, predominantly Royal Navy, trained on the island during World War 2, but so far have remained elusive – only three out of fewer than 200 have been traced. The Trust hopes that appeals in local and regional papers may be more successful, and have asked if any reader is such a veteran, or knows of one, they should contact the Trust. More details from www. coppheroes.org

Wrens fly to Pompey From September 1 the Headquarters office of the Association of Wrens will be in Semaphore Tower where they hope to be able to borrow a cup of sugar from their closest neighbours – the RNA. This is a significant step for the Wrens, since all the Association committee meetings and most council meetings have been held in London since 1920. Some concern has been voiced about a move ‘down south’ from members who live in the north, but they have been reassured that the AGM and council meetings will still be held in London, except for the June meeting which will continue to have a different location each year. In 2012 the June council meeting will be extended for a weekend gathering at Bletchley Park. The Semaphore Tower officewarming party has yet to be finalised – perhaps ex-Wrens and serving RN women who work in HM Naval Base may like to attend? Contact the Association of Wrens at their new address: Room 215, Semaphore Tower (PP 70), HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LT, telephone: 023 9272 5141, email office@wrens.org.uk or see the website www.wrens.org. uk

Change to cruise

THE route of one of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) cruises this month has had to be amended. As reported in August’s Navy News, the main ADLS veterans cruise on the River Thames takes place on Sunday September 4, and that remains unchanged. The Saturday cruise (September 3) for personnel injured in Afghanistan and undergoing rehabilitation at Headley Court Hospital in Epsom will leave the Thames Motor Yacht Club at 1400, bound for Ash Island (not Richmond Lock), transitting East Molesey Lock at 1410, returning at 1600 and returning to the yacht club at 1630. Spectators are encouraged to cheer the cruise along from the banks.

Derek mourned ONE of a virtually inseparable pair of sailors has died at the age of 80. Sherborne branch member Derek Layton, who died in late June, first met Les Laver when they joined up in 1946 – Derek was an apprentice air artificer at that stage. Les was older by six months and had an official number prior to Derek’s, so Les called Derek ‘Son’ and Derek called Les ‘Dad’. They went on to serve together in many ship and establishments, and acted as Best Man at each other’s weddings. Although Derek extended his service – he eventually gained the rank of warrant officer – he still ended up as an instructor with Les, working at Westlands before he retired.

Tribute to MN

THE annual Merchant Navy memorial service will be held at the Liverpool parish church Our Lady and St Nicholas on Sunday September 4. There will be a parade of Merchant Navy standards and standards of other organisations at the service, which is held in memory of merchant seafarers who died in the two world wars and other conflicts right up to the present day. The service will start at midday (attendees will gather from 1100), and a late lunch will be held at the Eldonian Village Hall off Burlington Street.