PEOPLE
Morpeth honours Collingwood
THE Commanding Officer of HMS Collingwood travelled north to unveil a bust of the ‘Northumbrian who saved the nation’ in Morpeth, where the celebrated admiral once lived. Newcastle-born Admiral Lord Collingwood took command of the British fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 on the death of Nelson, who was struck down by a sniper at the height of the action. Much loved in the Navy for his kindness to his sailors and his political finesse, as well as his skill in battle, Cuthbert Collingwood often wrote of his love for the town, where he could frequently be seen walking his dog. He died at sea off Menorca in 1810, as his ship was set to sail back to England, and to mark the bicentenary of his death a group of British ex-pats on the island commissioned a bust of Collingwood which now overlooks the harbour at Port Mahon. Members of the Greater Morpeth Development Trust attended – and decided the same should apply back home. The cost – £4,000 – was raised from donations, the Lottery Fund and various associations, and the life-sized bronze bust was duly unveiled by Cdre Mike Mansergh at the Butter Market, close to Collingwood’s old home. Also in attendance was a small contingent from the Fareham training establishment and buglers from the Royal Marines Band Collingwood.
Award for administrator
AN administrator at HMS Collingwood has been awarded an MOD Quality Award. Babcock employee Kevin Blenkinsopp is the Learning Content Management System (LCMS) Administrator for the Technology Based Training Unit (TBTU). Kevin was rewarded because, according to his citation, he “consistently drives for quality across the scope of his role.” The LCMS delivers Type 45 software for marine engineer and weapon engineer maintainer training at Collingwood and Sultan.
Back in tandem, 25 years on TWO sailors who first met on January 5 1987 as they began their Navy careers as apprentice artificers have been reunited on board Tridentmissile boat HMS Vanguard as Weapon Engineer Officer and Strategic Missile Officer respectively. After three years of specialist trade training together, John Rostron and Dan Greenwood went their separate ways, although both opted for a career in the Silent Service. For John it was straight to work on hunterl From left: Lt Cdr John Rostron, Cdr Paul Blyth, Commanding Officer of HMS Vanguard, and Lt Dan Greenwood
killer submarines, so-called as their primary role was to hunt out and destroy enemy nuclear missile submarines as well as surface ships. He spent his time in Swiftsure-class boats and reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer before gaining a commission in 2002. Meanwhile, Dan took the bomber route, ending up being promoted to Warrant Officer 2 after time served in both Vanguard and Resolution-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines, becoming an officer in 2008. Now, 25 years on, their story has come full circle for WEO Lt Cdr John Rostron and (SMO) Lt Dan Greenwood, as they are now.
Actor returns to meet new recruits
OSCAR-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley met some of the Royal Navy’s newest recruits during a visit to HMS Raleigh in Cornwall.
Sir Ben, who is currently working on a film project about World War 1, and his scriptwriter Prasanna Puwanarajah were able to see first hand the discipline, camaraderie and commitment of members of the Royal Navy, which is instilled in them from the very start of their careers. Sir Ben and Mr Puwanarajah were able to meet recruits at varying stages of their ten-week course and also witnessed the pride of the successful Cornwell 15 class and their families during their passing-out-parade. Capt Bob Fancy, the Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh, said: “We were very pleased to welcome Sir Ben and Mr Puwanarajah to HMS Raleigh and hope that we have given him a true sense of what it means to be in the Royal Navy and our pride in its heritage.” Sir Ben first visited the Royal Navy training base in 2011 to view the painting of Boy Seaman John Travers Cornwell VC, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Jutland in 1916, aged just 16. The portrait, painted by renowned society artist Frank Salisbury in 1916, currently hangs
l Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kingsley (dark glasses) and Cdre Jamie Miller, Naval Regional Commander for Wales and Western England, sit in on one of the lessons given to the Royal Navy’s new recruits Picture: Dave Sherfield
in St Paul’s Church at HMS Raleigh and depicts Jack, as John was known, standing next to his gun on board light cruiser HMS Chester during the battle. The gun received four direct hits, and although mortally wounded, Jack remained at his post until Chester retired from the battle.
The sole survivor of the gun crews, Jack died from his wounds at Grimsby General Hospital two days after the battle, on June 2 1916. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for bravery, as a result of his actions. Capt Fancy said: “One of our
training divisions is named in honour of Jack Cornwell. “At 16 he was very close in age to the recruits, and we regularly tell his story to inspire them as an example of someone who displayed the Royal Navy’s core values of commitment, courage, discipline, respect, integrity and loyalty.”
People inbrief
A NAUTICAL charity has won a prestigious award from Buckingham Palace. The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) was given the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award for work carried out during 2012, including marshalling duties at the Olympics. Formed from the ashes of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, the MVS trains its members in valuable maritime skills, including boat-handling, seamanship, basic marine engineering and communications. A ROYAL Navy warrant officer has won recognition for his outstanding role training warship crews. WO1 Wayne Burbury was awarded a Commendation from Rear Admiral Clive Johnstone for his outstanding work at Flag Officer Sea Training, training crews to manage logistics while on operations worldwide. A MINISTRY of Defence PC Andy Palmer has received a Police Long Service Good Conduct medal for helping to protect Devonport Naval Base as well as providing security nationwide, including the London Olympics. The marine unit officer joined the MOD Police in 1991 after seven years as an engineering mechanic in the Royal Navy. A SENIOR rate has been presented with his Valedictory Certificate marking 27 years of service to the Royal Navy. CPO (AWW) Jeff Russell was given his certificate by Cdre Mike Mansergh, Commodore HMS Collingwood. Starting as a missile specialist in the 1980s, Jeff was also a gunnery mentor to the Iraqi Navy and ended his seagoing career in what was then the newest ship in the Fleet, HMS Diamond. He is now starting a career as an HGV driver. THE National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has a new managing director as it gears up for a new development. Former Royal Navy officer Cdr Charles Bagot-Jewitt stepped down as Chief Executive, and Sarah Montgomery, former general manager of the Chatsworth House Trust, has been confirmed as managing director. The arboretum, part of the Royal British Legion family of charities, is planning to open a new £12 million Centre for Remembrance next year.
25-year career rewarded
l Chief Officer Simon Booth (left) receives his commendation certificate from Commander UKMCC Cdre Simon Ancona
On account of Montecristo
CHIEF Officer Simon Booth, Executive Officer of supply ship RFA Fort Victoria, has been presented with a Chief of Joint Operations Commendation for his efforts when the Fort-class fleet stores ship was successful in suppressing Somali pirate attacks and recapturing the Italian bulk carrier MV Montecristo in a joint operation with the USS De Wert in October 2011. The commendation certificate was presented to him by Cdre 22 : APRIL 2013
Simon Ancona, “I was honoured and humbled to receive my Joint Commander’s Commendation from Cdre Ancona, Commander UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC). “The teamwork essential to pull a disparate group together to achieve such success was a challenge and tested us all. “Cdre Ancona reminded me how few of these awards are presented each year and how
carefully they are scrutinised, placing me in the exalted company of those engaged in operations in Afghanistan with a far more difficult job to do, but requiring the same skills of leadership I hope I was able to display. “To be congratulated for doing a good job is always gratifying, but a ship does not run on one individual, rather a whole team of dedicated professionals who I’ve had the privilege to work alongside.”
A LONG-SERVING MOD Civil Servant with a Royal Marines amphibious unit has been presented with the Imperial Service Medal. The ISM is awarded in recognition of a minimum 25 years of service within the Civil Service upon retirement. At an informal ceremony at 11 Amphibious Trials and Training Squadron in Royal Marines Instow, Devon, Colin Ballard was presented with the medal by Commanding Officer 1 Assault Group Royal Marines, Col Garth Manger. Amongst the highlights of his career were helping to build an adventure playground for children at a special school in Reading, and being involved in BBC TV’s Top Gear episode which saw the waterproofing of several Ford Fiestas for use by Jeremy Clarkson in a stunt involving driving the cars up Instow beach. After a spell with British Rail as a trainee train driver, Colin was persuaded by his father to get a ‘proper’ trade so he started an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering. He joined 11 Amphibious Trials and Training Squadron at RM Instow in 1986, where he worked as a welder, then in the workshops and finally in the projects section.
l Capt Jerry Kyd, CO of BRNC, inspects the lieutenants on parade at the end of their Senior Upper Yardmen course
Picture: Craig Keating
Experienced tyros A GROUP of newly-commissioned officers paraded in front of their families and friends – and they boasted almost 140 years of Royal Navy service between them. The group of seven lieutenants on the passing-out parade at Britannia Royal Naval College were marking the end of their ten-week Senior Upper Yardmen course, which trains sailors who have been promoted from the ranks. The course builds on the students’ existing Naval knowledge and helps develop their command, leadership, management and navigation skills. Among the seven was a former Royal Marine, a submariner and a Naval Nurse. Capt Jerry Kyd, CO of BRNC, inspected the parade and took the
salute during the march-past. He said: “Around 30 per cent of the Officer Corps is drawn from the lower decks, which illustrates the range of promotion opportunities the Royal Navy provides. “This latest group of lieutenants will be a valuable addition to the Officer Corps, bringing with them the extensive experience they have gained at a more junior level. “They have worked hard over the past ten weeks to reach the standards required and I wish them every success in their future careers.” Some 200 other Officer Cadets at various stages of their training took part in the parade, with music provided by the Royal Marines Band Plymouth. www.navynews.co.uk