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ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION

Merchant mariners honoured

Kenya trainers gather

THE UK’s dependence on merchant mariners was commemorated across the country last month. One of the most visible signs of Merchant Navy Day was the flying of the Red Ensign at an estimated 365 locations. The charity Seafarers UK asked local councils in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to hoist the Red Ensign – the British Merchant Navy’s official flag – on civic centre flagpoles and in public places. And from the heart of the country in Birmingham to Tower Bridge, standing astride the former shipping mecca of the Pool of London, the Red Duster was raised to mark the efforts and sacrifice of civilian sailors in peace and war. Merchant Navy Day has been commemorated in the UK since 2000, and September 3 was chosen as it was the date in 1939 that Britain entered World War 2. Merchant vessel SS Athenia was torpedoed just hours after hostilities were declared, with the loss of 128 passengers and crew. Now, as then, the UK relies on maritime trade – 95 per cent of imports go through British sea ports, including half of all food. Representatives of Royal Naval veterans’ associations, including the RNA, and a detachment of Royal Naval Reservists from nearby HMS President, attended the annual commemorative service at the Merchant Navy Memorial in Trinity Square Gardens, London. The memorial bears the names of almost 36,000 men and women of the Merchant Marine and fishing fleets from the two world wars who gave their lives for their country, and whose bodies were lost at sea.

VETERANS and friends of the Royal Naval Training Team Kenya gathered in Plympton St Maurice for their annual reunion, to rehash their service in Mombasa during the 1960s and early 70s and to remember those who have moved to a calmer anchorage. A loyal toast was made to the Queen and a warm welcome extended to younger guests who were attending for the first time – two of whom were born in Mombasa all those years ago. The usual guest of honour, Hilary Hall, was unable to attend this time, and her kind words and ready smile were missed. Arthur Coxon reminded all that this year was the 50th. anniversary of the Kenya Navy’s three patrol craft – KNS Simba (Lion), KNS Chui (Cheetah) and KNS Ndovu (Elephant) – sailing from Portsmouth to make the epic journey through the Suez Canal to East Africa. To mark the occasion Arthur gave attendees a not-too-brief overview of those early days. The hosts at St Elizabeth’s House were thanked for allowing the visitors the use of their spectacular function room.

l Members of the Valiant Association enjoy the firework finale to their reunion at Devonport Naval Base

Valiant celebration

MORE than 300 former submariners from HMS Valiant and their partners celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first commissioning of the nuclear submarine. The grand reunion, organised at Devonport Naval Base by the Valiant Association, started with a service of celebration in

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the chapel of HMS Drake before a lunch in the Senior Rates’ Mess. The groups then toured HMS Courageous, lying opposite the hull of Valiant in the base. There followed reminiscences to the assembled company by means of a roving microphone, ably compered by Rear Admiral Jeremy Larken. After supper an impressive display of fireworks signalled the end to the proceedings, although those with sufficient stamina continued late into the night at the Holiday Inn. Amongst the guests was Admiral of the Fleet the Lord Boyce – who had joined the submarine as the most junior officer in 1967 – and Vice Admiral Simon Lister, the patron of the reunion and former Engineer Officer of Valiant. Indeed, so many officers from Valiant reached Flag Rank that she has been referred to as ‘the Admiral Factory.’ In the early years of her 26-year life, Valiant had a reputation for surmounting any problems without failing to meet her commitments, thanks to the unfailing efforts of her engineering department. She even acquired the affectionate title – the Black Pig. Much of the equipment and

Tayside anniversary VETERANS First Point (V1P) Tayside marked its first anniversary by holding a celebratory event for veterans and partner agencies from across Tayside in Dundee last month. The organisation is a partnership between NHS Tayside, Veterans First Point (Scotland) and Tayforth Veterans Project, a veterans’ charity located in Dundee which is winding down after four years. V1P Tayside host a daily dropin at City Quay each weekday between 9.30am and 1pm. The team provide a range of information on topics including health and wellbeing and social networking as well as signposting to organisations and charities that can provide additional support.  ht tp : //veteransfir stpoint. org.uk/drop-center/tayside

systems in Valiant were British prototypes, with a particular emphasis on noise reduction. Valiant’s first commitment, even before she left builders Vickers in Barrow, was to conduct extensive noise and vibration trials moored between buoys and at sea. By the time she was commissioned Valiant was arguably the quietest submarine in the world, bringing the double advantage of reducing the probability of detection and improving Valiant’s ability to detect other submarines. This vital feature was a staff requirement for Britain’s nuclear deterrent to be deployed in the four Resolution-class ballisticmissile submarines that followed. Silence was vital to the concept of the submarineborne nuclear ballistic missile deterrent, and this was the reason that exceptional effort was put into the noise performance of Valiant, whose propulsion and ships control systems were to be adapted for Resolution class. Another vital requirement for the deterrent was that the submarine should be capable of prolonged unsupported periods at sea. For this reason, the primary aim of Valiant’s deployment to

Singapore in early 1967 was to test this capability. She completed the dived return passage to the UK at full power in the record time of 27 days. During her 28 years in service, Valiant completed many successful missions so all the ships companies represented at the 50th anniversary reunion were able to exchange exciting experiences from their days on board. Three former Commanding Officers – Dan Conley, Christopher Wreford-Brown and Simon Bebbington – recounted their adventures from the midlife and end of the submarine’s life. Vice Admiral Lister closed the more formal proceedings by thanking the President of the Senior Rates’ Mess for the excellent hospitality all had enjoyed. He also thanked the chaplain for the commemoration service, duty staff in Drake and the naval base for their cooperation, and the guardians of Courageous for allowing and guiding the tours. Finally, Vice Admiral Lister paid tribute to the Valiant Association, whose members had conceived, planned, advertised, organised, managed and underwritten this truly grand reunion.

Trafalgar dinners

HMS NELSON in Portsmouth and the Victory Services Club in London are both hosting Trafalgar dinners this month. The London event, to be held in the newly-refurbished Trafalgar Room at the club, close to Marble Arch, is to be held on Friday October 21 and costs £45 per person. For details contact the VSC events team on 0207 616 8305 or email events@vsc.co.uk The Portsmouth dinner, in Nelson Wardroom, is on Saturday October 22 and is organised by the 1805 Club, which was founded in 1990 to preserve the monuments of the Georgian sailing navy and to inform and educate members and the public about this period. This dinner costs £87.50 per person. For more details of the club see www.1805club.org h RNA Central Office, Room 209, Semaphore Tower (PP70), HM Naval Base, Portsmouth PO1 3LT. h admin@royalnavalassoc. com h 023 9272 3747 h www.royal-navalassociation.co.uk

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