‘ONCE NAVY, ALWAYS NAVY’
Sports and socials in Scotland THE past six months has seen the East of Scotland branch of the RMA strengthen ties both with 45 Cdo and the areas around Angus County. On the sporting side the branch was invited along to the 45 Cdo Golf Open. According to Paul Hughes, our Forfar golf rep, the RM Condor Golf Society’s competition at Kirriemuir Golf Club was organised by Graham Faulkner, assisted throughout the day by his wife Dianne. Heavy rainfall cast early doubts, but the greens staff did a wonderful job and the large field of entrants enjoyed excellent weather on the day. The standard of golf was not of the highest order, but everyone enjoyed themselves and new friendships were made. Organiser Graham won plenty of plaudits, and during the meal and prizegiving that followed it became very apparent that the lack of prizes going to RMA golfers was not down to age difference or ability rather than being outnumbered by the sheer amount of Condor bandits. Early autumn saw the branch bid farewell to stalwart fundraiser Taff Davies, who raised considerable sums through walks around Britain, football collections, bag packs and stall running. The branch wishes Taff all the best as he returns to his native Wales to look after ‘Mum’. October saw the branch celebrate the Corps’ birthday with a superb informal dinner night organised by Ed Bodman and Tim Donovan (branch chairman), aided by their other halves, Moira and Pam. The following month saw the branch represented at the Festival of Remembrance at the Caird Hall, Dundee, where Roddy Campbell paraded with the branch standard. All then enjoyed a night in the Legion at the annual Veterans’ Night function before going their separate ways on Remembrance weekend, with the branch being represented at RM Condor, Arbroath Western cemetery, Barry Buddon Falklands Memorial Garden, Arbroath Sea Cadets, Arbroath Legion Scotland’s church service and Cenotaph wreath-laying parade, Fort William and Spean Bridge. December began with the annual ‘turkey shoot’ – five winning birds for Christmas and five taking home 3lb steak pies for New Year. Soon after, lucky members took home prizes ranging from large spirit hampers to 50in smart TVs at the Christmas Draw evening. The New Year brought a Hogmanay party, with Legion members joining in. 2017 saw the branch bid a sad farewell to members as they embarked on their final posting – Adri Van De Rijt, Steve Reed, Les Daniels, Davie Hepburn and Geoff (Dickie) Dickerson.
Cockleshell Heroes honoured in France
SUBMARINER Cdr Paddy Parvin salutes the block of sandstone that celebrates the deeds of heroes exactly 75 years ago (right). Three miles off this beach at Montalivet in south-west France – and in similarly rough conditions – five canoes (‘cockles’) were launched from submarine HMS Tuna. Their Royal Marines crews faced a 75-mile paddle – 15 to the mouth of the Gironde, then another 60 upriver to the port of Bordeaux to destroy German shipping in the dark days of December 1942. The raid – which has entered history under the banner the Cockleshell Heroes – achieved its objective, but at terrible cost. It is believed that six ships, mostly merchantmen, were damaged by limpet mines, but two of the ten marines died of hypothermia while six more were detained and executed. The 75th anniversary of Operation Frankton, the attack’s codename, was marked with two ceremonies: one at Montalivet, a second, larger event at Pointe de Grave, at the mouth of the Gironde, attended by the Deputy Commandant General Royal Marines, Brig Haydn White, RM musicians, veterans organisations from both sides of the Channel and relatives of the raiders. Jim Sparks, the younger brother of Mne Bill Sparks, one
of the two survivors of the raid, said: “It was truly fitting to attend such an auspicious event and especially remember those who did not return.” Mne Sparks and raid leader Maj Blondie Hasler eventually returned to the UK after escaping to neutral Spain with the help of the French resistance. Eric Boisneau, the organiser of Frankton Souvenir, the group which keeps the memory of the heroes alive in the Bordeaux region by creating a memorial trail and erecting monuments, was delighted so many people braved the foul December weather to pay their respects. “We are especially honoured to see the families of those who turned the tide of war in favour of the Allies,” he added. Having experienced the December weather in the Gironde, Cdr Parvin – the Fleet’s Marine Engineer Officer for Submarines – said he got a brief glimpse of the hardships the raiders faced in December 1942. “This has been a humbling experience – understanding the efforts by the submariners, the locals who helped the commandos, but more so the commandos themselves,” he said. “Most made the ultimate sacrifice and it was to change the way the Nazis thought about their invulnerability – this was the beginning of the victory in Europe.”
Age UK counters loneliness
Expedition follows Frankton trail
A GROUP of serving and former Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors have retraced the route taken by Marines who carried out the daring Operation Frankton raid on Bordeaux 75 years ago. The 30-strong group (some of whom are pictured right) is the first military expedition including those recovering from long-term physical and psychological issues to complete the 100-mile canoe and 85-mile journey undertaken during the so-called ‘Cockleshell Heroes’ raid that attacked German shipping in Bordeaux. Expedition leader Capt Paul Fleet RM, who works for the Naval Recovery Centre in HMS Drake, Plymouth, said: “We undertook this exercise for a number of reasons. “Firstly to honour the memory of our namesake Maj Blondie Hasler and his men of the Cockleshell Heroes on the 75th anniversary of the raid, but also as a major recovery event for my wounded, injured and sick personnel to set themselves a challenge in order to discover what they can still do, not what they can no longer do due to their
conditions and injuries.’’ The three-day paddle took place in freezing December conditions in replica folding canvas ‘cockle’ canoes. The five-day evasion walk was along the Gironde Estuary to where Blondie and his ‘crew’ Mne Bill Sparks were taken to safety by French agents. Recovering Marines Mne Ollie Wilson-Tancock and Cpl Jordan
Pring completed the full canoe leg; only extreme pain prevented them completing every mile of the trek as they took breaks en route. Cpl Ian McCormack completed the full trek and paddle, while military historian Dr Tom Keene and Keith Breslaur, CEO of Patron Capital and huge supporter of the Royal Marines Charity who supported
the event financially, completed the paddle. Paul added: “The weather was pretty awful at times and my guys had to really dig deep, but the sense of achievement felt by all was incredible and I am immensely proud of them. “We were welcomed with open arms by the locals, many of whom are personally connected to the story, whereby we held short memorial services in remembrance of the local French people who gave their lives to help our men in 1942. “We also left a permanent memorial in honour of Op Frankton at the spot where Hasler and Sparks began their escape at Blaye, which will be looked after by the local land owners Mr and Mrs Villet.’’ The Naval Service Recovery Centre is named after Blondie Hasler, and this challenge was designed to help build strength, stamina and confidence through military teamwork, while also honouring those injured in active service and raising awareness and funds for The Royal Marines Charity.
Gannets and Ganges
THE 849 Naval Air Squadron Gannets hold a reunion at the Hotel Mariners, Haverfordwest, from April 26-29. Details from John Rawling at jsrawl@aol.com Two weeks earlier the HMS Ganges Association hold their AGM and reunion at Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island. Anyone interested in the event, from April 13-16, should contact IOW Tours, 3 New Road, Lake, Sandown, IOW PO36 9JN, email enquiries@iowtours.com or phone 01983 405116.
Centenarian Alec
WAR veteran and HMS Cossack Association member Alec Kellaway was due to celebrate his 100th birthday as Navy News went to press. Alec enlisted in February 1936, and after initial training as a Stoker Second Class he became a member of the ship’s company that commissioned HMS Hood that September, serving in her until November 1939, having been rated Stoker First Class. He then returned to Portsmouth until April 1940, when he joined HMS Cossack. He served in the destroyer for a few days short of a year, leaving 30 : FEBRUARY 2018
AGE UK Portsmouth has been awarded funds to run a new service for military veterans and their partners. The Aged Veterans Fund, which is financed by LIBOR money, will enable the charity to help mitigate social isolation and loneliness among veterans. The aims of the service include: n Raising awareness to mitigate against loneliness; n Conduct guided conversations to develop personal plans; n Offer community and peer befriending; n Improved well-being; n Increased access to information and advice; n Increased participation in community activities and social networks; n Formation of peer support groups for sustainability. Kandy Lucas, Socialisation Manager for Age UK Portsmouth, said: “We are supporting and encouraging veterans to engage with others within the community using peer and community befrienders. “Contact between the befriender and the veteran will normally be once a week or fortnightly, and will generally last for one to two hours, depending upon the needs and interests of the veteran.” The charity is also holding specific social outings and events, such as Joining Forces Breakfast Club, held on the second Thursday of the month in the Age UK Portsmouth cafe at the Bradbury Centre, 16-18 Kingston Road, Portsmouth PO1 5RZ. For more details visit www. ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth or www.facebook.com/ageuk. portsmouth
in April 1941 – and that qualified him for membership of the HMS Cossack Association; having served in L03 he automatically became a Life Member. Alec has been a regular attendee at reunions and other occasions, including the dedication of the Cossack Memorial bench at the National Arboretum at the age of 97. After Cossack Alec served in minelayers, frigates and destroyers in various theatres from UK East Coast to West Africa, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Far East. He was finally demobbed in April 1948. www.navynews.co.uk