6 minute read
Notes from the Services
from May 1953
by StPetersYork
After much negotiating we have now heard that our request for an additional but has been granted and we look forward eagerly to seeing it erected. Now that the extensions to the Science block have started, we have been compelled to move much of our training equipment over to the already crowded stores, and the new accommodation will help tremendously to ease the congestion.
Next term we look forward to two important functions, the Annual Inspection, which will be carried out by the War Office this year, and the Coronation activities in the City, in which we are to play quite an important part.
Finally, we should like to thank all those who have been helpful to us in what has been a very full term.
R.N. SECTION
C.P.O. Shaw, who last term was 'P.O. i/c Naval Section, is to be heartily congratulated on his appointment as Contingent Petty Officer. He is the first to have attained this office from the ranks of the R.N. Section, but not, it is to be hoped, the last. His new duties have necessarily placed him outside the Section, but his influence may still be just as clearly felt. 'P.O. Quarmby succeeds him as P.O. i/c R.N. Section with Lg/Seaman Ibberson as his 2nd i/c.
This term has proved less spectacular, though not less active than the previous one, as our attention has been focused on the P.O. and Lg/'Seaman examinations. The good results obtained in these examinations indicate the hard work put in by the candidates, and Lg/'Seamen Ibberson, Moore and 'Humble have passed for P.O.s in both written and oral, although A.B.s Rollinson and Griffiths failed in the latter examination; A.B.s Walton, Macdonald, Delittle, Coates and Leishman have all passed the Lg/Seaman examination, written and oral.
The A.B. class, formed from last term's Basic Section, and exceptionally numerous, have been preparing for their examination next term under P.O. Quarmby, and Lg/Seaman Nelson and A.B. Walton have been assisting with the Basic Section. Lg/Seaman Leonard and Ord/Seaman Thomas put in some good work in the early part of the term in fitting the whole Section with new uniforms, and towards the end of term in preparing tackles for the practical examinations.
If the emphasis this term has been on work, we may look forward to more out-of-doors activity next term. The whaler has been completely overhauled and is awaiting collection at Naburn. The School C.C.F. has been invited to take part in the Coronation celebrations on the river on 6th June, and the R.N. Section looks forward to this event with keen anticipation. 40
This term has been spent preparing the Section for the Certificate "A", Pt. II, examination, which was held at Fulford Barracks on Tuesday, 24th July, in a joint examination with Ripon Grammar School. The strange environment did not seem to affect the issue, but it was apparent that the marking was much stiffer than in previous years, and for this reason a IWO% success is not expected again.
The fine weather, which has so favoured the sporting activities this term, allowed a great variety of demonstrations and T.B.W.T.s to be organised. The arrangement of having map reading lessons out of normal parade times was successful on two counts, for besides giving the extra time on parades to other pressing topics, it never became boring, and the syllabus was well revised.
The discipline of the Section has been good, as has the general turn-out. It was only in the marching that slackness was encountered. All the Cert. "A" candidates were issued with a new booklet, published by Repton, which embodies within a few pages the whole of the syllabus in note form. It is a very helpful booklet; almost too helpful in fact, for some have been heard to say that parades are now unnecessary for the teaching of its contents !
The Gun Crew and Signals have been very active in their mysterious ways. The spare 'N.C.O.s were formed into a Cadre and acted as a Demonstration Squad for the Part II candidates. Under the leadership of Sgt. Hudson they proved to be very useful.
R.A.F. SECTION
Two visits have been made to Rufforth during the term, and nineteen members of the Section have each had an hour's flying.
Corporal Crossley and Cadets Seaton and Welsh have started gliding at Rufforth, and five applications have been submitted for training as pilots under the Flying Scholarship Scheme.
The normal training programme was directed towards the Advanced and Proficiency Examinations, held on 16th March, with results not yet known. Next term it is intended to carry out training less in the classroom and more out-of-doors, for a good deal of emphasis is now placed on training for airfield defence. 'Such training is likely also to be of value to potential C.C.F. N.C.O.s.
On the last parade of the term the Section was visited by Squadron Leader Reid, of H.Q. 64(N) Group.
NOTES FROM THE SERVICES (No. 1 ADMIRALTY)
FLYING IN THE ROYAL NAVY
THE introduction of the big gun into ships of the Navy by Henry VIII some 400 years ago, changed the duties of a Naval Officer from those of a mere sailingmaster to those of Captain of a man-of-war, who had to "fight" his ship. Modern weapons and equipment of ever-increasing complexity demand specialised knowledge, so the Royal Navy now has Gunnery Officers, Submarine Officers and others who, although primarily seamen, are experts in one particular branch of Naval warfare. The largest body of specialists is now to be found in Naval Aviation — the pilots and observers who fly and operate the aircraft of the Fleet. These officers learn not only to fly, but to fly with the skill and precision required for carrier landings at sea. They are specialists indeed. This branch of the Service has had several titles, Fleet Air Arm included, and has passed through many phases. From 1923-1939 it was a mixture of Royal Air Force and Royal Naval personnel but just before the Second World War the Admiralty assumed full control. The flying branch then became an integral part of the Royal Navy and since that time all personnel have been Officers and Ratings of the Navy, taught by the Navy, operating aircraft designed for the Navy, and working from carriers at sea and Naval Air Stations ashore. The Second World War confirmed that carrier-borne aircraft are essential in sea warfare, and the fighter, strike and anti-submarine aircraft of today form the Navy's first and most formidable weapons of attack. The pilots and observers, who man these aircraft, combine the pleasures and excitement of flying with the adventurous nature of life at sea. They are usually either:— (a) Officers serving in permanent Commissions, who either enter as Cadets at 16 and 16* or between 17* and 18* years of age, or ratings promoted from the lower deck. (b) Officers serving under 8 year Short Service Aviation Commissions, who enter between the ages of 17* and 24 and have the chance of gaining a permanent Commission in due course. (c) National Servicemen who learn to fly as R.N. V.R. Officers during their 2 years compulsory service, and then either join R.N. V.R. Squadrons for week-end flying, or transfer to 4 and 8 year R.N. Commissions with the opportunity of making the Navy their career. It is essential that Aviation Officers keep in constant flying practice in order to keep abreast with the rapid developments in modern service flying. Nevertheless, every opportunity is taken to keep them well trained in all their other duties as Naval Officers. You will often see Commanding Officers and Officersof-the-watch in Destroyers and Frigates wearing wings on their sleeves. The Commanding Officer of H.M.S. OCEAN, the carrier operating against the Communists in Korea, was a Naval fighter pilot of the 1939-1945 war. Information regarding all types of Commissions in the Royal Navy can be obtained from
THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY (C.W. BRANCH), DEPT. (BM/54),
