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SUPER-TOMAHAWKPLAN FOR RN SODS

HMS Endurance wedges herself intothe ice while supplying palaeontolo-gists of the British Antarctic Surveyon Seymour Island in the WeddelSea. The picture was taken byLA(PHOT) Chris Brick from one ofEndurance's two Lynx helicopters,showing the second soon after take-off from the ship. Endurance hasnow ended her annual Antarctic sur-vey work and is due back inPortsmouth in early May.

Breakthrough in cruisemissile firing technique

A BREAKTHROUGH in technology hasshown that Royal Navy submarines will beable to launch a newer and deadlier versionof the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile writesDominic Blake.

Experts in submarineweapons have found a wayto fire America's new verti-cal-launch Tactical Toma-hawk missile through a tor-pedo tube, and if theirdevelopment proposals aresuccessful the weapon couldbe fitted in ten Royal Navysubmarines.

HM submarines Splendid,Triumph and Trafalgar arealready equipped with theBlock III version of the cruisemissile and it was first fired inanger by the Royal Navy whenSplendid attacked targets inKosovo in 1999.

After the conflict, 20 missileswere procured to replenishBritain's original stock of (i5 hutthe end of Block III production inthe USA to make way for the nextgeneration of Block IV TacticalTomahawk means that no more arcavailable.

Fitting submarines with verticallaunchers is challenging and expen-sive and with no current plans forvertical launchers in the Type 45destroyers on order for the RoyalNavy, Tomahawk's future lookeduncertain. But results from studiesrevealed by the Royal NavyTomahawk Integrated ProjectTeam have shown that the use of apurpose-built capsule inside the

submarine's torpedo tube willallow the new Block IV missile tohe launched safely.

As well as securing the stand-off,coercive missile capability calledfor in the Strategic DefenceReview, the breakthrough also putsa much more sophisticated weaponwithin the grasp of the SubmarineService.

Target information for Block IIImissiles currently needs to he sentto submarines from the PermanentJoint HQ in Northwood beforethey arc launched but it wil l be pos-sible to retarget the new weapon in(light.

Designers of the TacticalTomahawk also expect it tobe able to loiter and sendback battle damage informa-tion, a combination whichallows a recce of the target,or several missiles to besent on a mission with thelast being used to confirm orcomplete target destruction.The problem w i t h launching

Block IVs from a submarine is thatthe new missile has a much lighterairframe and is less robust than itsBlock III predecessor. The capsulesystem works by preventing rapidwater ingress from damaging themissile's tail and reducing shockduring launch.

Once the Tomahawk has beenfired from the torpedo tube the

• Turn to back page

LOTS OF FUN DAYS OUT TO BE WON IN OUR YOUNG READERS SECTION

NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. na vynews. co.uk

Liverpool's fishy chums kick up a stinkA FREAK plague of dead fish in the Main The fish that floated were not so much of a by seals, and had entered the basin when it accelerate decomposition and "digest" theBasin at Rosyth dockyard gave environ- problem: gulls took them, or they were was opened to admit Liverpool. fish.mental experts a problem of how to tackle 'skimmed off' the surface by employees of Dredging was one option being considered The options and timetable were beingthe overrjowerina DODO Babcock Engineering Services which runs the to solve the problem, but an alternative under weighed up in consultation with environmental

HUOP «ihoal<i of *rjrat«s found thpir wav into Vard. It was the fish that sank that caused the discussion was to spray the basin with a spe- health bodies and the Ministry of Argiculture,the 60 acre basin* whenthe entrance was main °«ence as they rotted out of reach. cially grown, harmless microbial culture to Fisheries and Food.the 60-acre basin when the entrance wasopened to admit Type 42 destroyer HMSLiverpool, due to begin refit. When the caissonwas closed the sprats were trapped in waterwhich was, for them, deficient in oxygen.

They began dying in their hundreds of thou-sands and causing a stench that sent sailorsand Rosyth residents reaching for the air fresh-

main offence as they rotted out of reach.Divers found there were dead fish lying up to

more than a foot deep in some areas of themain basin near the entrance, and while scien-tists agreed there was no health hazard, thesmell was strong enough to be a nuisance.

Babcock spokesman Drew Ranee told NavyWeivs that large shoals of sprats which breed inthe Forth in winter had probably been chased

• HMS Liverpool on passage upthe Forth to Rosyth for refit...but she unwittingly brought astinker of a problem in her wake.

Pay as youdine trialsare plannedfor next yearA NEW system of Servicecatering which is intend-ed to ensure that person-nel pay only for themeals they choose tobuy is likely to be triedout next year.

A tri-Servicc project teamled by Brigadier Peter Maggs istaking a fresh look at the con-cept of 'Pay-As-You-Dine'(PAYD) whose introductionwas recommended in 1995 bythe Independent Review con-ducted by Sir Michael Bett.

At present daily food chargesarc imposed on Service people liv-ing-in, the money being deductedfrom pay regardless of what iseaten - usually about half the enti-tlement.

Since the Bett Report the con-cept of paying for food which isactually eaten has been under con-sideration by the Ministry ofDefence. The PAYD project teamwas formed to devise a system ofnon-operational messing whichmeets the Bett recommendation

Cost-cuttingbowls overMOD dogs

EVERY dog has its day andnow Ministry of Defencedogs are to get their ownproper feeding bowls - asa cost-cutting exercise.

Up to now Servicepooches have wolfeddown their rations from"Basin, Wash" - MOD'Sdesignation for what isactually a high-specifica-tion, metal medical bowlwhich is "extremely expen-sive", says the Ministry.

Now, units which havedogs have been told to buycommercially produced,stainless-steel dog bowlswhich are much cheaper.

Details are published inJoint Service DefenceCouncil Instruction 33/0

while maintaining operationaleffectiveness.

The team is undertaking a feasi-bility study and will probably starttrials at a small number of Serviceunits. If they go ahead, the trialsarc expected to start in 2002 andcontinue through the year.

"They will ensure that any re-commendation has been adequate-ly scoped, designed and tested,"said Brigadier Maggs.

"Unless we are confidentthat PAYD can deliver a bet-ter, fairer system, meetingeverybody's needs, we willnot implement it."Simply putting cash tills in messes

was not economically viable and"would not meet the expectationsand aspirations of Service person-nel for a fair and modern cateringservice."

The aim of the project is toincorporate best practice and offerbetter and more modern facilities.

However, there arc concernsthat must be addressed.

• Among Service people there isconfusion as to what PAYD means.The team is committed to estab-lishing clear communications inorder to dispel this confusion.• There arc fears that introducingPAYD will lead to the disintegra-tion of the messing system. In fact,the project is aimed at introducing"fairness" for Service personneldining in separate mess facilities,proposing changes that will main-tain the current Mess ethos.• There is genuine concernamongst officers and senior ratesfor the welfare and nutrition of thejunior rates. It is therefore pro-posed that there wil l be a coremenu on offer, l ike the one cur-rently available, and priced similar-ly-• There are concerns about theimpact of PAYD on military cater-ers. The reality is that the require-ment for the number and structureof the core military catering man-power is a matter for the chain ofcommand, based on the opera-tional requirement of each Service.

The core catering manpower willbe appropriately employed withinPAYD.

Whatever system is eventuallychosen, the team stresses that itmust be a cost-effective, non-oper-ational catering service that isacceptable to personnel and com-manders and that is seen as animprovement.

There will be a core menu provid-ing the necessary level of nutrition,leaving it to individuals to decidewhat they want to eat in addition.

The chain of command has setthe requirement for the numberand structure of Naval cateringmanpower and that will be unaf-fected irrespective of the f ina lPAYD concept.

The project team wants toreceive Service views and has setup a website on MODWeb.Questions and comments can beaddressed to: DLO Andovcr,Room 9, Building 209, MonxtonRoad, Andover, SP1I 8HT (tel01264348051).

Service votersbrought intoline with civvies

CHANGES in electoral law mean that Service people can nowregister annually as voters in the same way as civilians.

The Representation of the cle£toral registration officers.People Act 2000, which came into —- - -force on February 16, gives mem-bers of the Armed Forces the rightto choose whether to continue toregister to vote elsewhere througha Service declaration, or to registerto vote in respect of their home orother qualifying address.

Spouses of Service peoplealready had the option to registeras civilian or as Service voters.

Members of the Forces who optto vote by Service declaration wil lnow have to make a fresh declara-tion every 12 months. Declarationsalready in force remain valid unt i lnext February.

Annual re-registration will bringthe Forces into line with civilianvoters. All eligible voters will nowreceive annual forms directly from

Prince Philip getsclose-up of newSubmarine School

THE DUKE of Edinburghtakes a pcriscope-eyc view ofthe Navy's training establish-ment HMS Raleigh on a visit toofficially open the RNSubmarine School on March 2.

The school was moved from itstradit ional home at FortBlockhouse - formerly HMSDolphin - in January.

His encounter with the periscopecame when he inspected theschool's Dolphin attack trainer. Healso met staff and students and pre-sented end-of-course certificates toeight newly-qualified submariners.

While at Raleigh, under theCommand of Commodore LauricBrokenshire, Prince Philip commis-sioned the new, environmentallyfr iendly, gas-fuelled f i ref ight ingtraining units.

He saw a demonstration in the

damage repair instructional unit - athree-deck mock-up of a ship, sim-ulating emergencies and with thecapability to roll like a vessel at sea.

The Prince ended the visit asguest of honour at the passing outparade of recruits.

Two days earlier heopened the new JointServices Comm-and andStaff College at Shrivenham,Oxfordshire, hailed as themost modern establishmentof its kind in the world.The college, which has been tem-

porarily housed at the former RAFStaff College at Brackncll since itwas created four years ago,replaces the Joint Services DefenceCollege and RN Staff College atGreenwich, the Army Commandand Staff College at Camberlcy andthe RAF Staff College.

The Act also permits voters notregistered via a Service declarationto register at any time when theymove home, rather than wait for asingle annual qualifying date - pre-viously October.

That means Service people whohave not made a declaration will beable to register quicker, so remedy-ing a long-standing grievance in theArmed Forces - that its membersare refused credit on occasionsbecause they are not registered at acurrent address on an electoral rollwhen credit checks are made.

Service people will be given thechoice, for security purposes, ofwhether all the details they provideshould be included in the versionof the electoral register that is pro-duced for commercial use - such asfor banks or other credit institu-tions.

More details about the new Actare given in General DCI 37/lX),and the contact in the NavalService is the Naval PersonnelSecratariat (Law) on 9380 27331.

Forces in bidto cut deathtoll on roadsIN A BID to reduce the toll ofdeaths and injuries involvingMinistry of Defence personnel,MOD is running its own RoadSafety Week in parallel with thenational event in the first week ofApril.

Each year the MOD loses moreof its people as a result of roadaccidents than through any othercause, so establishments arc beingencouraged to observe MODRaod Safety Week to constributcto fostering safer driving through-out the year.

More details are published inJoint Service Defence CouncilInstruction 24/01, while fur therinformation can be obtained fromAndovcr Military cxt 2385 or 2%7.

www. navy news. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 3

Hands aciCEEthe seaBritish officer toguide US Navy'slatest destroyerDESCRIBED as the most powerful surface vesselever built, the US Navy's latest Arleigh Burke-classAegis destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill was com-missioned on March 10 - with a Royal Navy officerserving on board.

Lt Angus Essenhigh is theship's Navigator. As a mark ofthe special relationshipbetween the two navies, it hasbeen declared that she willalways go to sea with a BritishNaval officer as part of her 350ship's company.

'T"his is a unique privilege forme and I am elated and overjoyedat getting the opportunity," he said

Among the guests at the cere-mony in Norfolk, Virginia wereAngus's father, First Sea LordAdmiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh.

"It is a fitting tribute to thememory of Sir Winston thatthe newest ship of an oldfriend and ally should bearhis name," he said.The United States has only ever

named five warships after foreign-ers - and this is the first to henamed after a British politician.Also present were five formercommanding officers of HMSChurchill, the nuclear-poweredsubmarine which decommissionedten years ago - including Cdr JeffTall, now Director of the RoyalNavy Submarine Museum atGosport, Hants.

The Type 22 frigate HMS

SINGER/SONGWRITERChris de Burgh(biggest hit 'Lady in

Red') was invited to dinneron board HMS Campbel-town when the Type 22frigate paid a five-day good-will visit to Dublin.

LCHEF 'General' Paton washead chef for the evening - hislast duty after over four years'service in the Campbeltown.

On March 28 the ship wasalso due to hold a St NazaireDinner, marking the 59thanniversary of the raid on theNormandie dry dock by thefirst HMS Campbeltown,attended by three of the raid'sveterans.

Operation Chariot, whichresulted in the award of fiveVCs (including one for theship's CO, Lt Cdr S. H. Beanie)has been described as thegreatest raid of all.

The present HMSCampbeltown has kept busylately, heading up ASWEX2001, the biggest anti-subma-rine warfare exercise pro-grammed for the year withships, submarines and aircraftfrom the UK. France, Spain,the Netherlands, Germany,Finland, Denmark and the USAtaking part.

During this period she had20 Initial Sea Training officercadets embarked, whoenjoyed first-hand insight ofthe Royal Navy at sea operat-ing with a multinational force.

In May and June the shipwill undertake a high profiledeployment around the Baltic.BALTOPS 2001 will see hervisiting Aberdeen, Kotka(Finland), Riga (Latvia) forBritish Week,

St Petersburg, Baltiysk(Russia), Gydinia (Poland) for

Sheffield was visiting Norfolk atthe time of the ceremony. Aftershakedown, the 9,000 tonne USSWinston S. Churchill will be atNew York for Fleet Week at theend of May - where she will be incompany with the Type 23 HMSMarlborough.

She will meet up with theMarlborough again at the end ofAugust, when she will representthe US Navy at the InternationalFestival of the Sea at Portsmouth(see page 20). From there she willsail to Plymouth to take part inOperational Sea Training - andthan make a tour of the BritishIsles with visits to Cardiff, Dublin,Belfast, Liverpool and Glasgow.

Equipped with two helicopters,the USS Winston S. Churchill isarmed with a formidable arsenal ofcruise and anti-air missiles as wellas a revolutionary new gun withgreatly improved range and accu-racy.

LJ Admiral Essenhigh presentedthe ship with a silver statuette ofSir Winston, showing him wavingto RN ships during a Fleet Review."I am sure that Winston himselfwould be as delighted as I am toknow that he is still very much 'aformer Naval person'," he com-mented.

• Above: Lt Angus Essenhigh, on exchange duty with theUSS Winston S. Churchill. Left: HMS Sheffield arrives atNorfolk, Viginia to berth alongside the new Americandestroyer. Below: the silver statuette of Sir WinstonChurchill made by Silversmiths Langfords of ChanceryLane.

Singer Chris callson CampbeltownPolish Navy Days) and Kiel(Germany) for Kiel Week, theworld-renowned festival of thesea.

In August she will represent

the Royal Navy at Archangel inRussia to take part in the 60thanniversary of the first suc-cessful Atlantic convoys.

• Chris de Burgh on

board HMS Campbeltown inDublin with her command-ing officer, Capt AlistairHalliday.

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4 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. navynews. co. uk

• HMS Illustrious at Glen Mallen in Loch Long before the start of the first Joint Maritime Course of the year. Picture: POIPHOT) Coiin Burden.

ILLUSTRIOUS RETURNSTO FRONT LINE DUTIESHMS ILLUSTRIOUS

becomes the RoyalNavy's 'on watch'

aircraft carrier in Aprilafter an intensive dock-ing period, operationalsea training and the firstJoint Maritime Course ofthe year.

The ship, commanded byCapt Charles Style, is nowavailable for tasking anywherein the world's oceans atimmediate notice.

The transformation of the shipfrom a scaffold-covered 'hulk' tofully worked up warship has beenachieved by some extremely hardwork by her ship's company.

The first step was a shakedownfortnight (which included a charityrace night in the ship's hangar) andthen Operational Sea Training(OST) itself, which saw the effortsof all the ship's company rewardedwith a 'Very Satisfactory' assess-ment from BOST staff.

What made this all the sweeterfor HMS Illustrious is the fact thatit was the second time that the shiphad achieved the above fleet aver-

• Dan Entwistle meets his long lost school friend, LeadingAirman (AH) Steve MacMenemey, on passage to Glen Mallen.Picture: LA(PHOT) Richard Moss

age score - the first being in 1996 .These two occasions have been theonly carrier VSATS in that periodand, it is believed, for someconsiderable time prior to this.

Capt Style was naturally delight-ed, as was Flag Officer SeaTraining, Rear Admiral SandyBackus, who congratulated theship's company personally at a

Clear Lower Deck in the hangar.After an extended weekend's

leave, the ship left Portsmouthonce more for the north ofScotland as flagship to DeputyCommander UK Task Group,Cdre Roger Ainsley, for the firstJoint Maritime Course of the year.

On completion of the JMC theship enjoyed a five-day visit to

Newcastle - the home of her con-struction in 1982.

It was the first time that HMSIllustrious had back to her 'birth-place' for some years and both thepeople of Newcastle and the ship'scompany had been looking for-ward to the visit.

Before arriving in Newcastle theship welcomed Dan Entwistlefrom Century FM who spent twodays at sea recording interviewswith her ship's company.

His assignment also broughtabout a bit of a reunion - Danknew that his school friend SteveMacMenemey had joined theRoyal Navy but despite visiting alarge number of RN ships in thecourse of his work had never man-aged to track him down.

Until, that was, he found him-self on board Illustrious whereLeading Airman (AH) SteveMacMenemey now works as anaircraft logger in Flyco! Steve wasonly too happy to fill Dan in on themissing years.

HMS Illustrious is now back atPortsmouth Naval Base and willremain 'duty carrier' until she isrelieved by a fully refitted HMSArk Royal.

• SMILES: Red Noses worn by S/Lt Tony Hopkins and WOMNanda Ramtohul are dwarfed by the one sported by HMSIllustrious during her visit to Newcastle. The Red Nosesecured the bow of the ship is believed to have been thebiggest in Britain. Picture: Photographic section. HMS Illustrious.

Carrier sportedthe biggest RedNose in Britain

HMS ILLUSTRIOUS sported the biggest RedNose in Britain to help raise cash for Comic Reliefduring her visit to Newcastle.

The five-metre wide nose was fastened to the bow ofthe 20,000-tonne ship during her open day on March 17when huge numbers of local people took the opportu-nity to visit.

Although entry to theship was free, collectionbuckets were placed allover the ship and the gen-erosity of the visitorsallowed a substantialamount to be raised forthe Comic Relief appeal.

HMS Illustrious has avery special relationshipwith Newcastle as she wasbuilt at the city's SwanHunter Yard in 1982 whereher entry into service wascompleted in record timeto allow the ship to set sailfor the Falklands.

HMS Illustrious arrivedin Newcastle at 1800 onMarch 13 and came along-side at Tyne CommissionQuay.

During the ship's visitCapt Style paid a coutesycall to Cllr Charlton, theMayor of North Tyneside,and hosted a number ofofficial receptions.

And on March 16, theship hosted a 'Science

Alive' Seminar sponsoredby the Royal Navy forschool leavers who areconsidering further educa-tion and careers inScience and Technology.

While the ship was opento the public between 1030and 1400 on March 17, vis-itors were able to lookaround the ship and heraircraft as well as meetingrepresentatives from themany departments onboard.

At the end of the visit onMarch 19 the ship set sailfrom Newcastle and calledat Dover before returningto her home port ofPortsmouth.

Captain Style, who saidthe whole ship's companyhad looked forward to thevisit to Newcastle, added:"It was a tremendous hon-our for me to be able tobring this wonderful war-ship back to the city of herconstruction."

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Field gun trophies presented byLadysmith veteran's grandson

'MY GRANDFATHER ran those guns toLadysmith!"

This was the startling comment made to Lt CdrClivc Langmcad and members of HMS Forward'sBrickwoods field gun crew after a display atBirmingham NEC.

The gunners had just finished their ninth com-petitive display at the National Boat and CaravanShow and one of the many visitors to the RNR unitstand afterwards was Richard Street of Danbury inEssex.

Mr Street explained that his grandfather wasCPO Arthur Eagles, one of the Naval brigade whichdisembarked from HMS Powerful (see page 30)with a number of guns for one of the most famousactions of the Boer War.

"He marched the guns to Ladysmith andlost a finger in the process" said Mr Street."He certainly was a fighter and his recordsshow that he was disrated on more thanone occasion for brawling but they were allpretty tough in the Victorian Navy, I guess."Arrangements were immediately made for Mr

Street and his wife to make the final presentation ofcups as honoured guests in the arena. In return, thecrews gave three hearty cheers, something which MrStreet's grandfather, despite the gap of a century,would have understood.

• FIELD GUN: Richard and Valerie Street (left to right) OS Simon Keeble, BatteryCommander Lt Cdr Grassy Meadows, AB Edmund Grandison, S/Lt Rob Jaffier, newentrant Jessica Breward, Sgt Bish Bishop RMR, and Cdr Steven Foster.

www. navy/news, co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 200] 5

Shios of the Roval Navy No 545

• Type 22 frigate HMS Cumberland.

Third rate, but first classTHERE were at least ten

ships to hear the nameCumberland before the

present-day frigate, start ingwith an 80-gun third rate builtat Bursledon in 1695.

She was obliged to strike hercolours after taking a batteringfrom a superior French force in1707, thereby allowing the convoyshe was escorting to largely escapeunharmed.

Her replacement, very similar tothe first and built in 1710, won thefirst three of Cumberland's tenBattle Honours, but served somany years in the tropical watersof the Caribbean and East Indiesthat she became rotten andfoundered while at anchor off Goain 1760.

Two fireships namedCumberland existed in the mid-18th century, but the f i f th ship,another third rate, typified the

Cumberland spirit, f ighting in theChannel, the Atlantic. theMediterranean, the East Indies,and the West Indies in her 30-yearcareer, which ended in 1804.

A 30-ton schooner, used in sur-veys of Australia, was Cumberlandnumber six, then a third rate of 74guns, built in 1807 and convertedto a convict hulk in 1830.

The eighth Cumberland, yetanother third rate, was built in1842 and won Battle Honours inthe Baltic before she became atraining ship in 1870. She burnt onthe Clyde in 1889.

The name entered a new erawith number nine, a 1902armoured cruiser of 9.800 tonswhich survived the war and wasbroken up in 1923. three yearsbefore her successor was launched.

This ship, a 10,000 ton County-class cruiser, fought all over theworld - she was on hand at thedefeat of Graf Spec at the RiverPlate - and even after she paid offin 1946 a role was found for her asa trials ship for systems such as prc-wetting, anti-ship missiles, stabiliz-ers and silent propellers - all nowcommon in modern warships.

Sadras ....................1758Negapatam ............. 1758Port Novo ............... 1759St Vincent...............1780Baltic ...................... 1854

Cameroons ............. 1914North Africa............ 1942Arctic ................. 1942-43Sabang ................... 1944Burma ..................... 1945

AIRCRAFT OF THE ROYAL NAVY No 54

De Havilland FlamingoDESIGNED as an airliner, the Flamingowas unfortunate enough to enter serviceIn 1939 - not a good year for civil pas-senger aircraft.

Only one example of the Flamingo operatedcommercially - between the Channel Islandsand England - before war broke out. The type

was then adopted for use as a transport by theRAF, and some were operated by 782 Naval AirSquadron based at Donibrlstle on services tothe Orkneys, Shetlands and Northern Ireland.

The De Havilland DH 95 Flamingo was pow-ered by two Bristol Perseus XVI engines givinga top speed of 239mph and a range of 1,210miles.

Back from theGulf again

THE GULF is becom-ing a familiar stretchof sea to HMS

Cumberland, whichreturned home toDevonport shortly beforeNavy News went to press.

The powerful frigate has justspent six months patrolling thebusy sea lanes of the MiddleEast, with the odd diversionsuch as her visit to India for aninternational fleet review (seecentre pages).

She was on the same beat twoyears ago, when her marathondeployment included a diversionto the Adriatic.

As a Batch 3 Type 22 frigate,Cumberland is versatile. She hasfacilities to act as a flagship orcommand ship, and is larger andmore heavily-armed than earlierBroadsword-class ships, a result oflessons learned in the Falklands.

She is powered by two sets ofRolls Royce gas turbine engines;the Speys give high speed and arcused when power is important,while the Tyncs allow for economi-cal cruising. The engines can bedriven in unison for high speeds.

Type 22 frigates arc substantialwarships. They displace 4.900 tons,ful ly loaded, and with the range ofweapons fitted, they are consid-

ered to have fircpower approach-ing that of a cruiser.

Although nominally designed toreplace the Leander-class frigate.Type 22s are true multi-role ships,capable of engaging targets in theair. on or below the surface.

Although there is a high degreeof automation on board, fromcomputerised weapons systems tothe centralised storeroom com-plex, the Type 22 frigate still car-ries a complement of 250.

Living conditions on board arcregarded as good; officers havecabins, senior rates live in four- orsix-berth cabins and junior rateshave messdecks, each with its ownrecreational area.

A NAAFI canteen is openeddaily, and for those studying forqualifications, or who just need tounwind with a book, there is alibrary on board.

Cumberland is due to enter adocking period at the end of thismonth, and as well as deep mainte-nance there will be upgrades to alot of her equipment, includingelectronic countermeasures andthe electronic support suite. Her4.5 in gun will also be enhanced.

She is due to re-cmcrge in theautumn, when she wi l l embark ona series of sea tr ials before enter-ing a work-up phase in the earlypart of 2002.

Facts andfigures

Class: Batch 3 Type 22frigatePennant number: F85Builder: Yarrow, GlasgowLaunched: June 21, 1986Commissioned: June 10,1989Displacement: 4,900 tons,fully loadedLength: 148.1 metresBeam: 14.8 metresDraught: 6.4 metresSpeed: 30 knots on TynesComplement: 250Main machinery: COGAG(combined gas turbine andgas turbine): two RollsRoyce Spey and two RollsRoyce Tyne enginesAircraft: Two Lynx (onlyone normally embarked) orone Sea King helicopterWeapons: Harpoon andSeawolf missiles, Mk 84.Sin gun, two triple torpe-do tubes, Goalkeeperclose-in weapon systemand and machine guns

6 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001

Letterswww.navynews.co.uk

Senior rates'betrayed' bynew pay dealFOR THE first time in a 31-year career I feel betrayed by theRoyal Navy, which has prompted me to write to you as I amtotally disgusted at the way in which I and my fellow WarrantOfficers have been treated by PAY 2000.

Submarinesausage

I AM an ex-Royal Navy subm-ariner, having served in Porpoiseand early Oberon-class sub-marines in the 1960s and 70s.

At present I am still involvedwith submarines as part of theteam preparing for the arrival ofCanada's newly acquired ex-RNUpholders on the West Coast.

I am also a member of theSubmariners Association ofCanada here in Victoria. We havea thriving membership of over 140ex-submariners from manydifferent countries.

I collect submarine insignia andwould like to add the early RN"sausage on a stick" to my display.I was in the UK last year with theUpholder project, at HMSCollingwood and at BAE inBarrow. During this time I huntedthe local areas for the badge butwas unsuccessful. If you know ofany way that 1 can obtain one Iwould be grateful. - Bill Crockett,Victoria, British Columbia

We understand from the UKSubmariners Association that the"sausage on a stick" badge wasuniversally shunned bysubmariners and so its life wasvery short. It may therefore bedifficult to locate any survivingexamples. - Ed

I FOUND Part I of SubmarineCentury (January issue) greatlyinteresting, since I have resea-rched a relative's service insubmarines Kll, G4 and M3 untilhe lost his life in L24 when it wasaccidentally sunk on January 10,1924. The late Gus Britton,archivist at the SubmarineMuseum, gave me details ofEdward Newing's service andrecommended Don Everitt's bookThe K-boats. - Freda Assinder,Tunbridge Wells.

Part II of Submarine Centuryfollows next month. - Ed.

After 57 yearsEuryalus hasher baby backYOU MAY be interested to learn that the Duke of Gloucester has agreed to accept thepatronage of the HMS Euryalus Association.

Being an architect by Officer of the Euryalus during the

Letters to the Editorshould always beaccompanied by thecorrespondent's nameand address, not nec-essarily for publication,email correspondentsare also requested toprovide this information

antraining, what, you may ask, isthe Duke's connection with theEuryalus? In December 1944the cruiser left Liverpoolaccompanied by the destroyersUndine and Ulster and latersome frigates, escorting the SSRimutaka which carried onboard the Duke and Duchessof Gloucester and family toAustralia, where the Duke wasto become Governor-General.

Prince Richard, the presentDuke, was just four months old atthat time. We encountered themost atrocious gales and seas offthe Irish coast plus the detection ofa U-boat which was depth chargedand claimed as sunk by one of thefrigates.

Our journey terminated atColombo when the RoyalAustralian Navy took over. TheDuke and Duchess visited theEuryalus at Aden, but this had notbeen the first visit - he had calledon the ship two years earlier whenshe was in the Mediterranean.

So it seems a fitting gesture thatthe Prince who we had "nannied"should become our patron 57 yearslater.

HRH will succeed Mrs MollieBush, who crossed the bar aged 94last autumn. Mollie was the widowof Capt Eric Wheler Bush,DSO**,DSC, renowned for hisparticipation as Commanding

Battle of Sirte.This battle, described by

Admiral Cunningham as being"one of the most brilliant navalactions of the war, if not the mostbrilliant" is being marked by a firstday cover issued by the RoyalNaval Covers Group on March 22.Anyone interested may contact meon 029 2075 0022. - E. Owen,Cardiff.

• HMS Euryalus off Suva inthe Fijian Islands in 1945. Sheremained in the Far East until1947, later serving with the 1stCruiser Squadron, Mediterr-anean Fleet and on the SouthAtlantic Station before finallypaying off in 1959.

Norwegianmemorial

I WOULD be grateful if youwould remind readers that May 17is the first anniversary of theunveiling of the British warmemorial at Namsos, Norway,marking our involvement in thisfirst evacuation of the war.

Ships were Afridi, Maori,Grenade, Bittern, Arab, AstonVilla, Gaul, Rutlandshire and StGoran. All will be welcome at amodest ceremony on NorwegianNational Day. Tel 0207 603 1396for details. - J. Gritten, LondonW14.

It would appear that theNavy docs not consider that allWarrant Officers are employedat a management level andshould therefore be treatedequally. Regardless of sourcebranch, all Warrant Officersare placed in positions ofresponsibility, authority andtrust, and in some cases inposts normally held by officers.

Since I was promoted to WO inJune 1993 I have felt that myexperience, technical knowledgeand ability as a WEM(R) has stoodme in good stead for dealing withany problems that come my way.

My own staff consists of a mix ofsenior rate WEAs and WEM(R)swho all come to me for advice andguidance on both technical,administrative and personalmatters. I now find that as far asPAY 2000 is concerned my positioncounts for nothing, when myCCWEA receives more pay and inApril one of my CPOWEAs will bepaid more than me.

Clearly this cannot be right orjust - no CPO should be paid morethan a WO.

Surely there should only be onetable for all WOs. It could remainin its present format, ie a seniorChief will earn more than a juniorWO, however the WO will receivepay increases as he gains seniorityand the CPO will remain at thehighest level achievable.

I would like to point out that inthe Royal Marines, an integral partof the Navy, all WO2/ls are in thehigher table.

As a Warrant Officer of almosteight years seniority I am now leftwith the feeling that the RoyalNavy no longer values my abilityand the commitment I have madeto the Service - and hence myfeeling of being betrayed andsomewhat worthless,WOWEM(R) P. A. Herring, Staff

fiavyNews

No. 561 47th yearEditorial & Business address:

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of Flag Officer Submarines, JSUNorthwood.

PAY 2000 is one change too far.Emphasis has been placed on thejob value of individuals w i t h i ntheir respective branches, but haveour senior officers forgotten thatthe reason we are here is to fight?

Unlike the Army and RAF, allwithin the Senior Service can atany time be plunged into conflictright in the front line in a grey orblack metal box where we are alldependent on each other for ourlives.

That is what we are paid to do -not to be a paper-pusher, cook,steward, maintamer or whatever.As someone who has been placedin the higher pay band, to say thatI am worth more than a CMEM,for example, is insulting to bothhim and me.

Also, how can it be right that aLeading Hand can be paid morethan a CPO, let alone a PO? It is ofnote that this discrepancy does notapply to officers (apart fromUCE/Midshipmen).

Whilst I deplore pay banding, Ido welcome the introduction ofincrements which recognisequalifications and seniority.However, there are many faultswith the scheme as it has beenpresented.

As a CPO of 11 years seniority, Iam pitched in at Level 1 with norecognition that before theirdemise, I received sevenconsecutive Exceptional efficiencyassessments.

It would not have been adifficult task to retrospectivelyadjust pay levels for all, by basingthe transition on C&E anaseniority dates.

Also, for example, a newlypromoted CPO with a seniority ofMay 2000, starting off on Level 1,will be eligible for Level 2 thiscoming May, whereas my seniorityis later in the year.

Therefore, the "sprog" Chiefwill likely be paid more than mefor the intervening period everyyear thereafter!

I urge our senior officers toreview their decision.I am sure thatall Ratings will accept their peerbeing paid more because ofqualifications and seniority, butthat is provided we all start fromthe same basic rate of pay.

After 24 years enjoyable service,I leave the RN later this year witha very sour taste in my mouth. - Aserving CPO (name and addresssupplied).

I READ with interest the articleon Pay 2000. I was serving in theRN in the late 1960s when thisexercise was carried out before.

My job was compared with twocivilian trades - one was a busconductor and the second was apostman. The only thing we had incommon was a blue uniform.

At that time I was an AbleSeaman Clearance Diver (SecondClass) employed in a Bomb andMine Disposal Team.

As you can imagine, there wereno large pay rises, just another tierof administration. - T. L. J.Gosling, Alford, Aberdeenshire.

Chief of the Defence StaffAdmiral Sir Michael Boyce hassaid that the new pay structureneeds to be given time to work -it will allow sailors to earn moreas their careers progress - andhe points out that overlaps in payscales have long existed. - Ed

www. navynews. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 7

MIXED VIEWS OF ROYAL OAKHMS Royal Oak THE EVOCATIVE picture

of HMS Royal Oak(February issue) broughtback vivid and poignantmemories for me. Andunderlined just how lucky Iam to be alive and writingthis.

April 1939 saw me kickingmy heels at HM SignalSchool in Portsmouth. Myidle days ended when Ireceived a draft chit to HMSEffingham as a Signalman.She was flagship of theReserve Fleet flying the flagof Vice Admiral Max Horton.

The Effingham carried asignal staff comprising aChief Yeoman, Yeoman,Leading Sigs, but only oneSignalman. He was a ladnamed Effemy, the same ageas me, 19. He was a friendlychap and he showed mearound and briefed me on

routine before his transfer tothe Royal Oak.

Effingham did not put tosea and I was left wonderingwhy I had not been drafteddirectly to HMS Royal Oak. InJuly I joined her sister ship,HMS Revenge - and thencame the devastating news ofthe sinking of the Royal Oak.

I scanned the list of all whohad perished and was deeplysaddened to see that of SigEffemy. Fate had dealt us dif-ferent cards. - E. Taylor,Sutton, Surrey.

I WISH to praise your itemabout the Royal Oak - howev-er, when will someone do thesame for HMS Hood? DrRobert Ballard has discov-ered the Titanic, Bismarckand others including theYamato, but alas, not theHood. - L. G. Cheyne,Stockton-on-Tees.

FOR ME the sinking of HMSRoyal Oak is still one of thestranger mysteries ofn WorldWar II.

On November 13 1940 Ijoined HMS Nelson in ScapaFlow, where I later met CPOStoker Terry who was one ofthe lucky ones who got offthe Royal Oak.

He was a quiet, level-head-ed sort of fellow and he toldus that one of his jobs in herhad been damage control -so he had to know the ship.

On that ghastly day, hesaid, the explosion camefrom within the ship and wasnot a torpedo-type explosion.

All through the war, atScapa at low tide one sawquite a length of the ship'smainmast.

As the years went by, didthe ship eventually toppleover? - Ben Packham,Ducklington, Witney, Oxon.

AS AN ex-seaman gunner ofWorld War II I was awed andhumbled when I looked at thepicture entitled 'Royal Oak'splace of rest', but on readingthe story behind it I wasaghast to discover the man-ner in which it had been pro-cured.

In actual fact, I was lookingat a photo-cum-artist'simpression in which a modelhad been used.

This fact detracted whollyfrom the significance of thepicture.

I was extremely disappoint-ed to think that such a sub-ject should be treated in thisway.

Technology is all very wellin certain circumstances, butfor this particular subject, theresting place of Royal Oak, itwas totally out of place. - E.Watson, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Letters

Nelson Troopscouts aroundfor helpersWE ARE a large Admiralty-recognised Scout Group who have for many years operatedtwo very successful Sea Scout units. We have a small fleet of Wayfarer and other sailingcraft based at the Portchester Sailing Club, which we use to give boys their first taste oflife afloat.

DEVONPORT Barracks, 1941. I'm detailedColour Party with Charlie Greenway. There's afull turnout on the parade ground. The Guardstamp and bash their rifles about, shouted at bya nasty-looking Gunner's Mate. The RoyalMarine Band take up position. The Commodoreis taking the salute. Charlie is on the halyard,casing the Ensign up and I'm on the pulling end.

Carefully I pul l up the Ensign while C'harlie keeps itnice and taut. Then disaster strikes! The halyard jams!The Ensign is stuck halfway up at "Send him victori-ous". The Commodore's face is turning puce! the Gl'seyes are popping! I pray for oblivion.

"Christ Almighty!" shouts the Cil over the hand."Get the bastard up!" In desperation I heave andheave, swinging both feet off the ground. Something

gives. Both Ensign and pulley-block hurtle down. Icrash on my back, the Ensign gently covering me likea shroud.

We eventually bent the Ensign on a yardarm hal-yard. As the Commodore totters off to the nearestpink gin and Charlie is sent to the sickbay with recur-ring nervous retching and hiccups, I have to report tothe Jaunty and the OOD.

I moan all over a Killick in the Regulating Office,complaining how bloody unfair it all is - why blame us,we're not maintenance barrack stanchions and thatpulley-block could have been rotting up there sinceNelson's time.

"Unfair? What's unfair?," he says. "If life was fair, Iwould be lying on a beach in Waikiki wrapped aroundDorothy Lamour. It you can't take a joke, you should-n't have trigging joined!" - M. Cross, Bristol.

The Scout Movement, incommon with many volunteerorganisations, is finding itincreasingly difficult to recruitsufficient adult leaders withthe dedication and expertise tofulfil its commitmemts toyoung people.

At 3rd Portchester Scouts thefuture of many of our Beaver,Cub and Scout groups is in con-stant danger because of thesevere shortage of leaders.

While all of these groups are indesperate need of additionalhelp, the situation regarding ourSea Scout units is becoming criti-cal.

At present we have barelyenough assistants to cope withour classroom-based winter pro-gramme, but nowhere nearenough qualified leaders to getthe boys out on the water in thesummer.

Unless we can find at least oneadditional leader in the next fewweeks it is likely that one of ourunits, Nelson Troop, will have toclose.

Is there anyone in thePortsmouth area, possibly a pre-sent or former member of theRoyal Navy, willing and able tohelp us? Past scouting experienceis not essential, but we desperate-ly need someone with a knowl-edge of sailing and the ability topass on their skills to young peo-ple.

For over 20 years NelsonTroop, in the tradition of thegreat Admiral, has given count-less young men valuable trainingin the ways of the sea.

In an area with such a greatNaval and maritime history asPortsmouth, it would be tragic ifthis facility were to be denied tofuture generations. -I. Edwards,Portchester, Hants.

Specialrations?

REGARDING Mr Disbrey'squery about the initials 'SRD'stamped on rum flagons (Marchissue), my hobby at one time wasbottle digging - and I unearthedone of them.

The "experts" - all hobbies havethem - told me that "SRD" stoodfor "Special Rations Depart-ment". The reason was that theChurch objected to issuing rum tothe troops before they went overthe top, so they scrubbed out"Rum" and put "SRD" on instead- and still issued it. - F. M. Rouse,Newark, Notts.

I BELIEVE the acronym "SRD"stands for "Southard's RumDistillers". I bought a few bottlesin Malta and the UK in the1950s/60s and "SRD" was printedin large letters on the label. - C. P.S. Hooper, Bristol.

CanberradedicationPETER Burrows, the GeneralSecretary of the Royal NavyVeterans & Associates in Australia(Inc) in Canberra was paintingsome of the 66-odd placards thatare needed for the ANZAC DayMarch - similar to RemembranceDay March in the UK.

A phone call from the StatePresident of the Returned andServes League (like the BritishLegion) saw him scurrying downto the State HQ for "morning teaand to give an update on the plansfor ANZAC Day March andService this year."

There were many senior offi-cials at that morning tea. TheState President Dcrck Roylancethen dropped the bombshell -Peter was awarded an AustraliaDay Medal "for 26 years of dedi-cation to the Veterans in assistingwith organising the Parade, mak-ing the placards, asking for noexpenses, organising the uni-formed youth groups to carry theplacards each year, organising theserving Cadet Officers to carry outmarshalling and other duties, andtaking over as Chief Marshal andCo-ordinator for the past fiveyears." Peter has always workedhard for the Veterans. He claimsthat it is his family and the supportthat he gets from the RNVAAfriends and shipmates and ship-mates in the Interstate RNABranches that keep him going. -Kevin Kelly, presidentRNVAA(Inc), Canberra.

ft wasn'tWakeful

WHAT is the destroyer on page 17(March issue) il lustrating the storyon WakeM! It looks like an H-class - was not this picture used afew years ago as a puz/le? Don'tworry, you're in good company;The Times illustrated the Wakefulstory with a drawing of a C-classcruiser! - O.K. Brown, Bath.

THE photograph is certainly notHMS Wakeful, more likely HMSHavant, also lost at Dunkirk, or asimilar vintage ship of the H or ex-Brazilian H classes. The letterabout HM destroyer Boxer beingpresent at the U-110 episode isalso strange - the only RNdestroyer named Boxer was lost in1918! There was, however, an LCTof that name in World War II. - P.C. Smith,

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8 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www.navynews.co.uk

Westminster in disaster exercise

• AWAY BOATS: The first wave of Royal Navy personnel goingashore. SNFL Flagship USS Tortuga can be seen in the back-ground heading towards the beach.

HMS WESTMINSTER has taken part in a major humani-tarian aid exercise on the island of Curacao as part ofher deployment to the Caribbean with Standing NavalForce Atlantic.

The Type 23 frigate arrived off the Dutch Antilles with a multi-national force of seven warships to test their ability to provideemergency assistance in the wake of a major hurricane.

A plan to land personnel, equipment and stores was quicklyestablished on board the ship, making best use of their boats,helicopter and local expertise and a multi-skilled team with ahuge variety of equipment was landed in under four hours.

Immediate efforts were concentrated on the treatment ofapproximately 50 casualties and the feeding of 150 survivors,before embarking on the complex task of establishing a beachhead, refugee handling station, field hospital and kitchen.

With these facilities in place, specialist teams set aboutrestoring power and essential services before preparing for thehand-over of the relief effort to a more permanent force.

HMS Westminster landed over 100 personnel during exercise'Relieve Discomfort' and helped with tasks as diverse as fire-

fighting, damage repair, first aid, refugee processing and com-mand and control.

Equipment taken ashore included radios, specialist lifting,cutting and welding gear, food and water for sailors and sur-vivors, galley utensils, first aid and fire-fighting equipment.

HMS Westminster's Lynx flew more than 60 under-slung loadsduring the landing and recovery phases and conducted manyrecce patrols with the Governor and senior officers.

The ship's two sea boats were also kept busy, remaining inthe water for over 12 hours a day in constant use, helping toferry the 300 SNFL personnel that were landed from the force ona daily basis.

The exercise proved HMS Westminster's ability to quicklydeploy an effective first aid force in the wake of a major disas-ter ashore. Such operations, known as Military OperationsOther Than War (MOOTW) are becoming increasingly important.After the exercise the ship's company enjoyed a highly suc-cessful port visit to the island's capital, Willemstad, togetherwith her fellow SNFL ships FGS Rheinland-pfalz and HDMSPeter Tordenskiold, where local people were most impressedwith the ship's achievements.

Kuwait welcomes frigate onGulf anniversaryHMS LANCASTER played an important role in events held to mark the tenth

anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait during the Gulf War and the coun-try's 40th year of independence.

In a busy and emotional five-day visit, the Duke-class Type 23 frigate attended severalceremonies to celebrate the raising of the Kuwaiti flag in Ahmadi, the suburb of Kuwait City whichwas the first area to be liberated by Allied forces.

The celebrations came at a sen-sitive time in the Middle Hast fol-lowing the UK/US bombing ofIraq a lew days earl ier and HMSLancaster was the only warshipalongside.

I ler presence was much appreci-ated by the locals and the shin fea-tured strongly in local newspapers.Kuwai t i TV programmes and onBBC'Television News.

One of the highl ights of the visitwas a party held on board for thechildren of the prisoners of warwho arc still held in Iraq andorphans of the war.

The children arc extremely wellcared for by the KuwaitiGovernment and the Emir ofKuwait's personal photographervisited the ship to take pho-tographs of the youngsters withBatman, Superman, severalFlintstoncs, pirates and aThundcrbird!

On the National Day itself, theship provided a sunset party for aGarden Party at the BritishEmbassy where Lady Thatehcr andformer Prime Minister John Majorplanted a memorial tree beforemeeting members of the ship'scompany.

• SUNSET: Guests at the Garden Party at the British Embassyin Kuwait included former President George Bush, LadyThatcher, John Major, US Secretary of State Colin Powell,Norman Schwarzkopf, former Defence Secretary Tom King andformer Argentinian President Carios Menem. Picture: Dave coombs

• KUWAIT CITY: HMS Lancaster arrives at the port of KuwaitCity to take part in the celebrations which marked Kuwait'sNational Day and the tenth anniversary of the country'sliberation during the Gulf War. Picture: Dave coombs

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Alter this, 60 of the ship's com-pany were bussed to aUK/US/Kuwaiti Flag RaisingCeremony in Ahmadi itself.

Guests at the extraordinaryevent included former PresidentGeorge Bush, Lady Thatcher,John Major, US Secretary of StateColin Powell, NormanSchwarzkopf, former DefenceSecretary Tom King and formerArgentinian President CariosMcncm, with LOM(C) Jacksonand OM(C) Smith raising theUnion Flag to a rousing renditionof the National Anthem.

Many of the ship's company hadtheir pictures taken wi th the VIPsand the event ended with a buffetsupper.

Sir Dennis Thalcher enjoyed athree-hour visit to the ship and afootball match against top localside Al Arabia was played.Despite being heavily outclassed,HMS Lancaster's team gave acreditable performance underCombined Services' playerCCWEA Steve Johnson.

Lancaster's CO, Cdr RichardBuckland said: "It has been anincredible visit. We knew it wouldbe high-profile but the scale of theinterest and warmth towards theUK and the Royal Navy has beenfantastic.

"Although it has been hardwork, we have all enjoyed it and itwil l be hard to match as the high-light of the deployment."

Bulldog visitsItalian portLINKS with the Italian Navy'sHydrographic Institute werestrengthened when the surveyship HMS Bulldog called atthe Institute's home port ofGenoa.

The Italians operate a numberof survey ships from Genoa, birth-place of Columbus and the centreof chart and map-making in theMiddle Ages.

Bulldog, on her last deploy-ment before finally paying off,played host to senior members ofthe Italian Navy's hydrographic,coastguard and general servicebranches.

As well as indulging in the obvi-ous pleasures of sightseeing andfood and drink, the ship's footballteam played their first match ofthe deployment, losing against aside from the HydrographicIns t i tu te .

After the visit. Bulldog contin-ued her six-month deployment bysailing to the Gulf for survey workthere before heading tor her ul t i -mate goal of the Indian Ocean.

Free beer onrun ashoreSAILORS from HMSEdinburgh downed £500worth of beer in 90 minutesafter an invitation to visit apub owned by the LordProvost of Edinburgh.

A colleague of the Lord Provostsaid the sailors should pop in for afree drink during their visit toEdinburgh and Cllr Tom Pontonsaid: "You can imagine my sur-prise when two coach-loads ofthirsty sailors turned up!"

Royal Marines want YOU to nametheir protected all-terrain vehicle

THE ROYAL Marines are enlisting the help of Navy Newsreaders in their bid to find a name for their brand newall-terrain vehicle.

The vehicle, made by Haglund of Sweden, is currently known asthe All Terrain Vehicle (Protected) and it is unique to the RoyalMarines.

When it enters service the vehicle will give protected mobility toCommandos during expeditionary operations and it is also biggerand more powerful than the BV206 which it replaces.

Royal Marines spokesman Lt Col Kevin de Val said: "We arelooking for a catchy, appropriate name which is easy to rememberbut in keeping with the concept of operations of the Royal MarinesCommandos.

ROYAL MARINES COMBAT VEHICLE COMPETITION

Vehicle's new name........................................................Your name................................................... Age ..........Address...........................................................................

"It could be the name of an animal as vehicles have been called'Scorpion' and 'Fox' or a martial name such as the vehicles'Warrior' and 'Scimitar'. If your suggestion is chosen the prize isthe chance to drive the new combat vehicle during a day out withthe Royal Marines Trials Unit. It will be a chance to really put itthrough its paces so get your thinking caps on!"

Write your suggestion and contact details in the coupon print-ed below and post it to Royal Marines Combat VehicleCompetition, Editorial Dept, Navy News, Leviathan Block, HMSNelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH.

Postcode..................

Telephone number..

www. na vynews. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 9

THE P O P P Y

l^rP E Al ^^HJHJ?*.'

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10 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 200! www.navynews.co.uk

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People in the News

Wren's hardwork earnsNATO prize

• PO Wren Jacqui Cartner, who has been votedNATO Military Member of the Year.

NATO chiefs were so impressedwith Northwood's PO WrenJacqui Cartner that she has

been voted North Atlantic TreatyOrganisation Military Member of theYear.

And the prestigious award was presented to POWren Cartner by NATO Supreme AlliedCommander Atlantic, US Army General William FKernan.

General Kernan said: "PO Wren Cartner'sexceptional performance resulted in her selectionas the Regional Headquarters East/HeadquartersNaval Forces North Military Member of the Yearfor the calendar year 2000.

"As the Senior Rate in charge of the OperationsRoom she showed great initiative in reorganisingwatch routines to improve the well-being, motiva-tion and job satisfaction of the operators.

"Additionally, she developed standardoperating and training procedures whichresulted in significantly increased effec-tiveness through improved disseminationand retrieval of information and promptrecognition of potential problems."She also contributed to the community through

voluntary social work with the Samaritans. The dis-tinguished accomplishments of Petty Officer WrenCartner reflected great credit upon herself, AlliedCommand Atlantic, the Royal Navy and TheUnited Kingdom."

2001 is turning out to be a great year for POWren Cartner. She was awarded an MBE in theNew Year's Honours list and is also on the signal forpromotion to CPO Wren Radar!

Ganges old boys get togetherWHEN HMS Invinciblehosted a reunion dinner forpersonnel trained at HMSGanges there was a combinedtotal of 371 years of Serviceto the Royal Navy amongstthe guests.

HMS Ganges was a shoreestablishment which closed 25years ago and the 14 'Old Boys'in the aircraf t carrier arcbelieved to be the largest groupof ex-Ganges men serving atsea.

The Honorary guest was CaptR A McLean, and the 'GangesOld Boys' included CPO JimMarklew, WO Steve McLinn,CCPO Max Halbaucr, CPO Paul'ASA Haslam, WO Phil Jackson,WO Chris Browne, CPO SteveMurray, WO Dick Hussey, LtCdr Jack Kerr, Lt Cdr EddieGarlick, CCPO Clive Hastilow,CPO Nick Wilkin and CPO BazTalbot.

• REUNION: The gathering in HMS Invincible is believed to bethe largest gathering of sea-going Ganges Old Boys. There wasa combined total of 371 years of RN service between the guests.

• Maj Rob Forster, who won£4,000 on the Sports Lottery.

Major win onthe lotteryROYAL MARINES MajorRob Forster had to taketime out of a tough trainingexercise in the Mull ofKintyre to be presented witha cheque for £4,000 from theRN & RM Sport's Lottery!

Major Forster, OC of RSquadron, Fleet Royal MarinesProtection Group, was present-ed with a cheque for his win-nings by his CommandingOfficer, Col Mark Noble.

The lucky winner, who isbased at RM Condor inArbroath, said that the resultcame as 'a very nice surprise'during the arduous t r a i n ingwhich he was conducting withhis Squadron on the West Coastof Scotland.

RN presentsmedal to USNavy officerAMPHIBIOUS TaskGroup Commander,Commodore Niall Kilgour,had an unusual requestfrom the United StatesNavy to present a medal toan American Servicemanunder his command.

The Naval and MarineCorps Commendation Medalwas awarded to Lt Cdr JimHamill, a US Navy exchangeofficer who has accompaniedBritain's Amphibious TaskGroup on a number of highprofile deployments.

Lt Cdr Hamill, fromPlacentia, Southern California,was awarded the medal inrecognition of his exemplaryservice as Navigator of theUSS landing ship BonhommeRichard, a draft which includ-ed a 10,000-mile transit aroundSouth America.

He joined the staff ofCOMATG in January 2000 asa planning officer and hasserved on board the assaultship HMS Fearless and heli-copter carrier HMS Ocean.

Pilots play spot the difference!REMARKABLE similarities between aRoyal Navy officer and his Royal Air Forcecounterpart show how little differencethere can be between airmen in Joint ForceHarrier.

Cdr Dave Mackey RN and Wing Cdr MikeJenkins RAF are both Commanding Officers oftheir respective units, 899 Naval Air Squadronand No. 20 (Reserve) Squadron RAF.

Both officers had similar flight training andnow fly Harrier aircraft on the RN and RAFHarrier Operational Conversion Units, and theyboth operate on a regular basis from RNASYeovilton and RAF Wittering.

Both men have deployed on most of the sameoperations and they have both operated fromaircraft carriers as well as land bases.

To cap it all, they both own a vintage 1946Cessna 120 private light aircraft, and they bothshare a keen interest in sailing as well as flying.

In fact, the biggest difference between themafter 20 years in different arms of the Servicesseems to be the colour of their uniforms!

• Cdr Dave Mackey, Commanding Officer of 899 Naval Air Squadron (left) andWing Commander Mike Jenkins, OC of No. 20 (Reserve) Squadron RAF are pic-tured with their aircraft at RAF Wittering.

www.navynews. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001

People in the News

• HAPPY SNAPPER: POGeorge Tweedie with thecommendation from CGRMMajor General Robert Fulton.

George earnsRoyal respectROYAL NAVY photographerGeorge Tweedie snappedup a commendation fromthe Commandant GeneralRoyal Marines at the end ofan 18-month posting toCTC Lympstone.

PO Tweedie joined the staffat the Commando TrainingCentre as the unit's SeniorPhotographer in May 1999 andmade an immediate impres-sion when his pictures of avisit by England's RugbyUnion team appeared in localand national press.

His coverage of a myriad ofimportant occasions atLympstone kept the Royals inthe public eye and he used histechnical knowledge to equipthe unit with the latest digitalimaging hardware and soft-ware.

In the commendation,CGRM Major General RobertFulton said: "Throughout histime as the unit's senior pho-tographer he has taken enor-mous pride in his work andshown remarkable diligence,enthusiasm and consistencydespite a prodigious work-load.

"The manner in which POTweedie has applied himself inthe last 18 months at CTCRMhas been exemplary and thecontribution he has made hasbeen quite remarkable.Despite having no previousexperience of the RoyalMarines he has earned the uni-versal respect and praise forhis professionalism and sheerhard work."

Visit builds linkwith PortlandHMS PORTLAND'S

links with theSouth West were

strengthened when theLord Mayor of Weymouthand Portland made herfirst visit to the new Type23 frigate.

The frigate is keen todevelop links with Weymouthand Portland and CO CdrJonathan Handley used thevisit to discuss the ship's futureinvolvement in charities, festi-vals and events throughout theBorough with Cllr SandraMcGown.

One of the main topics fordiscussion was HMSPortland's commissioningceremony at DevonportNaval Base, which is due totake place on May 3 duringevents described by CdrHandley as 'a two-dayextravaganza.'As well as the commissioning

ceremony itself, the ship will behosting a black tie ball and a day atsea for the families of the ship'scompany, and the civic dignitariesfrom Weymouth and Portland arealready on the list of specialguests.

Cllr McGown said: "I amdelighted that I will still be inoffice on the big day. This will startan exciting new chapter in theBorough's association with abrand new ship which was namedespecially to recognise our tradi-

• BACK TO SCHOOL: HMS Talent's Lt Andrew Dutton with MariaVolkova at Bishop Cornish School, Saltash.

Submariner goesback to schoolA ROYAL Navy officer has returned to the classroom tohelp a young Russian girl to brush up on her English.

Ten-year-old Maria Volkova has been attending Bishop CornishPrimary School at Saltash since January after moving to Englandfrom Siberia with her mother Lora and older sister Kseniya.

• MAYOR: Cllr Sandra McGown and HMS Portland's CO, CdrJonathan Handley. It was her first visit to the new Type 23.

tional links with the Royal Navy."The association and affiliation

of the Royal Navy with theBorough of Weymouth andPortland is long established, notleast because it is the site of theformer Portland Naval Base andthe RN Air Station HMS Osprey.

Despite the declining numbersof ships in the Fleet since WorldWar II, Portland has remainedaffiliated to a Royal Navy ship forthe last 40 years and the currentvessel is the P2000 Fast PatrolBoat HMS Blazer.

HMS Portland, a Duke-classType 23 frigate which will be basedat Devonport Naval Base, is the

eighth Royal Navy vessel to bearthe name of Portland.

The last HMS Portland was aBangor-class minesweeper whichwas captured by Japan inDecember 1941 while she was stillon the stocks at Taikoo Dockyard,Hong Kong.

The ship was completed asJapanese Minesweeper M/S 101and she was eventually sunk byAmerican air attack on March 10,1945.

As Maria understood verylittle English and nobody at theschool spoke Russian herteachers approached the RoyalNavy to see if any locally-based Servicemen could helpand Lt Dutton, who studiedRussian and French at LeedsUniversity volunteered hisservices.

Since then, Lt Dutton hasmade a series of visits to theschool to teach Maria Englishand to interpret her lessonsand the youngster has alreadymade great progress.

Lt Dutton said: "Her level ofEnglish so far is amazing. Thelevel of understanding is cer-

tainly there. For someone tospeak a second language ather age, short of being bilin-gual, is a very good level. She'sa very clever little girl."

Headmistress Jenny Thomassaid: "We are delighted to haveMaria at Bishop CornishSchool. Coming from Siberiashe helps to focus our chil-dren's interest and knowledgeof the wider world.

"We do so appreciate theNavy's help and support inallowing Lt Dutton to come toschool to help teach MariaEnglish and to translate forher."

Captain F6 calls inANOTHER recent visitor to HMS Portland in Portsmouth wasthe Captain of the 6th Frigate Squadron, Capt Tony Johnstone-Hurt.

Capt Johnstone-Burt, who last saw the ship when she was still underconstruction, presented her Operations Officer, Lt Cdr Paul 'Dusty'Miller, with a General Service Medal for Air Operations Iraq in 1999.

During the visit he also presented and a Long Service and GoodConduct Medal to the Hull department's POMEM(M) GeorgeNicholson, to mark 15 years of unblemished service to the Royal Navy.

High praise for Chaplain'sministry on the waterfrontNAVY CHAPLAIN Nick Woodcock has been blessed with a Commander-in-Chief'sCommendation for his work as waterfront chaplain for HMS Nelson in Portsmouth.

The Commendation fromSecond Sea Lord ViceAdmiral Peter Spencer onboard HMS Victory, praised'the highly dedicated andprofessional manner' inwhich he established thewaterfront chaplaincy.

Rev Woodcock (54) hasserved in the Royal Navy for tenyears in a variety of posts includ-ing HMS Warrior, at sea with theSecond Frigate Squadron, HMSSultan and Britannia RoyalNaval College, Dartmouth.

During his current appoint-ment he was charged with pro-viding pastoral care and supportto those serving in ships along-side in the Naval base, an estab-lished role which had previouslybeen handled from AdmiraltyHouse, which is a considerabledistance from the ships' jetties.

On his own initiative, RevWoodcock established a perma-nent waterfront base in the guiseof a portable building bedeckedwith a wooden cross and steeple.The idea proved enormouslypopular and has drawn acclaim

• HIGH PRAISE: The Rev Nick Woodcock receives aCommendation from the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral PeterSpencer, on board the Admiral's flagship, HMS Victory.from all of the ship's companiesto whom Rev Woodcock admin-isters.

The commendation was par-ticularly well-timed as Rev

Woodcock is retiring from theRoyal Navy Chaplaincy Serviceafter ten years to becomePresenter at Ely Cathedral,Cambridgeshire.

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• MOMENT OF TRUTH: Pilot Steve Noujaim takes off in Sea Fury VR930, its first flight for more than 40 years. Final air engine tests are scheduled for the end of March.

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York tops list oftrophy winnersWITH A hat trick of trophies for gunfire, the Type 42 destroyer HMS York

leads the field among the 18 Royal Navy ships that have receivedannual awards for a range of activities in the year 2000.

York took the Grytvikcn Cup for naval gunfire support as well as the Beresford Cup for gunfireagainst surface targets and the Hihernia Trust Fund Award for the most efficient close-range firing.

Three other ships - all Type 23 frigates - were dou-ble winners:

HMS Montrose was awarded the McDonncllDouglas Harpoon Trophy and the BAE Seawolf(Vertical Launch) Shield for top performance in oper-ating both missile systems.

HMS Norfolk took the Fleet Sonar EfficiencyTrophy and the Dowty Marine Towed Array (sonar)Trophy, while HMS Grafton won the Chubb FireTrophy - for fire and damage control in major warvessels, RFAs and submarines - and Ihc BAEMaritime Trophy for her top contribution in the fieldof maritime development.

Other winners: Fleet Electronic WarfareEffectiveness Trophy - HMS Illustrious; BAE Seawolf(Conventional Launch) Shield - HMS Cumberland;Emperor of India Bowl for contribution to surface-to-surface guided weapon use - HMS Cornwall.

Marconi Seawolf Tracker Trophy - won by CPOAspcy of HMS Coventry; Mantle Cup for the mostimproved close-range weapons firing - HMSGlasgow; Kelvin Hughes VECTAC Trophy for simu-lated torpedo drops - HMS Liverpool.

Surface Flotilla Communications Trophy - HMSMarlborough; Chubb Challenge Cup for fire anddamage control in minor war vessels - HMSPembroke; Wattisham Trophy for contribution to inte-gration with the RAF - HMS Southampton; JamesActon Minewarfare Efficiency Trophy - HMSInverness.

Good Luck Cup for minewarfarc vessels' close-range weapons use - HMS Middlcton; RcdifonCommunications Trophy for minor war vessels - HMSLcdbury; Vosper Thornycroft Efficiency Plaque forP2000 vessels - HMS Express; Hope Trophy forsurvey ships' operational efficiency - HMS Beagle.

www. na vynews. co. uk

HistoricFlightSea Furytakes tothe skiesTHE ROYAL Navy

Historic Flight has atlast got a Sea Fury fly-

ing again.The Flight received its origi-

nal Sea Fury FB11 TF956 in1971 as a gift from the HawkerAircraft Company and a sec-ond Fury, this time a T20 two-seater trainer, was donated bythe Federal German Navy in1976.

Sadly, after more than adecade of flying these aircraftat displays around GreatBritain, both were lost in acci-dents.

TF936 crashed into the seaoff Prestwick in 1989 and theT20 was written-off after aforced landing in a field inWincanton in 1990.

Fortunately for the UK's fly-ing heritage, BAE Systemsvolunteered to undertake amassive restoration project tobring Sea Fury VR930 back toflying standard.

The project began at theBAE Systems Brough factoryin June 1994 and with all theairframe work completed, theaircraft returned to Yeoviltonin 1998 for engine perfor-mance testing and test flying.

Unfortunately, the enginesuffered serious damageduring ground running trialsand had to be sent to RicardoConsulting Engineers Ltd atShoreham for repair, a taskwhich took two years tocomplete.The engine was then refitted

to the aircraft by the RoyalNavy Historic Flight and dur-ing the necessary perfor-mance checks.

The checks revealed a leakin the Sea Fury's fuel tankwhich was repaired, and a sec-ond round of performancetests showed that all systemswere functioning properly.

VR930's big day arrived onMarch 1 when the aircraft wastaken for its first flight in 40years by pilot Steve Noujaim.

Mr Noujaim, who normallyflys Paul Morgan's Sea Furydisplay aircraft WH588, spent20 minutes in the air beforecutting the flight short tomake routine adjustments tothe engine's running speedbefore proceeding to full airtesting procedures.

The next test flight wasscheduled to take place asNavy News went to press.

Finalflight ofFaireyGannet

AN AIRCRAFT which hasstood at the gate of HMSGannet for over 20 yearswas airborne again for afew seconds last month.

Fairey Gannet numberXL497, a propeller-driven earlywarning aircraft which operat-ed from the decks of Fleet air-craft carriers, retired to themain gate at HMS Gannet in1978 and it has remained thereever since.

But it is now badly in need ofrestoration, and a large cranewas used to move it across theroad to the hangar workshopswhere it will be renovatedunder the supervision of KLTZSchleicher, a German navalofficer on exchange with theRoyal Navy at HMS Gannet.

www. navy news. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 13

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Helping Handswww. navynews. co. uk

Former reservistshelters children

Talks - and actionDUNCAN Grant comes back to the UK during the spring and autumnfrom four to six weeks to give illustrated talks on the shelters toschools, churches, clubs and other organisations.

Duncan can be contacted at the Anchorage Shelters, 301,Colabawala Building, 71, Colaba Causeway, Mumbai - 400 005, India,tel 00 91 22 283 8960, fax 00 91 22 285 2037.

The point of contact in the UK is Lt Cdr Alan Waters, who visitsMumbai three times a year to relieve Duncan. Contact Alan on 0239254 7301 for more details; donations should be sent to him at NSCTC,HMS Excellent, Portsmouth PO2 8ER.

Donations are always welcome - £5 will provide breakfast for 50street children at the shelters, and £25 will set a street child up with anascent business - postcards, toys and balloons to sell to tourists.

WHEN formerNaval Reserveofficer DuncanGrant decided to

put down some roots for thefirst time in his life, he chose apenthouse property close tothe tourist centre of Mumbai.

For £35,000 he got a room 14metres long and 5 metres wide withuse of a toilet, sink and shower.

When the neighbours heard aforeigner was buying it, they werepleased - but not for long.

Duncan (57) said: "They werehorrified when 1 turned up with 25shrieking kids. They complained tothe police, but I'd already spoken tothem - and to the mayor."

Duncan insists on politeness fromthe children, and good relationshipswith neighbours have been restored.

In fact, Duncan - who spentmore than 30 years in the RNReserves, leaving as a lieutenantcommander - had been thoroughin his preparations.

After a working life whichranged from selling domestic elec-trical components to helping devel-op marinas in Turkey and theCaribbean, he worked for charitieson the sub-continent: "I soonrealised I was building up this clas-sic love-hate relationship withIndia," he said.

When in 1995 he decided hewanted to help street children inMumbai, there was a ready-madeumbrella group in Rescue a Child,set up by Catherine Douglas, andalthough there were no funds, hisAnchorage Shelter Foundationbecame an outreach project of themain charity.

When Duncan arrived inMumbai, with just two bags as pos-sessions, he moved into a SalvationArmy hostel and set about buildinga rapport with local people by hir-ing a char-wallah and drinking teawith anybody who wanted it in thegardens by the Gateway of India.

"I quickly realised you cannothelp everyone in Bombay, so Iring-fenced an area, and asked alocal group about setting up a shel-ter," said Duncan.

"They said it was a wonderfulidea, but the price of property wasutterly exorbitant, so there was nochance of treading on anyoneelse's toes."

Six months of searching andnegotiations paid off when hesecured the bright, airy third-floorroom off Colaba Causeway,around ten minutes' walk from theGateway of India, and just overtwo years ago the property wasextended out on to a roof terrace.

The population fluctuates, peak-ing at just over 50, though at pre-sent it stands at 32. They all -Duncan, two UK gap-year studentsand the children - live, eat andsleep in the property, which bene-fits from a water supply for about35 minutes a day if they are lucky.

"There are no criteria for com-ing here except that they are fromthis area of the city. We do not goout looking for them, residentsbring people in," said Duncan.

"Most of these children are notorphans; they are very underprivi-leged children from chaotic fami-lies and often if there's a stepfatherin the house they tend to getchucked out.

"Usually people who come inhere do not go out to the streetsagain - we have managed to reset-tle about 21.

"People often say to me it's adrop in the ocean, but here, in thisarea, we have made quite a dent inthe negative attitude of the author-ities towards street children..

"We have had some people fromvery high up in the authorities whosit and eat biryani with the streetchildren. And hopefully a childwho benefits from this will meanan entire family tree which alsobenefits all the way down. But weare not going to win them all."

There are additional bene-fits to living in the shelter- once the children havean address, they are able

to claim free medical and dentaltreatment, and can attend school.

As the children got older, theymoved out - most still keep intouch - but pressure of spacemeant a second shelter was neces-sary close by in Bedwar Park, a£5,000 waterfront building withspectacular views across a rubbish-strewn foreshore, where childrenplay cricket among the rocks andpools of sewage, to the skyscrapersand luxury homes of Mumbai.

This is home to 24 older youths,who do some form of apprentice-ship or take simple courses.

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• Duncan Grant atthe waterfront shelterfor older youths. Oneresident, Dlpak Said,said: "Duncan is avery nice father to us.If It wasn't for him, wewould be living on thefootpath."

As a party from HMSCumberland visited, one ladproudly showed off his suitcase, aNaval relic marked "Junior ActingCook M. Higgins".

The shelter is simply decorated,with two iconic pictures - one ofThe Good Shephered' (sic) andthe other of the Kinetic HondaScooter.

A third shelter is rented atanother sheltered harbour severalmiles away, a bolthole from theinner-city to where many of theshelter's inhabitants graduate.

Felicity Kendal is the shelters'patron, and the actress - who spentpart of her childhood in Bombay -has visited twice in two years. Shesaid she feels a particular affinityfor Duncan's work.

"I know Bombay very, very well- I grew up there, and I know thesituation, so as soon as I found outabout this I became very interest-ed," said Miss Kendal, who plans

to visit the shelters once a year.The actress said she used to play

with Indian children, picking upthe language, and she still marvelsat the attitude of the boys at theshelter and their compatriots onthe streets: "They are just so posi-tive with so very little, compared towhat we have got," she said.

Duncan has spoken at the schoolattended by Miss Kendal's son,which prompted a fund-raisingdrive, and she has nothing butpraise for Duncan's efforts: "He isdoing an extraordinary job - he is awonderful man."

The visitors from HMSCumberland were greeted likeheroes, the warmth of their recep-tion causing one or two emotionalscenes when the sailors finally leftthat evening.

"When a ship comes there is agreat big 'Yippee!' - it reallybreaks the monotony of life here,"said Duncan.

"They have been looking for-ward to getting on board HMSCumberland this morning - it's alittle trip to Star Wars for them.

"And the Royal Navy's reputa-tion as being barmy about kids iswell-known throughout the world.

"We have had a tremendousresponse from Cumberland. TheZoo Mess (OMs) on board donat-ed their stereo equipment.

"Lt Cdr Alan Waters did around-robin of the Fleet, andCumberland picked it up and said'we are coming.'

"They sent £300 before they gothere, and have brought £700 now,and there's the stereo, and they helda party on board, and they have

brought a barbecue here. It's beensuch a pleasure for the children.

"The ship's company are doing apaint job on the new terrace para-pet walls and the rear facade.

"The electrician from the ship ischecking earthing connections andputting in a rat-proof power cable.

"Newcastle and Sutherland werehere last year. Newcastle did apaint job at Anchorage 2 and host-ed a ship's visit on board."

PO Neil Carleton, one of theship's party, said: "There wereabout 30 volunteers, but we couldonly bring 12 as we couldn't getthem all in. We always get quite alot of volunteers for this sort ofthin«."

Subiecl [o status and current acceptance criteria. luuchlme may record telephone calls.

• Children tour HMSCumberland with WeaponsEngineering Officer Lt Cdr

Peter Coulson.

• Volunteers from HMS Cumberland had plenty of willing assis-tants when they decorated the Anchorage shelter.

www. na vynews. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 200! 15

Helping HandsIron Dukepays upA CHEQUE for £3,000 has beenpassed on to the St Mary'sHospital New Born Intensive CareBaby Unit in Portsmouth by theship's company of HMS IronDuke.

The money was raised duringthe Type 23 frigate's six-monthdeployment to Sierra Leone andthe South Atlantic, where the lev-els of poverty and the conditionsin which children were beingraised spurred the ship's companyon to greater fund-raising efforts.

Events including horse racing,bat racing, a raffle and a spon-sored no-smoking campaign areexpected to have raised a grandtotal of £3,300. and it is hoped themoney will be used towards thepurchase of an incubator.

Argonaut cashACTIVITIES by the ship's compa-ny of HMS Fearless duringExercise Argonaut 2000 raisedmoney for three causes inYorkshire.

Capt Chris Parry, CommandingOfficer of the amphibious assaultship, travelled to ScarboroughTown Hall to present the cheques,each for £145, to the Mayoress'Community Fund, Scarboroughbranch of the RNLI, andWoodlands School in the town.

Trek challengeFUNDRAISERS who fancy anarduous five-day (rek along theYellow River in Inner Mongolia inaid of the National AutisticSocictv in September should con-tact Melanie Jaques on 020 79033522 or e-mail mjuques@nas.org.ukfor details and an applicationpack.

War deadhonoured

AN ABSEIL down the airtraffic control tower at RNair station Culdroseraised £400 towards aboat for the Bishop'sForum, which runs out-door pursuit centres fordisadvantaged children.

Culdrose SurvivalOfficer S/Lt Tony Dunn(second left) and officercandidate CPO DougDavie presented thecheque to instructorsMatt Sharp and MikeKevern at the Forum'sGoodygrane centre atHalvasso.

THREE Royal Navy cyclistsare planning a sponsored triparound the cemeteries andmemorials of the Somme nextmonth to raise funds for theRoyal British Legion andCombat Stress, and to com-memorate the 125,000 dead ofWorld War I who are buriedthere.

Lt Cdr Clive Rawson, Lt ChrisCanning and PO Michael Weston,all of HMS Seahawk, arc makingthe ten-day trip in their own timeand hope to raise £3.000 for thePoppy Appeal.

There is also the chance for rela-tives to obtain a memento of a lastresting place of a family member.

Seeking the high lifePEOPLE with a head for heightsmay wish to consider helping theAnthony Nolan Bone MarrowTrust by taking the direct routedown from a crane or monumentin Scotland.

Kevin Baker, of the TridentClub at HMS Neptune, is organis-ing two charity abseils.

The first, on April 21. is a 160ftfree abseil from the FinniestonCrane in Glasgow, and the second,on May 19. wi l l be a 22()ft descentof the Wallace Monument.

Money raised wi l l go towardsresearch into leukaemia and help-ing fight the disease.

To make a donation, or for fur-ther details, contact Kevin or JohnAnderson at the Trident Club, HMNaval Base Clyde, HelensburghG84 8HL, lei 07779 000718 (mi l93255 3533).

Further details on the work ofthe Trust, and how to become abone marrow donor, call 0901 8822234 or sec the website atwww.anthonyiiolan. org.uk

"We want to use the cycle ride tobring comfort to those who havenever seen their loved one's graveor memorial," said Lt Cdr Rawson.

"We are offering relatives ofthose buried in 150Commonwealth War Grave ceme-teries or commemorated in theSomme the opportunity to receivea photo of their resting place."

For a donation of £15 thecyclists will provide a 5.75 x 4inphoto, including all productioncosts and postage.

The offer is limited to the first150 applicants.

For further details, or for spon-sorship enquiries, contact Lt CdrRawson on 01736 763002(evenings) or visit the website atw\\'\\'.hclstoii.iifl/c\clea(nnni('

Run for KIDSA RATING at HMSCollingwood is running theLondon Marathon this monthin aid of KIDS charity, theFareham organisation whichhelped his four-year-old sonovercome speech difficulties.

WEA Richard McKinstrayhas already received pledgesof several hundred pounds,including one of £350 from theestablishment's rugby club,but further donations are wel-come via Marie Loney,Collingwood's public relationsofficer, on 01329 332312.

In BriefTWO helicopters, their crew andsupport personnel from 819 NavalAir Squadron have returned toHMS Gannet after their globaldeployment wi th RFA FortVictoria - and brought with thema cheque for £960, raised at vari-ous events, to the Ayr-basedMalcolm Sargent Trust, whichhelps provide respite care for chil-dren with cancer.SENIOR rates from HMSCollingwood have donated adigital camera to Shaw Trust,Harbour Enterprises, a centreproviding support to peoplewith mental health problems.THE CULDROSE Air Day fundhas yielded £5,000 for KingGeorge's Fund for Sailors, andCommodore Chris Waitc. theCommanding Officer of the airstation, handed over the cheque toa former Culdrose officer - CaptDonald Morison, KGFS chairman.CAMEL races and mess finesduring last year's Gulf deploy-ment contributed to a total of£800 raised by HMS Monmouthfor the Diabetes Clinic atDerriford Hospital, Plymouth.

The clinic is of particular sig-nificance to CPO Geoff Roberts,whose 15-year-old son Ciaranneeds daily insulin injections tocontrol the condition.THE BAND of HM RoyalMarines Portsmouth is performingat the Freemasons' Hall, CovcntGarden, on April 5 in aid of KingGeorge's Fund for Sailors. Ticketscost £17, and are available fromKGFS on 020 7932 0000.A 24-HOUR snooker marathonat HMS Nelson by POSTDRichie Farman and OM DustyRhodes has raised £684 forComic Relief. The pair man-aged 47 frames.

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16 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. navy news. co. uk

The last remaining survivor of the sinking of HMS Hood recalls the events of 60 years ago

Seconds fromdeath and GO

years to reflectAS TED Briggs

gulped down oilywater deep in the icyseas of the Denmark

Strait, he didn't feel very lucky.The young signalman had liler-

ally stepped from the bridge of thelegendary battle cruiser HMSHood as she rolled and sank, rivenby explosions and fires started byshells from the German battleshipBismarck.

At first sucked down by thedying ship, Ted st i l l recalls hisstruggle for life, and the realisationthat he would not survive - only tobe forced up through the oil-slickon the surface in time to see thelast moments of the warship whichfirst wcavcd its magic on him in thesummer of 1935 when he hadgazed in awe at Hood as she lay offa Yorkshire town.

"I was 12 years old when I sawher - that still sticks in my mind,"said Ted, now a charming, thought-ful man who looks younger thanhis 78 years.

"I wasn't really looking to jointhe Navy before that, but I saw thisship at Redcar beach and I wasquite impressed."

Indeed, Ted's luck began almostas soon as he joined the RoyalNavy, spurred into the service byhis attraction to the ship.

He trained atGanges, and his firstdraft fulfilled hisdreams by send-ing him to jointhe Hood atScapa Flow.

Sharing acapital shipwith 1,420o t h e r s

TED BRIGGS talksexclusively to MIKE GRAY.

came as ashock ini-tially, butby May 24,1941, whenHood wass t e a m i n gnorth in com-pany with HMSPrince of Wales, insearch of the

German ships Bismarck and PrinzEugen, Ted felt at home, and in noimmediate danger.

"There was no sense of anythingbeing wrong with the ship on thatday," said Ted.

"We knew two powerful shipswere coming, but there was nosense that we were going to getsunk, or pounded, or anything likethat."

The two German raiders, aimingto break out into the Atlantic towreak havoc on convoys, werebeing shadowed by the cruisersNorfolk and Suffolk, which guidedthe British capital ships to theirfateful rendezvous.

Hood and the Prince of Waleshad steamed to the area at 29knots, leaving their destroyerescort some 50 miles in their wakeas the smaller ships struggledthrough heavy seas.

As Ted worked as the FlagLieutenant's runner on the com-pass platform, from where theadmiral's staff directed the action,he was privy to the thoughts andplans of Admiral Holland andCaptain Kerr, who wanted the twoheavy ships to concentrate their

fire on the Bismarckwhile Norfolk and

Suffolk engagedthe Prinz

Eugen. Thedestroyerswere tojoin theaction assoon asp o s s i -ble, fir-ing tor-pedoes.

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lines, the Bismarck was at t'irslignored.

"Gunnery in the Hood wasgood, but not as good asBismarck," said Ted.

"We fired a couple of salvoes atwhat we thought was the Bismarckbefore the Prince of Wales said wewere firing at the wrong ship andwe changed over.

"At that distance you could onlysec the superstructures."

"We fired about six salvoesbefore Bismarck answered - wetook her by surprise. She had noidea there were heavy units in thevicinity, because of radio silence.

"We had hit her with one whichcaused a fuel leakage, but it wasn'tall that serious.

"When she did reply, herfirst salvo fell short - youcould see the splashes. Thenext went over and youcould hear the roar like athousand express trains."The third hit the base of the

mainmast, causing a fire in the 4inready use ammunition lockers.

"The Captain said leave it untilthe ammunition has been expend-ed, and clear the boat-deck of per-sonnel. That was when Bob (ARRob Tilbum, of the 4in gun crews onthe boat deck) saw what was goingon - there was sheer carnage.

"In the next salvo one shell tookaway the spotting top, but didn'texplode.

"An officer fell on to the bridgewing - the only way we could tell hewas an officer was by the rings on hissleeve. He had no face left, and nohands. That shook up Bill Dundas(action midshipman of the watch).

"The fifth salvo hit us as we werecoming in, bows on, to close therange to 12 miles as quickly as pos-sible.

"There was no explosion that Icould hear. We were thrown offour feet and I saw a gigantic sheetof flame which shot round thecompass platform.

"The ship started listing to star-board, about 10-12 degrees, then itstarted to right itself.

"The Quartermaster reportedthat the steering gear had gone,and we were lo go to emergencyconning, but as we did the shipstarted going to port, and it keptgoing.

"It got to 30-40 degrees and werealised the ship wasn't comingback.

"There was no panic -it's uncanny, but every-thing seemed to be in slowmotion.

"We tried to get out of thestarboard door. The GunneryOfficer was just in front of me,and the Navigating Officerstood to one side to let me gothrough.

"I had got half-way down theladder to the admiral's bridgewhen we were level with the water.We were just dragged under.

"I do not know how long it was,but I got to the stage where I justcouldn't hold my breath any more.

"It sounds silly but there was acartoon of Tom and Jerry whereTom is drowning, and he had ablissful smile on his face. I wasjust like that - a calm accep-tance - and then suddenly Ishot to the surface.

"I came up on the portside, even though I hadgone out of the star-board door - I don'tknow how I gotthere - and I wasroughly 50 yardsaway from theship.

"The shipwas standingon end fromB-turret up -that was themost terrify-ing sight youcould see.

"I swamaway as fast as I could, so that Iwouldn't get sucked down again,and when I looked back the shiphad gone, but the oil on the waterhad caught fire.

"I panicked and swam awayagain, but when I looked backagain the fire was out."

Ted clambered on to one of the3ft square rafts that floated in thewreckage-strewn oily water, andspotted Midshipman Bill Dundas,from the compass platform, andAB Bob Tilburn, who had survivedthe carnage among the 4in guncrews on the boat deck.

Both had scrambled on to rafts,which meant that there were justthree survivors of the sinking whichclaimed the lives of 1,418 sailors.

"There wasn't a sign of anyoneelse - we couldn't sec any bodies oranything," said Ted.

"I think those below deckswould not have stood a hope inhell, and those on the upper deckswere killed or wounded before theship went. I just couldn't grasp it.

"We could see the Prince of

• Ted Briggs reflects on his escape from the sinking battle cruiser HMS Hood,which he joined in 1939 on completion of training at HMS Ganges (picture left).

Picture: LA(PHOT) Flo Foord (2SL).

Wales disappearing, still firing, andwhen she had gone I could see inthe distance the tops of three fun-nels - one of the cruisers, but I did-n't know which one. And that was it.

"I remember Bill Dundas wassinging Roll Out the Barrel, like hewas conducting a band - he wasjust keeping his circulation going,because it was bitter cold."

Thhu

hey drifted for nearly fourhours in the ocean swelluntil late morning, when Bill

Dundas saw the destroyer HMSElectra making her way towardsthe three survivors.

Once on board Electra, the Hoodmen were taken down to the messdecks and liberally plied with rum,which had the beneficial effect ofmaking them sick, bringing up someof the oil they had swallowed.

They were landed at Reykjavik,and after their in i t ia l recovery theywent by troopship to Grecnockand on by train to London, travel-ling in some style but not allowedto see or speak to anyone.

• HMS Hood, launched in 1918and the pride of the Royal Navybetween the wars, pictured atspeed.

The HMS Hood Association website, dedicated to the memoryof the men and the ship, is at wmv.hmshooa.com

In London they were ushered into see Second Sea Lord AdmiralWhitworth, Admiral Holland'spredecessor, who recognisedBriggs - "I had knocked him on tohis bum coming down from thecompass platform of the Hood onedark night," said Ted.

"The sinking shook the RoyalNavy and everybody else rigid.When it came out, everybody justkept saying they just couldn'tbelieve it.

"She went down at 6.05am onMay 24, and it was announced, so Iunderstand, on the six o'clock newsthat night."

After the sinking, the trio weredeemed unfit for sea, and Ted wentto the RN Signal School, at the RNBarracks in Portsmouth, which wasin the process of moving toLcydene as HMS Mercury.

"I was sent out there to help outbut it was more or less 'leave himalone and let him do what hewants'," said Ted.

"I used to wander down thebroad walks. The chap in chargewas an old and bold signal bosun,and he came across me one dayand said: 'What are you doing?'

"I said I just wanted to forget,and he said: 'You are never goingto forget - you are a Naval curioand no one will let you forget'."

Ted then spent a year at HMSRoyal Arthur, a hostilities-onlytraining establishment in a con-verted holiday camp at Skegness,before he was declared fit for seaduties again, and he was back onthe water after 18 months ashore.

Again, luck was with Ted, forwhile he certainly did not have iteasy for the remainder of the warand after, he emerged unscathed -"I was bloody lucky, I didn't reallyget any damage at all," he laughed.

He was at the Sicily landings.Salerno and D-Day withCombined Ops HQ ship HMSHilary, then with frigate

• Turn to page 17

www. navynews. co. uk

Desertposes noproblemA SAILOR who crossed theSahara on a motorbike forcharity overcame giantsand dunes and sandstorms, but almost cameunstuck at a party.

CPO Simon Newbound, ofHMS Talent, took six weeks tocomplete the trip, losing astone in weight in the process.

He admitted to worries whenon his own, particularly insand storms in the middle ofthe desert, though his BMWR1150 GS bike did not fail him.

There was also time to won-der at the beauty of it all.

"The sheer scale of thesand dunes and beauty ofthem was amazing - thedunes looked so perfect theydidn't look real. They were asmuch as 400 metres high,"said Simon.

An invitation to a function atthe British Embassy in Rabatposed Simon a wardrobe chal-lenge.

"The smartest clothes Iowned were stolen in Tantan,which left a limited choice,"said Simon.

"One set - stinking andfilthy from over two weekscontinuous wear in the desert,and the second - myManchester United shirt andgreen combat trousers."

Simon is raising cash forthe children's ward atDerriford Hospital, Plymouth,and Manchester Children'sHospital, and any furtherdonations are welcome usingcharity account number10116971 at Barclays Bank(sort code 20-68-10), or send-ing cheques made payable toSahara Crossing for Kids, c/oCPO (Sonar) SimonNewbound, HMS Talent,Devonport Naval Base,PLymouth PL2 2BG.

Geordies earn stripesHAVING conquered theworld, the football team ofHMS Newcastle set itssights on a goal closer tohome - and came away withthe spoils.

The Type 42 destroyerproudly represented her name-sake city when she undertookthe global deployment NavalTask Group 2000 last year.

Her footballers managed tocomplete the deployment unbeat-en, and their reward was a new setof Newcastle United kit. courtesyof St James' Park.

The ship's CommandingOfficer, Cdr Steve Pearson, hasmade it a priority to develop hisship's affiliations, and he believesthe effort will have spin-offs forboth the ship and the city.

The football link goes back to avisit Cdr Pearson made to theNorth-East to return Salty theglobe-trotting bear to Marine ParkFirst School in Whitley Bay.

"Bobby Robson was staying inthe same hotel as me, so I wentover and introduced myself," saidCdr Pearson.

"I told him that my footballteam went round the world unde-feated, and laid a challenge to himfor a game between a representa-

> Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson meets up with sailors from HMS Newcastle.

live Newcastle United teamagainst the lads from the ship."

The possibility of playing thatmatch is being investigated, but in

Sailors plan reunionALMOST 25 years after themaking of the documentarySailor, some of the partici-pants are planning a reunion.

A group of radio operatorsfrom the old HMS Ark Royalin 1976-77 are getting togeth-er to reminisce.

Any ROs (T or G, PO orLRO) who served in the Arkat the time should contactGeorge (Weekes) Mitchell atthesparker@thefreeinternet.co.ukor Tom Barr at 8, Grosvenor

Avenue, Lowton, Warrington,WA3 2JL, tel 01942 729211.

The organisers believe itpossible other members ofthe ship's company mightwant to arrange their ownreunions to coincide.

Organisers are also partic-ularly keen to hear from agravelly-voiced Scottishsinger called Rod, believed tobe in the Los Angeles area,who had something to dowith the theme song.

Remembering the Hood• From page 16

HMS Kingsmill at the Walcherenlandings.

"I was terrified by the actionside of it, but it was somethingentirely different so it didn't reallybring the Hood business backthen," said Ted.

"The ships were never hit - acouple of near-misses with bombs,that sort of thing, but nothingelse."

After the war, in another frigate,HMS Brissenden, Ted served onthe Palestine patrols, then hespent over two years in the cruiserHMS Ceylon, including theKorean War.

He took his officers' promotioncourse and rejoined the Ceylon intime for the Suez crisis - butstrangely, he never, in more than30 years, sailed again through theDenmark Strait and over the wreckwhere so many friends and ship-mates lay.

Ted finally left the Service in1973, his last appointment beingon a leading rates' leadershipcourse at Whale Island.

"I left as a two-ringer with anMBE as a consolation prize," saidTed.

"I look back at my Royal Navycareer with pride. I was sorry toleave, but the time had come,because I was in communicationsand the new technology was get-ting way above my head, so I hadno regrets.

"I had 35 years in, and I wasthoroughly satisfied. I still have asense of pride in the Navy.

"I get quite sad when I look atthe size of the Navy today, but, forexample, four of us at the associa-tion were invited aboard HMS

Newcastle, and when I lookedround on a conducted tour Irealised that that ship packed morefirepower than Hood and quite afew others put together.

"So although the Royal Navyhas got smaller it's still good, it'sstill the best."

Ted's fellow survivors are bothlong gone now, and Ted bears thebrunt of the enduring fascinationwith the loss of a ship which sym-bolised British - and Royal Naval -power and pride between the wars.

Tired of his role as a "Navalcurio" as each anniversaryrolled round, Ted is now

more sparing in his interviews -although it is not because theybring everything back into sharpfocus. That happens anyway.

"Looking back, it's still fresh inmy mind - I do get quite emotion-al at times. For example, it takes ahell of a lot of getting out, thatexaltation that I do every year atBoldre church for the memorialservice," he said.

"It still affects me -1 fill up. Andten years ago a psychiatrist told methat was natural - I said it was 50years ago, but he said it was sodeep-seated that I will never getrid of it."

Ted was invited out to the site ofthe sinking with a Danish shipsome years ago, but his doctorsblocked it, saying it would do himharm.

His emotions also make it diffi-cult for him to contemplate theprospect of divers going to thewreck, or pictures being beamedback from the sea-bed well over amile down.

"When the idea was first sug-gested I said 'No, in no way.' She is

The Imperial War Museum is holding a lunch-time recep-tion on Wednesday, May 23, to mark the 60th anniversaryof the sinking of the Bismark. Guest of honour is SirLudovic Kennedy. Veterans of this action, whether offi-cers or ratings, who would be interested in attending thereception should write to Christopher Dowling, ImperialWar Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ.

a war grave and should be treatedas such," he said.

But members of the HoodAssociation were receptive to theidea.

"At an AGM, a friend of long-standing said: 'What is your objec-tion, Ted?' I said she's a war graveand she shouldn't be touched.

"He said if you went into acemetery and took a photo of yourmother's grave, would you regardthat as desecration? I can see hispoint.

"As the association agreed, Iwent along with it reluctantly, solong as they look, but don't touch.

"And if they went down, there isstill some doubt about what exactlyhappened, so they might get somephotographic survey and it couldclarify the matter.

"But I still have reservationsabout anyone going down there."

Ted bears no ill feelings towardthose who brought about thedestruction of his pride and joy,and he has met Bismarck survivors- around 110 were plucked fromthe sea by the cruiser HMSDorsetshire after the German bat-tlecruiser was sunk, little morethan three days after she haddespatched Hood.

Around 2,100 died, manydrowning as the Dorsetshire wasforced to leave the scene, a report-ed sighting of a U-boat causing hercommanding officer to make thesafety of his ship a priority.

"They were doing their job andwe were doing ours," said Ted.

"One of the German survivors,Josef Statz, wrote a book about theBismarck - he should have comeover with a small German contin-gent to a reunion but he wasn'tvery well. He actually died aboutthree days later.

"He wrote a dedication in it: Tothe only living survivor of the Hoodfrom one of the few surviving mem-bers of the Bismarck, in the desperatehope that such idiocy never happensagain.

"I think that sums it up."

the meantime the club presentedthe destroyer's football team with anew Newcastle United strip - bothclub and ship proudly feature thedistinctive black-and-white stripeswherever possible.

The club also made it possiblefor the men of HMS Newcastle totake a party from the Percy HedleySchool to the United trainingground, where they met a numberof their heroes, including formerEngland captain Alan Shearer.

"Bobby Robson was there. He'sa wonderful man - he spent a lot oftime talking to the kids and speak-ing to the sailors," said CdrPcarson.

"We swapped advice - we sug-gested how he might push forEurope, and he gave us some

advice on the use of wing-backs inthe Royal Navy football competi-tion."

The ship also took the opportu-nity to present a cheque for £1,000to the Percy Hedley School, whichcaters for children with specialneeds.

The money was part of the totalraised by the destroyer during lastyear's deployment.

Enough money had also beenraised by the sailors for a digitalcamera, which came in very usefulas the children sought out theirown particular Gcordie stars forpictures and autographs.

Plans have been made for a visitby the ship itself to the Tyne beforethe end of the year.

NAVYNEWS, APRIL 2001 17

Trainingis put tothe testTWO ROYAL Navy pilotsunder training found theirleadership experience and firstaid training put to the testsooner than they expected.

Lt Philip Richardson and S/LtMatthew Punch, under training atRAF College Cranwell and takingpart in a mountain leadershipexercise in the Lake District, wereasked to help rescue a climber.

A 19-year-old from Halifax on acharacter-building exercise. ShaneTerry, had fallen several hundredfeet to a ledge, and the two Navymen, along with RAF colleaguesSqn Ldr Alan Pcarson and APOJames Taylor, had to clamberdown the side of the mountain andclimb back up to the stricken man.

When they reached him, he wassuffering a broken leg, hypother-mia and deep shock, so theServicemen dug a shelter andadministered first aid before anRAF search and rescue helicopterflew him to hospital.

Lt Richardson said he talked toShane for more than an hour tokeep him awake while awaiting thearrival of the helicopter.

"After a while I began to run outof things to talk about, so to keephim conscious I resorted to listingevery type of ship in the RoyalNavy. I think it worked."• Two helicopters from 819 NavalAir Squadron, based at HMSGannet, took part in a mountainrescue exercise at Glencoe withthe Royal Logistics Corps,Glencoe mountain rescue teamand 25 Russians from the civilianEMERCOM disaster relief team.

The helicopters also helped theRussians move about in difficultsnow conditions - they wereapparently unused to the maritimeinfluence, which can bring waist-deep slush at lower levels and hardsnow at height.

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18 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. navynews,co.uk

Sea Cadets

CADETS from Southern and South West Areastravelled to Sydney to take part in an interna-tional exchange with others from Singapore,

the USA, South Korea and Hong Kong.The UK group led by Lt(SCC) Kevin Milligan, CO of

Camberley unit, spent two and a half weeks in bothSydney and Canberra, visiting naval bases includingHMAS Watson,

It was here that they visited the bridge simulator usedto train officer of the watch students, while the first weekwas also spent touring ships at the Garden Island Naval

Base and sailing in the harbour.They took the chance to visit the Blue Mountains,

about two hours' drive from Sydney - so called becauseof the blue haze that rises from the trees.

The day also allowed LC Kirsty Longley to meet upwith her great aunt for the first time.

The first weekend saw more sailing, sun bathing andshopping, together with training with the Australian SeaCadets. On the Sunday the group began a three-day visitto Canberra, staying at the communications base HMASHarman. Here they visited the Houses of Parliament andthe Australian War Memorial before cooling off at the

water theme park Wonderland.Back in Sydney they were invited to take part in

Maritime Commander's Divisions - the first that hadbeen held for 20 years - where they were inspected byRear Admiral G. Smith.

Divisions also provided a chance for another memberof the group to catch up with family, as also on paradewas Lt Milligan's brother, a POMEM in the RAN whotransferred from the RN four years ago.

• The International Sea Cadet Exchange at HMASBrisbane, with the UK group at the top of the brow.

TS COVENTRY'S Sian Coles represented the unit at theChildren's Society's Christingle celebration at CoventryCathedral.

She joined hundreds of children from across the countryin a procession to light tea lights and raise funds for theSociety's work with some of the UK's most vulnerableyoung people.

Thousands of candles have been lit in churches through-out the Christingle season to represent the 100,000 childrenwho run away from home or care each year.

Sian lights theway for youth

CLEO CARRIED ONHMS CLEOPATRA Old Shipmates Association hasbought the nameboard of the Leander-class frigate atauction -and handed it over to TS Cleopatra for safe-keeping.

The ship was first commissioned in 1966 and was inservice with the Royal Navy for 25 years. She was the firstof her class to be fitted with the Exocet surface-to-sur-face missile.• Cdr E. A. Rowe, president of the HMS Cleopatra OldShipmates Association, hands the ship's nameboard tothe CO of the Harrogate unit, Lt Debbie Williams.

www. navvnews, co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 19

Sea Cadets

Vengeancecollects anexpressdeliveryRAILTRACK Pic have steamed in with £300 so TSVengeance can buy new uniforms for their junior section.

The Stratford and Urmston unit were presented with thecheque during their Ministry of Defence Part 2 Inspection.

• Seen here with the king-size cash bonus are (left toright) Alison Kerry (Railtrack), junior cadets JermaineHope, Zeshan Choudhry, Andrew Baxter, Kirn Bond, CaraPhillips and Karen Gee (Railtrack).

BRADFORD unit won the Senior Boys section inthe Eastern Area Five-a-Side competition held atSt Ivo Recreation Centre, St Ives, Huntingdon.Together with the other team winners, they wentforward to the National Finals held atPortsmouth as Navy News went to press lastmonth.

Here they receive their trophy from DeputyArea Officer Major Angus Person, RM.

Bradford'sbest boys

TS Dolphin visitorsvotedtopunitBEST Overall Visiting Unit toHolyhead Sea Cadet BoatingStation last year was TSDolphin.

Lt A. McAvady travelleddown to Chatham to meetmembers of the Keighley unitand accompany them on aweek's offshore training onhoard the Marine SocietyVessel TS Earl of Romney.

He is seen presenting theHolyhead Trophy to LtM.Jones, commanding officerTS Dolphin, while the Earl ofRomney was alongside HMSPresident at Tower Bridge.

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20 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www.navynews.co.uk

'I can't wait for the new batch to arrive!'

NEWSVIEWSoul survivorTed Briggs' sole claim to fame in the tide of Naval his-

tory is that he is the last surviving survivor of HMSHood's last voyage in pursuit of the Bismarck.

It is not a distinction he has ever much enjoyed - andthese days less and less. For the past 60 years he hasbeen regarded, not so much as a naval hero, but as anaval curio.

There were just three survivors from the battlecruiserknown as the 'Mighty Hood' (the other two are long deadnow), for long the pride of the Fleet when she was viewedas the embodiment of British Naval power.

She toured the world to huge acclaim in the 1920s and30s - and then she was suddenly and spectacularlyblown away, along with nearly 1,500 of her ship's compa-ny.

Ted Briggs was just 18 years old when it happened. Heemerged unscathed - physically, anyway - from thisevent, and from the rest of World War II, despite beingpresent in some of its stickier patches, such as the Sicilylandings, Salerno, D-Day and Walcheren.

Thereafter he served in the Palestine patrols, theKorean War and the Suez crisis, got his commission andfinally left the Service in 1973 "as a two-ringer with anMBE as a consolation prize", as he modestly assesses hiscareer.

In all that time, though, he has shouldered the burdenof his curious celebrity as a lucky remnant of the SeniorService's most notorious catastrophe with quiet, self-effac-ing dignity.

The trauma that the disaster visited upon him hasnever left him, though - a psychiatrist told him it neverwould. And his doctors have since advised him not toaccept any invitation to revisit the site of the sinking.

The way he has coped with these problems deserve ourrespect - and so it may be said his unlooked-for fame iswell-deserved.

It has also often been said, and truly, that the personali-ty of all great ships is an amalgam of the individual per-sonalities of the people who have inhabited them.

In which case, Ted Briggs may be seen as as fine asingle exemplar of the soul of one of the Navy's best-loved ships as you could hope to find.

Vanishing skillsTHE Skillforce initiative to deploy ex-Service instruc-

tors to city schools where some youngsters arefalling behind with their GCSEs (see page 24) has

been a considerable success - and it is now to beexpanded.

This should not be so surprising. Officers and seniorNCOs do not achieve their status without proven skills inleadership, communication and building teamwork andself-esteem - exactly the qualities that their target audi-ence may be lacking.

There was a time, not so long ago, when many teach-ers in our schools had a Service background. These skillswere already inbred in them and so they commandedrespect - and even a healthy amount of fear - whichshowed in the academic results they achieved.

It is no fault of today's teachers that they lack that par-ticular education in leadership. It's a shame, though. Andin the years to come Skillforce will find still fewer ex-Service people around to help redress the balance.

SHIPS FROM 19 NATIONS TO MEET IN -

THE BIGGEST festi- H^ H _ • jgval in Britain this H^H M^ • ^L ^^ • _^^ m^^^IT thf KISS K n • Y si i n €rRoyal, who made • • • • • MM • • • H^

an impassioned plea to ^^^V • • ^L^kHHH • ^^^Pincrease public awareness ^^^^ — ™ ^•^^••M • ^^^of the importance of thecountry's maritime her-itage.

The patron of theInternational Festival of theSea - also billed as the largestmaritime festival in Europe -attended a reception at HMSPresident, the RNR Head-quar-ters on the Thames, to outlinethe programme of the event, tobe held at Portsmouth NavalBase on August 24-27.

Some 45 warships includingthose of ten overseas navieswill be featured - among themthe new American destroyerUSS Winston S. Churchijl,making her first overseas visit.

Said Festival organiser CaptMalcolm Farrow: "We are hon-oured and delighted that theUSS Winston S. Churchill willbe able to take part in this fan-tastic event - we have ensuredthat she has a prime locationmoored alongside HMSMarlborough, enabling asmany visitors as possible tosee this great ship namedafter such a great man."

Over 20 giant Tall Ships, and600 classic and traditionalboats from 19 countries willjoin with over 2,000 entertain-ers and hundreds of maritimeexhibitors at the first of aseries of events designed toreplace the Royal Tournament- which means that the RoyalAir Force, the Army and theRoyal Marines will be puttingon a full show.

There will be a daily "battle"in one of the giant docks, fea-turing Apache gunships.Lynx, Merlin and Sea Kinghelicopters. Harrier jets.Tornados and possibly aTyphoon Eurofighter.The Red Arrows, Battle of

Britain Flight and the RoyalNavy Historic Flight will beshowing off their own specialflying skills.

As part of the new Defence2001 policy of showing thepublic how the country isdefended, the Services willalso be contributing to severalspecialist areas, including an"Adrenalin Island" whereteenagers can try out anassault course, simulators andother hands-on areas.

There is a policy of music at

bjggestfestivalevery turn with 2,000 musi-cians to entertain the visitor.There will be shanty music,traditional music from aroundthe world - and each night amajor concert in a purpose-built 10,000 seat arena.Performers on the main stageinclude the BBC ConcertOrchestra, the Band of HM

Royal Marines and top linepopular bands.

More historic scenarios willunfold and there will be areturn of the popular GeorgianStreet markets with hundredsof costumed actors adding tothe atmosphere.

Tickets are available nowthrough Ticketmaster with dis-

counts for groups travelling bycoach.

The Festival hotline forenquiries and tickets is 0870550 50 40 - and for groups,08705 94 94 94.

• More information fromwww. festivalofthesea. co. uk

• ROYAL PATRON: The Princess Royal with Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Michael Boyce atthe launch of the International Festival of the Sea at HMS President.the London RNR headquarters

www.na vynews. co. uk

Praise forfire schoolDEFENCE Secretary GcoffHoon was full of praise for theRoyal Navy's state-of-the-artFire-fighting Training Schoolafter a visit to HMS Excellentin Portsmouth.

After meeting theCommanding Officer of HMSExcellent. Commodore AdrianMunns. the Secretary of Statesaw how the Senior Serviceensures that all Naval person-nel know how to tackle a blazeon hoard ship.

The Fire-fighting Trainingunit at HMS Excellent uses thelatest technology to simulatefires in machinery spaces, gal-ley and living accommodationin Royal Navy warships andkeeps track of how thestudents perform using ther-mal imaging cameras.

The new facility on WhaleIsland is one of three schoolsbui l t and maintained byFlagship Fire-fighting TrainingLtd under a £180-million 20-year public/private financeinitiative.

Flying visitto JerseyTHE Combined Cadet Forceat Victoria College, Jersey,was given a first-hand accountof life in the Fleet Air Armduring a flying visit by 848Naval Air Squadron.

Many of the 160-strongcadet force turned out to meeta Sea King flown by Lt SteveDoublcday and they wererewarded with a full briefingon the unit and the helicopter.

The visit by Yeovilton-based 848 NAS was arrangedby CPO(S) Nick Slater, AreaInstructor for the SouthernRegion, and the cadets, led bytheir Officer-in-Command, LtMichelle Millard RNR, weregiven the opportunity of a 20-minute flight over the island'scoastline.

The all-volunteer CCF atVictoria College includes a 43-strong Royal Navy section.

Kayak teamaims highSERVICE kayakers are beingsought to go to the Himalayasto brave some of the mostremote and powerful rapids inthe world.

Exercise Khola Kayak is afour-week adventurous train-ing expedition for up to 18kayakers in three teams, withsupporting personnel andmedical staff.

The planned departure datefor Nepal is October 20. Fordetails contact the ExpeditionLeader. Army Major StuartWilliams, on Military number<)4()1 42698 after April 2.

Information on the expedi-tion can also be found in JointService Defence CouncilInstruction 26/01.

Memorialfor WWIIwarshipsA MEMORIAL service formen who lost their lives in HMships Glorious, Ardent andAcasta in World War II is tobe held at Devonport.

The ships were lost inaction off Norway on June 8,1940 and the memorial will beheld at the church of StNicholas in HMS Drake onSunday, June 10.

Former crew, aircrew, sur-vivors and relatives are allwelcome. For more details,telephone David Woodcockon 01229 462414.

Glasgow supportingforces in FreetownHMS GLASGOW and

RFA Black Roverhave had a busy

start to their deploymentas the Atlantic PatrolTask Group (South).

The ships, which took overfrom HMS Iron Duke south ofTcnerife at the end ofFebruary, are required to con-duct a variety of missions inSierra Leone as well as sup-porting the Falkland Islands.

And the CO of HMS Glasgow,Cdr Alasdair Ireland, said that thevessels had already made theirpresence felt in West Africa.

He said: "Apart from visit-ing Freetown, the capital ofSierra Leone, the two shipshave so far paid calls toLagos in Nigeria, Dakar inSenegal and Tema nearAccra in Ghana."Further port visits in the West

African and South Atlantic areasarc planned, and we will alwaysremain at notice to assist whereverwe are required around the SouthAtlantic or near West Africa."

While the ships are in SierraLeone they are under the controlof the Joint Task ForceCommander, currently BrigadierJon Riley, based in Freetown.

Operating as the MaritimeComponent of the Joint TaskForce, Glasgow and Black Roverwould be able to support a with-drawal should that be necessary, orto provide naval gunfire support ifthe scenario demanded it.

• HMS GLASGOW springs off RFA Sir Percivale during her firstvisit to Freetown, Sierra Leone. 34 Field Hospital can be seen onthe jetty. The haze in the background of the picture is caused byhigh humidity and smoke from cooking fires.

Cdr Ireland said: "Thankfullythe situation ashore at the momentis stabilising by the day, andalthough we practice regularly, itlooks less likely that we will becalled upon to perform either ofthose tasks."

HMS Glasgow's Lynx heli-copter has been busy too, as it isthe only UK military helicopter intheatre.

As well as supporting the busyprogramme of exercises in thearea, it has also carried severalVIPs including Sierra LeoneanHead of State, President Kabbah,and Chief of the Defence Staff,Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, whowas visiting the country shortly

after assuming his appointment.With a Royal Marines

Protection Party embarked, HMSGlasgow also has an enhancedcapability to conduct boardingoperations if required.

The main focus of Glasgow'sactivities in Freetown so far hasbeen assisting in the training of theSierra Leone Navy.

Lt Clare Craig, NavigatingOfficer of HMS Glasgow, has beenleading the team charged withdeveloping their expertise in everyarea. She said: "It is rewarding tobe involved in such an importanttask. Our help is making a real dif-ference to Sierra Leone's smallnavy, and everyone involved is

gaining a real sense of achieve-ment."

In addition to helping to rebuildthe Navy, Glasgow's sailors havefound time to assist in a project atthe Wilberforcc Hospital inFreetown.

On most days that the ship isalongside a working party spendstime in the intense heat trying tocreate a new children's ward in thehospital. The current facilit ies arelimited and overcrowded, andwith the sailors' help conditionsarc improving day by day.

Arranging rest and recre-ation is not easy in war-tornFreetown, but with the helpof the British HighCommission a certainamount has been set up.Groups have managed to par-

ticipate in organised activities byday and in the evenings alongside.

And both ships have been ableto anchor off one of the remote,idyllic beaches some distance out-side the capital to allow limitedgroups to enjoy a few hoursashore.

Other popular options haveincluded escorted tours of thesafe, rebel-free areas of the coun-tryside.

During one of these tours mem-bers of HMS Glasgow's ship'scompany met up with old friendsfrom the Second Battalion, RoyalGurkha Rifles, who are engagedin training the Sierra Leone Army.

The last time the two units metup was when both were involved inthe operations in East Timor inautumn 1999!

NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001

Submarinecrew visits

RugbyTHIRTY men from HMSTireless were given a warmwelcome by the people ofRugby during a five-day visitto the submarine's affiliatedtown.

Tireless has been affil iated toRugby since 1985 and the town isalso the home of GEC Alstom.the company which makes tur-bines for the submarine fleet.

During the visit they called atlocal schools, manned a recruitingtrailer and helped out at Rugby'sSea Cadet uni t . TS Tireless,where a cheque for £500 was pre-sented by Capt lan Thorpc of theFleet Air Arm OfficersAssociation.

The crew also helped to tidy upthe gardens at Admiral's CourtRespite Centre and several othersailors raised cash for the MytonHospice Appeal through a 24-hour sponsored cycle.

On the Sunday the crew,accompanied by the Corps ofDrums from the Royal MarinesBand at CTC Lympstone,marched from the town centre toa church service and in the after-noon they enjoyed an excitingrugby match at Rugby Schoolwhere William Wcbb Ellis firstpicked up the ball and ran with it.

Despite a spirited effort the sub-mariners lost the inaugural matchbut they are looking forward to achance to level the score.

A reception was hosted by theborough and Tireless respondedwith a cocktail party at RugbySchool to say a big thank you fortheir warm welcome.

After the visit, lireless's LtNicholas Stratton said: "Thisextremely successful visit helpedstrengthen our ties with the townas well as promoting the RoyalNavy."

Brecon reverts tominehunting roleNORTHERN IRELAND Patrol Vessel HMS Brecon revertedto her former role as a minehunter when she received a distresscall from a trawler near Carlingford Lough.

The fishing vessel had hauledup a World War II mine from thesea bed and it needed to beshepherded into shallow water byBrecon and two lifeboats so thatthe mine could be marked anddropped.

Clearance divers from theNorthern Diving Group werealerted and the team and theirequipment were airlifted out toBrecon in a Sea King helicopterfrom 819 Naval Air Squadron.

While diving on the mine wastaking place, Brecon kept fishingvessels clear of the area and the50-year-old weapon was detonat-ed later in the evening.

The Royal Navy operation wascaptured by an Army f i lm crew ina Royal Air Force Wessex heli-copter and the footage was shownon BBC television news the sameevening.

The Commanding Officer ofHMS Brecon. Lt Tony Rackham,said: "It has been an unusual day

with the ship undertaking mineclearance duties again but we dohave many roles in NorthernIreland.

"With all the different forcesand agencies involved it has beena big communications exercise forthe ship but fortunately we arereasonably well-equipped forthis."

Kent ratingsentencedA RATING who broke intothe armoury of HMS Kent andran amok with a pistol hasbeen sentenced to ninemonths in a young offendersinstitution.

David Hogg (19) of ActonRoad, Wrcxham, said he was dis-traught after his gir lfr iend endedtheir relat ionship by text mes-sage.

Chatham calls at HamburgAFTER a demanding start to the year the ship'scompany of HMS Chatham had the chance to visitHamburg for a five-day run ashore.

A dawn transit up the Elbe River brought the frigate toHamburg's Uberseebrucke jetty where crowds of people, TVcameras and radio journalists were awaiting her arrival.

An official reception was held on the flight deck and the fol-lowing day the Hamburg Senate invited a large group of allranks to 'breakfast'.

Visits to the EADS Airbus assembly works, Blohm and VossF124 Frigate builders, the Rickmers Museum Ship andHamburg City Bus Tours proved very popular and the ship'srugby football and volleyball teams were all competed againstlocal sides.

The ship's company also had time to relax and get to knowthe city and its other famous 'sightseeing' attractions andthousands of visitors came on board to look around the ship.The success of the visit bodes well for HMS Sutherland, whichis due to visit Hamburg at the end of May.

FLEET SUPPORT LIMITED VACANCIESFleet Support Limited (FSL) is a successful joint venture between BAeSystems and Vosper Thornycroft. Employing over 1000 people, we areresponsible for the management of Royal Navy and commercial shiprepairs and general engineering services and can offer a wide range ofcareer opportunities.

Our production directorate has vacancies for:

WEAPONS ELECTRICAL TEST FORM & TRIALS CO-ORDINATOR(52 WEEK FIXED TERM CONTRACT)

Reporting to the Electrical Production Manager this role will encompassmaintaining a test form data base, undertaking installation and inspections, actingas the company focal point with MCTA and drafting trials plans for all projects aswell as many other activities.

The ideal candidate will have in depth WE/Marine Engineering experience in awarship environment, be computer literate, conversant with MS office and Project'98. Be educated to HNC or equivalent with knowledge of MCTA procedures.

AREA MANAGER - ELECTRICAL (PERMANENT POSITION)Also reporting to the Electrical Production Manager the principle activities of thisrole will be to ensure projects are completed to time and budget, managingresources, human and material, ensuring electrical engineering core competenceis maintained whilst providing leadership and motivation to your electricalengineering team. Liaising with customer representatives in regard to engineeringaspects of specifications and projects, ensuring high standards of work aremaintained as well as company quality systems and safety practices are adheredto in all projects.

The successful candidate will be qualified to HND/HNC level or equivalent in anelectrical discipline. Served a recognised apprenticeship and ideally have at least fiveyears managerial experience in the ship repair industry, with specific knowledge ofelectrical and enhancement installation on MCMV's,Type 23's and RFA's.

CVs/Application Forms to:

Karren HanwellRecruitmentHuman Resources DepartmentEast Office BlockHM Naval BasePortsmouth023 9272 3306

Closing Date: 6th April 2001

F/L

~114,HOptions

Memories stirredas frigate returns

EMORIES were to the

I

fore as CumberlandV returned to

Devonport.The sights, sounds and

smells of Mumbai would stillbe fresh in the mind, helpedalong by the souvenirs pickedup in the markets and touristshops.But for some the memories

flew back decades rather thanjust weeks-certainly in thecase of the CommandingOfficer, Capt David Cooke.On the way home, his ship

called in at Malta, where hewas born in the SOs while hisfather was serving there.And his father, AdmiralTony

Cooke, was in Valetta to greethis son, andto join the frigatefor her passage to GibraltarThe family link goes even

further back, with CaptCooke's grandfather, also anadmiral, having been SeniorEngineer at the dockyardbefore he spent ten years ofhis retirement on the island.

Indeed. Capt Cooke's com-mand of Cumberland - hisfather served in the frigatespredecessor after the war-meansthe Cooke family canclaim to have commandedaRoyal Navy vessel in everydecade for the past half-centu-ry; Admiral Cooke was Incharge of HMSBrighton in the1960s and HMS Galatea in the70s, while his son has drivenHMS Onslaught in the Bus,HMSTorbay in the 90s andnow Cumberland in the firstdecade of the new millennium.

'This is the first time since1977 that I have been in Malta,which is why I dragged my oldman out," said Capt Cooke.Theship has visited 18

ports in 11 countries over thepast six months, steamingmore than 32.000 miles.The homecoming also

brings the curtain down on thesea-going career of the ship'sMechanical Engineer Officer, ItCdr Steve Ryder. who believeshe held the dubious honour ofbeing the oldest sea-goingMEO in the Navy at 49 years

" Ratings from

HMSCumberland greet

fellowsailors from tar-flung navies atthe fleet review headquarters.by the symbolic Bridge ofFriendship.

49 years and four months."I loved this trip, but then I

love this job anyway," he said,"There is no finer job thanbeing the MEOof a ship.

"Mechanically, these aregood ships, and I've got agood team behind me - mycharge chief Is a super chap,and all the team around merake my life easy:'n 1Theship hosted several visi-

tors during her deployment,including Prince Michael ofKent, the First Sea Lord,Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh,and two journalists fromnewspapers in the WestCountry and Barrow, inCumbria.

UMUMBAI

thrives oncontrasts.It boasts of

more millionaires thanManhattan, but alsoadmits to the largestslum in Asia.The Bollywood film

industry brings glamourto a city where millionshave no other home thancrumbling pavements.

Visitors stepping out ofthe magnificent 'l'aj MahalHotel must pick their waypast battle-scarred dogsand tiny, fragile mothersbegging formoney for theirtiny, fragile children.But Munibai confounds on

a deeper level, too, leaving vis-itors emotionally exhaustedyet uplifted, and challengingtheir perspective on life.

Into this maelstrom ol some liimill ion people sailed more Sitwarships of more than 20 navies.from the UK to Australia.

]lie occasion was the IndianInternational Fleet Review, cele-brating the founding of theRepuhi it- of India, but for th iii-sands of sailors it representedmuch more than just pageantry.lor the Desonpori-hased lvpe

22 frigate. Mumbat - the name bywhich Itonihay is no knownrepresented the last official dirtyof a six-month Gull deployment.and at first not everyone oil boardregarded the eit as having paten-hal for a good! run ashore.

Fora start, ('nintierlanit was atanchor some four miles orso fromthe jetties. and was served by anerratic schedule ofliberty boats.

i'here was also an exhaustive

Fogrziiiiiiicof rehearsals and dt ill

1r,r the set-piece events - thereview it'.elf and a parade throughthe city he followuiit& iiiiirning

IldiIttis is rliitereitt - tot rtt;ini

petiltit' liiistj beeii to Ni ii inhi.i I

before, and not many of themhave been to a fleet review." saidthe Commanding Officer of thfngate. Capt David Cooke."They are working hard - peo-

plc were shaken at 2.l this morn.tog to do the rehearsal, hut theywill get a hit out oh it as well.hope. It is a unique opportunits.

"The Gulf deployment is a rou-tine one now for Royal Nanships, but occasionally we can gofurther afield, and on this deploy-ment undoubtedly the highlightfor us is the opportunity to cometo Mu tahai and participate in theIndian Fleet Review.

We are delighted to be here,and you only have to kxik out ofthe window to see the strong repre-sentation from around the worldOne thing we are looking 1-1)rwzsrkjto is meeting our fellow mariners."The importance placed uFxin

the meeting of minds in India wasreflected in the presence of theFirst Sea Lord.Admiral Sir NigelEssenhigh.who battled and final-

ly overcarite a nasty bout of 'flu.The review! was shrouded hs

haze. preventing observers ashorefrom seeing the full spectacle.

Nevenheless, everything had tohe just so till hi i;ird '('tiniherhantt

for Lt Mike t)tneen, the ship'sGunnery Officer, also responsiblefor ceremonial training,

it all goes right- the ( apta iii

gets the accolades. If it goes

wrong. I get the blame," he said.('P0 Alan 'hinge andN) I lam'.

I tarrison. prowling the decks,ensured Captain ('tioke would gelhis accolades -

"lhey are the

experts i in hoard. especially- itleChief.--- said Lt t)ineen.

"Ill eight sears in the Na'.'. l'senever done a man and cheer ship- it's becoming increasingly line

Mercifully the 15(1 or so mciiihers of the ship's company 1)1

show were facing away form ill,fierce sun as the President's hare.

wcaved through the fleet, hrthere were still those on tht

eqxised fo'e'sle who had almi ,sitwo hours to endure before th'.'.could relax. winning them tnsaccolades from CO Tong,"They have done the jot' today I.i good standard," he said.

'l'he same attention to detar:was apparent on the bridge, as the

engines were nudged ahead or

'.Astern to keep the ship preciselyin line, using the anchor as a pivot,

A_s the President appn'ached ini Sukaya.class patrol vessel, tIlLmen and worrien Ail Cumberland

Acknowledged the VIP with the

,imihtar circular wave iii their

ps-- one i if the manv Naval pr t -

ceditre alt eli the review

ng brittinttigliiLii I lie ssodd.The Gateway of India formed a

suitably stirring backdrop to aBt-at Retreat ceremony which fea-tured a wide range ot musicalstytcs, front the Bangladesh Navyto the US Seventh Fleet [land, butit was tlie bagpipes -and horns ofthe French Bagad delann Bihoue,with a Breton Ilavitur, which stolethe shiiw and had the invited

guests tapping their feet.Then the itrthiitaiv s'it i/ens all

Mumbat had their chance to joinin,'.'.lien more than 3tt citntingeninsfrom all the participating naviest(s k part in a parade abug thespruced-tip Marine Drive. accom-panied h' Its inianctiiitc bands,

When

Cumberlandair sect off Niuwhat,the British tended it)

p asttore for shop-ping, sightseeing or entertainmentin civilian clothes,

Btit as the week wore tin, itbecame apparent that othersailors were reaping the tsenetitof their "whites", as Munthai wet.ciimed thteua with open arms.

It'. the time the ship drew

alongside the South African sup-ply ship l)rakensherg, guided inI'; l-seeutise Olticer It Cdr Mark

.w

-a- -----fr--It

2islirs .

Pr7;" Capt David Cooke with hisfather, Admiral

Tony

Cooke, in Valetta.

0-

a-fl

AA

,*

'.1

S'.P

0

4k

Stuttard as Capt ('onike watchedfrom the jetty. there was a dis'

tinetly more favourable view of

the delights of Mtitnha i.

OM lladyll Andrews was one

of four sailors whit' were whiskedoff by Naval photographer P0

Bernie Pettersen for sttnie localeolotir shots on the streets of thecity, attracting curiosity, smiles

and welcomes from the citizens.

"This is my first time inNIunthai, and I think it's quitenice. but very third world, and itmakes You feel like a different

person," he said,"Weare cthviously fan better off

than them, but there is, no sense ofthreat. It feels quite weird."

Many naval visitors to Mtumhaicommented on the satety aspect

-

whatever the time of day or night.however deep you burrowed mitt

tIme alleyways and side-streets ofMumhai, past ramshackle busi-nesses and ci ilapidatc'd Victorian

piles, there was never a sense oh

danger or rcseuttnient. Fven the

beggars were unfaihittglv Nilute,though often insistent.Other nations were just as

touched by the gentleness of thisvast country.and did their best to

reciprocate.SAS tlnrikeiishei ci had diverted

" The sunsets over the landmaras the crowds disperse after viat

Beat Retreat display in front of th

S

" W.15 C:irihri,'!:irid ri 1tri!r,i Di r''r p.1::-:.iQ' hciri' icr t/rc' (II'.'

" The party from HMS

Cumberland pass the VIP daisduring the international

Parade in Marine Drive.

a

a

Reports: MIKE GRAY

Pictures: PO(PHOT) BERNIE

PETTERSEN

dgestIUIL' If, sir Srtitnntt ss a I picklit tons iii eunergL-ttes siujipties)urban which were passed on

reip ease site plight of victimslie (iujurat earthquake.Ither Ceremonies and Chance

hugs served it' emphasise thethat hind the Ilasies at the

Id - and the influence that theal Navy has had in iii,' slevel-tent of those n;isies,Vith ('uinherland outboard ill

kenslit'rg, and (stir more ships1w Singaporean amphibious' RSS litthrtt inee and (lieinese training ship Amagiri -

ii on jusi ali'ng the jet Iv. Fourmrs ceremonies stink placetin a few yards oh each other.he four tarred only in pointsetail and in language - and alla slightly different idea of

it get tardier atield.Isso patties "bide the 'trig trip

to the la) NI ahal and Agra. tourslaid iii by the Indians, totters wentto the sri-Service Nationall)clenee Academy at Punt'.

'if) Cars' Manning. who has

already had ten years in the Nanas a rating. was part ieolarlv

impressed by (lie elephant theysaa standing patiently by the sideat the road less than an hour'sdrive from Mumhai,

There is no doubt that the

ship's company of IIMSCumberland did themselves

Proud, mid have left a goodImpression of the Royal Nasv.

Hut they prohahis gained farmore than they et(ih(l veer give, afact appreciated by l-MFM StickyStamp.whowas urn the wink r t%

p .

'I lm -"' V. 'l' 1I 'I

I

SI

till4)11

a I

2val spectacular

24 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. navynews. co. uk

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variety of sports• Creative arts, music and drama• Encouragement of imaginative ideas,

exploration and discoveryFor further information and a school prospectus, pleasecontact the Admissions Secretary:©02392826714 © 02392814814© admissions@por.gdst.net© www.gdst.net portsmouthhighFinancial assistance available in the senior school.

We offer a safe,structured and vibrantenvironment in whicheach member of ourcommunity canflourish and develop.Peg HuLsc, Headteachcr.

GIKI.S' DAY SCHOOL TRUST

NEWLANDSCoeducational day & boarding school

for pupils aged 2'/2 - 18 years

Quality Education

Academic, Cultural & Sporting ExcellenceFees in line with BSA

High percentage of Forces boardersAccelerated Learning Centre

Theatre Arts CourseTel. 01323 490000

Newlands School, Eastborne Road, Seaford, East Sussex BN25 4NPFax: 01323 898420 e-mail: newlandsl@msn.com

www.newlands-school.comCharity No 297606

> Portsmouth High School pupils try the Home Front Experience.

A glimpse of times gone by'THE HOME Front Exper-ience' at the D-Day Museumprovided the pupils ofPortsmouth High School with areal-life opportunity to experi-ence the Second World Warfirst hand - particularly theevacuation of young childrenknown then as 'Operation PiedPiper.'

They dressed up in clothes thatchildren of their age would haveworn and set off clutching theirteddies and home-made gas masks.

The Year 6 pupils learnt aboutfood rationing, defused a bomband sat in an Andersen Shelter.

They also saw a video about the

war, and actually heard the air-raidsiren that would have been used infactories in Portsmouth.

Laura Gill said: "It was reallyinteresting and fun because weactually got to do things. It mademe feel that I had actually beenevacuated."

Spokeswoman for the D-Day

Museum Jan Hancock said: "Wehave been running the HomeFront Experience for several yearsnow and we find it very rewardingas the children really do get a senseof what it was like during the war."

For more information call JudyWalker at Portsmouth High Schoolon 023 9282 6714.

School maximises strengthsIN THE three years since shewas appointed Headmistress atSt John's College, Southsea,Mrs Suzanne Bell has led a raftof change and improvement,

ROOKESBURY PARKDay & Boarding Preparatory School

Boys & Girls 3 - 13 Girls Boarding 7 - 13Wickham, Fareham, Hampshire, PO 17 6HT

Tel: 01329 833108 Fax: 01329 835090email: rookesbury.park(5)ukonline.co.uk

Visit this Happy Caring School with:High standards & excellent facilities.100% Pass Rate to Senior SchoolsPre-Preparatory for rising 3 year olds,providing a safe, stimulating & flexible environmentfor the best start in life.Boarding House providing a 'home from home' —Boarding Scholarships available.Scholarships for Service Children in line with B.S.A.

Book in for a Taster Weekend

maximising the school'sstrengths.

The school has achievedincreasingly impressive academicresults, pupil numhers haveswelled, the integration of girls hasgone smoothly and two additionalco-educational boarding houseshave opened.

Every term sees further devel-opments at this vibrant school.

St John's College is a co-educa-tional day and boarding school forpupils aged 2-18, with particularstrengths in pastoral care, sciences,sport, drama and mathematics.Religious education remains at theheart of the core curriculum,enabling pupils to be trained sleaders who will bring about socialchange and make a difference tothe world.

The school has a strong ethos ofclient care, which Mrs Bell and herteam have led at St John's College.

This has given staff the opportu-nity for improvement and the free-dom to respond to pupil and par-ent suggestions for continuousprogress.

Forcesdeployin cityschoolsARMED FORCES instructorsarc being deployed in cityschools to help youngsters whoare struggling with their GCSEs.

The pilot project, known as'Skilllorce'. was launched inSeptember last year when twoteams of recently-retired Serviceinstructors started working with 15and 16-year-olds at six schools inNewcastle and West Norfolk

Six months into the scheme (heresults are so encouraging that theinitiative is to be continued foranother two years and extended toManchester, Bristol, Merseysidc,Leicester, London, Great Yar-mouth and the West Midlands.

Teachers at Newcastle andNorfolk have already reportedbetter levels of attendance, withone school showing an attendanceimprovement in 74 per cent ofthose taking part, and 90 per centof parents say they believe the ini-tiative is producing positive out-comes for their children.

None of the instructors wearuniform and there arc no weaponsor cadet training. The aim of theexercise is to enhance the employ-abil i ty of the youngsters, improvetheir attitudes and cut down ontruancy and juvenile crime.

Children chosen for thepilot programme weredeemed unlikely to achievefive passes at GCSE andwere allowed to drop a cou-ple of subjects to spend twoand a half days a week onKey Skills training,designed to build team-work, improve communica-tion skills and provide voca-tional qualifications.Residential work experience,

outdoor pursuits and the chance totake part in the Duke ofEdinburgh and St John'sAmbulance Young LifeSavcraward schemes are also included.

MOD spokesman Peter Crosssaid: "Skillforce provides an excel-lent opportunity for those withtraining and experience who areabout to leave the Royal Navy totake on a challenging new careerworking in schools.

"Selection for the new teamswill take place in May and Junewith work starting on July 1, 2001.Any one who is interested shouldcontact their RFEA to registertheir interest and obtain furtherinformation."

Each team is made up of a for-mer officer and two senior NCOswith leadership and adventurepursuit instructor qualifications.

TRINITY SCHOOL

Outstanding careers begin with an outstandingeducation. The Duke of Kent School makesan important difference in young lives.The curriculum is excitingly varied. Theenvironment is helpful and caring. The results areoften remarkable.

Contact the headmaster, Alan Cameron,to discover how you can give your childa flying start.

DUKE OF KENT SCHOOL•Co-ed 4-13' Day, full boarding

and half board' Scholarships

• Designated areaof natural beauty

• Superb facilities• Caring culture

1 Happy familyatmosphere

• Bursaries forservice children

Ewhurst Surrey GU6 7NSTel (01483) 277313Fax (01483) 273862

www.dukeofkentschool.org.ukemail:dok.school@virgin.net

Bookings are nowbeing taken for our

next Navy NewsEDUCATION

SUPPLEMENTplease contactthe AdvertisingDepartment on023 9272 4226

BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS PREPARATORY 3-II SENIOR 11-19

Trinity School is thriving:We have increasing pupil numbers and first rate exam and sports results.

The School is focused on the needs of individuals and helps to buildconfidence, thus helping them to realise their full potential.

Courses can be tailored to nurture individual abilityStatement from a recent School leaver;

"The teachers help us become more mature, and to respect othersopinions. They are all so very helpful here".

Over £2 million has been spent over the last "y yearson a structured development programme including boarding

accommodation with en-suite facilities.New Design Technology Centre and Classroom Block

to be completed by September 2001.You will be warmly welcomed when you visit the School.

Please contact Lesley Cunningham.

————————TRINITY SCHOOL————————BUCKERIDGE ROAD • TEIGNMOUTH • DEVON • TQ14 SLY

Tel (01626) 774138 Fax (01626) 771541e-mail: Trinscl23@aol.com www.trinityschool.co.uk

Trinity School is a charitable institute for the education of childrenMember of ISIS, BSA. CISC & AEGIS - Reg. Charity No 276960 - Accredited by ISC

www. navy news. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 25

EducationCHILTON CANTELO SCHOOL

I M P O R T A N TTO: Parents willing to invest £283 (+BSA) per term in

their child's future.FROM: Chilton Cantelo, a small 'family' school

(Dorset/Somerset borders) offering a broadfirst-class education to boys and girls aged 7-18.

RE: Further information, please contact us today on(01935) 850555 to arrange a visit.

Embley Park SchoolKiansn: Hampshire. SOS I tiZK

Co-educational Independent Day & Boarding School

DAY 3-18 Years BOARDING 9-18 Years• Excellent Sports Hall with spacious grounds• Caring family atmosphere• HM Forces bursaries availableProspectus enquiries welcomed;

Please contact Head's Secretary Tel: 01794-512206 or Fax: 01794 518737Registered charily existing to educate children

ST. JOHN'S COLLEGEThis Independent Day and Hoarding School

with a strong Interdenominational andinternational dimension provides

an excellent education for boys and girls aged 2 to 18.

UPPER SCHOOL Scholarships available

SIXTH FORM Separate.sciences taugh,34 acres of playing fields

LOWER SCHOOL Full use of upper school facilitiesFrench taught throughoutSpecialist subject teachers

NURSERY Open from Sam to 6pm,51 weeks per year.

Please Call for A Prospectus

Tel: 023 92 815118 Fax: 023 92 873603E-mail:sjcsouthsea@lineone.net

www.stiohnscollege.co.uk

compare the resultscontrast the feesconsider............

Wellington School

for further details, please contact the BursarCdr. Ft D Coupe QBE RN

Wellington School. Wellington. Somerset TA21 8NT

01823668800Email: admin@wellington-schoot.org.uk

Reg Chanty No 310268 to provide quality education for children

GSA DAY SCHOOLFOR GIRLS AGED 2Y, -16

At Wykeham House we offera tradition of single sex educationa happy yet stimulating environmenta broad and balanced curriculumsmall class sizes to ensure personal attentiona partnership between home and schoola commitment to extra-curricular activitiesmodern Information Technology suitesNew School Hall and Music Roomexcellent GCSE resultstwo Nursery Classes

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: THK HEADMISTRESS AT,East Street, Fareham, Hants.P016 OBW Tel: 01329 - 280178 or Fax: 01329 - 823964Email:WHS@Wykchaminst.demon.co.uk Wchsite:htlp.//www, wykehaminsl.demon.cu.uk

GRENVILLE COLLEGEBideford, Devon, EX39 3JR

Co-educational Boarding and Day2'/2 -18 years (boarding from age 8)

* Caring and friendly environment+ Staff ratio 1:9* Excellent academic record* GCSE, AS, A-level and GNVQ courses* Dyslexia Unit - 30 years' experience* Sixth Form Study Centre* Superb location for outdoor activities, close to sea and moors* Extensive grounds * Strong sporting tradition* Stabling and exercise rides for resident pupils' ponies* Substantial Service bursaries - where Boarding School

Allowance is payable, we guarantee your contribution isonly 10% of feesTel: 01237 472212 or Fax: 01237 477020

e-mail:info@grenville.devon.sch.ukwebsite - http://www.grenville.devon.sch.uk

Registered Chanty No.269669

GREATSCHOOL

Co-educational LAPS Day & Boarding 2-13

Saturday morninglessons years7 & 8 only.

Specialist smallgroup teaching.

Flexible boardingarrangements.

For further details, please contact:Great Ballard School, Eartham

(between Chichester &: Arundel)on 01243 814236

ProvidingQuality Education

in aDemanding World

Children aged6- 13yrs.

Happiness, academic rigour and keeness of spirit are real Rose Hillvirtues. Rose Hill is not a boarding school... it is an EducationalHotel and we have hosts of happy and successful boarders to

prove it. We have more under Ten Year Old Service Boarders than any other1APS Prep School of comparable size in the UK!

At Rose Hill School we believe strongly in the individual and strive todevelop every childs potential to the l imi t . 68% of our Sixth l;orm wonScholarship or Exhibition Awards to their chosen Public Schools last year.100% First Choice success at Common Entrance for over a decade.Please don't make a decision you might live to regret. Nothing is moreprecious than your childs education. We could be exactly what you havebeen looking for. Being a Rosehillian isn't simply great... it's marvellous!

Please give us a ring and come and see for yourselves:- 01453 843196

Alderley, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 7QTTelephone: (01453) 843196 and 521524 Fax: (01453) 842765

Headmaster: R.C.G. Lyne-Pirkis Cm Ed., MBIM

Mayville High School' m H k .? v o v i m a r k'

BUILDINGfor the FUTURE

Scholarships andTrustee assistedplaces available

)UTHSEA Tel: 023 9273 4847www.mayvillehighschool.com

QUEEN VICTORIASCHOOL

Set in 45 acres of beautiful Perthshire countryside4- Stable and uninterrupted co-educational boarding for 11 -18 year olds;•f Quality education including school clothing at low cost -

termly charges below £250; + School hospital and resident Sister;+ Overall pupil teacher ratio 8.5 to 1; total school roll 275;•f Eligibility includes children of Service personnel, serving or

have served in Scotland; + Easily accessible by road, rail or air;•f Warm, friendly, lively atmosphere where pastoral care takes high priority;•f Full range of curriculum following the Scottish Education system;•f Extensive programme of sport, music and extra-curricular activities;

Visits to the School are welcome at any time.For prospectus and further information or an appointment,

THE HEADMASTER, QUEEN VICTORIA SCHOOL1HJNBLANE, PERTHSHIRE. FKI5 OJY

Tel: 0131 310 2901 or 01786 822288 Fax: 0131 310 2926

West Hill ParkA great start with a great finish

West Hill Park is a co-educational Preparatory Schoolfor children from 3-13 years, Nursery, Pre-Preparatory

and Preparatory departments with boarding from 7-13.West Hill Park School

Titchfield, Fareham, Hants PO14 4BSFor a prospectus please contact the School Registrar

T: 01:329 842356K: westhilK^rmplc.co.uk

W: www.westhill.hants.sch.ukWest Mil l School 'Irusl Limited.

A company limited by jiuarantee.Rc'R. No. (,:«7.i(> Charily Res No. 30734:!

unique' (-ek).Adj. Being the only oneof its kind, having no likeor equal or parallel.Because not all schools

are the same11+ & 12+Assessment Tests

Saturday, 3rd. February, 2001For further details apply to:

The Registrar, Kelly College,Tavistock, Devon, PL 19 OHJ

Tel: 01822 813153: Fax: 01822 d12050;e-mail: KirwinC@aol.com - www.kcllycollcge.com

A Kt'!!iHt'r?J Charity whit It vxisl\ Itt pniviilf citucatiim.('burin Rrgd. Nu. 3IMK,

Navy News is Online! Visit us at www.navynews.co .uk

uk

Association

£3,000 flowsmemorialappeal T

A VETERAN destroyerman whose seven-year dreamof erecting a Royal Navy memorial on the beaches ofNormandy was clouded by funding problems, is now

NA'Y NFWS, APRIL. 2(N)l 27

in after our D~Day

almost half way to his goal since his campaign washighlighted in our January issue.

Shipmate 1 )avid ( 'ottrell ofBristol branch, %0o stinivedthe sinking of' I IMS Swill oiltile D-Day beaches. ]low has

£3.2(he(XX) he needs EviI H J '/4,to have the memorial erected Cat I lermanville-sur-Mer.With a little help from his I I I I

Swift survivor and Newport branchDavid'schairman - and 1)-Day veteranBilk. Swift of I'ortsmou t Iiappeal through Nary Nercr hasdrawn responses from RNA mem-hers and others from as far afieldis New 7.czii;tii(l and Canada.

"Two of the biggest dona-tions of £1,000 each camefrom Portsmouth City TAKING AS their example theCouncil and the Associationof RN Officers," said David. resolute words of Churchill

"And there have been many ("Give us the tools and we'll fin-donations from individuals ish the job"), RNA members are-

including S100 from an proving themselves keyHMS Swift widow in Canada,

figures in the restoration of'Rut I rind like to see more Britain's only World War II

come in from RNA brandies" destroyer HMS Cavalier.David and Frank arc now dis-

Here, one of them -Shipmate Ron

cussing arrangements for the erec-Simmonds, a member of both

lion and unveiling of the memorialwith the Mayor of I lernianville. Rayleigh and Southend branches -

who has alreadv agreed to providedisplays some of the 180 tools he

a site as well as maintenance and has donated to make work possible

lighting.on the museum ship.

But atmost L5,(KX) is still needed.and David is renewing his appeal.

"If there is a surplus it will go to Around the Brnaval charities.'' said David. "halfof it to charities in this country andhalf to those in I:raluce.''

Donations should be made outto the Normandy Memorial Fundand sent to David ('ottrell at 9'l'nda Ic Court. ('he rtscv Road.Redland. Bristol ItSÔ ÔNF

50 standardsexpected forArea's big dayDEDICATION of No 4 Area'snew standard at HMSRaleigh is expected toattract more than 500 ship-mates and guests.

At least 50 standards are

expected to be at the eventon September 9. It will takethe form of a drumheadservice. The altar will bemade up of drums of theRoyal Marines Band

Plymouth.Those planning to attend

should contact ShipmateBill Dent, 40 Essa Road,Saltash, Cornwall PL124EE.

1 11Oe:s

k

He and other members at Rayleighand Southend are helping in therestoration so that the interior ofCavalier will be ready for publicaccess at Chatham Historic Dockyardlater this year.As well as carrying out the work,

the veterans have dug deep into theirtoolboxes to donate tools in all

shapes and sizes which, after beingused in the ship, will go on publicdisplay in the engineering workshop.Ron, who served in fleet oiler

Bulawayo in the 1940s, said: "ThereIs a lot of support In the Naval asso-

ciations to help Cavalier. I love boatsand ships so I regularly go and workon her.

"Bulawayo, too, was an interestingship. She was originally a Germanoiler, the Nordmark and was seizedby the British at Copenhagen at theend of the war. She was RN-mannedand wore the White Ensign, andcould refuel at sea several ships at atime."

Alison Marsh, Curator withChatham Historic Dockyard Trust,said it was important to preserveCavalier for future generations, and:

--

.1

-'-- -'

'The donations and efforts made byRoll and his colleagues are key fac-tors in our work."

Cavalier has been at Chatham foralmost two years after a campaign tosave the ship and bring her southfrom her Tyneside berth. Built in1944, she served on Arctic convoyduty near the end of the war, and wasdecommissioned in 1972.

She will form part of a memorial atthe dockyard to the men who losttheir lives serving in Britain's 153wartime destroyers.

HanworthScotlands much-loved bard was

honoured fittingly by 12(1 ship-mates arid guests who attended aBurns Night celebration staged bythe branch.

After tile ceremony ofAddressing the I laggis, performedby guest Roll Svmc. the companytook a 'wee drain' as they sampledthe ii aegis and neaps.

FleetwoodIn recognition of his work for

the branch, its secretars. SiriprirateI). R. Serivener, w.as honouredwith life nrcriibersiiip at the annualgeneral meeting.

Shipmate Scrivener helped tofound the branch alter 44 years iiiire Sea Cadet Corps. 28 of them as

Commanding Officer of theFleetwood unit.

Meanwhile, the branch has dial-termed other branches to a seamanshipo qui/ with questionsdrawn tronrr \'olunre I of the

Seamanship Manual,

Redruth & CamborneGood food. good rnusre arid

good eonipnrrv sere enjoyed b~ all

at the branch's annual diirricrGuests included a contingent fromRN air station Culdrosc, and [lieRev Roger Burns and his wife.

Tribute was pail to standardbearer Shipmate Bob Saxbv, whoin the course of his duties paradedthe branch standard 38 times lastyear. Sadly missed was the lateShipniite Leslie Rose.Mitcham, Morden& Wimbledon

itr,nrreir rureirulner Shipmate loulight lnnnnt Inriniti that World \Var Isnuiuririnn ire ice. Cdr NormanI Inribrisik \I('. is honoured iii a bigway Dowil Under"

I )urrng a visit to New. SouthWi es. liii Called (in tile town nitI tirlbrnrok which is named after tiresribmnriric CO.

I lc discovered that there were

plans there to celebrate thecente-naryof the Royal

Navy'sSubrniarine Service in June andalso plans to build a museum.

Thanks to the lie II) given 1w CdrI tolbrnrok's widow, the townalready Iris the upper trill of theAustralian ( )beron-eiiss subma.ni ne ( )ts is svir ieh Mrs II olhrook

unveiled in 1977. tire year after herIi usba rid's death.

Cdr I loIbrnrk's Victoria Crosswas the first to be awarded to asubmariner and the first Naval V(

-

of World War I.lie carried it as a lieutenant iii

command of liNt submarine 11 11which sank a't'nirkish battleship innthe I )irdiniclles ill December1914.

LondonderryWhell

ShipmateJun Nie('leniiiiee took a iniilidi orAnnstraiui ire curie hick with niunnethan a sinritirn. When lie popped hisireid around tire juror at l'erthbraricir, Western Australia, lie vio~univ girt a warur seleorrie butpresented with :n Certificate

Comradeship by Shniprirate Is iiiI hinter.

CardiffThe branch laid up its old stan-

dard nor March IS arid dedicatedthe new irrie at St John's Church.The ceremony was preceded insmarch past led by a Royal NiaririesBand and was followed by a rcee p.tiori al ('it',' I lilt.

Naval Quirks I HOWEVER THEYWERE MOT A J.Ti-4EY WERE

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28 NAVY NEWS. APRIL 2001 www. na vynews. co.uk

Draftv: Full Time Reserve Service

Reserves needed inpeacetime and warTHE WAR Drafting

Control Office in theNaval Drafting

Directorate in CenturionBuilding is responsiblefor co-ordinating theallocation of RN activeservice and reservist rat-ing manpower to crisisand war billets.

It also administers all RoyalNavy and Royal Marines ex-regular Rating and OtherRank reservists.

And an increasingly busy aspectof the work is Full Time ReserveService (FTRS), which is managedby the section, and is the topic forthis Drafty's Corner article.

It offers attractive opportunitiesfor those who would like a short-term commitment on leaving theRegular Service.

The FTRS scheme, equallyapplicable to officers, enables ex-regular ratings and other ranks ofthe Royal Fleet Reserve (NonCommissioned) - RFR(NC) - andmembers of the Royal NavalReserve (RNR) and RoyalMarines Reserve (RMR) to volun-teer to fill gapped service billets.

It is also possible for PensionerReservists of the Recall Reserve

The War Drafting Control OfficeTHE WAR Drafting Control Office staff, located inCenturion Building (phone BT 023 9270 or Mil 93844) are:WDCO and Registrar of Reserves: Lt Cdr Nigel Parry, 2384.Asst.WDCO/Office Manager: POWWtr Tracey Newell, 2105.Office Writer: WWtr Becky Nellist, 2485.Reserve Admin RN/RM Pensioners: Pauline Bennett, 2046.RN/RM RFR (A-K): Jayne Attewell, 2253.RN/RM RFR (L-Z): Gail Brooker, 2199.RFR Annual Reporting & FTRS: Ron Harley, 2252.

(RR) to apply for FTRS, whichwould simply require transferringto the RFR(NC). Such transferwould only be permitted if anFTRS job had already been provi-sionally identified and earmarkedfor the individual.

The length of a single FTRScommitment (contract) is normallybetween three months and twoyears, with a formal agreementdrawn up between the Service andthe individual.

Reservists may subsequentlyapply for extensions or furthercommitments and FTRS preservedpension rights apply retrospective-ly once an aggregate of two years iscompleted.

Reservists can apply either ingeneral terms or for a specific bil-let, but FTRS employment will

always depend on a suitable jobbeing available and so cannot beguaranteed.

Basically, the more flexi-ble an applicant is preparedto be, the better the chanceof a commitment.Eligibility is subject to the satis-

factory completion of a full serviceMedical examination, althoughacceptance in less than Medcat P2can now exceptionally be approvedby Medical Director General(Navy).

There are three types of FTRS,called Home Commitment (HC),Limited (LC) and Full (FC), deter-mined by whether the definedduties of the job are carried out inthe one general location or involvea need for deployment.

Each case has to be decided onits merits but all sea jobs, for exam-ple, are automatically FC. The HCtype definition is nothing to dowith where the person's normalhome area is.

Basic pay rates arc as for regularpersonnel and the same for eachFTRS type, but the rate of X-Factor differs, being 0% for HC,5% for LC and the maximum of13% for FC.

Entitlement to allowances isgenerally less than for ActiveService and accommodation, forexample, will differ between FC,effectively equivalent to active ser-vice, and the two other types ofFTRS. Full details on the FTRSscheme are available on request.

There are now over 320Reservist ratings on FTRS, 60%being RNR. Females make upabout 20%, with an increasingnumber being RFR(NC). Any ex-regular female, even though shemay have had no reserve liability,should note that she may still vol-unteer for an RFR(NC) liability -if you're unsure, don't hesitate toask.

FTRS ratings are employed in awide variety of shore and sea bil-lets, in particular Communicationsand Operations support but alsoGeneral Billet jobs. InterestedJunior Rate applicants should par-ticularly note that there are now

"He wants us to order cloned reservists to fill gapped billets!"

vacancies in the area of establish-ment security.

From the Service point of view,the scheme is helping to providemanpower to Units that may oth-erwise have to accept gaps.

From the Reservist angle, thereis the obvious benefit of definedemployment without having tocommit themselves for severalyears, as well as, especially in thecase of the RNR, providing oppor-tunities for further training andexperience.

Any reservist interested inFTRS should enquire or applythrough their Reserve TrainingCentre if RNR or the Registrar ofReserves section (WDCO) ifRFR(NC) or RR.

Situations vacantCPOAEA(R) for RAF

Brampton. A shore billet atHuntington, Cambs, Supportto Engineering Authority.Required ASAP for 30months.

MEM1s. Two sea billets inPortsmouth-based OPVsHMS Alderney, and HMSAnglesey. MEMOC requiredfrom August for 21 months.

MEM1 for HMS Shoreham.A sea billet in Portsmouth-based SRMH. MEMOCrequired from August for 21months.

Incorporated by theRoyal Charter

THE

ROYAL NAVAII I A S S O C I A T I O N L»

Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEENOnce Navy, Always Navy

Reg. Char. 266982

The Royal Naval Association believes firmly that "welfare is notonly money". It offers a broad range of support to people with aRoyal Navy connection. We are 'all of one company' in helpingthe disabled, looking after the needy, cheering up the distressed,maintaining naval traditions, supporting naval cadets, enjoyingsocial activities and re-uniting shipmates. The 500 branches inthe UK and abroad offer an instant 'network' of local knowledgeand opportunities to shipmates going to live in a new place orstarting a new career.The association is for all serving and former officers, men andwomen of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, WRNS and QARNNSand their reserves.For details of RNA membership, please complete the slip below.

NAME:..................................................................................................ADDRESS: .................................................................................................................................................................... Postcode .................

SEND TO: THE GENERAL SECRETARY, ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION82, CHELSEA MANOR STREET, LONDON. SW3 5QJ

Seamanship skills wincivilian accreditationSAILORS who join theMerchant Marine when theyleave the Royal Navy will savehundreds of pounds thanks toa small team at HMS Raleigh'sSchool of Seamanship.

WO Michael Howe, CPO DavidCross and CPO Graham Gardinerhave won approval from theMaritime and Coastguard Agencyfor the School to award theEfficient Deck Hand and AbleSeaman exam certificate whichcosts civilians £380 to attain.

The qualification, based onskills taught in the Level IISeamanship Course and their sub-sequent consolidation inSeamanship Task Book 1, is amandatory requirement for certain

trades within the Merchant Marineand is an extremely valuabledocument for those wishing topersue a career in that direction.

Up to 5,000 RN personnel couldalready be eligible for the civilianqualification in addition to 1,500who pass through HMS Raleigh

each year. RNTM 14/01 gives fulldetails.

In recognition of the team'sachievement, CPO Cross waspresented with certificate numberone by Commander TrainingHMS Raleigh, Cdr JonathanWestbrook.

Final shot fired atHMS Cambridge

ADMIRAL Sir Alan West was given the honour ofconducting the final firing of a 20mm close-rangeweapon at the gunnery school HMS Cambridge.

Commander-in-Chief Fleet (left) was making a final visitto HMS Cambridge before its decommissioning on March30 after 45 years of service to the Royal Navy.

Training is being transferred from HMS Cambridge toHMS Raleigh at Torpoint, HMS Dryad at Portsmouth andHMS Collingwood at Fareham.

Between April and July the site will be prepared totransfer to Defence Lands but the 'Watchman' radarsystem, which is essential to the safe operation of FlagOfficer Sea Training, will remain at HMS Cambridge for theforeseeable future.

www. navy news. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 29

COPENHAGEN 1801: BREAKING THE DANISH EMBARGO

Nelson'shardestbattlerages onThe Battle of Copenhagen on April 2,1801 was Nelson's hardest-fought battle,in which he actually came close todefeat. It was controversial at the time -and remains so to this day. Colin White,Deputy Director of the Royal NavalMuseum, explains why:

In 1800 the Baltic wasa vital source of tradeand maritime suppliesfor Britain, worthover £3m in the prices

of the day. So when in 1801,under the influence of apro-French Russia, theBaltic states formed them-selves into an "ArmedNeutrality of the North"and placed an embargo onBritish ships, the Britishgovernment felt compelledto take action.

A special fleet was formed atGreat Yarmouth on the coastof Norfolk, under the overallcommand of Admiral Sir HydeParker, with Vice AdmiralLord Nelson as his second.

Denmark, with its key strategicposition at the entrance to theBaltic, was seen as the first targetof the expedition. However,Parker had been ordered toattempt to negotiate a settlement.So, to start with he remained withhis fleet in the Kattegat while thediplomats went to and fro - apause that gave the Danes thetime they needed to strengthentheir defences.

The negotiations failed and sothe British fleet forced its wayinto the Sound and arrived offCopenhagen itself. The plan wasto threaten the city with bom-bardment, using the special bombvessels that had accompanied thefleet, thus compelling Denmarkto negotiate.

But by now the Danes hadmoored a line of warships andblockships across the front of thecity and this would have to beremoved before any bombard-ment could take place.

The Danish line, supported bypowerful shore forts, looked for-midable - but Nelson felt confi-dent he could deal with it andParker gave him permission totry.

Nelson had noticed that theDanish line was strongest in thenorth, where it lay close to thelarge Trekroner Battery. So hedecided to attack instead fromthe south, knocking out theDanish ships in turn.

He ordered a detailed recon-naissance of the Danish line andthe shoals that surrounded it, andwent himself in one of the boatsto see the situation at first hand.He then gave a dinner for his cap-tains to tell them of his plans andfollowed this verbal briefing with

very detailed written instructions.The attack began at 9.30a.m.

on the morning of April 2, and atonce the British encounteredproblems with the complexshoals. Three out of Nelson'sforce of 12 battleships wentaground and were unable to taketheir appointed places in theattacking line.

Nevertheless, Nelson pressedon and by 11.30a.m. all the avail-able British ships were engaged,including the frigates under CaptEdward Riou, which gallantlytook on the Trckonrcr Battery

They encountered a mostdetermined resistance from theDanes and a heavy gunnery duelensued. At such close range, thecasualties were very heavy - bothsides lost over 1,000 men killedand wounded. For at least twohours the outcome of the battlehung in a delicate balance andvictory could have gone eitherway.

Meanwhile Parker was movingin slowly with the rest of the fleetfrom the north, against contrarywinds. He could see that Nelson'sforce had been reduced and thatthe Danish fire still appearedunabated, even after nearly twohours of intense fighting. So, atabout 1p.m., thinking that Nelsonmight be forced to break off theaction, he hoisted a signal order-ing him to do so.

Nelson, however, could detectthat his ships were at last begin-ning to overwhelm their gallantopponents and so, in a famoustheatrical gesture, he put a tele-scope to his blind eye and claimedthat he could not sec the signal.He also ordered that his own sig-nal for "Close Action" shouldremain flying.

Half an hour later, the Danishfire began to slacken and by2.30p.m. all the ships in the centreof their line had surrendered orwithdrawn, leaving a huge gap.

However, the Daneswere still able toreinforce their shipsfrom the shore. Asthe fresh defenders

arrived, they refused to allow theBritish to take possession of someof the surrendered ships andshowed signs of wanting to con-tinue the battle. So both the southand north ends of the lineremained in action.

Nelson responded by sending amessage ashore under a flag oftruce addressed to "The Brothersof Englishmen, the Danes". In it,he said he would be reluctantlyforce to burn the captured ships if

Bomb vessels in action: the Battle of Copenhagen by William Sadler.the firing did not cease.

When a reply came back fromthe Danish Crown Prince ques-tioning his intentions, Nelsondeclared that his object washumanity, springing from a gen-uine desire to avoid any furtherunnecessary bloodshed. He urgedthe Prince to agree to anArmistice.

The Prince agreed to a formalcease-fire and negotiations beganin which Nelson played a promi-nent role.

Nelson's famous message hasattracted much controversy and isstill regarded by some Danish his-torians as a questionable ruse deguerre. But Nelson always insistedthat humanity had indeed beenhis first object. Certainly, his cre-dentials are strong, since he wasusually a humane man andfamously prayed for "humanityafter victory" just beforeTrafalgar.

But he was also con-scious that the defeatof the Danes was butthe first step in a muchbigger campaign and,

during the negotiations, hefrankly admitted that he wantedto gain time to move up the Balticand deal with the Russians, whohe saw as the main foe.

In fact, no such extension ofthe campaign was required, sincethe pro-French Tsar Paul hadbeen assassinated on March 24.When news of the battle reachedBritain, Parker was recalled andNelson placed in chief command.Without Paul's influence, theArmed Neutrality began to dis-solve and by the middle of JuneBritish trade in the Baltic wasflowing freely once again.

But tension between theBritish and Danes broke outagain in 1807 and another fleet,accompanied by an army, wassent to Copenhagen. This timethe city itself was bombarded,with much damage to propertyand the loss of many civilian lives.

To this day, many Danes stillconfuse the two events andbelieve, wrongly, that Nelsonburned their capital city - thusadding further to the controversythat still surrounds the hardest-fought of all his great battles.

Q HMS Cardiff is to representthe Royal Navy at a series of eventsin Denmark to commemorate theBattle of Copenhagen on its 200thanniversary.

The Portsmouth-based Type 42destroyer will berth at Copenhagenfrom March 28 to April 3 where the

ship's company, 45 Royal MarinesBandsmen and DeputyCommander-in-Chief Fleet ViceAdmiral Sir Fabian Malbon willtake part in a service of remem-brance. Before departing forPortsmouth on April 3, HMSCardiff will join a multi-national

flotilla in a steam-past for theQueen of Denmark. A report andpictures will appear in the nextissue.

A special conference to mark theanniversary will be held inPortsmouth on Saiurdav. May 19.Historians from Britain and

Denmark will attempt to resolvesome of the questions that still sur-round the battle.

For details, contact CarolyneHeneghan at the Royal NavalMuseum on 023 9272 7565. Email:carolyne. heneghan @ royalnavalmu-seum.org

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30 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. navy news. co. uk

At Your Leisure

The CENTENARY YEAR of theROYAL NAVY SUBMARINE SERVICE

1901-2001

Royal NavalPhilatelic SocietH.M.Naval BasePortsmouth

Resurfaced:'A DamnedUn-EnglishWeapon'ORIGINALLY published in 1970 and long out of print,Edwyn Gray's classic A Damned Un-English Weapon hasnow been re-issued as British Submarines at War 1914-

Submariners get doublestamp of approvalTHE ROYAL Mail pays its own tribute to the RN

Submarine Service this month, with a special set offour stamps to mark its centenary issued on April 10.

Mark Thomson, managing director Royal Mail stamps and col-lectibles, told Navy News it was being done in honour of the morethan 600 British submarines that have patrolled and protected thewaters of the world over the past 100 years - earning 14 VictoriaCrosses in the process.

"Our aim is to celebrate the most significant developments inthe history of this unique service, and at the same time capturethe immense power, heroism and endurance of submarines," saidMr Thomson.

The four stamps, designed by Dick Davis, are as follows:J 2nd Class - Vanguard-class Trident missile submarines, the

latest developed class in service.U 1st Class - Swiftsure-class, a typical Cold War period subma-

rine.LJ 45p stamp - U-class, a small but highly-successful World War

II design, mainly employed to great effect in the Mediterranean.LJ 65p stamp - Holland-class, the Royal Navy's first submarine

adopted in 1901.A presentation pack will be available, priced £1.95, and a First

Day Cover and it is planned to issue a further set of submarine-related stamps and a special stamp book in October

You can win framed sets of the April 10 issue stamps by enter-ing our competition (see below).

Meanwhile, the RN Philatelic Society is issuing its own cover tomark the centenary (see above). Each will contain a text sheet by

Cdr Jeff Tall, Director of the RN Museum and four double-sidedphotocards depicting the 14 RN Submarine Service VCs.

There will be seven categories of this limited edition cover, fiveof which will be signed. For details contact the RNRS on 023 92820921. Also ask for details of special covers to mark the bicente-nary of the Battle of Copenhagen, 'HMS Jersey Through the Ages'and the International Festival of the Sea.

• An exhibition to mark the centenary of the Submarine Servicewill open at the Imperial War Museum on April 12. Visitors will beable to experience the life of a submariner in a number of hands-on models aimed particularly at children who will receive anaccompanying activity sheet.

1918 (Leo Cooper £19.95).The book tells how the

Submarine Service won itsspurs following its introduc-tion in 1901 in the face ofopposition from virtually everyflag officer in the Fleet.

The dedicated enthusiasts whomade up the crews were derided asmembers of 'The Trade' - hut theyfought the Edwardian NavalEstablishment as fiercely as theywere later to fight the enemy andvictory was their reward on bothoccasions.

Death and disaster came inmany guises in those days - mine-fields, explosive nets, surfaceships, U-boats, shore batteries,Zeppelins as well as human errorand ever-present equipment fail-ure.

Freshly illustrated, this editionis issued to mark the SubmarineService's centenary. It tells howthe first five submarine VCs werewon; how RN submarines ruledthe Baltic from 1916-18 andwreaked mayhem against Turkishshipping in the land-locked Sea ofMarmora; and how the notoriousK-class steam-powered boatsclaimed 135 lives in 12 monthswithout any enemy assistance. . .

Battleshipscomes outon video

CHANNEL 4's epic ser-ies The Battleships,exploring the rapid evo-lution of firepower andbattleship design fromHenry VIM's Mary Rosethrough to the Gulf War,is released on video byDelta as four individualvideos priced at £7.99or as a double video boxset containing all fourepisodes at £15.99.

Alternatively a DVD ofthe entire series is avail-able with extras of aphotogallery anddetailed battleshipinformation, priced£19.99.

WIN! - WIN! - WIN!SUBMARINE CENTENARY

STAMP COMPETITION

To celebrate the centenary of the Submarine Service the Royal Mailis to issue a superb set of commemorative stamps. Here is yourchance to be a proud owner of one of these presentation packs. /

Simply answer the question below and post your entry to:- cXJNavy News/Royal Mail Competition, Navy News, HMS Nelson, Queen Street,Portsmouth, Hants P01 3HH to arrive no later than Friday 4th May 2001.

The first 10 entries randomly selected will receive the framed set and250 runners up will receive the standard Royal Mail issue of stamps.These special issue stamps will he released for sale on 10th April. To

O _ place an order or to gel further information phoneJ the Royal Mail customer line on 08457 641641

Question: How many Victoria Crosses have been awarded tosubmariners in the last 100 years?

Answer:..........................................................................................Name: ............................................................................................Address: .........................................................................................

Post Code: ........................... Tel No.:............................................The Editors' decision is final. Employees and relatives of Navy News are ineligible to enter

Home fromhomey 1898

The Captain's cabin in the cruiser HMS Powerful c.1898.In an effort to give it a domestic feel, he has furnished itwith a campaign pedestal desk, slip-covered chairs,chintz curtains, potted plants, bookcases, oil paintingsand framed photographs.

- From British Campaign Furniture by Nicholas A. Brawer(Abrams £30).

www. navy news. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 31

At Your Leisure

THE FACE OF THE ENEMYSIERRA Leone has set our Armed Forces some stiff problems lately - notably the spectacular rescue reported inour October 2000 issue of eleven hostages held by the West Side Boys, described as one of the most daring oper-ations of recent years.

The Royal Marines arrested several members of the notorious WSB faction - renegades high on drugs and alco-hol who would fight alongside the Sierra Leone Army one day and the opposition Revolutionary Front the next.

Armed with an assortment of British, American and Russian weapons, they were responsible for some of theappalling injuries inflicted on women and children in Freetown prior to the arrival of British troops.

This picture is taken from Commando -The Illustrated History of Britain's Green Berets (Sutton £25), in which DavidReynolds tells the story of one of the UK's elite Special Forces from 1942 to the present day, including conflicts inCyprus, the Falklands and Northern Iraq.

IT IS 100 years since SirWilliam White retired asDirector of NavalConstruction. He hadheld the post for 16 years

during which time, David K.Brown suggests in Warship2000-2001 (Conway £30) heshowed himself to be perhapsthe greatest warship designerever.

HMS Renown (1895) may beseen as the definitive White battle-ship, he writes, her armour mark-ing a great advance over previousdesigns.

"Her armour belt was Sin of thenew Harvey cemented armour,equivalent to twelve and three-quarter inches of compound. Themiddle deck, level with the top ofthe belt, was 2in thick but the pro-tective deck was sloped down atthe sides, 3in thick, to support thebottom of the belt.

"The great advantage of thisarrangement was that any shellpenetrating the belt would meetthe deck at 45 degrees and almostcertainly fail. This arrangementbecame standard in most naviesuntil the end of the Second WorldWar; one of the last ships with thisstyle of protection was theBismarck, where it was fairly suc-cessful at close range."

As DNC White was responsiblefor 43 vattleships, 26 armouredcruisers, 21 first class protectedcruisers, 48 second class, 33 thirdclass and 74 other warships.

They were, says Brown, "thebest ships of the day, a statementwhich is justified by the frequencywith which they were copied, par-ticularly by UK commercial yardsbuilding for export."

"One may see the Russo-Japanese war as fought between aJapanese fleet whose major vesselswere largely copies of White's fleetand a Russian fleet of Frenchstyle."

White: theall-timegreatestdesigner?

Other features in the latest Victorian Navy; German Type IIWarship annual include studies on submarines at war; and thethe last British ironclads; attacks "Weapon" and Gallant-classon hospital ships; Australia's destroyers.

Renown

• Sir William White (1845-1913) and his design for the armour inHMS Renown - an arrangement used in the Royal Navy up to theend of World War I and in World War II by the Bismarck.

ScreenScene - by Bob Baker

Thirteen days thatshook the worldOCTOBER 1962. In the UK the

Tornados were top of the chartswith Tel.itar while in the cinemasTom Courtcnay was a rebelliousteenager experiencing The

Loneliness of the Loni> Distance Runner.Meanwhile in Cuba, Soviet technicians were

installing nuclear missile bases at various strategicpoints, and in Washington the mil i tary and politicalestablishment was getting very nervous indeed.

The anxiety became global when news of the situa-tion emerged, and for almost a fortnight the spectre ofa third and probably final world war haunted every-one's thoughts.

Thirteen Days tells the story of the crisis from theWhite House perspective. Though based on a book oftranscripts (The Kennedy Tapes) the film does the smartthing, entertainment-wise, by placing a fictional char-acter at its centre - a senior presidential aide played byKevin Kostner (Costncr, it will be recalled, alsostarred in JFK, about the Dallas assassination a yearon down the line from the events depicted here).

It's probably not spoiling the plot to disclose thatcatastrophe was averted and global annihilation post-poned. But the tug of war between hawks and doves,with bitter confrontations in smoke-filled rooms, thecomings and goings of tight-lipped diplomats, the ulti-matums, the last-minute interventions, all make forgripping viewing.

In an interesting cast, Bruce Greenwood as JFK wasevidently picked for his gravitas rather than for any

resemblance to the late president, but Costner's famil-iar, reassuring presence ensures that the twists andturns of the drama always have a human face.

It's probably true that the mill ions who spent those13 days distracting themselves by listening to theTornados or watching Tom Courtenay lose his big racenever really felt that an atomic holocaust would beunleashed. And of course they were right. But all thesame, it seems to have been a close-run thing.

There's undoubtedly a f i lm to be made - though apretty depressing one it would be - about the lives ofthe asylum seekers and/or economic migrants who arcpiling up in English coastal towns. Last Resort isn'tquite it, since the predicament of Tanya and her ten-year-old son is primarily the result of being dumped byher English boyfriend; calculation doesn't enter into it.

Nevertheless, Tanya and litt le Artiom find them-selves enmeshed in the complicated bureaucracy ofimmigration procedures, and are placed in a holdingarea in the fictional seaside town of Stonchavcn (any-one who has paddled at Margate will quickly identifythe locations).

Holiday resorts in desolate midwinter are usuallylike a preview of hell and "Stonehaven", with itsaggressive teenagers and scafront porn merchants isdown there with the worst of them.

But the picture isn't as bleak as that. Tanya's friend-ship with Alfie, a scruffy amusement arcade worker, istender and touching, so there's a happy ending ofsorts. It runs for a mere hour-and-a-quarter, offering alesson in brevity which many a higher-priced projectcould benefit from.

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THE ILLUSTRIOUS AND IMPLACABLECLASSES OF AIRCRAFT CARRIER

1940-1969By Neil McCart

For the first time in one volume, here are thecomprehensive histories of the six fleet

aircraft carriers which dominated the Royal Navy's aviation between 1940 andthe early 1950s; Illustrious, Formidable, Victorious, Indomitable,Indefatigable and Implacable. The career of each vessel is described in detail,with plenty of photographs. Hardback, with laminated dust jacket.Price £23 plus p&p. ISBN 1 901225 04 6Also Still Available:HMS EAGLE 1942-1978 (Hardback) £18.95 plus p&pHMS VICTORIOUS 1937-1969 (Hardback) £21.00 plus p&pHMS CENTAUR 1943-1972 (Hardback) £16.95 plus p&pTHREE ARK ROYALS 1938-1999 (Hardback) £23.00 plus p&pTIGER, LION & BLAKE 1942-1986 (Hardback) £21.50 plus p&pSS CANBERRA 1957-1997 (Hardback) £21.00 plus p&pPlease add £2.5(1 p&p for Ihc UK & F.U or £4.(KI lor worldwide surface mail. Payment bysterling eheque. postal order, or by VISA/MASTERCARD. Telephone/Fax orders welcomed.

From FAN PUBLICATIONS. 17 Wymans Lane, Cheltenham. Olos OL51 9QA.Tel/Fax 01242 580290. or order from good bookshops.

Navy News is Online! - Visit us at www.navynews.co.uk

32 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. na vynews. co. uk

At Your ServiceOver to You

25th Oman! Anniversary Medal: Can any-one help Mick Newby find a replacementmedal, which was issued in 1990. ContactMick at Traden', 51, Thames Haven Road,Corringham, Essex. SS17 7QJ, tel: 01375361139 or e-mail: micketraden.co.uk

HMS Centaur 1959-60: Jim Pike wouldlike to beg, borrow or buy a copy of the bookof the commission as he has lost his owncopy. Contact Jim at 17, Twickenham Rd,Newton Abbot TQ12 4JE, tel: 01626 330699or e-mail: james@jpike17.1reeserve.co.uk

RNAS Worthy Down near Winchester:Tony Dowland seeks info about this air sta-tion, in FAA use 1939-1959/60, when knowninitially as HMS Kestrel and latterly as HMSAriel. There is a lack of info on the immediatepost-war years, and Tony wants toi hear fromanyone with knowledge of the place 1939-1960, or with documents or photos to copy,details of units and and other relevant info.Contact Tony at 7, Meadowland,Kingsworthy, Winchester SO23 7LJ or e-mail: tdowland@compuserve.com

Blue Jackets: L. Young would like toobtain a photo of the RN Blue Jacket Band,Pompey Barracks 1953. Contact him on0161 428 6590, e-mail: l.young@cwctv.net

HMML 2582: Berry Vissers seeks info onWilliam James Johnson, only survivor of thisincident on June 5, 1952. He was saved by aDutch fisherman. Contact Berry, Bermershof257, 5403 WV Uden, The Netherlands or e-mail: bvissers@tret.nl

HMS President. CPO M. Weight isresearching to write a book to commemorate100 years of London Division RNR. if you canmake a contribution please contact CPOWeight at HMS President, London DivisionRNR, St Katherines Way, London E1W ILIQor e-mail: Wilmsey@aot.com

HMS Fiji: A website for the HMS FijiAssociation has been launched and can befound at http://www.hmsfiii.onweb.cx Moredetails from Ronald Bennett by e-mail:mr.bennett@ronalds-place.fsnet.co.uk

HMS St Brides Bay Association: AlanMathieson (alan.mathieson@tesco.netiwould like other associations of ships built byHarland and Wolff to know that a local muse-um, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum,Cultra, Holywood, Co. Down BT18 OEU. e-mail: t.kenneth.anderson@talk21.com, canprovide photographs of various launchings.

HMS Royal Oak, hockey team 1929-32:Alan Blay has a photo of the team, whichincludes the Captain, C. G. Ramsey. In it isLS Sturgess, who Mr Blay believes to be arelative. Does anyone know anything aboutthis man? Contact Alan Blay, 'Les Terrasses',30, Abbots Lane, Kenley, Surrey CRS 5JH.

HMS Alert: Elizabeth Goumas is trying totrace a cousin, lan Grainger, who served inHMS Astute during the Korean War. If youknow of him, contact Elizabeth at 32,Mansfield Rd, Croydon CR2 6HN.

HMS Lord Wakefield FY170: Does any-one have a photo of this trawler, requisi-tioned in 1939 for anti-submarine work, andbombed and sunk off the Normandy beach-es July 29, 1944? Any information, includingplace and date of build, welcome. ContactWilf Haggar, 16, Tinabrook Close, IpswichIP29JG, tel: 01473 681471.

HMS HERMES192O AND 1959Did you serve in these ships?Author Neil McCart is researching abook that will detail the careers ofboth aircraft carriers and he wouldlike to hear from anyone who cancontribute; memories, photographs

and commission books.Please contact Neil McCart,

17 Wymans Lane, Swindon Village,Cheltenham, Clos CL51 9QA

William McPherson Mathieson: WilliamMathieson seeks a portrait photograph of hislate father, taken around the 1950s. He alsohas photos of the following and their familiesthat he could possibly exchange: MichaelAndrew O'Keefe, Stan Wiseman, ErnestDrabel, Ralph Warburton, 'Scottie' and'Ginger', taken 1947-late 60s on shipsaround the world. Contact William at 128,Netherhill Rd, Gallowhill, Paisley PAS 4SB.

RN Submarine L55, AB A. Clarkson:G.J. Wilkinson seeks info on this vessel andthe seaman. The inscription appears on amemorial at Wales, Rotherham, South Yorks.Contact G.J. Wilkinson, 135, Broom ValleyRd, Broom, Rotherham S60 2QX.

HMS Tnanet: Can anyone help a womanin Newfoundland who lost two brothers serv-ing in the RN during WWII? One, MiltonAlbert McGrath was serving in the Thanetwhen she was sunk by the Japanese inJanuary 1942. His sister never knew whatbecame of him - was he a POW? Does any-one remember him? Write to T.G. Shirley, 20,Woodands Ave, Walton, Stone, Staffs.

HMS Stannergate - HMS Condor II,seaplane base, Dundee 1914-18 and 1939-45: lain Buik seeks info and photos of thisbase on the River Tay - anything on COs,pilots, aircrew, Service personnel andsquadron details gratefully received. Alsoinfo on RNAS East Scryne, Carnoustie.Contact lain at 13, Balmedie Drive, DundeeDD4 8PG, tel: 01382 506068.

HMRML 498: Dale Van Blair, a former USairman picked up by the crew of RML 498 onApril 29, 1944, would like to contact crewmembers and obtain records and photos ofthat time. Contact A. E. Rowe on 01822854650, or e-mail a.e.r@btinternet.com

HMS Cochrane: R. Baker has a photo ofHMS Cochrane taken aft, showing threesailors on the jetty. The picture was used asa Christmas card for relatives in 1945.Although Mr Baker did not know the sailorshe would like to know if they are still around,and send them a copy of the photo. ContactR. Baker, 14, Saumarez Street, St Peter Port,Guernsey GY1 2PT, tel: 01481 720058.

HMS Goathland: Ex-Yeoman of SignalsGeorge Boxall wants to hear from any mem-ber of the ship's company who served in herin 1944. Contact George at 43, The Fairway,Dymchurch, Romney Marsh TN29 OQG, tel:01303874383.

Model maker/researcher Peter Williamswould like to talk to anyone who served inBangor-class minesweepers, as he isstarting a model of HMS Llandudno. ContactPeter at 18, Station Rd, Frimley, CamberleyGU165HF, tel: 01276 61669.

HMS Ulster D23,25th Destroyer Flotilla1944-46: G.W. Robinson seeks info of hermovements after repairs at Leyte, followingbomb damage, in April 1945 to September1945, and would like to hear from any of theship's company at that time. Contact him at56, Barringtons, Button Rd, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 SNA, tel: 01702 467247.

Maureen Salt seeks info about WilliamStill, who was a gunnery officer duringWWII, serving in the Far East and the Med.He is believed to have lived in HunterswayWest, Gillingham, up to the 1950s. Hisdaughter, Miriam was born on January 19,1938, and his wife was called Ellen (neeHumphreys). Contact Maureen at 7, ChurchSt, Madeley, Telford TF7 5BW, tel: 01952588075.

HMS Redoubt: Don Furnival's sisterIrene Conduit, of Manchester, seeks infoabout her brother, last known to be in theBarry area of Wales. Contact Major J. Lodge,The Royal Yeomanry, Cavalry House, Dukeof Yorks, Headquarters, London SW3 4SC.

HMS Bangor 1940-46: Minesweeper,built by Harland and Wolff, lent to the RopyalNorwegian Navy and renamed Glomma. TheExecutive Officer of today's HMS Bangorseeks pictures - write to Lt Quiver, HMSBangor, BFPO 222, e-mail guiverthediv-er@hotmail.com

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The Naval Reunion Specialist2 days DBB £61.50 pp . 3 days DBB £81.50 pp

_____(prices include Banquet meal)_____We have over many years been associated with the Royal Navy, holding Reunions for:

HMS EXETER, HMS SHEFFIELD, HMS NEWFOUNDLAND, HMS TENBY,HMS ARETHUSA, HMS CUMBERLAND, TON CLASS ASSOCIATION.

CASTLE CLASS CORVETTE ASSOCIATION and the PLYMOUTH RNA.

The Trecarn has 136 En-Suite bedrooms with colour TV, tea making facilities, and canaccommodate up to 250 Guests, The hotel has a large Dining Room that can hold up to 300

Guests, as well as two spacious Ballrooms and Bar areas, ideal for any associationregardless of its membership size.

For Information please contact:BRYAN PITMAH - GENERAL MAHAGER TEL: 01803 329292

Travel Insurance?

NAAFI financial

on: 00800 76 76 77 77 (free from theUK & Germany) Or drop into your localNAAFI Financial Centre

ReunionsApril

HMS Excalibur "Swordsman Association"reunion, April 7 at RNA Royal LeamingtonSpa. Details from George on 0151 625 1432or e-mail george@grose.freeserve.co.uk

FAA Armourers reunion in Coventry overthe weekend of April 7. Three nights B&B andEM, gala dinner and dance, E89 the wholeweekend. Details from Mick Holdsworth,Aylesham Lodge, Adisham Rd, Barham,Canterbury CT4 6EY, tel 01227 832826.

Sherborne RNA Hospital reunion at TheSwan, Cheap Street, Sherborne on April 28at 12.30. Staff and ex-patients welcome.Contact Mrs Doris Scholefield, TheBungalow, Augustus Rd, Hockliffe, LeightonBuzzard LU7 9NF, tel 01525 210867.

MayCaptain Walker's Old Boys Association

reunion and dinner at Bootle, Merseyside,May 4-6. Details from Pat Marsh on 0151 7222080.

HMS Tenby (F65 and J34) reunion fromMay 4-7 at the Trecarne Hotel. Babbacombe.Contact Phil Rowe on 0161 7477325 or RoyTapping on 01202 255192 or e-mail: rk.tap-ping@talk21.com

HMS Warrior 1946-58 reunion May 4-6 atthe Home Club, Portsmouth. Contact JohnCarr, 91, Westley Rd, Acocks Green,Birmingham B27 7UW, tel: 0121 624 4964.

HMS Concord Association reunion atHMS Nelson from May 4-6. Details fromPeter Lee-Hale. 53, Sheiburne Rd, Calne,Wiltshire SN11 SET, tel/fax: 01249 811405 ormobile: 07949 816640.

HMS Emerald Association reunion atthe Union Jack Club, Waterloo, London, onMay 5. Contact Colin Houlday, ChurchHouse, West St, Flamborough, East YorksYO151PH, tel: 01262851279.

HMS Fisgard Association: The inaugur-al Northern Area luncheon reunion is at theCivil Service Club, Rosyth, on May 5. Oldboys of HMS Fisgard or Fisgard Squadron(HMS Raleigh) wishing to attend should con-tact Des Goodwin, 36, Southbrook Rd,Langstone, Havant PO9 1RN, tel: 023 92472384. Members of the Old Caledonia ArtificerApprentice's Association also invited.

Sth Atlantic Medal Association 1982reunion and AGM at the Oblenski Suite,Twickenham rugby stadium before the RN vArmy match, May 5. Details: Denzil Connick,01495227577, e-mail densama9aol.com

HMS Myngs 1943-54 reunion, HomeClub on May 8 in conjunction with Z-classDestroyer Association. Contact AlecBernasconi on 023 9266 2487 or PeteAckroyd on 01934 822207.

HMS Attacker 879/886 Squadrons FAAand ship's company, also Carrier Borne AirLiaison Sections serving with squadrons1942-45: reunion on May 10. Details from R.Phillis, 243, Kempshott Lane, BasingstokeRG22 5NB, tel 01256 321678.

HMS Bigbury Bay 1945-1959 reunionfrom May 11-14 in Bournemouth. ContactRoy Ashton, 5, Priest Ave, Canterbury CT28PJ, tel: 01227 456296.

Old Caledonia Artificer Apprentices'Association reunion at the Trecarn Hotel,Babbacombe, from May 11-14. Details fromRon Emerson (0161 449 9259) or GeoffGrigg (01752 769580).

RN Commando Association reunionand AGM at the Nautical Club, Birminghamon May 12-13. Details from R.J. Lawrence,18, Crane Drive, Verwood, Dorset BH316QB, tel: 01202 825880.

HMS Diadem Association reunion onMay 12 at the Queens Hotel, Southsea.Contact Peter Burnand on 01243 864680.

LOG & F Association reunion at theHome Club, Portsmouth, from May 15-17.Rededication service on May 17th, MemorialRose Garden, RM Museum, Eastney, at11am. Contact Vernon Copeland on 02476451645 or M. Alien on 01933 381163.

HMS Royalist Association reunion May18-20, Stretton Hotel. Blackpool. ContactGeorge Craddock, 103 Broadmeadow Lane,Birmingham B30 3PB, tel: 0121 458 5621, orPat Quaife, 023 8076 7756.

HMS Arethusa Association service andtree dedication, National Memorial Arbore-tum, Alrewas, Staffs on May 20 at 11am.Details: Tom Sawyer, tel: 01924 848191,e-mail: tom@sawyer76.lreeserve.co.uk

JuneTS Exmouth/LNTS Association reunion

from June 1 -3 at Lydney, Glos. Details fromJohn Goddard, 88, Rareridge Lane, BishopsWaltham, Southampton SO32 1DX. tel:01489 894826.

HMS Sparrow reunion June 1-4 at theRoyal Hotel, Great Yarmouth. Contact GeoffMiddleton on 01562 700689 for details.

HMS Verulam reunion for R28, F29 ship-mates at the Home Club, Portsmouth, onJune 2. Details from Chris Williams on 01621

At your Service entriesI Notices for this page should be

brief, clearly written or typed andaddressed to - The Editor, NavyNews, HMS Nelson. Portsmouth.P01 3HH or email:edit@navynews.co.uk. If you aresending your notice in via email,please include your full addressand telephone number.• Reunions appear in date order,and requests to place an entry in aparticular edition cannot be guar-anteed.• Please send in Reunions atleast three months (preferablyfour) before the month of theevent.• There may be a delay beforeitems appear, due to the volume ofrequests.• Entries are free to non-commer-cial organisations. Items pertain-ing to commercial work, booksand publications for profit canonly appear as paid-for advertis-ing.• The Editor reserves the right toedit or refuse publication of sub-mitted notices.• Space does not allow us toaccept more than one free insert.Any subsequent notice will haveto be paid for at advertising rates.

816207 after 6pm.HMS Bicester L34 1942-56 or M36: All

commissions reunion at Littlebury Hotel.Church End. Bicester, Oxon, on June 2.Contact Dave Braybrook, 32, Trinity Grove,Bengeo. Herts SG14 3HB, or tel: 01992583272. All Hunt-class or Bicester RNAassociates are welcome.

HMS Speaker reunion, BirminghamNautical Club, June 2-3. Details from N.Jones, 36, Quantock Court, SouthEsplanade, Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset TAS1DL, tel 01278 785905.

10th Destroyer Flotilla 1943-45 andTribal-class Destroyer 1939-45 will be inFrance from June 4-7. Hotel in Omaha area,tours to Bayeux and Arromanches. There arestill some vacancies. Send an SAE to J. Bull,4, Pearls Close, Beckton, East Ham, LondonE6 5QY.

Central Flying School (Helicopters)Squadron: Helicopter Instructors reunion atRAF Shawbury on June 6-7 to mark 25 yearsin its present home. The event will centrearound a 'Hangar Party' and is open to allmembers of the helicopter arm of the instruc-tional 'brotherhood' (QHI/QHNI/QHCI) whohave graduated from or been staff membersof CFS(H). Details from Lt Cdr GeoffStephenson, CFS(H), RAF Shawbury on01939 250351 ext 7534/7382 (MOD: 955317534/7382).

RN/RM Memorial: Service of remem-brance at Ouistreham at 1100 on June 6 inhonour of those who gave their lives, con-nected with landing ships, craft and barges.All welcome including standards. Details fromMaurice Hillebrandt on 01395 442800.

Pembroke '84 Club: Warrant Officer andSenior Rate Steward's reunion (serving andex-serving) in the WOs and SRs Mess. HMSRaleigh, June 8. Details from WOSTD N.H.Titley, Wardroom House Manager, HMSNelson, 161:02392724261.

HMS Solebay reunion at the Home Club.Portsmouth, on June 16. Contact MalcolmClarke, 164, Southmead Rd, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS10 5DR, tel: 0117 962 2500or e-maii: solebay@tosd.demon.co.uk

HMS Auckland (Tobruk 1941): Serviceof Remembrance at the Naval War

Memorial, Southsea, on June 23 at 1430.Contact Jim Bennett on 023 9237 9730.

RN Medical Laboratory Technicians &Pathologists Reunion Dinner, open to for-mer and currently serving Naval LaboratoryTechnicians and Pathologists, in the WOs &SRs Mess, RH Haslar, June 23. Numberslimited to 60 and allocated on first-come,first-served basis. Details from LACCMT(L) KMacey, Health Studies Division, VulcanBlock, RDMC, Fort Blockhouse. GosportPO12 2AB, tel: 023 92765443 (work) 02392423809 (home), e-mail:kevinmacey@aoi.com

HMS Brecon (L76) 1942/45 reunionweekend June 29 to July 1 at Stretton Hotel,Blackpool. Details from Doug Stevens, 29,Horselers, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9UH, tel:01442251839.

Royal Naval Old Comrades Club,Eastbourne: 50th anniversary celebrationson June 30. Current and ex-members areinvited, plus all RNA/RMA, current or ex-ser-vicemen/women. Details from Murray 'Muzz'Wakefield on 01323 643311 or 07775834615, or contact him via e-mailat murraywakefield@hotmail.com

JulyHMS Glasgow reunion on July 7 at HMS

Nelson. Contact Hobbo atpauldh_ uk @ yahoo.com

AugustHMS Actaeon (South Atlantic) 1946-53

reunion at Leicester Senior Service Club,August 10-12. Ship's company to ringGeorge (Ginger) Brandon on 0116 267 3755.

BRNC Dartmouth 1959-61 reunion pro-grammed for August 10-12 at BRNC for Termwho joined May 1959 and left July 1961, andassociated RMYO 21 and RAN Entry mem-bers. Any Term member interested contactN.J.B. Morrison asap at Velden, YeolandDown, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6BY, tel/fax01822 853320, e-mail: n/bmorrison@com-puserve.com

HMS Suffolk Association reunion at theFalcon Hotel, Stratford-on-Avon (01789

Calling Old ShipmatesCalling Stephen Colin Birkett and anyoneelse who served with Mick Rutherford in HMShips Ganges, Crossbow, Anzio andManxman 1959-69. Contact Mick at 46,Skye Edge Rd, Sheffield S2 5HB, tel: 0114276 8265, e-mail: crossbow10@hotmait.com

HMS Newcastle Association now wel-comes anyone who ever served in an HMSNewcastle, whatever year or commission,including the current destroyer. Details fromRay Young, 109, Westernmoor, Washington,TyneandWearNE371LT.

•Ex-POCT(L) 'Spider' Kelly seeks opposfrom the Service, particularly Graeme'Paddy' Leslie, Gareth 'Sharkey' Ward orDave 'Wendy' Craig. Please e-mail dar-ren @gateshead100. freeserve. co. uk.

HMS Marne: Ben Claxton served in HMSMarne in 1943 and is keen to contact his oldshipmates. Contact his son at 20, Elm TreeWalk, Tring HP23 5EJ, tel: 01442 381117, ore-mail: mick.ctaxton@ntlworld.com

HMS Royal Arthur, Skegness, thenHMS Scotia, Troon and HMS Valkyrie,Douglas, l.of.M. Class 175 Telegraphistcourse 1943. Instructor CPO Brooks - ClassLeader Peter Holt; deputy William Fisher,also, Sandy Laurie, Bernard Langton, JimWolverson, Jeff Tolley et al. E.T.R Joneswould like to contact former members ofClass 175. Tel: 01452 504062, e-mail:et.iones9lineone.net or write to E.T.R.Jones, 5, Waters Reach, Hempsted Lane,Hempsted, Glos GL2 5GN.

Fred Gumbleton hopes to hear fromshipmates who served with him whilst in theRN, in particular, Dave (Oggie) Alien, whojoined as an Artificer in the 743 intake.Contact Fred at 2, Cherbourg Grove, PortKennedy, Western Australia WA6172, or e-mail: fgumbleton@anaconda.com.au

Hong Kong Flotilla: Peter Yeates seekshis National Service shipmates who weredrafted to the Hong Kong Flotilla in 1955-1957, arriving January 1, 1956 aboardEmpire Clyde from Liverpool: Hugh Mannfrom Dundee, Nasmyth-Miller, Patrick Wilsonof Shirehampton, Bristol, also the crew ofHMML 3510: Lt De Bere Gibbs, Herrity,Conolly, Rushbrook, Thurston. Tooze andSnow. Contact Peter, who after 45 years isanxious to reunite with his shipmates, at 41,Riverside Way, Bristol BS15 3TF, tel: 01179602898, e-mail: Yatesee@btinternet.com

HMS Danae: Graham Baldry seeks mem-bers of the flight crew of HMS Danae 1975-1977-ish, including Mike Boland and DaveHowse, plus Fitz Fitton, Dave Stevenson,Dave Austin, Keith Masino and Graham's oldmate Billy Briggs (the aircrewman). Grahamis in contact with Frank Yeatman and BogeyKnight. Contact Graham at 6, White RoseWalk, Cambridge CB4 3XQ, tel: 01223573310 ,or graham.baldry@ntlworld.com

HMS Excalibur (Alsager) July-September 1946: Seeking Bernard Hill.Lofty Bemmer, Charlie Seath, Ginger Hicks,Paddy Blacoe, Patrick Noyce, Ginger Burl,Ray Lapping, Fred Gartside, Frank Hall,Geordie Oliver, Wally Dearden, Jack Duffel,Blondie Leach, Stebbings, Wilks, WishyDunn, Phipps and Bogey Knight. ContactGeorge Rose on 0151 625 1432 or e-mailgeorge @grose. freeserve. co. uk

HMS Whitesand Bay: Jeff Johnsonseeks anybody who served in HMSWhitesand Bay during the Korean War.Contact Jeff at 32. Sussex House, ChaltonSt, London NW1 1RB, tel: 0207 380 0243 ore-mail: jerf@jiohnson7.fsnet.co.uk

HMS Fisgard: It is hoped to hold areunion in the Plymouth area for serving orex-serving RN personnel at HMS Fisgardbetween January 1979 and Spring 1980. AllArtificers, NCOs Instructors and officers wel-come. Contact Alan Ede, (79/1 entry), 01752214732 or e-mail alanede@eurobelt.co.uk orColin Craven. (80/1 entry), 01752 318456.

HMS Berwick: Seeking PO CharlieGibbs, last known serving in HMS Berwick1963-64, Far East - possible reunion.Contact Gareth Pavey, 28, Wellington Ave,Whitehill, Bordon, Hants GU35 9QD, e-maildibdob@dpavey.freeserve.co.uk

HMS Ark Royal: Colin Massey seeksshipmates from HMS Ark Royal 1975-77, inparticular Brian Devenny, and Scouse Lyons,both cooks in Mess 6 like Colin. Contact himat arkman@arkman.screaming.net

HMS Ganges: William Alfred Martin(Pincher) seeks shipmates from trainingthrough postings on Galatea, Delhi, Orion,Bulolo, Polruan and Consort, 1938 onwards.Contact him via his daughter, 24, CannagolaBeg Rd. Portadown, Co. Armagh, BT621RR, e-mail: trevor.whitten@btinternet.com

POCK Michael Ball, ex-HMS Heron andTaranto Hill MQs in the late 70s early 80s,contact Ben Clay, tel no 01935 472342 or0788 785 1712, or e-mail bwactay@cs.com

HMS Ceylon: Frank Pegram served inHMS Ceylon 1951-53, and would like to con-tact shipmates, especially Dennis Vlnce.best man at his wedding. Frank and familyemigrated to Australia in 1971. ContactFrank's daughter Carol Steen, 43 Kunat St,Deer Park, Victoria, Australia 3023, or e-mail:csteen@bigpond.com.au

FAA Artificer Apprentices, GrenvilleDivision, RNATE Newcastle-u-Lyme, 1940-43: Dennis Nowlan seeks anyone whoserved there, especially Bob Jones fromGosport. Contact Dennis on 0118 978 1949.

HMS Onslaught: The wartime crew ofthis destroyer meets every April inAberystwyth. Anyone interested should con-tact G. Parker, 18 Hilton Place, LlandaffNorth, Cardiff CF14 2LW, tel: 029 2052 9960.

Sam Sharratt seeks ABs Roy Jackson.Gillette, Ray (Taff) Lovell and Ray Bignell.Contact Sam at 100, Middlecotes, Tile Hill,Coventry CV4 9AZ.

HMS Nubian 1964-66: Anyone whoserved on this commission, in particular ex-communicators including Graham Court,Pete Price and Paul Williams: contact DaveMillward on 01622 729692, or e-mail:davem@fernhitl.fsnet.co.uk

HMS St Brides Bay: Harry Allton seeksHenry Paddy Grieve - they served togetherin St Brides Bay 1947-50. Contact Harry at26, Laburnum Grove, Nuneaton, CV10 9DX,tel: 024 7639 5237.

729 Squad (Deal, Sept 1959): Squadmembers interested in reunion in Septembershould contact Sandy Macleod, 115 Beau-maris Rd, Plymouth PL3 5SD, tel: 01752706717, ore-mail: dodgyoptic@aol.co.uk

FAA Artificers, May 1951 entry: BobEllis is organising a reunion in May, andseeks Brian Furlong, Tony Goodhead, DaveMoss, Doug Wells, Syd Bywater, Phil Stewartand G.R. Parker. Contact Bob at 56,Abbeyfield Drive, Catisfield. Fareham PO155PF, tel: 01329 511415.

HMS Warrior 1946-58: John Carr hasmade some contact with shipmates whoserved during Korea, Vietnam and OpGrapple, but seeks Marine Band Sgt Millard,Jeeps Neil and Darkle Bartlett. Reunion inMay. Contact John at 91, Westley Rd, AcocksGreen, Birmingham B27 7UW, tel: 0121 6244964, e-mail: grapple57@hotmail.com

Donald (Percy) Ursell, Lt (Sp) RNVR:Radar Officer 4th Escort Group, HMS Drury.If anyone has news of him since 1945, con-tact Roger Collet! on 023 9246 6347 or e-mail: powne@aot.com

HMS Diamond: A reunion is held everyyear, plus small get-togethers. Contact Legs,ex-ship's cook, after galley, on 01634267084. Ex-GI Fred Beech is also asked tocontact Legs.

HMS Ganges, Benbow Division, 29Mess, 1952: Gerard Livingston seeks any-one who remembers me. Instructors wereWally Cubitt and POGI Samuels. ContactGerard at 313E, Chesterville Rd, EastBentleigh, 3165, Victoria, Australia or e-mail:floger@one.net.au, or Bill Kelly, who lives atPeterlee, Co. Durham, on 0191 518 1865 ore-mail: caltkelly@btinternet.com

HMS Indomitable: Did you serve inIndomitable in the FAA, POs HQ Mess 56,below the 4.5 Port Forward gun turrets, anear-miss target for the Japanese 'Hari Kari',May 1945. Frank Wyles1 oppo, BungyWilliams, wants to hear from you on a week-end. Contact Frank at 22, Firtree Ave,Normanby, Middlesbrough TS6 OPH, tel:01642453685.

Blockship Gooseberry WWII: Would LSNobby Clarke contact 'Slinger' Woods on01293 784293: "Remember, we blew themup!"

279953) on August 17-18. Send SAE to A.E.Emmanuel, 1, Channon Court, Maple Rd,Surbiton KT6 4RS, tel: 020 8390 5783.

SeptemberHMS Kenya Association, all commis-

sions: AGM at Derby on September 1 with acommemoration service and oak tree planti-ng at the National Memorial Arboretum.Details: Chas Atkinson on 023 9229 6404.

HMS Garlies K475 reunion in the BurnsRoom, Union Jack Club, Waterloo, Londonon September 1. Details from Putty Read on01202 722493.

HMS Amethyst reunion dinner and AGMat the Leofric Hotel, Coventry, on September1. Details from Don Redman, 6a, QuantockRd, Bridgwater TA6 7EQ. tel: 01278 451765.

HMS Wild Goose Association reunion atthe Royal Hotel, Whitby. from September 21 -23. Details from Ken Hayes, 10, StratfordWay, Tilehurst, Reading RG31 5XT

HMS Porlock Bay Association 1946-48reunion at the Savoy Hotel, Bournemouthfrom September 21-24. Ex-shipmates pleasecontact Hon Sec K. Faulkner, 22, Clovelly Rd.Swinton, Manchester M27 OFU. tel 0161 7948962.

BRNC 1966 Entry reunion for officerswho joined BRNC in September 1966 will beheld on September 21 at HMS Excellent.Contact DNOAXPS, VB103, PortsmouthNaval Base. P01 3LS, tel: 023 9272 7440 ore-mail: dnoa.x.rm@pipex.dial.com marked"for DNOAX".

HMS Phoebe Association reunion to beheld at the Queens Hotel, Llandudno, fromSeptember 21-24. All ranks 1939 -1992 wel-come. Details from Secretary, Roy Pavely, 3,Bridge Close, Didcot, Oxon OX11 8DU, tel:01235 211501, e-mail: roy.pavely@ic24.net

HMS Crane Association (1943-62) U23-F123 reunion at Gateway Hotel, Nottingham,from September 28-30. Details from TonyNuttall, 85, Conway Rd, Carlton, NottinghamNG4 2PW. or tel: 0115 952 6363.

HMS Duff reunion at Solihull onSeptember 28-29. Contact N. Johns, The OldChandlery, New Rd, Instow, Bideford EX394LN, tel: 01271 860578.

HMS Wakeful, 1955-56 commission:Contact Dave Fiander on 01622 202995 repossible reunion.

HMS Goathland: Ex-Yeoman of SignalsGeorge Boxall seeks ship's company from1944. Contact George at 43. The Fairway,Dymchurch, Romney Marsh TN29 OQG, tel:01303874383.

HMS Walney: Theo Joughin seeks BillHyde: they met when bringing American cut-ters across the Atlantic. He last saw Bill inChatham Barracks, 1944. Contact Theo at137, Montgomery Rd, Ipswich IP2 8QY.

David Mawdsley wants to hear from any-one from BRNC and RNAS Culdrose, 59Flight and 58 BOC of 1990-92. He alsoseeks Dave Cole from Hull Uni URNU. Davidis now in the Queensland Police in Australia,and can be contacted at P.O. Box 725,Mackay, Queensland, Australia 4740 or atdavidmawdsley@bigpond.com.

HMS St Vincent: All Boy Seamen whoentered the gates of St Vincent. October 2,1951 - this year is the golden anniversaryand a get-together is planned on or aboutthat date. Contact Roger Hardesty (Ex Blake158 class) at 26, Chilgrove Rd, Drayton,Portsmouth PO6 2ER, e-mailRVHardesty@cs.com

HMS Osprey and HMS Blake: Phil(Sharky) Ward seeks PO McKay, last heardof at HMS Osprey in 1976, also served atRNAS Yeovilton. Married to Maggie and hadtwo children (Tony and Andrea). Also seekingstewards from HMS Blake 1973-75. ContactPhil at 40, Milnthorpe St, Salford M6 6DT, tel:01607 374520, e-mail: WPhilward@aol.com

AB (s) Rl Woodley aka Stretch served1988-1995, first ship HMS Active, alsoserved in HM ships Avenger and Amazon,and did two tours of Nl as well as other tours.Hannah Woodley hopes to trace old friendsthat he served with, as it is his 30th birthdayin August and she hopes to get them togeth-er as a surprise. Contact Hannah on 01865821821, or e-mail: hannah@domino.com

HMS Illustrious/Invincible: Seeking LtMark B. Davies, navigator with 814 NAS onHMS Illustrious in 1988-89. He also servedon HMS Invincible, possibly during the GulfWar period. Contact Darcy Dewitt, 182,Magnolia St, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233. or e-mail: jordand930@aol.com

HMS Bulwark: Carl Pickermg seeksPeter (Daisy) May, who served with Carl andPeter (Barney) Barnard during the late 1970sin HMS Bulwark. He may live in the Kentarea. Contact Carl at 10, Beacon Ave,Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8DY, tel: 01162127361, or e-mail: plodpatch@ntlworld.com

HMS Mauritius: Sue Burley's father,George Slovell, served in HMS Mauritius in1948, and she seeks info on the ship's tour ofduty in Malta and what "Cock of the Med"was. George would also love to hear fromshipmates Alan Randel and David Cowley,and seeks a photo of the Mauritius returningfrom Malta to Plymouth. Contact Sue at 101,Ragdale Rd, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8GP,or e-mail: chris-sue.burley@ntlworld.com

HMS Broadsword: Andrew Gailes seeksSteve Delo, a LS(R) from 1987, on behalf ofa friend. Last heard of heading for Germany.Contact Andrew at 23, Emma St, Consett,Co .Durham, e-mail: agailes@lineone.net

HMS Narbrough and Gazelle: PeterSmedley seeks AB Roy Hancock, whom heserved with in HMS Narbrough and HMSGazelle, minesweeper 1943-46. Roy waspossibly from Swindon. Contact Peter at 15,Deans Hill, The Danes, Chepstow,Monmouth, tel: 01291 628915, or e-mail:Josmedtey@btinternet.com

Dunkirk/France 1940: Author seeks menfrom the following ships for book aboutDunkirk/France 1940, commissioned byViking/Penguin: Destroyers HM shipsBasilisk, Esk, Express, Gallant, Grafton,Grenade, Greyhound, Havant, Intrepid,Ivanhoe, Jaguar, Keith, Kellet, Saladin,Shikari, Venetia, Verity, Vimiera, Vimy.Wakeful: Minesweepers: Gossamer, GracieFields, Hebe, Lydd, Pangbourne, Saltash,Skipjack; Drifters: Comfort, Nautilus;Trawlers: Calvi, Polly Johnson; Hospitalships: Paris, Worthing; Tug: St Abbs; Sloop:Bideford; Armed Boarding Vessel: KingOrry; Operation Catapult ships: HM ships

Valiant, Resolution, Nelson, Arethusa,Enterprise, Delhi; Merchantman: Macalister;Transport/personnel ships: Ben-My-Chree(Isle of Man packet), Brighton Queen,Canterbury, Crested Eagle, Fenella, Lorina,Malines, SS Manxman, Mona's Isle, Mona'sQueen, Ngaroma (packet), Normania,Prague (railway steamer), St Heller (ferry), StSeiriol, Scotia. Tynwald (Isle of Man packet).Contact Hugh Sebag-Montefiore, 020 72675522 or 020 7284 0016, or write to 21,Rochester Terrace, London NW1 9JN. Theauthor is also interested in other heroic/dra-matic actions during Operations Dynamo,Ariel and Catapult.

34 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. navynews,co.uk

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Administration Order. Wheredebtors have at least one CountyCourt judgment against them andtheir total debts do not exceed£5,000, this allows the court toadminister payments to all credi-tors. One payment is made to thecourt which splits it equitablybetween all creditors. As long as anorder is in force creditors cannottake further enforcement actionand interest is stopped.

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Bankruptcy. This writes off alldebts with a few exceptions. Adebtor or creditor can petition forbankruptcy, the debt usually beingdischarged after two to three years.If there is any equity in the brank-rupt's home or other property itwill usually be sold to repay debts.

County Court Claim. A formaldocument sent to the debtor whena creditor has begun legal proceed-ings. It must be dealt with within 14days or else judgment is registeredby default and an order made topay the whole amount at once.

County Court Judgment.Following a County Court Claim, ifthe figure is not disputed or thecase unsuccessfully defended, judg-ment will require the entire debt tobe paid by instalment or immedi-ately. A judgment can be set aside,varied or suspended on applica-tion.

Credit Reference Agency. Aprivate company that keeps com-puter records about the use ofcredit by individuals. Often, whensomeone applies for credit, thecredit company will check a per-son's record with the agency beforemaking a decision.

Credit Repair. A number oforganisations have claimed that fora fee they can remove CountyCourt judgments, normally byhelping people to apply to thecourt on (usually) false grounds. Anumber of these companies havebeen prosecuted.

Deduction from Earnings. Anorder made by the Child SupportAgency for maintenance, and forwhich no court order is necessary.

Default Notice. Must be issuedby creditors before they can startlegal action. It asks for payment inseven days, or else the creditor cantake court action.

Individual Voluntary Arr-angement. An al ternat ive tobankruptcy, it is a formal proposalon behalf of the debtor by a regis-tered insolvency practitioner, topay creditors part or all of a debtover a set time.

Joint and Several Liability. Ifmore than one person enters into a

• THIS feature was provided by FCL, a company that has linkswith the Armed Forces and specialises in helping people tofind solutions to their debt problems (freephone on 0800716239).

credit agreement, both can be pur-sued for the full amount. It appliesto rent arrears on joint tenanciesand arrears on joint mortgages,Council Tax and water rates onproperties that have been jointlyoccupied.

Liability Order for which localauthorities can apply to theMagistrates Court in the case ofnon-payment of Council Tax. Thiswill add about £40 to what you oweand will give councils extra powersto enforce collection.

Non-priority Creditors. Non-payment to these would incur lesssevere consequences than in thecase of Priority Creditors.

Priority Creditors to whomnon-payment could result in loss ofproperty, essential services orimprisonment - eg in the case ofmortgage, rent, gas, water, electric-ity, Council Tax, court fines andmaintenance.

Secured Loan. This is wheresecurity, usually property, is givenby the debtor and which takes pri-ority over an unsecured loan.

Statutory Demand. A legaldocument requiring the debtor topay or secure the debt againstproperty or else face bankruptcy.

Time Order allows a CountyCourt to change the terms of a reg-ulated agreement if it appears just.The court can reduce the repay-ment rate and the interest, normallyin the case of temporary financialdifficulty.

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36 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. navynews,co.uk

Recruitment & Business Opportunities

New Zealand's Navy serves one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Spectacular scenery,unspoiled natural riches and a quality of life that is internationally renowned has made New Zealanda wonderful home for dozens of ex-Royal Navy personnel.

Right now we are looking for Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commanders who areWE and PWO qualified. We are also looking for Leading Hands and Petty Officers who have maintainedRadar, Sonar, Gunnery and Control & Combat Systems.

For further information and and application form please send your curriculum vltae to:

HEAD NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE STAFF,NEW ZEALAND HOUSE, HAYMARKET, LONDON SW1Y 4TQ It's your future. Launch it.

FLS Aerospace LimitedThe prospect of joining FLS Aerospace is an exciting one. Already aleading independent provider of full support maintenance services

to the airline industry, FLS aim to be a world leader.

Operating from London Gatwick. London Stansted, London Lutonand Manchester airports, we now have vacancies for the following:

LICENSED ENGINEERSJ COMMERCIAL PERSONNEL IWIDE RANGING ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

MECHANICAL/AVION 1C WORKSHOP MECHANICS

MECHANICAL: Engine Shop / Hydraulic Shop / Sheet MetalAVIONIC: Instrument Shop / Radio Shop / Electrical Shop

Applications from qualified engineers welcomed. Experience in Aerospaceadvantageous, but appropriate training will be provided where necessary.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a growing organisation that offersan attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary,excellent benefits and sound prospects for career advancement.

Please apply in writing enclosing CV to Guy Whittaker,Senior Personnel Officer, FLS Aerospace Limited, Long Border Road,

London - Stansted Airport, Essex CM24 1 RE

For Company information see our website at:-www. FLSAeropsace .com

E-mail: guyw@flsaerospace.com Fax No : 01279 680085

OPPORTUNITIESON MEGA-YACHTS

Fred Dovaston s.l. International YachtCrew Agency currently has openingsfor Marine Electrical and Electronicsengineers aboard Private and Charter

Yachts world-wide.We are also seeking to recruit MCA

recognised Marine engineers of all classes.If you think you would be interested inworking in this sector, please forwardCV and references. Also, don't hesitate

to call our office with any enquiry.Tel: +34 971 677 375Fax: +34 971 677 785

e-mail: fred@dovaston.comC/Miguel de Cervantes 23,

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Treating people as they NEED to be treated

Our mission is "to be the premieroffshore drilling company providingrig-based services throughmotivated people, quality equipmentand innovative technology, with aparticular focus on technicallydemanding environments".

OPPORTUNITIESOFFSHORE

Opportunities are currently available on both jack-up andsemi-submersibles in the North Sea Region. We arecurrently seeking to employ the following personnel:

ELECTRONIC TECHNICIANSELECTRICIANSMECHANICSCONTROL ROOM OPERATORSHYDRAULIC TECHNICIANS (SUBSEA ENGINEERS)For flexible, committed individuals who meet our exactingstandards, we offer exceptional job satisfaction, careerprogression and excellent remuneration packages.

To apply for any of the above positions, please submit a full resume toArlene Watt or send resume by email awatt@deepwater.com

Transocean Sedco Forex (Personnel Department), Crawpeel Road,Aliens, Aberdeen, AB12 3LG. Fax 01224 427112

WE OfficersLeaving the RN this year?

Systems engineering consultancy based in South Cotswoldsis seeking systems engineers to lead extremely interestingassignments for high profile customers in areas such as:MFRs, counter radar stealth, weapons systems,reconnaissance systems and civil space systems.

Highly informal working environmentin a beautiful location with significant SI LAtechnical and business challenges. \

.

Phone Nigel Vaughan on01453 844660 to find out more www.sula.co.uk

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Tel: 01980 674314 Fax: 01264 782439Immediate vacancies exist for

HELICOPTER FITTERS£15,000 - £18,100 pa

to work in 1-1 and 2nd line maintenance at theSchool of Army aviation, Middle Wallop

Employment will involve shift and day work routines, some weekendcommitments and periods of maintenance support away from base.The company offers 20 days annual leave rising to 25 days after 4

years, 8 days public holidays, contributory pension scheme, accidentand life assurance benefits and staff travel discounts.

Applicants should write or fax the Engineering Manager, giving fulldetails of aircraft experience and qualifications quoting Ref: NN

To advertise on our Recruitment pagesTel: 023 927 25062 or 023 927 24226

Thinking ofleaving the full-time Navy...?

...why not bepaid for yourspare time?

ftNAVALRESERVE0845 607 5555

(24 hours)023 9272 7679(working hours)

www.rnjobs.co.uk(under'RN Profile')

Recruits are normallyBritish or Commonwealthsubjects aged between 16

and 40 (45 for ex-RN).male or female and

physically fit

INVESTOR IN PEOPLE

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Call: (44) 01304 239406or www.big4u.org www.navynews.co.uk

www.na vynews. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 37

Navy gets its imageacross at the NEC

THE ROYAL Navy's impressive photographic stand at this year's'Focus on Imaging' exhibition at Birmingham NEC proved a majordraw for both professional photographers and the public. And inthe picture herself, for once, is LW(PHOT) Angle Pearce of theSurface Flotilla Photographic Unit which provided the stand. Thedisplay, which would normally cost over £7,000, was given free tothe Navy.

WaterfrontDrafty getscustomerNo. 1,000AS NEW 'waterfront' career advice offices openaround the country, Portsmouth's has welcomed its1,000th customer.

RN hostsdiversityseminar

THE ROYAL Navy hosteda high-level seminar onequal opportunities aspart of the Service'scommitment to diversity.

The event, at HMSCollingwood, was designedto help demonstrateSecond Sea Lord ViceAdmiral Peter Spencer'saim to cement commitmentat all levels of the NavalService.

Entitled the Joint NavalService and Civilian EqualOpportunities Seminar, itfeatured a keynote speechby Defence ProcurementMinister BaronessSymons.

Delegates discussed awide range of subjects,covering ethnic, racial,gender and religiousissues as well as disability,and among the bodies rep-resented were the EqualOpportunities Commission,Sainsbury's, the Commi-ssion for Racial Equality,the Metropolitan Police,HSBC and the DisabilityRights Commission.

Admiral Spencer and hisdepartment are constantlyseeking new initiatives toenhance the NavalService's equal opportuni-ties policy, which is expectedto enhance recruitment andretention.

The offices, officially known asDrafting and Career ManagementLiaison Offices (DCMLOs), offer adrop-in facility for ratings who wantto talk about their careers, or lookinto drafting options.

The offices are linked to theNaval Manpower ManagementInform-ation System, allowing cus-tomers to see there and then whalprospects are open to them.

LS Dutchie Holland of HMSSouthampton, was the man whotook the Portsmouth office throughthe four-f igure mark, and waspleased with the service provided.

"I am due to leave the ship inJuly, and I wanted lo see what therewas in the way of shore drafts or seadrafts," he said.

"Thev were able to give me thethree ships available, so 1 have nowput in my draft preferences. Any ofthem would be ideal for me."

Now that Dutchie hasdetails of which ships needhis skills at the appropriatetime, he is able to be specificon his draft form, making thejob of Drafty that much easier."It was simple - I just made an

appointment here, went in and gavemy details, and they hauled up apreference card which is on there.

"They then hauled up all the pos-sibilities on screen, and the wholething took about 20 minutes.

"It's definitely a better system -whoever thought it up should havedone so years ago. It makes life alot easier."

Local offices also make it easierfor sailors to ensure their draftingpreference form is up to date, asevents such as a marriage, new fam-ily, promotion or house move willhave a bearing on preferredoptions.

The latest offices to open arcthose at RN air stations Yeoviltonand Culdrose.

Motoring

Smart key to Renault's new starRENAULT'S new

Laguna II is a lot ofmotor car: sleek,

roomier, packed withtechnology and yet sim-ple to drive - so easy, itdoesn't even have a key.

Not a conventional metal-in-holc locking device, anyway,for cither doors or ignition.

Instead the key to Renault'senhanced security is a flat, businesscard-sized unit as th in as a tiny cal-culator, with flush buttons forunlocking and locking remotely,which slides into a slot in the dash-board.

Once interrogated by the car'ssystem, the card with rolling codereleases the steering column lockand allows the driver to start theengine using a button on the dash.

You can have separate cards ifmore than one person drives the

CAR FACTSMODEL: Renault LagunaExpression 1.6 hatchback.PRICE: £14,905.ENGINE: 1.6-litre, 16-valve, petrolinjection producing 110bhp.TRANSMISSION: Five-speedmanual change.PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph in11 .Ssecs. Top speed 121 mph.FUEL ECONOMY: 39.2mpg com-bined cycle.

• The Renault Laguna II - everything's so easy.ear so that each automaticallyresets such items as seats and mir-rors where the specification pro-vides.

But that's not the end of theclever stuff on this ear with 14 com-puters, multiplex wiring to cut thenumber of wires by SO per cent,and shields for locks and maincomputer.

The key card can be interrogatedby a computer so that a fleet man-ager can check such details asmileage, oil and fuel levels, emis-sions, when the next service is due,and tyre pressures.

The brakes do not only have ananti-lock system and electronicbrake force distribution, but alsoemergency brake-assist that allowsall the braking power to bedeployed so quickly that the hazardwarning lights come on as well.

There is also traction control,and the option of an electronic sta-

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bility programme (ESP) whichhelps the driver retain control if anemergency manoeuvre results insudden loss of grip.

The much strengthened bodyhas proved its worth in crash testsand there arc not just dual airbagsin the front, but side airbags frontand rear and curtain head protec-tion bags along the sides.

Main service intervals arc onlyevery 18,000 miles or two years,and the bodywork has a 12-yearwarranty against rust-through.

The model tested was theExpression, the second lowest offive specification levels, but eventhis has a trip computer, air condi-tioning with separate controls forfront scat occupants, all electricwindows and door mirrors, 60W hi-fi with CD, puddle lights in thedoors, and alloy wheels.

Want to save money on commutingcosts and cut traffic queues?

CarshareHampshire's car-sharing internet databasewww.carsharecommute.com

• Preferential rates and exclusive schemes for H.M. Forces• Immidiate cover and monthly payment schemes• Open 365 days a year.• 8am-10pm weekdays, 9am-9pm weekends www.forcesdirect.co.uk

Tel: (01473) 211951 Fa* (01473) 213898 email: satesefarcesdlrectco.uk

For your free information pack on how to purchase a new peugeot atspecial tax free or concession tax paid prices.

- www.peugeotmilitarysales.co.ukor call UK 01980 653434 to order by telephone

38 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www.navynews.co.uk

IN BRIEFBoardersvisit HMSPortlandBOARDING school chil-dren from Titchfieldlearned a lot about theNavy during a visit to theFleet's newest frigate.

The youngsters from WestHill Park spent an enjoyableday on hoard HMS Portlandat the invitation of herCommanding Officer, CdrJonathan Handley, who has adaughter, Ginny, in yeareight.

The visitors were particu-larly interested in where theguns and missiles were keptand were fascinated hy howsmall (and tidy) the roomswere, and they were allinspired ahout the possibilityof joining the Navy one day.

London'smaritimehistory

A MAJOR new gallery at theNational Maritime Museumshows the huge impact ofLondon's emergence as amajor port.

'Maritime London' opensat Greenwich on April 4, withfive sections entitledShipping & Shipbuilding,Bridges & Buildings,Commerce & Cargoes, Pomp& Pageantry and LondonLife. For more details call0208 858 4422 or visit thewebsite www.nmm.ac.uk

xplosion at Gosport!

• DANGER: The Mine Room at 'Explosion!' which shows howdeadly early and modern mines can be.

AN EXPLOSIVE new attraction dedicatedto the history of naval firepower hasopened at Gosport.

The museum called 'Explosion!' uses interac-tive technology to show how munitions haveprogressed from gunpowder to the Exocet mis-sile.

The £3.5 million visitor attraction is housed inthe 18th-century buildings at Priddy's Hard,Gosport, where the Royal Navy's former arma-ment depot used to be.

Funded by the Millennium Commission aspart of the Renaissance of Portsmouth HarbourMillennium Scheme, the exhibits include thewhole range of weapons from early muskets tomodern-day missile systems.

Explosion! shows how Naval gunfire hasevolved from the Battle of Trafalgar to the GulfWar and it includes a Big Gun Gallery which fea-tures the only 15-inch breech in the UnitedKingdom.

The opening weekend which took place asNavy News went to press, featured events basedaround a World War II theme, with characters inperiod costume, demonstrations and specialtreats for hard working mums on MotheringSunday.

The fascinating social history of Priddy's Hardis also explored, including the vital role playedby thousands of female munitions workers dur-ing the two World Wars. For bookings and infor-mation, call 023 9258 6341.

Sea change forsupport unitsPOLICY changes introduced by the Strategic Defence Review have led to the

routine deployment of Royal Navy minehunters in operations andexercises far beyond the shores of Britain.

One of the knock-on effects of this is that the sailors who provide their forward support have hadto spend up to 150 days a year at sea in jobs which count as shore service!

Over the last two years, mine-hunting exercises and operationsin the Gulf, the Mediterranean,the Adriatic and the Baltic havecaused a 50 per cent increase intheir time at sea, putting consider-able strain on their family life at atime when they are supposed to heashore.

What makes matters worse isthe fact that all necessary traininghas had to be carried out on thejob as pre-joining training is per-mitted before sea drafts only, fur-

ther reducing the availability ofpersonnel in teams which arealready stretched.

The situation, which is clearlyunjust, is to change from April Iwhen two of the Navy's threeForward Support Units are re-classified as Sea Service.

From that date, Portsmouth-based FSU 1 and FSU 2 will con-vert to sea service and take on thevast majority of sea jobs whileFSU 3 at Faslane will remainprimarily in the UK.

will receive 6picture cards to

kickstart an excitingand interesting

collection of shipsof the Royal Navy

To receive a postcard size picture ofher and of the next eleven featuredships, simply phone 023 9282 6040 orsend your cheque/PO to the addressbelow. Each month you will receivea glossy photograph helping youto build a comprehensive andinteresting collection.

Orders To:The Business Manager, Navy News,

HMS Nelson, Queen Street,Portsmouth, PO1 3HH

Cheques payable toNavy News,

payment by CreditCard/Switch,

UK & Abroad, please usethe coupon on page 4

Picture Postcards from 1956 to present dateThere are over 500 black and white glossy postcards available onrequest at a cost of 65p each (min order £1.95). To receive a free listsimply write to the Promotions Department or phone 023 9282 6040 orfill in the coupon on page 4

Or buy online at www.navynews.co.uk

Although the solution soundssimple, the funding required adramatic reduction in the num-bers in FSU 1 & 2 and a transfer of21 billets to other areas (previous-ly identified as being open to anyspecialisation) to mainta in thesea/shore ratio.

Those who are left in FSU 1and 2 can expect to spend evenmore time at sea and wil l have tomake do with fewer bodies to getthe job done, but every one of themen affected have volunteered toremain in thei r current jobs.

Forward Support Unit OfficerLt Ross Pcrkins was responsiblefor thrashing out the details of thetransition wi th the support ofDirector Fleet Maintenance, CaptJohn Wills, Engineering ManagerLt Cdr Graham Baker and stafffrom every desk at Naval Drafting.

Lt Perkins said: "We'vealways said that this is agreat job, trucking aroundthe world and working inout of the way places, butdoing it between ships isless fun."It couldn't really be called

shore service because they're atfive days notice to move and canspend up to six months at sea, butit wasn't quite full sea servicecither.

"So by moving the sea time totwo FSUs in Portsmouth and leav-ing the FSU in Faslane as shoretime, we have upped the tempo alittle but the work remains chal-lenging, interesting and varied.

"When our people knew thiswas going to happen they all want-ed to stay. What that indicates isthat this is a great job which usedto have poor conditions of service.Now it's a great job which has thecorrect conditions of service."

• FORWARD SUPPORT: Members of FSU 1 working on a remotecontrolled mine detection vehicle on the snowy shore of LochEwe during the latest Joint Maritime Course in Scotland.

Petard painting isunder the hammerNAVY NEWS has joined forces with the Tamworth Herald andCambridge Stamp Centre to offer readers a chance to bid for astriking, original painting depicting a dramatic naval action fromWorld War II.

The painting of HMS Petard sinking Japanese submarine 1-27 in l')44was commissioned for a commemorative postal cover by CambridgeStamp Centre in conjunction with HMS Petard Association.

The picture, by Michael Roffe,has a reserve price of £650, withany amount that it makes over£500 going towards the appealfund for a permanent memorial tothree men serving in HMS Petardwhen they retrieved vital Enigmacodes from a stricken Germansubmarine.

Two of the men, AB ColinGrazier (from Tamworlh) and LtTony Fasson died in the operation,while the third - Naafi canteenassistant Tommy Brown - diedlater in the war.

Tamworth Herald launched itscampaign to raise the profile ofthe unsung heroes two years agoand has been backed by NavyNews. A previous paint ing byMichael Roffe, showing Petardand the capture of the codes,recently sold for £2,000.

The painting now on offershows Petard's successful attack

on 1-27 when the submarine hadbeen forced to surface after sink-ing the troopship Khedive Ismaelwith the loss of most of the 1,200souls on board.

All bids for the original shouldhe made in writing to Keith Astcll,Sales Manager, The CambridgeStamp Centre Ltd, 9 Sussex Street,Cambridge, CB1 1 PA. The highestbid lodged by next May 18 willobtain the painting.

• To tic in with the Royal Mail'sissue of four stamps to commemo-rate the centenary of the RNSubmarine Service, CambridgeStamp Centre is also producing aspecially designed cover bearingthe signatures of World War IIsubmariners - including Lt Cdrlan Fraser VC.

A portion of the proceeds willgo to the Barrow-in-Furnessbranch of the SubmarinersAssociation. See also P30.

www. navy news. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 39

AccommodationSUPPORT YOUR CLUBAll booking requirements in writing only, enclosing £5 depositon each Family Room. Enclose a S.A.E. for your receipt.ACCOMMODATION: For Service Personnel, their families anddependents plus ex. serving personnel and R.N.A. memberswho may be visiting the Plymouth area.FUNCTIONS: We cater for all types of functions at verycompetitive prices. Ships Functions, Mess Parties, WeddingReceptions, Reunions of ships, past and present, we offer anideal facility.

Royal Fleet ClubMorice Square, Devonport, Plymouth PL1 4PQ

Telephone inquiries only Plymouth 01752 562723ASK FOR QUOTATION. CONTACT THE MANAGER

WITHOUT DELAY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

Garian House Holiday FlatletsSelf-catering flatlets, near sea and shops. Fully equipped. Colour TV, fridge,

cooker, linen, etc. Ideal for a visit by family or girl friend.MINIMUM 2 PERSONS OR CHARGE TOR

Charge ( WEEKLY JULY & AUGUST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £80per I WEEKLY JUNE & SEPTEMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £70person | OTHER MONTHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £50

I Nightly (Out of Season) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £10ALL WITH OWN BATHROOM AND TOILET

Guests, who anticipate a late arrival should inform the management before 2pmChildren 12 years or under - HALF PRICE if sleeping in the same room as adults.

BOOKINGS ARE SATURDAY TO SATURDAY ONLY DURING MAY - OCTOBER.MR CURTIS, 70 RESTING GROVE, SOUTHSEA, PORTSMOUTH, HANTS.

TELEPHONE: 023-9273 3581 MOBILE: 0802-938559

Province Of Natal Hotel5, Greenhill, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 7SR

The Hotel was a gift after World War 2Its purpose is to provide holidays and short breaks for all

serving and ex-serving RN, RM, WRNS or QARNNSpersonnel and their reservists, families and close relatives.

*50 yards from beach, safe swimming and fine sands.*Half a mile from the shops and station.

*AII rooms en-suite with tea and coffee facilities and colour TV"Lift to all floors *Residents bar 'Children and Pets welcome

'Double, Twin and Family rooms available*We cater for small ships re-unionsGroup booking discounts available

For more information Tel: 01305 784108 or Fax: 01305 770575Registered Charity No 226446

Hampshire Court Hotel29/31 Hampshire Terrace, Southsea PO1 2QF

Delightful listed building, 1823. Central for seafront,stations, city centre, ferry ports etc. Private car parking

Tea/coffee making facilities, colour TVs in all rooms + fullEnglish breakfast

Prices from £18 per person per night

Telephone (023) 9282 3522

HOTELAA PLYMOUTH HOE RAC* Lockyer St, PL1 2QD *

Telephone: (01752) 227311Elegant Victorian Building with 22Bedrooms - 5 Ground Floor.Nautical Flavour Cocktail Bar.Colour TV, Radio, Tea/Coffee/Telephone all rooms. Most en suite.Large car park. Navy NewsReaders 10% AccommodationDiscount. All Credit Cardsaccepted.

Brochure & or Booking contact:Lt. Cdr. Alan Jones RNR (Ret'd)"A 'Personal Service' Comfortable Hotel"

ORTSMOUTLADY

HAMILTONClosest B+B to Naval Base,100 yards from main gate,HMS Victory/Mary Rose/

HMS Warrior/Museums all on doorstep.22 rooms most en-suitef

singles/doubles/twins +family rooms, colour T.V,

Tea+Coffee facilities, free house

^ Tel: 023 9287 0505^

ROYAL SAILORS'HOME CLUB

miCE...tiOJICE...tiOIICEThe 137th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Sailors'

Home Club, Queen Street, Portsmouth, will be held in theballroom of the club on Tuesday 24th April 2001 at 10.30.Commanding officers are requested to allow committeerepresentatives to attend. ALL MEMBERS WELCOME

Ex RN REPRESENTATIVEMr M Baker is willing to continue in office. However,

applications are invited from all ex-RN/RM members toserve on the Advisory Committee as the ex-Serving

representative. Nominations with proposer and seconder,plus pen picture, to be forwarded to the Administration

Manager at the Club before 13th April 2001.

Tel: 01383 419977Fax: 01383 411728

LAKESIDE APARTMENTS5 HELENA ROAD, SOUTHSEA

TEL: 023 9282 0690"Closer to home than a hotel"

Under new ownership these superior, sell contained apartments are ful lyequipped with all the amenities expected lo make your stay comfortable.Situated in quiet area close to seafront, pier, shopping facilities and all

major transport facilities.Offering excellent weekly rates and favourable discounts for extended

winter stays.

THE GRAND HOTELrPlymouth

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Joys Roses & Flowers~ A Gift of Love-

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www. navynews. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 41

NoticeBoardAppointments

Commodore N. S. R. Kilgourto be promoted Rear Admiral andto be Chief of Staff (Operations)Fleet, Flag Officer Submarinesand Commander SubmarineForces East Atlantic andSubmarine Forces North. In suc-cession to Rear Admiral R. P.Stevens. Sept.

Commodore P. R. Davies to bepromoted Rear Admiral and to beFlag Officer Training andRectruiting as well as ChiefExecutive Naval Recruiting andTraining Agency in succession toRear Admiral J. Chadwick. July31.

Capt I. Moncrieff to be COHMS Endurance. June 19.

Capt T. A. Cunningham to beCO HMS Fearless. April 4.

Cdr D. C. W. Balston to be COHMS Vengeance (Port). Aug. 20.

Cdr A, M. McKendrick to beCO HMS Turbulent. Aug. 28.

Lt Cdr A. J. James to be COHMS Roebuck. Aug. 7.

Lt Cdr R. P. Dunn to be COHMS Turbulent. May 8.

Lt J. C. Clay to be CO HMSExample. April 24.

Lt L. H. Lacy to be CO HMSExplorer. April 24.

No more'Points'

WITH the full introductionof selective promotion forall non-artificer/technicianjunior rates from April 1,advancement rosters nolonger exist from that date.

As detailed in RNDefence Council Instruc-tion 20/01, Forms B13 andPromotion Orders alsocease to exist on introduc-tion of new Promotion DraftOrders and PromotionConfirmation Certificates.Therefore 'Points' rosterswill no longer be publishedin Navy News.

Swop draftsWOM(C)1 McKenna (COMPOP quali-

fied), HMS Invincible, BFPO 308, draftedHMS Ark Royal, April 26. Will swop for anyPortsmouth ship not deploying.

LCH Currier, 6E Stbd Mess, HMSIllustrious, BFPO 305, will swop for anyPortsmouth ship not deploying.

MEM1 Hartersley (Scale B). HMS ArkRoyal, BFPO 212 (in refit, tel 9335 63585),will swop for any Type 42 deploying or not.

CPO(M) P. Butterfield (Sea Dart direc-tor/Warfare Branch co-ordinator), HMSGloucester, BFPO 289 - deploying Far EastMarch 19 for seven months. Will swop for anyType 42 not deploying.

WOM(AW)1 Jillian Carroll, HMSIllustrious, BFPO 305, will swop for anyPortsmouth Type 42 deploying or not.

MEM Balderston, 3N Mess, HMS Cardiff,BFPO 249, drafted CFM (H4 Chippys), May15. Will swop for any Portsmouth shore draft.

LRO Lawson. HMS Edinburgh, BFPO277. deploying May. Will swop for anyPortsmouth ship not deploying, and canaccept LOM(C) billet.

SA A. Lund, 2S(P) Mess, HMSEdinburgh, BFPO 277. deploying May. Willconsider any ship not deploying before Sept.

POMEM(M) Williams (hull), HMSCoventry, BFPO 259, deploying July. Will con-sider any Devonport or south-west shore draftover 10 months.

POCA Evereon. HMS Nelson (HMNBPortsmouth ext 22163). drafted HMSNottingham. July 30 (deploying March 2002).Will swop tor any Portsmouth ship not deploy-

LOM(C) Dinsdale (DV billet), 3 Mess.HMS Marlborough, BFPO 333 or tel 07979851821. Ship deploying. Will consider anyPortsmouth ship not deploying.

LSTD Slater. HMS Heron (01935456155), drafted HMS Newcastle(Portsmouth). July 2. Will swop for anyPlymouth ship.

RATINGS seeking to swop draftsmust meet the requirements of BR14,article 0506. All applications must bemade on Form C240 to NOD,Centurion Building.

GRANVILLE JUSTINon February 25th died suddenly

after a short illness, aged 27,Your bravery an example to us all.

Now your pain and suffering has gone.Our love everlasting Mum, Dad, Marcus

and Rachel.Funeral Monday March 5th at 2.45pm,all welcome at the thanksgiving serviceat St. Nicholas church H.M.S. Drake

followed by private cremation. Noflowers please, donations in lieu made

payable to Ward 23 North StaffordshireHospital N.H.S. Trust may be sent to;Walter Parson, Riverside, Costly Street,

Ivybridge, Devon PL21 ODETel. (01752) 690909

TT jl 13 '?:- v '- ,rf~-J—jyuMBB!•' rm""7——*',-•<: ?• «~- f > ' \Ll-'______^H^Jrt*

. -A-: . ' -- ' ' fouT^y^K^ •••'••••'•

• HMS Blake was acceptedfor service in 1961.

•&

THE TIME OFYOUR LIVES

NAVY NEWS looks back through itspages to recall some of the April head-lines of past decades ...

40 years ago __PRINCESS Margaret had launched the guidedmissile destroyer HMS Hampshire at JohnBrown's shipyard on Clydebank. The frigate HMSEskimo was launched at Cowes and the cruiserHMS Blake had been accepted into service.

Forty ships had taken part in Commonwealthjoint exercises in the Indian Ocean and Bay ofBengal. They included warships from Britain,Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan.

30 years agoONE WOMAN was among the 400 ratings to beadvanced to the new rate of Fleet Chief PettyOfficer. She was CWREN (Stores) Beatrice MayWillis who joined the Navy in 1947.

HMS Dreadnought had become the first Britishsubmarine to break surface at the North Pole. Herpatrol took her 1,500 miles under the ice, and shecollected scientific data before returning.

20 years agoONE of the Navy's best-known landmarks for theprevious 50 years, the China Fleet Club in HongKong, was to be demolished. The valuable water-front site would be re-occupied by a multi-storeyblock, several floors of which would accommodatethe new club.

The Second Frigate Squadron was disbanded.Its training role would be extended to other ves-sels for a week or two at a time, so freeing thefrigates of the squadron for operational use.

DeathsMne Mark Gordon Prottey, RM Poole, at

Dorchester Hospital. Feb. 22.____

Vice Admiral Harry George De WolfCBE, DSO. DSC. Chief of Naval Staff Canada1956-60 WW2 destroyer CO including HMCSHaida (Normandy campaign 1944 - DSO,DSC), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff 1944-47.CO of Canada's first aircraft carrier, HMSMagnificent, and Senior Canadian NavalOfficer Afloat. Flag Officer Pacific Coast 1948-50, Vice Chief of Naval Staff 1950-52,Chairman of Canadian Joint Staff Washington1953-55. Dec., aged 97

Capt Hardress Llewellyn (Harpy) LloydCBE, DSC, WW2 Coastal Forces CO, served1931-66. Appointments: Frobisher, Delhi,MTB 06 (CO) member of 1st MTB Flotilla atMalta - sank in gale, Hornet, Beehive , CO4th MTB Flotilla in MTB 34 (MID) and MTB 30(DSC); Vernon (Torpedo Branch course),Jackdaw. Colossus, Zephyr, Myngs, Barrosa(CO), Striker (CO), Meon (CO), Tiger (CO),Vernon (CO), Commodore AmphibiousWarfare Far East. Joined Plessey Marine topromote sales of anti-subvmarine equipment.Aged 83

Capt Paul Jeffrey Bootherstone DSC.CO of HMS Arrow in Falklands War. Served1956-92 first as Seaman officer then as fixed-wing pilot flying from HM ships Hermes,Centaur and as flying instructor. Otherappointments included: Brinton (CO),Ambuscade, Dept Naval Air Warfare, staff ofNaval Secretary, Battleaxe (CO), RNASCuldrose (CO) 1987-89, Naval Adviser to toHigh Commissioner in Ottawa 1990-92.Secretary and Chief Executive of MasonicSamaritan Fund, Freeman of City of London,member of Fletchers Livery Company, mem-ber of Association of RN Officers. March 1,aged 62 (of heart attack while skiing inAustria). Thanksgiving Service at St Paul'sChurch, Bedford Street, WC2 at 3.30 on April26.

Cdr John William Goulder MBE, served1937-72 in Ganges (joined as Boy Seaman),Ramillies, Shikari, Resource, Cossack(Altmark Incident), Pembroke, Golden Eagle(Dunkirk), Gpathland (D-Day), Diadem, Lynx,Belfast, Diamond, RN Staff CollegeGreenwich and as Deputy Captain of PortPortsmouth. Past vice president of Kentbranch of RBL, former secretary 1st DestroyerFlotilla Association, and associated withChatham RN Gunnery InstructorsAssociation, HMS Ganges Association,Norfolk Division and RNA. Aged 79.

Constance Pearn, served in WRNS 1941-45. As secretary to Capt Baker-Cresswell,served at sea in the large motor yacht HMSPhilante in WW2 at the height of the Battle ofAtlantic, and was awarded the Atlantic Star.Feb. 21, aged 82.

Leigh (LT) Tongue. ex-Stoker and formerPortsmouth Field Gun team member (twice)and trainer Played football for CombinedServices Ships included Fearless, Illustrious,Brazen, Temeraire. Sultan. After leaving RNjoined P&O Ferries at Portsmouth March 1aged 44

Sir Charles Fletcher-Cooke QC. servedWW2 in Naval Intelligence. Lt Cdr RNVR. USNaval Intelligence liaison officer in USA 1943:Cabinet Office as Admiralty's representativeon Joint Intelligence Staff. Conservative MPDarwen (Lanes.) 1951-83, delegate toAssembly of Council of Europe 1954-55, MEP1977-79, Chairman of One Nation group andof Conservative Legal Affairs Committee1979-83. Aged 86.

Sir Michael Grylls, RM lieutenant 1952-55, seeing active service in Egypt.Conservative MP for Chertsey 1970-74 andfor North West Surrey 1974-97. Chairman ofConservative Trade and Industry Committee1981-97 and Small Business Bureau 1979-97. Feb. 7, aged 66.

Lt Cdr Anna Tail Kettles RD and BarRNR. Served in Tay Div. RNR 1961-92.Retired NHS technologist. Feb. 25.

Al Lambourne, ex-CPO COXN, served inRN for 24 years including WW2 inMediterranean. Former treasurer GuernseyFootball Association, Guernsey RNA, RMAand RBL. Jan. 11, aged 79.

Eric Pendrey, ex-AB, served 1943-45 inHMS Orion. Member of HMS OrionAssociation. Nov. 3, aged 75.

Canon Briscoe OBE, chaplain of Wirral &West Cheshire branch of British KoreanVeterans Association. Served as padre withParachute Regt (wounded at Arnhem). Laterserved with RN in Korean War in HM shipsBelfast, Ceylon, Ocean. Parish priest at StWinefride's RC Church, Neston until retire-ment. Feb. 9.

Joe Reeves, ex-CPOMA, served 1957-79,including RNH Haslar, Ganges, St Angelo

(1971), Tiger, Nelson (dental). Dec. 27, aged63.

Peter Tarrant. ex-LS, member of HMSDuke of York Association. Dec. 9, aged 73

Dennis O'Brien, ex-SEA, member ofHMS Duke of York Association. Feb. 4, aged80.

Reg Keep, ex-Sgt RM. Ships: Devonshire,Belfast, Jufair. Rooke, Intrepid. Loch Fada.Member of Loch Fada Association. Feb. 13,aged 71.

A. Chas Lord, member of AlgerinesAssociation (Bramble). Jan. 12.

Charles H. Swallow, member of AlgerinesAssociation (Freda). Nov. 27.

Robert C. Garrard, member of AlgerinesAssociation (Michael, Magicienne). Jan. 2.

Thomas William Bultitude, member ofAlgerines Association (Hare). Feb. 2.

Dave (Pip) Lemon. ex-MEM1 NationalServiceman 1953-55. Ships: Raleigh, Warrior(Korea). Feb. 14, aged 69.

Johnny Bridge, ex-LS gunner, served1938-1950S. Ships included Firedrake,Warspite. WW2 veteran of Atlantic. Narvik,Mediterranean, D-Day, Pacific, Indian Ocean.Member of HMS Firedrake and HMS WarspiteAssociations. Feb. 8, aged 82.

Cyril (Nobby) Clark, ex-AB (HSD). Ships:Firedrake, Kittiwake. Nemesis. Member ofHMS Firedrake Association. Feb. 9. aged 88.

Percy Smith, ex-Sig RNZN Member ofHMS Serene Association (served on board1945). Jan 31 in Onerahi, NZ, aged 83.

George W. Lovett, ex-CPOO COXN.Ships: Gloxonia, Norfolk, Serene. Member ofHMS Serene Association. Feb. 4 inJohannesburg, S. Africa, aged 91.

Tom Iddon. Ships included HMS Magpie.Founder member of HMS Magpie Associationand member of Capt Walker's Old BoysAssociation. Feb. 12.

Jim Dawson, ex-SA. Ships included HMSAuckland. Jan. 31.

Mervyn Ashley, ex-Sto. Ships includedHMS Auckland. Feb.

George Rose. ex-AH, served 1956-58.Member of Aircraft Handlers Association.

ten Jarvis, ex-Sto serving in BYMS andMMS vessels. Standard bearer York branchRN Patrol Service Association.

Reginald Bebbington, survivor HMSKelly. In Spain, Jan.

Ralph Hover, ex-CPOMA, served 1954-79. Service: Cassandra, Bulwark, Adamant,Maidstone, Raleigh and RN Hospitals HongKong, Bighi, Plymouth. Jan. 31, aged 64.

Tony (Ginge) Wake, ex-CPO(E)1 Mech,served 1954-78. Ships: Ark Royal, Galatea,Daedalus (829 NAS aicraft engineer instruc-tor). Later worked for Laker Airways, BristowHelicopters, British Caledonia, Airbus and asBA Engineering Sales Manager (N. America).

Kenneth MacDonald. ex-CPO, served1932-56. Ships: St Vincent, St Angelo.Blanche, Winchester, Ebbtide Courageous.Ark Royal, Excellent, Victory. Pembroke (forpilot training), Amazon, Orlando. Sakin.Arbury, Comus, Gamecock, Saintes. Memberof HMS Comus Comrades. Feb. 16. aged 84.

Geoff Mason. Rolls-Royce Aero Enginesrepresentative with RN for 20 years, coveringRN air stations Culdrose, Portland andPrestwick. Oct 30. aged 61.

George W. Svenson. ex-L/Tel submariner,WW2. Boats included Turbulent, Talent,Artemis. Feb. 18, aged 78.

John Draper, chairman of HMSCumberland and HMS Sparrow Associations.March 5.

Ronald Card, ex-Seaman in RN PatrolService 1942-46 on E. Coast convoys, HMSLord Plender and BYMS 2052. Aged 76.

Schools refilledTO IMPROVE the link betweenthe Navy's hydrographic/meteoro-logical specialisation and theschools which teach the subject,their names have been changed.

The RN Hydrographic School isnow the RN Hydrographic andMeteorological School (Drake) orRN HM School (Drake). The RNSchool of Meteorology andOceanography is now the RN HMSchool (Culdrosc); and theApplied Oceanography andMeteorological Centre is now theTactical HM Section (Dryad).

Keith Blenkharn. ex-CPO REM. served22 years and was HMS Coventry survivor inFalklands War. Other ships included Berwick,Blake. Tartar, Antrim, Intrepid. Feb. 17. aqed58.

George Harrison. ex-POSA Member ofHMS Penelope Association (served in ship1942-44)

Eric Theedom. ex-PO LTO submariner.Boats included H33. Storm, Affray. Life mem-ber and founder member Australia branch ofSubmariners Association. March 7, aged 78.

Marie Conway Scott (nee Connolly), ex-WRNS SBA. Trained and worked atPortsmouth and HMS Harrier (1949-51).

ASSOCIATION OF RN OFFICERSLt CdrT. C. Andrews. Served: Sanderling,

Hornbill.Lt Cdr D. H. B. Barren DSC, MNI. Served

Otway, Shark. Penn, Royal Albert, President,Drake.

Lt Cdr G. W. Bolton MBE, DSC Served:Argonaut, Pembroke, Liverpool, Excellent,Neptune.

Lt (E) M. G. Bunn. Served: Ark Royal,Orion. Minerva.

Capt M. F. S. Burn RM. Served: Calcutta,Cleopatra, Ganges.

Cdr J. Carmalt-Jones. Served: Iron Duke.President, MOD.

Lt Cdr (E) Cheffings BEM. Served: Forth.Redpole, Britannia, Torquay, Manxman, Tyne,Sultan, Cochrane.

Lt Cdr (E) R. A. Cummings Served: Tyne,Kenya, Pellew, Tamar, Collingwood,Cochrane, Neptune.

Capt (S) C. A. Douds QBE. Served:Norfolk. Simbang, Terror, Vidal, Victorious,Saker. Cochrane, Daedalus, Warrior,Neptune.

Cdr (S) W. H. Field OBE, DSC. Served:Norfolk, Cossack, Naiad, Pembroke, Glory,Condor, Newcastle, President, Daedalus,Cochrane.

Lt Cdr M. A. J. J. Hanrahan. Served:Venerable, Malta, Apollo, Indefatigable, SeaEagle, Londonderry.

Lt Cdr P. F. S. King. Served: Courageous,Victorious, Furious, Begum, RNAS Colombo.

Lt Cdr (E) D. E. Morris Served: Mauritius,Hercules, Fisgard, Forth, Osprey, Dolphin.

Capt J. R. Odendaal MBE. RM.Wardmaster Lt N. Sansom. Served:

Ganges, Victory, President, RNH Plymouth.Cdr D. F. Townsend OBE. Served:

Hawkins, St Vincent, Norfolk. Devonshire,Tenacious, St James, President. Tamaki.

Lt S. H. Wragg. Served: Siskin. Falcon,Hermes, Excellent.

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATIONThomas Bernard Jones. Runcorn. Ships:

Cumberland, Dainty, Crane. Euryalus.Member of HMS Crane Association. Aged 67.

Louis Malone. founder member and com-mittee member Caerphilly. Ex-LCK Shipsincluded Barbastelle. Centaur, Ark Royal Feb11, aged 66.

Raymond Gibling. Colchester Shipsincluded Breakmore. Hotspur. Veteran ofRussian convoys. Feb. 13. aged 75

Arthur Elliss. vice president MaidstoneEx-RMLI and RN. Aged 96.

S/Lt Alec B. Gilroy SAN & RN. PrincesRisborough. Served 1942-46. Ships:Birmingham, Burdock. 42 Escort Group (N.Atlantic), Excellent. D-Day veteran. Aged 76.

Leslie Harwood, Portsmouth. Feb. 16.Joan Pluthero, Ferndown. Ex-WRNS.

Feb. 25.John Andrews, Bude and formerly

Chatham, Brentwood, Southend. Shipsincluded HMS Constance. Feb. 26.

Tom Sayer, Colchester. Ex-GI. Ships:Ganges, Arethusa, Kenya, Warspite. Feb. 22,aged 78.

Noel Sherwood, secretary Launceston.Ex-LEM, served 1949-63. Ships: Contest,Torquay, Vigo, Carysfort, Hardy. Jan. 28, aged68.

Peter Charles John, Crewe. Ex-LS,served 1938-53. Ships: Ganges, Maori,Brilliant, Western Isles.

J. Clay, Capenhurst. Ex-RMKenneth Charles Sansom, Bloxwich.

Served 1938-54. Ships included Liverpool andminesweepers. Feb. 16.

Bill Cowley, Bury St Edmunds. Served1944-50 including minesweepers. StEdmundsbury local authority councillor andformer Mayor. Jan. 28, aged 74.

Johannes (John) Ditmer. Bury StEdmunds, ex-Royal Netherlands Navy whoescaped to UK when Germans invaded LowCountries 1940. Then served in RN. Aged 78.

Charles Heptinstall Brentwood Alsomember of RN Patrol Service AssociationFeb. 11.

Officer promotionsPROMOTIONS to Lieutenant CommanderRN and Major RM effective October 1 thisyear:

WARFARE BRANCHSURFACE & SUBMARINE

Lt J.L. Clark, Lt IB. Clarke, A/Lt Cdr P.E.Dunn. Lt S.R Gough, Lt TC. Green, Lt L.A.Gritt, Lt J.P Howe. Lt A.T.F. Kerr, A/Lt Cdr J.Kerr, Lt R.D. Lintern. Lt J. McKernan, Lt M.P.Metcalfe BEM, A/Lt Cdr P.G.A. Noblett. A/LtCdr C.J. Nugent. Lt P.P. Reid. Lt PS. Roberts.A/Lt Cdr S Roberts, Lt A Rogers. Lt KRowlands. Lt N.J Smith. Lt K.A. Turner, LtA.B West. Lt G.J. Wilson

AIRLt J P Bowers. Lt S E. Brunsden-Brown. Lt

A.D. Clink, Lt R.T.M. Deverson. Lt J Duncan.A/Lt Cdr R.A. Eatwell. Lt R.A. Forster. Lt MAGraham. A/Lt Cdr N.R. Griffin, Lt P.P.Hannigan. Lt M.W Hanrahan. Lt G.GJaggers. Lt A.R Knight. A/Lt Cdr M.P Liggins,Lt B.J Nicholas. Lt G.A. Richardson. Lt J.SScivier. Lt R.N. Sneddon. A/Lt Cdr R.B.Tattersall. Lt N E. Weightman, Lt D.R.Westley. Lt C.B. Yelland

ENGINEERINGLt J A.L. Baggaley. Lt A.N. Bannister. Lt

D.L. Barrett, Lt D.J. Cox. Lt L Crawford, Lt K.J.Cunnane, Lt S.P. Davies. Lt M.D. Dewsnap. LtN.B. Dunsby. Lt S Evans, Lt J.L. Farrington. LtR.T.A. Hancock, Lt G.P Hooper, Lt B.B.Horwell, Lt. M.J. Johnson, Lt PH. Lake, LtM.P. Langrill, Lt D.J. Leaning, Lt R. Metcalf. Lt

I Mills, Lt S.D. Mitchell. Lt J.N. Morgan-Hosey,Lt B.J. Mountjoy, Lt A.R. Phillips, A/Lt CdrN.A. Rowan, Lt C.M. Stanham, Lt PL. Stobie.Lt SJ Taylor, Lt D.G. Walsh, Lt S.R Walton, LtA.D. Wray. Lt J A. Wroblewski.

TM/ISLt D.M.L Baines. Lt K.D. Hutton, Lt J.E.

Procter, Lt E.K.B Wharrie

SUPPLY BRANCHLt M.C. Cottis, Lt AT Fearnley. Lt PA

Jackson. Lt MM. Knowles. Lt M.G Melville-Brown, A/Lt Cdr J.B Ryan Lt I.K. Taylor, LtD.W.A. Walker. A/Lt Cdr A.W. West, Lt D.M.Wilman. Lt M.A.H. Woollen

MEDICAL SERVICESA/Lt Cdr I.M. Phillips. A/Lt Cdr T.J. Ryder.

A/Lt Cdr P Simpson, A/Lt Cdr R.A. Stead.

ROYAL MARINESCapt G W Fraser. A/Major G.E. Green,

Capt W.F. Hannah. A/Maj A.P. Kelly.

NON-SPECIALIST FEMALE OFFICERSLt E.J. Simpson

QARNNSLt T.W Aldwinckle. Lt D.J. Knight.Selections took account of reserved

rights promulgated in BR8373 Art 3211.Those selected are to note BR8373 for

rules concerning return of service andother promotion regulations.

Promotions to ChiefAUTHORITY was issued by CommodoreNaval drafting in March for the following to beadvanced:

To CCWEA - M.J. McCormick (UpholderTRG Team), A. Roberts (Spartan). R.

Joan Pluthero. Ferndown and formerlyHamworth. Ex-WRNS 1942-46

Alfred Mollart Reeves, vice president andfounder member Stoke-on-Trent & District. Feb28. aged 89

Frederick Jackson Smith. Carlisle &District. Ex-AB, served 1938-53 and then asSea Cadet instructor Ships: Caledonia. Jackal,landing craft (D-Day), Seymour, Illustrious andshore base in S. Africa. March 1, aged 77

Tom Lister, Harwich & District. Shipsincluded HMS Diadem. Member of HMSDiadem Association. Feb. 10.

Wilf Burke. Huddersfield. Ex-CPO, served1928-50. Service included: Concord, Berwick,Scorpion, Triton, Olna, Illustrious. March 4,aged 91.

Kenneth Catlow. treasurer Bletchley &District RNA Club Ex-RM bandsman and stan-dard bearer Bletchley branch of RMAssociation. Feb. 18.

Richard White, Cork & County Ex-CPOShips: Jewel, Illustrious. Vanguard. Penelope.

Charlie Hayes. Cork & County. Ex-CPO.Albert Hardy, Calne Ex-Sto who served in

WW1, including HMS King George V in homeFleet. March 12, aged 101

Richard (Jim) Caswell. Calne Ex-CERABurma Star veteran, in HMS Akron at liberationof Singapore. Aged 77.

Herbert Goddard. Lydd & Dungeness.March 17.

Roy Manners, former chairman and presi-dent Bude. March 5. aged 70.

W. H. (Harry) Bagg, former chairmanBirmingham (Sheldon). Served 1941-46. Shipsincluded Howe (Pacific), Nelson. March 5,aged 79

Whittington (Ocean), I. Williams (SSA/Capt.MCTA).

ARTIFICER/TECHNICIANTo CPOCT - I.E. Wilson (JSSU Oakley).To CPOAEA(L) - SJ. Mallaby (RFANSU).To CPOAEA(M) - R.A Adams (RNAS

Yeovilton), C.A. Bowen (ES Air MASU Sea),J.L. Norman (RNAS Yeovilton), C.M. Roddy(829 Fit 244). S.M Walling (815 Fit 239).

To CPOAEA(R) - S.A Hole (899 SqnHeron), A.C. Wood (829 Fit 218).

To CPOMEA - I Aisbitt (DrakeCBP(DLO). M.A. Dear (CFM Portsmouth).A.J. Robinson (Vanguard Port), A.D. Smith(CFM Portsmouth).

To ACPOMEA - G.S. Mayes (VanguardPort), A.K. Smith (CFM Portsmouth).

To CPOWEA - M.F. Carins (Collingwood),J.C. Wnght (Gloucester).

WEAPON ENGINEERINGTo CPOWEM(R) - ST Jones

(Collingwood).

SUPPLYTo CPOSA - A J. Turner (Talent).

FLEET AIR ARM (ENGINEERING)To CPOAEM(M) - D Wood (RNAS

Culdrose), C. Davis (824 NAS), I.G. Betts(849 Sqn B Fit)

FLEET AIR ARM (NON ENGINEERING)To CPOACMN - J.R. Hounsome (771 SK5

SAR), S.R.J. Lewis (824 NAS), C.S. Hicks(RNAS Culdrose).

To CPOA(AH) - S.Dando (846 Sqn). K.Garnham (Fearless), M.K.S. Clifford (RNASCuldrose), J.R. Young (815 Sqn. HQ).

To CPOA(PHOT) - D. McCormick(DGCC).

SUBMARINE SERVICETo CPO(SSMKO) - J.R. Ulke (Turbulent),

W. Goodall (Victorious Port).To CPO(SSM) - J.C. Wilkinson (Tireless).

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42 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 www. navy news. co. UK

SoortNew girlmakesher markat tennisNEW player Sarah Carroll causedquite a stir at the Royal Navywomen's indoor tennis champi-onships when she partnered WONikki Hudson to success in thedoubles competition.

Sarah, a WSA from HMSHeron, is one of a growing crop ofyoung players mixing in with theestablished team as the new sea-son gets under way.

But it was one of the old handswho took the limelight in the sin-gles as POWPT Jeannie Bone wona close final against WO Hudson.

The RN ladies team then wentclose to taking the inter-Servicestitle in the B's tennis tournamentat Aldershot, finishing second tothe Army.

A strong showing in the singles,with wins from Lt Cdr CarolineWilliams and Lt Sally Newman,was followed by mixed fortunes inthe doubles - Sally and Carolinehad one win and one defeat, as didsecond pair Surg Lt FleurMarshall and LNN Sharon Fraser-Smith

Any ladies interested in joiningthe team should contact RNWSOat HMS Temeraire for details offuture fixtures and tournaments.

The Army also swept the boardin the men's competition,although the RN team put up aspirited display and entertainedthe crowd with some audaciousplay on doubles day.

The men's team featured fivedebutants to the competition -Andre Usbornc, Andy Griffiths,John Stamper, Andy Wildin andDominic Spivey - with team cap-tain Chris Osborne. Steve Pearsonand Clive Lunn adding the experi-ence and entertainment.

Anyone interested in joining themen's squad should contact ClivcLambshead on 9380 24193 fordetails of fixtures and coaching intheir area, while those who wish tobe considered for the women'steam should contact the RNWSOat HMS Temeraire.

Tough build-up to tough match Runnersclinchwesternleague

A TESTING series of matches should have pro-vided the Royal Navy's rugby union squad withideal preparations for the big match against theArmy at Twickenham.

The retirement of veteran players has givenyounger players their chance to break into thesenior team, and a 24-13 win against a touringWest Indies side in October was a good start.

But a series of defeats against strong opposi-tion - 25-0 against Cornwall, 30-29 against

London Old Boys, 25-12 against Devon, 15-10against Oxford University, 18-10 againstSomerset, 31-9 against Cambridge Universityand 20-5 against Exeter - followed.

The experience gained from will be tested tothe full at Headquarters on May 5 in the Armyvs Navy match, sponsored by Willis.

The ticket hotline is on 0870 4446633, anddetails are available on MODWeb, 2SLWeb andFleetWeb, or at www.navyruKhyunion.com

Gates open at 1130, and other attractionsinclude the Combined Services U21s playingthe England Students, and the national U12sRugby Festival, as well as interactive Servicedisplays.• The RNRU Sevens tournament will be heldat HMS Collingwood on April 4 between 1000and 1700, when a strong Collingwood squad willattempt to break the mobile Royal Marines'team's stranglehold on the event. Entry is free.

Cresta Run crashscuppers title bid

High excitementATHREE-week expedition toCorsica to complete the traverseof the Haute Route is beingplanned for August - contact LtGrant Lewins on 9375 41532 or01752 811532 for details.

Neptune take chargeNEPTUNE held court when theRoyal Navy inter-establishmentsquash championship reached thefinal stages.

The Scottish team, wi th four RNplayers in thei r ranks, overpow-ered HMS Sultan 5-0 in the final ,in which Lt Cdr Robin Young, RNVeterans captain, managed toscramble just one point from RNcaptain LWTR Jason Youdale,

playing for Neptune in his lastcompetition in the Service.

Neptune had already beatenHMS Excellent 5-0 in the semis,while Sul tan overcame HMSNelson 4-1. Nelson took thirdplace with a 3-2 win over Excellent.• The AGM for the RNSRA willbe held in the Rugby Clubhouse.Burnabv Road. Portsmouth, onFridav, Mav 11, at 1000.

• Royal Navy forward WAEM Pam Williams, leads acharge through the Southampton defence.

Students vanquishedTHE RN women's rugbyteam have recorded animpressive win overSouthampton University.

Navy forwards domi-nated from the off, andsecond row LWOM PaulaBennett scored after fourminutes.

Much of the first halfwas played in the stu-dents' 22, and furthertries from Bennett, wingWRN Sarah Hopkinsonand scrum half LWPTWendy Briggs, with twoconversions, gave the RN

a half-time lead of 24-0.The Navy also domi-

nated the second half,with Bennett completingher hat-trick, Briggsscoring a second andright wing LWPT JaneMcAIIister completingthe scoring at 39-0.• Any lady rugby play-ers, or those keen to takeup the sport, should con-tact Lt Sian Howells on9375 52838, or Lt VikkiFerguson on 9380 23958.

A HIGH speed crash in training scupperedthe Royal Navy's attempt to retain theinter-Services tobogganing trophy.

CPO Pete Sellers (HMS Ocean)required three operations and two weeks ina Swiss hospital after the crash, on theCresta Run in St Moritz.

The accident hit team morale, but theNavy rallied sufficiently to take secondplace behind an impressive Army squad inthe battle for the Prince Philip Trophy.

Team captain Lt Cdr Andy Mills (SM1)took second place, just 0.06s behind thewinner, although Andy already had two tro-phies in the bag from earlier races.

The other team members were Lt CdrPaul Hart (exchange Royal Brunei Navy),Lt Jamie Summers (HQRM), Lt DanHooton (COMNA Yeovilton), Lt DavidGillett (HMS Dulverton), Cpl lan Breeze(FRMPO, Clyde) and novice OM DanBroome (HMS Dulverton).

Anyone with the nerve to guide a 50kgsled down the Cresta Run at speeds of up toHOmph who are available for three weeksnext January should contact Lt Cdr Mills onFaslane ext 7556. or see the RNWSA web-site (wwH:rnu:\-u.fom) for details.

Water weekendWINDSURFING legend Peter Hart wi l l beon hand with advice and instruction duringa RN/RM windsurfing open weekend.

The Calshot Activity Centre has beenexclusively booked for Service personneland their dependants on June 9-10.

And, depending on the weather, therewill be instruction on the water using videoanalysis, rigging clinics and classroom work,with other instructors also on hand to help.

Although aimed at improving technique,newcomers arc also welcome, and suitableequipment wi l l be available free of charge.There will be a range of demo equipment totry out. and overnight camping is available.

For fur ther details and to register yourinterest, contact Lt Cdr Simon Kingsburyon 9375 65834, or Lt Cdr Steve Bignell on93825 2600.

AFTER a decade of trying, theRoyal Navy Athletics Club haswon the Westward Leaguesenior men's cross country tro-phy, writes Lt Cdr GraemeRiley.

The victory was sealed atPaignton, when a weakened team- a number of key runners were inwarm-weather training for theinter-Services championship, fin-ished second to ExmouthHarriers.

With the Exmouth fixture can-celled because of foot-and-mouthdisease, the RN record of secondplaces at St Austell, Redruth,Exeter and Paignton, plus a win atBideford, were enough to securethe prize.

Sean Child's seventh place atPaignton rounded off a good sea-son for LPT Childs, who took fifthplace in the aggregate league plac-ings.

Behind him were S/Lt MikeOakes (16th at Paignton), PO BobGoutcher (21st), Lt Cdr KenHoulberg (26th) and Mark Bird(36th).

The ladies also struckgold at Paignton, winningtheir first Westward Leaguefixture.Lt Do Aherne (8th) just edged

out S/Lt Carolyn Kenyon (9th) tobe the first RN runner home, withLt Linda Lawrence finishing 15th,good enough to put her 6th in theoverall rankings. The team fin-ished 4th in their first season in theleague.

Bob Chapman (civilian mem-ber), in an injury-hit season, lostout by a single point in the Vet 50category, scoring 398 points to thewinner's 399.

But there was to be disappoint-ment for Cpl Mark Croasdale, hotfavourite for the inter-Servicesmen's title, when the event wascancelled because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Mark now turns his attention tothe London Marathon, where hehopes to improve on the Navyrecord he set last year.

Cold challengeTHE REME Stallions arc lookingfor anybody interested in trainingor playing ice hockey, and are alsokeen to find other Services, Corpsor Regiments to play.

Contact WO2 (AQMS) Pateyon 9214841 5470.

Here is your chance to win a family ticket for a fantasticday out. Simply answer the two questions below and send

your entry to:Navy News / Chatham Navy Days Competition, Navy News,

HMS Nelson, Queen Street, Portsmouth, Hants PO1 3HHTo Arrive no later than Friday 4th May 2001

What dates will KM Navy Days be held?

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Name.......................................Address..................................

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Rolls Royce help Navy swimmers to victory

1 Micky Nolan in full flight in the 50m butterfly.

ROYAL Navy swimmers andwater polo players struck goldin competitions at home andabroad.

A nine-man swimming team,sponsored by Rolls Royce, trav-elled to the Dutch Open NationalMasters event to take on the bestof Northern Europe.

The 4x50m medley relay teammissed the British record by lessthan a second, but Nick Vaughan,Micky Nolan, lan Fairhurst andMartin Cramp smashed the British

4x50m freestyle relay time by overhalf a second on the second day.

The team bagged 16 gold, 17 sil-ver and three bronze medals - atally of 36 out of 48 swims, and toround the event off, the RoyalNavy was the team of the competi-tion.

The squad is now preparing forthe GB Long Course champi-onships in June, where they havetheir eyes on their 4x50m longcourse freestyle relay record.

Meanwhile the RN water polo

team won the Lady RichmondBrown challenge cup at the HMSCollingwood pool.

Teams from SouthamptonUniversity, Andover, Portsmouth,Bournemouth and Basingstokewere also in the hunt for honours,but the Navy came up trumps inthe final, beating the University 3-2 to take the trophy for the firsttime since 1987, to the delight ofCommodore Davies, Commodoreof HMS Collingwood, and himselfa Navy water polo team player.

WITH the prospect of a new25-metre pool at HMS Heron,the RN Amateur SwimmingAssociation decided to holdan inaugural Masters swim-ming competition, which wasattended by civilian clubsfrom as far afield as Oxford.

The Navy fielded anextremely strong side of bothserving and retired Servicepersonnel, and competitionwas tight - three Navy swim-mers finished one race withidentical times, and had to besplit by the judges.

It was also a chance forarch-rivals Commodores PeterDavies (HMS Collingwood)and Laurie Brokenshire (HMSRaleigh) to compete again,and the RN also put up a four-man relay team in the 160-199total age category - two com-modores and two comman-ders.

Commodore Davies, asChairman of the RNASA, alsohad the privilege of presentingthe overall winning team tro-phy to his own side.

www.na vynews. co. uk NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001 43

SportLuck of the Irish

HMS COLLINGWOOD boxer Mo Morrision had the|uck of the Irish when he fought at the RN Cup box-ing championships.Not only did OM Morrison take the Navy novicebantamweight title, but he also won the RN/RMSports Lottery, scooping £4,500 from the boxingshow's main sponsor.

Mo intends to use the money to help pay off hisgrandmother's mortgage - to thank her for beinghis main guardian and raising him through child-hood.

Women leadin cricket

• The Commanding Officer ofRNAS Yeovilton, CommodoreRichard Clapp officially opensthe air station's new climbingwall by cutting a ribbon half-way up. He then impressed thecrowd by completing theascent.

• CMEM George Barclay on the attack.

Fearless on tourTEAMS from HMS Fearless undertook a sportstour of their affiliated town of Scarborough.

The tour is the highlight of the amphibiousassault ship's sporting calendar, and across thevarious sports the honours were shared.

The ship's golf team beat the Northcliff team3-2, but lost by the same margin to Southcliff.

Fearless won both football matches, beatingthe Town Hall 5-2 and Scarborough Police 3-1,but lost the hockey 4-0 to the town side, and therugby team similarly slipped to defeat by 17-15.

NAVY women arc taking a leadin redeveloping the sport in theServices.

Royal Navy women's cricketwas reintroduced in Februarylast year after an absence of 35years, yielding a squad ofaround 16 ranging from begin-ners to those with a little experi-ence.

Initially, eagerness and com-mitment was a substitute forskill and knowledge, but by theend of their first season therewas a marked improvement - acredit to the professional coach-ing skills applied.

Women's cricket is now anestablished element of the RNCricket Club, and eight fixturesare planned for this season,including matches against theHampshire U 19s at the Nursery

Ship ahoyONE ATHLETE in the London Marathon willstand out from the others - he will be wearing a ship.

WTR John McGowan will run the race, on April22, in full tropical kit, carrying a mock-up of a ship.

John is raising money for the Cot Death Society,the HCPT foundation and the SubmarineCentennial Fund. Send donations, payable to 'JCMcGowan', to John at the UPO, HMS Neptune,HMNB Clyde, tel 93255 6881, or 07949 181550, c-mail on Navy intranets to HMS NEPTUNE-WTRNG.

Ground in Southampton andthe MCC Ladies at BurnabyRoad.

Now the Navy hasapproached the Army and RAFto canvas support for women'scricket in their Services, with aview to holding an inter-Serviceschampionship in 2002. Neitherthe Army or RAF has a women'steam at present.

If you are interested in join-ing the RN squad, contact LtCdr Fiona Fawcett, RNWCCchairman, on 93835 4246 or4958. Ll Phil l ipa Sargent on93843 2482, or Lt Cdr DavidCookc, on 9380 23741.

Carriers testnew pitch

TEAMS from two aircraft car-riers battled it out in the firsthockey match to be playedon the new water-basedpitch at Burnaby Road.

Umpired by the RoyalNavy's Hockey Associationsecretary, Lt Cdr AlanWalker, and CPO KeithCrockatt of CFM, the gamesaw HMS Illustrious beatHMS Invincible 3-1, withgoals from CPO Smith, POCrabtree and MEM Burling-ham doing the damage.

A RETIRED submarine engi-neer officer has had his entryaccepted for this year's run-ning of the prestigious Frenchclassic car rally, the Tour Auto.

Cdr Eoin Sloan will he drivinghis ex-works 1974 Porsche CarreraRS 3.0, which was entered for the1975 Le Mans 24-hour race.

The car will be co-driven by afellow member of the PorscheClub of Great Britain.

The rally attracts a glitteringarray of Ferraris, Porsches,Ligiers, Matras and similar carswith genuine racing histories.

Scrutineering takes place onMonday, April 9, opposite theEiffel Tower in Paris.

The rally starts in earnest thefollowing day and takes inMontlhery, Le Mans (short cir-cuit), and a number of other cir-cuits and hill-climbs before it fin-ishes in Nice on the followingSaturday.

Cdr Sloan has organised for thecar to carry the SubmarineService's centenary logo through-out the rally.

Best trip of allLt lan Lindsay, of RNASYeovilton Air Traffic Control, hasbeen awarded the Naval AirAdventure Training Trophy for thebest expedition of 2000 - a crosscountry ski trip in Germany andAustria.

• The HMS Sultan pack prepares to drive during the Portsmouth Area rugby union cup final, whichHMS Collingwood won 39-10. The winners had already beaten Heron 19-5 and Excellent 28-7 to reachthe final, while Sultan beat Dryad 28-5 in the semi-final. Pic,ure: LA<PHOT) Adrian Hughes (HMS Sultan).

Navy wins whenit really matters

INDIFFERENT results in the run-up to the inter-Services competi-tion failed to put off the Navy'sfootballers, who came good whenit counted against the Army, writesLt Cdr Steve Vasey.

Injuries and absences forced RNteam coach CPOPT Neil Frame(Warrior) to come out of retire-ment and join some newcomers inthe side to play the Civil Service.

The Navy took the lead with a23rd minute penalty, but foundthemselves 2-1 down at half-time.

As the Navy pushed forward inthe second half, the civilians foundthe gaps to score twice more for a4-I win.

A penalty shoot-out decided theCommodore Ferries Cup for thethird year running, but this timethe Navy ended up losing, havingshut out the lively Guernsey attackand survived the sending-off ofLAEM John Dclahaye after 80minutes.

In the return game, two dayslater, a weakened Navy teamnotched an easy win, despitefalling behind at the start.

The Dark Blues were level on 18minutes and 4-1 up at half-time,and ended 6-2 winners.

The final warm-up before theinter-Services was abandoned athalf-time with the Navy 2-0 up onthe Metropolitan Police.

The Army match had to beswitched to HMS Drake fromPlymouth Argyle's Home Parkground when a downpour water-logged the pitch.

In heavy conditions, the visitorswent ahead after eight minutes, bywhich time both sides had missedchances.

An entertaining first half of cnd-to-end football ended with just thesingle goal separating the sides, butit took only three minutes after thebreak for the Navy to equalise,Terry Price converting a corner.

As the Navy applied pressure,the Army started to give ground,and the home side broke throughin the 73rd minute when SteveRilcy slotted home a penaltyrebound.

With the Army having beenreduced to ten men in the incident

that brought the penalty, the DarkBlues were in the ascendancy, andmade certain of the Mercury Cupwith five minutes left throughFraser Quirke.H The Royal Navy Youth regis-tered their second consecutiveinter-Services win by beating theirArmy counterparts at Aldershot.

In a dour, physical encounter,the Navy took the lead midwaythrough the first half, OMAWColville scoring, and as things gotscrappy the midfield, led byMichael Preston, protected thelead superbly.

As the Army pressed forward inthe latter stages of the second peri-od the Navy caught them on thebreak, WEA Waldron slottinghome after a defensive mix-up.• The Royal Marines were brieflyin the spotlight before theWorthington Cup final at theMillennium Stadium in Cardiff.Members of 40 Cdo showed theirskill at abseiling, removed decora-tive football discs from the pitch,and escorted the cup at the finalwhistle.

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44 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2001

810 Squadron to disband after 64 yearsA ROYAL Naval air squadron whichhas a 64-year history, includingBattle Honours in World War II andKorea, is to decommission at theend of July.

With the introduction ot the Merlinhelicopter, the task of training aircrew inSea King anti-submarine warfare iscoming to an end for 810 Squadronbased at RN air station Culdrose.

That role will be taken over by 814Navai Air Squadron equipped withMerlins, with residual Sea King trainingbeing conducted by 771 NAS.

First formed in 1937, 810 Squadronflew Swordfish torpedo bombers andthen Barracuda aircraft during WorldWar II, taking part in the Norwegian cam-paign, the hunt for the Bismarck,Mediterranean raids and the bombing of

Sabang in Sumatra and of the AndamanIslands in 1944.

During the Korean War, 810 flewFirefly strike aircraft, achieving 3,446sorties and in 1950 winning the Fleet AirArm's prestigious Boyd Trophy, in 1956the squadron, embarked "n HMSBulwark with Sea Hawk fighters, tookpart in the Suez operation.

Disbanded in 1960, 810 was reformed

in 1983 to conduct its current task.A icrmaJ decommissioning parade

followed by an informal, all-ranks socialfunction will be held on July 26 atCuldrose. All previous squadron per-sonnel and families are invited andshould apply to Lt Cdr A. S. Murray,Decommissioning Officer, 810 NAS,RNAS Culdrose, Helston, Cornwall,TR12 7RH.

Sub refitcomplex'must beon time'THE NAVY Board, led byFirst Sea Lord Admiral SirNigel Esscnhigh, have visitedDevonport to check on theprogress of a project toupgrade submarine refittingand refuelling facilities.

D154 Project is to be completedby next year, in time for HMSVanguard's long overhaul periodinvolving nuclear refuelling.

The first phase of the scheme,the opening of Dock LS after alarge upgrade to withstand earth-quakes, was completed in June1999, ready for the refit of HMSTrenchant.

Admiral Essenhigh said thefacilities are vital to maintain theUK strategic nuclear deterrent,provided by the four Vanguard-class boats, and therefore must beready on time.

After a close look at how workis progressing, Admiral Essenhighsaid he was impressed by the com-mitment shown and the achieve-ments so far.

"There wi l l he difficulties andsetbacks - there always are in pro-jects of this size and complexity -hut I am fully satisfied there is thewill and capacity in the team toachieve completion on time," hesaid.

Gloucester onher way East

HMS GLOUCESTER left fromPortsmouth on March 19 for aseven-month deployment whichwill take her half way round theworld on a scries of defence tasks,mil i tary sales exhibitions anddiplomatic visits.

The destroyer's first ports ofcall were to be Gibraltar and Creteand as the ship makes passage forSuez a service of remembrancewill be held over the wreck of theninth HMS Gloucester, a cruisersunk by air attack during WorldWar II.

After passing through the SuezCanal the Type 42 destroyer willspend two months call ing onIndia, Singapore, the Malaysianstate of Sabah. Brunei and SriLanka.

Joint training tostart for divers

FOR THE first time in over 40years. RN and Royal Engineersdivers are to t ra in together fromApril 23. Although the Defence-Diving School at Portsmouth hasbeen in existence since 1995, theRN and RE have remained sepa-rate in two different t ra in ingwings.

• From page 1capsule can be brought back inboardfor re-use while a rocket motorlaunches the missile into the air in

Leased warshipsto patrol fisheriesFOR THE first time inrecent years the Ministryof Defence plans to oper-ate warships on lease.

The three Future OffshorePatrol Vessels (FOPVs), forwhich Vosper Thornycroft isthe preferred bidder, arcexpected to enter service nextyear on a five-year renewablelease from the company.

The ground-breaking scheme,announced by ProcurementMinister Baroness Symons, willprovide the Royal Navy's FisheryProtection Squadron with threeships which arc much bigger andbetter than the five Island-classvessels they arc designed toreplace.

MOD reckons that it will save£10 million a year by operating the

I • A model of the Future Offshore\ Patrol Vessel - bigger and better; than its predecessors.

_.:k. • • • i t Ih u

FOPVs twice as many days of theyear, with fewer people manningthe vessels in rotation.

At 1,677 tonnes they will bemuch larger than the 1,260-tonneIsland ships. Their ships' compa-nies will be smaller - about 30drawn from a pool of 45 for each

HMS Albion goesdown the slipway

BRITAIN'S new amphibious assault ship, HMS Albion, is sentdown the slipway at Barrow-in-Furness. The Princess Royallaunched her at BAE Systems shipyard on March 9. Albion willenter service in a year's time, replacing HMS Fearless. A secondassault ship, HMS Bulwark, is due to be launched in December.

Picture: LA(PHOT) Nigel Stevenson

"770028"167078

the normal way. A turbo-fan enginethen takes over, allowing the sub-sonic weapon to cruise to its target atover 5(X) knots.

Capt John Kirkpatrick, head ofthe Tomahawk IPT at the DefenceProcurement Agency in Bristol,believes that the breakthrough willgive Britain a cost-effective opportu-nity to purchase the Block IV mis-siles which are due to enter service inAmerica in 2(X)3.

In the meantime, Britain'sTomahawk capability will be main-tained by HM submarines Splendid.Triumph - and Trafalgar which is due

to complete her first test firing in thesummer on competition of repairsin Devonport.

Four further fleet submarines arecurrently being fitted with Block IIITLAM, but the final two Trafalgar-class SSNs and the Astute-class sub-marines which replace the Swiftsureboats could receive the dual BlockIII and Block IV-capable weaponcontrol system as standard by 2(K)5.

Tactical Tomahawk could then beback-fitted to the original five T-classSSNs allowing the vessels to launchboth Block III and Block IV missiles.

Although the plan depends on the

ship - and accommodation will bebetter with single cabins for offi-cers and senior rates and two-berthcabins for others.

The method of crew rotation tokeep ships at sea for longer waspioneered by the ocean survey shipHMS Scott.

Aggies toclose inPlymouth

A DEVONPORT landmarkthat has provided Naval wel-fare for the past 125 years is tofinally close its doors.

Aggies' - the Royal Sailors'Rest in Albert Road - will wind upat the end of June because ofdeclining use and high runningcosts.

Aggies at Portsmouth closed inJune 1999 to be replaced by anearby drop-in facility and creche.The closures reflect changes in theneeds of sailors since the RSR wasfounded by philanthropist DameAgnes Weston in 1876.

RSR Chief Executive, the RevJonathan Martin, told Navy Newsthat the Devonport closure wouldrelease resources to be used moreeffectively for members of theNavy and Royal Marines.

Rest centres at Gosport andHelensburgh were well used andwould remain.

To replace Aggies in Plymouth.a drop-in centre is being devel-oped at HMS Drake, and thereare cybercafe "homes from home"at RN air station Culdrose and theCommando Training CentreLympstone.

It is expected that further chap-laincy support workers wil l heappointed to West Country estab-lishments.

fruition of funding talks between theUK and the USA, the TomahawkImplementation Team believes thatall ten Royal Navy submarines couldbe fitted with a torpedo-tube launchcapability for a fraction of the priceof a single, vertical-launch system.

Huge savings could also be madeon the procurement of the weaponsthemselves, with Block IV missilesexpected to cost about £525,(KK) asopposed to £8(X),(XX) for the originalBlock III TLAMs and the £1.1 mil-lion unit cost of converting oldermissiles to replace them.

All accommodation will have en-suite facilities and is designed formale and female personnel.

The first FOPV is due to enterservice in September next year withthe following two being ready atsix-monthly intervals.

At the end of their five-yearlease from VT, MOD will have theoption to extend the arrangementsfor a further five years, buy theships outright or return them toVosper.

All three will be built at the com-pany's shipyard at Woolston.Southampton and will safeguardabout 450 jobs.

MOD sees the selection of VTas preferred bidder for the contractas an example of Smart Acquisitionin action.

At present fishery protection iscarried out by the Island-class ves-sels HM ships Alderney, Anglesey,Guernsey, Lindisfarnc andShetland - all purpose buil t in1975-79 - with two larger Castle-class patrol vessels and up to fourHunt-class minehunters.

www. navy news. co. uk

Ban overfoot andmouthtakes RMReservesto AmericaABOUT 100 Royal Marinesreservists whose deploymentto Norway was prevented byfoot-and-mouth restrictionsthere found themselves doingtheir training in Californiainstead.

They were due to join otherBritish forces, including 42 Cdo,taking part in the NATO exerciseJoint Winter 2001. But theNorwegian authorities imposedrestrictions on entry to the countryby those who had left UK andother affected European countriesafter the foot-and-mouth out-break.

The RMR men were flown toCalifornia where the snow-cov-ered hills offer a suitable environ-ment for ski training.

Norwegian restrictions alsomeant that the carrier HMSInvincible could not exercise herrole as a helicopter landing plat-form there. Instead, she embarkeda company group of 42 Cdo andcarried out the planned exercise innorthern Scotland.

Meanwhile, in the UK, all non-essential military training on pri-vate land and military land hasbeen suspended as a result of thefoot-and-mouth outbreak.

New Royalschief at helmNEW Commandant General ofthe Royal Marines is Maj GenRobert Fry, who succeeded MajGen Robert Fulton in a ceremonyheld at the Commando TrainingCentre, Lympstone on March 16.

General Fry joined the Corps in1973 and is a former Chief of Staffof 3 Commando Brigade and aformer Commanding Officer of 45Cdo. In 1997, as a Brigadier, hebecame Director Naval Staff atthe time of the Strategic DefenceReview, and in 1999 commanded3 Cdo Bde during its deploymentto Kosovo where he was also com-mander of the Mul t i NationalBrigade (Centre).

DON'T FORGET !

ARMY v NAVYSaturday 5 May 2001

at TwickenhamKick off 3pm

Tickets£12.50 adults, £5.00 children and OAPs

Discounts for families and schools

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www. navynews. co. uk NAVY NEWS YOUNG READERS CLUB, APRIL 2OO1 1

It be that there Eastertime again and I bemooring me ship alongsidefor yonder holiday.I be asking me crew all aboutthose there chocolate eggs.They found out some tastychocolate facts and ye canread about them in this 'erespecial Easter edition.I be taking me big hat off tothat young slip of a girl Ellen.She be doing more sailing injust a few months than I bedoing all me life! Y« can readall about her on this 'erepage!Me crew and I will be back onthe high seas again soon sodon't ye forget to keepwriting to us! We be gettingpretty lonely at sea and welike to know what yelandlubbers are a doing!!Have a happy Easter all of ye!

SEE ACTION,SEE PAGEANTRY,SEE POWERSee all this at the 2001 ChathamNavy Days! Set in the HistoricDockyard in Chatham the three-dayevent looks set to be a great onelThere'll be no less than 11 warships, two majormilitary bands and a huge amount of displays!From across the seas there will be a BelgianCoastal Recovery Tug and a Dutch OceanographicResearch Ship.To send everyone off home in marching moodthere'll be a Tattoo every night, with aFireworks Finale!PS. Jack and Susie have found out there'll belots of things for kids to do, including theNestle Fun Bus and a "have-a-go" radio studiofrom BBC Radio Kent!

26th, 27th & 28th MAY 20O11Oam to 5.15pm Each Day

Tickets Adults E8.0O Child E3.OO Family Ticket £15.OOTATTOOS - Gates Open S.OOpm Tattoo 7.3Opm - S.OOpm

Ticket Prices E5.OO

• For further information •

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Can you find 12 sea animals fromthe wordsquare below?I) Lobster3) Shark5) Octopus7) Otter9) JellyfishII) Eel

2) Plaice4) Crab6) Pike8) Seahorse10) Whale12) Dogfish

For more information on the above attractions pleasetelephone 01202 440022

When you have completed your Word Square send your completed entry to:"The GangPlank Club" HMS Nelson, Queen Street, Portsmouth, Hants PO1 3HHName:...................................................................... Age: ......... DOB: .................................Address: .....................................................................................Postcode:...........................

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WELCOMHHOME FftjftiALL THtGANG PtAtiaCREWCaptain Plank and all the crewwere delighted to be inSouthampton's Ocean Villagerecently, to welcome home theamazing sailor......ELLEN MACARTHURCaptain Plank has met Ellen lots oftimes on his travels and thinks she'sincredible. She's only 24, but shemanaged to go round the world in a60ft racing yacht all by herself. Notonly that she beat a whole lot ofother top sailors and came second inthe Vendee Globe race!

Ellen met many dangers on her24,000-mile journey around theworld. She even came face to facewith an iceberg in the SouthernOcean. She spent time mendingdamage to her boat and had to climbup her mast in huge winds and seas.

Captain Plank asked Ellen what she islooking forward to now:

Do you know -why we giveEaster Eggs?Susie was curious why Eggs are so importantat Easter. She asked Bert the Deck Hand tofind out. He looked it up in Bert's Big Book.This is what it said.

Ellen: I'm lookingforward to spendingtime with my friendsand family, and seeingmy dog Mac!

Ellen's yacht was calledKingfisher. Ellen got soattached to the yachtthat when she finishedthe race she gave it abig kiss - right on thebow!

Ellen plans to sailKingfisher again, as soonas she can. Next timethough, she may have afew crew to help her.

If you want to send abig well done to Ellenthen you can e-mail herat ellen@kingfisherchallenges.com or writeto Captain Plank at NavyNews and he will giveher your letters.

Eggs at Easter

The custom of giving eggs at Easter isvery old.

People have been celebrating the coming ofSpring since Roman times. Spring is all aboutthings being born and the egg is the symbolof birth. In this country we celebrate theChristian festival of Easter when weremember how Jesus died and then rosefrom the dead. This is another story ofbirth and the egg has become a symbol forour Easter celebrations.

Even if you don't celebrate the Christianfestival Easter it is still a time to welcomethe end of Winter and look forward to allthe new lives that will be born in the Spring.

26th, 27th & 28th MAY 2001WE HAVE TEN FAMILY

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~~11%,OptionsNAVYNEWSYOUNGREADERSCLUB.APRIL2001TheGreatEasterQuiz Getallyourfamilytojoininwiththeanswers.Youcouldofferminieggrewardsforthepersonwiththe mostcorrectanswers!'(Answersatthebottomofthispage)1.Whichbirdlaysthelargestegg? 2.Whatisayoungharecalled?3.WhichcompanymakesCrèmeeggs?4.InAmericaatEastertheyplayeggrollingonthelawnsofaveryfamoushousecalledtheWhiteHouse.Wholivesthere?5.Whatbeanisusedtomakechocolate? 6.WhatistheFridaybeforeEasterSundaycalled?7.WhatspecialbunsdoweeatonthatFriday'8.WhatyellowflowerdowethinkofatEaster?9.Whattreedowethinkofonthe SundaybeforeEaster?10.Whatdoyoucallafemalechicken?WORDSCRAMBLEBerttheDeckHandwasondeckmakingalistofsongs,filmsandstoriesthatwouldbefuntohear,seeandreadduringtheEasterholidays.Justthenahugewavewashedoverthebowandthelistgotsmudged.CanyouhelpBertunscramblehiswords?H&sgivenyousomeclues.(Answersatthebottomofthepage). ICETRAP!Bert'sBrilliant"'.Fne.tprIII\!.,lrTLASSf11I'C%$J-MrThfl1P0BerttheDeckHandlovesirnocsandthismonthhe'sreadingaveryexcitingnewone.It'scalledIceTrap!It'sallaboutthefamousexplorerErnestShackletonandhisamazingjourneyintoAntarcticaonboardtheshipEndurance. Thewriter,MeredithHooper,hasactuallybeentoAntarcticaandshereallybringsthestoryofthebravecrew'srescuefromthedangerousandicyconditionsalive!Thepicturesarereallycoolandthereareexcellentmapsshowingwhereeverythinghappened.BertthinksanyonewholovesadventurewilllovethisbookiIceTrap!Shackleton'sIncredibleExpedition-MeredithHooper.MPRobertson.PublishedbyFrancesLincoln£10.99 kfilmthat"lays"ibrillplotandfastiNurnekcihcsongthatGrown-upsflapabouttoandeveryonegroansliedribbetgonsAstoryaboutaveryshiny,preciouseggGeghetnedolgABeatrixPotterfavouriteTibbarterepfl"fl'fl'lidtt1l('11S.0.i1.twsterEggstiAnEasterPicturewithadifference!ThisyearwhynotcreateanEastermosaic.Youcanuseamaterialthat'salwaysaroundatEaster-Eggshells! Allyouneedareafewcleaneggshells,glue,someposterpaint,brushes,waterandsomethickdrawingpaper.Firstdecidewhat'sgoingtobeinyourpicture-howaboutagiantEasterEgg?Drawtheoutline.Ifyou'regoingtohaveabigbowroundthemiddle,drawthisinfirst. Thencrushyoureggshellssothatyouhavepiecesthatareabout1-2cmwide-it'sgoodiftheyarealldifferentshapes.Nowgluetheeggshellpiecesonthepaperinwhateverpatternyouliketofillintheoutlineofyourpicture. Whenyouhavegotagoodpattern,mixupyourposterpaintsandpaintovertheeggshells.Youcanuselotsofdifferentcolourstogiveitarealmosaiclook.Youcanpaintorcolourthebow,orevenglueonarealbowtogiveevenmoretexture.YoushouldendupwithaveryunusualEasterpicture!WhatanicepresentforMumorbath PSifyoulikedyeingyoureggsforEasterbayyoucanmakeagreatpicturefromthedyedeggshells!!IndoorEggRolling!TopChocFacts!EggRollingisaverypopulartraditionatEasterButwhathappensifyouhaven'tgotahillnearyou? Well-youcanplayIndoorEggRollingandyoudon'tneedahill.So,whatdoyouneed?"Thefirstpersonrollsthediceandcountsforwardtheireggonthespaces.Playgoesonuntilthefirstpersonreachestheendandclaimsthechocolateeggprize!ItwillsoonbetimetotuckintoloadsofyummyEasterEggs,buthaveyoueverwonderedhowthey'remadeandwhatchocolatereallyis?Wellhere'sallyouneedtoknow! 1,Chocolateismadefromthecocoabean,this beencomesfromatropicaltreecalledTheobromacacao."Alargesheetofwhitepaper-alengthofoldwallpaperwilldo"Pens,pencilsandruler "OldEastercardsorEasterboxeswithpicturesofEggs."AdiceSomeprizes,miniorcrèmeeggsaregood.Whatyoudo---Thepaperisgoingtobethepretendhillsoyoucoulddecoratewithgrossandflowersifyouwantto!Dividethepaperuplengthwaysintostraightpaths,youwillneedapathforeverypersonwantingtoplay. "Markoffeachpathintoatleast24sections."Thenyouneedenoughcardeggshapesforeachplayer,eithercutthemoutofanEasterEggboxorfromanoldcard.Eachpersonputstheirshapeonthestartlineandtherollingcanbegin. StartFINISH!YIIMYl/MIEasterJokes!HowdoyoumakeaTeddybear?TakeoffitsclotheslDoctorDoctorlrmbecominginvisiblel... Yes,Icanseethatyournotallthere.WhydidtheOrangestoprollingdownThehill?.BecauseitranoutofJuice.MydogsawasignthatsaidWetPaint'... Soitdid.Whichfamouspainteralwayshadacold?......VincentVanCough.Whydidtheidiotburyhiscar?... Someonetoldhimithadadeadbattery.Doctor,Doctor.AftertheoperationwillIbeabletoplaythepiano?....OfcountyouwillMrSmithl......GreatlBecauseIcouldn'tbeforelWhere'sthebestplacetofinddiamonds?......InapackofcardslThankstoEmmaWestcott,KatieWingroveandPennyHughesforthesecooljokes. 2.WhenthebeanwasfirstdiscovereditwasusedtomakeaDrinking Chocolate.Thiswasverypopularwithbusinessmenwhousedtodrinkitintrendy"cocoa-houses"inthe1600's3.Tomakechocolatethebeanispressed.Sugarandfatsarethenaddedtoformadelicioustreat!4.Thefirstpersonto makeachocolatebarwasJosephFry.Hedidthiswaybackinthe1700's.5.MrHenriNestle,(recognisethename?),developedareallysweetstickymilkcalledcondensedmilk.Thiswas addedtoMrFry'schocolatetomakemilkVIDEOSTOWINIthN**Itl.';?:TowinottooftheseCOOLvideos, sadyou;name,ageandaddressonapostcardmarked'FUNTSTONES'to:TheGangPlankClub.NavyNews,HMSNelsaQueenStrait.Pug~Pot3$HClosingDate:4thMay2001C)chocolate-cleverstuffeh?6.ThefirstEastereggs weremadeofdarkchocolateandwere'whole shells'ratherthanthehalfshellswegettoday.7.In1955Cadbury'sinstalledthefirstfullyautomaticchocolateeggmachines. a-t.-'-s--sinclatestCremeeggmachineatBournvilleiscontrolledbycomputerandcanproduceupto-waitforit!-1100eggsperMINUTEl!9.ThemanwhostartedtomakethepackagesforEasterEggswasactuallyworkingonacartonforalightbulblHisnamewasWilliamTHarry. 10.Inatypicalyearwespend£150millionpoundsonshelleggs,£70millionpoundsoncrèmeeggsand£30millionpoundsonminieggs.Prettysicklysums!421ZAIrERS!Checkandseeifyougotthemallright!GreatEasterQuizanswers:1.Ostrich,2.Leveret3.Codbury,4Presidentofthe UnitedStates.5.Cocoa.6.GoodFriday.7.HotCrossBuns,B.battodd,9PalmTree,10.HenBert'sWordSearchAnswersChickenRun;TheBirdieSong TheGoldenEgg;PeterRabbitItsthebluepath!

It tI . (ic/i, \IU'tt S . IC

araganralEASTER a RECIPE

If you want to try more yummy recipes why not log on to www.cookwithlyle.co.uk. For a

free recipe booklet write to Lyle's Junior Cooks Club Membership/Cooking with LyleBooklet Offer. P0 Box 100, Warrington. Cheshire. WA4 6FB. You'll need to send a self-

addressed envelope with a 41p-stomp and include your name and dote of birth.

0. U- e~ k_

'

Are you just bye-ing to

make eggs look different

for Caster day?

Well, here's a good way to

produce colourful eggs to

display at Easter.

You will need:

Different colour crepe

paper; hot water; smallbowls or cups; slotted

spoon; cooking oil ; softcloth

Soak crepe paper in

hot water in individual

bowls or cups for each

S6t

colour.

" Add eggs and allow

them to sit in water

until the desired colour

is achieved.

" Remove with slotted

spoon and allow them

to dry.- Polish with small

amount of cooking oil

and a soft cloth.

PS. It's best not to use

this method if you're

intending to eat the eggs.

IIL

BookPeviewTHE %Tg~a)o BOOK OF

tgt,tik,o~

Wicked but nice!!Jock loves mobile phonesbut Captain Plank won't let

him use one on board! So,

for special messagesTechnocat lets Jackborrow the ships mobile,

As the ship is now back atsea Jack has been catchingup on his reading.Technocat showed him a

great little book about

Texting on mobile phonesand in e-mails!

It's called "The WICKEDbook of TXT UK". It'ssmall enough to fit in your

packet and inside are allthe short cuts to talkingfast in text messages!Jack reckons it's prettycool and only costs £1.99,well within a pocket money

budgetl

NAVY NEWS YOUNG READERS CLUB, APRIL 2001 3

S

I

p

Your prize will include one hour's bowling and shoe hire, a choicefrom the delicious MEGABOWL party menu, a special birthday card

You will also receive a free game voucher, invitations for your party

with a photograph of your guests, a gift for you and all your guests.

plus a bumper bundle of goodies from Chupa Chups.

QUESTION: What's the name of the week during Easter thatMEGABOWL will be giving out tenpin bowling free gamevouchers and donating eggs to charity?

Send your answer with your name &address on a postcard to:'MEGABOWL COMP'The GangPlank Club, Navy News.

The Editors decision is final- Relatives and

HMS Nelson, Queen Street,Portsmouth P01 3HH

Closing date for entries- 4th May 2001

employees of Navy News are ineligible.

GreenfirigersSpring is sprung!

"Come on all you schoolsand youth groups - get

digging!".

That's what TV GardnerAlan Titchmorsh said when

he told Susie about an

exciting national Gardeningcompetition.

It's no ordinary gardening!This is called the

Greenfingers CHALLENGE2001.

The Challenge gives groupsof young people the chanceto get together and create

some awesome gardens or

amazing wildlife areas.

It's ideal for schools or

youth groups.

It's being organised by

Tidy Britain Group and the

Royal Horticultural SocietyFor an info pack ring 0800783 7838 or write to

Greenfingers Challenge.The Pier, Wigan. WN3 4BR

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Visit i-he new irall of The Kings" jungle thenied animal periennce. whichenables ferrUles to get 'up doss and personal' with one of the biggest gorillafamilies in Europe- Chesaington's new therned animal endoaurws allow you to

get closer to the flthing than you would have believed possible with hugev4ewir.g windows proSing an up close' pan~for the visitor.

if you've always longed to witness gorillas in your midst then you won't be

dlsappolntü with the new Gorilla ~hem In the 'Trill of The Kinds"I.

Now answer the 4/lowing question or"

andyou could win a family Ticket to

Chessington WaNd of itdrentures

QunlSn: Which of these animals an pea likely to

encouate in Ch.ssiniton '5 'mu at The Kings?

a)dogs b) cats c) gorillas

Sendyour answer on a postcard to:

'The Cen9lank CuE Nay News, kids get~,

been StneI Portsmouth, Nails P01 3MM

Cksing Date For Entries - 411 Hey 2fF

the ISa", *cs it~ 2s1 01 na anftnn illaw laws a'sS.

Easter-

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Easter-Crepe Paper bye

taster

Easter-

Bunny

Can you help the Easter Bunny find the carrot? One of

these paths will lead him straight to the carrot. But what

colour is it? (Answer an the left)

ChessingtonWorld of Adventures

Open from Friday 30th March to Sunday 20th October 2001

Opening times lOam - 5/6pm daily

MvucSb..&S & 1 11cra11cu fru 0070 444 7777

0 MR NIL5~,IOCS OUT - uchn.1.gtonaaa

4 NAVY NEWS YOUNG READERS CLUB, APRIL 2OO1 www. navy news. co. uk

May 4, 1941: HMS Hood, HMS Prince of Wales and the Bismarckare engaged in a deadly duel... 1HE BLSM/lltCK

SUDDENLY HMS HOOP BLOWS UP IN A HUGE FIREBALL ATHOUSAND FEET HIGH. OUT OF NEARLY 1,500 MEN ON BOARD,THERE ARE ONLY THREE SURVIVORS.

BUT TWO OF HER 14-INCH SHELLS HAVE DAMAGED THEBISMARCK, CAUSING SERIOUS LOSS OF FUEL AND REDUCINGHER SPEED TO 2& KNOTS. LUTJENS IS FORCED TO MAKE FOR STNAZAIRE TO MAKE REPAIRS.

Birthday Congratulations!Padraig AndersonLaurence AndrewsEinel AtukGeorge AustinJoy BarlowLuke BartlettChristopher BirdSteuen BlakemoreSabriella BoswellEllen BraideMatthew BrierleyJonathon BurfordJames ChadwickTom CheekEmily ChippertieldEwan ChristieVictoria ClaydonMatthew ClaytonLeo CooperJessica CowleyBenjamin CrandonJack CrandonPaul CrandonSuite CrossGary DaviesOamien DaySherri DayStephen DearEmily DiaperJiison DowdallGlenn DreweryLaura DunkAndrew EvansClaudia FaccendaAlex FramptonJtick FrancisMarcus FreemanDavid FryJames MaddenMichael HudleyShune HarrisGuy HartFelix HealoyDaniel HeathChloe Hendry

Kaylee HerbertJames HewarclMartin HiggsTahira HigmanLewis HillerBronwen HopkinsFrancesca IngramMatthew InnesGeorge JarvisJonathan JeannguolSarah JohnsRyan JohnsonHannah JonesTerri JonesMatthew KendrickJay KimberSamantha KirkAndrew KnapperSean KnoxIsabel LastAlexander LawsDavid LeightonRoss LilleySarah LockieChloe MartinKayleigh McKeeverHannah MernaAlexander MerrettJason MillsTony MitchelsonDaniel MotionDavid MurphyKarl MurrayNicola NottidgeJames ParkerHarry ParmleyMarina ParnellJoseph PayneDean PerryKayleigh PhippsSamual PrimeraBen FullenChristopher RandsCamille RawlingsPhillip Reynolds

Angharad RichardsBenjamin RichmondKatie RitchieEmma RobertsLloyd RobinsonLloyd RobinsonChristopher RobsonChristian RooneyEmma RouseCallum RoweSamuel Ryan-FessitBen SchroederPeter SharpGemma ShotboltAndrew ShuttleworthDanny SiggersBenjamin SkeltonMark SmithStephen SmithArran StarlingRebecca StefanouJade StevensonJames TatumThomas Temple-MurrayDaniel ThomasRachel ThomasRebecca ThompsonJonathan ThorneSophie TimminsSam TyrrellAlice VannsThomas VauseEmma WestcottJamie WhellansSamuel WhiteleyLewis WhilmillAmy WilkesThomas WilkesSam WilliamsKirsty WillisLuke WillisAshley WilsonDavid WindleLuke Wright

NEXT THE PRINCE OF WALES IS HIT BY SHELLS FROM THEBISMARCK AND PRINCE EUGEN. ONE SMASHES INTO THEBRIDGE WITHOUT EXPLODING BUT ALL ARE KILLED EXCEPT CAPTLEACH AND A SIGNALMAN.

SHE IS FORCED TO WITHDRAW TO THE SOUTH EAST UNDERCOVER OF A HEAVY SMOKE SCREEN.

ADMIRAL TOVEY BELIEVES THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO STOP HER REACHING THE FRENCH COAST - HE ORDERS THE AIRCRAFTCARRIER HMS VICTORIOUS TO MOUNT AN AIR STRIKE.

The Royal NavySubmarine Service is100 years old this yearlThanks for all your fabstories, poems and drawingsabout Submarines. There's agreat story from SamanthaTattam, well done!Don't forget keep 'em coming,we'll be celebrating theSubmarine all this year!Write on for 100 years of theSubmarine service!Everyone can take part in theCentenary celebrations of theSubmarine Service.There are lots of eventshappening all over the country.Watch out in your localnewspapers and you can alsolog onto www.msubmus.co.ukfor a calendar of Events.One way we can all join in thecelebrations is to write lots ofletters and then send themwith the new Royal Mailcelebration stamps"Submarines". These will be

out on the 10th April.Dick Davis, from the Isle ofWight, has designed the newstamps. He also designed theimpressive 1998 Lighthousestamps. They were voted themost popular set of that year.Blue Peter will be featuringthe stamps soon but here'sCaptain Plank's exclusive sneakpreview!For a chance to win apresentation pack of thesefantastic stamps look for thecompetition appearing in ourMay Junior Readers pages!

V

The new Royal Mailcelebration stamps

"Submarines".

Please enrol/me as a member of Me Cany Plank Club. \I enclose a PO/cheque (payable to Navy Mews) for:£4.25 1 year UK - £7.50 2 year UK (saving £1)

Name .....Address

................................................. Postcode ........................D.O.B ....................................... Tel No ..............................E-mail address ..................................................................School attended ................................................................Joined by: Parent ~l Grandparent ~l Other ~\Do you have any Brothers ~l Sisters "1 Ages ~~lSpecial Interests: Sport n Music n Film/TV 1

Friends ~~\ Reading ~i

Send your completed form, together with apostal order/cheque for £4.25 or E7.50 to:

'The Gang Plank Club'Navy News, HMS Nelson,

Portsmouth PO1 3HHcall 023 9273 3558 or 023 9282 6040 (24 hr Answerphone)We will also accept payment by:- Visa, Delta, Access, Mastercard

or Switch on orders of £5.00 or over

The White Ensign AssociationTelephone: 0207 407 8658 Web: www.whiteensign.co.uk

Your Naval Charity providing free, friendly, unbiased help on finance,personal matters and employment

The 'Gangplank Club' is sponsored by The Gosling Foundation