Royal Naval Association News

Falmouth Sea Sunday -19th July 2009
For the past twenty-five years, Sea Sunday in Falmouth has been held on the third Sunday in July, and has now become an established part of the Civic and social calendar. Falmouth Branch of the Royal Naval Association has been privileged and proud to organise the event.

Together with the Mayor of Falmouth and the Town Council, and the Church of King Charles the Martyr, we invite you to join us on Sunday 19th July, 2009.

1020 Hrs Parade to assemble on The Moor, Falmouth;
(Parade will consist of units of HM Forces; Veterans' organisations; youth organisations, together with Civic guests from Falmouth and surrounding areas.)

1040 Hrs Parade, led by the Volunteer Band, HMS Seahawk (RNAS Culdrose) and Standards, march to Church of King Charles the Martyr;

1200 Hrs (approx) Parade re-forms, march to National Maritime Museum, Cornwall.
Salute to be taken by Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall;

1215 Hrs (approx) Parade dismissed at Events Square (adjacent to Museum).
Participants and those attending the Church are invited to join us at a reception to be held in the Discovery Centre at the Maritime Museum.
(N.B. By courtesy of the Museum, those attending the Reception are invited to spend time at the Museum FREE OF CHARGE.)

If you would like to attend and to assist us in planning the event, particularly the catering arrangements, please contact the Branch Secretary Shipmate Ron Burdekin e-mail ronburdekin615@msn.com

Paul and Annette Read from St Clement, Jersey visited the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport Hampshire to finally come face to face with the image of the iconic “Submariner Statue” They had only recently discovered Paul’s father Reginald had been the model for this statue.
The “Submariner” has become an iconic representation of the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service and has been reproduced in a multitude of materials including, bronze, porcelain and even the lead from the batteries of Holland I (Royal Navy’s first submarine 1901). Her Majesty the Queen was given a silver replica of the “Submariner” on 8th June 1958 when she presented the Queen’s Colour to the Submarine Command.

Mr George Malcolmson, Archivist at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum said, “Leading Electrical Mechanic (Leading Torpedo Operator) Reginald Lawrence Read was picked to model for the artist Gilbert Ledward RA. How he was chosen remains something of a mystery but the popular story is that Reginald’s handsome looks and fine jaw line meant that he was volunteered.”

Paul’s father died in 1987 and only one member of his family ever knew about his connection with the statue. A casual remark by Paul’s elder sister Mavis, led Annette Read to contact the museum Archivist George Malcolmson. The story began to unfold and after several years the couple have now managed to visit Gosport from their home in the Channel Islands to see the museum and the traditional home of the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service.

After his visit to the RN Submarine Museum and tour of HMS Alliance, Paul Read said, “Looking at the confined space my father must have worked and lived in, I can now finally understand why he always chose to work out doors when he left the Royal Navy”

Reginald Read had served with the Royal Navy Submarine Service throughout the war from1939 until he was discharged in 1947. He served on the submarine HMS Sealion (1940-1942) under the Command of the famous Captain Ben Bryant and HMS Sea Dog (1942) and HMS Varangian (1943-1944), HMS Uther 1944-1945) and HMS Storm (1945)

The sculpture was originally designed as part of the memorial installed in Westminster Abbey to commemorate the men of the Submarine Service of the Royal Navy, the Commandos, the Airborne Forces and Special Air Service. The World War II memorial was unveiled on May 21st 1948 and Winston Churchill gave a speech at the unveiling and dedication service.

The Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire is open every day and was set up as the "submarine memorial complex" with a key objective to commemorate the lives of the Royal Navy Submarine Service. For more information on a visit to the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and the new coffee shop overlooking Portsmouth Harbour visit www.rnsubmus.co.uk or call 023 92510354.

Over 125,000 members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines have died in the service of their country since 1914.
Navy-History.Net is therefore pleased to announce the launch of the first two volumes of Royal Navy, Royal Marine and Royal Naval Division casualties - (1) World War by Name and (2) Inter War, 1918-1939 by Name and by Date.
Working from the original Admiralty Death Ledgers, Admiralty Communiqués and other Official sources, which provide information, including first names, that is not available elsewhere, they have been compiled over many years by Don Kindell in the United States in close co-operation with British naval historians. The Foreword is by Captain Christopher Page, Head of the Naval HIstorical Branch of the Naval Staff (MOD).
The aim of this unique series of volumes is to complement the World War 1 and 2 records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and post-war casualties of the Armed Services Memorial, while including the otherwise forgotten casualties of the inter-war years, 1918-1939.

The covers of the first two casualty volumes follow. The third is the first of a series of detailed accounts of World War 2 naval actions, due for publication shortly by Bertke Publications in cooperation with Naval-History.Net. for more details.

You will have heard reports that the MOD has cancelled the provision of air space for sending parcels to our troops serving in Afghanistan. However the current plan is being allowed to proceed as planned for family and friends provided that we send by the surface lines of communications

The Royal Mail funded free mail service to Operation Telic, Operation Herrick and HM Ships in support, has been authorised to continue . See Here

All parcels must weigh less than 2 kilos and must have a name and address on or they will not leave the UK they will be destroyed!.

As a guidleine an acceptable "maximum" cost of about £10 for the contents of the parcel is the suggested figure.You could fill a shoe box with suitable goodies for less than £10.

Contents as requested by those serving out there are as follows;
"a request to concentrate on the luxuries like drinks,biscuits,noodles and wet wipes.

However the essentials (soap,tooth brushes and razors) are still very much welcomed".

Guys,

Well, I'm coming to the end of my tour here in Basra. The past 6 months have been an experienceI will remember for the rest of my life. There have been ups and downs, mainly ups. It has given me the opportunity to work with the Army and RAF, possibly something i will never do again. I have seen things and been to places that I know I will never see again. But most of all, it has made me realise that even under massive amounts of pressure, the British Armed Forces remain professional and fully deserve the respect we are given.Which leads me onto you guys.

You are all aware that I've received dozens of parcels over the last few months and have distributed them to our guys here on the COB. I hope most of you have received letters or emails of thanks from the relevant receiver. If not, I can assure you all they were very well received. I have had no special requests for any particular items so I trust the contents were sufficient. Personally, I have found it quite humbling receiving these packages and handing them out. This proves to me that we are not the forgotten few and I would personally like to thank each and every one of you for your kind gesture. I have also found it a pleasure receiving emails from you all (apologies if i didn't get back to you, internet problems!) and seeing my couple of 'dits' published in magazines and on your websites. I also know of 2 lovely children that took a photo and an email in to school as part of a 'show and tell'. Its gestures like this from you all that make a deployment worthwhile. If there is anything at all that I can do for any of you, please ask me. I would be delighted to return the favour :-) . I am also partial to a drink or two, so if our paths ever cross, I will buy the first round ;-) I plan to go to Portsmouth around February time and I know I have one invite for a pint already :-) I believe there's a bottle of rum somewhere too, 'Charles and Diana' ;-)

Can I ask that if any more parcels are sent in the near future, could they be addresses to:

PO Nick Knight
Influence Ops
DIV HQ MND (SE)
BFPO 641

Once again, many thanks to you all. I wish you all a very MERRY XMAS and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. Please feel free to keep in touch.

Regards
Ian

As the relentless work carries on in the harsh heat of the Iraqi desert, Royal Navy personnel have been treated to a few nice surprises in the form of 'comfort parcels' from home. Dozens of parcels have been gratefully received from branches of the Royal Naval Association and distributed to the few hundred naval personnel based there

The Royal Navy continues to play a major role in the support of the 7th Armoured Brigade in Basra as part of Op Telic. Based in the Contingency Operating Base, work and operations are continuing in order to support the Iraq security forces to provide the city of Basra with the security and stability they require.
A world apart from life on board, personnel from both the Submarine and General Service, many of whom employed out of their source branch, continue to prove their professionalism and determination in this vital ongoing mission.
On behalf of all Royal Navy personnel in the COB, Basra, CPO Ian Millar would like to offer a very big thank you to the RNA and all its members for the many parcels received.
"Morale remains high, and with your continued support to our guys out here, it will remain so. Your kind gesture is very much welcomed and received. A huge thank you to you all."

CPO Ian Millar
Div HQ
MND(SE)

BEREAVED children from two military services will be helped as two national charities collaborate in a new partnership.

Pulborough-based Winston’s Wish received funding this week (20 Jan) from the Royal Navy and Marines Children’s Fund, based in Portsmouth, so bereaved children from in these two services access Winston’s Wish services without charge.

It means that if a family comes to the RNMCF and is need of bereavement counseling services then the RNMCF will pay Winston’s Wish to provide these. And there is no limit on this funding and that any demand can be met.

The new partnership covers not just Navy and Marine children bereaved through deaths in combat but any Navy or Marine family where a child has been bereaved.

Winston’s Wish experience is that all children, no matter what their backgrounds, need help and support to deal with their grief and rebuild their lives.

“There is urgent work to be done with children from Naval and Royal Marine families who have lost a parent”, says Clare Scherer from Winston’s Wish. “The death of a parent can be one of the most fundamental losses a child will ever face. We have the tools and coping strategies to help young people live with their grief and face the future with confidence and hope.”

The launch this was amid the splendid setting of Goodwood House in West Sussex, and saw the hand-over of the first tranche of funding to enable this much needed service to be started.

Winston’s Wish has stated how grateful it is to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund their generous support. “The money was raised by holding a dinner on board HMS Victory at the end of last year (2008)”, explains Clare Scherer from Winston’s Wish. “I am confident that this is just the start of what will become a most fruitful partnership between the two charities”, she adds.

The partnership brings together two experts in the field. Winston’s Wish is the leading childhood bereavement charity and the largest provider of services to bereaved children, young people and their families. Working nationally, it began a dedicated West Sussex service over 18 months ago with a team of specialists.

The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children’s Fund helps children of serving and ex-serving personnel when they are in need, hardship or distress. The majority of the work is with the children of serving personnel and their development can be thwarted by regular family moves, which prevents the vital stability that children need.

Winston’s Wish is a registered charity relying almost entirely on voluntary donations to fund our work and is committed to managing these funds wisely.Our website is www.winstonswish.org.uk and Helpline is 0845 2 03 04 05 – providing guidance and information for anyone supporting a bereaved child.

Josie Stein is working on a television documentary about the Exodus 1947 ship (aka President Warfield). The ship, filled with Holocaust refugees, tried to enter British Mandate Palestine on July 18th 1947. She would very much like to interview veterans who participated in the mission near the Port of Haifa to stop the immigrants entering Palestine. She is interested in those who were on board the HMS AJAX and the other British ships. Particularly those who actually boarded the Exodus 1947 ship in order to take control of the ship. Additionally anyone who helped to transfer the refugees to the more seaworthy ships- the Runnymede Park, Ocean Vigour and the Empire Rival. She can be contacted at josiestein@me.com.

“Furnace TV has been commissioned by Channel 4 to make a one hour documentary on Operation Catapult at Mers el Kebir in July 1940. This brief battle took place between the British and French navies with British ships from Force H. If you or anyone you know took part in that operation Celine Fitzmaurice would be very keen to hear from you about your memories of the event.

Rachel Barker is seeking help from anyone who was serving on HMS Hermes in Singapore in Christmas 1968, or their family who came out to see them. She has some lovely old BBC black and white archive film footage from 1968.It shows wives and children of servicemen going out to meet their husbands serving on the Hermes aircraft carrier at christmas….then in Singapore. The wives flew out from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire

Rachel is hoping to run some nostalgic pieces on the regional TV news in the run up to Christmas…looking at events at christmastime in our region which we have archive photos or footage of….and then talking to some of the characters who will have been involved at the time or rembered it.

If you can help contact
Rachel Barker, Multi Media Futures Planner, BBC Oxford News,
Tel: 01865 889081
e-mail: rachel.barker@bbc.co.uk

Discussions have been held with The Paymaster General’s (PMG) Department about producing a quarterly members benefit magazine aimed at offering reductions on a range of commercial products which the membership may find of interest.The magazine will be produced and distributed free of charge with all costs being borne by PMG. With the heavy workload of Branch Secretaries’ under consideration, and mindful of the need to protect the privacy and private addresses of RNA members, the magazine will as part of this trial, be distributed to Branch Secretaries only on the basis of 10 copies per Branch in the expectation that they will be made available to the membership for perusal and evaluation. Only if the magazine is considered useful and the trial a success, will opportunity be taken to expand the distribution. In the longer term the magazine could be used as an Association wide vehicle for the distribution of news, opinion and entertainment. The first issue will be distributed in October 2008 and feedback both positive and negative should be sent to
The General Secretary at :
Royal Naval Association
Room 209, Semaphore Tower
PP70
HM Naval Base
Portsmouth PO1 3LT

Herewith background information over the recent press flurry concerning the future of HMS VICTORY – I hope this provides the proper context which was missing from many of the stories.

HMS VICTORY will remain part of the Royal Navy. This historical ship will not be given away, sold or decommissioned. She is to remain the Flagship of the Second Sea Lord.

Considerable work will be required over the coming years to maintain the material state of HMS VICTORY. To ensure the maintenance requirements of HMS VICTORY, the Second Sea Lord has requested a study into the options available for the continued support and maintenance of the ship. This is not a cost-cutting exercise but a very responsible and necessary approach to secure the future of HMS VICTORY as an RN vessel, recognising her historic importance and to ensure that she remains open for access by the public.

A range of options will be considered by the study and the views of all relevant stakeholders are being sought.

At this stage we are scoping the options available and not prejudging any particular solution. Whatever the outcome of the study, it has always been clear that HMS VICTORY will remain the Second Sea Lord’s flagship and in the commission of the Royal Navy.

HMS VICTORY will remain part of the Royal Navy and will not be given away or decommissioned. We are looking at a range of options for the continued support and maintenance of the ship.

Will any change be bad for Portsmouth’s Naval Heritage and/or lead to less access for the general public?

Absolutely not. Contributing to the development of Naval Heritage in Portsmouth, maintaining her status as flagship to the Second Sea Lord and continuing access for the public are all important conditions of all the options under review.

This is not a cost-cutting exercise. We are committed to securing the future of HMS VICTORY. She is a vital part of our national heritage and this review will guarantee her future material support and long term good health.

HMS VICTORY is owned by the MoD, which funds any maintenance and preservation work. The actual work is carried out by a contractor which is appointed following a competition.

Since 2005, only essential repair work has been carried out while research has been undertaken to develop a full understanding of the structural condition of the ship. This work is allowing MOD to fully understand where and how repairs are to be carried out. It is not therefore possible to provide an estimate of the likely cost of this work.
The baseline running cost to maintain VICTORY is £1.5 million per annum, but this varies year on year depending on the what work needs to be undertaken.

A number of relevant stakeholders will be consulted for this study, including MPs, other Government Departments, English Heritage, local authorities, museum authorities and The 1805 Club which is dedicated to preserving Nelson’s memory.

How long will the study take and when will any final decisions be made/announced?

The Navy Board will consider the options before the recommendations are put to Ministers, if necessary.

Will there be any effect to the ceremonial events held on the ship every year e.g. Trafalgar Day? Will the ship still be run by a Naval Officer and RN crew?

What about the jobs of the civilians onboard (e.g. guides)? Will they lose their jobs?

The study has only just begun and we are unable to speculate on the impact of any decisions on civilian staff.

Yes. One of the conditions set down in the remit of the study is to ensure that Naval Heritage is preserved for future generations.

What is the MoD’s reaction to the petition on the No10 Downing Street website to halt the MoD’s effects to dispose of VICTORY?

The petition has been based on a fundamental misunderstanding as it aims to ensure that the MoD will not dispose of HMS VICTORY.
We concur; there is absolutely no intention to dispose of HMS VICTORY; she will remain in the commission of the RN.

What about the feelings of the Nelson/Hardy descendants? Will they be taken into account?

We are aware of some concerns about downgrading the ship’s status.
We can only stress that conditions of the study state that the ship will remain in the commission of the RN and its Naval heritage will be preserved.
This study is intended to preserve VICTORY for future generations.

HMS VICTORY was built over 200 years ago and is still in commissioned service. As well as being of historic importance, she is still used for ceremonial purposes.

HMS VICTORY was launched in 1765 and commissioned in 1778. She remained on active service for 34 years, including the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. In 1812, HMS VICTORY retired from frontline duty and was anchored in Portsmouth Harbour where she remained for the next 110 years, fulfilling both practical and ceremonial roles. In 1922, amid fears for her continued survival, HMS VICTORY was moved into dry dock in Portsmouth's Royal Naval Dockyard and work began to restore the vessel to her 'fighting' condition of 1805. This work continues today and will ensure the vessel is preserved for future generations.

I am researching the Battle of the Atlantic for a series of documentaries for Channel 4 and would love the opportunity to hear your recollections of overcoming the German U-boat menace to ensure the survival of Britain.

Perhaps you served aboard the escort ships protecting the merchant navy and ensuring that vital supplies and food reached Britain and her Allies?
Maybe you were aboard a ship which hunted for German U-boats stalking the Atlantic?
Or perhaps you worked within ASW, developing the technology which would end the U boat menace?

I'd be really interested in talking to you if you served aboard ships targeted by German U-boats for example HMS Courageous, HMS Royal Oak and HMS Audacity or if your ship escorted convoys which were attacked.

Perhaps you also have some film or photographic material of life at sea please feel free to send this to me or call me to tell me about it.

Please feel free to contact me to share your recollections on 0207 4827027. I will always telephone you straight back.

You can also write to me at nacressa.swan@darlowsmithson.com or
Miss Nacressa Swan
Darlow Smithson Productions,
Highgate Studies
53-79 Highgate Road
London
NW5 1TL

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.

Terry Kelly's "A Pittance Of Time"

On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a drug store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store’s PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us. Terry was impressed with the store’s leadership role in adopting the Legion’s two minutes of silence initiative.

To Listen to the Recording Click Here

He felt that the store’s contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable. When eleven o’clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the “two minutes of silence” to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.Terry’s anger towards the father for trying to engage the store’s clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, “A Pittance of Time”. Terry later recorded “A Pittance of Time” and included it on his full-length music CD, “The Power of the Dream”.

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .....she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.?? They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 1800 Ingrid passed away.)?? She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ.?? Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die.... they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S.... Ask the individual to SMILE.
T..... Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently, i.e.. It is sunny out today)
R ....Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 999 immediately and describe the symptoms to the operator.

NOTE: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other,that is also an indication of a stroke.

RNA HQ Staff are attempting to build a library of e-mail addresses within the Association. It would be extremely helpful if those Branch Secretaries able to communicate by e-mail would forward a short e-message to HQ on frank@royalnavalassoc.com so that registration can begin.