Royal Naval Association News

For the 27th successive year, Falmouth Branch of the Royal Naval Association organised the annual Sea Sunday Parade, in conjuction with Falmouth Town Council and the Church of King Charles the Martyr, Falmouth.
Led by the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, Plymouth, and 17 Standards , the parade

marched from The Moor to the Pariish Church of King Charles the Martyr for the Service. Lessons were read by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Lady Mary Holborow DCVO JP and RNA Natuional President Vice Admiral McAnally CB LVO. The sermon was given by Rev Peter Scott OBE, Chaplain of RNAS Culdrose, and Falmouth Branch President Cdre Tony Hogg AFC read Nelson's Prayer.

Following the service, the parade Consisting of Serving and Former members of Her Majesty's Naval Forces and Sea Cadets, re-formed for the March Past, and the Salute was taken by Lady Mary, supported by Vice Admiral McAnally.
Following the parade, which was dismissed in Events Square, the Royal Marine Band entertained spectators, prior to a reception in the nearby National Maritime Museum, Cornwall. (NMMC)

Shipmate Paddy McClurg hands over the reins of General Secretary of the RNA to new Shipmate Captain Paul Quinn OBE.
Paul retired from the RN 2 years ago, and since then has been the National Director of a large Merchant Navy welfare charity based in London. Paul’s career highlights are:
Service in HM Ships ACHILLES, DIOMEDE and LEANDER (Capt F3) including the final Cod War.
Supply Officer of HMS REVENGE (Polaris submarine), deterrent patrols.

Supply Officer HMS TRAFALGAR out of build (Hunter killer nuclear submarine), first of class trials.
Supply Officer HMS SIRIUS, Towed Array Leander frigate, operational patrols.
Deputy Supply Officer HMS INVINCIBLE (Carrier) with 814, 800 and 849NAS
Supply Officer and CO of HMAS NIRIMBA (Sydney), technical training base.
Staff appointments with:
MOD (Director of Fleet Supply Duties)
Flag Officer Surface Flotilla
Commander in Chief Fleet N1 Division – Support of front line personnel
Second Sea Lord (Several) – Managing the Branches
Commodore Naval Aviation – Personnel and Admin
Paul was a founding director and trustee and briefly the Chair of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and has served on the the Central committee of the RNBT. Paul is married to Liz and lives in Drayton in Portsmouth.

HMY Britannia
It has been possible to negotiate discounts to RNA members both currently serving and retired when they visit RY Britannia. Former Yachtsmen will hopefully be aware through their own “Yotties” association (ARY) that admission is free of charge and in addition they may bring one accompanying family member or companion. The discount is for all members of the Royal Naval Association. The prices for 2010 are:

Ex-Yachtsmen – Free of charge + 1 complimentary accompanying companion (any others in party pay full individual price).
* The RNA discount price applies to the RNA member + up to 5 people accompanying him or her.
ID should be proved with the RNA membership card

A researcher from BBC in Southampton is trying to contact anyone who was connected with HMS Foyle Bank. She was sunk at Portland early in the battle of Britain (not by the RAF!).
Contact Richard Townsend 02380 374307.

entrants 2010 Standard Bearers Competition

Left to right are
Shipmates Bob Coburn, Mick Kieran, Steve Susans, Val Gleave, Marie Taylor,
Christine Sandman, Brian Payne, Malcolm Day, Trevor Crowter

The National Standard Bearers’ Competition 2010 has taken place in Portsmouth on Saturday 24th April 2010 and was centred on HMS NELSON and HMS TEMERAIRE.The Competition attracted a field of 9 (including 3 ladies) and the Judges commented on the high standards achieved. The results were as follows :

The programme for the event was as follows :
Friday 23rd April 2010
PM Competitors gather in Senior Ratings’ Mess, HMS NELSON, Portsmouth – Accommodation available for Competitors on a first come basis.
1900
-2359 Social evening with buffet supper (2030) - Guests welcome
Saturday 24th April 2010
0930 Shuttle transport to HMS TEMERAIRE
1000 Competition commences
1200 Sandwich Lunch available
1400 Competition concludes
O/c Shuttle transport to HMS NELSON
1900-
2359 Social evening with buffet supper (2030) and Prize Giving – Guests welcome
Sunday 25th April 2010
AM Competitors disperse

The National Council are pleased to announce that they have recruited Captain Paul A Quinn OBE RN as the new General Secretary of The Royal Naval Association.
Captain Quinn, a former Supply and Secretariat Officer, has a fine record in naval administration and, since leaving the active list, has been engaged in restoring the fortunes of The Apostleship of the Sea, in which task he has been most successful. He will join the Headquarters Staff on 4th May 2010 to enable him to participate in planning the Annual Conference. He will assume the reins of power on 7th June 2010.

KartForce is a new project with the aim of providing injured troops with a memorable adrenalin packed experience which focuses on providing the opportunity of enjoying an action packed programme of kart racing and socialising.

KartForce will be launched with an inaugural high profile event at the superb Whilton Mill venue in Northamptonshire on Thu & Fri August 12th & 13th 2010. In addition to two days racing for up to 50 participants there will be a corporate social function on Thursday evening, and a full programme of entertainment and action packed displays.
Whilton Mill will make twenty of their corporate Pro-Karts available to KartForce, all of which will be fitted with hand controls which have been developed to allow troops with injuries as severe as triple amputees, to compete in kart racing on a level playing field with their non-injured comrades.
Prior to the launch event, KartForce will be organising 2 or 3 tester track days. Anyone interested in testing the karts with hand controls should email Dave – dave@KartForce.org. There’ll also be plenty of practice time on the morning of Thu 12th Aug.
KartForce events are open to serving and ex-services personnel, with injuries sustained either on active duty or in civilian life. There are still places available for the inaugural event at Whilton Mill in August, so if you are interested in taking part, or you have members of your organisation or association that would like to take part, then go to http://www.kartforce.org/participant_registration/register_interest.html to register your interest.
Kartforce will be an ongoing project that will be developed to offer bespoke events at both indoor and outdoor kart venues throughout the UK. There are already events in the pipeline for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and initial contacts have been made for major international events. So, if you can’t make it to Whilton Mill but would like to register your interest in taking part in a future event then submit your details using the link above, or contact dave@kartforce.org so that we may organise our events to best suit the requirements of participants.
The KartForce project has already caught the imagination and support of a host of service organisations and private individuals and we believe it will provide a fantastic resource; but don’t just take our word for it, this is the opinion of Major Gary Tait, OC Army Recovery Centre Edinburgh, “This is a fantastic project and I am convinced that it will deliver exactly what it is offering - level playing field and an opportunity to try out something new and exciting. Great idea.”

Full details and photos of the hand controls can be found at the link below...
Hand Control Test Day

Project Vernon gets official go ahead for bronze statue at Gunwharf Quays

Project Vernon received formal planning permission from Portsmouth City Council on 22nd March 2010 for the ‘installation of a bronze statue within Vernon Basin’. Monument in Pond

Project Vernon is the campaign to design, construct and install a monument dedicated to the Mine Warfare and Diving heritage at the site of the former HMS Vernon (now Gunwharf Quays) in Portsmouth.

Securing planning permission marks the achievement of a key milestone for the project. In granting permission, Portsmouth City Council stated:

“In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposed bronze statue will represent an attractive addition to the prominent Vernon Basin at the western end of the water feature through Gunwharf Quays and to enhance the character and appearance of the ‘Gunwharf’ Conservation Area (No25).”

Project Vernon now has up to three years to start construction development, with permission expiring in March 2013.

Project Manager David Carey said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone. It brings us one step closer to achieving our final goal of installing a monument to honour both the historic and current contribution of the Royal Navy Mine Warfare and Diving communities. It’s important that we commemorate all those personnel involved in such operations and training that took place in this historic site, over many decades. Our fund raising efforts continue apace. We are confident of raising the sums needed, through voluntary donations and other fund raising activities, and to have the monument on public display before March 2013!”

Information about the campaign, including artists’ impressions of the Monument and various merchandising, will be on public display in Portsmouth at Gunwharf Quays during the Sea Cadets Corps 150th Anniversary celebrations there on 1st and 2nd May 2010.

The Vernon Monument Fund is a registered charity, licensed number 1128677. Project Vernon is the campaign to design, construct and install a statue in Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hampshire. In November 2008, the Project Vernon Team selected Les Johnson, Fellow of the Royal Association of British Sculptors as the chosen sculptor.

More information about Project Vernon is available at www.Vernon-Monument.org. People can also follow the project as it develops on Facebook at: Project Vernon - The Mine Warfare and Diving Monument; and get an insight as to the approved location on YouTube at: Mine Warfare & Diving Monument's location

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 sheila@royalnavalassoc.com so that registration can begin.

300,000 strong UK-based defence industry releases video demonstrating importance to nation’s armed forces & economy

The Defence Industries Council (DIC), representing the UK-based defence industry, will on 02/02/2010 release an information video demonstrating the vital role that it plays in providing the high-quality equipment for the UK armed forces as well as high-value employment for over 300,000 people across all regions of the country.
In the run-up to the Defence Green Paper, expected in the next few days, the video showcases engineering, manufacturing and services excellence from across the UK-based defence industry spectrum ranging from the UK’s largest manufacturer BAE Systems, Britain’s second largest defence company, the Italian multi-national group Finmeccanica, the US multinational Northrop Grumman’s UK operations and Canada’s Vector Aerospace facilities. It highlights the innovative technology in use across UK defence as well as the attractive nature of the industry in Britain for investment from overseas companies.
The industry is seeking clarity from the major political parties on their future plans for defence following the next General Election to determine investment and capability decisions.
To access the video Click Here

The National Council, at its meeting held on 12th September 2009, approved an addition to the Bye-Laws of the Association, viz :

“B.12(b) A Special Meeting of the Branch must be convened at the request of the National Council or Area Committee or on receipt of a written request from not less than one fifth or 12 in number of the Branch Members, whichever is the least. Such a meeting shall be held not more than 14 days after the request has been received. At least 7 days notice shall be given by the Branch Secretary to each member, together with an indication of the nature of the business for which the meeting has been convened.

Visits to The Headquarters of the Royal Naval Association

One of the advantages of our recent re-location from London is that we now have a considerable number of Shipmates who take the trouble to visit us in HQ, and we are always very glad to see them. However, a few ground rules are essential if we are to make the system work to our satisfaction. Firstly, we must have three clear days notice of a visit – this notification may be made by telephone, letter or e-mail but we need this notice so as to inform the RN Authorities – we need the names of all those who will be in the visiting party since the Security Guards will not admit anyone who is not on the list. Secondly, everyone in the party must carry photographic identification e.g. passport or photographic driving licence – an RNA Membership Card with photograph is NOT deemed to be acceptable. Lastly, if you wish to enter the Naval Base by Car you may do so only via Unicorn Gate and we need you full car details as well as those for the driver and passengers i.e. make, colour, registration etc.

We want you to visit and we want to make it easy for you to do so, so observing these few rules will help. The HQ is a working space, so please try to restrict the numbers to what is reasonable and please remember that we do not do dance or skylark during working hours!

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

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.

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.

My father retired from the Royal Marines as a Major in 1960, having served since 1939. He went on to become a barrister. He died in 1998.

My 91 year old mother continues to reside in the old family house, four miles from Guildford in Surrey. She is fit and well, though increasingly in need of support and companionship.

Alongside the house has been built a new, detached cottage consisting of bedroom, sitting/dining room, kitchenette, bathroom, laundry room – all furnished and extremely comfortable.

The family are looking for a recently retired, married couple who would live effectively rent-free in the cottage in return for an agreed number of hours work per week in the garden (large) and house (also large). In return for an attractive “package”, they would be expected to be companionable towards my mother and to carry out whatever errands she might require from time to time (e.g the odd bit of shopping). Having provided the agreed number of hours around the house/garden, they would then be at liberty to find additional work elsewhere in the area if they so choose.

Services (electricity, gas, water) are separately metered and would be payable by the couple. Council Tax would also be payable by them.

A simple agreement would be drawn up, to suit both parties. A fixed notice period to quit would be applicable on both sides.

We (the family) thought this might be an attractive proposition to a retired member of the Royal Marines or Royal Navy, and his wife. Given the historic naval connections, we thought that there would probably be an immediate empathy, less likely to be found through other, impersonal channels”.