36 NAVY NEWS, JULY 2007
Reunions Ask Jack
THE TIME OF
JULY 2007
Blouson Query: Douglas has had in his friends with a Peter Baxter and an Alan (sur-
HMS Fearless: HMS Fearless reunion on
possession for some 30 years a light col- name unknown), also believed to be RN. He
July 27 to be held in the Senior Rates mess
oured blouson, the buttons of which are wrote that when Maidstone paid off, he would
HMS Excellent. For details contact CMEM
plastic with gold inserts printed: ‘Royal Navy return to Deal. Darren also found a letter from
Walker, e-mail: mws-nbcd-c2-2@nrta.mod.
Corps *’ with a fi ve-pointed star. He has the wife of Roy, which talks about the sad
YOUR LIVES
uk or tel: 023 9254 7046.
asked various members of the Indomitable loss of Roy, this may be around the 1970s-
Association, but no one seems to know of 80s. There are some gaps in my grandmoth-
AUGUST 2007
any Royal Navy Corps. Can anyone help? er’s life which I know my father and aunt
HMS Heron: Fisher Mess, SAM train-
Contact Douglas Banks, 56 Sheffi eld Road, are keen to fi ll. If you can help contact Dar-
ing course from May 1949 to Jan 1950. An
Godley, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 2PL or tel: ren Steed by e-mail at darren2thelodge@
opportunity to meet old mates from Fisher
0161 368 6945. hotmail.com or tel: 07872 056044.
Navy News looks back through its pages to recall some of the
mess. Meet at the Podimore public house,
HMS Cleopatra: Seeking the wherea- HMS Raleigh 1960: Garth is seeking to
near Yeovilton, at 1130hrs August 13 for
bouts of the ship’s bell of HMS Cleopatra, fi nd a photo of his class at HMS Raleigh who
July headlines of past decades...
lunch, followed by a conducted tour of Yeo-
the Leander, sold for scrap in 1992. My son joined up on Dec 5 1960. He cannot remem-
vilton Air Station. Contact Derek Venables on
was christened using the ship’s bell and I ber class number although the last two digits
01548 580848.
want to verify whether the bell has his name were probably 50. He is willing to pay any
Russian Convoy Cub, North West
engraved inside it. Contact Brian Morrison reasonable charges (ie printing and post-
Branch: Calling all White Berets. Terry Gilli-
(ex Chief Shipwright) at brm@blueyonder. age that may be required). He would also be
gan is organising a reunion from August 31 to
co.uk, tel: 01752 519320 or write to 4 Mount happy to hear from any other ex-shipmates
September 2 at the Savoy Hotel, Blackpool.
Batten Way, Plymstock, Plymouth, Devon, who remember him. Contact Garth Stapleton
For further details contact Terry on 01744
PL9 9EH. at garthstapleton@googlemail.com or write
601591.
Convoy FS59: I am researching the loss to 4903 Winthrop Avenue, Indianapolis, Indi-
HMS Zulu: Second reunion to com-
of several vessels in WW2 Convoy FS59 ana, 46205, USA.
memorate our Windies Jolly over 30 years
(559 sometimes) which went aground on Service Numbers: Reg and a number of
ago to be held at the Gladyer Inn in Rosyth
the Haisborough Sands on August 6 1941 members at the RNA Mitcham would like
from August 31 to September 1. Overnight
for an exhibition for the Lifeboat Day in Au- some help with WW2 service numbers. They
accommodation is available. Further details
gust. Offi cial records in the museum’s pos- know that the P, C and D of the number in-
from Iain Hamill at i.hamill@ljmu.ac.uk or
session only show the work carried out by dicated the Port Division and the J, M and K
write to 77 Sutherland Drive, Eastham, Wir-
the lifeboats, but there is a big story to tell the branch, but the older numbers ended in
ral CH62 8DY or tel: 0151 328 1035 or mob:
of bravery on the Royal Naval side. Seeking X. It is the X (as in PJX) that they cannot fath-
07957 619932.
anyone who was on this convoy, especially om out. If you can help contact Reg Osborn,
serving on the escorts Vimiera, Bassett and 55 Norbury Hill, London, SW16 3LA.
SEPTEMBER 2007
Puffi n, I would also like to contact Sub Lt D Singapore: Seeking information relating
849 NAS: This year marks the 25th an-
D O’Sullivan who took charge of Vimiera’s to Capt George Mullock DSO, RN, FRGS,
niversary of the Sea King helicopter operat-
whaler, rescuing fl oating crew men. Please former Extended Defences Offi cer at Sin-
ing in the Airborne Early Warning role. It is
help show the full story of this tragic day gapore 1939-1942 captured whilst in com-
also the 55th anniversary of 849 becoming
when many lives were lost, including many mand of ML Mary Rose near Singapore and
an Airborne Early Warning Squadron. To
of HMT Agate. All information received will interned at Changi, Karenko, Shirakawa and
commemorate this milestone, 849 Naval Air
be added to our records and be available Manchuria. In command of minefi elds and
Squadron, based at Culdrose, is proud to
for members of the public in the future. If external defences for the colony. Does any
announce a reunion to all serving and ex-
you can help contact Frank H Muirhead, at reader remember either him or members
serving aircrew and air engineering offi cers
jumbomuirhead@btinternet.com or write to of the staff at extended defences? Contact
of 849 Squadron from the past 55 years. The
Hon Archivist, Henry Blogg Museum, RNLI Robert Hughes at mullockmorgans@yahoo.
event will take place from September 7 to 9
Cromer, Norfolk co.uk or write to 48 Trem Arfon, Llanrwst,
at RNAS Culdrose, culminating in a black
HMS Cossack: Seeking information re- Co. Conwy, LL26 0BP.
● Frigate HMS Lynx, an unusual entry on a birth certifi cate...
40 years ago 30 years ago 20 years ago
tie dinner in the Wardroom. Any aircrew or
garding Henry Aubrey Bostrom who was Lt Cdr Ronald Clark Spyers: Does any-
air-engineering offi cers who served in 849
in HMS Cossack in 1933. Believed to have one know Ronald. He joined the RN in 1920
NAS over the last 55 years, whether with the
served 22 years and ended as a CPO. Any and reached the rank of PO, he was later
A Royal Navy frigate wel- One hundred and seventy Surg Cdr – or ‘Doc’ – Rick
‘Bag’, the Gannet or the Skyraider should
information at all to his son, Alex at e-mail appointed commissioned gunner in August
comed a new addition into the ships, some 30,000 men, Jolly was winched to the res- contact Lt James W G Stone at 849obs4@
Alexbostrom@aol.com or tel: 01291 424838 1941 when in HMS Ajax. Ray is interested
world when Mrs Betty Biggs the pride of the British, cue once more when a crew-
culdrose.mod.uk, tel: 01326 557525 or write
or write to 3 Kirrlach Close, Caldicot, NP26 to fi nd out if he was in Ajax during the Bat-
to 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose, Helston,
4QE. tle of the River Plate in December 1939. He
of South Georgia Island gave Commonwealth and other for- man was injured on the French
Cornwall, TR12 7RH.
Admiral Shalto Douglas: Richard Bick- was Mentioned in Dispatches in 1945 and
birth on board HMS Lynx. eign navies gathered to cel- trawler Menkar. HMS Diana Association will be holding
ford is endeavouring to contact the current later joined the Sea Cadet Corps. If you have
Mrs Biggs was on board a ebrate the Silver Jubilee of The Naval doctor was being
their reunion/AGM at the Edgbaston Hotel,
descendants of his great aunt, Mrs L O any information could you contact Ray Tait
Birmingham from September 7 to 9. On the
Douglas, wife of Adm Shalto Douglas, died at rmt1066@blueyonder.co.uk or tel: 01942
liner when it became clear that Queen Elizabeth II. lowered to the deck of the
Saturday morning at the Nautical Club for
1882. There were two sons (Cdr G Douglas 201692 or 2 Meadowvale Drive, Wigan, WN5
she was going into labour two The ships gathered in ranks trawler from the Search and the AGM, and an evening’s entertainment. All
and Cdr Henry P Douglas of the Hydrograph- 8AL.
months early. at Spithead as the Queen Rescue Wessex helicopter
commissions are welcome to come along,
ic Dept of the Admiralty) and four daughters. Telegraphist: Alan is researching his fa-
meet up with old oppos and have a great
Any help you can give with this quest will be ther’s service record in the Navy during and
She was transferred to Lynx sailed past in the royal yacht when he became entangled in
time. Anyone interested please contact the
much appreciated. Contact Richard Bickford after WW2 (1943-46) and has not been able
to rush her over to Port Stanley HMY Britannia, and the sailors the radio aerials and mast. Secretary J Fisher tel: 01530 242850 or e-
at bikky@ukonline.co.uk, tel: 01423 860140 to identify all the ships or shore stations in
in the Falklands, and the baby cried “Hip hip hooray”. In a stroke of luck, a clip on
mail: johnjackie.fi sher@virgin.net for an ap-
or write to 22 Abbey Crags Way, Knaresbor- his records. He served as a Telegraphist on
plication form and hotel reservation form.
ough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8EF. a number of ships including Dido and Royal
was born on board shortly The Queen was obviously the officer’s belt got caught on
TS Mercury Old Boys’ Association wel-
HMS Falkland Sound (ex Yehuin) 1982, Scotsman. Alan would be grateful if anyone
after the ship’s arrival. pleased with the celebration a wire running from mast to comes all old boys, former staff and hon-
(known as ‘The Black Pig’): Eric has in his can provide more details of the following:
Shipwright Douglas Lesanto as she asked the Admiralty bridge and Doc Jolly was able
orary members to their annual reunion and
possession the engine-room plate presented Salsette, November 1943 (duration un-
AGM on September 16 at the Royal Beach
to my late brother Lt M R Davies in July 1982 known); Odyssey, 1944; LCI(L)136 taking part
built a special weather-proof Board to send out that ever- to slide to safety.
Hotel, Southsea. Further details from Mike
in Port Stanley by his team on secondment in amphibious landings on the island of Elba
cradle to take the unique popular message “Splice the The patient was treated then Ball at MBall0983@aol.com or tel: 023 9263
from HMS Exeter where he was SCO and (although this isn’t in his service records);
cargo ashore. Mainbrace”. flown to Truro City Hospital.
7477.
Senior Bridge Watchkeeeping Offi cer under HMS All Hallows: January-February 1945,
HMS Formidable Association: The fi nal
the command of Capt Hugh Balfour. Eric HMS Hoo, March-May 1945; his personal
reunion takes place this year at the Thistle
would be interested to hear from anyone with papers mention Maloja (on which he died in
Hotel, Castle Donnington, September 21-24.
knowledge of this little mentioned aspect of August 1943) and Empire Prosperous, one of
Details can be obtained from Roy Collis, 82
the Falklands War. Contact Eric Davies at which probably took him to or from Bombay.
St Dunstan’s Hill, Cheam, Surrey, SM1 2UD
megend@btinternet.com, tel: 01730 268149 Contact Alan Blyth at a.blyth@blueyonder.
or Ron Tovey, 15 Newlands Avenue, Gosport,
or write to 11 Heatherfi eld, Buriton, Hamp- co.uk or tel: 020 8546 2477 or write to 50
Hants, PO12 3QX, tel: 023 9258 0539.
shire, GU31 5RY. Willoughby Road, Kingston upon Thames,
14th Carrier Air Group Association: Re-
HMS Ganges: Seeking information or Surrey, KT2 6LJ.
union at the RNA Club, Leamington Spa on
memories about John Millington who died HMS Widgeon, Kingfi sher class corvette
September 22. All who served with 804 and
in July 1946, aged 21, and is buried at Trin- 1938-47: Information is sought about this
812 NAS in Glory, Ocean and Theseus or
comaleee, Sri Lanka. He was also in HMS ship or her captain Lt Cdr Leonard A White
with either squadron at any time are invited
Ganges, Rodney Division, Mess 18, Class by his daughter Susan. Does anyone know
to attend. Details from Ken Lambert, 17 Wal-
28, HMS Corinthian, HMS Midge and RN if there is an association for the ships of
grave, Orton Malborne, Peterborough, PE2
Barracks, Chatham, Mess 19H Anson Block. this class? Please contact Susan Crampton
5NR or tel: 01733 234655.
If anyone has any information could they at fcrampton@iol.ie or write to Knockduff,
HMS Protector Association: Reunion
contact Cyril Skellern, 37 Buxton Road, Ferns, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Republic
at Eastbourne from September 28 to Oc-
Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 2DU or tel: of Ireland
tober 1. The reunion for 2008 will be at the
01260 276663. HMS Wolfhound: Jill would like to hear
Metropole Hotel, Blackpool on April 11-14.
Jenny’s Side Party: Graham was onboard from any sailors who served with her dad,
Details from Doug Harris on 01495 718870
HMS Blackpool in 1965 on the way back to George Arthur Grant, during World War 2.
or visit http://www.hmsprotector.org.
Hong Kong. The ship saved all the scrap He served on HMS Wolfhound as a Chief
wood from the spare parts boxes which was Petty Offi cer Cook. He was born on March
OCTOBER 2007 then used as payment or part payment for 12 1918 and was from Gateshead. Sadly he
Regulating Branch Association (RBA93): having the ship painted by ‘Jenny’s Side Par- died in March 1997, and there were fellow-
Reunion in Portsmouth, October 5-6. Fur- ty’. He also thinks she was featured in a TV servicemen at his funeral, however she was
ther details from Tony Hadley at ton34avf@ broadcast in the late 1970s, early 80s. He has too distraught to say much to them at the
ntlworld.com or tel: 023 9273 8902. been looking for any reference to this paint- time. She would love to hear memories of
Submariners Association: The annual ing service but no luck and is starting to think her dad as a young man. Contact Jill Grant
reunion of the Submariners Association will he imagined it. Can anybody throw some at grantidge59@tiscali.co.uk or tel: 01622
take place October 12-14 at the Britannia light on this? Contact Graham ‘Gil’ Harding 674667.
Hotel, Coventry. For details contact Rick at graum49@hotmail.com, or 49 Kingsale
Elrick, 1 Winthorpe Grove, Doddington Road, Salcombe, Devon, TQ8 8AW.
Park, Lincoln LN6 3PL, (tel: 01522 692372; HMS Scylla: Ian’s grandfather, CPO Her-
e-mail: rick.elrick@tesco.net). To join the bert John Waddell, served on Scylla during
Sports lottery
SA contact Jim McMaster, 1 Blantyre Court, WW2. He would be interested in any person-
Bargarran, Renfrewshire PA8 6BN, (tel: 0141 al accounts that someone may remember.
571 4094; e-mail: jim.mcmaster2@ntlworld. His grandfather passed away years ago and
com). Website can be found online at www. didn’t like to talk of his service time. So his May 19: £5,000 – POAEM(M) A Dustan,
submarinersassociation.co.uk. daughter Vivien doesn’t have much informa- 702 NAS, Yeovilton; £1,500 – MEM1 S West,
HMS Tartar Association: Fourth reunion tion she can tell me. Any information about SFM HMS Drake; £500 – Lt S M Pearch,
■ First to see the latest Navy News from around the world
takes place, October 12-14, at the Royal him or ship photos people would be willing CHF HQ.
Sailors Home Club, Portsmouth. Anyone to share would be greatly appreciated. Ian May 26: £5,000 – Capt B Lewis RM,
wishing to attend please see the website at has all his service medals mounted below UKLFCSG; £1,500 – LDiver R Ellis, HMS
2. CHOOSE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION 05/07
http://www.hmstartar.co.uk or contact Mal the only existing photo of him in uniform and Endurance; £500 – OM(SSM)1 C J Street,
(friend) at socialsec@hmstartar.co.uk or tel: is hoping to slowly add to this as he fi nds out HMS Talent
Region Years Rate Tick 01303 813097. more. Contact Ian King at ian.king@3web. June 2: £5,000 – Lt M J Sykes, HMS
www.navynews.co.uk
UK One £20.50
com or write to 148 River Run Terrace , Lon- Monmouth; £1,500 – Cpl S Westwood,
NOVEMBER 2007 don, Ontario, Canada, N5W 5Z1. CTCRM; £500 – OM(W)2 R P Barratt, HMS
HMS Duchess Association: Reunion No- HMS Kent and Suffolk: Seeking informa- Montrose
YES, I would like to subscribe to Navy News
UK Two £37.00
vember 2-4 at the Britannia Hotel, Coventry. tion about the men who served with my dad
(please refer to the table opposite for prices)
UK Three £55.00
All commissions welcome. For details con- on Kent, 1938-40, and Suffolk, 1941-45. His
tact Adrian ‘Sharkey’ Ward at adie.ward@ name was Albert ‘Bill’ William John Hollands
Send the completed form and payment to: Overseas* One £24.50
Navy News on tape
ntlworld.com or tel: 01522 872998 or write and came from Gillingham, Kent. Contact
to 17 Marne Gardens, Lincoln, LN1 3UQ. Jim Hollands at jrhollands@btinternet.com Navy News is available free of charge
Subscriptions,
Overseas* Two £43.00
or tel: 01634 670202.
on tape from Portsmouth Area Talking
DECEMBER 2007 HMS Maidstone: Following the loss of
Navy News, HMS Nelson,
Overseas* Three £62.50
News for those with difficulty reading
881 Combined Operations Bombard- his grandmother some of her private papers normal type. Contact 023 9269 0851
Queen Street, Portsmouth
*Overseas Surface Mail including Republic of Ireland, Europe,
ment Battery RA (TA): Reunion at the Stag have been found and Darren is trying to fi nd and leave a message with a contact
and Hounds, Windsor on December 4 at out about a man named Roy (surname un- number. No special equipment is
Hampshire PO1 3HH, England
Canada, USA & Australia. (Airmail rates available on request)
1930. Details from N R Feeley on 01753 known) who was about 35 in 1965 and was needed to play the standard 90-minute
3. COMPLETE YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS
868771. serving on HMS Maidstone when she was cassettes.
Tel: +44 023 9273 4448 (24hr answerphone)
paid off in 1968. Darren knows that he was
email: subscriptions@navynews.co.uk
I enclose MAY 2008
HMS Cleopatra Old Shipmates Asso-
Cheque Postal Order IMO
ciation: A fl ourishing organisation which is
1. COMPLETE YOUR DETAILS
in £ Sterling made payable to ‘Navy News’
actively recruiting ex-Cleos from the cruiser NOTICEBOARD ENTRIES
and frigate to join us. Wives and partners are
I wish to pay by
also very welcome. AGM and reunion is at
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■ Reunions appear in date order, and requests to place an entry in a par-
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