26 NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2007
Catching
memories By George!
of World
War 2
VETERAN Henry Floyd died It’s Peter...
some years ago, but his daughter
Trishia Welsh travelled to America
to meet the former US Marine
A CHANCE meeting in
Norman Boike who was billeted
Calgary brought to light an
with her steward father in HMS unexpected reunion between
Hartland during World War 2. two Naval men for whom the
While the fathers never met
years had wrought a few
again, it was the daughters of
changes.
both men who bumped into each
Bill Adamson joined the Navy
other in the virtual world of the
in September 1960. While based
internet.
at Collingwood training in the
“Quite separately, Karen,
electrical branch, he got involved
Norman’s daughter, and I had
with the football team.
been searching on the internet
It was not until 44 years later
for more information about HMS
Hartland, and posted notices on a
when based at the Canadian
website,” said Trishia.
Legion in Calgary, Alberta, that
“We started chatting by e-mail
Bill was introduced to Peter Welsh,
after that. I have always been
a fellow former matelot.
interested in the ships that my father
After several conversations
served on, but what happened to
between the new friends, they
him on HMS Hartland has always
eventually realised that they might
been a mystery, as he said very
have been based together at the
little about it.
Fareham training establishment.
“So I made up my mind to
“Peter being a keen soccer
come to meet Norman and find
player meant that our conversa-
out more about that fateful day,
tion often turned to the subject,”
● In action in the Clyde Sportsdrome for the base’s Summer Soccer
November 8 1942.”
said Bill. The duo are keen to know if any memories – contact Bill by e-mail
School
Both men swam for their lives
“One day he mentioned how other faces from the Collingwood at badamson@telusplanet.net or
Football frenzy
when the ship was bombed by the
during our basic training it was football team bring back old telephone 001 403 251 7614.
Vichy French at the entrance to
hard to get uniforms so we often
Oran Harbour, Algeria.
played in white fronts.
Two days later, they were
“I agreed and showed him an
THE SPORTSDROME at Clyde triumphed in the battle of the liberated by American troops, and
old picture (see right) I had of the
Bravery at
Naval Base played host to 15 soccer states, winning the coveted Henry arrived home in the UK
team I played with at the time.
football-mad children for the title of HMS Neptune Mini World completely kitted out in American
“Turning white he told me he
base’s Summer Soccer School. Cup Champions. naval uniform.
had one just the same, and that
Sports staff Neil Vincent, Rob Lt Cdr Billy Adams said: “The The transatlantic trip has
he was second from left in the
Greetham, Sticky Vercoe and children’s attitude and behaviour allowed Trishia to clear up some
front row. sea by MDP
Dizzy Dawson kept the youngsters was impeccable throughout and, of the mysteries of her father’s
“I was second from left in the
MINISTRY of Defence Police offi cers who went to the rescue of Ameri-
on their toes, sharpening up their although there was quite a varia- life, and allowed Norman to open
back row.”
can submariners swept into the sea off Devonport have been honoured
dribbling, passing and shooting tion in age levels and ability, the up to his own family about his
Peter – nicknamed, for reasons
with commendations for bravery and professionalism.
skills. footballers played harmoniously wartime experiences.
best known to the Navy, ‘George’
The 11 officers from the MDP Devonport Marine Unit went to the
The week culminated in a Mini together.” Norman said: “Although it was
– Welsh went on to earn 36 caps
aid of the US Navy sailors when five were washed off the deck of the
World Cup tournament, with the Each child received a Summer tough to talk about the terrible
playing for the Navy, plus several
USS Minneapolis St Paul in December last year.
children split into four differ- School Soccer T-shirt, a certificate events of that night, I recognised
games for combined services.
The police officers in two MDP launches and rigid inflatable boats
ent ‘countries’: Holland, Brazil, and a leather football at the suc- how important it was for Trishia
Although faces may have
(RIB) pulled three men from the water, a fourth climbed back on board
Ireland and Scotland. cessful completion of the week’s to understand more about her
changed somewhat in the inter-
the submarine and a fifth was picked up by one of the Plymouth pilot
As ever it seems, Brazil hard work. suffering. It was as if we had vening years, ‘George’s distinctive
forearm tattoo remains.
boats.
known each other for years.”
Despite the best efforts of the officers and medical staff, two of the
sailors plucked from the water were declared dead on arrival at Derriford
Seeing red in dark blue
Hospital in Plymouth.
MDP Chief Constable Steve Love said: “These officers took what
they had by way of training and equipment and dealt with an extraordi-
AN international team of divers have dived to the wreck of a mer- nary situation in a remarkable way.
chant ship that played a role in Operation Pedestal. “Had it not been for their swift and heroic efforts I have no doubt the
Divers from Britain, Malta, Tunisia and Algiers headed down to fatalities would have been higher.”
a 54 metre depth to replace a red ensign on the merchant ship Cdre Simon Lister, Devonport Naval Base Commander, said: “I
MV Glenorchy. would like to give my heartfelt thanks to these officers for the job they
The ship was sunk on August 13 1942 during the dramatic do, day in, day out, whatever the weather, and whatever the conditions.
Operation Pedestal relief effort for Malta. “I think few people in the West Country realise that some of the best
She lies five miles off shore in Tunisian waters, still sitting fully boat handlers in this area wear a police uniform.
upright. “The bravery they displayed, the seamanship and the initiative were
Part of a secret convoy, Glenorchy was one of 14 ships that extraordinary.”
set sail from Scotland to Malta carrying food, diesel oil, coal and
vital aviation fuel.
The convoy endured the most ferocious and heaviest bom-
bardment of any during World War 2, but arrived eventually, bat-
tered and shattered, at its destination.
Expedition leader Simon Bennet said: “As a mark of respect
to those killed on the ship and indeed to all merchantmen killed
during the war, we placed an old Red Duster ensign on the decks
of the wreck on behalf of the Merchant Navy Association.”
Picture: Mike Cooper

Tuesday 2nd October
6:00-8:00 pm
Tuesday 16th October
2:00-3:30pm
● James May and the Top Gear production team chat with sailors on
board HMS Ark Royal Picture: LA(Phot) Brett Turner
‘Arking about
May style
TOP GEAR’s legendary antics at least a nodding acquaintance
have been taking place on board with Rolls-Royce with its four
carrier HMS Ark Royal. Rolls-Royce gas turbines.
James May and his team arrived Once the sleek grey car had
dockside with a Rolls-Royce been craned ashore again, it dis-
Drophead Coupé to show off on appeared off into the Hampshire
the flightdeck. countryside to finish its filming.
The dull grey of the ship was The new series of Top Gear
a perfect backdrop to the shining is due to start on BBC2 from
grey of the car, and the carrier has October 8.
026-027_NN_oct07.indd 1 18/9/07 17:00:37
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