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NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2007 31
York pays
London deeps host
Goodbye
tribute to and hello
lost Wrens in Tokyo
MEMBERS of York branch are to
SHIPMATES from the Japan
pay tribute to the Wrens who died
branch gathered for a farewell
when their wartime troopship was
dinner to honour their departing
torpedoed.
Baroness Thatcher president, Capt Simon Chelton
S/M Bernard Hallas said: “In
RN, whose posting as Defence
August 1941 a special highly-
BARONESS Thatcher was
Whetstone, wife of the Admiral, Attaché to Tokyo drew to a close.
trained unit of the Women’s Royal
and Anne Sanz, a long-time The evening also gave the
Naval Service were assembled
among the VIP guests at the
supporter and wife of Gaston group a chance to say Youkoso!
in Scarborough awaiting
Submariners Association
Sanz, a branch member and the (Welcome!) to incoming attaché
embarkation. London Branch 75th most highly-decorated Free French Capt Gareth Derrick RN.
“All of them were experts in
anniversary lunch.
submariner in World War 2.
The dinner was held in the
radio, wireless telegraphy, coding
Although the Royal Navy
S/M Stan Hancox, a wartime
Gonpachi restaurant, said branch
and decoding, and they were
commissioned its first
deep, proposed the toast to “absent
chairman S/M Peter Button.
looking forward to establishing an
friends and those still on patrol.”
submarine in 1901, and
“The place is modelled in
important naval communications
Two cakes were cut – one
traditional Japanese rustic style
base in Gibraltar.
submariners began to gather
marking the 75th anniversary, the
and specialises in dishes such as
“Accompanied by two Royal
with their own kind, it was not other marking the 25th anniversary
soba and yakitori,” said Peter.
Marines, they were happily excited
until 1932 that the Government of the Falklands War, which was
“The restaurant was the basis for
as they were welcomed on board
gave formal recognition to the
cut by Baroness Thatcher herself.
a scene in the Hollywood film Kill
In a letter of appreciation,
HM Transport Ship SS Aguila.
Submariners Old Comrades Bill 1 and Japanese prime minister
Lady Fieldhouse remarked that
“It was their first and most Association (London).
Koizumi has used the venue in the
Baroness Thatcher now considers
important adventure and they
From there branches formed
past to host US Presidents Clinton
herself very much a member of
were looking forward to showing
around the UK and worldwide as
and Bush – on separate state visits,
the branch, and that shipmates
their skills and playing a most
the Submariners Association.
I hasten to add.”
should not be surprised if she
important part in the war.
To mark the occasion, the
The branch, however, had no
turns up at a monthly gathering.
“If only they had known that
branch held an “informal and
qualms about hosting its outgoing
their movements were not as secret
relaxed – but dignified” lunch.
and incoming presidents at the
● Baroness Thatcher receives
as the admiralty had planned.”
The former Prime Minister was her honorary membership
same event, and an excellent
The SS Aguila was torpedoed
a personal guest of Lady Midge certifi cate from Submariners
evening was enjoyed by all, with
amidships by a U-boat off Ireland,
Fieldhouse; other VIPs included Association London branch
the sake and the conversation both
and sank within 90 seconds.
the latest new member, Vice chairman Ian Tyson
flowing freely by the end.
Less than 20 of the 161 souls on
Admiral Sir Neville Purvis, retired
board were rescued – but all 22 of
branch and national president
the Wrens died.
Rear Admiral Tony Whetstone
and, representing serving
Impressive turnout at
Falklands theme for Cheshunt
“In commemoration of that
submariners, WO1 Jim Slater of
TWO events involving piece of dockyard timber.
tragic disaster, members of the
the RN Submarine School.
now-renamed Association of
Thanks to the good connections
Wrens from the York branch,
Ouistreham service
Cheshunt branch featured a It was presented to Cheshunt
Falklands 25 theme. by S/M John Trevillon and is in
of branch social secretary Terry
First was an open day in the Lowewood Museum.
accompanied by RN veterans, set
Thornback and his wife Jenny,
Broxbourne in support of A Mess Deck supper in
sail from Scarborough harbour
MEMBERS of the France Nord was led by an RN chaplain.
the RNA and Sea cadet unit Waltham Cross saw shipmates
the branch was able to hold its
to pay their solemn tribute to
branch were out in force at the The Naval Attaché from Paris TS Intrepid, named after the from Enfield and Edmonton
lunch at the Chelsea Hospital.
those brave heroines of a bygone
annual RN/RM memorial service
During the event Baroness
read the Lesson, the Act of Falklands assault ship. join the occasion, at which
age, and to dip their standards
of remembrance at Ouistreham in
Thatcher was happy to receive her
Remembrance was recited by an
Also on display was a model Falklands memorabilia was
Normandy.
in a salute as a suitably-inscribed
set of submariner’s dolphins in the
RM RSM, and the Last Post and
of Cheshunt’s wartime adopted displayed – including a
The memorial stands in front
wreath floated gently over the traditional fashion.
Reveille was sounded by an RM
ship HMS Dahlia, the model captured flag which had flown
of the gare maritime, and attracted
watery grave of a band of very She was also awarded honorary
bugler.
having been carved from a over Government House.
an impressive turnout for the
gallant ladies in uniform,” said membership of the branch, as was
ceremony.
S/M Bernard. Lady Fieldhouse, Desna Tyson
As well as RN and RM
“They will never be forgotten.” (wife of the chairman), Betty
veterans and their families, there
were French veterans of No 4
£50 PRIZE PUZZLE
Commando, some two dozen
members of the Royal Marines,
the Mayor of Ouistreham and
his deputy, a “huge group” of
RN officers and ratings from
HMS Sultan, and members of
the RBL who were undertaking a
Normandy Pilgrimage.
More than a dozen standards
The Royal Naval Association
added colour to the service, which
Once Navy Always Navy
Medal roll
Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism and Comradeship
for RNXS
Who can join?
• Full Members
members
Serving and Ex-Service members of
RN, RM, QARNNS, WRNS, Reserves
THE RN Mine Watching
RFA and RNXS
Service was established in 1952
• Associate members
and renamed the RN Auxiliary
Service (RNXS) ten years later.
Others in sympathy with our objects
THE mystery ship in our August
It was disbanded in 1994, but
especially families
edition (right) was RFA Green
there are moves afoot to ensure
Rover, which is now known as
the organisation does not fade
KRI Arun.
away.
What does the
The £50 prize for the correct
All personnel who served in the
answer goes to Stephen King,
organisation for 12 years or more Association do?
of Baldock in Herts.
were awarded the RN Auxiliary
We:
This month’s ship (above)
Service Medal, and a number of
entered service towards the end go into a prize draw to establish a
ex-RNXS members are creating • Support the Royal Navy
of World War 2 but still managed
winner.
a Medal Roll to commemorate all
• Maintain Naval traditions
to make her mark.
Closing date for entries is volunteers who were awarded the
What was her name, and what
November 9. More than one entry medal – the official record of the
• Enjoy social activities
was the number of the U-boat
can be submitted, but photocopies
recipients has been destroyed.
cannot be accepted. Do not include • Re-unite shipmates
she destroyed in March 1945
anything else in your envelope: no
M P Cocker would like to hear
with HMS Wild Goose? The right correspondence can be entered into
from all those who were awarded • Remember the fallen
answers could win you £50. and no entry returned.
the medal, and he would like to
• Help the disabled
Complete the coupon and send The winner will be announced
gather the following information:
it to Mystery Picture, Navy News, in our December edition. The
Full name, unit and rank/ratemarina • Look after the needy
HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH.
competition is not open to Navy Date of award of medal and (if
marina
Coupons giving correct answers will
News employees or their families.
applicable) the Bar
• Cheer up the distressed
Date of Enrolmentmarina • Stand together in unity
MYSTERY PICTURE 152
Details of other medals held. eg marina
WW2, Korea, Suez and so on.
Mr Cocker can be contacted
How to join
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
at 10 Ellerbeck Road, Cleveleys,
Lancashire FY5 1DH.
Write to RNA HQ
82 Chelsea Manor Street
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stand needed
London SW3 5QJ
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BOURNE branch are looking for a
Tel: 020 7352 6764
stand for a ship’s lifebelt – the type
Fax: 020 7352 7385
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . that can be seen on a jetty at the
end of a brow.
www.royal-naval-association.co.uk
They have the lifebelt – they
My answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . just need the stand.
If anyone can help, they are
willing to pay for postage.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone S/M Brenda White
on 01780 753787.
030-031_NN_OCT.indd 2 18/9/07 17:05:02
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