30 NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2008
Senior rates
welcomed
to dinner
Caprice group stays
Sadness
clouds
THERE was a good turnout of
New Year
members of the Redruth and
Camborne branch for election
time – and with no other
nominations on the table, all the
for York
officers were re-elected.
Ten days later the branch steadfastly informal
YORK branch had little reason to
annual dinner dance was held at
celebrate over New Year, having
the Penventon Hotel.
lost four shipmates in a short
Among the guests were AT A TIME when many
joined the fledgling association. way from California every year, HMS Caprice was launched in space of time, said branch PRO
members of the Chiefs and
RN associations are
Today that organisation is still and another comes along in his September 1943 as one of 36 War S/M Bernard Hallas.
Warrant Officers Mess at RN
growing and has attracted 75 caravan – such is the resolve of Emergency class destroyers built First was S/M Bill Cox, who
struggling to recruit and
Air Station Culdrose.
members – which from a ship’s ex-matelots. to replace ships lost in action. started as a Boy Bugler and, after
A raffle proved popular, and
retain members, the company of 250 represents an This year’s reunion is scheduled During the war, the ship served serving in the Corps, entered the
shipmates enjoyed the usual
HMS Caprice (1968)
impressive 30 per cent from 40 for Bristol in October. in the far East and on Russian police and became the ‘village
banter which crackled between Association is going from
years ago. Details are available from and Atlantic convoys, and acted bobby’ until he retired.
the Association and the visitors
Association members hope a Graham Latter on 01482 632276, as escort to the liners Queen Next was former branch
strength to strength.
from Culdrose.
book will be published later this or check the Association website Elizabeth and Ile de France on secretary S/M Geoff Miskelly, who
In 1968 Caprice, a World
year recording the ship’s history at www.hmscaprice1968.org.uk their high-speed trooping runs. also joined the police, attaining
Final date for
War 2 destroyer, completed a and airing many pictures of high rank.
circumnavigation of the Caprice from 1944 to 1973.
Shortly after that the branch
Ulster reunion
globe.
They believe the book lost ex-Royal S/M Ernie Burrows,
During her world
will also be of interest and the fi nal member to cross
cruise she visited
to the wider World the bar was ex-Wren S/M Iris
THE 50th anniversary and final
numerous
War 2 destroyer Carson.
reunion of the HMS Ulster 1958-
countries,
community. S/M Hallas said the branch
60 commission will take place
including Japan,
The only sends its condolences to all their
between October 24-27 2008.
Australia, New
criteria for families, and that the shipmates
Booking forms and full details
Zealand, Tonga,
joining the will be sadly missed.
for the reunion, to be held at the
Hawaii and the
Association On a different matter, S/M
Kistor Hotel in Torquay, can be
continental
is that you Hallas said York is still the “most
obtained from Reg Ralph at 20
United States,
were on board energetic branch in Yorkshire,”
Penhale Road, Eastbourne BN22
to name a few.
Caprice for at enjoying a full calendar and never
7JX, telephone 01323 725978 or
Former crew
least part of short of volunteers.
email rejoice@milnet.co.uk
members will
the 1968 world A few booties will be visiting
London for the Royal Marines
Birthday bash
say: “We are not
cruise, regardless
quite sure why we
of rank – three Graspan Parade – with S/M Hallas
did it, but it was a
officers, including claiming the honour of being the
for Laurie
heck of an experience,”
the First Lieutenant, “oldest still-serving official in the
especially as many of the
are members. ranks” at 90.
● From left: S/M Mike Gee, Plymouth branch standard bearer,
LAURIE Cook, vice president crew had just passed out of The Caprice Association Andrew Smith, S/M Harry Sparks, life vice president of Plymouth
Pat Farrington, wife of hard-
and chairman of Letchworth and training. does not ‘do’ Annual General branch, and Joan Smith
working secretary S/M Mike, has
Hitchin branch, cuts a cake to They joined the Navy and did Meetings, constitutions, presidents
entered her last year as national
celebrate his 90th birthday last see the world. or top tables.
month. Caprice was scrapped in 1973, There is no need, they say – if it
A stalwart who still does every- although her sister ship HMS works, don’t fix it.
RN VC honoured
chairman of the Association of
Wrens, so it’s “goodbye to
cucumber sandwiches and a big
thing for himself – and a prize-win- Cavalier is preserved at Chatham Reunions are very informal STANDARDS were paraded once hero Lt George Hinkley VC to pay
‘Well done’ from the branch.”
ning gardener – S/M Laurie joined
Historic Dockyard. affairs, and partners are most
again at Ford Park Cemetery their respects.
the Navy as an apprentice tiffy
In 1996 five of the original crew
welcome. as members of Plymouth and
Joining them were Lt Hinkley’s
in 1934, straight from the Royal
members met up in Blackpool,
70th anniversary
In fact, such events often Saltash branches, the Ganges
great granddaughter Joan Smith
Hospital School in Greenwich, and
Annual reunions were planned,
culminate in a Sods Opera… Association and the RFA Service
and great great grandson Andrew
left the Service in 1948 as a CPO.
and as word got round many others
One member comes all the gathered at the graveside of Naval
for Worthing
Smith.
Lt Hinkley was serving as an
WORTHING Branch will be
able seaman in HMS Sphinx
celebrating its 70th year in
Happy shipmates
during the Taiping Rebellion in
commission at a Thanksgiving
China in 1862 when, in a daring
and Rededication service on
rescue, he carried two wounded
Sunday March 16 at St Michael’s
THE HMS Dunkirk it, they thought – but lo and
officers to safety whilst under
Church in Amberley.
Association was formed behold, the folk from the 1947
continuous heavy enemy fire. The branch extends an
after the first reunion in 2005, commission also started to
He was awarded the VC in invitation to other branches
since when it has grown appear on the scene.
February 1863, left the service in interested in parading their
rapidly. It would seem that there
1867 and died on the last day of Standard or being represented.
Originally things were set was something about the ship
1904 at the age of 85. Please contact S/M J Pannett
in motion by some members that left a lot of people with a Following the wreath-laying, a at 76 Brighton Road, Lancing,
of the 1961 commission lot of happy memories. short service was conducted by West Sussex, or telephone 01903
who had fond memories The next reunion is the Rev Alen McCulloch RN. 754349.
of their time on board the scheduled for Malta on April
ship, a Battle-class destroyer 18-19, when members will be
launched on the Clyde in placing a plaque on the small
August 1945 and broken up memorial at Sliema Creek.
on the same river in the mid- Anyone who served
Memorial for
1960s. in Dunkirk at any time
Little did they know that the and would like to join the
men who served on the 1957- reunion should check the
59 and 1959-61 commissions Association’s website, www. Coastal Forces
also remembered the Dunkirk HMSDunkirkassociation.org
fondly, and also wanted to be or contact the secretary,
involved. George Silvester, on 01381
MEMBERS of the Coastal Forces Veterans Association
That would just about be 600315.
gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to
dedicate their new memorial, known as the Rock of the Sea.
Around 80 shipmates and their families travelled from across
the UK, and from as far as Australia and Canada, to attend the
Standard passed on
ceremony of dedication which remembered all those afloat and
ashore who served in and supported MTBs, MGBs and MLs
across the world – especially those who gave their lives in the
service of their country between 1939 and 1957.
AFTER more than 50 years in safekeeping (see picture above).
The memorial was unveiled by four ex-Wrens who served
the town, the Tunbridge Wells One of the longest-serving
at bases throughout the UK, and padres from two branches
branch disbanded on the last day members, S/M Gary Faulkner,
conducted the service jointly. Branch standards were also in
of 2007. said: “It is a very sad day for the
attendance.
The last offi cial act was for the town.
Although some members still remain active at events such
chairman of the branch, S/M Alf “We have put the standard
as this, the Association itself officially decommissioned at a
Goddard, and the few remaining here rather than laying it up with
ceremony at the former HMS Hornet in Gosport in April 2007
shipmates to hand over the branch the hope that if a new branch is
– a situation made necessary by the increasing age, illness and
standard to the Tunbridge Wells formed in the future they have got
consequent travel difficulties of so many members.
Sea Cadet unit TS Brilliant for a good start.”
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