NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2008 33
THE TIME OF YOUR LIVES
Germany
NAVY NEWS looks back through its pages to recall some of the March headlines of past
decades... honours
40 years ago
‘Ship that died’ – Navy News says goodbye to carrier HMS
Victorious stating that ‘to be cut down in full vigour is a tremen-
dous shock’. A few months previously the 2,500 crew of the
Cdr Grenfell
carrier had been busying themselves with preparations for the
ARCTIC veteran Cdr Eddie Gren- young people in other countries,
recommissioning to mark the ship’s return to the fleet from refit.
fell has been awarded the German especially in Germany.
Cakes had been baked, invitations had been crafted, the depra-
“This means confining hatred
dations of a small fire overcome, when the blow came. In March
Military Cross of Honour in Silver,
to the past.”
1968 we reported: “What should have been a recommissioning
the Ehrenkreuz, in recognition of
Among the pinnacles of Cdr
service became a families’ day – a somewhat bewildered gather-
his dedicated and enduring work
Grenfell’s long history and friend-
ing slightly unable to accept the reality of a great ship, brightly
on British–German reconciliation
ship with the German Navy was
painted and alive, yet about to be torn apart.”
and international understanding.
Cdr Grenfell, well known to the period when he was Assistant
30 years ago readers of these pages for his
Naval Attaché at the British
When oil rig Orion drifted on to rocks off Guernsey, two Sea King
successful campaign for recogni- Embassy in Bonn, where he
helicopters from 706 Naval Air Squadron went to the rescue of
tion of Arctic Convoy veterans,
worked to develop good contact
29 members of the crew amidst a Force 10 storm. The oil rig was
has spent decades committed to
between the two nations.
under tow by a German tug from Rotterdam to Brazil, when the
building and strengthening rela-
More recently, he was key in hav-
wind began to blow the rig on to the rocks. The Culdrose-based
tions between the German and
ing the ship’s bell of the German
helicopters scrambled to the rescue. Pilot Lt Glen Tisley arrived to
British navies.
warship Oldenburg returned to
find the rig aground but “lit up like a Christmas tree’. Observer Lt
The award was presented to
Germany from the Royal Naval
Bob Davidson was carefully lowered onto the tilting deck, awash
Cdr Grenfell by Vizeadmiral
Museum in Portsmouth.
with waters from the storm, to begin the rescue lifting 12 men to
Klaus von Dombrowski, Chief of
Cdr Grenfell joined the RN as
safety.
Section III of the German Naval
an Ordinary Seaman and worked
his way up through the ranks
20 years ago
Staff, at a ceremony held in the
German Ministry of Defence in
during a long career which saw
Twenty-five years to the day after he landed the first prototype Bonn.
wartime service in the Atlantic,
Harrier, P1127, on the deck of HMS Ark Royal, Bill Bedford Cdr Grenfell said: “When I
Mediterranean and Arctic.
touched down on the next HMS Ark Royal in a two-seat T4N received the medal from Admiral
Harrier from RNAS Yeovilton. The 67-year-old Bill, flown to the von Dombrowski, he said it was
warship by Lt Alistair McLaren of 899 NAS, had been Hawker the first time in his experience
New historical and
chief test pilot and on February 8 1963 he had completed the pro- that it had been given to a British
totype’s first deck landing on board an aircraft carrier. The ship’s civilian person.
information site at
commanding officer Capt Mike Harris was on hand to greet the “War – usually the result of www.comradesinarms.co.uk
pioneering aviator.
● HMS Victorious in her carrier glory in 1965
politicians failing at their job – is
a dreadful waste of lives. I have
For information on your ship,
children, grandchildren and great-
shore base or air squadron
Reunions
grandchildren, and I want to see
since 1946.
them grow up making friends with
Contributions welcome.
MARCH 2008 May 9-11. Book in directly at the hotel on of remembrance will take place at 1145 at 12th annual reunion will be held at the Angel
TS Resolution: A reunion for ex-cadets 01253 625688, or contact Tom Wallbank at Oistreham in France on June 6 in honour Hotel, Leamington Spa on Saturday October
and staff of Swindon Sea Cadets to cel- fi eldgunner58@hotmail.com or tel: 01524 of the crews of the landing vessels taking 4. Details from ‘Doc’ Bob Howard at robert.
ebrate 70 years of Sea Cadets in Swindon 840471. part in the D-Day Landings in 1944. Contact howard403@ntlworld.com or tel: 023 9279
will take place on March 8 at TS Resolution, HMS Hood Association: AGM and re- Maurice Hillebrandt on 01395 442800. 9141.
Upham Road, Swindon, Wiltshire. Tickets at union will take place at the Royal Maritime Majestic ‘Caledonia’ 1937-39, Boy’s Artifi cer Apprentice, October 1946 En-
£10 to include buffet and welcome drink. Li- Club, Portsmouth, on May 24. A memorial Association: Reunion and AGM dinner on try: Classmates from Exmouth (Fisgard)
censed bar. All proceeds to support the unit. service will take place at St Georges Church, June 7 at the Seacrest Hotel, Morecambe, and Duncan (Caledonia) will be holding their
Contact Swindon Sea Cadet Unit on 01793 Portsea at 1145 on May 25. Service at St Lancashire. Bookings to Jim Duckworth next reunion from October 6-10 at Warners,
487404 or 01793 532059. John Baptist Church, Boldre at 1100 on June (Secretary), 87 The Hove, Runcorn, Chesh- Cricket St Thomas, near Chard. Details from
HMS Dorsetshire Association: The 66th 1. Details from Vice Chairman, Keith Evans ire, WA7 6EE. Ivor Nosworthy, 22 Thornhill Road, Man-
anniversary reunion will take place at the on 01428 642122.
Royal Fleet Club, Devonport, March 20-23. HMS Cleopatra Old Shipmates Asso-
JULY 2008
namead, Plymouth, PL3 5NE or tel: 01752
Details from the secretary Gerald Blackburn ciation: A fl ourishing organisation which is
Cunningham 29: Chefs of Cunningham
663330.
at gblackburn@mgownersclub.net or tel:
29 – the fi rst Chefs Class at Aldershot, I am
HMS Fisgard, Series 5: 60th anniver-
actively recruiting ex-Cleos from the cruiser
Please call 023 9273 4448 for details
01564 770 427 or see the website at http://
organising a 25th anniversary reunion for the
sary reunion at the Charlescote Hotel,
and frigate to join us. Wives/partners are also
www.dorsetshire.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk or
class (Gary Hobbs, Dave Measures, Michael
Stratford on Avon, October 7-9. Anyone in
very welcome. AGM and reunion is at the or email:
write to Copt Heath Manor, Knowle, West
Penny, S Warner, Ian Grierson, Troy Tickle,
our class who joined the boys on January
Britannia Hotel, Coventry, May 9-12. If you
Midlands B93 9LQ.
Jim Webb, Chris Fielder, William Prideaux, D
9 1949 should contact Michael Westlake at
are interested contact Warwick Franklin at
subscriptions@navynews.co.uk
Combined Operations Association:
Dean). The date Friday July 18 with the likely
cambridge-bay@bigpond.com or write to
warwick_franklin@hotmail.com, tel: 01752
A memorial of Loch Fyne stone has been
location TBD. Please contact Mike ‘Taff’
6 Bolton Street, Beaumaris, Victoria, 3193,
366611 or write to 127 Kit Hill Crescent, St
erected at the Argyll Caravan Park, Invera-
Spear at taff.spear@yahoo.co.uk, tel: 07789
Australia.
Budeaux, Plymouth, Devon, PL5 1EL.
ray. During WW2 this was the site of HMS
550098 or write to 4 St Mary’s Close, West
HMS Cardigan Bay Association: Reunion
HMS Comus: York reunion, May 9-11.
Quebec, the Naval base attached to the
Walton, Wisbech PE14 7EQ or contact Jim
October 10-12 at Blackpool. Contact Donald
Friday evening at the Con Club, Clarence
fi rst combined training centre. In WW2 over
Davey at jim.davey@bbc.co.uk.
Grier on 01294 465192 or M Solomons on
Road at 1930 , Saturday 1900 coach to WM
250,000 Allied troops of the three services
Gib ‘78 Reunion: For anyone based in
01977 672829.
Club, Huntington. Buffet dinner and drinks. Royal Navy Old Comrades Club
trained in amphibious warfare on the shores
Gibraltar 1977-79. All branches are welcome
HMS Eagle 1952-72: Reunion at Port-
More information from Bryan V Cox on
of Loch Fyne. The Memorial will be unveiled
to attend the the 5th reunion at the Stretton
land, October 10-12. This is for all of-
01903 232720. EASTBOURNE
by the Duke of Argyll on March 27. All ex-
Hotel, Blackpool, July 25-26. Contact Jeff fi cers and men who served in Eagle.
RN Medical Branch Ratings and Sick Headquarters of: THE ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION & ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION
personell or interested parties are welcome.
‘Taff’ Thomas at JEFF@thomas-11.fsnet. For more details contact John Bryant at
Berth Staff Association: Reunion of the
co.uk or see the website at http://www. portland_reunion@msn.com, visit the
16, BEACH ROAD, EASTBOURNE, EAST SUSSEX BN22 7EU
APRIL 2008
RNMBR & SBSA will be at the King Charles
gibraltarcomcen.com or tel: 01495 350915 website http://www.hms-eagle.co.uk or tel:
HMS Belfast Association: AGM and reun-
Hotel, Gillingham, Kent, May 9-11. Details
or mob: 07837 386244. 0117 947 0122. Telephone: 01323 731276
ion will take place on April 5 at 1200 onboard
from Alec Cheney on 01634 864705.
the ship. All members are welcome. For
HMS Bulwark, Albion and Centaur As-
AUGUST 2008
HMS Undaunted 1944-74: Reunion at
Secretary: Mrs S. B. Davey
details contact the secretary at f.wooding@
sociation: AGM and reunion dinner at HMS
HMS Actaeon: The ninth reunion of the
Portland, October 10-12. This is for all of-
ntlworld.com tel: 01234 364928 or write to
Nelson on May 10. All enquiries to Denis
HMS Actaeon Association will be held in
fi cers and men who served in Undaunted.
The Club gives a very hearty welcome to visiting R.N.A Members,
54 Carlisle Road, Bedford, MK40 4HU.
Askham, Bryden, Boyndie Banff, Aberdeen-
Leicester, August 1-3. All ex-crew welcome,
For more details contact John Bryant at
HMS Protector Association: Reunion at
shire, AB45 2LD, tel: 01261 861742, email:
also any ex-Nereide men out there. We also
portland_reunion@msn.com, visit the
and coach parties during the year.
the Metropole Hotel, Blackpool, April 11- dnsaskhm@aol.com
hope to welcome some of our Germen ship-
website http://www.hms-undaunted.co.uk
15. Details from Doug Harris by email to Old Caledonia Artifi cer Apprentices As-
mates ex-Hipper again. For details contact
or tel: 0117 947 0122.
Free buffet can be arranged, plus live entertainment or disco.
Dougatspindrift@aol.com or tel: 01495 sociation: A memorial stone crafted by the
John Pownall at johnpownall2007@btinter-
Portland Squadron 1967-74: Reunion
Plus of course a traditional “Up Spirits”.
718870 or visit http://www.hmsprotector. stonemason apprentices of the City of Bath
net.com, tel: 0116 233 2263 or John Cos-
at Portland, October 10-12. This is for all
org College will be dedicated in the chapel of the
grove at john.cosgrove3@talktalk.net, tel:
offi cers and men who served in the squad-
Take part in our Meat Draw and Spirit Draw, all good fun.
HMS Wizard & HMS Cadiz Associa- National Arboretum at Alrewas at 1130 on
0116 267 5435.
ron when HMS Undaunted was Captain D,
tion: AGM/reunion in Torquay, April 11-14. May 12. It is to remember all RN Artifi cer Ap-
Association of Wrens: National reunion
Leader of the 2nd Frigate Squadron. For
Should any party wish to stay in Eastbourne for a weekend visit in our
Growing membership. All commission, ranks prentices who did their training at HMS Cal-
at York (University Campus), August 22-24.
more details contact John Bryant – see Eagle
and rates most welcome. Contact Tom Fox, edonia in Rosyth. All ex apprentices and staff
Good accommodation on campus, Friday
and Undaunted entries above.
lovely town, there are numerous Hotels and Boarding Houses.
Maroheto, Church Lane, Meriden, Coventry, including widows and families are welcome.
evening welcome-buffet, Saturday concert
RNR Postal and Courier Branch: Reun-
CV7 7HX or tel: 01676 523296. Contact Alan Petrie at CaledoniasecA@aol.
1400, York visitor trips optional. Expecting
ion at the Royal Maritime Club, Portsmouth,
Contact our Secretary on the above telephone number to arrange a visit.
HMS Ramillies Association: Reunion at com or tel: 023 9255 1644.
over 1,000 members, why not join us for a
October 24-26. If you would like to attend or
You will not regret it.
the Stretton Hotel, Blackpool, April 14-18. HMS Opportune: Reunion at the Stretton
really good catch-up event? Reunion hotline
require further information about the asso-
Further details from Mrs D Marks, 3 Kendal Hotel, Blackpool, May 12-15. Contact Len
01489 505226. Not a member? Not a prob-
ciation contact Nobby Clark at rex.w.clark@
Avenue, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancs, FY5 2LY Phillips, 8 Redgate, The Pippins, Northwich,
lem. Membership secretary at wrensassoc@
btinternet.com, tel: 07713 155575 or write
or tel: 01253 826300. Cheshire, CW8 4TQ or tel: 01606 79880.
aol.com, website at http://www.wrens.org.
to 12 Bentinck Way, West Lynn, Kings Lynn,
HMS Kenya Association: Reunion at the HMS Warspite: The 23rd reunion of HMS
uk or tel: 0207 9320111. Serving RN women
Norfolk, PE34 3LZ.
Royal Hotel, Skegness on April 18. AGM at Warspite (BB 03 and SSN 03) will be held at
especially welcome.
HMS Ulster 1958-60 Commission: Seek-
ing the following ship’s company members
the Aston Court Hotel, Derby on September the Hotel Rembrandt, Weymouth, May 16- SEPTEMBER 2008
who have dropped out of sight: John ‘Putty’
5. Contact JC Rickwood, 30 Maypole Drive, 18. For further information contact the sec- Korean War and other Far East Veterans:
Chamberlain, John Davis, John Hendry, Alex
Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 3TZ or tel: retary, Ivor Davies, on 01752 846983. The British Pacifi c and East Indies Fleets As-
01384 393235.
Pattie, ‘Tommo’ Thompson. Also Lt Brian
HMS Fleetwood Association is holding sociation extend a welcome to anyone who
HMS Dido: 3rd All Commissions reunion,
Gallagher and Lt Cdr John Corrie. Please
its eighth annual reunion at the Royal Mari- served in Korea and the Far East to join them
to be held at King Charles Hotel, Chatham,
contact Norrie Millen at norriem88@hotmail.
time Club, Portsmouth, May 19-22. All mem- at their reunion which will be at the Britan-
April 18-20. For further information contact
com or phone 07779 909691 if you know
bers of crews aboard during 1936 to 1959 nia Hotel, Coventry, September 12-14. The
Colin Bates at colin@hms-dido.com or along with their wives or partners will be
their whereabouts and or addresses of these
hotel is only a few yards from Coventry Bus
tel: 0121 742 8188; or Alan Pickthorne at made most welcome. Please contact Keith
crew members or any other 1958-60 Ulster
Station. For information and booking forms
APICKTHORNE@aol.com tel: 01789 Rayner on 01642 281392 for further details.
commission ships company or offi cer. There
apply to the hotel on 02476 633733 ext: 203
269615. You can also log on to our website
are now 54 possibly attendees for 50th and
(Samantha Fisher).
for more details at http://www.hms-dido.
JUNE 2008 fi nal reunion in 2008 and we would like all
RN Boom Defence Ratings: The next
com
HMS Blackcap: RNAS Stretton 1942-58.
Boomers convention will take place in Scar-
surviving crew to join us.
AR
Association
yal Nav
N
of
Ro y Officers
O
HMS Ganges Association: Annual re-
Any shipmates who served at the base are
borough, September 19-21. For more infor-
Survey Ship Association: Reunion at the
union, April 25-28, at the Norbreck Castle
invited to the annual service of commemo- ARNO is the Membership
mation contact Alfi e Mumberson on 01302
St Nichols Hotel, Scarborough, on October Benefits of membership
Hotel, Blackpool. Rooms available. Looking
ration held on June 1 at 1200 at St Cross
811898 or Lance Hollingsworth on 01723
25-26. For information on membership and
Association and Charitable Trust include;
forward to seeing you there. Contact Tony
Church, Appleton Thorn. Contact Bernie Co- reunion please send SAE to the Secretary,
for serving and retired commissioned
Thipthorpe at thipthorpe@btconnect.com
hen at b.cohen2@ntlworld.com or tel: 0161
369798.
SSA, 8 Grosvenor Court, 74 East Lodge
*
an Annual Year Book which has many
officers of the RN, RM, QARNNS, the
interesting articles and useful
or tel: 01702 341968.
9461209. OCTOBER 2008 Park, Farlington, Portsmouth, PO6 1BY, or
Normandy RN/RM Memorial: A service HMS Alert 1961-63 Commission: The email: secretary@surveyships.org.uk former WRNS and their Reserves.
information
MAY 2008
*
a secure on-line membership list
Calling Old Cambrians: The next reunion The ARNO Charitable Trust
will be at the Bay View Court Hotel, Bourne-
*
a special rate for roadside
provides advice and access to breakdown cover
mouth, May 9-11. Any old shipmates not yet
in touch should contact Don Macdonald on
charitable funds for those members,
*
temporary membership of the Naval
01344 774386.
NOTICEBOARD ENTRIES
their wives, widows and dependents
Club, Mayfair, London
Field Gun Reunion (All Divisions) takes who are in need and/or experience■ Notices for this page should be brief, clearly written or typed and addressed to – The Editor, Navy News, HMS * provision for buying and selling
place at the Stretton Hotel, Blackpool from
Nelson, Portsmouth. PO1 3HH or email: edit@navynews.co.uk. If you are sending your notice in via email, please financial difficulties.
uniform and/or swords
include your full address and telephone number.
*
an identity card
Membership Association
Swap drafts
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entitlement to various trade discounts
■ Reunions appear in date order, and requests to place an entry in a particular edition cannot be guaranteed. subscription: £12 annually or a single
* regional social functions (subsidised)
payment of £180 for Life Membership. and many more benefits and services
■ Please send in Reunions at least three months (preferably four) before the month of the event.
■ There may be a delay before items appear, due to the volume of requests. Contact details; tel: 020 7402 5231 fax: 020 7402 5533
email: osec@arno.org.uk www.arno.org.uk
■ Entries are free to non-commercial organisations. Items pertaining to commercial work, books and publications
MA James. Draft: HMS Drake (Sick- for profit can only appear as paid-for advertising.
Please send me details and membership application form:
bay) from February 2008 to February 2010.
Would like to swap for: any available draft in
■ The Editor reserves the right to edit or refuse publication of submitted notices.
Name & address__________________________________________________
Portsmouth area. Contact: 0787 202 1642.
news
■ Space does not allow us to accept more than one free insert. Any subsequent notice will have to be paid for
ABWS(EW) Dawson. Draft: HMS Bul-
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navy
ward, current. Would like to swap for: any
at advertising rates.
__________________________________________________________________
Portsmouth-based ship, apart from CVS or
LPDs. Contact: 243-abws20@a.dii.mod.uk.
to: Membership Secretary,ARNO, 70 Porchester Terrace, LONDON W2 3TP
0032-033_NN_mar08.indd 232-033_NN_mar08.indd 2 118/2/08 12:43:198/2/08 12:43:19
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