42 NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2008
Cornish
group is
Former cadet takes
enchanted
by Merlin
CADETS and staff from the City
of Truro unit spent an evening
the helm at Dunbar
visiting 700M Naval Air Squadron,
their affiliated squadron at RN Air
Station Culdrose. A FORMER cadet has
Over the course of the evening
taken over at the helm of
the 20 cadets of TS Pellew were
New trophy
briefed on the Merlin helicopter’s
Dunbar and District unit.
roles and capabilities, the
Michael Kaszuba was a
contribution that Culdrose-based
cadet at TS Valiant for six
is objective
squadrons are making to global
years, and went on to join the
operations and future programmes Royal Navy in 1985.
for the aircraft. While serving in his first ship,
The cadets, who were HMS Plymouth, Michael was
for trainee
accompanied by seven staff, were selected to serve in the Royal
then given a tour of one of the Yacht Britannia.
helicopters in the hangar, where Active duty then took him
engineers
the squadron’s maintenance to the first Gulf War to work
personnel explained the challenges on the clearance of mines from
they encounter working on these waterways.
THE Sea Cadet Engineering
complex aircraft on board ship, His next move was to joint
Training Centre in HMS
and ensuring that they are available intelligence, but he then returned
Gannet became responsible for a
to fly in all weathers. to small ships until he left the
prestigious trophy at a ceremony
The group rounded off their Senior Service because of
at the beginning of last month.
visit by trying their hand at flying personnel cuts in 1996.
The trophy, in the shape of
Merlin – well, a Merlin simulator, Michael met his future wife
a silver plate, has been donated
to be exact. Sharon, who was also serving in
to the Training Centre by the
They were given control of the Navy, at MHQ Pitreavie.
Fisgard Association, to be awarded
a Merlin on board an aircraft They married in 1995 and have
annually to the cadet who has
carrier and attempted take-offs two daughters; both are members
displayed the best practical skills
and landings from the flight deck, of the Junior Sea Cadets.
during the course at the centre.
without any expensive damage to His departure from the Navy
The Fisgard Association is an
Navy kit. did not mean the end of his
‘old school’ association for all
All too soon the coach arrived maritime commitments, as
ex-Royal Navy-trained artificer
back at the squadron building to Michael became a full member of
apprentices.
return the cadets to Truro, but the Coastguards as a Search and
Until it closed in 1983, HMS
● Michael Kaszuba (in yellow jacket) with members of the Dunbar and District unit
all agreed it had been a fantastic Rescue Officer.
Fisgard was the Part I training
introduction to the work of one of As part of the team he was
A recruitment drive had the group which includes lifeboatmen and volunteers.
establishment for artificer
the Culdrose squadrons. awarded the Chief Coastguard’s
desired effect, increasing the from the area, which donated The unit meets at North Road,
apprentices on joining the Royal
Sea Cadet units are financed Commendation. number of members from a wide
more than £900. Dunbar – near the swimming pool
Navy.
solely from charitable donations, With Michael’s experience area. This year is the 50th anniversary – on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
These apprentices were later to
and through a variety of initiatives and leadership skills, the unit at Donations to the unit have also of the Dunbar and District unit, For more information, ring
become the skilled craftsmen of
700M NAS raised £350 to help Dunbar is going from strength to increased – and special thanks so plans are being laid to make it Michael on (mobile) 07702
the Fleet, on completion of a five-
the City of Truro unit this year. strength. go to the 999 Club of Dunbar, a a very special year for cadets, staff 550533.
year apprenticeship.
In 1998 the Sea Cadet Training
Centre at Prestwick formally
Buxton
adopted the name Training Ship
Fisgard.
The first cadet to qualify for the
trophy was LC James Scott, from
hosts
the Bridge of Don unit (pictured
above).
Peter Eaton, representing the
VIPs for
Fisgard Association, said: “The
plate was previously presented
to the best all-round artificer
apprentice.
big night
“I am pleased that the same
sort of training is being carried
out here today, and the plate will
be used to mark a similar type of
BUXTON Sea Cadets had
achievement.”
the honour of welcoming
The centre was founded in HMS
two special VIP guests to
Gannet in 1974 by Lt Cdr Donald
their annual inspection at
Briggs – himself a former HMS
the end of January.
Fisgard apprentice – who was a
The unit rolled out the red
guest at the presentation, together
carpet for their president
with Lt Cdr Bryan Nicholas, CO
the Duke of Devonshire
of HMS Gannet.
and the Mayor of High
Under the leadership of the
● Cdt Danny Groombridge lays a wreath at the National Destroyer
Memorial in memory of the men of HMS Gallant
Peak, Cllr Jean Wharmby.
Superintendent, CPO Pat
Other guests included
McManus, the training centre has
the mayor’s consort,
Wreath laid for
an annual throughput of around
George Wharmby, S/M
500 cadets and adult instructors
Dave Parker, chairman
● Back row, from left: Lt Cdr (SCC) W G Davies RNR, Lt Cdr (SCC)
of the local Royal Naval
W Alan Thomas RNR, Cdre R C Hastie, Lt Cdr (SCC) Mike Hulonce
from throughout the UK, and
Association branch,
RNR and Cdr Jos Binns; front row, from left: POC Nigel Morton, POC
now provides courses leading to
wartime Gallant
and Devika Dobson,
Sean Vanstone and POC Daniel Owen Picture: Jane John
a BTEC Diploma in Engineering
commodore of Errwood
(Maintenance).
Sailing Club.
Members of the Bulwark,
ON JANUARY 10 1941 destroyer A phone call to the only
Albion and Centaur Society
Goodbye and hello to
James Scott was also one of the
first cadets to achieve this diploma
during its trial year in 2007.
HMS Gallant struck an Italian living survivor, Cyrill Edwards,
also attended.
mine off the Mediterranean island by the Commanding Officer of
Both the Duke and
of Pantellaria, resulting in the Westerham unit, S/Lt (SCC) John
the Mayor spoke of
deaths of more than 60 of her Ingram RNR, to say the deed had
their appreciation of the
Lord Lieutenant’s men
Still space
crew. been done was appreciated by the
enthusiasm and smart turn-
THE Lord Lieutenant of West POC Sean Vanstone, from TS
on yachts
The warship sustained serious veteran sailor.
out by the cadets, which
Glamorgan, Commodore Encounter, the Neath unit, and
damage, her bows being blown Mr Edwards had the narrowest
they said they found most
Robert Hastie RNR, presided at POC Daniel Owen, also from TS TRAINING ships Vigilant and City
away, but because of first-class of escapes – all the stokers were
impressive.
a ceremony at John Chard VC Ajax, were presented with their Liveryman are circumnavigating
damage control measures and in the forward mess deck, but he
They thanked the
House in Glamorgan Street, new appointments. the UK from the end of this month,
admirable seamanship skills, had just started his watch and
volunteer staff and
Swansea, the headquarters of the Also attending were Lt Cdr and as Navy News went to press
Gallant survived a tow by HMS survived.
committee for their efforts,
Territorial Army in the city. (SCC) Bill Davies RNR, the CO of
there were still a few places left.
Mohawk to Malta for her condition The shipmate he took over from
and the parents for their
Cdre Hastie presented the the Swansea Unit, Lt Cdr (SCC)
This will be the furthest the sail
to be assessed. lost his life.
support for this “highly-
training yachts have gone, and will
She spent several months being The wreath-laying ceremony was
successful” unit.
outgoing and incoming Lord W Alan Thomas RNR, District
be a great opportunity for cadets
repaired, but just weeks before attended by ACs M Groombridge,
As with many such units,
Lieutenant’s Cadets with their Officer for West Wales, the former
to get some deep-water experience
being made fit to rejoin the A Dean Roberts and Cdt Danny
TS Bulwark is always on the
certificates and insignia. Officer in Charge of the Neath
during the various stages.
Fleet she was damaged by Axis Groombridge.
look-out for new cadets,
POC Nigel Morton, from TS unit, Lt Cdr (SCC) Mike Hulonce
The yachts leave Gosport on
bombing, and in April 1942 was Also in attendance were S/Lt
staff and committee
Ajax, the Swansea unit, was given RNR (now part of the District
March 29, travel anticlockwise
deemed uneconomical for repair. Ingram and unit training officer
members.
a certificate to mark his 12 months Officers team) and District Area
around the UK, and return on
The following year the hulk of PO(SCC) Jan Dean Roberts.
If you are interested
as Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet. Officer Cdr Jos Binns.
July 4.
Gallant was towed out of Grand After Cdt Groombridge laid the
in joining in, please
Harbour and became a blockship, wreath there was time to reflect on
contact the Buxton unit
remaining there until 1953 when the sacrifice by those brave sailors,
Commanding Officer, Lt
Beef and Oysters
The cost is £230 per cadet,
with an accompanying adult going
free.
she was broken up. and to admire the new memorial,
Bruce Luckman, on 01298
GREENWICH Sea Cadets were on by luxury yacht builders Oyster Planned ports-of-call include
So it was fitting that members which S/Lt Ingram described as
78092.
hand to escort the Baron of Beef Marine as part of their 35th Ramsgate, Lowestoft, Grimsby,
of the ship’s company of TS “unbelievably stunning”.
Among the events
and line the steps for the Oyster anniversary celebrations. Newcastle, Arbroath, Inverness,
Gallant, the Westerham unit, The destroyer memorial is
coming up in the unit
Marine London Owners Dinner, ACs Collins and Ginnelly Oban, Largs, Bangor, Liverpool,
laid a wreath at the new national alongside HMS Cavalier at
calendar are a family quiz
which took place at the Painted and Leading Junior Bes Green Milford Haven and Falmouth.
destroyer memorial at Chatham Chatham, and there are special
night on March 5 and a
Hall at Greenwich in January. joined CPO (SCC) Paul Webster For information on bursaries
Historic Dockyard in honour of rates for entry into the dockyard
Flag Day on June 7.
The event, which was attended in escorting the beef to the top please contact Offshore Office on
the warship and her crew. for Sea Cadets. by Ellen McArthur, was staged table. 02392 765888.
0042-044_NN_mar.indd 142-044_NN_mar.indd 1 118/2/08 10:32:598/2/08 10:32:59
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