NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2008 33
Service
Tribute to
S/M Gordon
recalls
Bridgend branch
DURSLEY and District branch
paraded their standard alongside
that of No 7 Area to honour the
trench
passing of S/M William Gordon
warfare
is forced to shut
Taylor Harper.
Gordon was one of the stalwarts
of the branch, which he joined in
1981, the year of its foundation.
Members formed an honour
guard at St Bartholomew’s Church
THE ANNUAL Collingwood
BRIDGEND branch has October 1980, and the standard
and ex-president of the church, other branches throughout the in Lower Cam for the entry and
Memorial Service will take place
was dedicated in April 1983
I was able to thank, during my country.
on Friday June 6 at the memorial
been forced to close through
exit of S/M Gordon’s cortege in
at St Mary’s Nolton church in speech, all loyal members for their
“We also dedicated a lot of time
memory of “a wonderful shipmate
in Blandford Camp, Dorset.
lack of membership.
Bridgend. long service. and money to local charities for
who was always ready to serve the
The trustees of the Collingwood
Former branch president
“It was only fitting that we “During our time we made medical advancement – too many
branch and always had a friendly
Battalion Royal Naval Division S/M Thomas Naish announced
should return our standard back to numerous friends and visited to mention by name.”
word and smile for his shipmates.”
Memorial and the president and the decision, noting with
the same church for safekeeping,”
members of the Blandford and
regret that the young sailor of
said S/M Naish.
District branch have once again
today did not wish to support “On Sunday February 17 an
invited those who wish to pay
or join the association in the excellent ceremony took place
their respects to the gallant men of
D-Day memorial
with members from Lydney
the Anson, Benbow, Collingwood,
town.
and Cheltenham, also local ex-
Drake, Howe, Hood, Nelson,
“We had no choice but to
Servicemen – Welsh Guards – and
Hawke Battalions and the Royal
end over 28 years service due to
Marine Battalions of Portsmouth,
many of our members now being the WRNS standard-bearer was
campaigner dies
Plymouth, Chatham and Deal
disabled or housebound,” said also present.
S/M Naish.
who gave their lives in the service
“The Revd Komor and others
The branch was formed in
WORLD War 2 veteran and memorial campaigner
of their country.
officiated and, as a life member
Billy Swift has died at the age of 85.
The memorial, of polished William Henry Swift, born in Hull in 1922,
marble, was originally unveiled to volunteered for the Royal Navy at the age of 18
the memory of the captain, officers in 1940.
and men of the Collingwood
‘You may need
As an HO (Hostilities Only) sailor, Billy managed
Battalion who died at Gallipoli on to see action in many of the war’s hot (and cold)
June 4 1915. spots.
Those who wish to attend He was on board the light cruiser HMS Cairo
should first notify Roy Adam at
us one day…’
when it was sunk by the Italian submarine
Camvere House, 3 Portman Road, Axum during Operation Pedestal, the heroic and
Pimperne, Blandford, Dorset
A SHIPMATE from Kent is or widower, some will suffer from
ultimately successful attempt to get food and
DT11 8UJ, tel 01258 453797,
hoping to encourage serving just plain loneliness, others will
supplies through to Malta in the summer of 1942.
with details of car registration
sailors to support the Association. have to bear many aches and pains
Billy was made an honorary citizen of Valletta in
number.
S/M Mick Withington, of brought on by age.
2002.
Attendees will gather from
the Isle of Sheppey, said: “I “Oh yes – it happen to the
He was on board the destroyer HMS Tuscan
midday onwards at the Anvil
wish many matelots would rid fittest of us; it gradually creeps
when she was badly damaged by a mine in the
Hotel, Pimperne (on the A354)
themselves of the concept that up on us.
Bristol Channel in May 1943, after which he
for introductions and lunch, and
we are a bunch of bemedalled old “This is where you enjoy
served in HMS Scourge (Russian convoys and
tea will be laid on afterwards at the
chaps – I could put it in a matelot’s the association, because you
D-Day) and HMS Bigbury Bay (Far East).
HQ Mess Royal Signals, courtesy
colloquial terms but I do not think will gradually build a circle of
After the war Billy was instrumental in
of the chairman of the North
the editor would allow it. shipmates around you from far and
organising a number of reunions, including the
Dorset District Council and the
“Well, yes, that is quite true, wide simply by putting yourself
23rd Destroyer Flotilla.
Commander Blandford Garrison, but we are not without a sense of out and joining in some of all that
As a result of this Billy and others began
Brig Ted Flint. humour and enjoy getting out and goes on and the discussions that
raising funds for a memorial to the men of the
about together – the camaraderie take place.
Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and Allied Navies
New chairman
that binds us together is our love “Do remember, oppos who are
who died during the invasion of Normandy. That ● Billy Swift in front of his World War 2 Dodge
of the Service. now in the Service, that you will
command car in Normandy memorial now stands at Hermanville.
BUXTON and High Peak branch
“We all realise that the be ‘ex’ one day.
have elected S/M Mike Evans as
comparatively young man coming “When you feel you are ready,
chairman in succession to S/M
out of the Service today has nothing join your nearest branch – come
David Parker.
in common with us, bearing in along.
A new committee was also
mind the age difference and a “Because we are living longer
voted in to serve for the next 12
young man’s family commitments, many things beset us – you may
months.
but one day those will be a thing well need us as just a friendly face
The branch meets at the Working
of the past. to call and chat.
Men’s Club in Lightwood Road,
“Although still attached to “You just don’t know how good
Buxton, on the first Thursday of
family you’ll find you have time that can make you feel.
every month at 8pm, and new
on your hands. “Or think about being able to
members are always welcome.
“Some sadly will be a widow go to a reunion and lose yourself
amongst your own.”
The Royal Naval Association
££50 PRIZE PUZZLE50 PRIZE PUZZLE
S/M Withington cites the
example of the biennial gathering/
Once Navy Always Navy
reunion of ex-matelots – no
Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism and Comradeship
particular branch or ship – and
their families and friends.
The Association takes over
Who can join?
a holiday camp on Hayling
• Full Members
Island from Friday afternoon
until Monday morning, with
Serving and Ex-Service members of
entertainment laid on for all
RN, RM, QARNNS, WRNS, Reserves
three days including an informal
church service (no chaplain)
RFA and RNXS
with a parade of standards only
• Associate members
in the auditorium where the
entertainment takes place.
Others in sympathy with our objects
“Then, of course, there is ‘Tot
especially families
THE mystery ship in our February
time’, a Sods Opera, and lunch
edition (right) was HMS Sabre,
is served when we have finished,”
and the base was Gibraltar – as
said S/M Withington.
What does the
identified by Mr William Smith of
“Then there is ‘make and
Oxford, who wins our £50 prize.
mend’, with entertainment in Association do?
This month’s vessel was a
the evening, finishing with great
versatile RMAS ship which first
singalong, with everyone on the
We:
appeared in the early 1960s.
floor. All this for £90 – it can’t • Support the Royal Navy
Can you name her, and
be bad.
name her sister ship which was
Closing date for entries is
“At no time in all the years
• Maintain Naval traditions
launched at the same yard within May 9. More than one entry can
I have been going have I see • Enjoy social activities
three months of her? We have be submitted, but photocopies
anyone over the top with booze,
removed her name from the
cannot be accepted. Do not include
although everyone thoroughly
• Re-unite shipmates
picture
anything else in your envelope: no
enjoys themselves, making great • Remember the fallen
Complete the coupon and send
correspondence can be entered into friends and looking forward to the
it to Mystery Picture, Navy News,
and no entry returned. next time.”
• Help the disabled
HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH.
The winner will be announced in Summing up, S/M Withington
• Look after the needy
Coupons giving correct answers will our June edition. The competition is said: “There may come a time when
go into a prize draw to establish a not open to Navy News employees or
you may well need us as a friendly
• Cheer up the distressed
winner. their families.
face; a visit hospital or something
• Stand together in unity
just to stave off loneliness – there
are many many reasons.
MYSTERY PICTURE 158 “I don’t like being the prophet
How to join
of doom but it could happen.
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “The association will always be
Write to RNA HQ
there for you – for £10 a year it
82 Chelsea Manor Street
can’t be bad, can it?”
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
London SW3 5QJ
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Helping heroes
Tel: 020 7352 6764
Fax: 020 7352 7385
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ON READING about the ‘Help
for Heroes’ charity in the January www.royal-naval-association.co.uk
My answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RNA circular , the Frinton and
Walton branch have agreed to
donate £250 to the cause, and
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
stated that members were pleased
that the National Council have
adopted the charity for 2008.
0032-033_NN_Apr.indd 232-033_NN_Apr.indd 2 119/3/08 08:31:149/3/08 08:31:14
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