32 NAVY NEWS, MAY 2008
RNA seeks deputy for
Memorabilia
is presented
to museum
General Secretary
TWO Falklands veterans who
served in ambulance ship
HMS Hydra have presented
memorabilia to the Falkland
Islands Museum during a
visit to the South Atlantic.
Peter ‘Jan’ Spray gave a
limited edition print of an oil
THE RNA is seeking a
The notice has been placed
administrative skills (including branch events including abroad);
painting he commissioned of
in the RNA’s monthly circular,
being IT literate), be motivated responsibility for the Association’s the survey ship at anchor in
deputy general secretary
and in the HQ Roll Quarterly
to support the charity’s 25,000 correspondence and publications; Stanley in 1982 immediately
to help with major
Newsletter.
members, have experience of the Conference and event planning, after the conflict.
developments within the The notice states that “the
Royal Navy and be in sympathy office management and the The print was signed by
organisation.
RNA is looking for a Deputy
with the Association. formulation and delivery of some some of the ship’s company
An advertisement has been
to its General Secretary (Chief
“This will be a busy appointment; training.
of the time, including Bob
authorised by the National
Executive) to start by early
enthusiasm for responsibility, a “The Royal Naval Association
Stewart – a young lieutenant
summer 2008 and both set up
good sense of humour and the website is at www.royal-naval-
Council as part of the RNA’s
under training at the time,
a new Headquarters following
ability to manage subordinate association.co.uk
but now Captain HM and
strategy for relocation to
the Association’s decision to
members of staff are essential. “Interested applicants should
Hydrographer of the Navy.
Portsmouth, and will appear relocate and to help evolve the “You will also deputise for the forward a letter of application, CV
Other items were
in various publications. Association’s links with the Royal
General Secretary. and the names of two referees to
presented to Sian Davis of
The National Council has Navy and its veterans in the 21st
“The Association is updating the General Secretary, the Royal
the museum by John ‘Joe’
also notified the Employment century.
its image and this appointment Naval Association, 82 Chelsea
Erskine, all to be included in
Liaison Officer (Naval), the Naval “A competitive salary with
includes regular contact with the Manor Street, London SW3 5QJ
the Falklands War section.
Resettlement Information Officer attractive benefits is offered.
membership (with some travel to by May 16 2008.”
● S/M Rod Fraser
and the White Ensign Association “As a successful applicant
Woking’s
of the requirement. you will have broad-based
stalwart is
A good year
in demand
S/M ROD Fraser may look a
little lonely in the picture above
in prospect
– but then he is the last remaining
founder member of Woking
branch, which celebrates its 25th
PLYMOUTH branch can look Thanks were expressed for
anniversary this month.
forward to another year of the efforts of the branch’s hard-
More than 100 shipmates
progress, sound finances, sound working social committee, the
and guests are expected at an
management and a hefty social
ceremonial parade marshall and
anniversary dinner at the Holiday
and ceremonial diary.
standard bearer, the welfare
Inn in Woking, where the guest of
At the branch’s AGM 75
officer, independent examiners,
honour will be the Mayor of the
members were able to celebrate
and the PR team for achieving
town, Cllr Bryan Cross.
another good year – and
“excellent” press coverage.
S/M Rod is the branch’s
congratulate their president, Cdre
Cdre Lister updated members
secretary and ceremonial officer,
Simon Lister, on his promotion to
on the future of Devonport Naval
and his leadership and dedication
rear admiral, and his forthcoming
have been vital in ensuring the
appointment at the College of
Base and the successful relocation
branch has flourished.
Defence Studies.
of TS Golden Hind to HMS Vivid
Many local ex-Service
Branch chairman S/M Bob
in South Yard.
associations also rely on the
Palmer also welcomed chaplain
The chairman rounded off the
branch to organise parades and the
Rev Gary Keith RN, who led the
meeting by presenting Cdre Lister
like, such is Rod’s administration
opening and closing prayers.
with an engraved crystal bowl
ability, and they are guaranteed
S/M Bob went on to congratulate
to demonstrate the members’
a good turn-out of eager Woking
members on their response to
appreciation and to convey their
shipmates.
Gift Aid requests, and also for
best wishes for the future.
The branch is holding its third
the branch charitable donations
Further information on the
Veterans Day parade on June 27,
in support of Combat Stress, Joint
branch is available from S/M Bob
and would like men and women
Services Hosanna House and Sea Palmer on 01752 509931 or from
● Mourners gather for the funeral of S/M Jack Beresford, of Lichfi eld branch
recently returned from Iraq and
Cadet units TS Golden Hind and social secretary Sue Gutteridge on
Afghanistan to lead the parade.
TS Manadon. 01752 849176.
Anyone who would like to
participate, including ex-Service
Mystery crest returned
Branches mourn elders
associations, should contact Rod
on 01932 349928.
TWO branches are mourning the passing of elders and respected man, sadly missed by all.
A REUNION had unexpected the second crest and kept it as a
– one of whom missed his 100th birthday by just Another much-loved shipmate who crossed the bar
Poppy veteran
consequences for a ship’s archives. souvenir.
two days. was S/M Jack Beresford RNVR, of Lichfield branch.
Prior to 1953 HMS Loch Fada The crest remained in the
S/M Dick Morris was the oldest member of S/M Jack served in corvettes with Atlantic convoys,
A STALWART poppy collector in
had two unofficial ship’s crests, the family for 50 years or so, until
Dereham branch, and was within sight of his was at D-Day on LSTs and was torpedoed in the
the Midlands has been presented
first of which is well-documented.
Barry’s visit, when he mentioned
centenary when he died in January. Channel. He also served in the Far East.
with a medal by the Royal British
The second only appears very
the upcoming Loch Fada meet.
It is believed that S/M Dick, along with branch He was president of No 8 Area for some years,
Legion.
much out of focus in photographs
Brian felt a twinge of conscience,
president S/M Lambert, was a founder member of president of Lichfield branch and of Lichfield RBL,
S/M Bill Wenlock, a Life Vice
taken at the time, and despite
and felt it should be returned to its
Dereham just over 50 years ago. and a member of West Midlands Landing Craft
President of Wigston branch, was
extensive research by the HMS
rightful place.
In his boyhood, S/M Dick was a Barnardo Boy, Association.
rewarded for 30 years of collecting
Loch Fada Association archivist,
And his brother Barry duly did
and did his early sea training at the Watts Naval He was also a founder member of his village cricket
for the Poppy Appeal.
very little is known of it.
the honours, presenting the crest
Training School in Norfolk. club, for whom he used to play regularly.
The World War 2 veteran
He spent the latter part of his life in Bintree, near At S/M Jack’s funeral the village church was full
At a recent Navy Weekend
– still with screw holes – to the
celebrated his diamond wedding last
Dereham, where he served many times on the local to bursting with Naval and civilian friends wishing to
year, and he and his wife Frances
on Hayling Island, with parallel
Loch Fada Association at their
council, and his shipmates said he was a well-loved pay their respects.
collected £150 in donations instead
reunions for shipmates of
gala dinner.
of presents, which was donated to
Loch Fada, the Loch Class
the Leicester Sea Cadets.
Association, Duchess and South
Kent Submariners Association,
Greenwich keep the fl ag fl ying
St Vincent boys
Farewell to John
there was also a party from
GREENWICH branch held their Greenwich Seamen’s Hospital
Wetherby RNA, including S/M
annual lunch at the Plume of and the old RN College.
BEXHILL-on-Sea branch bid Barry Hayes, recently returned Feathers pub in the borough. Although few in number,
farewell to much-loved colleague from visiting his brother Brian in The Plume of Feathers is shipmates are determined to
meet 50 years on
John Baber, who died in March Australia. considered to be the first pub in maintain a Naval presence
aged 85. Brian was a stoker on Loch the eastern hemisphere, being in Greenwich, partly through
FIFTY years ago a group of Collingwood in Fareham, where
John, who served from 1941- Tralaig, part of the Derry Flotilla just off the meridian line. services at the Pleasance,
apprehensive teenagers passed they were given a briefing in the
46, was a founder member and with Loch Fada, and one night, Well-known by seamen, where sailors from Nelson’s
under the Clock Tower of HMS St wardroom by Executive Officer
twice chairman of the branch. after a run ashore, he ‘found’ being close to the site of the old time were buried.
Vincent in Gosport to start their Cdr Allun Watts, followed by a
New Entry training in Duncan tour of the training establishment.
11. Finally they returned to the
Five decades on, a lot older and Royal Maritime Club, where ‘Up
hopefully a little wiser, a dozen of Spirits’ and the Loyal Toast got the
that group got back together to reunion dinner off to a fine start.
mark the occasion and take a brief The group is most grateful to
glimpse down memory lane. Malcolm Smith, the chairman of
The day’s activities started with the St Vincent Association, for
a visit to HMS Excellent, where arranging what turned out to be a
they were welcomed by First most memorable day.
Lieutenant Lt Cdr Alan Cronin,
himself a St Vincent boy.
New faces
They then took a trip across to
the Royal Clarence Yard, where S/M BRIAN Woodruff was elected
they had spent many a cold hour branch secretary at the AGM
learning how to row and sail. of Beccles branch, while S/M
Then it was on to the old place Ted Thompson was re-elected
itself, now St Vincent College, chairman.
but still containing buildings they S/M Leo Whisstock takes over
would recognise, plus a museum,
from S/M Len Manners as social
situated in the old Chiefs’ Mess.
secretary, and Len was thanked
Next stop was HMS
for all his hard work.
032-033_NN_may.indd 1 21/4/08 12:59:39
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