NAVY NEWS, MAY 2008 33
New man at Mayor
the top – and
praises
cash boost
civic
for Scouts
links
EASTERN Cyprus branch have
their first president.
LEAMINGTON Spa shipmates
S/M Rev Eric Freeman took up
and their guests celebrated the
his new position at a ceremony in
branch’s 60th anniversary with
the WOs and Sgts Mess at Ayios
a dinner dance in the club’s
Nikolaos.
ballroom.
The new president was formally
The principal guest of honour
welcomed by the branch chairman,
was S/M Alwyn Jones and his wife
S/M Eric Hirst.
Margaret – after 18 years as vice
The following day, in another
president, S/M Alwyn is now in his
part of the island, the Cyprus
seventh year as president.
branch presented a cheque for
Also on hand was the Mayor
200 Euros to the 57th Troop of
of Royal Leamington Spa, Cllr
the Episkopi Sea Scouts.
David Greenwood, and his wife
Scouts Daniel Marley and Ryan
Margaret, honorary chaplain
Murray, accompanied by scout
Arthur Webster and his wife Jane,
leader Jay O’Leary and chairman
Robert Coombes, president of
Brian Nicholle, were given the
Leamington branch of the RAF
cheque by branch chairman S/M
Association, and his wife Pamela,
Nobby Hall.
and vice president Ron Capers
Daniel and Ryan expressed their
and his wife Joan.
thanks, and gave the shipmates
The Mayor spoke of the
a description of their activities
excellent and valued relationship
throughout last year and their
between the town and the branch,
plans for the coming year.
and said he was pleased to accept
Those plans include an attempt
a commemorative plaque marking
to master dragon boat racing.
the 60th anniversary, which will
S/M Nobby observed that the
be sited adjacent to the town’s war
Sea Scouts are a great example of
memorial.
well-behaved modern youth.
He also said how impressed he
was to learn of the work carried
Service for
out each week by the Wednesday
● Members of Hull branch act as Grand Marshalls of the Veterans Day Parade in Charleston
Working Party, using the knowledge
and skills required in their previous
D-Day landing
occupations in the maintenance
and improvement of the branch’s
property and facilities.
vessels
THE annual service of
Transatlantic visitors
A happy
remembrance at the Normandy
RN/RM Memorial at Sword
Beach, Ouistreham is to be held
birthday
at 11.45am on Friday June 6.
The service, in honour of the
landing vessels – ships, craft and
to York
barges – which took part in the
MARCH was a typically busy
D-Day Landings in 1944, will
‘treated like royalty’
month for the York branch of the
be conducted by Rev Martin
RNA and RM Association.
Evans RN, and the parade will be
A GROUP of members
AGM in Blackpool. Centre Submariners Association; Bob Reeves, secretary of Hull
But top of the agenda was the
under the operational control of 1 Veterans of Foreign Wars branch, said: “Many gifts were
30th birthday celebration, with
Assault Group RM.
from Hull branch built on
Through him, a programme was
Association; taken out to the USA, however,
veterans from all over the country
The monument stands opposite
a friendship formed at a
worked out, and as a result the
Veterans flew out ton Charleston, A special graduation ceremony many more came home with us.
helping to make it a memorable
the entrance to la gare maritime, reunion to visit the United
South Carolina. day at Paris Island as VIP guests “Long and lasting relationships
occasion.
at the Normandy terminal of the
States. Vince Johnson, their ex-US
of the colonel; have been formed by all of our
This month representatives
Portsmouth to Caen Brittany
The ‘Hull White Ensign
Marine contact, had taken care A dinner dance back at USS group and many, many people of
of the branch are due to attend
Ferries service.
Yorktown; Charleston.
the Graspan ceremony on Horse
Groups and individuals
Veterans Group’ had met a
of all the arrangements, and the
The American Legion at Goose “Personally, the highlight of an
Guards Parade in London.
are welcome, said Maurice
former US Marine, who now
Brits’ first meal set the tone – by
Creek and River Island; extraordinary visit for me was that
It is expected that the massed
Hillebrandt, who can be contacted
owns a travel agency, at an LST
the time they got to the till, all the
meals and drinks had already been Special guests at the Marine I met up with an old buddy of mine
bands of the Royal Marines will
on 01395 442800. and Landing Craft Association
paid for. Corps Officers Annual Ball. who now lives in Pennsylvania and
add their usual panache and
Having slept off the effects of The Hull members were made who m I had served with on HMS
colour to the occasion.
£50 PRIZE PUZZLE
the flight at the Quality Street Grand Marshalls of the Veterans Victorious (1964-67) and had not
Next month, on June 14, branch
Convention Centre, the British Day Parade, leading the parade in seen since we both left the ship
chairman S/M Peter Shepherd and
visitors received their first official World War 2 vehicles, they visited over 40 years ago.
secretary Mike Farrington will
guests – a welcoming party that a US Veterans hospital, lunched “We are now in constant contact
muster branch members around
included two admirals, a colonel with the colonel’s Low Country and will be visiting each other.
York city centre for the annual
and representatives of North Leathernecks, and received “To sum up, we were treated like
collection in aid of the Alexandra
Charleston City Council. medals at the North Charleston royalty wherever we went, transport
Rose Day charity.
Among the other visits and City Council Veterans Ceremony. and meals were paid for by various
Veteran collectors will include
events attended were: By way of thanks, the British organisations and the city council,
S/M Johnny Haigh, S/M Bill
A wreath-laying ceremony at hosted a banquet for all the and the warm-hearted people
Sunderland (both of whom
the new River Front Park Naval organisations and people who had went out of their way to greet us,
served on Arctic convoys) and
Memorial; contributed to the visit, presenting especially our WW2 veterans.”
S/M Bernard Hallas, who will be
A plantation visit; RNA, RM, Kingston-upon-Hull Plans are now afoot for
celebrating his 90th birthday.
Patriots Point, including USS and various other plaques to the American veterans to make the
The following day should see
Yorktown; mayor and his staff, and certificates return visit over Veterans Week in
a service at the graveside of local
The Fleet Navy and Marine of appreciation to all others. Hull.
hero Bdr Wilkinson, RM Artillery,
THE mystery ship in our March
who was awarded the Victoria
edition (right) was HMS Echo
Cross during the Crimea.
– as identified by Mr J Hughes
It is hoped that the chief
of Prestwood, who wins our £50
executive of the RM Association
prize.
Plans take shape
will be able to attend.
This month’s vessel was built
during World War 2, and launched
MORE details are emerging of plans for the wide- Hawk jet trainer and Tucano and Tutor planes.
as a sloop at Dumbarton on
ranging nine-day National Veterans event in Blackpool National Veterans Day itself, on Friday June 27, Volunteer
November 9 1942, but was later
next month. will feature a veterans parade through the town, and
reclassified as a frigate.
June 6. More than one entry can One highlight of the festivities, which run from as dusk falls the Red Devils parachute display team
Can you name her? We have
be submitted, but photocopies June 21-29, is a night-time parachute drop on to the – members of the Parachute Regiment – will feature rewarded
removed her pennant number
cannot be accepted. Do not include famous sands. in a spectacular illuminated beach-landing.
from the picture.
anything else in your envelope: no All the Services will get a chance to demonstrate The grand finale will include a spectacular firework S/M DAVID Fiander, secretary of
Complete the coupon and send
correspondence can be entered into their prowess as there will be land, sea and air display. the Maidstone branch, has been
it to Mystery Picture, Navy News,
displays, and enthusiasts have promised to bring a awarded a Highly Commended
HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH.
and no entry returned.
Coupons giving correct answers will
The winner will be announced in range of vintage vehicles.
Throughout the nine days veterans will take
certificate at the 2007 Kent
go into a prize draw to establish a
our July edition. The competition is Veterans will be presented with medals, there will
part in the Badge Challenge, when they will
Volunteers Awards ceremony.
winner.
not open to Navy News employees be an evening parade and events for families and
collect their badges in unusual and daredevil
Presenting the certificate, Mike
Closing date for entries is or their families. schools.
ways.
Hill of Kent County Council said:
The event is designed to bring together veterans of This will demonstrate the transferable skills
“In his capacity as secretary of
MYSTERY PICTURE 159
all ages, backgrounds and experiences, and to ensure learned in the Forces, such as diving, climbing and
Maidstone RNA for 24 years,
there will be something for all ages to enjoy. abseiling.
David has carried out some
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The military displays will take place on Saturday One younger veteran is due to dive into the shark
wonderful work on behalf of ex-
June 21 and Sunday June 22, with associated tank at the town’s Sealife Centre to claim his badge
Servicemen and women.
exhibitions transforming the promenade near the on National Veterans Day.
“Many hours have been spent
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
North Pier. June 29 has been designated Sporting Sunday,
in travel and in paperwork in
Royal Marines will stage a beach landing, while featuring a veterans golf tournament and veterans
visiting and investigating cases of
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
the Battle of Britain’s Memorial Flight will bring cricket match, both in Blackpool’s Stanley Park.
hardship and providing medical
some vintage World War aircraft to the skies, possibly Activities open to schools throughout the week
and financial aid as required,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
including a Spitfire, Hurricane and Dakota. include tree-planting in memory of conflicts, a
as well as providing a guard of
The RAF Falcons parachute display team will drop schools Veterans Day tribute, school visits by veterans
honour for those members who
My answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
in from 12,000ft, and search and rescue helicopter and a wartime cinema experience, featuring archive
have crossed the bar.
teams will demonstrate their skills. news footage of children being fitted for gas masks,
“A man who has truly provided
Other aircraft which should be present include the and a Laurel and Hardy film
a service for the Services.”
032-033_NN_may.indd 2 21/4/08 13:00:02
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