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NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2008 27
‘Spanish
Replica bell
Fred’ is
presented
mourned
to mayor
NUNEATON members gathered
TORREVIEJA branch members
to pay their respects to a veteran
were out in force at the presentation
who “loved two countries”.
of a replica bell to the mayor
Alfredo Emilio Ruiz was born
of the Spanish city, Don Pedro
in San Sebastian in Spain, but at
Hernandez Mateo.
the age of 12 was evacuated to
The bell is for the restored
Britain along with 4,000 other
sailing ship Pascual Flores, which
Basques in 1937 to avoid being
caught up in the civil war.
was built at Torrevieja in 1917
‘Spanish Fred’, as he was known,
and starred in the TV series The
joined the Royal Navy in 1942,
Onedin Line.
and trained as a radar operator
Four years ago the RNA
then joined Coastal Forces.
decided to set up a fund to buy a
His motor launch, ML147,
replica bell.
hunted U-boats south of Ireland,
The bell rope was donated
and on D-Day it escorted Canadian
by a branch member who had
landing craft in to Juno beach.
‘acquired’ it from HMS Ark Royal
Of this time, S/M Alfredo was
before she was scrapped in 1980.
quoted on the BBC People’s War
Branch chairman S/M Rod
website as saying: “I’m proud to
Millington received, on behalf of
have served in the Royal Navy, even
the members, a zinc sculpture of
more to find that I was the only
Hombre del Mar – Man of the Sea
Spaniard to do so in World War 2.”
– created by a local artist.
● 99 years and still smiling – this quartet served one year short of a century in the Royal Navy, but now live in Queensland, Australia, and met
Nuneaton president S/M Jack up in Hervey Bay for the Anzac Day memorial parade and service. From left, Kev Blackall (served 27 years) and Ken Christie (25 years), both
Only ten of these statues have
Pilkington said Spanish Fred was living on the Sunshine Coast, Colin Jessep (23 years) and Steve Cook (24 years), both of Hervey Bay. If anyone remembers them, they can
been produced.
a regular, and was a popular be contacted on cookster186200@yahoo.co.au
Torrevieja branch continues to
member.
expand, and currently has more
According to the Heartland
than 120 members on its books.
Evening News, Jack recalled Fred
as saying: “I happened to have a
choice and a privilege to love two
countries – the one in which I was
born, which is always in my heart,
and my adopted one.”
‘Once a cook…’
Harlow mark
half-century
Wildfi re date
HARLOW branch will be holding
WHEN two former
joined by some of the officers
a laying up and dedication service
and staff that we met during our
to mark the 50th anniversary of its
THE Wildfire III memorial service
cooks organised a 50th
visit.”
foundation.
and parade will take place on
anniversary reunion in
Before leaving, the visitors
The service will take place on
September 7 at Queenborough
Yorkshire, little did they were each presented with a glass
Sunday October 19 at St James’
Park, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, at
suspect it would result in a
paperweight as a reminder of their
with St Luke’s Church, Staple
2pm.
day with the Logistics School.
Tye, Harlow at 3pm.
It commemorates the 30
trip to Cornwall.
They also had their pictures
There will be no march-past,
trawlers and their crews that were
The pair, S/Ms Richard
taken outside Ceres Division, for
but standards will line the entrance
requisitioned and lost during
Knight and Vince Parks, set
old time’s sake.
to the church before and after the
World War 2, as well as other up the reunion for former
“On our return to Yorkshire,
service.
minesweepers lost in this area. colleagues at one-time RN
while discussing what we had seen
Harlow extends an invitation to
If you would like to take part in
supply training base HMS and been told, there was one area
any branches interested in sending
the parade or service, by parading
Ceres, in Wetherby.
that we had a bit of a chuckle
their standard and up to four
a standard, laying a wreath, or
Guest of honour was Capt
about,” said S/M Vince.
shipmates.
by just being there to remember,
Malcolm Smith, RN Deputy
“In the ‘old days’, the usual cry
Branches should contact
contact Janet Flew, secretary for
Assistant Chief of Staff (Logistics
was ‘Make us a sarnie Chef!’
secretary S/M June Ray, 37 Park
● S/M Vince Parks is shown around the HMS raleigh training galley
the Queenborough & District
Operations), and the organisers
“In today’s modern Navy they
Mead, Harlow, Essex CM20 1RL,
Naval Ensign Association, on
took the opportunity to get
School at HMS Raleigh, to see out in various situations for work
would have to say ‘Hey, Logistics
telephone 01279 865919, or email
01795663784 or email michael.
themselves invited to the Logistics
how the modern Navy trains. experience, and in the training
Supply (Preparer), make us a
june.ray1@ntlworld.com
flew@tesco.net
The two veterans were met galley your every move is watched
baguette!’
at the main gate of Raleigh by
by an overhead camera, as it was
“No matter what all these new
££50 PRIZE PUZZLE50 PRIZE PUZZLE
Lt Claire Poynton (Specialist
in all the units that we visited.
It’s no go to NZ
fancy names are, like the RNA
Training), and after an extensive
“After a very informative tour, motto: once Navy, always Navy.
insight into the workings of the
THE proposed trip to New Zealand
the two of us had lunch in a mock- “Richard and I agree – once a
logistics organisation, they began
next year has been cancelled due
up of a captain’s cabin, and were cook, always a cook.”
a tour of all the training units.
to insufficient interest.
Their main interest was,
naturally, the “cooks’ training”.
“Cooking-wise it isn’t a
lot different now, although the
Memorial is tribute
method of training is a complete
eye-opener,” said S/M Vince.
“The kitchen (galley) was set
up as it would be on a ship, and
you now get NVQ qualifications
plus certificates in hygiene.
to craftsmanship
“You also get a chance to work
THE Old Caledonia Artificer
47 await 50th
Apprentices’ Association 1937-85
(OCAAA) has unveiled a new
THE Essex branch of the
memorial stone to keep the
Submariners Association will
memory of the Tiffy alive.
celebrate its 50th anniversary on
Both the Fisgard Association
October 21 with a mess dinner.
and the OCAAA had planted oak
The branch, which recently
trees at the National Memorial
held its annual general meeting,
Arboretum, with a bench between
is a self-confessed “motley crew”
them, to commemorate Naval
THE mystery ship in our June
of 47, ranging in age from 55
Artificers trained at HMS Fisgard
edition (right) was HMS Loch
to 95 and covering classes of
and HMS Caledonia.
Kilbernie which became HMS
submarines from H-boats to the
The Fisgard Association
Mounts Bay.
current bombers.
replaced the plaque in front of
She was correctly identified
their tree with a stone block
by Mr P Miller of Plymouth, who
Civic reception
bearing a crest and plaque. so
wins £50.
the OCAAA has followed suit to
This month’s boat was go into a prize draw to establish a
SHIPMATES from Nottingham
maintain the symmetry.
photographed from HMS Forth
winner.
branch were among the guests
They further decided that the ● Former Tiffy Rev Mike Ketley dedicates the memorial stone to
being welcomed as she joined
Closing date for entries is
of the chairman of Nottingham
stone should have some meaning. former artifi cers from HMS Caledonia
the Seventh Submarine Squadron
September 11. More than one entry
County Council, Cllr the Hon
the craftsmanship linking in with
in Singapore.
can be submitted, but photocopies
cannot be accepted. Do not include Joan Taylor, at a civic reception the skills learned at Caledonia.
to the National Memorial Keningale, who also served
What is the name of the
anything else in your envelope: no
held in County Hall to celebrate
The idea was put to the
Arboretum and Patrick supervised his apprenticeship at HMS
submarine, which was launched correspondence can be entered into
National Veterans Day.
Construction Skills centre at the
its installation next to the oak. Caledonia, resplendent in kilt, led
at Greenock in 1957? and no entry returned.
The branch recently celebrated City of Bath College to see if they
Several Bath apprentices the procession with the skirl of
Complete the coupon and send The winner will be announced in
its 70th anniversary, and the 40th would be interested in producing a
joined the dedication service, and bagpipes to the memorial stone.
it to Mystery Picture, Navy News, our October edition. The competition
HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH. is not open to Navy News employees
anniversary of its HQ and club. memorial stone. and they jumped
OCAAA members were delighted OCAAA president Ron
Coupons giving correct answers will or their families.
Veterans Day – page 29 at the chance.
that 21st century craftsmanship Emerson told onlookers: “Now
marina
The senior instructor in the
has been used on behalf of the that the word ‘artificer’ has passed
MYSTERY PICTURE 162
Warm welcome
stonemasonry section, Ray
apprentices of long ago. out of common usage in the Royal
The chapel has seats for 120, Navy this memorial is not only
Sumner, had just completed a
which were quickly filled, so the a tribute to all who have gone
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A GROUP of shipmates from memorial for his own father, who
side doors were opened and bench before but a memory to what we
Gloucester branch were invited had served in the RN and retired
seats arranged so that the people Artificers worked and stood for.
on board their namesake ship as Fleet Chief, and he sourced the
outside could hear the service. There was also the chance
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
while the destroyer was alongside stone from Portland.
The Chairman of the OCAAA, for ex-Tiffies to chat to the
in Cardiff. Apprentice Patrick Morgan was
David Gale, gave the welcome stonemasonry apprentices,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Branch public relations and chosen to produce the stone, which
address then introduced Rev Mike demonstrating the mutual respect
liaison officer S/M Terry Brain contributed towards his NVQ level
Ketley – an ex-Caledonia Tiffy. between skilled craftsmen.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
reported that the old salts were 3 in Memorial Masonry.
After the service Richard www.ocaaa.org
Patrick produced sample
marina
made very welcome by the ship’s
My answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
company, and the capability lettering, then shaped and carved
demonstration impressed the the stone as requested.
National Conference – page 28
visitors. The stone was transported
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