NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2008 33
Outreach
Membership doubles
Tribute
support plaque
scheme to Kite
launched
A PLAQUE bearing the names
of 217 men who died when HMS
Kite was torpedoed on a Russian
A NEW veterans outreach
with new agreement
convoy in 1944 has been unveiled
support programme has been
in Essex.
launched in Portsmouth.
And one of those who attended
Dr Morgan O’Connell,
was Gordon Copson, one of the
THE Association’s much- due to the peripatetic nature of
distributed to appropriate ships, RNA and RN work more closely in
recently Chief Consultant
few surviving men who witnessed
heralded Memorandum of
Service life and the difficulty units and establishments. the regions to allow the Association
the sinking.
Psychiatrist to Combat Stress,
Understanding (MOU) with
that causes when a member is a In return, the RN undertakes: to play a greater part in ship visits;
A memorial had been dedicated
and ‘Joe’ Erskine, of SSAFA
the Royal Navy has been
member of a particular branch. To nominate a suitable member overseas branches will be made marina
to the ship in 2004, attended by
– Forces Help (Portsmouth),
formally signed and agreed,
“However it is compellingly of the Naval Service, usually 2SL’s aware of foreign visits.
two of the nine survivors of HMS
together with David Watts,
obvious that the key to the Command Warrant Officer, for “The Royal Navy and the
giving membership of the
Kite and two from HMS Keppel,
General Manager of the Royal
future health and vibrancy of the appointment as Vice President RNA recognise and value the
the accompanying ship – including
Maritime Club, set up the RNA to every serving sailor.
Association lies in reduction of (Serving Members); co-operation and amity which
S/M Copson.
initiative to benefit ex-Service Action will be taken over the the age profile by recruiting and
To ensure ships and units has traditionally existed between marina Four years on the only living
veterans and/or family members. coming months to implement retaining younger members,” the
appoint a point of contact to liaise them, and the RN undertakes survivor of Kite, Lionel Irish, was
The venue is the former Home the agreement, but RNA officials MOU continues.
with branch committees and HQ; to encourage its personnel to not well enough to attend.
Club, in Queen Street, between point out this is a living document As part of the agreement, the
“It was a strange feeling to marina Provide, on an occasional remain members of the RNA
3pm and 8pm on the first which may need to be amended or RNA has made a number of
basis, space on the NFF and on retirement,” the MOU realise that I was the only person
Wednesday of every month. changed to meet operational needs undertakings, including:
RNCom websites, and others as concludes. there who had witnessed the
Accommodation is available of the Navy and administrative Formation of a new form of marina
appropriate, to advertise linkage The document will be reviewed
sinking,” said S/M Copson.
– see www.royalmaritimeclub.
requirements of the Association. membership for the RN entitled
between the RN and the RNA. annually at a senior level, with an
Gordon was a Telegraphist (S)
co.uk/ and quote “Outreach at
The most immediate impact of the Serving Member;
A new system will ensure the initial six-month progress check.
on board Keppel, “stuck in a little
agreed Members Rates” when
the agreement is that the RNA has Serving members will be able marina office right aft in the officers’
booking.
more than doubled in size and can to enter any RNA branch or club, flats under X gun – rather noisy
The programme will operate
now claim to be the largest, and without invitation, on production at times with the depth-charge
as a drop-in centre where those
arguably most influential, official of the appropriate Service Identity throwers outside,” he said.
interested can come for a private
maritime membership association Card, which will serve as an RNA The convoy veteran has been
chat, hopefully with a GP,
in Britain, if not Europe. Serving Member card; wondering whether there are any
psychiatrist and/or therapist.
The MOU acknowledges
Serving members will not be of his shipmates from the time still marina
There will also be an advice
that “the age profi le of the
members of any particular branch about – if so, he would like to hear
centre providing access to groups
membership is high and
unless they join in their own right, from them via email on gordon.
such as the RNBT, the RBL,
activities of the membership
and will therefore have no voting copson@ntlworld.com
Combat Stress and the SPVA.
and thus branches are
powers of their own;
You may make an appointment
frequently restricted by
Serving members will, however, marina
Tribute to VC
for a specific time by calling Dr
age and infi rmity.”
have a representative on the RNA
O’Connell on 01329 834512 –
National Council;
MEMBERS of Maidstone and
leave details on the answering
It also recognises that the joining
Serving Members will pay no
Chatham branches attended
marina
machine if necessary and you will
age for most full-time members is
subscription;
a service of commemoration in
be contacted within 48 hours.
around 55, because of the time Each ship, unit and establishment honour of the first recipient of the
marina
The programme will be subject
taken for ex-sailors to ‘bed in’ to a will receive an electronic copy of Victoria Cross, Admiral Charles
to change as it evolves.
second career in their 30s or 40s. the RNA monthly circular; Davis Lucas, buried at St Lawrence
Despite “considerable effort” Each Area Secretary will provide
● The Briggs Rose Bowl is handed over – but only temporarily.
Church in Mereworth, Kent.
marina
Fish supper
in recent years, the number of HQ with a social programme
The trophy for the small branch recruiting most full members
The service was also attended
serving members has remained in which the serving members
was this year shared by Bracknell and Stafford, who will hold
by Maidstone Sea Cadets and
small, the MOU reports, largely might participate, which will be
it for six months each. Here S/M Bob Privett (left), chairman of
local scout groups, who added
hits the spot
Bracknell branch, receives the trophy from Area 6 president S/M
Les Gascoyne at an area meeting
their standards to those of the
RNA.
ANOTHER successful Cheshunt
branch messdeck fish and
chip supper was held at the
Conservative Club in Waltham
Cross, the usual venue for branch
meetings.
Congratulations are extended
to two shipmates and their wives
who celebrated their Diamond
Weddings – S/M Don Clark
and his wife Joan, and S/M Tom
Millard and Vera.
The branch was pleased to
The Royal Naval Association
welcome another serving member Once Navy Always Navy
of the RN on board over the
summer – Logistician Matthew
Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism and Comradeship
Drummy, whose mother Antonia
also joined up.
● Rum bosun S/M Bob Shaw is busy with the measures
Who can join?
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££50 PRIZE PUZZLE50 PRIZE PUZZLE
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What does the
COMMISERATIONS were
Association do?
exchanged once again as members
of Plymouth branch gathered
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THE mystery ship in our August
to commemorate the 35th
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edition (right) was HMS Cachalot,
anniversary of the abolition of UÊ >ˆ˜Ì>ˆ˜Ê >Û>ÊÌÀ>`ˆÌˆœ˜Ã
and she was correctly identified the tot.
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by Mr R Denny of Plymouth, who With all veterans present
wins £50. qualifying under the ‘over age
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This month’s submarine (above) 20’ rule, rum bosun S/M Bob
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is pictured in 1970, shortly before Shaw was kept busy ensuring that UÊ i«ÊÌ…iÊ`ˆÃ>Li`
a mishap at Gosport which tots were correctly measured and
UÊ œœŽÊ>vÌiÀÊÌ…iʘii`Þ
proved to be an ignominious end speedily distributed.
to a career spanning a quarter of Closing date for entries is Branch secretary S/M Arthur
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a century.
November 14. More than one entry Gutteridge gave a brief history of
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What is the name of the unlucky
can be submitted, but photocopies the tot issue and its demise before
submarine, which took the name
cannot be accepted. Do not include
proposing the Loyal Toast.
How to join
of a Greek goddess?
anything else in your envelope: no
And S/M Arthur’s wife Sue,
Complete the coupon and send
correspondence can be entered into
and the social committee, were
7ÀˆÌiÊÌœÊ,
Ê+
it to Mystery Picture, Navy News,
and no entry returned.
thanked for organising the event, Room 209,
HMS Nelson, Portsmouth PO1 3HH.
The winner will be announced
which raised just under £100 for
Coupons giving correct answers will in our December edition. The
Semaphore Tower,
charity.
go into a prize draw to establish a competition is not open to Navy
The same sentiments were
Õˆ`ˆ˜}Ê£Éä{ä]Ê**Çä]
winner. News employees or their families.
in evidence at the City of Ely
Ê >Û>Ê >Ãi]
branch, where shipmates have *œÀÌÓœÕÌ…
MYSTERY PICTURE 164 been indulging their sorrow for
*"£ÊÎ/
the past nine years.
Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Their acts of commiseration œÀÊi˜iÀ>Ê
˜µÕˆÀˆiÃ
began at RAF Mildenhall where
/i\ÊäÓÎÊ™ÓÇÓÊÎnÓÎ
their American friends were totally
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
i«ÕÌÞÊi˜iÀ>Ê-iVÀiÌ>ÀÞ
taken up by the idea, especially the
black ribbons sported on lapels.
/i\ÊäÓÎÊ™ÓÇÓÊäÇnÓ
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . This year was no different,
thanks to ex-Wren PO(CK) Eithne
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and her family, who transformed
their garden into a suitable venue
My answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and thereby helped to raise some
£250 for good causes.
0032-033_NN_oct.indd 232-033_NN_oct.indd 2 222/9/08 10:25:562/9/08 10:25:56
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