32 NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2008
Website
launched
Shipmates
for island
pay tribute
branch
CYPRUS branch has launched a
new website.
Pages on the new website –
to Nelson
www.rnacyprus.org – give anyone
arriving on the Mediterranean
BEXHILL-on-Sea branch transformed into a naval messdeck
island an instant overview and
members heard the tale of a for the Littlehampton branch
detailed information about the
Naval hero at their Trafalgar bash, which saw guests enjoy
branch, which covers Limassol
night Dinner – but rather than dinner, dancing and a bumper
and the western side of Cyprus.
Nelson, this hero was much raffle.
A list of shipmates to contact is
closer to home. Guest of honour was
also provided.
Chairman S/M Eric Littlehampton harbourmaster
● Motor Launch 1323, which came under attack in Hong Kong in 1953
Relevant contributions to the site
Woodhouse spoke of a daring Lt Cdr Colin Hitchcock, who
are always welcome; send material
World War 2 rating who rose to the entertained those gathered with
to davidmay@cytanet.com.cy
rank of lieutenant commander, his interpretation of ‘Lord Nelson
marked ‘For the RNA website’.
lieutenant helped the man brought into the 21st
The branch was formed
form the RN Commando Century’.
in 2002, and by last year had
Division, later taking his own City of Inverness branch
grown sufficiently to allow a new
command in the Far East. mustered 60 members and guests
branch, Eastern Cyprus, to be
Hero of Pearl
and as a sub-
That man is S/M Phil for their dinner at the Waterside
hived off to reduce travelling time
Humphries, a founder member Hotel, where the top-table guest
for members in the Larnaca and
of the branch and the next was Vice Admiral John McAnally,
Famagusta areas.
president, but it was a day of whose address ranged from
Following the launch the
mixed emotions for S/M Phil as current RN commitments to a
original branch held its regular
his wife Marie, who he met when hilarious take on a letter about life
monthly meeting at the Episkopi
she was a Wren during the war, in the Australian Forces.
Garrison Officers Mess.
had died just days before the Redruth and Camborne
Stella Pearson, of Victim
dinner. members were in great demand for
Support, presented a surprising
River is dead It was very much a family affair Trafalgar celebrations, spending
and encouraging account of the
when Brixham branch celebrated lunch-time with members of the
development of the group in the
their Trafalgar Night dinner and Ganges Association (Cornwall
Cyprus military sectors – her
A YOUNG sailor decorated pride, as S/M Gordon embodied
of the launch, Lt G Merriman, dance. Division) at the Inn for All Seasons
for his bravery in a clash with
the spirit of the Royal Navy.
ordered the launch to close with The venue was the Berry Head
organisation is based on the British
then moving on to dinner in the
Chinese communists more
On September 9 1953 Gordon,
a Chinese vessel in order to take Hotel, where the hoteliers – Lt
Forces Germany model.
Redruth RBL, where they were
than 50 years ago has died at
then a leading seaman, was part
photographs, but shortly after the Edward Bence RNR and Mrs joined by members of the CPO
Shipmates living in Cyprus as
Sarah Bence – were guests of and WOs Mess at Culdrose.
expatriates reflected that there
the age of 75.
of the 11-strong crew of Motor
Chinese opened fire with small
honour. Shipmates from Helston,
may well be a need for Victim
At the time of his death on
Launch 1323, which was on patrol
arms then her main armament.
The British ship was struck Among the RN officers present Falmouth and St Austell
Support in their areas, and all
October 28, Gordon Cleaver was
at the mouth of the Pearl River off
immediately, and within minutes were the branch patron, Cdre branches also joined the evening
present were grateful to Stella for
the chairman of the Hong Kong
Hong Kong – waters in which the
the captain had been mortally Jon Welch, Cdr Kevin Fleming of chat, music, a pasty supper and
highlighting aspects of a service
Flotilla Association.
People’s Republic of China also
wounded, and the coxswain and (son of branch chairman S/M Joe Up Spirits.
all hoped they would never have
And that association had every claimed primacy.
three able seamen were dead, as Fleming), Lt Kristian Hind (son
to use.
cause to look to their chairman with In mid-afternoon the captain
was an Army officer who had of branch secretary S/M Jack
A contingent from the
The branch welcomed visiting
sailed for some familiarisation. Hind), Lt Cdr Robert Glenning
branch, including two
shipmates John Hamer and his
As another seaman tried to gain (retd), a local dentist and
standard bearers, later
partner from Haven branch at
control of the launch he too was Falklands veteran, and serving
attended the annual
Haverfordwest – Cyprus shipmates
killed by a shell. officer Lt Chris Newman.
parade, service and march-
are always happy to see visitors
With the deck awash with blood WO1 Ben Carrott, a retired
past at Madron church for
from other branches.
and sagging on to the failing Gunnery Instructor, was also
Trafalgar Day.
And members raised almost
engines, LS Cleaver – aged 21 – there.
Derby’s new adopted warship
730 Euros running a stall at the
assumed command. All were dressed in full Mess
HMS Ambush was well-
Episkopi Fete in Happy Valley,
He rigged the cumbersome Undress uniform, helping create
represented at the city branch’s
selling books, DVDs and running
emergency steering gear and a nautical atmosphere.
dinner, where Cdr Mike Moreland
a bottle lucky dip.
ordered the course to be followed, Market Harborough branch
(Senior Officer), Lt Cdr Bruce
Granite bench
helped two survivors put out a saw 60 members and their guests
Russell (Executive Officer), Lt Cdr
fire raging in the engine room, gather for a formal five-course
Ian McIntyre, two other officers
comforted a seriously-injured dinner at the local golf club.
and four senior rates attended.
gifted to town
sailor and tried to ease the This was the 25th such event
Cadets from TS Kenya formed a
suffering of his dying captain. held by the branch, and on this
side party to pipe in the 171 diners
LOOE branch has, in the eyes of
Cleaver and another man cut occasion Cdre Clive Johnstone
and then performed Colours.
treasurer S/M George Butler, in the
away the mast which was hanging – Director of the Naval Staff
Sticking with Derby, the city’s
past had many kind gestures from
over the side, and in a rising at Whitehall – was the guest of
Rolls-Royce Club was the venue
the town, so it was time for the
wind and rough sea he nursed honour.
for the Submariners Association
● Lois Crosskeys (former Chief Offi cer Lois Francis WRNS), the last
branch to do something in return.
the stricken launch and her five Cdre Johnstone spoke of the
(Derbyshire branch) dinner –
Commanding Offi cer of Wrens establishment HMS Dauntless, with
And with all the committee over
survivors back to safety. current disposition of RN ships
and such was the popularity of the
Cdr Giulian Hill, Senior Naval Offi cer HMS Dauntless
the age of 80, what better than to
Gordon, who later pursued a and personnel before he proposed
event that applications had to be
Picture: Peter Shepherd, RNA York
provide a facility where people can
career in engineering management, the toast to the Immortal
turned away when the capacity of
rest their weary legs?
Dauntless link
was awarded the British Empire Memory.
40 was reached.
So it was that a granite bench,
Medal for his actions. The upper floor of the
On the 30th anniversary of
inscribed Mariners’ Rest – Looe
He is survived by his wife Jean. Maltravers Social Club was briefly
signing on as a Junior Radio
RNA, was presented to the town.
Operator, Cdr Mark Lister
MORE than 600 members of the patron and president of the HMS
Made of Cornish granite, the
Association of Wrens
returned to his native Yorkshire to
travelled Wren Association.
bench is installed at Pennyland,
join Wetherby branch for dinner.
from across the UK and around Highlights of the afternoon
close to the passenger ferry, on a
Submariner Cdr Lister, who
the world – including Canada, were a concert by the RM Band
site provided by the chairman of
is responsible for operational
America, New Zealand and Association, led by Band Master
the Harbour Commissioners.
deterrent policy at Whitehall, spoke
Australia – to the national reunion Ted Whealing RM, and Bishop
of the Royal Navy of Nelson’s time
Diamond day
in York. Noel’s splendid address.
as well as its current state.
Guests attending the main event, President of the AOW, Anthea
Cheshunt marked the
at the city’s university campus, Larken, was the main speaker for
MELTON Mowbray branch
anniversary with a church service
included the Senior Naval Officer the event, and she was caught
contacted Buckingham Palace
at which branch padre the Rev
of new D-class destroyer HMS a little off-guard when she was
to inform the Queen about their
Jane Dicker was assisted by two
Dauntless, Cdr Giulian Hill. presented with a bouquet of
upcoming Diamond jubilee.
shipmates.
Dauntless was the name given flowers and a rendition by the
So members were delighted
A Trafalgar Night mess deck fish
to the former Wrens training band and gathered company of
to receive a letter from Balmoral
and chip supper for 150 members
establishment at Burghfield. Happy Birthday.
thanking them for their loyalty and
and guests featured a fancy dress
Former Royal Marine and It was fitting that York had
wishing them happy celebrations.
competition.
naval chaplain Bishop Noel Jones been chosen as the venue for the ● S/M Albert Poulter at the Greek war cemetery at Leros. The
And those celebrations, at the
was also there, as was Rosie reunion, being the home city of Pat memorial was built to honour those shipmates from HMS Intrepid
‘Modern-day chick’ S/M Pat
town’s RBL Club, were attended Wilson, Chairman of the WRNS Farrington, National Chairman of who lost their lives in Port Lakki on September 26 1943, and was the
Oram took the ladies’ prize while
it was ‘not tonight Josephine’ for
by more than 100 members and Benevolent Trust, Capt Richard the association and a member of culmination of a fund-raising campaign by S/M Albert, who was a
S/M Jenny Wiltshire as her husband
their guests. Yeoward and Capt Brian Young, York RNA. survivor of the Intrepid.
Dave, dressed as Napoleon, took
Email request
the men’s prize.
Sea shanties until the Sunset
Ceremony was the order of the
RNA HQ Staff continue day at the Bourne branch dinner.
to attempt to build a list of The following day saw a
Association email addresses. Trafalgar Day service in the Abbey
It would be helpful if branch Church in Bourne – tickets for
secretaries with e-mail access both these events are now much
would forward a short message to sought after in the town.
paddy@royalnavalassoc.com Chatham branch members
for registration purposes. convened at the St George Hotel
In the Lymelight
in the town for their Trafalgar
celebrations.
More than 100 attended,
STANDARD bearers from including a Naval contingent
Axminster and Dorchester from DEODS Chattenden in
branches were invited to attend Rochester, and the guest of honour
the dedication ceremony and was Admiral Sir Ian Garnett,
service for RFA Lyme Bay at chairman of the Chatham Historic
Portland. Dockyard Trust.
Both branches are affiliated to marina More Trafalgar Dinner reports
the amphibious landing ship. in our January edition
032-033_NN_dec.indd 1 21/11/08 09:24:38
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