NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2008 7
Speaking
From the Clyde
to the Forth
volumes
IT IS just 50 miles from point A to point B.
If you’re in a car or on the train, that is.
On the water, however, it’s several hundred miles.
On the Monday of Armistice week, HMS Edinburgh was on
EIGHT hundred friends and family were the Clyde to pay her respects to the nation’s war dead; in heading
waiting for 250 sailors (and one mouse) as up Glasgow’s great artery, the Fortress of the Seas sailed past
HMS Chatham sailed into Devonport at the the ships which will eventually replace her and the Type 42 Fleet
end of a seven-month tour of duty in the Gulf. – Daring and Dauntless, side-by-side at Scotstoun.
The ‘mighty at ’em’ was the latest in a And by Friday of the same week she was on the Forth
long line of Type 22s and 23s charged with
visiting her namesake city for further acts of remembrance after
safeguarding Iraq’s oil terminals.
negotiating Cape Wrath and the Pentland Firth in less-than-
She did so at the height of the Arabian
benevolent seas.
summer; temperatures reached 50˚C on the
So after a choppy passage (delayed for a day by storms
upper deck at times – compounded by 100
lashing the UK), it was fitting that Edinburgh’s CO Cdr Gavin
per cent humidity.
Young joined Cdre Charles Stevenson, the Naval Regional
Undeterred by these climatic challenges, the
Commander for Scotland, and mariners from north of the
ship’s company knuckled down to maritime
border at the annual Scottish Service for Seafarers held in
security operations, fostered relations between
Leith’s Trinity House.
the navies and coastal forces of Iraq and
Kuwait, and a high-profile two-day drugs bust
Leith was the destroyer’s home for four days during her visit,
which saw six tonnes of high grade hashish
with the ship’s company catching up with affiliates, Edinburgh’s
(cannabis) found after an 18-hour search amid
Royal Naval Association, civic leaders, and schools, before they
oil, sewage, rats and cockroaches on a dhow.
opened the gangway to visitors.
Later investigations revealed the drugs
While their shipmates were enduring a rather lumpy passage
were linked with the insurgent movement in
around the top of Scotland, three Edinburgh sailors were
Afghanistan.
pounding the streets of Glasgow and other towns and villages
The frigate – and her sailors – have spent
between the two great Scottish metropolises.
11 of the past 13 months away from home,
The trio – Lt Colin Marshall and POs Andy ‘Gibbo’ Gibbs
given the RN’s extremely demanding schedule
and Jonathan ‘Chas’ Charlesworth – had 62-miles to cover
and global commitments.
from the ship, via Airdrie, Falkirk, South Queensferry and
“We’ve kept the oil flowing out of Corstorphine, to the Scottish capital.
Iraq, helped foster relations in the region, They did so carrying a stretcher – representing injured
succeeded in an anti-narcotics operation – Servicemen and women – raising money for Help the Heroes
and done so in challenging and demanding along the way.
conditions,” said a proud CO Cdr Martin The destination for the walkers/stretcher-bearers was not
Connell. the Type 42 in Leith, however, but Murrayfield, where 67,000
“With 11 of the last 13 months being spent
cheering rugby union fans were waiting for them (they were
at sea, that’s hard on my sailors and their
possibly also in the stadium to watch the Scotland vs South
families.
Africa rugby clash as well...).
“The fact that we have done all this in a
“Men and women are putting their lives on the line on a daily
year – protecting Iraqi waters, the anti-drugs
basis,” said Lt Marshall, who’s recently returned from a tour of
fight, reassurance against piracy, playing a role
duty in Iraq.
in NATO – speaks volumes.”
“Help for Heroes has been set up to ensure that if they get
And the mouse? That would be Mighty
injured, they are provided with the best available care.”
Mouse, an 8in plastic rodent which has
The three had signed rugby shirts from the Scotland,
become Chatham’s semi-official mascot, used
to promote the ship and the work of the RN
Gloucester, Bath and Harlequins squads, plus a family ticket to
to schoolchildren.
a Saracens game to auction.
And if you missed out making a donation, PO(EW) Gibbs
is still collecting for Help for Heroes; make cheques payable to
● A tender embrace for AB(CIS) ‘Lolly’ Ryder
as Chatham comes home
‘Central Fund HMS Edinburgh’ and address your envelope to
Picture: LA(Phot) Chris Winter, FRPU West the senior rate at HMS Edinburgh, BFPO 277.
● Men from 40 Cdo and recruits from CTCRM wait in HMS Ocean’s hangar to embark in a Sea King off
Plymouth Picture: LA(Phot) Bernie Henesy, HMS Ocean
The Ocean’s green
OR AT least it is when the Royals are aboard. Simon Kings.
After an absence of more than a year thanks to “Even though it’s just a start – there’s much
the helicopter carrier’s extensive refit, Royal more training to come – this exercise shows
Marine Commandos of 40 Cdo and CTCRM that Ocean is back in business.”
joined the Mighty O as part of the latest stage When not invading the shores of Devon
of her regeneration. and Cornwall, the carrier was anchoring in
Sixty Royals – a troop of ‘old hands’ Torbay for a brief respite.
from 40 Cdo, the rest recruits of 964 It proved to be an eventful weekend for
Troop hoping to earn their green berets one sailor – and several rugby fans.
at Lympstone – took part in helicopter A crew member had to be flown off
drills and finally a beach assault. the carrier after falling down a ladder,
The rookie Royals had spent five days injuring his neck and back.
on Dartmoor, so probably welcomed A coastguard helicopter picked the
their dry (if still fairly basic) accommo- sailor up and set him down in the
dation on the assault ship. grounds of Torquay Boys’ Grammar
They could at least wash (and dry) their School, briefly interrupting a rugby match.
clothes and webbing, clean their weapons He was taken to hospital and has
and tuck into wholesome freshly-cooked grub subsequently rejoined the helicopter carrier.
rather than ration packs. Ocean is now in the throes of Operational Sea
Ocean has an inherent commando unit, 9 Assault Training with the team from FOST.
Squadron RM, who operate the ship’s landing craft... There is one FOSTie for every three Ocean ship’s
and did so, taking their comrades ashore. They were company to ensure that the sailors receive thorough
aided by the Jungly men of 848 NAS who provided a training and inspection over eight gruelling weeks.
Sea King Mk4 for the ship’s continuing work-up. The ship will be at the heart of a major amphibious
“The ship really comes alive when we have Royal deployment in the new year bound for the Med and
Marines and helicopters embarked,” said CO Capt Far East.
007_NN_Dec.indd 1 20/11/08 10:37:10
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