Shipmate Jim Reed (8/1937) presents the HMS St. Vincent ...€¦ · Members Magazine Pot Mess – Spring 2015. Edition No.62 Shipmate Jim Reed (8/1937) presents the HMS St. Vincent

Members’ Magazine ‘Pot Mess’ – Spring 2015. Edition No.62

Shipmate Jim Reed (8/1937) presents the HMS St. Vincent Roll of Honour, which lists the 274 Boys who

died in the Second World War, to Chairman Ken Cast. Read all about it inside.

Chairman’s Chapter Ken Cast (Duncan 540, 11/62)

Dear Members, What a pleasure to be awakening from the winter hibernation. Not too bad a winter and I hope that you all coped well, especially those who had the really bad weather further north than the beach here at Hill Head!! (We did have some snow for almost one day and I had to wear a coat) The liaison with St. Vincent College continues to grow and hopefully this year we will have the HMS St. Vincent rose garden where we can remember our shipmates, at the place where we all met. I certainly look forward to that becoming a reality as I’m sure you all do too. The museum continues to be of interest to outside parties as well as our own members and in March we had the HMS Consort Association come and visit us. Many of them are ex-St. Vincent boys and so it was fitting that as this was their ‘last hurrah’ as an Association that they came back to where it all started for many of them. (There were a few Ganges lads too, but despite that they too were made very welcome!) To a man they all thought the museum was wonderful and presented us with a Book about the unfortunate ‘Yangtze Incident’ which was very gracious of them and they all signed it. So a very real and memorable day for us all in attendance. As you are all aware, I ‘retire’ as Chairman at the time of the Association AGM in October. I urge you as Members to consider this post and look forward to the day when I receive a volunteer for it!! Also that of the Magazine Editor. As you know Darby Allen has also asked for a volunteer to relieve him and after six years of producing the magazine I think that is only fair. Certainly the position of Chairman would benefit I’m sure from a new head with new ideas on how to progress the Association. The Website is having some changes made to make it more of an interest to the general public. I’m not sure of all of the changes as yet but Gary Goodwin will let us all know once he has his thoughts and ideas in a straight line. Well done Gary and we all look forward to seeing the refurbished website in the not too distant future. One of things that I do wish to reiterate is that you all ensure that your bank uses your Association Ships Book Number when making the annual subscription payments from your Standing Orders. If you are not sure if this is the case, can I request that you speak to your bank and make sure that it is included on your SO Form. Thank you. (If you are not sure of your SBN, then by all means contact me or the Membership Secretary, Tony Barton.) Many payments are being made with no reference to the person or the number and that makes it difficult for the Membership Secretary to reference that payment to the ships ledger! I look forward to continuing contact with Members and to remain as your Museum Curator. Hopefully we’ll see more of you visiting your museum throughout this year.

With all best wishes, Ken Cast, Chairman

HMS ST VINCENT BOYS “ROLL OF HONOUR”

Darby Allen and I visited Jim Reed in April in order to accept the “Roll of Honour”. (See cover and photos above and overleaf) After he organised the stone memorial to ‘Boys’ in Portsmouth Cathedral, Jim decided that it would also be pertinent to arrange a book to commemorate the ‘Boys’ who paid the ultimate sacrifice during WWII. This he has now completed and he arranged it in two sections, one of the St. Vincent lads and one of the Ganges Lads. This (not simple) task has now been completed and the book handed over with a small, moving gathering of family and Darby and me at Jim’s home. The Roll has been donated to the museum and to do it justice the Committee have agreed to that the Association will purchase a glass topped cabinet to display it. The case would be double the page length in order to have the volume open for display. Once this is ready and fitted within the museum it is intended to conduct a dedication ceremony and invite Jim and his family. Jim’s edited presentation address is printed overleaf. Ken Cast, Chairman

“It is a great honour today to be able to present to the HMS St Vincent

Association Museum this “Roll of Honour” which lists the 274 RN Boy Sailors

aged 16 and 17 who lost their lives by enemy action during the Second World

War. All these Boys had been through rigorous training for about 12 months and

after passing their examinations they were drafted to active RN ships, mostly

Cruisers and larger, where they had their own messdecks. They worked with the

rest of the crew whilst continuing their training. At the age of 18 they started

Men’s service as Ordinary Seaman. “Jim Reed, Shipmate.

Members of the HMS Consort Association at St Vincent for their very last formal gathering. Their Ship’s mascot for the day was our Chairman Ken

Cast’s Westie “Mollie!”

Hello again Ken and thank you very, very much for the St Vincent

photographs. On behalf of everyone in our group I would like to

express our deep appreciation for all the time and effort you put in

on our behalf and for making the guided tour such an

interesting event - it brought back so many memories of an

incredibly important time in our lives. Thank you once again for

everything. Terry Hodgins (Anson 110, 2/47) Secretary HMS Consort

Association

The rain was pouring and there was a big puddle in front of the pub just outside the Naval Barracks. A ragged old Matelot, wearing his Veteran badged beret, was standing near the edge with a fishing rod, his line in the puddle. A curious young sailor stopped and asked what he was doing. 'Fishing' the old feller simply said. 'Poor old fool,' the sailor thought and he invited the ragged old Matelot into the pub for a drink. As he felt he should start some conversation while they were sipping their rum, the sarcastic sprog asked, "and how many have you caught?' 'You're the eighth,' the old Matelot answered. Keith Todd

ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

Honorary President: Commodore Michael Mansergh CBE RN Rtd Padre: Phillip Hiscock 02392 346881 Chairman:* Ken Cast 01329 668464 Treasurer: Jonathan Gibson 01215 808598 Membership Sec: Tony Barton 01959 534723 Magazine Ed* & PRO: Phil (Darby) Allen MBE 02392 556810 Event Organiser: Paul (Soapy) Watson 01329 310078 Website Manager: Gary Goodwin 01978 750213 Slops Manager: Dave Hazlewood 02392 580218 Standard Bearer: Mick O'Keefe, contact via the Chairman Raffle Organiser: Cathy O’Keefe 01273 693375 * Retiring during 2015 Volunteers required

Editor’s Waffle

At the AGM and again in the Crimbo magazine I stated that after 6 years my wife deserved a break from my editorial commitment and I gave the opportunity for the hundreds of would be gob shites out there to be my relief, thus enabling me to get a pier head jump and sail off in our newly acquired motorhome. Alas my AFO (DCI to the youngsters) was not widely read and my plea fell on stony ground. We sailed off in March for 2 months anyway, through Frogland to the Costa Blanca, Spain where the sun shone and the rioja flowed, thank you very much! I mention this in case you are wondering why the mag is late and also to announce, no doubt to your relief, that my relief has still not materialized, so there is still time for you to Volunteer! Give me a bell and I will picturise you as to what is required in this very rewarding and interesting jolly. Darby Allen (Hawke 192/223, 1/59) [email protected] 02392 556810 23 Cambridge Road, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hants, PO13 9DH.

SLOPS A comprehensive stock of items is organised and held by our Slops Manager, Dave Hazlewood. Contact him for your requirements on 02392 580218 or [email protected]

Membership Secretary’s Report Tony Barton (Anson 4 & Duncan 5, 1/51)

As we leave 2014 behind I find that the days and nights seem a little colder with my

advancing years (perhaps it is just me) we don’t have the stokers these days they are all techies.

However I do keep our log burner well stoked up, (although I started life as a Gunner, or so

they told me)

See my seagoing (sorry boating lake) photo in this magazine. Entitled: Our

membership Secretary, “In starting out young”.

Another year wends its way forward and with the coming of spring we can look forward to

warmer and brighter days and of course evenings. Once more fortunately we have a few new

members and associate members joining us. They are:

Name Class Joined St Vincent

Mr Michael Bugg Blake 306 09/02/1960

Mr Clifford Snelling One Month 04/10/1966 Mr John Toner Hawke 120 1/03/1958 Mrs Peggy Wakeley Associate Member Mrs Marlene Nevison Associate Member Mrs Christine Goodall (Daughter of Sidney Jesse 1937 Entry) Associate Member Miss Ketsya Melamane (Eric Rice’s Partner) Associate Member Mr Bryan Stockley Pending Form Return Mr Michael Buck Duncan 263 06/10/1959 Mr John P Jones Hawke 715 28/09/1964 Mr Robert Parker Duncan 173 06/07/1958 Our membership stands at 458 members which includes our associates (currently wives, families, and friends included). Honorary members are 17. Crossed the bar a total 187 to April this year in total since we have kept the records and that changes every month or so not withstanding that some are not notified to us. On a negative Resigned Members stand at 59 some seem to think that as one gets older they do not want the comradeship or that the fee to belong to our association is too onerous to find out of their income, others just drift like lost ships in the night and lose touch completely with their roots and the good times that some of us enjoyed, (I also remember some of the bad ones as well!) On a sad note there are 164 members on the defaulters list (NON or Late - PAYERS) although some do catch up, this list again changes monthly just like the tides. We do try to keep up to date with the records and make every endeavor to keep in touch with all of our members, if you should feel that you wish to have a chat concerning your membership my contact details are in the magazine.

Crossed the Bar “Lest we forget”

The following members have been reported as having Crossed the Bar:- Name Class Joined St Vincent Date Edward (Ted) Sage Hawke 9 03/09/1946 5/11/2014 John Slater Duncan 77 11/01/1949 3/2015 Terry Warner Duncan 10/01/1954 11/03/2015 Derek Willmott Hawke 129 01/10/1948 1/03/2015 Ken Voller Duncan 23 29/4/1947 1/2015

“Rest in Peace”

Membership Secretary’s Gripes. One of my jobs as membership Secretary is to hold the hard copy paper records for the membership of the Association (Membership Application Forms and correspondence) I have noticed that quite a lot of members for one reason or another do not have a Membership Form lodged in the file which of course makes my work harder and difficult to keep abreast of members moving, telephone number, Email address changes etc, we do have a duty to comply with the Data Protection Act even though our files are not freely open to the public only to our members by request.We maintain these records to the best of our ability not only for posterity but it is also best practice for the organization. HELP Needed. It would certainly help me if ALL members that joined before September 2014 would check with me by letter, phone, or email to see whether your details are up to date (Unless of course I have been in touch with you since that date. If you do not remember or know, you can download a membership form off of the website and return it to me and if you require a standing order form, that is also available. For those without internet access I can forward these by post, please note my address below. Please do check this as details often change, this will assist me in maintaining the standards that our Association has achieved over the past years by the dedication of your committee members since the inauguration of the HMS St Vincent Association, this will help in keeping our records up to date. Your letters, emails, and Chats are always welcome

Best wishes to all, Anthony Barton

N.B. My Class Number was reported wrongly in the last Magazine as well as in the records, which stand corrected. It was Anson 4 (new Entries division) then Duncan 5 in 05/01/1951. Mr A W Barton, Fountain Farm, Well Hill Nursery, Firmingers Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 7QH. Tel: 01959-534723. Mble: 07950-036118. EMail: [email protected]

Standard Bearer Mike O’Keefe picked up the following whilst on his recent Ozzie trip…….

The Royal Navy Sailor

I LIKE standing on the bridge wing at sunrise with salt spray in my face and clean ocean winds whipping in

from the four quarters of the globe, the ship beneath me feeling like a living thing as her turbines drive her

through the sea.

I LIKE the sounds of the navy the piercing trill of the boatswains call the syncopated clanger of the

ship’s bell, the harsh squawk of the main broadcast Tannoy and the strong language and laughter of sailors

at work.

I LIKE navy vessels, nervous darting destroyers, plodding fleet auxiliaries, sleek submarines, purposeful

minehunters and steady solid carriers.

I LIKE the proud names of capital navy ships Ark Royal Hermes Bulwark.

I LIKE the lean angular names of navy destroyers GLAMORGAN. FIFE ANTRIM. LONDON. NORFOLK

I LIKE the tempo of a Royal Marine band blaring through the upper deck speakers as we pull away from

the tanker after refuelling at sea.

I LIKE the pipe "libertymen fall in" and the spicy scent of a foreign port.

I LIKE sailors, men from all parts of the land, from city and country alike and all walks of life, I trust and

depend on them as they trust and depend on me for professional competence, comradeship and courage, in a

word they are shipmates.

I LIKE the surge of adventure in my heart when the word is passed "special sea dutymen close up".

I LIKE the infectious thrill of sighting home again, the waving hands of welcome from family and friends,

the work is hard and dangerous, the going rough at times, the parting from loved ones painful but the

companionship of robust navy laughter, the all for one and one for all philosophy of the sea is ever present.

I LIKE the serenity of the sea after a day of hard ships work, the beer issue, watching flying fish flit across

the wave tops as sunset gives way to night.

I LIKE the feel of the navy in darkness the masthead lights, the red and green navigation lights and the

stern light, the pulsating phosphorescence of the ships wake.

I LIKE drifting off to sleep lulled by the myriad noises large and small that tell me that my ship is alive and

well and that my shipmates are on watch and will keep me safe.

I LIKE quiet middle watches with the aroma of kai on a winter’s night.

I LIKE the bow slicing through the mirror calm of the sea and the frolicking of dolphins as they dart in and

out of the bow wave.

I LIKE watching the track disappearing back towards the horizon knowing that it will be gone in a short

time and being aware of the fact that we were not the first or will not be the last to leave our mark on the

water.

I IKE the foaming phosphorescence at night, dancing from the wake of the screws as they constantly push

tons of water astern of the ship, carrying us to our next exciting rendezvous.

I LIKE hectic watches when the exacting minuet of haze grey shapes racing at full speed keeps all hands on

a razor edge of alertness.

I LIKE the sudden electricity of "action stations" followed by the hurried clamour of running feet on ladders

and the resounding thump of watertight doors and hatches as the ship transforms herself from the peaceful

workplace to a weapon of war ready for anything.

I LIKE the sight of space age equipment manned by youngsters clad in No8's and sound powered phones

that their grandfathers would still recognise.

I LIKE the traditions of the navy and the men who made them and the heroism of the men who sailed in the

ships of yesteryear.

In years to come when sailors are home from the sea they will still remember with fondness and respect the

ocean in all its moods, the impossible shimmering mirror calm, and the storm tossed green water surging

over the bow, and then there will come again a faint whiff of stack gas, a faint echo of engine and rudder

orders, a vision of the bright bunting of signal flags snapping at the yardarm, a refrain of hearty laughter.

Gone ashore for good they will grow wistful about their navy days, when the seas belonged to them and a

new port of call was ever over the horizon, remembering this they will stand taller and say:

I was a sailor once, and numbers will never be the same again:

Kit: 1's 2's 3's 4's 6's 8's 10's 10A's

Punishment Number 9's, 14’s, Warrants (Was guilty of an act to the prejudice… ), stoppage of leave, pay

forfeiture 2’and 2’s

And can someone explain why are 2 4 6 heavy?

Only a sailor knows...

I was a sailor once and I look back and realise it was not just a job, it was a way of life.

A family where shipmates became brothers and part of a team.

I was a sailor once and I still can't forget my Official Number.

When medical science receives my body, as they examine it they will find a tattoo inside my brain with my

Official Number and an anchor where my heart is.

I was a sailor once and I like the navy because even as times change, and the youth takes over from the old

seadogs, some things never change:

The bitching is still the same.

The old days were always harder

The recruits were always greener

Official Numbers were always smaller

Men of steel and ships of wood

The goffers were always bigger

The girls were not as good looking

I recently had the good fortune to attend a naval reunion and sat back and observed that friendships and

respect are still as strong and binding as ever.

The ditties are still as interesting – only the tale gets bigger.

If I haven't been there, it doesn't exist - or we blew it off the map.

Only a sailor knows.

I was a sailor once and I know.

I was a sailor once, I was part of the navy and the navy will always be a part of me, that's why I love the

Royal Navy ....... (By Ed, Good ain‟t it?)

Who said the Police are not sensitive?

Police report finding a man's body in the River Avon. The dead man's name will not be released until his family has been notified. The victim apparently drowned and was wearing black fishnet stockings, a red garter belt, a pink G-string, a strap-on dildo, purple lipstick, and a ‘Milliband for PM’ T-shirt He also had a cucumber in his rectum. The police removed the Ed Milliband T-shirt to spare his family any unnecessary embarrassment. In spite of what we sometimes think, the Police do care. Andy Poulton

WANTED A .303 RIFLE (DEACTIVATED!)

YOU WILL REMEMBER THEM! Required for the Museum, if you can help

please contact the Chairman, Ken Cast. By telephoning him on 01329 668464

or e-mailing [email protected]

Mick O’Keefe shows ‘em ‘ow to do it at the Birmingham International Military Tattoo last November. Can’t spot ‘im? The smartest one 12th from the left! Below is a closer look at your illustrious Standard Bearer. Mick says he has Bob Potts (Anson 523, 1/62) and his daughter Karen to thank for these photos and also for hosting, guiding and chauffeuring him throughout this demanding session. Bless you Folks – we know he can be a handful!

The Last remaining RN Steam Pinnace The following info and photos have been edited from the May edition of the Steam Pinnace 199 Newsletter:- Does anyone remember the locations?

The very last surviving Royal Naval Steam Pinnace (No. 199) is shown above being eased out of her Maritime Workshop home of the last 3 years. The space used to be the laundry and drying room of the New Entry Training Establishment, HMS St Vincent. It was converted for 199’s original restoration. On the left she is seen afloat again in Forton Creek. The old Seamanship Block can be seen in the background.

Website Manager Gary Goodwin emails another amusing, and typical, incident from

his RN career!

50 years ago.

Sir Winston Churchill died on Sunday 24 January 1965 and his state funeral was to be held in London on the 30th of January. An Honour Guard party from HMS St Vincent was assembled on the Thursday and we were driven down to Folkestone in two RN lorries with a third following to greet the then French leader President De Gaulle who we were told would be arriving by boat on Friday to travel to London for the funeral on the Saturday. I can vaguely remember most of what happened but overtime some of the details have been lost. We arrived late on in the afternoon on the Thursday in a snow storm and freezing

winds at an old Army or Air force camp that had clearly been unused for ages. Most of the Nissan huts were blocked off but we were put up in two huts that were still open. A third hut must have been in use as a storeroom as the original iron beds and spring frames were still there along with dozens of collapsible wooden chairs. On entering the huts it was clear that this was not to be a happy time as there was no heat at all other than an old potbellied black stove in the middle of the room and worse still no fuel. In charge of us we had had an Officer, PO and a Leading hand cook. We unloaded the third lorry which contained mattresses and supplies for our stay. As night fell the Petty Officer came into the hut and taking a few of us with him entered the store hut from where we carried out a load of wooden chairs and pallets. He told us to break them up and use them as firewood for the stoves. Nobody questioned him as none of us fancied freezing and anyway we were only carrying out orders and as you know “orders must be obeyed “.We soon had the stoves

going and the hut was warmed up nicely. Grub arrived Bangers Mash and beans excellent just what we needed. The cook was a star as far as we were concerned. The next morning after a good breakfast of the three B’s (bread beans and bacon) we boarded the Lorries and off we went to the port to prepare to greet De Gaulle. I’m not sure what went on when we got there but the Officer in charge was in discussion for ages with someone on the telephone while we sat miserable and cold in the back of the Lorries. Eventually he came back and told the PO that we were not needed as De Gaulle was flying into London later that night and not coming over by boat, however as he may be going back to France after the funeral we were to return to the camp and wait there. Yes you’ve guessed it he decided to fly back late Saturday night while we were twiddling our thumbs on the ground somewhere in darkest Kent! Sunday morning saw us load up and return to St Vincent. All in all a complete waste of time! Gary Goodwin (By Ed, You should not have been surprised Gary, the

Frogs have hundreds of years‟ experience at letting us down! P.S. The Editorial view is not necessarily that of the Management.)

A typical tri-annual Committee meeting taking place at St Vincent College, roughly in the middle of the parade ground, as was! Don‟t be fooled by the Bristol fashion, 5 minutes earlier you couldn‟t see the desks for paper and booze!

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY PARADE LONDON I can now confirm that we have booked our place in the Civil Service Club after the Remembrance Parade on Sunday 8th November. The cost this year for Chicken Curry and Rice will be £11.00 per person, and they will cater for Gluten Free, and Vegetarian options. For those that would like to attend this year, then please write to me at 18, The Fairway, Gosport Hampshire, PO13 0EU, and enclose a cheque payable to the St Vincent Association for £11.00 per person, and your choice of lunch. You will also get the first drink free on the Association, so I also need to know your tipple. We will meet at the usual meeting point prior to the Parade around 0930. Nos 1 Hats this year are a problem, we no longer have a source for free hats to wear on Parade this year, you will have to buy one if you are a first timer. I am hoping to be able to source them from Nelsons slops, but at a cost of £23.00 including a St Vincent cap Tally, and if you are not attending the re union then you would need to add postage and insurance, if you wanted one, and if you were attending the reunion, then I could bring them along with me. I have 2 hats up for grabs, size 58 and 61, you would also need to get a cap Talley. If you need one, then please contact me by Land Line on 01329 310078 to discuss your requirements. (You may also be able to source one from your local Sea cadets Unit). We are usually given 36 tickets a year, and it would be nice to Parade with 36 in the Platoon this year. I look forward to hearing from you all in due course.

ST VINCENT REUNION W/END 2nd – 5th OCTOBER The Association welcomes all members to the re union weekend which will be held from Friday 2nd October – Monday 5th October 2015 at the Royal Beach Hotel Southsea Portsmouth. The AGM will be held in the establishment (by kind permission of St Vincent College) on Saturday 3rd October. The AGM commences at 1100, doors open at 0900, and so plenty of time to re new acquaintances, visit the Museum, buy your replacement “slops” and luncheon afterwards in the College Dining Hall. Coaches will be laid on from the hotel to take you across to the College in Gosport as part of your re union package. Attendance forms will be mailed to all members in early December from Isle of Wight Tours. The form now has an additional line allowing you to state your seating requirements. The address of Isle of Wight Tours is:-Isle of Wight Tours, 3 Lake Road, Lake, Sandown Isle of Wight, PO36 9JN, Telephone 01983 405116, or Soapy Watson on 01329 310078 (M) 07786565485, [email protected] Please note that in subsequent years the Reunion weekend will be held over the second weekend in October. For 2016 this will be from 7th – 10th October. Best wishes, Soapy Watson.

Dates for your Diary 10

th-13

th September 2015. Heritage Open Days (Museum open &

Guided Tours) 2

nd – 5

th October 2015. AGM & Reunion Weekend

8th

November 2015. Remembrance Day Parade and Social, Whitehall, London

Remember HMS DROXFORD? Our Training Ship in the 60s. Ken Cast sends these reminders of the vessel that was our introduction to life at sea in the RN and, for many, also an introduction to the wonders of technicolour vomit and the desire to die!

An admiral visits one of the ships under his command.

While eating breakfast with the crew he was impressed to see the

ship‟s crest stamped on every biscuit

He went to the chef to ask how this feat was done, so it could be

used on other ships under his command.

The chef replied, "Well, sir, after each one is cut out I just slap it

here against my belt buckle which bears the crest”

Horrified the admiral exclaims, "That's very unhygienic!"

The chef shrugs, and replies, "If you feel that way sir, I suggest you

avoid the doughnuts." Andy Poulton

Mike O’Keefe emailed this earlier this year;- “Just got back from Australia with the sea cadets, while I was in Perth I looked up one of our very old members who joined St Vincent in 1949 his name is Norman Gerhart and lives not far from Perth in Armadale so I got on a train and visited him, I have attached some pictures for the Mag, he is a young 84 years old and lives alone and doesn’t use a computer (although he has one ) I think that I have convinced him he should use it, we had a very good day together drinking his homemade beer and swinging the lamp. He has some good tales to tell, I left him to go back to Perth after about 7 hours after a good day and I will keep in touch with him.”

By Ed, Co-incidentally Jonathon Gibson, our Treasurer forwarded this letter he

had received from the very same Norman Gerhart……

Naughty, as ever, Keith Todd emails:- The lawyer says to the CEO: "I have some good news and, I have some bad news." The CEO replies: "I have had an awful day, let's hear the good news first." The lawyer says: "Your wife invested £5,000 in two pictures today that she figures are worth a minimum of £2 million." The CEO replies enthusiastically: "Well done, very good news indeed! You've just made my day; now what is the bad news?" The lawyer answers: "The pictures are of you having sex with your Secretary.”

Posers Ken Cast and Shep Woolley caught at Shep‟s ever popular, sell

out “Grumpy Old Matelot” Christmas show in Gosport last December;

Shep, as ever, has an eye, or rather two, on the pint he foolishly left

loafing. Me wonders if this is the first photograph taken of the two

Boy‟s training establishment current chairmen. Unusually the St

Vincent Boy is plucking the smaller instrument.Stop Press: Shep is appearing in Gosport again on 29/5. Give the Ed a bell for details.

Darby Allen

We have Phillip Day to thank for forwarding the following from his Canadian

home. Written by a commercial pilot, only an ex Jossman will not require a

tissue:- My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. on this flight." (H.R. stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked. 'Yes', she said. 'Is there an escort?' I asked. 'Yes, I've already assigned him a seat'. 'Would you please tell him to come to the Flight Deck. You can board him early," I said. A short while later a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us. 'My soldier is on his way back home' he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words. I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military, and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the Flight Deck to find his seat. We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight, I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is also on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home. The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it', I said. I told her that I would get back to her. Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control centre who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me. Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text: 'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now, and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal, where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the

connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.”

I sent a message back, telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.' Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft manoeuvring every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us. 'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the co-pilot to tell the ramp controller, we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.' I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said: 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking: I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.' We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft. When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later, more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one. Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier. I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom

and safety. A prayer will not go amiss. (Thank you Phillip. In the course of

preparing this edited edition I have had to read it numerous times and it does

not get any easier.)

Webmaster Gary Goodwin and his boss Linda recently represented the Association at Stone’s Annual Civic Dinner. Gary sent in this report on the weekend’s festivities:-

Stone Town Council Civic Dinner and Dance You are all probably aware of our Association’s link to Stone in Stafford as Stone is the resting place of John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent. The St Vincent committee has invited past and present Mayors of Stone over the years to attend our Dinner and Dance at our annual reunion. As a result Stone town Council have reciprocated by inviting a representative of the committee to their annual Civic dinner and dance. We were invited by the committee to attend, so Lynda and I turned up for the occasion on the 17th of April at the Stone House Hotel. We were warmly greeted by the Mayor Kathy Collins and her consort Geoff and we took our place at table next to the Master of Ceremonies and toast master Phillip Leason and his wife Edith. I was asked to propose the Loyal toast and did so (not difficult as there are only Five words in it) even I managed to get it right. Following the various toasts we had dinner and then later a disco and yes as usual Lynda and I were first up at the start and at the end of the night last off the dance floor. It was a very enjoyable night and gave us the chance to speak with various dignitaries and guests about HMS St Vincent and our Association and its history.

The following day we met up with Phillip and Edith who had asked us during the dinner if we wished to visit St. Michael & St. Wulfad’s, church in Stone which is the burial place of Earl St Vincent. Phillip and Edith took us around the church and gave us a comprehensive history of the Church and the many artifacts associated with Earl St Vincent. Among the items commemorating him were a number of marble busts including one that originally stood in HMS St Vincent’s wardroom. In addition there were a number of his own diaries outlining his many voyages and various campaigns. But the star of the show was the original St Vincent bell placed in a prominent position by the altar. We also were allowed into the mausoleum to see the final resting place of Earl St Vincent. Following our visit to the Church we then made our way to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to see how well the St Vincent tree was getting along. I am pleased to say that it is looking healthy and in fine shape. We spent a few hours walking around the site and I was pleased to see The Naval Service Memorial that was unveiled by HRH Prince Michael of Kent on Sunday 15 June 2014. I have taken a few photos of our visit to the Civic dinner and also items relating to Earl St Vincent in Stone church plus a picture of the Naval Memorial at the Arboretum which I hope will be of interest. It was a great honor to be asked to attend the Civic function by our association and we had a splendid time. I am sure that we will return the favour at our next reunion and give a warm

welcome to the Mayor of Stone at our own Dinner and Dance in October. Gary Goodwin

The Goodwins pose underneath the ever spreading HMS St Vincent Association Memorial tree during their recent visit to the National Arboretum. Gary has also kindly sent this photo of the Naval Service Memorial commissioned by the RNA, which depicts the oceans of the world through coloured sails, watched by a pensive sailor.

Membership Secretary Tony Barton‟s fascinating tale of his decision to join the RN, his HMS St Vincent experience and his first seagoing days……………….

"Danger" Boys Aloft.

This Story is set in the 1950's just as Britons started to relax after the war and enjoy the hard won world peace. The grocery round seemed longer today somehow, the front metal basket on the Bike had been had been loaded extremely well by the weekly cashier who had decided to come in early to see the new boy and myself off at seven thirty on our respective rounds. I delivered the second box off to Mrs Murphy who with her usual cheeriness had sent me on my way with a new shilling tip, (Five “Pence today” this was what life was all about I thought as I peddled up to the crest of Grange Park near Thornton Heath High Street, and took a long breath of fresh air, old Mr Minette our headmaster had been right hard work does seem to bring a reward. I free wheeled down the hill, Ross Road to my house or I should say that of my parents, my last call was our next door neighbour Miss Pollard who seemed to me to be quite a prim lady although she treated me like a son as long as I took my shoes off and left my school cap on the hat stand. She told me that I could join her partner, (very frowned on in those day’s) Mr Brett on the cellar patio which led to the beautiful garden that he looked after, and that she would serve us tea and cake for our elevenses. Mr Brett welcomed me in his usual manner, he stood erect and asked me how I felt today this third anniversary week of my starting my first job. I replied I am fine sir and I have already earned seven and sixpence on top of my three pound wages, in only three weeks. He asked me to sit down as he had received some news which my father who was away on business had telephoned through, a

letter had come through the post yesterday that I was to be accepted to join the Royal Navy. I had attended a recruiting office in Blackheath in South London and had been interviewed by a very smart Gunnery Chief Petty Officer, who impressed on me that I could go a long way in the King’s Service as a Seaman. Mr Brett was one of my best friends and he had suggested that I apply to join the Navy when I was only ten, but I then of course had to wait five years till I left school before I could apply to become a boy seaman second class. Mr Brett had joined the Royal Navy when he was thirteen and became a boy on the square rigged sailing ship HMS St Vincent when she was used for sail training still in commission. After a varied career he had retired as a Commander having been through campaigns that I had learnt about at school including the first world war and various up-risings that the British Empire had been involved in over his thirty years of service. It was a dull wet windswept day as I sat in the compartment of the Southern Railways train to Portsmouth one of the longest journeys of my life I thought, there were two or three other boys from London who had joined the train from Waterloo that cold January day in 1951. When we arrived at Portsmouth Harbour Station we were met by two smart sailors with white half gaiters and an arm band on which said only "MP" and HMS Victory on their caps (Nelson's flagship I thought), they briskly ushered down the causeway to a waiting Steam Ferry Boat which promptly headed over to

Gosport, and upon landing on the other side heaved us into the back of a Lorry with a canvas covered open back like cattle in a truck and off we went to HMS St Vincent. Mr Brett had warned me that St Vincent was a stone frigate, that is of course a Royal Naval Barracks, but although we had all chatted on the way down to Portsmouth on the train somehow I had not mentioned this to the other boys. When the Lorry stopped there was a lot of shouting and noise, and then a stick started to beat the canvas sides of the back of the truck OUT, OUT, a loud voice shouted and we were invited to join the rest of our party thirty-eight boys in all. We had been driven in through some large imposing gates which clanged shut after we entered, (just in case we decided to run out I think) in the afternoon they were reopened after our induction to the discipline of St Vincent. MY Name is Powell P.O.W.E.L.L. and you call me "Sir" understood "yes sir" we feebly replied, I Didn't hear you UNDERSTAND," YES SIR" Sandy Powell was a good Petty Officer Instructor and he patiently told us that we were to be his class, and that his class was to be the best, UNDERSTAND, "YES SIR". We were to be known as Anson Four Class of the New Entries. The first order was for a haircut if you can call it that it seemed as if they were collecting our hair to stuff mattresses with, then after kitting out we were assigned to a large accommodation Block (Our Home for our Training) the block was called after a Battle Ship but I do not recall which one now. Petty Officer Powell was our Teacher, Mentor, Father, Mother, Friend, and sometimes our enemy. We learnt fast, it was up and wash before reveille so that we could climb the mast before seven a.m. so as to earn extra points for the class. As our proficiency improved out we would go over the devils elbow gripping the iced ratlines

and rigging then crawling onto the first platform which was some seventy feet up, on these icy cold mornings, further on yet, another fifty feet or so to the second stage, then on further up to the upper yard arms and out to the ends of both sides and finally up the last twenty feet to the very top upper cross trees and rapidly down to the ground on the other side slipping and sliding burning our delicate little hands on the coarse ropes, after a cold shower and at breakfast we would hear yarns from the older boys who were due to pass out in the next month, how when the safety net was being tested the dummy sack of sand representing the average boy's weight just went straight through the net, SPLAT! there were also tales of some boys with terrible injuries who were still supposed to be in Haslar Royal Naval Hospital and that they would never be out. So keep your wits about you lads. Whilst in new entries it was discovered that I was suffering from heavy Migraines with the added sickness, so after reporting sick I was shipped off to Haslar and subsequently had an eye operation to correct a slight divergence of my long sightedness. After a couple of weeks I returned to so I thought back to my class but after several eye tests I was placed in a new class a month after the one that I had been in previously Duncan Five, to my joy I found several mates from the original class that had been placed together with a smaller new intake to make up the numbers. After about eight months training, parade ground drill, education, gunnery, sailing, drill, sports, and more drill, swimming, an essential item I believe, shooting, and weapons, training and yet even more and more drill, we started to qualify in various subjects, the time went fast, the discipline was hard but although I did not enjoy it I can now say that it did me good and stood me in

good shape for my future career in the ROYAL NAVY. Five Class are a Happy Lot and they are the Best! Our class chant whilst on the march outside to Clarence Yard for sailing and rowing drill. A couple of episodes I do remember well one good (now) and one bad, this one day we were to go sailing in a 32 foot Cutter and our Instructor handed us over to a rather junior (boy looking like us) lieutenant who admitted to our leading boy that he had never sailed but he did know the theory (or so he said). All went well as we knew ourselves how to rig the cutter and secure oars and loose gear ready for sailing, so off we went out into Portsmouth Harbour where we picked up a nice strong down harbour wind and the ebb tide. As we reached about mid harbour after a few tacks back and forth thoroughly enjoying our afternoon out, we were a few cable lengths from the C in C’s Signal Tower and I noticed that my feet were covered in water which seemed to be getting a little deeper by the minute so I said to our coxswain leading boy that I thought we had sprung a leak. Upon him telling our officer in charge the lieutenant just said that it was just natural leakage as the boat had been out of the water for some time and dried out, all would be well as the wood expanded and sealed the clinker built bottom. By this time we had reached Gun Wharf and we were finding it rather difficult to control the heavy old cutter and the water was now around every ones ankle’s and now rising very quickly as the boat got lower in the water of the Harbour, now bearing in mind not all of us were strong swimmers yet not having passed out in that particular sphere we asked SIR what we should do, he suggested that we used semaphore to alert the signal tower of our predicament. Well trying to get young uninitiated sailors to use signals that they had only just started to learn was

difficult enough let alone in a boat that was nearly up to her thwarts in water and sinking fast did not really seem to raise the alarm or alert anyone from shore. As the boat gradually sunk before our eyes with the lieutenant clinging to the mast in the middle of the harbour entrance but it did not go completely down and retained some buoyancy as we were rapidly being washed out with the flow of the ebb tide which runs at around seven knots. The officer shouted that he would stay with the boat as he could not swim and that we should try to make the shore, (Try being the operative word as trying to swim or do any stokes in a large man sized Kapok life jacket was nigh on impossible) all of a sudden a shout went up and we saw a MFV heading out our way as by this time we were all washed out off of Southsea fort. Fortunately the MFV was the guard boat on duty about to commence their first dog watch rounds of the harbour and had seen our predicament. After collecting all twelve of us up including our instructor lieutenant we were taken back to Clarence Yard and given a thimble sized tot of neat rum to revive us. Needless to say we never saw the Lieutenant again and the cutter was retrieved later that evening none the worse for wear except that apparently the plug was missing from the drain hole, and was found later on the hard where we had laid out the assorted gear spare oars, anchor, bailing bucket, spare life jackets etc. that we in our ignorance did not think we would need! I learnt one lesson from that which has stayed with me till this day and has stood me in good stead several times, and that is that when sailing or moving relatively fast through the water one can drain the bilges of a boat through the plug hole by inserting a knife blade into the forward edge and the vacuum and vortex created sucks out the bilge water.

None of us did drown, slip or fall off the mast although we did get thinned out as a few lads were not up to the physical standards of running around the parade ground with a .303 Lee Enfield rifle held up over one’s head for a half hour or more, or plunging into the ice cold plunge pool near the showers (The only way out) and we did eventually pass out as first class boys with a

proud instructor Petty Officer Powell at our head as we completed our march past the Captains Dias with a firm "Eyes Right", and after a warm hearted hand shake to every one of us from Sandy Powell, before we went to the Home Fleet Sea Training Squadron, off to His Majesty’s Ships Indefatigable, Indomitable, Implacable and Vanguard.

The Boys Go to Sea. We were all glad that the passing out parade had gone so well, now we were well and truly off to sea, we had of course been on a day's sea training on a frigate attached to the home fleet training squadron. A further treat or experience was a flight from Lee on Solent in an Avro Anson twin engine plane, a first for all of us. After the weeks leave which we had all longed for, where at home most of us had shown off our beautifully creased pusser’s bell bottoms, blue collar, and white lanyard and some with a bosun’s call even, swinging on a chain mine I still have and can pipe, and of course the black naval cap with a cap tally proudly showing that we were from HMS St Vincent. We had in our leave package our draft instructions a single ticket to Weymouth, (One Way ?). On a fine dry day in January though cold I caught the train to London Waterloo (a place that I would soon miss) and met with most of our class of boy's at the entrance to the platform where a Petty Officer was checking us off as we arrived. Then on with the journey which never seemed to end, but finally we heard, Weymouth Town, Weymouth Town all change. We then had the pleasure of sorting out our kitbags and hammocks which had been forwarded from St Vincent, and loaded them onto a lorry with us sitting on top down to the harbour. What a hive of activity there were boats of all shapes and sizes loading people, Stores,

massive boxes of spare parts, and food I had never seen so much food, our party followed our P.O. and threaded our way to a large MFV “Vincent to Indefat enquired our P.O. escort” of the coxswain, that's right mate get em aboard quick cos its going to rain in a minute. We had just loaded and the two MFV crew had battened down the hold when the heavens opened, we scrambled aboard and the MFV chugged slowly away from the quay out into the bay, as the rain cleared we could see two large ships, aircraft carriers the HMS Indefatigable and Indomitable both flanked by the supply boats, water carriers, fuel tankers and store's ships of all types. The scene was like a mother hen with her chicks scattered around her everything was bustling with a feverish activity, the excitement was felt by us, this was the real navy for men.The large ship loomed high above us, I had never seen anything as large other than the great liners of the day such as the Queen Mary

and Queen Elizabeth, but never this close. Our P.O. bid us well and handed a chit over to a Leading seaman who then shouted out ,out, you lazy crowd of whatsits I have the misfortune to have you lot allocated to my mess deck, you are joining one of the finest and cleanest messes on this ship and you are going to keep it that way aint you, yes we all feebly replied, this was not the welcome that we had expected, Sir, you call me Sir, got it, Yes Sir. I am Leading Seaman Bliss and you may wish you had never heard the name of Bliss if you cross me, he then proceeded to tell us our fortunes or should I say misfortune together with the rules of the mess and of the ship in general. We gladly slung our hammocks for the first time on a real ship and turned in around 2130. The bugle call echoed around the ship, a few of us stirred but blissfully there was no rope swinging Petty Officer as there had been at St Vincent, to get us moving but our bliss was short lived for Leading Seaman Bliss was up and raring to go, although some of the dislike of interlopers to his life seemed to have disappeared. He patiently explained to us that we were to him like the froth on a pint of beer poured in but blown away, but it was his duty to guide us through the Sea Training Spring Cruise and that today we were off to a working up exercise in the English Channel with the whole Home Fleet. What an exciting day, we lined the flight deck for leaving harbour as the tugs edged us around to point to the gap in the outer harbour after we had severed the large black buoy from our anchor cable which to me looked as if each shackle weighed a hundredweight. Once at sea we went to various duties and instructional classes, and then at about 1600 the lower deck was cleared as we met up with the C in C Home Fleet who’s flagship was HMS Vanguard, also HMS Implacable, Four Cruisers, and about three squadrons of

destroyers, numerous frigates and minesweepers, it looked as if the whole Navy had come to join in the exercise. After three days of manoeuvres and various evolutions we formed up the Sea Training Squadron astern of Vanguard and saluted the C in C, we then headed south for the warmer climes of the Mediterranean and our destination Gibraltar. The dreaded Bay of Biscay was ahead but where ? I had found myself a cushy number as bridge messenger, so I was able to peek at the chart and then knowledgeably inform my messmates that this large area of glassy water with a slow swell was indeed the Bay of Biscay, as the day lengthened so we saw a warmer sun which was very welcome after the cold winter of the UK After a leisurely three days cruise, learning all the time we saw in the evening Gibraltar on the horizon, the next day we berthed astern of Vanguard on the outer wall of the harbour, and got ready for our first ever run ashore away from the UK. Five Class are a Happy lot. Never ever having been severed from my Mothers apron strings as the saying goes I as well as my mess mates were briefed by L/Seaman Bliss on the delights and otherwise things that go on in Gib at night and that our leave was only until 2200. Once in main street the numerous bars and clubs got us delving into our pockets to buy a drink and of course our partners who had joined our party ashore, When we got back to the ship we were so glad to swing up into our hammocks. The next morning there were a few sore heads and empty pockets, we were spent out however it was agreed that most of us had a good time and we learnt the lesson well as next time we ventured ashore the girls who we thought loved us were with another ships company assisting them to spend a few shillings or pounds, well knowing that we were spent out.

On our way home we had more sea exercises with various ships of the Home Fleet. Back at Portsmouth we were sent for in to parade in HMS Victory Barracks where the Commodore told us of our draft which was for all of our class to go to two ships stationed on the South Atlantic Squadron based at Simons Town South Africa, HMS Nereide and HMS Actaeon for a three year commission also that we had been granted three weeks embarkation leave after which we were to report to the King George Fifth Docks and embark on the RMS

Bloem Fontain Castle and that our parents would be allowed to see us off on our new adventure. That story another day!

(By Ed, Oh Happy Days Tony, thank you very much. I am looking

forward to reading more about your subsequent adventures, which I

happen to know were somewhat eventful! More RNA news from Gary Goodwin:-

News about the Royal Naval Association

Just to remind those association members who are also members of the RNA the following. Biennial Parade

The Biennial Parade at the Cenotaph in London takes place on 6th September. Following the parade chips and sandwiches will be provided at the Civil Service club. Last year our association sadly only managed to turn out 3 bod’s let’s try to improve it this year as I am sure that there must be a few extra members living in or near the “smoke”

Cruise Companies Discount

P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises are offering an amazing deal for all members and former members of the Armed forces. As follows:- “To thank the brave men and women of the British Armed Forces for their service we are pleased to offer up to $250 on board spending money for retired and serving members. This extra special benefit is eligible on any cruise, any time of year and can be used to purchase a wide variety of amenities and experiences on board.

For more information contact. Cunard on 0843 374 0000 quoting promotion code HMS

P&O Cruises on 0843374 0111 quoting promotion code HMS Princess Cruises on 0843 374 4444 quoting promotion code ZMB.

Preserved Pensions Shipmates should be aware that Veterans UK (the new name for SPVA) MOD branch that now deals with Service Pensions holds several million pounds worth of unclaimed preserved pensions and is seeking FPS assistance to trace those who may be entitled. The basic rules are as follows:-

Left before Apr 75 – no entitlement

Left after 75 but before 1st April 78 – entitled if aged 26 or over with 5 years

reckonable service.

Left after 1st April 78 and before 6th April 88 - entitled if 5 years or more

reckonable service.

Left as OR after 6th April 88 – entitled if 2 or more years reckonable service

from age 18

Left as an officer after 6th April 88 – entitled if 2 or more years reckonable

service from age 21

Left after 6th April 05 as a member of a 2005 new scheme – entitled after 2

years’ service no age criteria. If you or anyone you know fall into the categories

above and thinks they may be entitled to a pension but has not claimed should

contact Veterans UK. You will need to be armed with your name, service

number and which arm of the service and where appropriate DOB and

discharge date. To find out more use this link to the Veterans UK website

http://www.veterans-uk.info/pensionscompensation.htm

Official RNA rate for Pusser’s rum set up with Fine Wine Sellers. Just click on the link www.finewinesellers.co.uk to receive the rate simply quote RNA rate when ordering. Details as follows:- Pusser’s Blue Label normally £34.49 plus delivery charge of £4.99. Delivery is the same price whether it is for 1 bottle or 6. RNA discount price is £29.49 plus delivery as above or 10% discount for 6 bottles or more.Gary Goodwin

Theatre Seats For Seniors

An old matelot lay sprawled across three entire seats in the movie theatre. When the usher came by and noticed this, he whispered to the old man, "Sorry sir, but you're only allowed one seat." The old salt didn't budge. The usher became more impatient. "Sir, if you don't get up from there I'm going to have to call the manager." Once again, the old man just muttered and did nothing. The usher marched briskly back up the aisle, and in a moment he returned with the manager. Together the two of them tried repeatedly to move the old disheveled matelot, but with no success. Finally they summoned the police. The officer surveyed the situation briefly then asked, "All right buddy what's your name?" "Fred," the old sailor moaned. "Where you from, Fred?" asked the police officer. With a terrible strain in his voice, and without moving, Fred replied; "The balcony".......

New Member John Toner (Hawke 120, 3/58) entered into the spirit of the Association by kindly providing a brief resume of his existence to date!

I joined St. V on 18th March 1958. As I remember it was getting a bit dark by the time we arrived and as we shuffled (it certainly wasn't marching) across the parade ground towards New Entries this voice from one of the blocks shouted "run while you have the chance". That sent our spirits soaring I can tell you! I played, rugby, water polo and crewed in the Hawke dinghy. Training at Worth Down followed and in October 1959 I was drafted to RNAS Brawdy. Next draft in '62 was to 831 squadron at Culdrose. I managed to pick up my Hurt Certificate when we were on detachment at RAF Ballykelly when the starter on a Gannet exploded and I copped some of the shrapnel! After killicks course at Lee-on-Solent it was back to Culdrose to 849 D Flight and then to No1 COD Flight destined for the Eagle. I also met my future wife there. She was a WRNS Air Mech on 849 (we eventually got married in '87). Left the Eagle in '66 and wound up back at Brawdy. I was made P.O in December '66 and assigned the Station Flight where I stayed until discharge in September '69. We then moved to Australia where I sat for my aircraft maintenance licences and retired in 2010. I worked for a few different airlines here and had an 18 month stint working on contract in Mauritius for Air Mauritius between 2001 and '03. Still married to the same lady. We have two daughters and five grandchildren, so no idle moments! I'll attach some photos although some may have been previously

sent by other members. Cheers, John Toner (Paddy)

Hawke 120 3/1958 - John is middle row extreme left.

Can anybody help the late Peter Cirket’s son with his enquiry? Responses to the Ed please. “I am having a bit of a clear out and came across two certificates awarded to my father, Peter Edward Thomas Cirket, who was at St Vincent in 1949. The date is the 15th September 49 and they are First Prize Certificates. Sadly my father passed away in 1991 and though I have looked at many of the pictures from 49 and those with Hawke on I cannot spot my dad. Might I ask do you know anyone who served with my father? Can you ask I would love to talk to them. The certificate informs me my dad was in Hawke 55 class.”

Ian Grant asks “Where did they all go?” I am an ex HMS St. Vincent boy who joined the Royal Navy in April 1947. My class was Duncan 23 and a better bunch of boys could not be found anywhere. It was a sad occasion when we all marched out of the barracks, and dispersed to different ships from three different ports. I was lucky, in that I was drafted with a good bunch of classmates to HMS Sirius in the Home Fleet. We set sail in October for Gibraltar to participate, with the Med Fleet and Home Fleet in Football, Rugby and Boxing. After a couple of weeks, the Home Fleet set off for the Caribbean. for a "Showing the Flag". This was really wonderful for us boys as our captain stopped ship in the Atlantic and piped, "anyone who wanted to swim wait for the OK, get in the ocean but keep close to the safety boats." After the swim time was over and all swimmers were back onboard, a couple of hand grenades were thrown into the sea and the resulting explosions stunned fish for the wardroom dinner.At last we arrived at Port of Spain,Trinidad. This was a great run ashore, as the boys messes were challenged to a game of cricket by the Scottish owner of a sugar plantation. We lost, and free rum and coke didn't help. Our trip throughout the Caribbean was just awesome and something we all hoped we would do again. However, our last visit was to Bermuda where we stopped off for three days. It was in November when we set off for Portsmouth and Christmas. When we arrived in Portsmouth, HMS Sirius entered the harbour with her "paying off" flag flying. The boys messes had no idea what that meant,but it soon got around that the ship was going into reserve, up the trot. We soon found what that really meant; most of the crew was being drafted. Those who stayed on board had the tough job of cleaning and painting the whole ship from top to her double bottoms. The latter job was given to a crew who had to wire brush, then red lead each compartment. After this was completed I was drafted to HMS Seafox stationed at Belfast N, Ireland. Then more drafts, the Med., Liverpool, Scotland, Portsmouth. This is where I missed the "boys". I began to search for Duncan 23 boys. I found two, Ron Short, who died after joining the police force in Hampshire and Jock McIlroy who drowned falling from a ship. I gave in after that. Then came a miracle. I came to live in Canada. At that time I joined the HMS St. Vincent Association. With the paperwork I was sent was a list of members. There was the name I knew, with his 'phone number. I called it, and Ken Voller answered. Within a couple of weeks, Ken met me in British Columbia. But, where are the rest?

By Ed, Having sent me this interesting ditty asking question where did they all

go, Ian emailed me a few days later to say that when he phoned his old shipmate

Ken Voller to tell him what he had written Ken‟s widow informed Ian that her

husband had died a few weeks earlier of cancer having suffered chest pains for

some weeks. Needless to say Ian is devastated but wished his letter to be

published irrespective. If you have any knowledge of Ian‟s other

ship/classmates he can be contacted at follows: Ian Grant. 902-945, Daryl Drive, Burlington, ON. L7T 0A1 [email protected]. 905 632 3129

Mike O’Keefe’s gallivanting leaves me breathless and confused! (not difficult!) Here are just a few more of the numerous photos he kindly submitted. The last 3 are from his Oz trip and doesn’t he look smart in his tropical rig. The 1st one was taken at the recent 33rd anniversary of the sinking of HMS Sheffield.

I have received another enquiry concerning these 18ct broaches with an HMS St

Vincent cap talley. Can any reader recall seeing these on sale in the NAAFI? I

suspect that our 10 bob a fortnight wouldn’t have gone far towards the cost of one

of these – a “silk” embroidered table napkin for my mum was my limit!

The HMS St Vincent

Association Members send

Shipmate Elsie Steele

100th Birthday Greetings

for the 20th June 2015.

Have a good

„un Elsie. With

all best

wishes on

your very

special day. Elsie was selected to model the new WRNS uniform whilst serving at HMS St Vincent in 1940

Elsie resides at

Radway Lodge, Vicarage

Road, Sidmouth, Devon

EX10 8TS if you wish to

send a card.