THE ROYAL NAVAL

ASSOCIATION

Incorporated by Royal Charter

Patron: His Majesty The King

Registered Charity No: 1068408

LISKEARD BRANCH

Commissioned 20th April 1986

Full Recognition by The Royal Navy

The Bilge Rat

October 2025

Issue No 432

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2025/26

Any items for inclusion in the Bilge Rat are to be

sent to: - editor@liskeard-rna.org.uk

Branch website www.liskeard-rna.org.uk

Blog https://liskeard-rna.blogspot.com/

President

Chairman

Vice Chairman

Secretary

Treasurer

Membership Sec

Branch Support

Wellbeing Officer

Area Delegate

Social Secretary

Standard Bearer

Slops Bosun

Rum Bosun

Fundraiser

Auditor(1)

Auditor(2)

Auditor(3)

PR Officer

Branch Chaplain

Bilge Rat Editor

Sports Officer

Vacant

S/M Marie Belfitt

S/M Bill Billing

S/M Lisa Strutt

S/M Warwick Belfitt

S/M Christina Whitty

S/M Maureen Parker

S/M Steve Parkinson

S/M Jerry Fleming

REQUIRED

S/M Adam Strutt

S/M Warwick Belfitt

S/M Adam Strutt

REQUIRED

S/M Adam Strutt

S/M Steve Parkinson

Chrissie Henwood

REQUIRED

S/M Ian Wheatley

S/M Adam Strutt

S/M Terry Whitty

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07855861450

07508785122

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07855861450

01208 821272

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DISCLAIMER

Whilst The Bilge Rat is the magazine of the Liskeard branch of the

Royal Naval Association, it should be clearly understood that the

contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the Association, the

branch members or the Editor and should not therefore be interpret-

ed as such.

A colour version of the Bilge Rat may be viewed on the RNA website.

Branch website: www.liskeard-rna.org.uk

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2025/26 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 4

MAGARET JOLLEY 5

ADMIRAL SIR PHILIP KING ENRIGHT KBE CB 6

FALKLAND ISLANDS 1966 7

NEW JOINER 10

TRAFALGAR NIGHT DINNER 11

MENTORS 14

OCTOBER QUIZ 17

SEPTEMBER QUIZ ANSWERS 18

SOCIAL CALENDAR 2025 19

Contents

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Birthdays for November

Members;

Life 3

Full 48

Associates 30

Total 81

2-Nov Lee Hayward

4-Nov William (Bill) Bullen

23-Nov Kevin David Brown

26-Nov Julia McGuire

27-Nov Christina Whitty

Margaret Jolley

A service was held on the 14th October, to say goodbye and cel-

ebrate the life of Margaret who passed away on the 24th Septem-

ber. A requiem mass was held at the Catholic Church, before a

less formal service was held at Glynn Valley Crematorium. There

was a good turnout of friends and family at both services. Follow-

ing the service memories were shared over a few drinks and re-

freshments at the Royal British Legion.

Margaret will be greatly missed.

S/M Adam Strutt

Tribute to Margaret Jolley, 1942 - 2025

Admiral Sir Philip King Enright KBE CB

Admiral Sir Philip King Enright KBE CB,

who saw active service during the Second

World War, was the first person to reach the

rank of full admiral from the lower deck in

the history of the Royal Navy.

Born in Liskeard in 1894 and educated at

Greenwich, he joined the Navy aged 15 as

a Boy, 2nd Class on 19 April 1910 at HMS

Ganges . He was then selected for the Up-

per Yardsman scheme and was promoted

Lieutenant in 1922, with seniority backdated

to 1919.

His early career saw him serving primarily in

the Mediterranean, but also on the China

Station before joining the battleship HMS

Nelson in 1928 as a Lieutenant Command-

er.

In 1932 he served as executive officer of

the light cruiser Coventry in the Mediterra-

nean.

From 1934 to 1936 Enright returned to

where it all began - becoming executive of-

ficer at HMS Ganges. He received promotion to captain in 1937.

At the beginning of hostilities he was Commander of the light cruiser

Cardiff, he served as Captain of the Mediterranean Fleet from 1942

to ‘43, and ended the War as Captain of the heavy cruiser Cumber-

land serving in the Far East.

Appointed naval aide-de-camp to King George VI in 1946 as Rear Ad-

miral, he moved onto being Admiral Superintendent of Devonport

Dockyard as Vice Admiral in the early 1950s.

On Retiring in 1953, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral thus be-

coming the first person to become an Admiral having joined from the

lower decks….

Article provided by S/M Simon Cassidy

Falkland Islands 1966

Operation Cow Beach 19 October 1966 the Argentine submarine,

ARA S 12 Santiago del Estero, was involved in a clandestine coastal

survey of Falklands’ beaches, some 40 kilometres north of Stanley,

more precisely at Cow Bay, apparently with the intention at some fu-

ture moment of landing, invading or taking over the Falklands. It was a

hush/hush operation for the officers, crew members, commandoes

and tactic divers, sworn to secrecy and with the naval intelligence ser-

vice checking for decades, that in effect not a word of the operation

leaked. And so it was for over half a century, when the head of the op-

eration to be later identified as “Cow Beach Operation”, carried out

from a sub, Garcia Rabini in a conference at a naval base gave some

details of the operation.

The submarine Santiago del Estero after some tasks ordered by the

Argentine Geographic Institute was returning from some surveying

and exercises in the extreme south of Argentina to its base in Mar del

Plata when the head of the tactical amphibious divers division, recent-

ly created, officer Garcia Rabini was summoned by the head of the

Argentine navy submarines division, Arturo Cesar Ledesma.

Garcia Rubini was then informed by Ledesma, that he was being or-

dered by decision of the “highest authorities” to prepare together with

his three best tactical divers, experienced and of his total confidence,

for a very special mission consisting in recovering a land patrol from a

beach, at night in extremely cold waters, so divers needed special

suits and gear, and they would only carry three days food ration, one

day ammo, and had to find their way back to the sub or a waiting ves-

sel; this action with not a word of the mission’s reason or of the whole

operation. And so S12 then left with 87 crew members, amphibious

commandoes and tactical divers, and several officers for southern Ar-

gentina.

At the time in Argentina, only a few months before (June) a military

coup under General Juan Carlos Ongania, had deposed elected presi-

dent Arturo Illia, who was mocked and ridiculed as “the tortoise”, and

among his fiercest critics playing the military option, the Timmermans’

father and son, and Mariano Grondona, considered at the time one of

a most respected Catholic political analysts. Ongania included in his

cabinet as minister of foreign affairs, Nicanor Costa Mendez, (rings a

bell).

The sub headed for Peninsula Valdes, close to Puerto Madryn, and

during three days trained for the rescue of a stranded patrol on a

beach with the help of tactical divers and commandoes with the use of

German made kayaks. A few days later they left for the Falklands, im-

mersed during day time and emerging at night until they finally

reached Cow Bay. It was only then that details of the mission were re-

vealed and the tactical divers and commandoes on the kayaks headed

for the beach, “two kilometres long”, with the purpose of checking on

currents, sea slopes, possible obstructions for landing vessels, and the

beach itself.

Orders were strict, “in case of contact with locals, police or military

from the Islands, they were to argue that they were in Argentine territo-

ry and were Argentine citizens. No appeal to weapons, except extreme

case and in self-defence. Likewise no damage to private property and

ensure that no tracks or signs of the incursion were left…”

However some sea mammal, and quite big one, did give the incursion

party a big scare when he/she snorted after almost stepped on, but the

biggest challenge was when they came across in the middle of the

night of a local farm hand, who detected the group. He was immediate-

ly captured and the captain of the submarine, Horacio Gonzalez Lla-

nos, as the highest ranking officer, was immediately informed and

asked for instructions to follow. The captain a very much respected of-

ficer and with natural leadership conditions, asked about the condition

of the prisoner, what was he doing in the middle of the night in an

empty beach, the reply was that in effect he was quite a bit intoxicated,

presumably lost in the middle of the night. The captain then suggested

“come fetch a bottle and let him have a good, good night hangover”,

and apparently that is what they did with the farm hand. He was forced

to drink a whole bottle of whisky and left to sleep….and to tell Is-

landers he had met foreign, probably Argentines in diving suits…if you

believed him.

The second night all the objectives of the mission and surveying were

completed successfully according to Garcia Rubini, including the

treacherous currents at Cow Bay, which limited access for the sur-

faced submarine. Back in Mar del Plata, submarine captain Gonzalez

Llanos took a full report of the topographic and hydrographic surveys

and accomplishments to Buenos Aires, but that was allegedly the end

of the story, be it not for the naval service checking no leaks on the op-

eration came to light. It was also found out later that the operation had

a planned back up, several fighter aircrafts ready to take off in Rio

Gallegos and a navy’s “fishing vessel,” out in the high seas, but not

much more than that was revealed.

Garcia Rubini also recalls the envelope with the written order from

then de facto president General Ongania and foreign minister Nicanor

Costa Mendez and Commander of the Navy ordering to activate the

“Cow Beach Operation”. The order was presented in a simple white

sheet, no headlines or seals, with simply scribbled initials.

As a matter of curiosity it is worth mentioning that the second in com-

mand of the Santiago del Estero when the operation was none other

than young Officer Juan Jose Lombardo, who in 1982 as Rear Admiral

was responsible for the logistics of the Argentine invasion in April of

the Falkland Islands, which did not take place at Cow Bay.

Thanks to S/M Lee Hayward for sending this in.

New Joiner

Simon Cassidy receiving his membership pack and badge

from Chair Marie Belfitt.

Trafalgar Night Dinner

On Saturday 18th October 80 members and guests, met at the Hanna-

fore Point Hotel, to celebrate Nelsons Victory over the French 220

years ago at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Our guest of honour this year was Captain Jeremy Ussher, current

Captain of HMS Raleigh. His address was an informative and enter-

taining version of the events surrounding the battle, along with a com-

parison of sailors then and now.

The staff agreed to perform the role of the French in the re-enactment,

ably led by S/M Steve McGuire, but lost again. Thank you to the mem-

bers who agreed to carry a ship, the timing of the music is getting clos-

The raffle raised in excess of £350, thank you to all who provided priz-

es and bought tickets.

Thank you to all who attended and hope you enjoyed your evening.

S/M Adam & Lisa Strutt

To view a lot more of photo’s RNA Facebook page. Contact Terry for

details

Mentors

The winner of the John Bartlett trophy

ETWE Jones

Myself, Lee Hayward, Jerry Fleming, Mick Howe, Roger Grace, Gor-

don Strudwick, John Bartlett, and Pat Vaughan have all had the privi-

lege to represent the Liskeard branch in HMS Raleigh .

We must all thank Roger, one of the original mentors in Fisher division

who started the Mentoring programme in HMS Raleigh. It really is a

honour and privilege to work with the next generation of sailors.

I've been doing it now for over 13 years, but Lee has been doing it for

15+ years. I pick up my 108th class on Tuesday, and its my 204th

passing out Parade this Friday

As the lead mentor in Raleigh, I have the privilege to work with the

most amazing dedicated

bunch of veterans, who give

freely of their time.

Here are a few of our mo-

ments in Raleigh.

Yours aye

Terry

To view a lot more of photo’s

of mentors visit the RNA Face-

book page. Contact Terry for

details.

October Quiz

The Sun is over the yardarm somewhere!

1. What is a bottle of Champagne containing one-and-a-half li-

tres called?

2. Who was the legendary Benedictine monk who invented cham-

pagne?

3. Which Scottish River supplies over 90% of all water used in

Scotch Whisky production?

4. The cocktail, Gin & It which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s

is made with which two principal ingredients?

5. Where would you find the Marlborough wine-making region

which is, arguably, the best region in the world for the production

of Sauvignon Blanc wines?

6. Which Champagne is named after the widow Barbe-Nicole

Ponsardin?

7. What is the name of the Cocktail that was named after the City in

which it was invented by the Barman at the famous Raffles Hotel

in 1915?

8. Which type of Gin should be used for the drinks Pink

Gin and Sloe Gin?

9. How many standard wine bottles make up a Nebuchadnezzar?

10. Which liqueur is said to be made according to a secret recipe of

Bonnie Prince Charlie?

September Quiz Answers

1. Who is the Patron Saint of lost causes? St Jude

2. A 'night glow' features in which sort of festival? Hot air balloons

3. 93% of US homes have at least one and the Thomas Nelson Co

sells 8 million a year. What are they? Bibles

4. What are the first 2 lines of the second verse of the national an-

them? Thy choicest gifts in store

On him be pleased to pour,

5. Which English university has the most enrolled students? The

open University

6. A codicil is a supplement to what sort of legal document? Will

7. Poplin is a type of what? Cotton fabric

8. In Islamic countries, what is the equivalent to the red cross? The

Red crescent

9. In astrology, Aries is a fire sign, what are the other two fire

signs? Leo and Sagittarius

10. A sudden life-changing revelation, is called the Road to where?

Damascus

Social Calendar 2025

Date Event

5th April Community Fair

3rd May Army/Navy Rugby.

11th May VE Day Wreath Laying

31st May Skittles

12th July Liskeard Show

19th July Liskeard Carnival

25th-27th July Boconnoc

3rd August RNA Croquet St Austell—Cancelled

17th August VJ Day

23rd –25th August Great Trethew

27th September St Mathews Fair

18th October Trafalgar Night

23rd October RNA Quiz

25th October Poppy Concert

2nd November Field of Remembrance

9th November Remembrance Parade

11th November 2 min Silence

27th November Final Meeting of the Year (Free Drinks)

6th December RNA Christmas Dinner

29th January AGM

Liskeard RNA usually meets on the last Thursday of the month, in

the room above the Royal British Legion. The room and bar are open

from 1930 and the meeting starts at 2000. You do not have to be ex

Royal Navy to join. All are welcome.

ONLY DRINKS PURCHASED IN THE RBL CLUB

ARE TO BE CONSUMED ON THE PREMISES

Anybody who has content for the Bilge Rat, please send to

the Bilge Rat Hon Editor.

Email: - editor@liskeard-rna.org.uk

Breakfast Club· Market Cafe Liskeard

Now meeting every Wednesday 0930

and 2nd Saturday of the Month 0930

Facebook.

Terry Whitty has set up a Facebook page to record the events of the

Liskeard Branch of the RNA.

If anybody would like access please contact Terry who will arrange

access.