HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

Birthdays for August:-

 

7th August Ken Bonning

8th August Wilf Jolley

16th August Heather Chitty

25th August Jim Barbour

31st August Sally Stacey

 

Membership:

At the end of July the Branch consisted of 82 paid up Members,

2 Life, 45 Full and 38 Associate. Of these 52 members have completed a Gift Aid form

 

Subscriptions are due in January 2008 and please if you are a taxpayer and have not already signed a Gift Aid form consider doing so. ASAP.

 

Forms are available if you wish to pay by Standing Order.

 

 

Trafalgar Dinner Weekend.

 

As those of you who were at the last Branch meeting will know there has been a slight change of plan!!

 

Shortly before last Thursday’s Branch meeting Trevor and Mary received a phone call from Tom the Manager of the Rivera telling him that the Hotel was being shut in September! He was terrible sorry it but it was out of his hands. He’d even tried ’phoning around Newquay to try and find a suitable place for but to no avail.

 

On hearing this Trevor and Mary immediately called the Hannaford Point Hotel in Looe and provisionally booked the nearest free weekend to Trafalgar Night; the 1^st November.

 

At the time of writing it is hoped that the rooms and meal costs will be similar to that invisaged for the Rivera; more details at this month’s meeting..

 

As Looe is relatively close and if demand is high enough, a coach may be laid on for those who do not wish to stay overnight at the Hannaford.. Times are thought to be:- leaving Westbourne car park around 1800 Saturday evening and leaving the Hannaford Hotel about 0100 on the Sunday morning. There is of course a railway service from Liskeard to Looe for those who are staying overnight may wish to use.

 

While it may not be possible to have all the pomp and ceremony that we have had in the past at the Rivera, I am sure that it will be well up to Trevor and Mary’s usual high standard. They, in my opinion, are to be thanked once again for being so well organised that we can go to the Hannaford.!

 

Ed

The following letter was printed in the Daily Mail on the 11^th of June 2008

 

 

Empty threat from carriers

 

CALLING Britain's two big new ships’ aircraft carriers' (Letters) is a misnomer. The current Invincible class carrier has no permanently embarked fixed-wing aircraft — and neither will the planned Queen Elizabeth class carriers.

 

All UK fixed-wing military aircraft are owned and operated by the RAF, which shows little interest in maritime operations. The vast majority of Harriers operated from HMS Illustrious are Spanish, Italian or American. When Illustrious sails, it isn't protected by combat air patrols and its escorts are usually NATO rather than British ships.

 

The current plan is for the Queen Elizabeth class carriers to be operated in the same way. Any F-35 Lightning II aircraft acquired by the UK will be owned by the RAF, with no special adaptations for maritime use.

 

The new carriers will be unique among the world's navies in having no perma-neatly embarked fixed-wing aircraft and no significant self-defence capabilities. They will rely completely on Type 45 destroyer escorts for protection.

 

The Government is planning to build only six Type 45 destroyers — not enough to defend two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. Meanwhile, it's unlikely that any Type 45 destroyer will ever sail with a full complement of anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles: the list of deficiencies could go on.

 

Sailors' lives are being put at risk by inter-service rivalries and penny-pinching by the MoD — they of the 'gold standard cock-up'.

 

Dr DAVID N. J. WHITE, Glasgow.

 

Fisgard Division’s Passing Out Parade.

20^th June 2008

 

On the 20^th June 2008 Gordon and myself, along with our carers arrived at HMS Raleigh to witness ‘our’ class Passing Out, after nine gruelling weeks as New Entries. Armed with passes we repaired to the Fisgard Divisional offices from where we were accompanied to the Raleigh Club ; would have been the NAFFI in our day. After a quick refreshment stop we were escorted by a very nice and polite lad to the drill shed to wait for Fisgard Division to arrive. Soon they arrived, marching in fully booted and spurred as the Guard. I should think every single one of them was grinning from ear to ear: girls and boys. Their day had finally arrived and they had earned the right to be happy.

 

Passing Out with them were a Division of RNR New Entries. They do a very compressed two week course. However, they have normally been in the RNR for about a year so they have some idea of the Navy before they arrive.

 

Next came photographs in which we were invited to take part of. By then it had been decided that it would be ‘wet weather’ routine and so we spectators crossed the parade ground to the other drill shed which has a dias and seating for spectators. In charge of the preparation were the two Royal Marines who had accompanied the class on Dartmoor, now resplendent in uniform. Although they wore flat caps and not their Pith helmets, the Parade Commander still had a huge great sword, twice the size of a dainty Naval Officer’s sword.

 

 Anyway, we took our places in the front row alongside the dias and soon the markers were marched in and positioned. Followed shortly by the various classes in order of ‘time in’. The Royal Marine band, Plymouth command, then marched in and formed up at the back of the drill shed.

 

Soon that familiar order. ‘March on the Guard’ was heard and in marched Fisgard division separated as West and East Guard.. Halted, dressed and formed into two ranks they were then stood at ease.

 

After a few minutes they were brought to attention along with the rest of the parade as the Commander of Raleigh arrived to take charge of the Parade. That done the parade and Guard were again stood at ease. To await the VIP who was to take the salute from the passing out class. In Fisgard’s case it was the 2^nd Sea Lord.

 

On his arrival the General Salute was given and then it was into that age old procedure of inspection, finishing up as always by a quick chat with the band.

 

All dignitaries now back on the dias, the prizes were presented to those people passing out before the parade was formed up to march past. Led, as always by the Guard to the tune of Hearts of Oak, Fisgard Division the parade marched pass the dias and out of the shed. Last to leave as usual was the band. With the shed now empty the Fisgard division, stripped of their rifles, belts and gaiters, marched in single file from either side. Meeting in the middle of the Drill Shed they turned to face the dias and stood at attention. Then, on being given the order to ‘Dismiss’ they turned smartly right and to the biggest cheer of the day, flung their caps into the air.

 

Now they could at last meet their proud parents and family. Gordon and I had a chat with Lt Commander Marriott, the man whose idea this all was.

 

Then it was back to the Raleigh club, where the two parts, Port and Starboard, split into the two sides of the club. Port was my side and I chatted with some of the families and members of the Port class.

 

Next came a more informal prise giving. The Divisional Staff presented to the class prizes for the smartest, a girl and the best NE, a 32 year old ‘lad’, who had been ‘sea daddy’ to all the younger Entries. A well deserved recognition.

 

Before all that they totally surprised me by presenting me with a photograph of the Port Division and myself. Gob smacked and proud were my feelings.

 

Among the visitors to the Raleigh Club was the 2^nd Sea Lord who asked us how we felt about this scheme. To which we replied that we thought it a great idea. He agreed and said he was in the process of wording a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ on the idea.

Shortly after that, with the Fisgard Division and their families gradually disbursing Gordon and I made our farewells to the Divisional Staff. Wishing them luck with the next entry and hoping that we would again be involved with an entry in the future.

 

A ‘wash up’ is being planned so that lessons learnt can be applied and in the meantime Gordon and I, again with our carers, were invited to a Raleigh Wardroom cocktail party.

 

The evening of the cocktail party was dry but threatening rain but on our arrival we were taken through to the patio and garden area at the rear of the wardroom. Armed with a G&T we were entertained by the many young officers. They really were very courteous and repeatedly topped our glasses. Raleigh is now also the Submarine school so many of the officers were submariners. As sunset approached we all assembled outside the front of the wardroom to witness ‘colours’. First though, the Royal Marine band entertained us to a marching display. Among the tunes played was the theme tune for Plymouth Argyle Football Club, played especially for Commander Flynn, a life long supporter and season ticket holder.

 

The lowering of the Ensign at sunset brought a very enjoyable evening to an end and for that I thank the Wardroom President and Officers of HMS Raleigh.

 

I hope that this liaison between the New Entries and the RNA continues. I believe it does both groups good, although I think I probably enjoyed it more than the New Entries.

 

S/m John Bartlett

 

 

 

      Porthcurno Telegraph Museum Sun 1st June 08

 

At 1200 two mini buses were loaded in Westbourne car park bound for the western beach of Porthcurno, home of the Telegraph Museum.

 

A smooth and steady journey of some one and three quarter hours brought us to the end of the undersea cables that connect us with the rest of the world, an early version of the internet that we use today from home P.C.’s

 

  The Museum is housed in two large tunnels which were carved out of the granite cliff face in just ten months by Cornish Miners at the start of the Second World War.

 

The tunnels are accessed through two massive bomb proof doors. Inside the entrance door stands a large bomb dropped in nearby field from a plane that was jettisoning it’s bomb load during the war.(We later encountered a group of German tourists who may have been seeking to lay claim to the exhibit.) The tunnels were never subject to attack during the war.

 

We were treated to an excellent talk by museum staff, who explained the laying of the early cables from Brunel’s ship The Great Eastern, to the modern cables of today that through the magic of fibre optics, can handle about a million phone calls simultaneously. A far cry from the simple Morse code messages.

 

The museum is full of interesting artefacts, exhibits of communication equipment, cables, share certificates of the company in its infancy. A morse code system similar to that which sent the distress call from the Titanic is able to be operated by the visitor as well as a Morse code key at each end of a long room for the more ambitious communicator.

 

On completion of the Museum experience, we embussed for a short ride to the Minack Theatre which is built into the cliff over the stunning views of the beach and the cliffs of Porthcurno. The colour and the clarity of the water in the bay is so beautiful it is easy to imagine that you are on holiday abroad.

 

We left the Minack en-route for Penzance and the prospect of a hearty meal. A modicum of road rage was encountered when a lady motorist decided to wave to her friend whilst passing Trevor in a very narrow road. I thought she was driving a Renault but I’m sure he said it was a Fokker.

 

Everyone seems to be making cars now.

 

The meal at the Dolphin adjacent to the jetty was superb.

 

However the seating arrangement was such that Maureen (Joining Sec) had to crawl under the table to attend the bar.

 

It was very evident from all who witnessed that she was much practice and returned to her seat by the same route. Her partner Terry said not to feed her whilst under the table as it could be a bit embarrassing on Traf night.

 

Following the meal Gordon thanked both Warwick & Trevor for their dedication and sacrifice of their time and effort in providing us all with a superb day which will remain long in the memory of those who travelled to Porthcurno.

 

S/M Ted Steele-Tyson.

 

 

The Confuse Family

The Brother and Poet

 

His sister is now his brother,

His mother is now his Dad,

His Father is now his Mother,

He thinks he’s going Mad.

 

Ephojs Sketos

 

S/m Joe Stokes

 

 

 

HMS Stalker

 

MR SID ANNING

14 KIPLING GDNS

CROWNHLL

PLYMOUTH

PL53DD

sjdanning@tiscali.co.uk

 

HMS STALKER.

 

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I write for, and on behalf, of the Maritime Steam Restoration Trust (MSRT) Charity Number 1101263, whose aim is to save the last steam driven Landing Ship Tank (LST) for the nation.

 

Having worked to save te last of the WW Destroyers, HMS Cavalier, I am aware of two major requirements that are necessary

in order to save an historic ship, support and funds, both of which unfortunately are in short supply for most historic ships, not just HMS Stalker.

 

HMS Stalker is the last 'representative' of this marvellous and versatile type of vessel, which saw action at Tobruk and North Africa Landings 1942, Salerno 1943, Anzio 1944, and many other theatres during the 2nd Word War. In recognition of the sacrifice of the many service men and women involved, I believe it's important that we by to save the very last of its type left Britain.

 

HMS Stalker has an important role to play in the future, unlike many other Historic Ships. The MSRT and its supporters are hoping to restore HMS Stalker back into full working order, with the intention that she should carry out following roles:

 

1 As training ship for apprentices and youth organisations to give young people hands on experience on a sea going ship.

2 To have a permanent onboard representative of the National Historic Ships Unit who will be able to meet other historic ships owners as she steams around the country.

3 To give practical advice and technical help to other historic ships around the country, fitted out as a mobile workshop.

4 By utilising its cavernous tank deck to bring a variety of exhibition and artefacts to other parts of the UK. In other words, a mobile museum.

5 And in her original function as a heavy lift transport vessel.

 

All the above roles have been investigated in some detail with a view to make HMS Stalker as 'self sufficient' as its humanly possible to cover its running costs and maintenance. Therefore, the MSRT envisages she wall not be reliant upon further grants.

 

This is simply not a matter of just saving a vessel because she happens to be there, she has enormous heritage value which has been recognised by the National Historic Ships Committee by placing her on the National register of Historic Ships and by the support of people like Mr Simon Waite (see enclosed), and me.

 

As you are aware, with any Lottery Grant applications, the applicant has to raise sufficient money for 'matched Funding', and for carrying out immediate remedial work as necessary. The cost of acquiring the ship is currently £100k, but the actual immediate cost will total approximately £250k, most of which the MSRT is hoping to raise via an application to the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Much of the immediate work has to be carried out in order far the MSRT to be able to gain realistic costing's for the main application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of HMS Stalker back to full working order. Further information can be obtained from the Web-site; www.maritimesteamrestorationtrust.co.uk

 

I believe that the future proposals HMS Stalker are exciting, and can be realised provided the MSRT can raise the necessary support and funding. I sincerely hope you will give this worthy project the consideration it so richly deserves. Those wishing to donate or offer support should contact me at the above address, Cheques made out to the Maritime Steam Restoration Trust.

Yours sincerely,

 

MR SID ANNING

 

 

Croquet

 

Sunday 6^th July, Gordon and I picked up Wilf to go to St. Kew for the annual croquet match. The weather was a bit doubtful and there were only six branches who came to play. Gordon and Wilf were the Liskeard team and played first. At this stage the weather was still OK but changed to lousy weather later.

 

Unfortunately they lost this match to two ** year olds from St. Austell who went on to play in the final, which they lost to Delabole.

 

Gordon and Wilf said they were glad they lost as they didn’t have to play in the rain, also it seemed only fair to let the two 88 year olds win!

 

It was a good day out, lots of fun and good company

 

S/m Nancy Strudwick, (Chauffeuse)

Desert Island Love

 

A normal 30 something, having split from his latest girlfriend, decided to take a vacation. He booked himself on a Caribbean cruise and proceeded to have the time of his life, that is, until the ship sank.

 

He found himself on an island with no other people, no supplies, nothing, only bananas and coconuts.

 

After about four months, he is lying on the beach one day when the most gorgeous woman he has ever seen rows up to the shore. In disbelief, he asks, "Where did you come from? How did you get here?"

 

She replies, "I rowed from the other side of the island. I landed here when my cruise ship sank."

 

"Amazing, " he said. "You were really lucky to have a row boat wash up with you. "

 

"Oh, this thing?" explains the woman. "I made the boat out of raw material I found on the island. The oars were whittled from gum tree branches, I wove the bottom from palm branches and the sides and stern came from a Eucalyptus tree."

 

"But, where did you get the tools?"

 

"Oh, chat was no problem, " replied the woman. "On the south side of the island, a very unusual stratum of alluvial rock is exposed. I found if I fired it to a certain temperature in my kiln, it melted into ductile iron. I used that for tools and used the tools to make the hardware."

 

The guy is stunned.

 

"Let's row over to my place, she says.

 

After a few minutes of rowing, she docks the boat at a small wharf As the man looks to shore, he nearly falls off the boat. Before him is a stone walk leading to an exquisite bungalow painted in blue and white. While the woman ties up the rowboat with an expertly woven hemp rope, the man can only stare ahead, dumb struck. As they walk into the house, she says casually, "It's not much but I call it home. Sit down, please. Would you like a drink?"

 

"No! No thank you, " he blurts out, still dazed. "I can't take another drop of coconut juice."

 

"It's not coconut juice,” winks the woman."I have a still. How would you like a Pina Colada?"

 

Trying to hide his continued amazement, the man accepts and they sit down on her couch to talk. After they have exchanged their stories, the woman announces,

 

"I'm going to slip into something more comfortable. Would you like to take a shower and shave? There is a razor in the bathroom cabinet."

 

No longer questioning anything, the man goes into the bathroom. There, in the cabinet, a razor made from a piece of tortoise bone. Two shells honed to a hollow ground edge are fastened on to its end inside a swivel mechanism. "This woman is amazing," he muses. "What next?"

 

When he returns she greets him wearing nothing but vines, strategically positioned, and smelling faintly of gardenias. She beckons for him to sit down next to her.

                       

"Tell me," she begins suggestively, slithering closer to him, "We've been out here for many months. You've been lonely. There's something I'm sure you really feel like doing right now, something you've been longing for?" She stares into his eyes. He can't believe what he's hearing.

 

"You mean...", and he swallows excitedly and tears start to form in his eyes.........

 

"Don't tell me you've got Sky Sports!”

 

S/m Wilf Jolley

UNFORGETTABLE

 

Founded in 1920 the 'Not Forgotten' Association is dedicated to providing an entertainment programme across the Country throughout the year for ex-servicemen and women of all ages who have a War Pension or who are currently suffering from some form of ill health. One of the smallest charities in the UK, its work is unknown to many.

 

Associations of ex-service men and women had therefore been invited to send representatives to London on June 16th for a three night stay at the Victory Services Club. This gave two of us from the Q.A.R.N.N.S Association the opportunity to join 120 members and their guests from all over the country to participate in a very impressive though humbling experience.

 

I confess to a cringe when the programme stated that breakfast was from 0730. This really set the pace of those days. Hurried we were not, but On Time we were! From the first day's reception and dinner we realised that meticulous, not martial, planning would be the order of the day. Tables were round and ours loosely medical; our hostess was an ex P.M.R.A.F.N.S officer; others were an ex-R.A.M.C medic (rank unknown; that did not matter) blinded by an 'experiment' when he was 21; he is the European Archery champion. The two RAF medical branch officers proved an entertaining stimulus to us throughout our stay; involved with the reception, placement and care of casualties from the war zones, their enthusiasm for and description of their work did not exactly tally with all the press tells us.

 

Completing our table was a 'Goldfish' and his wife. His story was the first of the many revelations of those days.

 

That dinner set the scene for a time of enjoyable visits and encounters with people with stories to tell. The laughter was spontaneous and ever-present. We were greeted everywhere with courtesy and affection...from air royale in the Palladium prior to 'The Sound of Music' to bangers and onions in the Tower of London as prelude to the concert hosted by Leslie Joseph with her own hand-picked artistes. We were more than ready to Teach the World to Sing along with the New Seekers as a finale to the concert and to our London Adventure.

 

Lest this account sounds like One Big Rave...there was serious input too. We were joined for the Thames boat trip and concert by 50 recently wounded servicemen from The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court, with their attendants. Their presence was salutary. During the boat trip Derek Trigg, Minister for Veterans, also of Defence, presented eleven veteran's badges. This gave opportunity for face to face discussion with Government. A pleasant man, he skilfully fielded our arrows and appeared well informed on the locations of the 15 countrywide specialised military acute treatment units within the NHS.

 

In summary, we felt very privileged to experience the great work of the 'Not Forgotten Association', vowed to tell as many people as possible of it and tried not to let the side down!

 

S/m Jean Bailey

 

CO's Briefing!

 

The Commanding Officer was about to start the morning briefing to his Senior Officers. While waiting for the coffee to finish brewing, he decided to pose a question to all assembled. He explained that his wife had been a bit frisky the night before and he failed to get his usual amount of sound sleep. He posed the question of just how much of sex was 'work' and how much of it was 'pleasure?'

 

The XO chimed in with 75-25% in favour of work.

 

The Supply Officer said it was 50-50%.

 

The Engineer Officer responded with 25-75% in favour of pleasure, depending on his state of inebriation at the time.

 

There being no consensus, the CO turned to the Able Seaman who was in charge of making the coffee. What was HIS opinion?

 

With no hesitation, the AB responded, "Sir, it has to be 100% pleasure."

 

The Commanding Officer was surprised and, as you might guess, asked why?

 

"Well, Sir," began the AB, "because if there was any work involved, the officers would have me doing it for them."

 

The room fell silent.

 

God Bless the Sailors

 

S/m John Lennon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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S/m Doug Stacey 1936 - 2008

 

At 1400 on the 1^st July, members of Liskeard Branch of the Royal Naval Association joined the many others from the Royal British Legion and other RNA branches at the sad occasion of S/m Doug Stacey’s funeral.

 

The Wesleyan chapel, next door to the Legion club, saw the parading of sum sixteen standards, perhaps a small measure of the esteem that Doug had been held in around the area, both as a member of the RBL and RNA. And of course his many years as Standard Bearer for our Branch.

 

S/m Barbara Dunne gave the ‘Tribute’ reminding us all how Doug, a Cornishman and long time resident of Liskeard, had always been so willing to help others whenever he could.

 

After the service the family attended the private internment while many partook of the refreshments in the Royal British Legion Club.

 

Our thought are with Sally Trevor and Trudy at this sad time.

Ed

 

.Social Calendar 2008

            .

 

 

             Sun 3^rd Aug                   County veteran's Rally @ Liskeard

             Sat 23^rd August              Barn Dance & Hog Roast Rancho Jolley

             Sat 20^th Sept                  Quiz with food

             Sat. 1^st Nov                    Trafalgar Night dinner. At the Hannaford Point Hotel, Looe. Costs £25.00 for 5 course meal and £35-£40 per head bed and breakfast per night.

             Sun 2^nd Nov             Dedication of Field of Remembrance @1400

                                                    Poppy Concert @ 1900

             Sun 9^th Nov                    Remembrance Service and Parade

             Sat 29^th Nov                  Quiz with food

             Sat 20^th Dec                  Christmas Dinner at the Royal British Legion Club

 

Suggestions for additional or proposed changes to events are welcome.

Bilge Rat Hon Editor.

Cae Gwer, St. Ive Cross, Liskeard, Cornwall. PL14 3LZ.

Open from 1930 meeting starts at 2000. You do not have to be ex Royal Navy to join. All are welcome.- Bar Open

 

Meeting Notes:-