THE MOORINGS ISSUE 36
18 January 2017
Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy
HMS BELFAST HERE WE COME!
Plans are now underway for Branch visits to HMS Belfast, Historic Dockyard Chatham, Duxford Aircraft Museum, the War Cabinet Rooms and the Imperial War Museum.
Incorporated by Royal Charter
Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
RAYLEIGH BRANCH (AREA 5)
BRANCH CONTACTS RNArayleigh@outlook.com President:
Bob Hill
01268 780449
Chairman:
Jim Hammond
01268 414616
Vice Chairman:
Terry Barker
01268 456165
Hon. Secretary:
Gary Daisley
01268 555570
Hon. Treasurer:
Margaret Day
01702 524561
Membership Secretary:
Bill Vernon
01268 772775
Standard Bearer:
Dave Bishop
01268 770521
Welfare Officer:
Dave Mead
01702 307922
Social Secretary:
Audrey Blomfield
01268 781116
Gangway:
Jack Harrison
01268 743100
Padre:
Revd. Canon Mike Lodge
01268 742151
PR Officer:
Vacant
BRANCH DETAILS Bank Details: HSBC Rayleigh Royal Naval Association Rayleigh Branch. A/C: 81065955 Sort Code: 40-38-24. Meeting Venue: Royal British Legion 2 London Hill, Rayleigh SS6 7HP Tel: 01268 776503 Meeting Dates: Fortnightly (see page 12). 2
From the front page: At a the Branch committee meeting on 30 November, a motion was raised to ask if Branch members would like to visit any military museums, or have some alternative entertainment during the coming year. At the first Branch meeting of 2017 (4 January), the result was a resounding YES! As soon as the administrative tasks following February’s AGM are complete, I will be looking to the newly formed committee to plan and organise the following activities: Visit: HMS Belfast Visit: Chatham Historic Dockyard Visit: Duxford Aircraft Museum Visit: War Cabinet Rooms Visit: Imperial War Museum Training: Uckers Training: Darts Team Entertainment: Race Night Entertainment: Magician Competition: RNA vs RBL Uckers Challenge Trophy
CROSSED THE BAR Shipmate Bill Crockett will be laid to rest on Thursday 26 January 2017 at the Southend Crematorium, Sutton Road, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5PX at 14:40. Details of the wake are to follow. Mike Tunley It is with deep regret that Area-05 announces that Shipmate Mike Tunley (Area-05 Treasurer) unexpectedly crossed the bar on Wednesday 11 January 2017. Funeral arrangements to be announced as soon as available. Mike lived in Southend-on-Sea and sat on the Area-5 Committee as Treasurer for a number of years. He will be sadly missed. 3
Rayleigh Branch AGM - Committee Elections
At the Rayleigh Branch AGM in February 2017, the following Committee positions will become due for election/re-election; Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Welfare Officer, Social Secretary, PR Officer and Gangway. If you are interested in any of the above positions, please make yourself known to Jim Hammond (Branch Chairman). Don’t be shy, be part of something special!
RNA Area-05 AGM - Committee Elections
At the Area-05 AGM in February 2017 in Harwich, the following Area positions will become due for election/re-election; Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Welfare Advisor and a Committee Member. 4
AGM photo call After much physical and psychological bullying, my wife Mandy has agreed to come along to our AGM on 01 February to take portrait and group photos of anyone who wants them. In true Blue Peter style, here’s one she prepared earlier of me. The only thing we ask is that all Branch committee members have their photos taken for the 2017 Yearbook profile page and RBL noticeboard! Digital photo images will be available by email free of charge, but orders for anyone who would like colour prints will be taken at the Branch meeting following the AGM (15 February). The photos will be taken between 7-8pm before the meeting, so please be prompt if you wish to take up this free opportunity.
Project Semaphore update We have received confirmation from HQ about the qualifying criteria for eligibility to enrol on to the Project Semaphore scheme; digital isolation, over 65 years old and a veteran (RNA full & life members only). If you would like to be considered for eligibility, please contact your Branch Secretary. Shipmates Dave Mead and Gary Daisley will be attending the Project Semaphore Volunteer Training on Saturday 4 March at the London Strand iStore. In attendance at the same training session will be Paul Quinn, Andy Christie and Nigel Huxtable from HQ Staff, together with Sharon Brown and Sarah Clewes from Project Semaphore - No pressure then..! 5
In the press...
January’s issue of the Rayleigh Review is carrying a half-page article on the passing of former Rayleigh Branch Secretary and RNA Life Member, shipmate Alan Booth who crossed the bar in April last year. 6
Arctic Convoys of 1941-45 Crew members chipping the ice off the deck-lockers and ventilators on board a 'Town Class' light cruiser in northern waters during the winter. One of the cruiser's 6 inch gun turrets can be seen behind the crew.
The Arctic convoys of World War II were ocean-going convoys which sailed from the United Kingdom, Iceland and North America to northern ports in the Soviet Union - primarily Arkhangelsk (Archangel) and Murmansk, both in modern-day Russia. There were 78 convoys between August 1941 and May 1945 (although there were two gaps with no sailings between July and September 1942 and March and November 1943), sailing via several seas of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. About 1400 merchant ships delivered essential supplies to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program, escorted by ships of the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and the U.S. Navy. 85 merchant vessels and 16 Royal Navy warships (two cruisers, six destroyers, eight other escort ships) were lost. The German Kriegsmarine lost a number of vessels including one battleship, three destroyers and at least 30 U-boats as well as a large number of aircraft. The convoys demonstrated the Allies commitment to helping the Soviet Union, prior to the opening of a Second Front and tied up a substantial part of Germany's Navy and Air Force. The Arctic route was the shortest and most direct route for Lend-Lease aid to the USSR, though it was also the most dangerous. Some 3,964,000 tons of goods were shipped by the Arctic route; 7% was lost, while 93% arrived safely. This constituted some 23% of the total aid to the USSR during the war.
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