THE MOORINGS ISSUE 38
15 February 2017
Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy
LEGION D’HONNEUR
Rayleigh Branch member Shipmate Alan Iles receiving his Legion of Honour medal from Mark Francois MP
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:
Mike Sandbrook
01702 801103
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 back cover). 2
From the front page: War veteran given highest honour for role in France. A Veteran who served in the Second World War has been awarded the highest honour from the French government. Alan Iles, who is now 92, has been appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre national de la Legion d’honneur by the President of the Republic in recognition of his military engagement and steadfast involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War. The award was presented to Mr Iles, who lives in Rayleigh, by MP Mark Francois at a special ceremony hosted by the Royal Naval Association. (continued on page 4)
CROSSED THE BAR The funeral service of Shipmate Mike Tunley is to be held on Friday 24 February 2017 in St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Eastwood Road North, Leigh-onSea, SS9 4BF at 2:45pm. A private Cremation will follow this service at Southend Crematorium. The family’s wish is for medals to be worn and Branch Standards to attend the Church with Southend and Area Standards (only) to attend the Crematorium with the family. Everyone is invited to the RNA Club at Southend after the Church Service, where tea, coffee and biscuits will be available. On the return of the family, a buffet will be served with a free bar to celebrate Mike’s life. Mike was the Area-5 Treasurer and Southend-on-Sea Branch Hon. Secretary. 3
Mark Francois said “Alan Iles served his country during the Second World War including at D-Day where he was on a minesweeper and helped sweep the approaches to the invasion beaches. In view of his role in the liberation of Europe, the French Government have awarded him the Legion d’Honneur and I was privileged to present the medal to Alan on their behalf.” The presentation took place in front of his family and friends and fellow shipmates from the Rayleigh Branch of the Royal Naval Association. “We owe a great debt to this Naval veteran who fought so we can live in a free country.” Said Mark. Alan Iles joined the Royal Navy in January 1943 at the age of 18. He was originally sent to America to help bring a US ship back to Europe but while there, he was seconded to take a frigate from Montreal to Halifax. When he got there, 4
he was seconded for a second time to join the minesweeper HMS Clinton and escort a convey back to Europe. Alan stayed with the Clinton for the rest of the war, going out the night before D Day to lay marker buoys for the flotilla. The next day as they returned they were cheered by the Invasion force on its way to Europe. After the presentation, Alan and his family headed to the British Legion in Rayleigh for a celebration. His daughter-in-law, Maryse Iles, said: “The family is extremely pleased that Alan and the other servicemen who helped liberate France have finally been honoured for their service. As a family we have always been so proud of Alan. It has been interesting for us to find out more since we learned he was being awarded this medal. Alan would like to thank his friends from the Rayleigh Branch of the Royal Naval Association of which he is a founding member, for making this day so memorable. Alan would like to say a big thank you to Mark Francois MP for the presentation and his kind words in light of the poignant reminder that Mark’s own father served on a minesweeper during the liberation as well. Report from Echo News online.
Shipmate of the Year Award This year’s winner is shipmate Iain Hendry. Iain was presented with his medal and Branch trophy by Jim Hammond (Chairman) at this year’s Branch AGM on 1 February 2017. Iain was nominated for the award for to his outstanding contribution to the Branch with the ongoing maintenance of the Naval Memorial in Rettendon and his organisation of last year’s 30th Anniversary Mess Dinner. Congratulations Iain! 5
Extract from the Semaphore Circular January 2017. Dear Shipmate, The fog sound signals have been going off all day here in Portsmouth and we can’t see across the harbour! Hopefully the mist will clear later. I hope that you all had a great Christmas and New Year celebrations and that you are now starting to plan for the year ahead. Our big news has been the arrival of the first phase of the Project Semaphore iPads, with the first two training days fixed in late Feb/early March. If you would like to know more, register yourself, or to register someone not on-line please email Sharon at sharon@royalnavalassoc.com. We have lots of big events coming this year, here are some: • The Conference in Perth, 3 June, with the reception event on the Friday night and a Church service and parade on the Sunday. CONA Travel has done a great deal for us and can advise on travel arrangements and find you a good deal. Don’t forget to get your delegate registered and your branch motions in before the deadline on 17 February, this will be the last call. • The Biennial Parade on 10 September at the Cenotaph. A fantastic opportunity to meet with shipmates and parade in the most iconic remembrance location on the planet. You’ll need to get your accommodation booked, again CONA Travel can help you out. We hope to have the Irish and Belgian Naval Associations with us. The Second Sea Lord has agreed to be our reviewing Officer. We have invited Mrs Gill Molyneux, who many of you met at the dedication of the Naval Service Memorial as a VIP. Her husband was shot in HMS ASTUTE. The Civil Service Club is booked for the post parade PU, so come along. • The CONA cruise 29 Sept to 3 Oct. A marvellous trip to Dublin and Cork on the MV Marco Polo with the all inclusive drinks ticket 6
for only £15 for the day. This should be a great laugh. Transport to and from Bristol and Liverpool by coach. • Our Open Days. This is a great day out with lunch and a briefing followed by a harbour tour (tot included) and tea and cake afterwards. A chance for you to see what is going on in the naval base for the new Carrier and meet with your Central Office staff. Book with Nigel or Andy. • The first entry to Portsmouth of HMS Queen Elizabeth. We don’t know the exact date (depends on build and sea trials), but I have bid for an RNA presence on South Railway Jetty or Semaphore Tower. Best guess of arrival date is in the late Summer. We will keep you posted. The National Council has put a bit of cash aside for a small celebration, if the Naval Base Commander gives us a slot (He is an old mate so I am hopeful). A few admin matters: 1. Please don’t forget your annual returns, which should be shaping up nicely now. Don’t forget that the financial side has to be approved by the branch at its AGM. Vital to keep branch and Club separate. 2. Deadline for branch motions; 10 February (now passed). 3. Please register your Conference delegates. 4. Due to a resignation on the Standing Orders Committee there is an additional slot available. Deadline for SOC election form is 7 April. Kindest regards from the Central Office (HQ) team.
Paul Quinn General Secretary
Diary Date:
Mess Deck Supper Friday 3 March 2017 (8pm) Tickets now available from Audrey Blomfield. 7
AREA No.5 AGM The John Newsome Trophy Congratulations to Shipmate Pete Chivers of Stowmarket RNA Branch. Pete received the John Newsome Trophy at the Area-5 AGM on 4 February 2017 from Area-5 Chairman Tim Jarvis, with Norman Paulding (outgoing Area-5 Welfare Advisor), Paulette Rose (Area-5 Hon. Secretary) and Dave Ambrose (National Council Member for Area-5) in the background. As PRO for the newly formed Stowmarket Branch, Pete’s award winning citation wasn’t read out, but as the only nomination at this year’s Area-5 AGM, must really have been something special! Well done Pete!
“The John Newsome Trophy is awarded by Area-5 to a Shipmate whom the Members think has been outstanding in the course of the year to promote their Branch, be it physically or mentally, as long as they have gone that extra mile!” Paulette Rose Hon.Sec. Area-5 Committee. 8
Changes at the Top Table
The above photo of the Area-5 top table was taken at the their AGM on 4 February 2017. From left to right Norman Paulding (outgoing Area-5 Welfare Advisor), Paulette Rose (Hon. Secretary) Tim Jarvis (Chairman) and Dave Ambrose (National Council Member). Vacant positions at the head of Area-5 now include Hon. Treasurer, Welfare Advisor, Public Relations Officer and Committee Member. Fancy being part of something special? Contact S/M Jim Hammond for details. In case you’re thinking of leaving these jobs to someone else, Jim Hammond’s RNA responsibilities currently include Branch Chairman, Area Committee Member and Deputy National Council Member, making him one of the busiest shipmates around. It’s time to step up and take some of the responsibilities. Volunteers please step forward and make yourselves known! Diary Date:
Rettendon ‘Living Memorial’ Rededication Tuesday 8 August 2017 Service starts at 12:00 (noon) 9
IN THE PRESS: Our very own RNA Branch Padre is the new Archdeacon of Southend. A new Archdeacon of Southend has been appointed. The Rev Canon Mike Lodge, currently team rector of Rayleigh, has taken up the post of Archdeacon in Southend. He has been the Acting Archdeacon of Southend since August and succeeds The Venerable Mina Smallman who retired at the end of last year. The Right Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford has said: “Sometimes the right person is in the right place at the right time. For the Southend Archdeaconry Mike Lodge is definitely that person. He is an experienced parish priest and Area Dean. He is a person of integrity and passion for the gospel. He knows the area really well. He has already gained the confidence of the clergy and people of the Archdeaconry. He has proved himself to be a trusted and trustworthy Archdeacon in his capacity as acting Archdeacon of Southend for the last six months. I find myself in the happy position of once again catching up with the work of the Spirit. Mike will be a tremendous colleague, a great asset to the diocese and an effective Archdeacon of Southend.” Mr Lodge said: “It’s a great privilege to be invited by Bishop Stephen to take up the role of Archdeacon of Southend in the area I have ministered as Team Rector for the last 12 years. "With colleagues across the diocese, I look forward to continuing to share the love of Jesus Christ as we seek to be a transforming presence in the communities we serve. 10
God touches our lives in unexpected ways and walks with us as we journey with Him and offer our lives in response to His unconditional love for each of us." Welcoming the appointment, The Right Rev John Wraw, the Area Bishop of Bradwell said: “I am delighted with the news of Canon Mike Lodge’s appointment as the new Archdeacon of Southend. He brings a wealth of experience as a Parish Priest, a Team Rector and from his time as an Area Dean. We have really appreciated the support he has given to the Southend archdeaconry over the last 6 months. I look forward to continuing to work very closely with Mike as he takes on this new role.” Report from Echo News online.
30th Anniversary Certificate A certificate presented and signed by Dave Ambrose (Area-5 National Council Member) on behalf of the RNA National Council and received by Jim Hammond (Branch Chairman) on behalf of Rayleigh Branch at this year’s Branch AGM on 1 February 2017.
The certificate now hangs on the wall in the Branch meeting location at the Royal British Legion in Rayleigh. Well done Jim! 11
12