The Moorings, Issue #66

THE MOORINGS ISSUE 66

JUNE 2018

Core Values: Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism & Comradeship - Once Navy, always Navy

IN AND OUT

On his way in, Capt. Bill Oliphant (RNA General Secretary in-waiting) with Capt. Paul Quinn, the current General Secretary (but only until December).

Background: HMS Queen Elizabeth

Incorporated by Royal Charter

Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION RAYLEIGH BRANCH (No.5 Area)

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:

Joan Crick

01268 741303

Membership Secretary:

Bill Vernon

01268 772775

Standard Bearer:

Dave Bishop

01268 770521

Welfare Officer:

Dave Mead

01702 307922

Social Secretary:

Mike Sandbrook

01702 801103

Padre:

Rev. David Oxtoby

01268 971814

BRANCH DETAILS Bank Details: HSBC Rayleigh

email: RNArayleigh@outlook.com

Royal Naval Association Rayleigh Branch Account number & sort code from Hon. Treasurer.

Meeting Venue: Royal British Legion 2 London Hill, Rayleigh SS6 7HP Tel: 01268 776503 Meeting Dates: Fortnightly (see back cover).

Registered Charity: Registration Number 1069148 2

New branch members inaugurated: The Rayleigh Branch meeting on 16 May saw our two newest members complete their inauguration in front of the assembled membership.

Shipmates Ken Benson (left) and Graham Dunnill-Gosling (right) were each reminded of the objectives of the Royal Naval Association and agreed to be bound by its Royal Charter, Rules and Bye Laws. Each also promised to endeavour at all times to further the principles of the RNA and all they stand for. They also confirmed their underststanding of the RNA’s core values of Unity, Loyalty, Patriotism and Comradeship.

With the formalities over, both shipmates were welcomed into the branch and were handed their new membership cards from Branch Chairman S/M Jim Hammond.

S/M Ken Benson had served in the RN and was a member of Rayleigh branch a few years ago. He is also the Chairman of the Hockley Royal British Legion. S/M Graham Dunnill-Gosling is no stranger to the RNA either. Although a former serving Chaplain in the RAF, Graham joins us from Dagenham Branch and is the Welfare Advisor for No.5 Area.

3

Extract from the Semaphore Circular June 2018 Dear Shipmates, Welcome to the June Circular. It’s been nice to have the better weather and useful for HMS Queen Elizabeth as she comes to the end of her Capability Insertion Period (CIP), a vital part of her post-build update programme that has included quite a lot of work on the flight deck. She is off to sea shortly for 18 days then back for summer leave. She sails in August to cross the pond and meet up with UK F35s and some from the US Marine Corps, bringing fixed wing naval aviation back to the RN after an eight year break.

A big Bravo Zulu to Mick Kieran and Andy Christie for organising a most successful Standard Bearers’ competition. It was great to see the novices competition reinstated and three very good novice standard bearers who could certainly have been in the main competition. It turned out to be very close with the result in doubt until the last moment. S/M Bob Coburn won by a slender 15 points (out of a possible 270), with S/M Dave Corrigan running him very close. Thanks to the raucous spectators, irresponsibly led by Andy!

Conference preparations are now almost complete and I am really looking forward to meeting up with old friends for a great weekend. We have some very high-level representation with the Chief of the Irish Defence Forces, the British Ambassador and a Senator! See you in Hardy’s bar from 20:00 at the Royal Marine Hotel (or in Wetherspoons later!).

I met up with S/M Chris Dovey, our ex-National Chair, for coffee recently. I am delighted to say that Chris is very much better and was in terrific form. He wanted me to pass on his best wishes to all shipmates.

We have had our first Open Day of the year, being joined by a DDay veteran under the care of Captain Bill Oliphant (GS(Desig)) and 25 Shipmates. We were invited to do a Replenishment at 4

Sea (Rum) with another boat, full of RAFA. Needless to say, there was a lot of ‘Dambusters’ singing with ribbing and banter about room service and their boat proceeding sideways. Great fun for all from Eastbourne and Manchester (North) branches.

I have a challenge for branches! We have heard of a member of Dagenham branch who is 107 years old. Is she the oldest RNA member? Please let me know if you can top this! I’m sure we can come up with recognition for that person.

Congratulations to S/M Soapy Watson who picked up his BEM from the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire recently.

If your branch is closing, or you know of one that is, it is ABSOLUTELY VITAL that closure paperwork for the Charity Commission comes through Central Office. On two occasions in the last two years the closing branch has used the main RNA charity number 266982 and some numpty in the CC has terminated the RNA as a charity. You can imagine that I have had strong words!

I am very sorry to report that Mrs Sheila Tarabella has crossed the bar and I attended her funeral last week in Portsmouth. Sheila was briefly the book-keeper and then AGS(Admin) and organised the Conference in Ouistreham, where Shipmates will recall she was very concerned that our older members were well looked after. She did a full 22-year engagement leaving the Royal Navy as a CPOPT (club swinger).

The RNA is involved in the ‘Battles Over’ programme, a national programme of commemoration for the Centenary of the Armistice in 1918. We have been given the honour of looking after the Lamplight of Peace from 4 August to 29 August. The 4 August will be 100 days to Remembrance Sunday on 11 November and the lamp will be lit at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey at 18:00 that evening. The lamp will then make it way to Portsmouth where it will rest in the Jutland 100 exhibition until 29 August when it is picked up by the Army to go to the Chapel at Sandhurst. Thereafter, it goes to the RAF and finally the Merchant Navy before being replaced at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior early on Remembrance Sunday, where it will remain for the day.

5

I have yet to finalise details of the installation at the National Museum of the Royal Navy on Sunday 5 August, but I hope to get a P2000 to bring it to the historic dockyard pontoon, fingers crossed. If anyone would be interested in being involved, for instance in a veterans’ honour guard from the pontoon to the Jutland 100 building, or on the Saturday evening, please let me or Nigel know.

See you in Dublin!

Best wishes from the Central Office staff Paul Quinn General Secretary

Rayleigh Trinity Fair: Volunteers are needed to help man the RNA stand at the Trinity Fair on Sunday 10 June. Even if you can only help for a one hour stint, your help would be greatly appreciated. The event is scheduled to run from 11am-4pm. Volunteers to advise S/M Bill Vernon of availability as soon as possible please.

Don’t forget that we’ll be running a Free Rum Raffle at the event, so even if you can’t volunteer, you’ll still be in with a chance of winning a bottle of Pusser’s on us!

Branch Photo Competition: Don’t forget that Rayleigh Branch is running a photo competition (details in the March edition). So if you’re out and about, or attending one of the many branch visits and activities, please remember to take your camera (or smart phone) with you. Entry details and further information available from your Branch Secretary.

S/M Nigel Huxstable (left) from RNA Central Office is a keen photographer.

You won’t catch him without at least one camera tucked under his arm!

6

Uckers Night: 16 May 2018 Frustration turned into pure delight as S/Ms Mike Sandbrook Sr. and Jim Hammond smashed S/Ms Dave Bishop and Mike Sandbrook Jr. off the board!

Resisting the urge to make up their own rules (mostly), for the first time on record all tables completed their games within the alloted time. We must be getting better at this!

The more experienced players managed to hold their own for most of the evening, but there were

more than a few upsets along the way with multiple mixi-blobs scooting around the boards virtually unchallenged!

Cries to include the ‘suck-back’ rules were ignored, but despite this harsh judgement and strict adherance to RNA game rules, everyone is looking forward to the next Uckers game night in November!

7

Branch visit to the Museum of Power: Thursday 10 May 2018 Our visit to the Museum of Power (MoP) was once again a very enjoyable day out for all who attended.

Once dropped off in the MoP car park, we carried on in our tried and tested tradition of making our way straight for the cafĂŠ for a brew and a cake. Once our Treasurer (S/M Joan Crick) and Social Secretary (S/M Mike Sandbrook) had taken care of the tickets, we went through to the main pumping room for a brief on the history and operation of the water pumping station.

We were informed that the MoP is a charitable organisation and as such receive no government funding. It is run by a number of volunteers who give their time freely to keep it open. All the staff we met were very friendly and could not have been more helpful.

8

After the brief, we had a look around the many interesting exhibits including various engines and pumps and received a very good explanation of electrical supplies. On completion we made our way to the Astaria Model Village which was created and run by two RNA Shipmates; Dave Mead (Rayleigh Branch) and Alan Walker (Basildon Branch). Just outside the entrance to Astaria we saw some Stocks with a sign saying ‘I went to Astaria and upset the Staff now look at me’. For some strange reason everyone thought that the Stocks should be used for S/M Joan Crick but as she declined the generous invitation, our Chairman Jim Hammond was volunteered to demonstrate its use while sneaky photos were taken.

Astaria is like entering a world of fairy’s with miniature houses, people and animals of different kinds. The display was amazingly detailed. S/Ms Dave and Alan informed us how the models were made and how long they took. All of our members commented on the skill and commitment it took to create the model village.

We then went for lunch in the café. The food was very tasty and reasonably priced. This gave everyone an ideal chance to spin dits and catch up with each other.

Having had such a good day out and being thoroughly looked after by the MoP staff, our members decided to make a donation to the MoP charity. The last thing we did before heading back home was to take a group photo to remember our visit. We got on so well with the MoP staff that they asked if we would permit them to insert our group photo into their Museum of Power magazine which we all agreed to.

S/M Mike Sandbrook (Social Secretary)

9

War & Peacey: Rayleigh Branch was treated to an unexpected visit by the local author S/M Bob Clarke on Wednesday 16 May. Bob is an ex-submarriner who had previously written an autobiographical book entitled “If you can’t take a joke…”.

On the back of the hugely successful sell-out of this publication, Bob has written a biographical book called “War and Peacey” which tells the story of Chris Peacey. Chris first saw a young man in naval uniform being admired by ladies and men. This sowed a seed in him. Aged 15 he joined the Navy at the outbreak of WW2.

Peacey’s first ship, HMS Prince of Wales, inflicted such damage on the mighty Bismark that she was caught and destroyed. After repairs, the Prince of Wales sailed on a secret mission involving both Churchill and Roosevelt.

While attempting to thwart the Japanese invasion of Malaya, his ship was sunk with great loss of life. His own survival was amazing, as was his rescue from the clutches of the Japanese.

On survivor's leave Chris met a very attractive girl: his anchor to home. The rest of Chris's war was aboard 'Rose Marie', a landing ship, which took part in allied assault landings in Northern Africa, Sicily, Anzio, Normandy and Malaysia, coming through death and destruction unscathed.

He married his lady, who became a respected teacher, historian and pillar of the community, but he had to spend the next eight 'Cold War' years in submarines, while she was sustaining the home and family. Chris had met with an accident on his way to join HMS Affray. This saved his life as the affray subsequently sank with all 75 men on board, including Chris’ replacement!

Copies of Bob’s new book (War and Peacey) are available to from Watersones or online from Amazon. ISBN: 0992760119 10

£10.99. Secondhand copies of his first book (If you can’t take a joke…) are also available from Amazon. ISBN: 0992760100 from around £5 (delivered)!

We;’re hoping to invite Bob back as a guest speaker either later this year, or early in 2019 to properly share his personal exploits and experiences with us.

RNA Dagenham Dinner & Dance: Saturday 24 November 2018 S/M Reg St.Pier, RNA Dagenham's Social Secretary has been in touch offering us tickets to their Annual Dinner/Dance at Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club on Saturday 24 November.

RNA Rayleigh Social Secretary (S/M Mike Sandbrook) is investigating how many tickets we can have and believes will be looking into transport options to encourage Rayleigh Branch members to attend.

Their tickets are normally £30 each for the event and anyone interested should contact S/M Mike Sandbrook in the first instance.

11

12

RNA vs RBL Darts Night: 4 May 2018

There many good reasons for being humble in victory and gracious in defeat. One of them is that Rayleigh RBL keep inviting us back to have another crack at the trophy!

The twice-yearly clash of the clans (RBL & RNA) darts match saw the RNA win last time around, but on Star Wars day (May the 4th), the RBL just had the edge. It all came down to the last game of the tournament, a head-to-head between the two captains to decide the final outcome. The final game was such a close run thing, that it was all decided on the last double of the last game!

BZ Dave Bishop, great effort!

However, the RNA team again enjoyed a virtually clean-sweep of the funny-games prizes, taking home most of the booty (kindly supplied by the RBL team). We even got to take the contents of the charity collection too. Thanks guys.

We’ll see you all again in October for another trouncing!

13

WRNS in action:

Anti-aircraft gunnery during WW2.

Photos courtesy of the IWM

Did you know..?

It took aproximately 6,000 trees to build HMS Victory?

The combined British, French and Spanish Battleships at Trafalgar were the product of about 290,000 trees!

Did you also know..?

It may surprise you that Japanese warships in WW2 didn’t carry lifebelts!

Their sailors, like their soldiers, were expected to fight to the end. Despite there not being much they could do once their ship sinks! Hence, Japanese survivors in the water would swim away from rescuers, or drown themselves, or even fight with their rescuers rather than surrender!

Source: Navy News 2013.

14

Diary Dates

Annual Civic Service Sunday 3 June 2018 (11am) St. Andrews Church, Shoeburyness

Rayleigh Trinity Fair Sunday 10 June 2018 (11am-4pm) High Street, Rayleigh

Castle Point Council Flag Raising - Monday 25 June 2018 Council Offices, Kiln Road, Benfleet Muster at 10:30

RNA-HQ & Portsmouth Visit Thurs/Fri 28-29 June 2018 Pick-ups from Rayleigh & Basildon S/M Mike Sandbrook for details

Canvey Island Armed Forces Day - Saturday 30 June 2018 Castle View School, Canvey Island Muster at 10:00

Mess Deck Supper Friday 13 July 2018 (8pm) Fish/Chicken & Chips S/M Mike Sandbrook.

Annual Sea Service Sunday 15 July 2018 (2:30pm) RNA Maidstone (No.2 Area) Kent.

S/M Mike Sandbrook for details 15

16