HMS GANGES
ASSOCIATION
Notice Board

April 2006

Crossed The Bar

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the death of my Dad, William "Bill" Bennett (April 1953 - C/J926071 - 62 Class - 49 Mess - Hawke).
His death on 21st April came after an 8 month period of deteriorating health, which doctors failed to identify in time as being caused by t-cell lymphoma.
His passing has come as a great shock to all that knew him. Dad worked tirelessly within the ex-services community, through the Royal British Legion, and came to be highly regarded and respected as such. He was an extraordinary man, and he leaves an immense hole in our lives.
His funeral is being held on 12th May at Eltham Crematorium (Falconwood). For further information, or to send support to his widow, Eileen, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Ann Newstead <thenewstead5@yahoo.co.uk>

1914 - 1918 Medal

On AnZac Day 25th April whilst at Remembrance.
A lady showed me her Great Great Grandfathers Royal Navy Medals from the first World War.
On the back of one of these Medals was stamped the following:- QS3 R.N.
She has asked me to try and find out what this means. I have tried MOD but to no avail.
Therefore I would be grateful if any of you old Salts could enlighten me please.
Worth a Tot or two if you care to come out here and collect.
Tich Oulds 1953 <ticho@optusnet.com.au>

London Marathon 2006

Completed in 4hrs 37 mins, got injured at 16 miles so had to run and walk from there, yes I know getting too old now for this.
Lee, Fleming. <lflg05695@blueyonder.co.uk> 18/08/1970 - D117195B - 42 Mess - Rodney - Hayes, Middlesex, England.

ROYAL NAVY WAR DIVER (85) DIES

Katie Norman <Katie.Norman@GrimsbyTelegraph.co.uk>

Tributes have been paid to veteran rescue diver Ben Bell at his full Naval funeral.
Members of Grimsby Sea Cadets played pipes and Grimsby's HMS Ganges Association representatives carried standards at the 85-year-old father of four's funeral. Mr Bell, of the Gatherums, Cleethorpes, died of septicemia and a secondary chest infection last Friday.
His son Dave (43), said: "He was charming, polite, and an old fashioned gentleman right to the end. When we needed him he was always there for us.
He was proud to have brought his children up right and proud of his grandchildren."
Born in Castle Street, Grimsby, Mr Bell was educated at Strand Infant and Junior Schools before beginning his Royal Navy training at HMS Ganges in 1937.
After the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Mr Bell was stationed at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, before the 1941 Japanese attack.
In 1942, he and his friend, Gerry Harper, enrolled on a diving course, which went on to shape his prestigious naval career.
Marrying Mildred Irene on April 18, 1942, he continued to serve as a naval diver on ships including HMS Warspite and HMS Sheffield.
The petty officer helped design emergency procedures for the Navy's submarines and items of diving equipment including the demand valve, which is still in use today.
Mr Bell became chief diving instructor at the Royal Navy Diving School in Chatham and helped found a similar institution in Malta.
By chance, he once became inches away from breaking the world record for the deepest dive.
After retiring from the Navy in 1951, his diving efforts to rescue the crew of HM submarine Truculent which sank in the Thames, was made into a film starring John Mills and Richard Attenborough.
Mr Bell's son Keith (40), said: "He always used to say 'Look at that ugly guy they got to play me in the film'."
Before his wife's death in 1976, the couple brought up four children including Carol Kirman (61), and Graham Bell (51). The grandfather of eight went on to work in sales for Hoover, a Freeman Street department store, and Findus, before retiring in 1985.
He and his partner June Thompson moved in together later that year and spent many happy times with each other before his death.
His funeral was held at Grimsby Crematorium on the 13th April.
Ben Bell was one of the Grimsby areas last Second World War Navy veterans.
After retiring from service he became involved with the HMS Ganges Association, HMS Warspite Association, HMS Sheffield Association and the Sea Cadets.
Jack Freshwater, secretary of the Grimsby branch of the HMS Ganges Association, said membership had fallen from 32 to six in the last 15 years.
He said: "Ben Bell was a natural leader. He risked his life every time he went diving because in those days it was dangerous. They didn't have the equipment we do now."

Tony Grimmer (Lofty) 1956

Tony Grimmer (Lofty) ex Stoker (Marine Engineer) Extraordinaire.
HMS Ganges 05/06/1956 - C/K961943 - 22 Mess - Anson.
Old Ships:- HMS Ganges June 56 - July 57, HMS Hound (Algerine Class Minesweeper) 1957 - 58, HMS Gambia 1958 - 61, HM Yacht Britannia 1961 - 68. Left RN Feb 1968.
HMS Ganges (Shotley) Historian, Solent Division member and stalwart supporter of all things Ganges has been having a hard time (My words not his), which has culminated in his having a below knee amputation.
He is being ably supported by his wife Pat and the members of Solent Division but I am sure would appreciate an email or two from his oppos and online association members. <tony@grimmbos.free-online.co.uk>
Clive Watts
Webmaster

Log of HMS Burghead Bay

I have a copy of the log of HMS Burghead Bay October 1949 to June 1951. Other ships mentioned (briefly) in the log are; HMS Wizard, HMS Roebuck and HMS Ulster.
As far as I can ascertain the ships were operating during this period as "Plymouth Local Flotilla/Dartmouth Training Squadron" Anyone interested is welcome to a copy of the log.
Rod Stoneman (48) <stoneyrodman@tiscali.co.uk>

April 2006

Aussie Subs.

Australian association members are reminded that Ted Lavender <tedlav2@internode.on.net>
provides an annual bulk payment service of membership fees for Australian members.
Please contact him for payment arrangements asap.

Crossed The Bar

Ashby, Eric, John.
08/09/1953 - C/M930716 - 72/73 Class - 23 Mess - Anson - Whitstable, Kent, England.
Old Ships/Comments:- HMS Wizard, HMS Diamond, HMS Suvla, HMS London, HMS Fife, HMS Pembroke, HMS Victory, HMS Terror, HMS Daedalus, SHAPE, HMS Centurion and lots more besides.
I would just like to let the Ganges Members know that my father Eric John Ashby of Whitstable, Kent who was a member of the association, sadly passed away today the 3rd April 2006.
The funeral is to take place on Wednesday 12th April - 10.00 am at the Catholic Church, Northwood Road, Whitstable, Kent.
I know that he keeps in touch with some of his old shipmates and I am sure my family would love to hear from anyone who remembers him, please contact us on this e-mail address, <alistairmackinnon@btinternet.com>
His daughter Deidre

Chief GI Barber (Ali)

My Dad 2nd on right at HMS Ganges when he was being made up to chief (I think).
I would be pleased to receive any memories of him by email.
Regards Sheila (Ali 2) <sheila@hessing.wanadoo.co.uk>

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HMS GANGESASSOCIATIONNotice Board

Crossed The Bar

1914 - 1918 Medal

London Marathon 2006

ROYAL NAVY WAR DIVER (85) DIES

Tony Grimmer (Lofty) 1956

Log of HMS Burghead Bay

Aussie Subs.

Crossed The Bar

Chief GI Barber (Ali)

HMS GANGES
ASSOCIATION
Notice Board