HMS GANGES
ASSOCIATION
Notice Board

February 2006

John William Homes - (Jock) Aire

I am trying to track down anyone who knew my father John William Homes
(Jock) Aire who joined up on 5th June 1948 as a Boy Telegraphist Number SSX839279.
He was at Ganges until September 1949 when he went to Drake. He later served on Euryalus, Tyne and Gambia amongst others.
Did you know him?

Also can someone explain the Divisions system to me and if it is possible to find out anywhere what Division he was in. I have a 'Guard' Picture, he is standing on the extreme left (photo attached)
Also a photo of him for anyone that remembers he is the one third from left with boots around his neck (taken in 1955 HMS Gambia)
I'd really like to talk to anyone that knew him as sadly he died in 1978 when I was only 11 years old.
Please reply to <dalton@churchwalk.fsnet.co.uk>
Many thanks for your help
Mandy Dalton (nee Aire)

Veterans Badge Update

March Navy News states that the Defence Secretary John Reid has extended the period of eligibility for the Veterans Badge.
Initially issued to WW1 and WW2 veterans, it was soon extended to those who served their nation up to the end of 1954.
That has now been extended again until the end of 1959, thus covering operations at Suez, Cyprus 1955 - 59 and the Arabian peninsula between 1957 and the decades end.
To date, 190,000 badges have been issued. to obtain a MS Word application form click on this LINK and send to the Veterans Agency, Norcross, Thorton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3WP.

Information received from the Veterans Agency says that the above will not come into effect until the 27th June, and applications should not be made until then.
Webmaster 07/03/06

Boy Seaman Colin Beveridge

Dear Webmaster,
I am looking for anyone who knew my Father, Boy Seaman Colin Beveridge, from the photo I have he looks to have been a PTI.
He jumped ship in Australia along with a fellow, I think his name was Nicky Langdon or something like that, in the mid 60's.
If anyone could help me I would be very grateful also if there would be any photos of him. He can be identified by some specific tattoos.
Would anyone know where I could get a copy of footage taken of 1958 The Royal Tounament, Earls Court, London .In particular the PTI Display Team as my Father was one of those participants. Are there any of the Team members Still around?

1958 Earls Court Display Team ?

Thank you for your help
Brenda Fisher <sfisher01@optusnet.com.au>

Members Only

Documents relating to AGM 2006 Resolutions and Association Committee Candidate CVs plus the minutes of the Committee Meeting on the 15th January 2006 are now available in the'Minutes' section which may be accessed via the drop down 'Members' menu.
25Feb2006

AGM Ballot Papers

All Ballot papers were posted on the 20th of February.
Anyone who has not received theirs after 14 days can email me and I will send them a duplicate paper.
Regards
Peter Kelly <peter.kelly38@btinternet.com>

Crossed The Bar

Adelaide, South Australia.
Regret to inform you that Dave Kendall Ganges 1948/9 crossed the bar this morning Saturday 25th Feb 2006.
May he find a safe anchorage.
Funeral arrangements to be advised.
Derek Ernst <dernst@ozemail.com.au>

Crossed The Bar

Whyalla, South Australia.
Regret to inform shipmate Dennis Gamblen Crossed the Bar Wednesday 15th February.
May he find safe anchorage.
Ted Lavender <tedlav2@internode.on.net>

Target Achieved

To everyone who donated towards the Tug Wilson Wheel chair a very big thank you. (BZ)
Tug joined Ganges as a boy and served our Queen and country for 27 years and then went on and served over 12 years with the RFA before he had an accident which destroyed his working life.
When I started this appeal I never thought it possible to raise so much dosh in such a short time !!!!! I under estimated Ganges Boys !!!!
If you attend Pakefield this year watch out from behind as you may well get run over !!!!!!
As a lot of you already know I intend standing for the National committee this year and this is the road I would like to Go.
The future of the Ganges association is not good !!!! We have to admit that we are a dying association due to Nature, so with that in mind let's use some of the monies held to look after our own, we don't want to be the richest association in the graveyard !!!!!
Its ok to have a Mast fund and a Fisk fund etc but think about it, the Mast and where Ganges is will remain there for years to come and will always be remembered by us, Ganges Boys !!!!
There are a lot of Ganges Boys out there that need looking after, so lets get real and start to look after our own !!!!
Vote for Slinger
Slinger wood <kevin.wood@blueyonder.co.uk>

Michael Norton

I am trying to trace a half brother of mine. I found out about his existence from a cousin about 6 months ago and have tried many avenues to try and find him.
His name is Michael Norton and he was born in 1937 in Norwich, maybe one year either side. Our fathers name was Frederick William Norton.
He apparently joined the Navy at 15 (approx. 1952) and was trained at Shotley Ipswich. From reading the HMS Ganges Museum website, I wondered if a message on this notice board would gather any information which could help me trace him. I know there were many recruits each month but I do know that he did complete his training.
I would be very grateful if you could contact me with any helpful information.
Regards,
Brenda Barker. <brenda@thedesigngroup.co.uk>

The Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal

Written Ministerial Statement

31 January 2006

Pingat Jasa Malaysia

The Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs (Mr Ian Pearson):
The Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) is a commemorative medal which the Government of Malaysia would like to award to eligible British citizens, for their service in Malaya or Malaysia between 31August 1957 and 12 August 1966.

The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (the official committee which advises Her Majesty The Queen on matters of honours policy) has recommended that an exception to two of the long-established Rules governing the accepting and wearing of foreign (including Commonwealth) awards be made, to enable the Malaysian Government to present the PJM. Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve this recommendation.

This exception to the Rules means that all of the many thousands of eligible former members of the Armed Forces/Veterans, and others, may receive the PJM. This will be in addition to the British General Service Medal (with appropriate Malaya/Borneo clasp) that many veterans will have been eligible to receive for their service in Malaya/Borneo.

Permission to wear the PJM will not, however, formally be given. It is long standing Government policy that non-British medals will not be approved for events or service:
-          that took place more than 5 years before initial consideration, or in connection with events
            that took place in the distant past (e.g. commemorative medals);
-          if the recipient has received a British award for the same service.

However, Her Majesty's Government welcomes, and believes it is important to recognise, the generous gesture by the King and Government of Malaysia, and their wish to acknowledge the service given by veterans and others in the years immediately after Malaysian independence. The exception recommended reflects this and our strong and important relationship with Malaysia.

The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals reviewed the 5-year and double medalling rules, and considered that, while there were sound reasons why they should be retained, there will be occasions when specific circumstances require exceptions to the rules to be recommended. When such exceptions are contemplated, the Committee will consider each request on a case by case basis, taking into account any special circumstances at the time. The fact that a similar request has been approved in the past will not mean that permission will be granted in future cases.

Applications for the PJM, and its subsequent distribution will essentially be a matter for the Malaysian authorities, in collaboration with the relevant British Government Departments. Large numbers may be involved. It will take some time for the applications to be processed and for the medal to be distributed. The Malaysian High Commission and the relevant British Government agencies will work together to determine eligible applicants. Veterans' organisations and Service and Regimental Associations will also be involved.

An application form for printing and details of whom to send it to
can be obtained by clicking [here] for an .rtf version or [here] for a .pdf one.
If difficulties are experienced downloading/printing the form please apply by email or ***post to:

Mr Fred Burden <webmaster@nmbva.co.uk>
National Membership Secretary
National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association
44 Meadgate Avenue
Great Baddow
Chelmsford
CM2 7LQ
*** including a self addressed and stamped envelope - Thank You.

Crossed The Bar

Gerard Duffy. Joined Ganges 13th November 1951. born 24th August 1935.
Official No. P/JX 905605.
Changed to 7 and 5 24th August 1953.
Training ship HMS Widemouth Bay.
Crossed the bar on the 17th October 2005.
Ships he served on and did courses at were as follows:-
HMS Duchess, HMS Victory, HMS Dolphin, HMS Dryad, HMS Modeste, HMS Comus, HMS Aberford, HMS Gambia and finally HMS Victory to sore and RFR.
He remained an A/B throughout his service. He had a great sense of humour and we all miss him.

Bats Hanley <Batstiger@aol.com>

A Weekend with Shep Woolley at the Home Club, Portsmouth.
Remembrance Weekend 10.11.12. November 2006

The deal is: Royal Sailors Home Club B&B and Evening Meal + 'HMS Pickle' Night Onboard The 'Warrior' = £150
Programme
Friday 10th - Check into 'Home Club'.
1930 - 2330 Dinner and lots of fun and japes aboard 'Warrior'.
Saturday 11th - Pompey is your oyster to do as you wish.
Dinner 'Home Club'. 2045 - 2315 'Shep Woolley & The Boys' in the bar.
Sunday 12th - Remembrance Sunday Services ***(Details to be confirmed)
Dinner 'Home Club'
Monday 13th - Breakfast and then home.
Break Down For None Stayers
Warrior Dinner = £38
Home Club = £112
*** Various Remembrance Services are available, including Portsmouth Guildhall, Southsea War Memorial, St. Barbara's Church Whale Island and/or if enough takers a coach to London to take part in the Cenotaph parade and back via RNA Uxbridge. Please contact Shep at: <shepwoolley@email.com> for further details.

Previous Entries.

[Jan]

[Top]

[Back]

HMS GANGESASSOCIATIONNotice Board

John William Homes - (Jock) Aire

Boy Seaman Colin Beveridge

Members Only

Crossed The Bar

Crossed The Bar

Michael Norton

The Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) medal

Crossed The Bar

HMS GANGES
ASSOCIATION
Notice Board