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HMS GANGES
ASSOCIATION
Notice Board |
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January 2006
The Webmaster would like to wish all visitors
to the HMS Ganges Association website
a Happy & Peaceful 2006
Crossed The Bar
It is with deep regret that I report that shipmate Sam Smallwood 13.10.53 Crossed the Bar at 2130 Saturday 28th January.
Sam had been in ill health for a very long time but suffered his illness with great courage, never complaining and always positive,
determined to get the best from life until the very end. He loved The Ganges and his Devonport Division and the pleasure it gave him,
he was truly loved by us all in return.
He will be sadly missed.
May he find peaceful Harbour.
BASIL DOWNING-WAITE <bazval@btinternet.com>
Crossed The Bar
Henry Brown - January 1946 - C/JX760273 - 278W Class - 37 Mess - Drake -
Jerrabomberra, New South Wales, Australia.
Shipmates,
Regret to advise that Shipmate Henry Brown crossed the bar yesterday 23rd January 2006.
Henry died suddenly of a suspected heart attack at his home.
Brian Parker <bparker@grapevine.com.au>
Canberra
ACT
24th January 2006
HMS Ganges Public Inquiry
I have just received notification of the Ganges Public Inquiry from Suffolk council. The case officer is Richard Watson who is Head of Planning(Control) Division and the DoE Reference number is: APP/D3505/V/05/1185675.
The meeting will take place at 10:00 on Tuesday 14 February in
Babergh District Council Offices,
Corks Lane,
Hadleigh,
Ipswich IP7 6SJ
Tel: 01473 825851
<http://www.babergh-south-suffolk.gov.uk/Babergh/Home/Planning+and+Building+Control/Development+Control/HMS+Ganges+-+Revision/>.
This is an 'open' meeting. The results of the enquiry can be obtained from:
Sian Evans
Room 4/04 Kite Wing,
Temple Quay House,
Bristol BS1 6PN.
Any correspondence must include the Application number which is B/03/01085/OUT/RJW.
Clive Baker (1959) <clivebaker@mac.com>
Historic Ships Birkenhead
Following received from Maritime Books:
HM SHIPS PLYMOUTH, ONYX, BRONINGTON AND U-534
I thought you would want to know that the Historic Warship Collection at Birkenhead (HM Ships PLYMOUTH, ONYX, and BRONINGTON and an ex World War II German U Boat (U 534) are in a very unhappy position.
The new owners of the docks at Birkenhead (Peel Holdings) obviously want them off the scene so the docks can be "redeveloped". A short term (12 months) solution is available (at a sizeable cost) locally but in the long term it is not really a starter for the ships to move to berths without power, water, security etc. etc. - and then again in 2007 - to an unknown berth. HMS PLYMOUTH was taken to Birkenhead to be the catalyst in a run down dock area. This she has achieved so well the dock company now want the adjacent building to convert into "Yuppie flats" - and the ships have to go!
The ships will cease trading on 5th February and receivers will be called in unless a new berth, port or organisation can be found willing to provide suitable berthing. It is unlikely to be on Merseyside.
I thought you would like to know - by the time WARSHIP WORLD is published it will doubtless all be history! All a bit sad after many people have put many thousands of hours into the project.
After 6th February HMS PLYMOUTH will doubtless be offered to the city where she enjoyed 88,000 paying visitors when on display there in the 12 months - 1988/9 - before heading to a far inferior berth out of a tourist area.
The website at <http://www.Historicwarships.org> tells the story of the ships. The full story of the current situation appears in the LIVERPOOL ECHO of 17th January which you can see on the web.
Nigel Overton - Martitime Heritage Officer at Plymouth City council is in the picture on this situation as there will doubtless be a campaign mounted to bring PLYMOUTH, at least, back to the city.......IF A BERTH CAN BE FOUND! Any campaign won't be led by me!
Ship Preservation is not a "hot topic" with the media or government - but you may want to write to them or to Plymouth City Council at Royal Parade, Plymouth.
LATE NEWS. We have just heard that STALKER - the last LST in UK and with unique steam recipricating engines will be towed from Portsmouth shortly - for scrap.
Yours
Mike Critchley
If you wish to sign a petition to try and save the historic warships
at Birkenhead then please sign the petition at:- <http://www.mylostoppos.com/petition/index.htm>
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2006 AGM
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To qualify for a postal vote please email Peter Kelly <peter.kelly38@btinternet.com>
before 31st January including your name, postal address and association membership number.
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Registering for a Postal Vote
Postal voting was introduced at the request of Members in 2003. We had a test run that year and our first try at the real thing was in 2004 when nearly 1400 members voted. Postal votes really do make a difference.
A measure was introduced in 2004 requiring voters to register beforehand. This is because the cost of sending out ballot papers to 2 out of 3 of our nearly 4000 members was completely wasted ie only one-third bothered to actually vote. Therefore, by registering we are restricting postal ballot papers to only those who make this small effort to show they want to participate in the Association's affairs.
So far, I understand the registrations are coming in quite quickly now that the Gazette has been distributed - over 150 at the weekend and still rising. However they are likely to be well short of the 2004 total. Partly this is contributed to by the short time limit before registration closes on 31 Jan and by the Gazette missing the pre-Christmas post.
At yesterday's Committee meeting it was agreed that ANY member may register ANY OTHER member if that other member requests him to do so. In short, this means that one member with access to email can register his oppo(s); or a secretary can register his whole Division etc by listing the required information (name, address and membership number) and sending this to Peter Kelly, the Senior Scrutineer at <peter.kelly38@btinternet.com> It is up to the individuals of course to ensure that they are fully paid up by 31 Jan otherwise their registration will fail ie no ballot paper will be sent to them.
Many members will not hear of this facility so can I ask everyone of you to scout around to see if there are any members you know who may not have yet registered and who would welcome the chance of being registered by email. It doesn't matter if someone's name is put forward twice. He will only receive one ballot paper!
Do your best and get as many members registered as you can. I am going to send this note to all the divisional reps I have on my database - albeit a significant number will be returned undelivered. Perhaps some will use the occasion to correct any out of date addresses with the webmaster.
Tony Thipthorpe
Chairman HMSGA
West Country Gunnery Instructors Association
Annual Dinner 2006
Fellow Gunners,
After the successful Stag Dinner of December, wonderfully organised by Ralph Bladen, the time is fast approaching for our 3rd Reunion Bash.
It is confirmed as taking place on Saturday 18th March in the new Warrant Officers and Senior Ratings Mess, HMS Drake, within the confines of the Drill Shed - Nostalgic or what?
Our second Dinner, held in March 2005, was a great success and, I believe, a good night was had by All. It is a great opportunity to meet up with old Shipmates again and the Missus gets a night out too.
The cost is £40 per head plus an extra £5 for a Ladies Gift. The menu is yet to be confirmed but will be on Full Dist. when finalised. A proforma for the usual details will accompany the Menu i.e. menu choices, car parking (reg no), accommodation and payment details, etc.
Serial Start (actual sit down) 1930 with CUCA SOP. The Bar will open at approximately 1800. Endex likely to be around 0100. It is unlikely that an extension will be granted but we have been advised that we can stock up prior to the Bar closing.
Just over 160 people graced the 2005 Dinner. It would be great if we can get at least that there this year. If you intend to be at this great Bash please forward your non-refundable deposit cheque (£20 per person made payable to West Country Gunnery & Missile Association) or cash to me at:
36,Wellington Street,
Torpoint,
Cornwall.
PL11 2DF
Please note that cheques will not be presented until after Serial completion.
At the last Meeting the Association agreed to have a Guest Speaker. He will be 2SL-NAVSEC, Rear Admiral Richard J Ibbotson DSC, a better Commanding Officer you will not meet. Several of us, currently within the Association, have proudly served for him and agree that he is a great choice.
Those attending will find out what a genuine person he really is on the night.
Having spoken to GI Bob Pearce, it has been confirmed that GI Shep Wooley will be attending this year with the Portsmouth Clan.
Ty Baker has just taken over the reins as Social Secretary so I am sure that we will all give him our full support as he preps for his inaugural Gunnery ”Social” Serial.
It is hoped again to hold a Raffle on the night with all proceeds going to the President's Charity. The last Dinner Raffle raised £804 - thank you to all for your generosity.
Please spread the word to any Gunnery Oppo's and let's have great night. If you have any queries regarding the Dinner, please give me a ring, or email me,
Happy New Year to you all and I look forward to a further flood of funds through the post in the near future.
Steve (Lewis)
Email: <chopsm1@btopenworld.com>
Website: <http://www.westcountrygunners.co.uk>
P.S Hope to see some of you at the Meeting on Thursday (11th Jan)
SEMPER STRENUISSIMA
Alan MOORE (35)
I am endeavouring to trace any information on my uncle Alan MOORE who started off his navy training at H.M.S. Ganges training school when he was 16 years of age.
This would be about 1935. How long did boys stay there? He went on to serve on destroyers bringing food to this country in the war and on many ships later.
The only ones I have names for are - H.M.S. Gambia and H.M.S. Girdleness. He began as a Telegraphist and became a Chief Petty Officer in Radar. He served for 40 years in all.
I would be most grateful if anyone could supply me with memories of that time and also where I can turn now for additional information.
Ellen Stevenson <Stevensonellen@hotmail.com>
The Australian Defence Force Holiday Homes
The Australian Defence Force has holiday homes scattered around the country. In addition NZ also has similar facilities. They will let these out to Commonwealth servicemen, although I do not think they offer the same discounts as offered to our own forces. Here is a link to view all.
<http://www.ranccf.com/parks.php>
Rick Broniman <malabar@aapt.net.au>
Athur Good
Hi, my name is John Good, the son of Arthur Good (born 1925 in Withernsea, Yorkshire.) serving at HMS Ganges approximately, I'm guessing between 1943-1946, nickname Curly. I'm looking for any old photographs of his class or anyone who knew him. Sadly my father passed away in 1991 and I know very little
about his boyhood or service in the Ganges/Royal Navy etc.
John Good <j.good2@ukonline.co.uk>
EDWARD MICHAEL MURNANE
I am trying to find Information/Photograph relating to my Uncle EDWARD MICHAEL MURNANE, born 1916.
Uncle Ted, it is believed, was at HMS Ganges round about 1943/4.
Any help gratefully received.
Ron & Carole <murnane@btinternet.com>
