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HMS GANGES
ASSOCIATION
Notice Board |
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November 2006
Crossed the Bar
Farewell to Tugg, Lieutenant Cecil Willson MBE RN Retd.
The Naval Cartoonist of the post war Navy
who will be greatly missed by all who served in the grey funnel line.
Lieutenant C E A (Tugg) Willson MBE Royal Navy died recently following a short illness.
Born in 1930, Tugg joined the Royal Navy in 1947 as a Naval Air Mechanic and, achieving the rank of Petty Officer, was subsequently promoted to Sub Lieutenant (X)(AV) in 1964. Serving in Naval Air Stations, he also accumulated more than his fair share of sea time in Her Majesty's Ships OCEAN, GLORY, ILLUSTRIOUS (not the current one!), EAGLE (twice) and VICTORIOUS (twice) before early retirement in 1971 to pursue a full time career as a cartoonist, firstly from a studio in his home in Bere Alston and later, as his second career developed, in the North East and, subsequently, in Wiltshire.
Tugg developed his particular cartoon style during the mid1960's in VICTORIOUS when he was persuaded to publish the ships newspaper 'Vic News'. Although initially not a skilled draughtsman (and he always claimed that he was not really a funny person), he possessed a unique perspective of naval humour and, whilst it later encapsulated the broader range of human behaviour, his talent was especially slanted to, and appreciated by, the maritime community and was particularly well received by the Royal Navy, North Sea Oil, Merchant Marine organisations and house magazines. He had a special aptitude for extracting a pertinent quote from a professional text and converting it to a witty and humorous cartoon that drove home the essence and message of the article.
Modest and unassuming, Tugg often appeared somewhat bewildered by his immense popularity yet many service publications owe their avid readership to his influence. 'Cockpit' was no exception - his wit and skill in the portrayal of flight safety issues ensured full readership - indeed, it was often difficult to obtain a copy of the latest 'Cockpit' magazine when Tugg was drawing the pictures! The 'Cockpit' calendar was particularly sought after and, from a flight safety perspective, earlier calendars are as fresh, funny and relevant as ever. Tugg also published cartoons in the Review of Naval Engineering, Navy News, The Times, Daily Mirror, News of the World, Punch Magazine and regional rewspapers.
Tugg was one of a kind with a keen eye for Jack humour and the skill to portray it with superb visual impact. 'Brilliant' is an understatement for his influence upon all involved in naval aviation - he drove home the flight safety message with panache, fun and excellent draughtsmanship whilst making us laugh because we could see ourselves in his drawings. He was a unique contributor to aviation and maritime safety.
Survived by his wife Elizabeth and three sons, having now met the his oft quoted 'Grim Reaper', he can be proud of his immense contribution to flight safety.
Members of our Association might be interested to know that, when he learned that he was about to meet the 'Grim Reaper', he gifted many drawings and cartoons to the RN Historic Flight and to Navy News for future publication in order that the proceeds would benefit Naval Charities. He also gifted many personal items concerning his career to the RN Flight Safety and Accident Investigation Centre.
His funeral was, by request of his family, a private matter.
By the way, there are two 'Gees' in 'Tugg' because there are two 'Ells' in 'Willson'!
Yours aye,
Lieut Commander Roger Bevan RN (Retd)
(11 Recruitment 1958)
Crossed the Bar.
Roy Melia RO2 D069725 joined HMS Ganges in 1962
Crossed the Bar on 26th November 2006.
Funeral at Southampton Crematorium, East Chapel at 1500 hrs, Tuesday the 5th December.
Roy had been ill for two years both in and out of hospital. He fought long and hard but finally his illness got the better of him. When he left the Navy after 12 years, he joined the Hampshire Fire Brigade where he served for 22 years. His last draft was a Town Sergeant in Southampton Civil Offices. he leaves behind his wife his two children and two grandchildren
May he have found a safe anchorage.
Kind Regards.
Doug Melia <Doug.Melia@harmoni.co.uk>
Son
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24th Annual Scarborough Weekend
In Aid of T.S. Ganges
Friday 28th September - Monday 1st October 2007 |
Dear Shipmates,
Once again due to popular consensus we have booked the New Southlands Hotel, Scarborough.
Prices for this first class venue are as follows:
Friday to Monday (3 nights) £110.00 per person
Friday to Sunday (2 nights) £90.00 per person
This includes:- Half Board - Breakfast & Evening Meals.
Gala Dinner on Saturday with Traditional Rum issue and wine served with the meal.
Entertainment every night.
Holiday Insurance can be purchased at a cost of £10.50 per person. If required please include with your deposit. To avoid disappointment book A.S.A.P.
as the rooms go fast.
The hotel can accommodage up to 106 persons in a mixture of double, twin and single rooms, all ensuite.
Application forms can be obtained by contacting:-
Ivan Hayward
13 Moor Ley
Birdwell
BARNSLEY
South Yorkshire
S70 5RP
Phone: 01226 283384
Mobile: 07814 294405
LAST YEAR £1175.00 WAS RAISED FOR T.S. GANGES
The dates for the T.S. GANGES Sponsor Weeks 2007 are:-
Week 1 - 2nd to 9th June.
Week 2 - 9th to 16th June.
Can you sponsor a Sea Cadet?
Please contact Ivan for full details of this popular course which includes sailing, canoeing and powerboat handling.
Thank You.
D G Allen Royal Marines
I am trying to organise a reunion for members of the Royal Marine Detachment onboard HMS Minerva during the late 60s.
I am having trouble locating a certain D.G Allen, we seem to think he was a former Drum Major at HMS Ganges, or at least was drafted there.
Any chance of any help please.
Thanking you
Bluey (exbooty)
J Blewitt <black.gnat@blueyonder.co.uk>
HMS Vidal Reunion
We are holding our 2007 reunion at The Royal Sailors Home Club, Queens Road, Portsmouth, Hants on 6th October 2007.
All ex VIDAL Crewmembers of all ranks and Commissions are welcome.
Please contact David Parker on 020 8673 5392 or email <david@parker1938.freeserve.co.uk> for more details.
2006 Remembrance Day
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Remembrance Day at HMS Ganges
and Shotley
12 November 2006
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My impressions of the day and service... A. F. ROWSELL <roly_rowsell4@msn.com>
The day of the 12th November started well with a cool morning and slightly overcast. Not as cold as Essex had been known to get in the past.
At 9am my Sister, her Husband and I left for the drive to Shotley from Dovercourt via Manningtree. Country that I had not seen for at least 47 years. The trip was very enjoyable and I was able to take in a lot of the sites that I used to revel in when I was at HMS Ganges in 1957-58.
We stopped outside the Royal Hospital School so that I could get some photos to show my mates in Australia and to show my grandchildren where their Great Grandfather has been schooled. The white ensign was flying proudly from the mast and the cannon was still at the gate.
We pushed on to the Shotley Village and the little Church which lies just outside the main village.
Arrived just in time to be able to get a seat in the rapidly filling church.
The start of the service was the Banners of the Ganges Association, borne by Tony Higgins, and the Banner of the British Legion being marched into the church and presented to the church for the period of the service.
On completion of the service the congregation filed outside to the rear of the Churchyard where to graves of Ganges boys and other servicemen were. The Banners and the catafalque party took post on the monument for a short service of remembrance and the laying of wreathes.
When this part of the service was completed, the party of Ganges boys and partners, drove over to the site of HMS Ganges where we were allowed into the establishment and parked on a very weed covered parade ground and formed up under the Mast.
The cameras were working overtime at the opportunity to catch up on some of the building and the mast, which looked the worse for wear. In fact, one of the spars is nearly rotted through and unless something is done soon, it will collapse.
The old Boys of Ganges formed into a platoon and marched from the Quarterdeck to the base of the mast and formed to the Port side of the mast. The platoon commander definitely made us old buggers spruce up and show some swank.
A simple service was conducted by the Padre and two wreathes were laid at the base of the mast.
One wreath from the Ganges Boys association and the other laid by myself on behalf of the Maleny Returned Service League, Sub Branch in Queensland also for the Ganges Boys who live in Australia.
On completion of the service, the platoon marched of smartly to the quarterdeck and dismissed to rejoin their families and friends.
A few more minutes of camera action and a quick chat to some of the group had us heading to the Marina and the Museum.
At the Marina a short service was held to scatter the ashes of two ex Ganges Boys who had moved onto a safe anchorage in the last few months. Sorry, but I never got their names, but they will be recorded elsewhere.
I was very impressed at the conduct of the services and my thanks to the organizer for his/hers work in the organization of the day. Also my thanks go with the organization for allowing me to lay the wreath.
The party retired to the Shipwreck bar at the Marina for a bevy or two and some to have some scran.
After a quick beer, I retired to the Museum to have a look around and reminisce on the days of my youth at HMS Ganges where I was one of the boys who were turned into a man. A fair sum of my money was spent in the slops area. These items I will wear with pride in Australia.
It was good to see the site and to get some idea of the damage that has been done. The CMG was particularly badly damaged with broken windows and kicked in doors. I also was generally ashamed at the neglect to the mast and the main gate. A lot of work needs to be done to restore both of these areas.
Thanks once again for allowing me to participate and thank you to my Sister for doing the spade work for me to lay the wreath.
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Mylor Remembrance DaySunday 12th November 2006
Solent Bearer Alan Hudspeth,
Cornwall Ray Holt and
Devonport Bill Marsh. |
Crossed the Bar.
Don (Yeg) Easterbrook P/J938281 joined HMS Ganges June 1954 Collingwood Division.
Crossed the Bar on 7th November 2006.
Funeral at Woodlands Crematorium, Scarborough 12 noon Monday 13th November.
Don had been ill for quite some time and in hospital paralysed. Recently in sheltered housing in a wheelchair, Bill Saunders (ex HMS Loch Lomond shipmate of Don), and myself managed to visit him whilst at the Scarborough Weekend.
May he have found a safe anchorage.
Norman Wilson. <GangesNorman@aol.com>
Secretary West Yorkshire Division - of which Don was a member.
Veterans Badge - Update
For your info if you didn't already know, the eligibility date for claiming the Armed Forces Veterans Badge has now been extended to 31st December 1969.
So all us bits of skin can now claim one. I claimed mine today over the phone. 0800 169 2277 or from their website <http://www.veteransagency.mod.uk/>
Regards Aye
Jon Windust <jonathan.windust@ntlworld.com>
Election AGM 2007
It is time to start the ball rolling for the voting at AGM 2007. Within your Gazette is a registration card for postal voting. The Rules require intending postal voters to register on or before 31 Jan 07 to receive postal ballot forms. You can do this by simply completing the postcard and posting it, duly stamped, to the address given. Do so promptly as it must be in the Chief Scrutineer's hands by that date.
It is not compulsory for you to use this postcard. The card has been included to provide an easy method for members to register their intention to exercise a postal vote. As an alternative you can send Peter Kelly an email at <peterkelly706@aol.com> or write him a letter or ask a friend in the UK to post him something or put it through his door. Whatever method you choose please ensure your voting intention is in his hands on or before 31 Jan 07.
The same cut-off date applies to proposed motions, candidates for election and Rule changes. In other words, such proposals have to be in the hands of the Acting Association Secretary by then. Remember, the convention is and always has been that proposals etc must be proposed and seconded by fully paid-up members. That means the one piece of paper has to be signed by the Proposer and then handed, posted or otherwise sent to the Seconder for his signature before being sent to the Secretary. Last AGM non-compliance with this rule caused a cock-up. Don't let it happen to you!
The Secretary's contact details are:
David Jackson
Acting Secretary
HMS Ganges Association
7 Church Lane
Hutton, Nr. Driffield
E. Yorks YO25 9PS
Email: <jackson@davesue.karoo.co.uk>
Tony Thipthorpe <thipthorpe@btconnect.com>
Chairman
HMS Ganges Association
Postal Registration
For Postal registration please use the following format to make life easier in cutting and pasting your details to the labels.
2204
J Bloggs
21 Old House road
Diddley Do
Barking
Essex
ES21 3HQ
Peter Kelly <Peterkelly706@aol.com>
Survey Recorder Branch Centenary 1907 - 2007
The Survey Recorder branch celebrates its centenary in 2007.
To celebrate the occasion it is intended to hold a reunion for ALL Survey Recorders past and present (plus partner/guest).
Date: 6 July 2007
Time: 1930
Venue: Royal Fleet Club,
Devonport,
PLYMOUTH,
PL1 4PQ (01752) 562723
<http://www.royalfleetclub.co.uk>
Cost: TBC as numbers attending are determined
Names and details of those wishing to attend should be passed to one of the following contacts by 30 November 2006.
Ian Austin - (01752) 286046 - <srcentenary@virgin.net>
Mick Slater - (01752) 555723 - <srcentenary@aol.com>
Robbie Roberts - (01752) 557470 - <sr.centenary@blueyonder.co.uk>
PLEASE pass on details to any SRs you are in contact with and spread the message - the more the merrier!
Mick Slater WO1(SR)
<slaterm@a.dii.mod.uk>
COMDEVFLOT
WMOD - Survey Manager
Jalna Guest House
Scarborough
Many of the association members and wives have stayed at the Jalna Guest House in Scarborough for a Ganges Mini Weekend.
Ivan Hayward rang me today to give the sad news that Francis (owner and fine host of the Jalna) had passed away after a Tragic accident falling from a ladder.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Dorothy his wife.
Dave Killelay <davi.kill@virgin.net>
50th & 60th Year Certificates
I would like to thank all that have requested certificates, I will action these as soon as possible.
As you are aware we are revamping the certificates and there will be a delay until January for those requested to be sent to your home address.
The requests for certificates for the reunion will be ready and presented as normal.
I have informed all divisional chairmen of this and requested they inform their members.
Thank you for your patience. Once the committee agree with the new versions I will publish photos of them in the HMS Ganges Association Gazette and the website.
With regards to the feasibility of the 40th year certificates, I will give my report to the committee in January, again I will inform you of any decision.
Thank you
Lee Fleming <lflg05695@blueyonder.co.uk>
Bournemouth Friday While
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West London Division would like to thank Liz and David Macleod for running a great reunion down at Bournemouth it was just what this association needed after what has been rough seas for the association over the past few months.
Those of you that missed it, well what can I say!!! you dipped out as we all slept in proper Cabins and not Garden Sheds and a great time was had by all.
Slinger Wood <kevin.wood@blueyonder.co.uk> |
Keppel Division 232 Radio Communications class 1960
(All aged 15)
Keppel 232 that's us alright
whispering, sniggering and ironing half the night.
Norman Dabell lies resplendent on his bed
complete with pretend hair net on his head.
Titch Howlett bouncing up and down.
Doug Skeen dreaming of girls in Ipswich town.
Smiling Carrington, the Blackpool stick of rock
watching Pete Langlois darn yet another thick woollen sock.
The mess is full of the UK's laziest skates.
The chairman without doubt is Master Paddy Bates.
Mick Clifford calling out for the long covered-way sweepers.
Graham Harrison dealing in anything that is remotely cheapers.
John Wood puffing yet another Park Drive fag,
Thirdborough, mouth agape, gagging for a drag.
Jock Logan unsuccessfully twiddling a wireless knob,
Bob Lodge busy dodging yet another unpleasant job.
Gloom descends as Robbo Robson tells his unfunny jokes.
Brummie, Denis Lloyd on his "ironed toast" gags and chokes.
Bright spark Paddy O'shea swots for an exam the following day.
Armstrong, Newman and Trigwell discuss their meagre ten bob weekly pay.
Climb the mast, CMG queuing, suffering faith, hope and charity.
Nelson Hall and parade ground rifle drill; learn to sail - all a calamity.
Training, being ordered and commanded without any ifs and buts,
Obey and learn or suffer number 9's or six cuts.
The polished mess deck square.
No boots allowed on there.
The never used, gleaming, spit kid
matching the polished bin and its tilted lid
Her Majesty The Queen's birthday review,
the brave button boy had the best view.
Dog watch civvie like schoolin'
and all that in step doublin'.
Sunday divisions, communal dhobying and spin dryers on laundry hill.
Compulsory boxing, kit musters, nightly officer's rounds. All of these I remember still.
Our one badged Petty Officer Tony Cokes
made us all into far better blokes.
(Kipling's "If" emblazoned on the bulkhead of the gym, final line ….)
"And -which is more-you'll be a Man, my son!"
By and large the entire Ganges experience was a lot of fun.
(P/056160 John Wood) <JohnRhodieWood@aol.com>
