HMS GANGES ASSOCIATION Notice Board

	WWW HMS Ganges Association

Photographs kindly submitted by David Killelay
<david.killelay@virgin.net>

AUSTRALASIAN REUNION 2009. This is a preliminary notice to advise that the next Australasian Reunion will be held in Napier, New Zealand, during the first weekend in May, 2009. A full programme will be promulgated in the near future. Those attending from overseas might like to extend their visit to New Zealand and take advantage of the hiring of a motor home at reasonable cost which can either be picked up at the airport on arrival in New Zealand and dropped off at Napier before the Reunion or vice versa. An organised bus package tour is also possible depending on demand. Contact for this reunion is David Davies, 29 Argyle Avenue, Levin, New Zealand (e-mail:ddavies@kapiti.co.nz.) An indication of numbers likely to be interested in attending from outside New Zealand and Australia would be welcome please.

Walter Biddles. Joined HMS Ganges 8 Sep 1941, crossed the bar 11 Nov 2007.
Peter Rouse <peterouse1@ntlworld.com>
Beeston Division

Chief Shipwright Chris Watts who worked at HMS Ganges and the nearby Holbrook School crossed the bar 20/11/07.
Chris was President of the CPO's mess somewhere between 1960 and 1965.
The funeral takes place Friday 30th November 07 in Sheerness Kent.
Steve Hadgkiss <steve.hadgkiss@sandownhighschool.com>
(ex CPOMEA) nephew.

Captain John R Gower DSC RN died 17/11/07 aged 95 at Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
Captain of HMS Ganges 1960 - 1962.
Elected Vice-President of our Association and Guest of Honour at Reunion 2006 when he gave a sparkling talk about his war experiences.
His passing is a loss to us all.
May he find the safest of anchorages.
Tony Thipthorpe <thipthorpe@btconnect.com>
Chairman
HMS Ganges Association

Paul, Lane. LRO - 08/09/1953 - D/J930582 - 332 Class - 32 Mess - Anson/Blake - Brixham, Devon.
Old Ships:- HMS Forth, Lascaris FO2 Med, HMS Daedalus, Kranji W/T, Home Fleet Pool, HMS Scarborough, HMS Dufton, RNAS Brawdy.

After leaving the Navy Paul served for a short time in HM Prison Service before joining HM Coastguard where he had a very successful career rising to the grade of Regional Controller.
He was one of the first Instructors at the CG Training School Brixham, specializing in Radio Communications, (holding a Radio Officers PMG certificate and Radio Ham full licence) and eventually became responsible for updating HM Coastguard's operations manuals.

On retiring from HM Coastguard he was an active Benenden Health Care Society visitor although suffering himself from Parkinsons desease and tragically losing his wife in an accident at home almost immediately after retiring.
Paul's dry wit and extensive knowledge of all things Coastguard will be very much missed.  CTB 11/10/07 .- .-.

Funeral Service 1130 Tuesday 20th November at the T&I Stockman Service Chapel, 19 Holwell Road, Brixham, TQ5 9NE.

There will not be flowers, however donations can be made to the "Parkinsons Society" and forwarded to the above address. Cards of condolence can also be forwarded to this address. Space in the funeral home chapel is limited.

Clive Watts
<clivewatts@hmsgangesassoc.org>