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September 2005

Crossed The Bar

I have the sad duty to inform members of the sudden death of Stan COULDING (51) on Sunday, September 11, 2005.
Stan was at Perth Airport meeting two old class mates, Taff EVANS and Ginger RUSSELL and looking forward to hosting them and their wives for the Western Australian Reunion.
Collapsing on the way to the car park with his mates, Stan was given CPR but did not respond. It is not known at this stage but it is believed that Stan suffered a massive heart attack.
Safe anchorage Stan.
Tony Richards (55) <ttotorich@primusonline.com.au>
12Sep2005

Association Standard Movements Update

Charles Wells	Funeral	Portchester	04 Feb 05
Mike Hallet	Funeral	Eltham	15 Feb 05
Solent Division	Annual Church Service	Portsea	27 Feb 05
26th Destroyer Association	Final Parade	Southsea Naval Memorial	05 Mar 05
Arthur Troop Hall	Funeral	Southampton	05 Apr 05
Reunion Weekend Pakefield	Centennial Parade	Ipswich	22 - 25 Apr
Standard Bearers Seminar	HMS Sultan	Portsmouth	07 May 05
Suez Canal & Middle East Veterans Association (Berkshire, Surrey & Hampshire).	Standard Dedication	Aldershot	22 May 05
Weymouth & Portland	Veterans Parade	Weymouth	12 Jun 05
HMS Sidon	Memorial Service	Weymouth	16 Jun 05
Trafalgar 200	Bicentennial Anniversary Parade	Southsea Common	29 Jun 05
World War II	Anniversary Commemoration	London	10 Jul 05
VJ Day	Anniversary Commemoration	Portsmouth Cathedral	15 Jul 05
World War II	Anniversary Commemoration	Woking	17 Jul 05
Battle of Trafalgar	Commemoration Parade	Woking	16 Oct 05
Trafalgar Day	Commemorative Parade	Waterlooville	23 Oct 05
HMS Ganges	Remembrance Weekend	Mylor	11 - 13 Nov 05

Tony Higgins <TONY.HIGGINS2@VIRGIN.NET>
Standard Bearer
HMS Ganges Association

19Sep2005

You can't 'seafarer' than that!

Loyalists replace UFF mural with tribute to Catholic VC Navy hero
By Joe Oliver
Photographs by kind permission of Mrs Marion Garland
18 September 2005

A MURAL dedicated to the UFF has been removed in a loyalist estate - to make way for a giant painting of a CATHOLIC war hero!
The 26ft x 30ft memorial to Leading Seaman James Magennis now dominates a gable wall at Tullycarnet in east Belfast. It replaces a grisly UFF 'grim reaper' mural in the style of heavy metal album cover.
The new mural was painted by artist Kenny Blair as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Allied victories in Europe and the Pacific.
Its unveiling was attended by a host of VIP guests representing the UN, Royal Naval Association, British Legion and the Submariners Association.
West Belfast-born Magennis won the Victoria Cross - British highest military decoration - for an incredible act of bravery during a mini-sub attack on the Japanese warship Takao in Singapore harbour in 1945.
Magennis and three colleagues evaded enemy defences to steer their midget sub under the 10,000-ton vessel and attach mines to it.
Magennis made a second dangerous dive in the freezing waters to free the snagged containers holding the limpet mines.
Six days later the first Atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
When Magennis returned home he was feted at Buckingham Palace, but became a shuttlecock in Ulster's great divide.
On his return to his old school, St Finian's on the Falls Road, pupils refused to stand for a "Brit" hero.
Magennis eventually settled in his wife's hometown of Bradford and lived there until his death in 1986.
The story would have ended there but for a campaign orchestrated by George Fleming, who wrote a book about Magennis' remarkable exploits. He eventually persuaded councillors in Belfast to erect a 6ft-high monument at the City Hall in memory of the only man from Northern Ireland to win a VC.
George, an ex-sailor, attended the unveiling of the Magennis mural and admitted: "It's wonderful to see this here. It shows courage crosses all boundaries and I think it's a magnificent gesture by the good people of Tullycarnet."
Loyalist Commission member Frankie Gallagher said: "The story of James Magennis - who lived in east Belfast for a time - is a fascinating one and this mural tells it brilliantly.
We've removed all the other murals, too, and the one it's replacing is the UFF 'grim reaper'. This is part of a five-year strategy for the Tullycarnet estate to address what is the fourth-worst education attainment level in Northern Ireland.
Education is a major issue and by putting up this mural we want children to learn about their own history, and the diversity of their own history.
It is vital, and the children themselves will be building a memorial garden at the site in the near future."
© 2005 Independent News and Media (NI) a division of Independent News & media (UK) Ltd
George Fleming <george9.fleming@ntlworld.com>
Stephen Short <stephen.short2@ntlworld.com>
19Sep05 - Updated with mural 26Oct05

Bill (Willy) Lott. [52]

After leaving Ganges in 1953 my ships started with HMS Delight, HMS Dalswinton, HMS Ursa, HMS Narvik [for a couple of months in Chatham Dockyard where I became an expert with a windy hammer] but never got to sea in her. And finally HMS Dampier. Over the years I have scanned the Navy News and such like for some mention of a name I might know. Since retiring and getting a computer, I now know there are about half a dozen Ex- Delights, I apparently am the only one from Dalswinton. There are three of us from Ursa and two from Dampier. Would be nice to hear from any one who remembers Bill (Willy) Lott. [52] <billnsylv@blueyonder.co.uk>
23Sep2005

Robert Futon Heron (1917 - 1982)

I recently found this old photograph of my father standing in the centre in all his glory. To my understanding my aunt Mary the oldest in his family signed the papers for him as he was too young. I would be glad if anybody could give any information about this photo. My fathers name was Robert Futon Heron (1917 - 1982)
Thank you
Raymond Heron. <Raymondheron@aol.com>
28Sep2005

OH WHAT A LUVERLY WAR!

I recently attended the West Australian Reunion (WAR) held at Rockingham, just south of Perth, Australia. I do not intend to upstage any official report from Ian Critchley or his committee, but would like to say how extremely enjoyable and well organised it was. Probably the best I, and many others, have ever attended. How they provided three sit down meals, one a formal dinner, Shep Wooley to entertain, and the Royal Australian Navy Reserve "Swing Band" all for A$140 (BP60) per head I do not know. This also included wine at the formal dinner, free beer and wine at the meet and greet and also at HMAS Stirling, WO's & Senior Sailors Mess on the Sunday. Congratulations to all in WA for a great WAR!
Ric Broniman <carrick@ipentire.com>
Ganges 56.
29Sep2005

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HMS GANGESASSOCIATIONNoticeboard

Crossed The Bar

Bill (Willy) Lott. [52]

Robert Futon Heron (1917 - 1982)

OH WHAT A LUVERLY WAR!

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