PO(MW) John Aylett, the Ops Room Supervisor, then introduced us to Sonar 2159 and the NAUTIS 3 combat management system in the operations room before we finished off on the forecastle where Cattistock villagers Roma Rowland and Margaret Young had fun at the controls of the 30mm mounting. 

A raffle held during the evening raised a useful sum of money for the Mayor's chosen charities: the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and Young People & the Vulnerable in Gosport.  After his guests had departed, he and Julia stayed for a quiet nightcap with the museum volunteer guides.  The line-up below comprises MCDOA member Dr John Bevan (HDS Chairman and ex-RNPL record-breaking diver), Julia Carter (Mayoress of Gosport), Ann Bevan (HDS Museum Designer), Kevin Casey (Museum Officer), ex-FCPO(D) John Dadd BEM, Hazel Casey, Councillor Chris Carter (Mayor of Gosport), MCDOA member Gavin Anthony (RNPL Physiologist) and John Towse (ex-RNPL Scientist).  Yours truly was behind the camera and museum volunteers ex-CD Jim 'Tommo' Thomson, Roger Forster and Martin Marks had departed earlier.

Museum volunteers enjoy a farewell nightcap with

the Mayor and Mayoress

30 Apr 12 - Naval bomb & mine disposal hero of Malta remembered

Front and back covers of 'Mines over Malta' 

Historical author Dr Geoff Mason has kindly sent this message drawing my attention to this article which he instigated in the Loughborough Echo on 20 April:

"Hi Rob,

I visited Malta a short while ago and bought 'Mines Over Malta', which I have found really good.  There is quite a detailed account of an M2 multi-needle firing unit from a moored magnetic mine which he [Cdr Edward Woolley GM* RNVR] dismantled.  The old reports have come out very well. 

I saw Frederick Galea and he said that sales were not going well so I offered to get a plug in our local paper.  Woolley was a local lad.  It is quite hard to buy the book in the UK though.  They should put it on Amazon.  However, the local paper ran the story today, so it's news and I'm letting you have a copy. 

The University Archivist who I know from when I worked there was interested to know about him.  I may chase up his relatives if I get time.  Loughborough Carillon, which is also a war memorial, is going to run a short piece in their Newsletter.

Geoff"

Geoff attached a scan of the original article, showing accompanying photos, which can be downloaded here.  Also see the entry for 5 Jun 08 in News Archive 22.

Postscript: From Frederick Galea, author of 'Mines over Malta':

"I have been in touch with Mark Anthony Vella (WISE OWL publisher here in Malta).  He agrees to accept £15 per copy of the WOOLLEY book, post paid to a UK address.  Therefore anyone wishing for a copy should forward a cheque for £15 made payable to 'Wise Owl Publications' and within a short time he’ll receive his copy via the post. 

Please address orders to:  

Wise Owl Publications

59, Levels 1 & 2,

Main Street,

Rabat RBT1012

MALTA

Tel: (00 356) 2145 3303

Email: mavella@wiseowlmalta.com

Web: www.wiseowlmalta.com

Make sure that your mailing address is included.

Thanks again for your help … much appreciated.  

Regards,

Frederick Galea"

Alternatively, use the order form available for download here.

29 Apr 12 - HDS Diving Museum Update

Your humble Webmaster was on guide duty at the Diving Museum in No.2 Battery at Stokes Bay on Saturday.  MCDOA associate member Dr John Bevan, Chairman of the Historical Diving Society (HDS), has provided this update about the weekend:

"NORWEGIAN AND SWEDISH HDS VISIT

Ten Scandinavian HDS members visited Gosport and Portsmouth 27 to 30 April and had a busy schedule.  The group comprised Børre Børretzen, Per Ragnar Jensen, Bjørn Kahrs, Kari Kleivan, Torstein Langgård, Stein Stavdal Paulsen, Kjell Olav Thune, Arild Vangen and Fleming Widell from Norway and Lars Gustavsson from Sweden.  Their itenerary included a tour of the Diving Museum, a trip to the new Deane Memorial in Holy Trinity Church (pictured), a lecture in the HDS Library, a tour of Kevin Casey's book collection and a visit to the RN Submarine Museum, all in Gosport. 

Scandinavian HDS members visiting

Deane Memorial in Gosport

This was followed with the attractions of Portsmouth Naval Base (Mary Rose Museum, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior) and a "William Walker" guided tour of Winchester Cathedral!  The packed schedule was sprinkled with social gatherings in the The Lightship and various bars and restaurants in Portsmouth.  Several generous donations of diving equipment and publications were very kindly made to the Museum.  The drought, gales, rain and floods all added a distinctive flavour to this character-building exercise.

GUERNSEY DIVERS GROUP VISIT

The museum had a surprise visit by a group of divers from Guernsey on Saturday.

VISITOR NUMBERS

Despite the wind, rain, floods and drought, we managed a very reasonable 40 visitors on Saturday (28th) and a modest 33 on Sunday (29th).  Shop sales were very high with the Scandinavians almost clearing us out!  We have also been honoured with visits by several VIPs including Commodore the Hon Michael Cochrane (Commander Portsmouth Flotilla) and Surgeon Commodore Jim Sykes (MCDOA member and former Medical Officer-in-Charge at the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM)) as well as notable divers and relatives of historical divers.

RECLAIM BELL

This is in the process of being repainted, John Dadd and Jim Thomson being easily identifiable as the painters by their white undercoat.

JohnB"

The HDS Museum relies on a handful of volunteer guides, at least two of whom need to be on site at any time.  If you live locally and can spare the odd few hours, please contact John Bevan via this email address or call him on 07802 785050.  You will then be given access to the online roster to fill in your own dates as and when you are available.  You don't have to be an HDS member to get involved in this or any other way.

27 Apr 12 - Testing times for Atherstone as she prepares for Gulf mission

The RN website contains this article describing the preparation of HMS Atherstone for her forthcoming deployment to the Gulf.  This has culminated in her being among the 30 ships participating in Exercise JOINT WARRIOR for the past fortnight including her sister Hunt class minehunter HMS Brocklesby and the Sandown class minehunters HMS Grimsby, HMS Shoreham and HMS Blyth.

A Mk 44 Minigun aimer on board HMS Atherstone

(RN website photo)

26 Apr 12 - LS&GC Medal for PO(MW) Nobby Clark

Congratulations to PO(MW) R J 'Nobby' Clark on the announcement of his award of the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (LS&GC) here in the London Gazette on 24 April 2012.

25 Apr 12 - World War 2 hero laid to rest at sea by HMS Ledbury

The RN website contains this article describing the committal at sea of the ashes of Petty Officer Charles Henry Walker by Portsmouth-based minehunter HMS Ledbury off Malta on 18 April.

Committal of ashes by HMS Ledbury

in the Mediterranean

(RN website photo)

HMS Ledbury is currently deployed in the Mediterranean with Standing NATO Minecountermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2).  Petty Officer Walker was serving in her Hunt Class destroyer namesake on a Malta convoy during the Second World War when he performed an act of bravery that earned him the Albert Medal, the equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

24 Apr 12 - Death of 'P-Party' diver John Home-Douglas

David Shane, ex-member of wartime 'P-Party' 1571, has informed me of the death of John Home-Douglas with whom he served in the same port clearance parties in Bremen and Haifa.  John was 85 when he succumbed at his home near Guadalajara.  He emigrated to Canada in 1948 before retiring and settling in Mexico during the 1980s.

Less than two years ago, John sent me an autobiographical email which I published in the entry for 22 Jul 10 in News Archive 31 together with some photos of his unit in Haifa with the legendary Cdr Lionel 'Buster' Crabb OBE GM RNVR and Lt Bill 'Jacko' Jackson RANVR.  The entry for 23 Oct 08 in News Archive 24 is also well worth reading.

John leaves a wife (Collette) and three children.  I am sure all members of the RN minewarfare & diving community will join me in extending them our sincere condolences.

Postscript: On 21 June 2012, the Toronto Globe & Mail website published this obituary for John Home-Douglas:

John Home-Douglas by his son, Pierre Home-Douglas

Father, ex-frogman, businessman, builder.  Born Aug. 25, 1926, in Rothéneuf, France, died April 21, 2012, in Vista del Lago, Mexico, of prostate and bone cancer, aged 85.

John spent the first seven years of his life in Brittany, France.  A rich uncle paid for him to go to boarding school in England after his father ran off with the family maid.  He never saw his father again.

John attended Mount St. Mary’s College, a Jesuit-run school near Sheffield where English poet Gerard Manley Hopkins once taught.  At 17, he joined the Royal Navy and served as a frogman in the last year of the Second World War.  He swam under ships and in harbours looking for mines and explosives. He later recalled conditions in cities such as Bremerhaven, Germany, where the water was so polluted and filled with detritus from the war that he couldn’t see his hand in front of his mask and had to feel his way around.

After the war, he continued his diving activities in the Middle East, serving alongside Lionel (Buster) Crabb, who later caused an international incident after disappearing in mysterious circumstances under a Soviet ship in the 1950s.

In 1948, John emigrated to Canada, to Vancouver, with his fiancée Peggy Birkett, to escape the rationing and dreariness of postwar London.  Neither of them knew a soul in Canada.  They arrived with a couple of suitcases each.  John was unemployed for eight months, while Peggy got a job at the Vancouver General Hospital.

Eventually, John found employment pumping gas.  He then was hired to set up window decorations for Imperial Tobacco.  For the next 23 years, he moved up through the ranks at Imperial, eventually serving as vice-president and president of one of its subsidiaries, Editel Productions.

He had two sons, Rod and Pierre, and a daughter, Susan.  In the 1970s, John and Peggy divorced and he married Colette Potter.

After John retired in 1982, they divided their time between Mexico and Vermont, where John built a 2,300-square-foot house by himself, including foundations, wiring, plumbing, roofing, kitchen cabinets.  When Puerto Vallarta grew too big for their liking, they moved inland to Ajijic, where John loved the climate and the expat Canadians and Americans he met.  He did, however, admit to missing his scuba diving in the Pacific, including the solo night dives he occasionally made.

After selling the Vermont home in 1990, John and Colette lived full-time in Mexico.  John joined the Chapala Country Club and spent countless hours playing the 18-hole golf course.  People who knew John were invariably impressed by his dynamism and zest for life.  He loved entertaining friends with good wine and food.  He was a garrulous, high-spirited individual, whose mantra could well have been carpe diem.

His Skype account contained the simple, heartfelt words, “Life is shorter than you think.  Make the most of it.”

23 Apr 12 - REBDOC Spring Lunch

MCDOA Honorary Treasurer Richard 'Soapy' Watson and I were given a warm welcome by members of the MCDOA's affiliated organisation, the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Officers' Club (REBDOC), at their Spring lunch in Catford on Saturday.  The food and service were exemplary, as was the company.

Lunch was followed by a talk given by Lt Col Jez Earnshaw, Deputy Commmander 29 EOD & Search Group, after which Soapy presented the REBDOC's Chairman, Lt Col Jim Castle MBE, with a Fleet Diving Squadron badge in his capacity as FDS Chief of Staff.

The Chairman of REBDOC receives an FDS badge from Soapy

Soapy then provided an informative presentation about the various roles and activities of the Fleet Diving Squadron which opened a few eyes before I described the historical links between the the Sappers and the RN minewarfare & diving community.

Left: Soapy provides a relaxed Powerpoint brief about the FDS

Right: I'm not quite sure what I'm doing here... surrendering?

I am extremely grateful to Robin Bennett, the Secretary of REBDOC, for the kind cooperation he has shown our Association over the years and I look forward to seeing more of him and his fellow members at future MCDOA functions.

22 Apr 12 - WW2 shell found near Brockenhurst

The New Forest network website contains this article describing last Wednesday's disposal by Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 (SDU2) of a mortar bomb discovered near Brockenhurst.

21 Apr 12 - Suspected torpedo blown up at sea

The Ayrshire Post website contains this article describing yesterday's disposal by members of the Faslane-based Northern Diving Group (NDG) of a suspect torpedo trawled up off Troon.

20 Apr 12 - Death of Sapper Connor Ray, Royal Engineers

Sapper Connor Ray of 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD)

(MoD website photo)

I was especially sad to learn that Sapper Connor Ray of 3 Troop, 49 Field Squadron (EOD), 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) has succumbed to wounds sustained during an IED strike in Afghanistan as described in this article on the Ministry of Defence website. 

Throughout its existence, the RN Clearance Diver Branch has had a particular affinity with the Army's Royal Engineers.  After all, it was Colonel Pasley's Sappers from the School of Military Engineering at Chatham who trained the first Royal Navy divers at HMS Excellent in 1844 and CDs have worked with RE EOD units around the world including Afghanistan today.  The RN Minewarfare Branch should also have an affinity with the Sappers because the Royal Engineers’ Corps of Submarine Miners was responsible for the laying and maintenance of controlled minefields off major UK ports for much of the 19th Century.

For these reasons, I am confident that all members of the RN minewarfare & diving community will join me in extending our sincere condolences to Sapper Ray's family, friends and comrades and I will be expressing these sentiments when I accompany Richard 'Soapy' Watson, our Honorary Treasurer, to London tomorrow for the annual Spring lunch of the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Officers' Club (REBDOC) with which the MCDOA is affiliated.

19 Apr 12

Unexploded war bomb is found in Petersfield garage

My thanks to MCDOA past-President Colin Welborn for drawing my attention to this article in the Portsmouth News describing a call-out for Southern Diving Unit 2 (SDU2) to deal with a live mortar shell in Petersfield on Tuesday.

SDU2 Bomb Wagon at the scene

A message from Down Under

I have received these kind words from POCD Kevin Grinham of the Royal Australian Navy regarding the farewell paid to ex-RN MCD Taff Sweeney after 50 years in uniform (see entry for 1 Jan 12 in News Archive 37)

"Rob,

I just wanted to pass on a thank-you to yourself and all the other MCDOA members who contributed information, photos and stories for LCDR Dennis 'Taff' Sweeney's retirement late last year.  I have just received some images of the day [available here] and I was hoping you could post them, along with my sincerest gratitude.  As you will see, many photos were sent, which enabled us to put together a great photo presento.

CPOCD Simon Danson presents photo montage to Taff Sweeney

The whole day went as follows:- Taff was brought up to the Dive School in a Zodiac towed by current course members, where he was met on the beach by Maggie (wife), then OIC LCDR Russ Crawford, and CIO LEUT Paul Darcey.  Around 100 past and present members provided him with a guard of honour into the dive school where he was greeted by former Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane [an MCDOA member].  Vice Admiral Crane spoke of Taff's career and fond memories they shared, before Russ Crawford, Paul Darcey, RNCD Association members, HMAS Penguin XO, CPOCD Simon Danson and I all passed on congratulations, stories, presentations and warm wishes to Taff and Maggie for their retirement - as well as apologies to Maggie who now has to put up with him full time.

Taff Sweeney being hauled ashore in style

The following presentations were made:

Letter from the Governor General of Australia, in appreciation of his combined service to the RN and RAN

Letter from the Fleet Commander of the RAN, in appreciation of his service, and congratulations for his 50 year continuous service (only the third in ADF history to do so)

Plaque on behalf of HMAS Penguin

Plaque of behalf of the RNCD Association

Photo Collage

MK17 Kirby Morgan Diving Helmet on behalf of the Branch members

Flowers for Maggie

Messages were read from home and abroad (MCDOA members).  Taff said a few words before we all enjoyed a BBQ and some (many) beverages, culminating in a fantastic day and a well-deserved send-off to an inspirational Branch member.  

I pass on my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all MCDOA members for all their contributions.  The day would not have been as successful without them and Taff was considerably moved by the sentiments and well wishes.  I would particularly like to mention Rob Hoole who provided invaluable informaton and contacts to MCDOA members.  

Yours Respectfully,

POCD Kevin Grinham

Instructor

RAN Diving School"

18 Apr 12

Royal Navy divers to explore Foyle wreck

The BBC website contains this article announcing that Royal Navy divers (Northern Diving Group or a minehunter?) are to investigate a wreck discovered in the River Foyle near Londonderry in Northern Ireland.

Side scan sonar image of unidentified wreck in River Foyle

(Mallow Search & Rescue)

Postscript: According to this article published in the Belfast Telegraph on 27 April 2012, the sidescan sonar 'contact' is merely a well-defined indentation in the riverbed.

Navy News

The April issue of Navy News, containing several items of MCD interest, can be downloaded here.  

17 Apr 12

HDS Diving Museum update

The stone dedicated to the memory of John Deane and his wife Agnes was laid at Holy Trinity Church in Gosport yesterday morning (see entry for 11 Apr 12).  The ceremonial unveiling will be performed by Councillor Chris Carter, the Mayor of Gosport, on Saturday 12 May.

Above and below: Deane memorial stone at Holy Trinity Church in Gosport

Followers of this site who remember Chris Shepherd's appeal for a suitable home for the early 1900s vintage Hall Rees submarine escape helmet (see entry for 15 Jan 12 in News Archive 37) will be pleased to learn that he has now passed this significant piece of RN diving heritage to the Historical Diving Society for display in the museum at Stokes Bay. 

Chris Shepherd with Hall Rees helmet

and weight at HDS Diving Museum

Here is the helmet on display in its rightful place:

Hall Rees helmet joins the display of oxygen rebreathers

MCDOA member and HDS Chairman Dr John Bevan has drawn my attention to this wonderful YouTube video of a 1916 production of '20,000 Leagues Under The Sea'.  There are some particularly fascinating sequences showing Hall Rees apparatus being used underwater between minute 44 and minute 54.  The video contains appropriate background music but, as John says, don't have nightmares! 

Jules Verne's '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' (1916) - Full Movie

Postscript:  On 18 April, John Bevan provided this update:

"The final move of the bells to the Diving Museum was accomplished today by Boarhunt Recovery with the help of John Dadd, James Thomson, Kevin Casey and Ann Bevan. 

John Dadd, Jim 'Tommo' Thomson and Kevin Casey

take delivery of HMS Reclaim's bell at HDS Museum

We now have a world-class display of outside exhibits including the Neufeldt & Kunhke armoured diving dress (the "Iron Man"), a wet bell, a 1,000 ft observation bell (ex-RN), the HMS Reclaim bell (the first TUP bell in the world), a North Sea commercial diving bell (ex-Oceaneering), a 650 m world record breaking experimental diving chamber and an historical WW2 experimental diving chamber.

JohnB"

'Seven Bells' at HDS Museum, Stokes Bay

Here is HMS Reclaim's diving bell surrounded by cylinders of compressed gas as it appeared when in operation:

HMS Reclaim's diving bell in operation

RN EOD Team attends bomb hoax in Winchester

The Winchester Daily Echo contains this article describing how a Royal Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team, presumably from Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 1 (SDU1), attended a bomb scare at Winchester Crown Court yesterday. 

16 Apr 12 - Project Vernon meets Wet Picnic 

Project Vernon capitalised on the finale of the six-month Depth Charge project, organised by the Winchester-based Wet Picnic theatrical group, by manning a stand at Gunwharf Quays, formerly the site of HMS Vernon.  Following a trawl of the RN Minewarfare & Diving community, volunteers who gave up all or part of their weekend comprised MCDOA members Mike Critchley, Brian Dutton, Rob Hoole, Bill Kerr, Mike Kooner and David Sandiford plus Association of RN First Class Divers (AORNFCD) members John Dadd and Mike Handford.  We are also grateful to PO(MW) Nobby Clark of the Minewarfare Operational Training Centre (MWOTS) at HMS Collingwood for bringing along a SeaFox mine disposal system UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) to add to the display.

The Project Vernon stand awaiting the arrival of the day's first customers

PO(MW) Nobby Clark with the SeaFox UUV

Left: PO(MW) Nobby Clark explaining SeaFox to John Dadd and an interested passer-by

Right: Ex-RN Diver Mike Burns with David Sandiford

Left: Nobby Clark, Brian Dutton and John Dadd

Right: David Sandiford chats with MCDOA member Tim Hildesley

Left: Mike Handford and his grandson Jack

Right: David Sandiford, Mike Critchley and Mike Handford with Jack

On Sunday, David Sandiford ambushed one of the Wet Picnic street performers as he 'strolled' through the shopping mall.  Dressed to represent Cdr Lionel 'Buster' Crabb OBE GM RNVR, the focus of the theatrical group's project, he wore diving dress supplied by the Historical Diving Society (HDS) Museum although we had to advise him that he was wearing his fins on the wrong feet.

Wet Picnic strolling player is given a Project Vernon leaflet

Wet Picnic's Sarah-Jane Prentice creating a 'word trail'

describing Lionel 'Buster' Crabb's links with HMS Vernon

The Wet Picnic performance culminated in a procession, led by troupe members carrying banners and flags, which included a chorus intended to summon the spirit of Crabb.  This ended with a spectacular aerial display in which an actor suspended from the waterside crane performed an interpretation of Crabb's final dive as he was slowly lowered to the water.

Colourful banner depicting Lionel 'Buster' Crabb 

Left: The procession sets off through the shopping mall

Right: The 'wailing chorus' en route to the waterfront

Above and below: At the waterfront, the Wet Picnic player, helped by his alter ego in uniform, performs

his aerial artistry as Lionel 'Buster' Crabb making his final dive

Sincere thanks to David Sandiford for organising the Project Vernon effort and to the handful of volunteers who manned the stand over the two days.  The team distributed more than 300 brochures and took over £130 in donations.  We are also grateful to Peter Emery, the Centre Director at Gunwharf Quays, and his staff for all their friendly cooperation and assistance.  This included providing the mobile retail unit and moving the Mk17 moored mine and sinker into position.

13 Apr 12

Learning about Gunwharf Quays’ naval past

Today's Portsmouth News contains this article describing the past week's 'Depth Charge' events organised by the international theatre company Wet Picnic "to celebrate Gunwharf’s history as the naval mine warfare and diving establishment HMS Vernon" (see entry for 10 Apr 12). 

Nicole Oliver on holiday visiting Gunwharf Quays

with her Royal Navy diver made out of clay

(Portsmouth News photo by Sarah Standing)

Interestingly, the Depth Charge workshops "will conclude with a ‘flash mob’ at 2pm on Sunday, which will see dozens of divers appear across the shopping and leisure centre for an hour." 

The grand finale will take place from 1500 on Sunday but please note that a team from Project Vernon will be present at Gunwharf Quays between 1000 and 1600 on Saturday and Sunday.  We are unlikely to have another opportunity for fundraising like this for the foreseable future and volunteers are still needed to help man the stand.  If you are available to lend a hand for a morning and/or afternoon, please contact David Sandiford via this email address ASAP.

Book Review

James Daly is a Portsmouth historian who runs the extremely informative and thought-provoking Daly History Blog which contains well-researched articles and analysis of military history and contemporary news events.  He has recently produced a book titled 'Portsmouth's World War Two Heroes - Stories of the Fallen Men and Women'.  This illustrated 144 page paperback, ISBN 978-0-7524-4351-3, is published by The History Press which kindly sent me a copy for review.

The book is based on a poignant premise because each one of the individuals featured died during the Second World War, often agonisingly close to its end and after having survived incredible danger earlier in its course.  These individuals not only include personnel of the main three services but also comprise members of the Merchant Navy, the NAAFI and the women's services.  Wherever possible, the author provides background details of the subjects including their precise association with Portsmouth and the age at which they died.  Their stories span a range of campaigns across the globe but also feature some casualties of war in Portsmouth itself.

A recurring theme is the almost routine bravery displayed by the subjects of the book and James has obviously taken great pains to research these 'ordinary people who performed extraordinary deeds' (as the saying goes).  As is fitting, he covers the Royal Navy first and begins by devoting considerable space to the life and bomb & mine disposal exploits of HMS Vernon-based CPO Reg Ellingworth who was awarded the George Cross posthumously.  Ellingworth was killed with Lt Cdr Richard Ryan RN, also awarded the GC posthumously, when a German parachute mine suspended from the roof of a house in Dagenham detonated unexpectedly as the pair approached it.  This was after Ellingworth and Ryan had not only rendered safe countless mines but also enabled the recovery of the first intact GC mine from a German aircraft which had crashed at Clacton.

Full of fascinating detail, this book is engaging from cover to cover.  The way in which the author manages to bring alive such a wide variety of characters and their deeds makes it eminently readable and a valuable acquisition for anyone with a general interest in naval & military history and with Portsmouth in particular.  I learned about some rarely described aspects of the war and thoroughly recommend it.  My only criticism is that the typeface is rather faint for my ageing eyes and made it difficult to decipher the text in anything but bright light.  For this reason alone, I am awarding it 4.5 instead of 5 mines/diving helmets out of 5.

The book can be ordered online direct from the publisher here for £11.69 or via Amazon here for £8.44.

12 Apr 12

HMS Middleton finds a baker's dozen in the Gulf

The Navy News website contains this article, the MoD website this article and today's Portsmouth News this article describing the participation of HMS Middleton in a 10-day MCM (mine countermeasures) exercise with US Navy units in the Gulf during which she found 13 exercise mines.

HMS Middleton with a US Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon

minesweeping helicopter

(MoD photo)

Soapy and Chris’s weekend paddle

MCDOA Honorary Treasurer Richard 'Soapy' Watson has passed me this account of his participation in the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race with fellow MCDOA member Chris Stephenson last weekend (see entry for 17 Feb 12 in News Archive 37).

"Many thanks to everyone who supported/sponsored Chris and me on the Race.  We both knew it was going to be an epic event, especially as we had the only ocean sea kayak in the race (30kg heavier than the K2s which everyone else had).  It was hard work maintaining 4 miles an hour and after 63 portages and 69 miles at Marlow, totalling 16 hours and 43mins of nonstop paddling, Chris's back gave in and it would have been silly to go any further.  We are very rightly proud of our achievement and hopefully you will continue to support us in this sponsorship.  I have told people on the Virgin giving site that if sponsors feel that they want their money back I can arrange through the three charities to reimburse you.

Sir Steve Redgrave retired at the same point in 16 hours 35 mins, proving this is not your average endurance event.  It is the longest canoe race in the world! 

The route of the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race

I would especially like to thank Mick Beale [MCDOA Honorary Secretary] and ex-WO(D) Andy Brunton of DIVEX who supported us through the race and kept us on the straight and narrow by keeping us full of food and water!  It was especially good having Andy there.  The last time he was screaming at me was on my Baby Diver's course back in 1985 when he was one of the PO(D) course instructors.  This made me even more determined to succeed. 

Andy Brunton briefing Soapy and Chris prior to the race start

Left: Soapy and Mick Beale prior to the start of the race

Right: Soapy and Chris at 0700 at the start of the race

(Note K2 racing kayak already in front of the yellow ocean kayak)

Thanks to Chris for having to listen to my dits along the race and for being such a good team mate.

Soapy and Chris portaging a canal lock

Portaging with a mouthful of banana 

Not wanting to be beaten by this event, Soapy will return to the Devizes to Westminster race next year in a K2 racing kayak (lighter and a lot faster average 6 miles an hour) where his determination to succeed should enable him to complete the 126 miles.

Thanks for all of your support.  Even though we did not complete, hopefully we have still raised nearly £1,200 for the charities.

Soapy"

You can still show your appreciation for Soapy and Chris's valiant efforts to raise money for the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), the Naomi House Children's Hospice and Project Vernon.  Go to this page on the virginmoneygiving website.

Postscript: The Western Daily Press published this article on 9 April:

Sir Steve Redgrave pulls out of Devizes to Westminster canoe race

11 Apr 12 - HDS Diving Museum update

MCDOA associate member Dr John Bevan, Chairman of the Historical Diving Society (HDS), has provided this update about the Diving Museum in No.2 Battery at Stokes Bay:

"Our first weekend of the season has been a great success following last Saturday's ceremonial opening by Gosport's Mayor (Councillor Chris Carter) and his wife Julia.  He spent over an hour viewing the exhibits and these photos were taken by duty-cameraman John Towse:

Left: John Bevan, Julia Carter, 'Iron Man' and Councillor Chris Carter

Right: Julia Carter 'tends' her husband Chris in standard dress

Visitor numbers were high so I hope we will achieve the target of doubling our visitor numbers this year - 10,000.

Saturday - 105

Sunday - 143 (including Commodore the Hon Michael Cochrane OBE (Commodore Portsmouth Flotilla) together with his family)

Monday - 51 (despite the pouring rain!)

Our Duty Roster website is looking a bit thin next weekend.  Please let me know if you are having any difficulty getting on to the website.

There are now two belle bells and an Iron Man at the Diving Museum.  Boarhunt did a great job for us. 

Diving bells and Iron Man arriving at HDS Museum on Thursday night

There were a few surprises.  One was the discovery that the yellow observation bell was about a ton heavier than it should be - because it was full of water!  There must be a cheaper way of importing Cornish water!  Arrangements are in hand to transfer two more diving bells from the RN Submarine Museum to No. 2 Battery in the next week or two - watch this space.

Above and below: Two diving bells formerly at the Maritime Museum at Charlestown in Cornwall now

situated in their permanent location at the HDS Museum alongside ex-RNPL Compression Chambers

(Photos by Roger Forster and John Bevan)

Thank you to those who turned up to take on the Herculean task of man-handling the Neufeldt & Kuhnke 'Iron Man' atmospheric diving suit into the Museum.  It was a bigger challenge to move than we anticipated, largely because the supporting frame is so heavy.  We have two options remaining.  First, crane it over the railings and place it alongside the bells or Second, wait to see if the Royal Engineers can get it into the Museum.  If the crane arrives before the REs, then option one will be taken.  Otherwise, we will await the opinion of the REs.

Iron Man formerly at the Maritime

Museum at Charlestown in Cornwall

(Photo by Roger Forster)

A special memorial stone to John Deane and his wife Agnes is due to be laid at Holy Trinity Church in Gosport on the morning of Monday 16 April, weather permitting. 

Plinth awaiting installation of

memorial stone for John Deane

A ceremonial unveiling of the stone will be performed by the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Chris Carter, on Saturday 5 May."

The HDS Museum relies on a handful of volunteer guides, at least two of whom need to be on site at any time.  If you live locally and can spare the odd few hours, please contact John Bevan via this email address or call him on 07802 785050.  You will then be given access to the online roster to fill in your own dates as and when you are available.  You don't have to be an HDS member to get involved in this or any other way.

Postscript: On 12 April, the Portsmouth News published this article describing the Mayor's re-opening of the Diving Museum.

10 Apr 12 - Vernon extravaganza at Gunwharf Quays this weekend

This weekend, Gunwharf Quays and the Winchester-based Wet Picnic Theatre Company will come together again to create an exciting afternoon performance for all the family (see entry for 6 Dec 11 in News Archive 36).  The 'Depth Charge' project events will culminate in an explosive finale starting at 1500 on Sunday 15 April when a grand procession will parade around Gunwharf Quays. 

"Focusing on the mystery of Commander 'Buster' Crabb, a missing post World War II Royal Navy diver, this parade will end with a beautiful aerial performance from the crane on the waterfront (by Cafe Rouge).  With daytime activities for the children and treasure trails for all the family, Sunday promises to be a fun day out for everyone."

Wet Picnic's Depth Charge finale at Gunwharf Quays last December

To accompany this event, Project Vernon, the campaign to erect a monument at Gunwharf Quays commemorating the Minewarfare & Diving heritage of HMS Vernon which formerly stood on the site, will have a stand at Gunwharf Quays over the weekend too.  If you are willing to help man the stand for a morning and/or afternoon, please contact David Sandiford via this email address.

Incidentally, Bob Oulds has counted up the proceeds from last month's dinner dance celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the RN Clearance Diver Branch and will be passing nearly £300 to the Vernon Monument project as a result.  The latest Project Vernon newsletter can be downloaded here.

9 Apr 12 - Time out for your Webmaster

Mrs Webmaster and I have just returned from an Easter break with friends in Snowdonia so regular followers of this page will have noticed an interruption in coverage.  However, I will be filling the gap retrospectively over the next day or so.  These photos, all taken within a few hundred yards of our isolated farmhouse cottage, provide a flavour of our experience (and the Easter weather):

Left: Rented farmhouse cottage

Right: Scene above the roof of rented farmhouse cottage

Your webmaster on the Snowdonia Trail

Left: Cader Idris behind rented farmhouse cottage

Right: Gwernan Lake in the Snowdonia National Park

Even in the graveyard of the ruins of a little Methodist chapel on a remote hillside, one can discover a Royal Navy connection.  This is the headstone of Capt Robert Gwillym Lewis-Jones CBE RN, a Fleet Air Arm Electrical Engineer officer who co-ordinated the military participation in the Investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarvon Castle in 1969.  He was appointed a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 1969 and was High Sheriff of Gwynedd between 1991-92.

Headstone of Captain Robert Gwillym Lewis-Jones CBE RN

8 Apr 12 - Huge explosion as experts detonate large WWII mine

The BBC website contains this article describing yesterday's disposal of a German Second World War GC ground mine in the Thames Estuary by members of Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 (SDU2).  The article features MCDOA member Dan Herridge, OIC of SDU2.

Mine explosion plume in the Thames Estuary

Postscript: The RN website published this article on 10 April.  As well as describing the incident above, it recounts the disposal by members of SDU2 of a 1,000lb Allied bomb off Margate on the same day.  The article features MCDOA member Dan Herridge (OIC SDU2) and PO(D) John O'Brien, also of SDU2.

6 Apr 12 - Minewarfare Association Annual Reunion

By all accounts, the Annual Reunion and AGM of the Minewarfare Association (MWA), held in Sterling last month, was a roaring success.

Attendees gather at the 2012 MWA reunion in Sterling

To see more more photos of this and other MWA events plus much more, you will have to be a member to access the website.  Join here.

5 Apr 12 - Iron man diving suit will be unveiled at Gosport museum

The Portsmouth News contains this article announcing the unveiling of a German pre-WWII Neufeldt & Kuhnke 'Iron Man' atmospheric diving suit at the Diving Museum at Stokes Bay on Good Friday.  The article features MCDOA associate member Dr John Bevan, Chairman of the Historical Diving Society (HDS)

Neufeldt & Kuhnke 'Iron Man' atmospheric diving suit

(Portsmouth News photo)

4 Apr 12 - HMS Bangor spends Easter in her namesake Northern Ireland town

The RN website contains this article describing a visit by HMS Bangor to her namesake town in Northern Ireland over Easter.

HMS Bangor

(RN website photo)

3 Apr 12 - Minehunters shrug off storms to continue their Gulf mission

The RN website contains this article describing the inclement weather currently being encountered by HMS Ramsey, HMS Middleton, HMS Pembroke and HMS Quorn, together with their support ship RFA Lyme Bay, during their deployment in the Gulf.

HMS Ramsey and HMS Pembroke in the Gulf

(RN website photo)

2 Apr 12 - Divers safely remove remains of V2 rocket off Essex coast

The BBC website contains this article (including a video) describing the successful removal of remnants of a Second World War German V2 rocket from the mudflats near Harwish by members of Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 and Royal Engineer Sappers from Wimbish-based 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (EOD).

SDU2 divers recover German V2 rocket motor

(RN website photo)

 The article features MCDOA member Dan Herridge, OIC of SDU2.

Lt Dan Herridge RN, OIC of SDU2

SDU2 divers recover German V2 rocket motor

(BBC website screen capture)

Postscript: In October 2014, I saw this pristine example of a V2 rocket motor in the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum at McMinnville in Oregon:

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