29 Jun 17 - HMS Bangor finds US Navy minehunting sonar towed body in Gulf

The Royal Navy website contains this article reporting the successful detection and recovery by HMS Bangor (MCM1 Crew 7) of a $1.2 million AN-AQS-14A side-scan sonar towed body lost on the seabed by a US Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter during ARTEMIS TRIDENT, the latest Anglo-French-US exercise in the Gulf.  The article features AB(MW) Nathan Taylor.

HMS Bangor personnel with US Navy ROV team and recovered sidescan sonar body

(RN website photo)

MH-53E Sea Dragon of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15)

retrieving an AN/AQS-14A Side-Looking Sonar in November 2003

(US Navy photo by Photographers Mate 2nd Class Christopher Mobley)

28 Jun 17 - The first Royal Navy clearance divers

Although this year marks the 65th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Navy's Clearance Diver branch i.a.w. Admiralty Fleet Order 857/52, I am grateful to MCDOA member Cdr Edward 'Jake' Linton BEM RAN (who is also Patron of the RANCDA) and Cdre Hector 'Hec' Donohue AM RAN for discovering and sending me this undated copy of Confidential Admiralty Fleet Order 341/48. 

This document, renaming 'P-Party' divers, is the first reference to Clearance Divers (Divers (C)) in the Royal Navy.  Divers (C) were based and trained at HMS Lochinvar at Port Edgar on the Forth from 1948 until 1951 when all RN diving was centralised at HMS Vernon in Portsmouth prior to the official formation of the Clearance Diver branch on 7 March 1952.

Diver in 'P-Party' Mk II dress incorporating

Sladen 'Clammy Death' suit

Jake and Hec are also co-authors of United and Undaunted - The First 100 Years chronicling the history of Royal Australian Navy diving.

27 Jun 17 - Gentlemen Who Lunch

Having eaten at The Traveller's Joy in Southbourne today, the MCDOA's 'Not Quite the Last of the Summer Wine Trio' of Barlow, Holloway and Hoole enjoyed a pint (St Austell's Tribune) just along the road at The Bosham Inn where Barlow continued to regale us about his latest cruise taking in the ports and rivers of France and Spain including Bordeaux, Rouen, Bayonne, Vigo and Seville.

26 Jun 17 - Angus Benton awarded 2SL Commendation

I am grateful to MCDOA past-Secretary Mick Beale for drawing my attention to the award of a Second Sea Lord's Commendation to fellow MCDOA member Angus Benton.  When I asked Angus to elaborate, he sent this response:

"Hi Rob,

Yes, guilty as charged.  The short citation reads:

"Lt Cdr Benton has been integral to sustaining delivery of operational output while ensuring enhancement to the UK MCM Force.  He has achieved all that he has through unrelenting commitment and determination which is well above that expected of his role."

The enhancement was basically carving through the paperwork necessary to get the three Minewarfare Battle Staffs from Augmentation to Liability.  The challenge of filling the posts will remain for a few more years (until the branch has grown a couple of dozen more warm bodies).

In addition to the 2SL Commendation, I also won an all expenses paid six-month trip to the Gulf, including the extra bonus of Christmas in the sun.

Yours Aye,

Angus"

From MCDOA member Dougie MacDonald:

"Hello Rob,

Really good to see Angus' chuck up, well deserved.

One of our number is in the unique position of having a CinCFleet's bollocking and a chuck-up ... my lips are sealed but I was responsible for .... the latter.

DtD"

From Dixie Dean MBE:

"Rob,

On behalf of the Minewarfare Association and from me personally, very many congratulations to Angus.  Excellent news on him receiving the 2SL Commendation for his work relating to the MW Battle Staffs.  BZ Angus, well deserved.  

Also good to see that the MW Branch and Diving Branch will increase in numbers (albeit slowly) instead of reducing.

Down Kite.  

Dixie R DEAN MBE

Chairman

Mine Warfare Association"

From MCDOA past-Secretary Mick Beale:

"Angus,

Well done oppo, and what a cracking prize!

Kind Regards,

Mick Beale

Diving Standards Inspector (Commercial)"

25 Jun 17 - Nick Stanley's retirement

Mrs Webmaster and I were delighted to attend an 'open house' hosted by MCDOA member Nick Stanley and his wife Sue today to mark Nick's departure from the Royal Navy after 40 magnificent years of service.

Other MCDOA members present included David Sandiford, Geoff Goodwin and Tom Russell. 

24 Jun 17 - Retirment beckons for PO(MW) Andrew 'Gilly' Gilmore

Your humble webmaster has enjoyed a grand evening at Andy 'Gilly' Gilmore's retirement party on board HMS Victory.  Gilly leaves the Royal Navy in 47 days after which he and his wife Tanya plan to move to Spain.  Other members of the cloth present included WO(MW) Steve 'Bunny' Warren and WO(MW) Steve 'Stirling' Moss.

As Gilly kindly acknowledged in his speech, I was his first seagoing commanding officer in HMS Berkeley (1987-89) when we took the ship out of build and deployed to the Gulf during the Iran/Iraq Tanker War.  We have remained in touch ever since.

I am sure that all members of our community will join me in wishing Gilly and Tanya every happiness in whatever the future holds for them.

23 Jun 17 - NDG call-out for weapons and devices found in Blantyre

The Scottish Sun website contains this article and the Scottish Sunday Herald this article describing the attendance of members of Faslane-based Northern Diving Group (NDG) after police found “firearms and ammunition” and “two suspect devices” yesterday at a house in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire.  The suspect devices were removed by members of NDG.

22 Jun 17 - HMS Shoreham attends Kieler Woche (Kiel Week)

Following the participation of HMS Shoreham (MCM1 Crew 2) in BALTOPS 17, delivered by MCDOA President Paddy McAlpine in his role as NATO's DCOMSTRIKFOR (see second entry for 15 Jun 17), the ship has been showing the flag at Kieler Woche in Kiel together with other units assigned to Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1).

HMS Shoreham outboard of BNS Primula and ENS Wambola at Kiel

HMS Shoreham is due to be alongside at Shoreham-on-Sea on 6 July when I hope to visit her courtesy of her affiliation with the Ton Class Association (TCA).

21 Jun 17

HMS Brocklesby returning to operations

The UK Defence Journal website contains this article reporting that HMS Brocklesby (MCM2 Crew 2) has begun her sea trials programme after an extended maintenance period in the Ship Hall at Portsmouth Naval Base.  Work included replacing her Deltic diesel propulsion system with Caterpillar engines, installing new machinery controls and surveillance system, overhauling her chilled water plant and fitting new propellers.  She has also had her galley refurbished.

HMS Quorn is due to undergo the same treatment later this year. 

From our foreign correspondent

The Australian 'Navy Daily' website contains this article announcing the Queen's Birthday Honours award of a commendation for distinguished service to PO(D) Kevin Paul RAN.

20 Jun 17

Peter Laughton selected for promotion to Captain

Warm congratulations to MCDOA member Peter Laughton MBE on being gazetted for promotion to Captain RN effective from 2 May 2017.  

Peter Laughton as CO of HMS Lancaster in December 2013

Tim Sizer finishes walk for cancer charity

Congratulations to former WO(D) Tim Sizer, a cancer sufferer, for completing the South West Coastal Path Walk yesterday.

My longtime friend and neighbour Lez Howard, a member of our 'Gentlemen Who Lunch' bunch, and I travelled to Shell Bay near Poole to help Tim's wife Lynn, Tug Wilson & his wife Annette and Sid Seabrook clap him over the finish line. 

We then conducted a liquid debrief in the garden of a local hostelry where we were joined by Tim's brother Rob who had been held up in traffic.

Tim's 630 mile trek in aid of Cancer Research UK took 46 days (including a two-day stopover in Falmouth) and was the equivalent of scaling Everest four times (115,000 ft of ascent and descent).  If you haven't done so already, please show your appreciation for Tim's feat by sponsoring him on his JustGiving webpage (which also contains a cracking daily blog and some stunning photos:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Timsizer.

So far Tim has raised over £7,000 for Cancer Research UK and he has pledged to make an additional personal donation of 10% (plus 25% Gift Aid) towards the Vernon Minewarfare & Diving Monument.

HMS Ledbury pays homage to Second World War casualty HMS Gloucester

The Navy News Facebook page contains this article describing a ceremony by HMS Ledbury (MCM2 Crew 7) to mark the sinking of the cruiser HMS Gloucester which was dive-bombed during the Battle of Crete on 22 May 1941 with the loss of 722 men out of a crew of 807.  Lt Tom Foley and AB Harry Poole dived to unfurl a White Ensign before dropping it on to her wreck one mile below.

Lt Tom Foley and AB Harry Poole of HMS Ledbury paying homage to HMS Gloucester

(Navy News image)

Service of Remembrance on HMS Ledbury's sweep deck

(Navy News image)

Lt Tom Foley and AB Harry Poole of HMS Ledbury paying homage to HMS Gloucester

(Navy News image)

The wartime cruiser HMS Gloucester

(Navy News image)

HMS Ledbury is nearing the half-way point of her 6,000-mile passage from Portsmouth to Bahrain to relieve HMS Chiddingfold (MCM2 Crew 1 commanded by MCDOA member Dave Louis) which has spent nearly four years in the Gulf region on Operation KIPION (see entry for 16 Jun 17).

19 Jun 17 - Tim Sizer's ETA changed

MCDOA member Graham 'Tug' Wilson MBE reports that Tim is now expected to finish his South West Coast Path walk in aid of Cancer Research UK (see entry for 17 Jun 17) at Shell Bay, Studland BH19 3BA at 1400 today.  I hope to be there with my camera.

18 Jun 17 - News from HMS Shoreham

I am grateful to Lt Cdr Ben Evans, Commanding Officer of HMS Shoreham (MCM1 Crew 2), for this update received via the Ton Class Association ((TCA).  I write a column titled 'MCMV News' for the Associaton's bi-monthly newsletter 'Ton Talk'.

"I hope that this letter finds you well.  I am aware that it has been some time since I last made contact, and so I wanted to update you on our progress on deployment and to announce the dates for our home town visit. In late April we sailed from Scotland to start our journey towards the Baltic to join Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group One (SNMCMG1).  On the way we briefly visited the Ship's previous base port in Portsmouth before continuing our transit through the Kiel Canal and into the Baltic Sea.

Throughout May we have visited Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Sweden, conducted historical ordnance disposal near the Bay of Riga and north of Tallinn and improved our interoperability with other NATO and non-NATO navies.  A very busy month but the weather has been kind to us and the Crew have enjoyed the fantastic foreign visits.

We are now participating in Exercise BALTOPS 17 [see second entry for 15 Jun 17] which is the premier exercise in the Baltic and one of the largest in the Northern Hemisphere.  There are 46 ships, over 50 aircraft, over 4,000 sailors, marines and aircrew taking part from the armed forces of more than 14 countries.  On completion we will visit Kiel, Germany to be part of the world famous Kiel Sailing Festival.

I am pleased to announce that from 5 to 9 July 2017 we will be making a return visit to our home town of Shoreham-by-Sea.  It will be a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our links with our affiliates, through organising official events and hosting you on board.  We would like to offer the Ship to be open to the public and provide guided tours for all our affiliates.

The detailed programme is being worked through as I write this letter with our Naval Regional Commander but I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the Visit Liaison Officer for the Ship, my Marine Engineering Officer (MEO); Warrant Officer Trevor Brinkley.

Our RN website is slowly being updated due to technical issues shore side but we continue to add press releases on our activity. 

We are all looking forward to visiting Shoreham-by-Sea and meeting you all very soon.  In the meantime please contact WO1 Brinkley if you have any questions about the visit.

Ben Evans

Lieutenant Commander Royal Navy

Commanding Officer

HMS Shoreham"

17 Jun 17 - Tim Sizer nearing end of walk

Former WO(D) Tim Sizer is on day 44 and nearing the end of his South West Coast Path walk in aid of Cancer Research UK (see second entry for 21 May 17).  As this photo relayed by MCDOA member Tug Wilson MBE shows, he camped last night at Durdle Door. 

Tug reported on 13 June that Tim had decided to complete the whole route, including Weymouth to Poole which he had previously undertaken, and not pause in Weymouth as expected.  His current plan is to finish at South Haven Point near Poole at 1500 (since amended to 1400) on Monday (19 June).

You can still appreciate Tim's extraordinary efforts by sponsoring him via his Just Giving page (where he has maintained a fascinating photographic blog) at:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Timsizer  

For every £10 Tim raises for Cancer Research UK, he is personally donating £1 to the Vernon Monument appeal up to a ceiling of £1,000.

16 Jun 17  

HMS Ledbury sailors perform Top of the Rock Race and Cyclothon

The Royal Navy website contains this article describing a 'Top of the Rock' race performed by ship's company members of HMS Ledbury (MCM2 Crew 7). 

HMS Ledbury's 'Top of the Rock' team

(RN website photo)

Meanwhile, the 'Ledbury Riders' hit the roads of the southern Iberian peninsula for a 50-mile cycle ride into the Andalusian hills. 

HMS Ledbury cyclist in Spain

(RN website photo)

The article features minewarfare specialist AB(WS) Ed 'Dutchy' Holland.

HMS Ledbury was alongside in Gibraltar for two days while on passage to the Gulf to relieve HMS Chiddingfold (MCM2 Crew 1 commanded by MCDOA member Dave Louis) which has spent nearly four years as part of the four-strong RN minehunting force deployed on Operation KIPION.

SDU2 detonates mine off Margate

The Isle of Thanet News website contains this article describing this morning's detonation of a mine off Ramsgate by members of Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 (SDU2).

15 Jun 17 - HMS Middleton starts 24-hour charity rowathon in Bahrain

MCM2 Crew 8, commanded by MCDOA member Charlie Wheen, is currently manning HMS Middleton on Operation KIPION in the Middle East.  The crew has just begun a 24-hour indoor rowing race in which two teams of six are rowing against each other.  Live video of the event is being shown on the Royal Navy's Facebook page here.

Charlie Wheen on video

Team 1:  Tom Milner, Will Murray, Rob Stone-Ward, Remi Dobson, Craig Wootton and Paul Bushnell

Team 2:  Jonathan Ellis, Ryan Drake, Chris Forster, Tom Lewis, Gary Threapleton and Jake Caddy

The aim of the rowathon is to raise funds for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Bristol Children’s Hospital:  Please sponsor them here on the JustGiving website here:

The Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity ‘Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal’

MCDOA President and President-elect meet at BALTOPS

BALTOPS 17 culminated yesterday in a DV (Distinguished Visitors) Day involving amphibious landings at Utska in Poland.  As DCOMSTRIKFOR, MCDOA President Paddy McAlpine had been charged to deliver this by his USN 3* boss COMSTRIKFOR.  As Captain Mine Warfare and Patrol Vessels, Fishery Protection and Diving (CMFP), MCDOA President-elect Roger Readwin witnessed events as 1SL's representative and Paddy has drawn my attention to these photos of them together.

Above and below: Paddy McAlpine and Roger Readwin

(The Ant & Dec of NATO?)

BALTOPS 17, the 45th in the series, is an annual, joint multinational maritime exercise in the Baltic led by the US and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO).  It began on 1 June in Szczecin (formerly Stettin) and ends in Kiel tomorrow.  

Three B-52H Stratofortress bombers from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana began missions in support of Baltic Operations on June 6, 2017.  They laid inert Mk 62 Quick Strike mines utilising modified Mk 82 500 lb general purpose bomb bodies, which were loaded at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

Above and below: Inert Quick Strike MK 62 mines being loaded into the bomb bay of a B-52H

Stratofortress at RAF Fairford on 5 June 2017 prior to being laid in the Baltic for BALTOPS 17

(USAF photos by Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson) 

Participating forces from 14 nations comprise 4,000 shipboard personnel, 50 ships and submarines and more than 50 aircraft including HMS Shoreham (MCM1 Crew 2) which is currently assigned to Standing NATO MCM Group 1 (SNMCMG1).

HMS Shoreham wearing her NATO funnel badge

Mine detonated by the Tripartite-class minehunter BNS Narcis during BALTOPS 17 

Oksay class minehunter HNoMS Hinnøy leading HMS Shoreham and other units of SNMCMG1

MCM leadthrough during BALTOPS 17

14 Jun 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, the Agentinian forces occupying the Falklands surrendered but hazardous tasks still had to be performed by minewarfare and diving unit personnel.

AFTERMATH

Between 23 June and 4 July, when the weather allowed, the minesweeping trawlers of the 11th MCM Squadron swept the enemy minefields at the entrance to Port Stanley.  They bagged 10 of the 21 deadly moored mines laid by the Argentinians, the other mines having broken adrift and floated away or failed to deploy from their sinkers properly.  CORDELLA did not sweep any mines as she was always out in front using her sweeps to protect the other ships and hopefully in safe water.  PICT, next in line swept three mines.  One of these nearly struck NORTHELLA which had to manoeuvre hurriedly to avoid it. NORTHELLA swept two of her own, JUNELLA four, and FARNELLA one mine.  Another of PICT's mines was towed inshore by JUNELLA on 26 June to be made safe by Lt Cdr Bernie BRUEN for shipping back to the UK for analysis.  The mine, normally on display in the mining hall of the Minewarfare Training Element at the Maritime Warfare School at HMS Collingwood, was exhibited at the Imperial War Museum as part of the 'Falklands 25' exhibition in 2007.

Martyn Holloway with recovered Agentinian
mine at the Imperial War Museum

In early July 1982, the Hunt Class minehunters HMS BRECON and HMS LEDBURY arrived in theatre and confirmed by sonar that all poised mines had been cleared.  Further utilising their submersibles and divers, the two mine hunters then located and disposed of remaining married mine failures and mine sinkers.

Between 13 October 1982 and 2 January 1983, a Royal Navy saturation diving team led by MCDO Lt Cdr (later Cdr) Mike KOONER RN (CO MV STENA SEASPREAD and OIC Naval Party 2002) recovered sensitive items from the wreck of the Type 42 destroyer HMS COVENTRY, sunk by Agentinian bombs 10 miles north of Pebble Island.  At the request of COVENTRY’s Commanding Officer, Captain David HART DYKE LVO, RN, the divers also recovered his ceremonial sword and telescope, now on display in the RN Museum in Portsmouth, and the cross of nails from Coventry Cathedral, presented in 1978 when the ship was commissioned.  Lt Cdr KOONER was subsequently appointed an MBE and PO(D) Michael 'Harry' Harrison was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM).

KEY PERSONNEL

CinCFleet

Lt Cdr James Hutcheon ‘Hamish’ LOUDON MBE RN (Fleet MCDO)

COMAW

Lt Cdr Christopher George Brandon 'Chris’ MEATYARD RN (COMAW SMCDO)
Lt Alex MANNING RN
CPO(MW) Derek RIDLEY
LS(MW) P C STRIDE
LS(MW) J S CARTER

HMS Endurance

Lt David Charles Winston ‘Doc’ O’CONNELL MBE RN

FCDT 1

Lt Cdr Brian DUTTON DSO, QGM, RN (OIC)
FCPO(D) Michael FELLOWS MBE, DSC, BEM (2 I/C)
CPO(D) W ‘Bill’ BAUCKHAM
CPO(D) Brian T ‘Ben’ GUNNELL
LS(D) C W ‘Billy’ EVERNDEN
LS(D) Lester GEOFFREYS
LS(D) A P ‘Tony’ GROOM
LS(D) Ian MILNE LS(D) ‘Nobby' NOBLE
LS(D) Garry J ‘Jan’ SEWELL
LS(D) David W ‘Saggy’ SOUTHWELL
LS(D) David ‘Wilkie’ WILKINSON
AB(D) Nigel M PULLAN
AB(D) Billy SMART
AB(D) J W 'George' SHARP
S(D) W G 'Stan' BOWLES
S(D) D BARRETT

FCDT 2

FCPO(D) John DADD BEM (OIC)
CPO(D) Carl MASSEY
CPO(D) Barry 'Blondie' LIMBRICK BEM
POMA Keith PAGE
LS(D) Graham 'Tug' WILSON MBE
LS(D) Martin JENRICK
LS(D) Ray SUCKLING
LS(D) 'Biff' DAVIS
LS(D) Chris DAVID
LS(D) Dickie DABER
LS(D) 'Freebie' BEAN
AB(D) Paul 'Yorky' TUDOR
AB(D) 'Nick' NICHOL

FCDT 3 (NP 1890)

Lt Cdr Nigel ‘Bernie’ BRUEN MBE, DSC, RN (OIC)
CPO(D) Graham Michael ‘Piggy’ TROTTER DSM (2 I/C)
CMEA(L) David FOX (Technical Support)
LS(D) Alan ‘Charlie’ CHAPMAN
LS(D) P M ‘Phil’ KEARNS LS(D)
Charles Anthony ‘Charlie’ SMITHARD
LS(D) Anthony Savour ‘Tommo’ THOMPSON
AB(D ‘Taff’ HURLEY
AB(D) ‘Buster’ MOTTRAM
AB(D) ‘Jock’ REBECCA
AB(D) ‘Taff’ REES
AB(D) ‘Whisky’ WALKER
AB(D) David ‘John Boy’ WALTON
AB(D) G R ‘Jock’ WEIR
AB(D) M A ‘Wheels’ WHEELER
S(D) ‘Joe’ GOFTON
S(D) ‘Rex’ TURNBULL

Special Mine Evaluation Liaison Team
(NP 1880 embarked in HMS Intrepid)

Lt Cdr Iain Bruce MACKAY RN (OIC)
CPO(MW) Brian ‘Bill’ HALEY

11th MCM Squadron

 Lt Cdr Martyn HOLLOWAY RN (CO HMS CORDELLA and Senior Officer 11th MCM Sqn)
Lt (later Cdr RAN) Allan RANKIN RN (Squadron Operations Officer)
Lt Cdr David Gordon GARWOOD RN (CO HMS PICT)
Lt Cdr Jeremy P S GREENOP RN (CO HMS NORTHELLA)
 Lt Cdr Mark ROWLEDGE RN (CO HMS JUNELLA)
Lt Robert ‘Bob’ J BISHOP RN (CO HMS FARNELLA)

Falklands Liberation Memorial showing ships of 11th
MCM Squadron (section enlarged for clarity)

Initially, the list of participating units on the Falklands Memorial outside Port Stanley failed to mention either of the two main Portsmouth-based Fleet Clearance Diving Teams (FCDTs 1 and 3 but up to five FCDTs were active) although it did include the Army’s field postal unit and the RAF’s mobile meteorological unit.  Of further note, Sir Lawrence Freedman’s first edition of the Official History of the Falklands Campaign said little about the activities of the Fleet Clearance Diving Teams or the minesweeping trawlers of the specially formed 11th Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Squadron that swept 10 of the 21 deadly moored mines laid by the Argentinians in the approaches to Port Stanley; the other mines had either broken adrift and floated away or failed to deploy properly.  I brought these omissions to Sir Lawrence's attention in the hope that he would set the record straight sometime in the future.

In August 2007, MCDOA member Brian Dutton sent me photos showing that FCDT 1 and 3 had been added to the units listed on the Falklands Liberation Memorial at Port Stanley.  In February 2012, Sukey Cameron MBE, the London representative of the Falkland Islands Government, provided a photo showing the addition of FCDT 2 in 2007/8.  Unfortunately, the teams are shown as '1 FCDT', '2 FCDT' and '3 FCDT' instead of 'FCDT 1', 'FCDT 2' and 'FCDT 3' respectively but at least their contributions have now been acknowledged. 

     
Falklands Liberation Memorial showing the addition of the FCDTs

The Revised and Updated Edition of Volume II of Sir Lawrence Freedman's Official History of the Falklands Campaign was released in October 2007.  In his introduction, Sir Lawrence stated with regard to his previous work:

"...I am sure it was galling for those who had been neglected in earlier studies and reports to find that this omission was continued.  An example of this is the Fleet Clearance Diving Teams whose role I am now pleased to acknowledge."

At long last, the record was being set straight.

This Ministerial Statement to the House of Lords was published in Hansard on 29 June 2014.  Its Annex contained this passage:

"South Atlantic  The qualifying period for the award of the South Atlantic Medal without the Rosette will be extended from 12 July to 21 October 1982.  The original decision to end the qualifying period on 12 July 1982 was taken too hastily: those who served beyond that date experienced both risk and rigour until the airfield at Mount Pleasant was completed on 21 October.  The qualifying period for the award of the South Atlantic Medal without the Rosette will be extended from 12 July to 21 October 1982.  The original decision to end the qualifying period on 12 July 1982 was taken too hastily: those who served beyond that date experienced both risk and rigour until the airfield at Mount Pleasant was completed on 21 October."

The islands had been liberated on 14 June but this statement brought into entitlement members of the ships' companies of HMS Brecon (CO & CTU Cdr (later Cdre CBE) Peter Fish RN), HMS Ledbury (MCDOA member Lt Cdr (later Cdr OBE) Tony Rose RN) and the older RMS St Helena who didn't arrive off the Falklands until early July 1982.  MCDOA member Dougie MacDonald was the TU's SOO.

The following was then published on the Veterans UK website:  

Changes to Ministry Of Defence Medals and Clasps following Sir John Holmes’s Independent Review  

Existing Medals/Clasps that are to be awarded under revised qualifying criteria

South Atlantic

The qualifying period for the award of the South Atlantic Medal without the Rosette will be extended from 12 July to 21 October 1982, when the airfield at Mount Pleasant was completed.  Applications for the South Atlantic Medal, under the new time extension, will be accepted from 1 October 2014 onwards.  The awards will begin to be despatched towards the end of that month.  Applications will be dealt with in date order.

MOD Medal Application Form

13 Jun 17 - Gentlemen Who Lunch

The MCDOA's 'Not Quite the Last of the Summer Wine Trio' comprising Martyn Holloway and Yours Truly (but minus Doug Barlow who is away on a cruise) joined fellow MCDOA members Colin Welborn, David Sandiford and MWA Chairman Dixie Dean to host our dear friend Allan Rankin for a splendid lunch at The Town House in Petersfield today.  Allan, with whom we all served at HMS Vernon nearly 40 years ago while he was still in the RN, is making one of his rare visits from Australia where he has just left the RAN to live in a newly built house on the Sunshine Coast.

Colin Welborn, Dixie Dean, Martyn Holloway, Rob Hoole, Allan Rankin and David Sandiford

Allan was Martyn's SOO in the five-ship 11th MCM Squadron when it deployed from Rosyth to the South Atlantic for operations during the Falklands conflict.

12 Jun 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, HM Ships CORDELLA, PICT and JUNELLA started conducting three nights of covert operations re-supplying SAS and SBS teams deployed variously along the coast.

11 Jun 17 - AORNFCD gathering in the Royal Maritime Club

Your humble Vice Chairman & Webmaster much enjoyed the company of members of the Association of Royal Navy First Class Divers (AORNFCD) two nights ago in the Royal Maritime Club in Portsmouth.  I was especially delighted to see Joe Maher (Chief Instructor for the diving module of my LMCDO course at HMS VERNON in 1976) and Troy Tempest (my Cox'n in HMS BERKELEY 1987-89).

Joe Maher and Rob Hoole

Flashback to Yours Truly (Rob Hoole) and Joe Maher in old-style CDBA at Portland in 1976

Mick Fellows, Colin Kidman and Tug Wilson

Joe Hand, Jim Lynch, Graham 'Tug' Wilson, Colin Kidman and Tug Wilson

Rob Hoole and Mick Fellows

John Ling, David Sandiford and David 'Jimmy' Bond

Left: MIck Beale, Graham 'Tug' Wilson and Jim Lynch

Right: Colin Kidman and Brian 'Troy' Tempest

David 'Jimmy' Bond, Brian 'Troy' Tempest, David Sandiford and Mick Beale

Les Sharpe, Rob Hoole and Derek 'Maggie' Lockwood

Left: Mike Handford and Tug Wilson

Right: Nick Carter, ? and George Porter

Les Sharpe and Derek 'Maggie' Lockwood

Joe Maher and Dudley 'Wooly' Woolnough

? and Bob Fraser

Cris Ballinger and Vic Humphrey

Left: Mick Beale, Jim Lynch and Graham 'Tug' Wilson

Right: Mick Beale, Graham 'Tug' Wilson and Rob Hoole

Joe Hand, Tony Devitt and Alan 'Donkey' Bray

Albert Chapman, David 'Jimmy' Bond and ?

David Sandiford, John Ling and Mike Handford

Most gratifyingly, the AGM resolved to book a table at the Vernon Monument 'Falklands 35' Charity Dinner at Trinity House in London on 19 July.

10 Jun 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, HMS PICT (Lt Cdr David Garwood RN), (sister ship of the GAUL that had sunk in unknown circumstances while fishing) was tasked with HMS CORDELLA (Lt Cdr Martyn Holloway RN) in support to influence sweep Berkeley Sound.  Their objective was to clear an area for ships that would provide naval gunfire support for the final stages of the assault on Stanley. HMS PICT was the only ship available that had the special sweep system necessary.  Transferring all non-essential crew to HMS CORDELLA at sea at the entrance to Berkeley Sound, HMS PICT began sweeping but the risk increased markedly early in the operation when the influence sweep failed.  Clearly PICT was not built as a minesweeper and any breach in the hull would have resulted in the ship's rapid sinking.  Undeterred, knowing the importance of the mission, and in the knowledge that the Task Force Commander had accepted the risk of loss of a trawler, HMS PICT's Commanding Officer decided to turn his ship into a guinea pig.  HMS PICT was made as noisy as possible by running all machinery at various speeds and revving up the main engine while completing the required number of runs through the area.  Fortunately no mines were found, HMS CORDELLA transferred the remaining crew back to HMS PICT and Lt Cdr Garwood was subsequently awarded a Mention in Despatches.

9 Jun 17  - HMS Ledbury at Gibraltar

I am grateful to local photographer Daniel Ferro for this image of HMS Ledbury (MCM2 Crew 7) alongside the stores wharf at Gibraltar yesterday. 

Ledbury is alongside at Gibraltar for a two day stop-over during her passage to the Gulf to relieve HMS Chiddingfold (MCM2 Crew 1 commanded by MCDOA member Dave Louis) which has spent nearly four years as part of the four-strong RN minehunting force deployed on Operation KIPION.  The ship berthed astern of her is MV Hurst Point, one of four Point class ro-ro vessels procured by the MoD under a Private Finance Initiative for use as as military sealift ships when required.

8 Jun 17

Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, the Type 12 frigate HMS PLYMOUTH was struck by four bombs, none of which exploded.  WO(D) Fellows and other members of FCDT 3 de-fuzed two unexploded bombs in her mortar magazine and removed damaged volatile Seacat missiles from her launchers.  RFA SIR TRISTRAM was also bombed and severely damaged at Fitzroy Cove.  She was abandoned while FCDT 3 conducted a search for unexploded bombs (UXB).

Calling HMS Ledbury ship's company members from 1982

I have received this appeal from Ian McVitie:

"Hello Rob,  

I have contacted you previously and you kindly passed a message on to Cdr Tony Rose and Cdr Peter Fish, ex-Commanding Officers of HMS Ledbury and HMS Brecon respectively. 

On the 21st May 2017 I was honoured to march at the Falklands 35th Commemoration event with other Falklands Veterans in Gosport.  On the Saturday I met up with old shipmate Taff Hembrow who served in HMS Ledbury with me in 1982 and left as a CPO(MW). 

Left: Ian McVitie at the Falklands 35 ceremony in Gosport

Right: Taff Hembrow and Ian McVitie outside Gunwharf Quays (previously HMS Vernon)

I am trying to arrange a reunion in Newcastle for those who served in HMS Brecon, HMS Ledbury and RMS St Helena but am having no luck in getting sufficient numbers.  I would like to get in contact with Cdr Keith Harvey who was the Ops Officer, Dave Hill who was the Navigator, the divers who served in them both and any MW ratings.  Can you advise me who I can contact to try and track them down please?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Ian"

5 Jun 17 - Vernon Monument ‘Falklands 35’ Charity Dinner.

Vernon Monument 'Falklands 35' Charity Dinner tickets now on sale!

A charity dinner will be held at Trinity House in London on Wednesday 19 July to mark the 35th anniversary of the Falklands War and raise funds towards the monument planned at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth to celebrate the minewarfare & diving heritage of HMS VERNON which previously occupied the site.  The dinner will be preceded by a reception attended by a Royal VVIP whose identity cannot be released until nearer the time.  The event will also be attended by former Royal Marine, broadcaster, writer, biologist and inspirational speaker Monty Halls.  Popular nautical song writer, folk singer and standup comedian Shep Woolley will deliver an after dinner speech.

The handful of Royal Navy personnel involved in Minewarfare, Diving and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD - more familiarly known as Bomb Disposal) during Operation CORPORATE, the Falkland Islands campaign in 1982, and its aftermath, was awarded a total of one DSO (Distinguished Service Order), three DSCs (Distinguished Service Crosses), one DSM (Distinguished Service Medal), one QGM (Queen's Gallantry Medal), one BEM (British Empire Medal), six MIDs (Mentions in Despatches) and at least seven Commander-in-Chief’s Commendations for Brave Conduct.  One MCDO (Minewarfare & Clearance Diving Officer) was appointed an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) and three others were appointed MBEs (Members of the British Empire).

We are grateful to Honorary Vice Admiral Sir Donald Gosling KCVO for his kind donation of £30,000 towards the cost of the event and to Trinity House for providing the venue and donating £500 towards the cause.

Royal VVIP to be announced via press release.

A "Silent Auction", launched prior to the event, will include a wide variety of exciting lots such as diving memorabilia and Project prints. There will also be a main auction of very special lots including:

* A unique 400 mm high bronze miniature of the Vernon Monument

* A unique 280 mm high bronze miniature of the Vernon Monument

* A VIP Day at sea in a frigate as the guest of the Captain

* A VIP Day hosted by Portsmouth-based Fleet Diving Unit One

* A VIP Day hosted by Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit Two

* A VIP Day of shooting for nine guns at the Leydene Shoot in Hampshire

£295 per plate or £2,700 per table of ten.  Buy your tickets here: Vernon Monument 2017 Charity Dinner

PROJECT VERNON, initiated in April 2008, is the campaign to erect a monument at Gunwharf Quays (the marina, retail centre and residential development in Portsmouth) to celebrate the naval and military heritage of HMS VERNON, its alma mater, which occupied the site in one form or another from October 1923, when it moved ashore from hulks, until its closure in April 1996.  Gunwharf Quays has an annual footfall of 8 million and is home to the iconic Spinnaker Tower.  To date, the campaign has raised over £230,000 of the £325,000 required to meet the target.  The ‘Falklands 35’ charity dinner at Trinity House on 19 July 2017 aims to close the gap considerably.

Throughout the Falklands campaign in 1982, the members of the FCDTs (Fleet Clearance Diving Teams) lived and worked in atrocious conditions.  Performing most of their bomb disposal and repair work at night during lulls in the air raids, they slept in cramped spaces in odd nooks of ships or ashore in damp, makeshift shelters.  Much of their diving was conducted in dark fetid compartments surrounded by jagged steel edges, explosive debris and freezing water contaminated by oil, battery acid and raw sewage.  They also turned their hands to acting as mechanics, welders, cutters, riggers, first aiders, stretcher bearers, nurses and mortuary attendants, as well as organising the odd entertainment for fellow servicemen.  Early on, the members of the FCDTs surrendered all their spare clothing to the survivors of SIR GALAHAD and other bombed ships so they soon looked a piratical bunch.  When he first heard about the bomb disposal work conducted by the Fleet Clearance Diving Teams in the Falklands, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fieldhouse GCB, GBE, the then Commander-in-Chief Fleet, said in wonderment:

“Who are these people and where do we get them from?”

The ships’ companies of the five minesweeping trawlers comprising the rapidly formed 11th Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Squadron also had it tough. They endured rough weather, unreliable machinery and lack of proper self-defence armament, communications and navigation systems. Sailing to and fro on their various often clandestine missions carrying stores and personnel in the dark, with radar switched off and all lights extinguished for security, they frequently ran the risk of being rammed or fired on by both enemy and friendly forces. Apart from acting as guinea pigs in channels suspected of being mined and landing Special Forces raiding parties, they swept 10 of the 21 deadly moored mines laid by the Argentinians in the approaches to Port Stanley; the other mines had either broken adrift and floated away or failed to deploy properly.  Astonishingly, the relatively junior officer who welded the makeshift squadron together as an effective force, led it 8,000 miles south, supervised its hazardous operations and then brought it home again four months later without its ships or men sustaining a single casualty received no public recognition for his feat.

During the Second World War, HMS VERNON was the alma mater of naval personnel awarded 23 George Crosses and at least 134 George Medals (including 16 bars) for bomb & mine disposal (including minesweeping) on land and at sea.  Countless other medals, Mentions in Despatches and King's Commendations for Bravery were awarded to personnel associated with HMS VERNON for naval minelaying, minesweeping, diving and bomb & mine disposal while hundreds of other personnel were appointed OBEs and MBEs in the military lists.

Since the Second World War, personnel associated with HMS VERNON, its mine countermeasures vessels and diving teams have been awarded at least one Distinguished Service Order, 10 Distinguished  Service Crosses, 69 British Empire Medals (including one bar), 14 Queen's Gallantry Medals and 35 Queen's Commendations for Bravery among other honours and awards for gallantry, in naval minewarfare, diving and EOD operations from the waters of the North Sea,  Mediterranean, South Atlantic, Arabian Gulf, South China Sea and the Gilbert & Ellis Islands to the badlands of Iraq and Afghanistan. 

No single monument or memorial exists to celebrate these individuals or commemorate the heritage of HMS VERNON.  The Vernon Monument, designed by world renowned sculptor Les Johnson FRBS and chosen by an all-ranks committee of serving and retired minewarfare & diving personnel after an exhaustive and transparent competitive process, will be the first.  The fourteen-ton stone, bronze and steel structure will depict a Royal Navy Clearance Diver in typical diving equipment of the VERNON era placing an explosive charge on a publicly identifiable swept moored mine (sometimes referred to as a buoyant mine)  which has become fouled on a wreck on the seabed.  A colour image is available on request.

The diver represents all aspects of HMS VERNON’s diving heritage including clearance diving, deep diving, ship’s diving, experimental diving, X-craft midget submarine divers, Chariot human torpedo divers, SAR (Search & Rescue) diving and diving training  including Royal Engineers diving based at HMS VERNON.  The monument will act as a tribute to personnel involved in such operations and activities, including RN clearance diving personnel involved in EOD operations ashore in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The mine, incorporating a fouled sweepwire and explosive cutter, represents all aspects of HMS VERNON’s minewarfare heritage including those involved in mine design, minelaying, bomb & mine disposal, minesweeping and minehunting.  It will also act as a tribute to personnel who have manned and continue to man the minehunters deployed in the Gulf region for many years.

Project Vernon has a website at www.vernon-monument.org and a Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/vernonmonument.

Registered Charity No. 1128677.

The Vernon Mine Warfare and Diving Monument is a Charitable Trust, registered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

From MCDOA Member Phil Ireland DSC:

"Jason White got Monty to be guest of honour at one of the MCDOA(N) dinners a few years back.  He was very entertaining and great company.

Gutted to be missing this event."

From MCDOA member Sean O'Reilly:

"Hello Rob,

Thank you for forwarding the Falklands 35 flier.  I can’t resist it ....  so good and compelling is the flier – THANK YOU, and I mean thank YOU!

As a one-time guest speaker at the annual dinner a few years ago correctly observed, you are an absolute diamond, and it is appreciated.

Anchors, five bells and a pot mess!

Sean  

Sean A O’Reilly

Commander MA

Royal Navy Deep Blue Sea Consulting

AKA Captain Horatio Hardy (at www.onboardonline.com)"

From MCDOA acting Chairman Don Crosbie:

"Rob,

Many thanks for this.  Regrettably I will not be able to attend as I had already booked a family holiday over this period -  I’ve just taken over from Mark as S of D having been deployed (unaccompanied) in Japan for almost a year.  Had it not been for this holiday I would have attended. 

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support you.

Kind Regards,

Don

D E F Crosbie

Commander Royal Navy

Superintendent of Diving"

From MCDOA member Terry Iles:

"Dear Rob,

Thank your letting me know.  Sadly I will be unable to attend and will be thinking of you on the 19th.  I am sure it will be a wonderful occasion and highly successful.

All the best.  

Yours aye,

Terry"

From MCDOA past-Treasurer Dave Ince who transferred to the RAN in early 2007:

"Hi Rob, 

It sounds like it will be a fantastic run ashore but my usual response applies.  MRU shippers, but I’ll raise a glass from my new base of operations sunny Cairns in Far North Queensland. 

I have recently returned from my three year sabbatical in Tonga and was immediately found guilty of ‘going tropo’.  I think the pirate rig, outrageous suntan and taste for rum supped from coconuts may have tipped the balance against me there.

For my crimes I was sent on a five-month command course based from the RAN’s centre of excellence HMAS Watson, the equivalent of HMS Dryad or Collingwood.  This course included two months of ROR and intense navigation training to bring me back up to speed with the grey funnel line.  I also had to wear a proper Navy uniform, become a member of the wardroom plus give and take salutes.  All a bit of a culture shock.  

However, all is good.  I have re-adjusted to Naval life and just joined my new steamer HMAS Leeuwin as the XO.  She is a hydrographic ship similar in size and function to the old Herald Class.  In fact, back in the day I served in HMS Herald, just as she reconfigured as an MCM Command ship and deployed to Operation CIMNEL so I had very little exposure to true droggy shenanigans.  But I have no doubt  that my future role will be as dynamic and interesting in its own way!

Aye,

Dave Spidy Ince

D. P. INCE LCDR, RAN

Executive Officer

HS RED"

4 Jun 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, members of FCDT 1 conducted a covert underwater search of Bluff Cove inlet for obstacles or mines that could hazard an amphibious landing.

31 May 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, MCDOA member Lt Cdr Iain 'Bruce' Mackay RN, accompanied by CPO(MW) 'Bill' Haley, LS(MW) P C Stride and LS(MW) J S Carter, commanded one of two Landing Craft Vehicles & Personnel (HMS INTREPID’s LCVPs T5 and T6) towing the hurriedly developed Assault Minesweeping System Mk 1 to confirm the Port Salvador approach channel and the length of Teal Inlet were clear of mines prior to amphibious landings.  The operation took three days and Lt Cdr Mackay was subsequently awarded a Mention in Despatches.

29 May 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, CPO(D) Trotter (FCDT 3) and his team removed the unexploded bomb from RFA SIR LANCELOT after a lengthy operation which required considerable cutting and rigging.  CPO(D) Trotter was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM).

News from HMS Grimsby

Lt Cdr Will Blackett on board HMS Grimsby

(RN website photo)

I am grateful to Lt Cdr Will Blackett, Commanding Officer of HMS Grimsby (MCM1 Crew 6), for this update received via the Ton Class Association ((TCA).  I write a column titled 'MCMV News' for the Associaton's bi-monthly newsletter 'Ton Talk'.

"Hello to you all.

I hope this letter finds you well.  Since my last letter in March, we have been busily preparing ourselves for Gulf operations through Exercise Joint Warrior 171 and a 5-week period of Operational Sea Training (OST); this is now complete and Crew 6 have been deemed 'ready for operations'.  GRIMSBY herself has been a faithful servant throughout - she has been remarkably reliable and has stood up well to the rigours of the training programme.  This is particularly impressive considering what we put her through in the Baltic last year!

We have now delivered GRIMSBY to Rosyth Dockyard, where she will undergo an extensive refit.  She is currently berthed in between the two new aircraft carriers, HM Ships QUEEN ELIZABETH and PRINCE OF WALES.  As you can imagine, we feel somewhat insignificant considering that each carrier is over 140 times our size!

Sadly this is the last time you will hear from me; Crew 6 will now depart for the Gulf and leave GRIMSBY in the hands of Babcock.  MCM1 Crew 7 will take the reins later this year under the command of Lt Cdr Charlie Luxford; he will contact you in due course.  I hope that the post-refit programme will have enough flexibility to allow a home port visit - I know that Charlie will work hard to find an opportunity.

So this is goodbye for now; thank you for your continued interest and support - it has been a privilege.

Yours aye,

Will Blackett"

I am sure all members of our community will join me in wishing Will and his ship's company the very best for the future, whatever it holds for them.

28 May 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, Lt Cdr DUTTON (OIC FCDT 1) and his team removed the remaining unexploded bomb from HMS ARGONAUT early in the morning.  FCDT 3 investigated three unexploded bombs in Ajax Bay and countermined one bomb found on the shoreline.  They also built a sand bag wall to protect the field hospital from two adjacent unexploded bombs then bivouacked between the blast wall and the hospital to provide reassurance to its patients and staff.  Other members of FCDT 3 recommenced clearing access to the unexploded bomb on board RFA SIR LANCELOT. 

27 May 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, progress was made in cutting out two of three access holes for the extracation of HMS ARGONAUT’s remaining unexploded bomb.  Repairs to RFA SIR GALAHAD continued while members of FCDT 3 secured and padded the unexploded bomb in RFA SIR LANCELOT. 

26 May 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, the 11th MCM Squadron arrived at South Georgia and various high value ships such as the QE2 packed with the men of 5 Brigade, vital stores and ammunition began arriving from 28 May.  It was vital to transfer these essential supplies for the re-supply of the Falklands into the CANBERRA, NORLAND and the various RFAs that shuttled between South Georgia, the Task Force at sea, and the bridgehead at San Carlos.  The trawler minesweepers worked tirelessly day after day transferring troops, stores and ammunition in atrocious Antarctic weather with wind speeds in excess of 100 knots, on occasions for several days, before heading on towards the Falklands.

Members of FCDT 1 completed the clearance of ordnance from the vicinity of the bomb in HMS ARGONAUT’s Seacat magazine.  This had been patched and pumped out but still required a route to be cut and lifting gear to be fitted before the bomb could be removed safely.  FCDT 3 had removed the unexploded bomb from RFA SIR GALAHAD during the night and lowered it into an inflatable Gemini dinghy filled with boxes of corn flakes and two Board of Trade lifejackets; they then towed the Gemini away and sank it in deep water.   FCDT3 then commenced clearing the area surrounding the bomb on board RFA SIR LANCELOT, in the meantime moving their belongings from HMS INTREPID to a new shore base at Ajax Bay.

25 May 17

Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, RFA FORT AUSTIN reported suspicious underwater noises and members of FCDT 1 and FCDT 3 searched the ships’ hulls of all RFAs in the area to ensure that no explosive devices had been planted.  Other members of FCDT 3, supported by technical staff from HMS FEARLESS, started to clear the way for the removal of the bomb from SIR LANCELOT but the operation to remove the bomb from SIR GALAHAD had to be curtailed because FCDT 3 had to move themselves and all their equipment to INTREPID because SIR BEDIVERE, their accommodation ship, was suddenly forced to depart San Carlos Water.  

MCD officer to be Commander Australian Fleet (COMAUSFLT)

Warm congratulations to Australian MCD officer Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead AM RAN on his appointment as Fleet Commander of the Royal Australian Navy from January 2018.

Another Australian MCD officer, Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO CSM RAN who served on exchange with the RN at HMS Vernon in the 1980s, was Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Navy from 2006 to 2008 and Chief of Navy from 2008 to 2011 (see entry for 19 Mar 08 in News Archive 21).  

24 May 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, HMS ANTELOPE broke in half and sank after burning throughout the night.  RFAs SIR GALAHAD and SIR LANCELOT both reported unexploded bombs on board and Lt Cdr BRUEN, OIC FCDT 3, carried out surveys of both ships.  The bomb in SIR GALAHAD had entered her hull on the port side, punched its way through several compartments picking up an aluminium bulkhead on the way, and ended up in her battery charging room wrapped in torn steel and surrounded by smashed carboys of acid.  The bomb in SIR LANCELOT had come to rest underneath a companion ladder leading from the recreation space to the officers’ accommodation on the deck above.  It was positioned with its nose up at an angle of 45 degrees beneath the lowest treads of the stairs in the ship’s tiny film store.

22 May 17 - MCDOA members rendezvous off Turkey

This was the moment today when MCDOA members Chris Tarmey and David Carey laid eyes on each other at sea off the Turkish coast.

Left: Chris Tarmey on board Christiana, his 42 ft Nord West flybridge motor yacht

Right: David Carey on board SY Talia, a chartered Discovery 55 cruising yacht

I had spotted that Chris and David were both in the vicinity of Marmaris and put them in touch with each other via Facebook Messenger. 

Track of Christiana to R/V with Talia

I was able to track Chris's movements on AIS (Automatic Identification System) as they subsequently rendezvoused where Talia was anchored off My Marina at Ekincik.  They enjoyed what Chris described as "a salty dit evening" after Chris had berthed at the marina.

Chris and David with Christiana at My Marina 

Last year, I arranged a rendezvous between the waterborne Chris and MCDOA past-Chairman Paul Jones in Cyprus (see entry for 7 Jun 16 in News Archive 54).

21 May 17

Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, FCPO(D) Fellows, LS(D) Sewell and AB(D) Pullan of FCDT 1 were called upon to deal with an unexploded Agentinian 1,000 lb bomb in the County Class destroyer HMS ANTRIM.  The bomb had passed through the Sea Slug missile magazine and lodged in the heads (toilets).  The fuze had been damaged so any attempt to render the bomb safe was useless.  While still under air attack and with considerable difficulty, the clearance divers and ship’s staff carefully manoeuvred the bomb through a hole cut in the flight deck and lowered it into deep water.

In the meantime, the Type 21 frigate HMS ARDENT was bombed and sunk and the Leander Class frigate HMS ARGONAUT reported two unexploded bombs on board; one forward in the Seacat missile magazine and one aft in the boiler room.  As ARGONAUT’s Officer of the Watch, Lt Peter Morgan RN had already saved the ship once by letting go an anchor to stop her running at full speed towards the shore with her rudders jammed owing to bomb damage.  As the Ship’s Diving Officer, he also led his men in surveying and making temporary repairs to the bomb damage in the flooded forward magazine, diving on two occasions in the knowledge that there was an unexploded bomb in the compartment.  He was later awarded the DSC.

Tim Sizer reaches Land's End

This is the latest photo of Tim, as relayed by MCDOA member Graham 'Tug' Wilson MBE.

Tim Sizer at Land's End today

Tim is on Day 18 of his South West Coast Path walk in aid of Cancer Research UK (see entry for 17 May 17).  He was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) in January last year.  If you have not yet sponsored him for his endeavour, please do so via his Just Giving page (where he is maintaining a photographic blog) at:    

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Timsizer

For every £10 Tim raises for Cancer Research UK, he is personally donating £1 to the Vernon Monument appeal up to a ceiling of £1,000.

20 May 17 - Death and funeral of ex-PO(D) Anthony Peter 'Foz' Foster

I am grateful to MCDOA past-Chairman David Hilton for informing me of the death of Tony 'Foz' Foster on 5 May at the age of 69.  His funeral service will take place at 1415 on Thursday 25 May at the Isle of Wight Crematorium, Whippingham, East Cowes PO32 6NJ. 

Foz's wife Carole would like to see as many of his old colleagues as possible at the service which will be conducted by the Rev’d Tony Richards, Priest and Local Minister at St. Blasius Old Parish Church, Shanklin.  Tony has asked that prospective attendees inform him via this email address, or call him on 01983 863607 (Home) or 07751706103 (Mobile), so that he can provide sufficient Orders of Service.

Donations in lieu of flowers to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Newport, IOW.

I am sure all members of our community will join me in extending our sincere condolences to Foz's wife Carole and his other family and friends.

19 May 17 - MCDOA members prominent in new carriers

It is common knowledge that MCDOA member Bob Hawkins MBE is the 1st Lt of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the new 65,000 ton aircraft carrier nearing completion at Rosyth.  Perhaps it is less well known that Bob's opposite number in QNLZ's sister ship HMS Prince of Wales, also in build at Rosyth, is his fellow MCDOA member Dave 'Shiner' Wright.  The pair has just spent an evening together in South Queensferry where this photo was taken.

Dave Wright and Bob Hawkins at South Queensferry

18 May 17 - Oldest Sandown class minehunter meets youngest in the Baltic

The Royal Navy website contains this article reporting that HMS Shoreham (MCM1 Crew 2) has met up with her Estonian sister ship ENS Admiral Cowan (ex-HMS Sandown) during minewarfare exercises in the Gulf of Finland.  HMS Shoreham is currently assigned to Standing NATO MCM Group 1 (SNMCMG1) which has been operating with the larger ships of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) before both groups visited Tallin, the capital of Estonia.  See entry for 4 May 17.

Left to right: BNS Primula, HMS Shoreham, HNoMS Roald Amundsen, ENS Admiral Cowan,

HNLMS Evertsen, ENS Wambola, HNoMS Hinnoey

(RN website photos)

17 May 16 - Tim Sizer reaches Newquay

Tim approaching Newquay yesterday 

Former WO(D) Tim Sizer, supported at 'base camp' by MCDOA Committee member Graham 'Tug' Wilson MBE acting as his Facebook mouthpiece, has reached Newquay in Cornwall on Day 14 of his South West Coast Path walk in aid of Cancer Research UK (see entry for 3 May 17).  He is trekking from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset, a total of 630 miles.  Tim had already completed the leg from Weymouth to Poole during Easter leave when the Lulworth ranges were dormant.  He provisionally plans to arrive in Weymouth on Friday 23 June although he is currently a couple of days ahead of schedule.

Tim's progress to date

Tim's luxury accommodation with a view

Tim was joined by MCDOA member Martin Jenrick for part of the route on Sunday and hopes to be joined by ex-CD1 Cris Ballinger BEM today.

Tim Sizer and Martin Jenrick

Tim was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) in January last year.  If you have not yet sponsored him for his endeavour, please do so via his Just Giving page (where he is maintaining a photographic blog) at:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Timsizer

N.B. For every £10 Tim raises for Cancer Research UK, he is personally donating £1 to the Vernon Monument appeal up to a ceiling of £1,000.  What a player!

Postscript: Tim and Cris Ballinger were reunited in Perranporth tonight.  

16 May 17 - HMS Hurworth in Poole this weekend

From the Navy News Facebook page:

IF YOU are in Dorset this weekend and want to see some RN action – or admire the magnificent musicianship of the RM Band – then Poole is the place to be.

The Senior Service is attending the town’s Harbour Boat Show in force providing minehunter HMS Hurworth [MCM2 Crew 5 - see entry for 10 May 17], P2000 patrol boat HMS Puncher, the Royal Marines Display Team with their climbing wall, and, on Saturday night, the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth performing Beat Retreat.

Both ships and the Royal Marines display will be in the new Ballast Quay exhibition area, accessed from Town Quay via a free passenger boat service. They’ll be open between 10am and 6pm.

Beat Retreat will be performed at Town Quay at 6.15pm on Saturday.

HMS Hurworth

(Navy News image)

14 May 17 - Informative article about modern MCM

The highly regarded 'Think Defence' website has published this article describing modern developments in MCM.  It contains a warm tribute to the MCDOA website:

From Umm Qasr to Unmanned Warrior – Royal Navy Mine Countermeasures

13 May 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, the five minesweeping trawlers of the 11th MCM Squadron sailed from Ascension Island for South Georgia and SIR TRISTRAM (with FCDT 1 embarked) and SIR BEDIVERE (with FCDT 3 embarked) sailed for the Falklands.

12 May 17

Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, FCDT 1 embarked in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship RFA SIR TRISTRAM and FCDT 3 embarked in the landing ship RFA SIR BEDIVERE at Ascension Island.

MCM2 Crew 4 ready for Gulf deployment

The Royal Navy website contains this article announcing that MCM2 Crew 4, currently manning HMS Cattistock, has completed pre-deployment training and will shortly be flying to the Gulf to relieve MCM2 Crew 8 on board HMS Middleton.  It is believed that Crew 8 will take over HMS Atherstone at Portsmouth on completion of some well-deserved post-deployment leave.

MCM2 Crew 4 on board HMS Cattistock

(RN website photo)

11 May 17

Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, FCDT 1 (led by MCDOA member Lt Cdr Brian Dutton DSO, QGM, with FCPO(D) Michael 'Mick' Fellows MBE, DSC, BEM* as his 2 I/C) and FCDT 3 (led by MCDOA member Lt (later Lt Cdr) Nigel ‘Bernie’ Bruen MBE, DSC with CPO(D) Graham ‘Piggy’ Trotter DSM as his 2 I/C) arrived at Ascension Island in an RAF C130 Hercules aircraft to join the Task Force.  The 11th MCM Squadron arrived at Ascension Island for fuel and met up briefly with FCDT 3 which had planned to embark in the minesweeping trawlers but was ordered to take passage in RFA SIR BEDIVERE instead.

RNCDA Annual Dinner

Anniversary

Royal Navy Clearance Divers Association Dinner

The Dinner is Open to all Serving and Retired Royal Naval Divers, Partners and Guests

Who will be celebrating the 65^th Anniversary of the Royal Navy diving Branch.

Doors Open At 1900 where you will be greeted by the official photographer

And a welcome Drink followed by pre-dinner drinks in the bar,

You will be asked to take your seats for dinner at 2000

On completion of which there will be a Auction and Raffle

The night will continue through until 0200 With entertainment from

 local DJ and a NONE cash mobile casino.

Date: Saturday 14th Oct 2017 Time: 1900 until 0200

Venue: Plaza Suite the Pyramids Center Clarence Esplanade Southsea Portsmouth PO5 3ST

Dress: Formal /Association Tie

Cost: £37.50 for RNCDA members and One Guest,

Cost: £42.50 for Non-RNCDA Members and their Guests.

Menu is a 3 course meal, ½ bottle of wine and glass of port.

Starter:

Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup (V)

With Tarragon cream

Ham Hock Terrine

With a mild mustard pickle, pea puree and a toasted brioche

Main:

Roast Rump of Lamb

With dauphinoise potatoes, buttered cabbage, green beans and a redcurrant reduction

Pan Roasted Corn Fed Chicken

With dauphinoise potatoes, roasted root vegetables and a port reduction

Artichoke and Wild Mushroom Ravioli (V)

With mushrooms, sun blush tomatoes, grilled artichoke, seared pearl onion and celery cream sauce

Dessert:

Profiteroles

With warm chocolate sauce

Raspberry and Lavender Crème Brûlée

With raspberries and clotted cream

Event Applications Are Available for Download Here

N.B. I have also listed this on the website's Forthcoming Events page.

10 May 17 - Photos from HMS Hurworth

Yet again I am grateful to Lt Cdr Charlie Collins, Commanding Officer of HMS Hurworth (MCM2 Crew 5), for sending me these stunning photos captured during the past week in Scotland. 

9 May 17 - LS&GC Awards

Congratulations to WO1(MW) Stephen 'Bunny' Warren, CPO(D) R. A. 'Buster' Brown, CPO(D) Lee Edmunson and LS(D) D. N. 'Cags' Lacy on being gazetted for the award of the clasp to the Long Service & Good Conduct medal and to PO(D) P. J. Hill on being gazetted for the award of the LS&GC medal.

Bunny Warren on board HMS Victory last November

8 May 17 - Funeral of ex-CD1 Barry 'Baz' Clyde Davis

As ever, I am indebted to former CPO(D) Cris Ballinger BEM for sending me this Order of Service for the funeral of Baz Davis which took place at Weston Mill Crematorium in Plymouth on 25 April (see entry for 18 Apr 17).  Click on the image to see the full document. 

Cris was also kind enough to send me the Order of Service for the funeral of former FCPO(D) Peter 'George' Hann Alderton BEM which took place at Weston Mill Crematorium on 12 April.  I have appended it to the entry for 12 Apr 17.

4 May 17 - HMS Shoreham joins SNMCMG1 in the Baltic

The NATO website contains this article announcing yesterday's arrival of Standing NATO MCM Group 1 (SNMCMG1) in Liepāja, Latvia prior to participating in Historical Ordnance Disposal Operations (HODOPS) off the coast of Latvia until 11 May.  The group was joined by HMS Shoreham (MCM1 Crew 2) in time to help celebrate today's 27th anniversary of Latvia's Restoration of Independence.

HMS Shoreham outboard of HNoMS Hinnøy with the stern of BNS Primula in the foreground

3 May 17 - Charity Walk for Cancer Research UK

I have received this thoroughly worthy appeal from former WO(D) Tim Sizer:

"Hi Rob,

I realise that you are currently taking a well-deserved break from your excellent website but just wondered if you could do me a massive favour and help me drum up some support for my charity walk when you get back.  Details as follows:  

In January last year I was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system).  Having been a Navy Clearance Diver since the age of 17, I have always prided myself as being fit and healthy,  I never thought for one moment that something like this would hit me so suddenly and at what I term an early age 54.

Unfortunately, this indiscriminate disease is likely to affect every single one of us either directly or indirectly at some point in our lives.  Despite losing my dad to the disease in Feb 2010, I’ll be totally honest, I knew very little about cancer and even less about the options of treatment until that day I got told by the consultant that I had it.  Having completed an intense stint of chemotherapy over a six month period, what I can now say, is that if it wasn’t for Cancer Research and the amazing work they do, or indeed the people that donate to it, I wouldn’t be here now and be in the privileged position to help people like you and me, in the future who unfortunately may require the benefit of their services.  

My intention is to walk the South West Coast Path in aid of Cancer Research UK, from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset, a total of 630 miles, climbing a total height of 114,931ft, almost four times the height of Everest.  My aim is to set off on the 4th May 2017 and continue until I finish.  I am not setting any target time as I’m unsure how my fitness will hold out, but aim to complete it in around 50-55 days!  I will be wild camping for the majority of it, but may take in the odd B&B en-route for a dhobi and to literally recharge the mobile battery.  I have already completed the final leg from Weymouth to Poole, 55 miles during Easter Leave due to the accessibility of the Lulworth Ranges.

If anyone out there would like to join me on any leg of the route then please let me know.  It would be good to have some friendly company.  

To give my challenge a military diver / mine warfare slant, for every £10 I raise for Cancer Research UK I shall personally donate £1 to the Vernon Monument appeal up to a ceiling of £1,000.  This would mean I would raise £10,000 for Cancer Research UK which would be absolutely fantastic and a target I would love to reach, so please dig deep and support me in my trek by visiting my Just Giving page at:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Timsizer   

This quest obviously means a great deal to me personally and I would like to thank all of you in advance who pledge to support me during my walk and ultimately Cancer Research UK.  

Many thanks again,

Tim Sizer"

We have lost so many of our minewarfare & clearance diving community to this evil disease over the years, as well as other close friends and relations.  Please give Tim all the support he deserves.

Tim Sizer in Oman in February 2013

28 Apr 17 - News from HMS Shoreham

HMS Shoreham

(RN website photo)

I am grateful to Lt Cdr Ben Evans, Commanding Officer of HMS Shoreham (MCM1 Crew 2) for this newsletter which I have received via the Ton Class Association (TCA).  I write a column titled 'MCMV News' for the Associaton's bi-monthly newsletter 'Ton Talk'.

"I trust this letter finds you well, and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself having recently assumed Command of Mine Counter Measures Squadron 1 (MCM1) Crew 2 in HMS SHOREHAM.  In this letter I will endeavour to update you on the progress of the Ship and the programme for the future.

I joined the Royal Navy in 2002 and have served in a wide variety of ships, from Sandown Class Minehunters in the early stages of my career, to Type 42 Destroyers and Type 23 Frigates.  Recently I worked at the Fleet Operations Headquarters as the Major Warship Scheduler then as the Deputy Fleet Operations Officer.  Selected for Sea Command last year, I took Command of MCM1 Crew 2 and HMS SHOREHAM at the end of March 2017.

In May 2016, HMS SHOREHAM began a period of deep maintenance in a dry-dock at Rosyth Dockyard, Fife, alongside the new aircraft carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH.  This was her most extensive period of maintenance prior to ultimately returning to Bahrain for another three years.  Sailing from Rosyth at the end of 2016, HMS SHOREHAM successfully completed her Sea Acceptance Trials and returned to HMNB Clyde, Faslane.  Since our arrival back in our base port, the Crew have been working very hard to bring the Ship to the required standard to be ready to join NATO.  Our generation for NATO tasking culminated with Directed Continuation Training and now we are making final preparations for our deployment.  By the time you read this letter we will most probably be with our NATO partners improving interoperability in the Baltic Sea.

In early July this year, towards the end of our deployment, the Ship will be making a return to her home town of Shoreham.  This will be a fantastic opportunity to host our affiliates on board, to engage with the Crew and to see how HMS SHOREHAM may have changed since you were last with us.  I will be sure to distribute further information towards the time once a date has been finalised and make arrangements for all our affiliates to come aboard.

On behalf of HMS Shoreham and the 1st MCM Squadron I would also like to invite you to the up coming Faslane Flotilla Affiliates day on Wednesday 3rd May.  Unfortunately due to our upcoming NATO commitment, HMS SHOREHAM will not be present at the event; however there will be three other units in our class alongside putting on a series of capability demonstrations.  These will include ship's tours, Mine Countermeasure demonstrations, weapon demonstrations and diving capabilities display. As our Affiliate you are also invited to attend the Faslane Flotilla Dinner in the evening hosted in the Wardroom of HMS Neptune at HMNB Clyde.  Should you wish to attend, please do not hesitate to contact me and I shall make arrangements to accommodate you on the day.

It is a pleasure and an honour to take Command of HMS Shoreham and I will be doing my upmost to build on the relationship between the Ship and affiliates generated by the previous Crews. 

Finally, your Ship values highly the rich dialogue which has been shared between us in the past.  I hope this letter to be a continuation of this valuable tradition.  Our ties ashore are important to us as a Crew, and whilst it is not possible to engage with our affiliates everyday, your continued support is of the greatest importance to us.

I look forward to hearing from you in the future, and if you would like to follow our deployment then please follow this link to our RN Web page.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Evans

Commanding Officer"

27 Apr 17 - Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, the 11th MCM Squadron sailed from Portland with MCDOA member Lt Cdr Martyn HOLLOWAY as Senior Officer in HMS CORDELLA.  HMS PICT's conversion delayed her departure such that she joined the squadron on 30 April while 150 miles west of the Portuguese coast.

The elderly Ton class coastal mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) in service at the time were unsuited for the long passage and heavy seas expected in the South Atlantic.  The first two of the new Hunt Class MCMVs were not yet operational so it was decided to requisition five deep sea trawlers from Hull and fit them with rudimentary minesweeping equipment.  These vesels were commissioned into the Royal Navy and crewed mostly by the ships' companies of Ton Class MCMVs based at Rosyth: CORDELLA (HMS UPTON); FARNELLA (HMS WOTTON); JUNELLA (HMS BICKINGTON); NORTHELLA (HMS SOBERTON); and PICT (HMS BILDESTON).  Originally, PICT was to be used solely as a stores ship.  However, to minimise loss should ships be lost, stores were distributed evenly among the squadron allowing her to be utiised as a fully-fledged minesweeper too.

25 Apr 17

Falklands 35

Thirty-five years ago today, the Agentinian garrison at Grytviken on South Georgia surrendered.  The same day, the Agentinian submarine ARA SANTA FE, severely damaged by depth charges from HMS ANTRIM’s Wessex helicopter (Lt (now Rear Admiral) Chris PARRY CBE, son of the late MCDOA member Cdr John PARRY OBE RN), beached herself in Grytviken harbour.  MCDOA member Lt (later Lt Cdr) David 'Doc' O’CONNELL MBE RN, embarked in HMS ENDURANCE, led a five-man team of ships’ divers which spent three weeks clearing hazardous explosives and other materials from the submarine before re-floating her so she could safely be towed out to sea and sunk.  He was subsequently appointed an MBE.

NDG called to deal with hand grenade near Lerwick

The Scotsman website contains this article and the STV website this article reporting that "Royal Navy bomb disposal experts", presumably members of Faslane-based Northern Diving Group (NDG), have been called to deal with a hand grenade found at Seafield Beach near Lerwick in Shetland.

20 Apr 17 - Lewis Hamilton visites HMS Middleton

The Sun newspaper website contains this article and the Forces TV website this article (including videos) describing a visit by British F1 racing car driver Lewis Hamilton to HMS Middleton (MCM 2 Crew 4) while the ship was alongside in Bahrain.

19 Apr 17 - Interruption of website service

The MCDOA website is taking an indefinite break.  Normal service will be resumed in due course whereupon the 'Latest News' page will be updated retrospectively.

18 Apr 17

Arrangements for the funeral of ex-CD1 Barry 'Baz' Davis

Barry 'Baz' Davis, standing in white coastal forces sweater, on board HMS Iveston c.1971

(Photo courtesy of John Harvey)

The Plymouth Herald contains this death notice:

DAVIS

Davis Barry.  Passed away 31st March 2017.  Husband of Jeanette, stepdad to Shaun & Cally.  Dad to Paul, Shaun, Glen & Amanda.

So you want to be a diver?  Wish number 1 to be.  Your love of the deep blue sea.  So you took a chance, joined the branch, got the pass and made CD1 First Class.

Wish number 2 was to run 1963 Guz Field Gun.

Now we'll grant your last wish to spread your ashes and swim with the fish.  XX

Funeral service 25th of April 2017 at 2pm Weston Mill Crematorium, Plymouth.  Family flowers only.  Donations for HCTP507 can be made by retiring collection or sent to WYATT BROTHERS, 5-7 Durnford Street, Plymouth PL1 3QJ.  Tel: 01752 600437.

Jeanette

Eventually, Baz's ashes will be scattered near the Mewstone off Wembury.

Arrangements for the funeral of ex-LS(D) Kev Winwood

Kev Winwood's funeral will take place at 1430 on Friday 28 April at Stranton Crematorium, Hartlepool with a gathering afterwards at a place to be determined.

14 Apr 17 - Objects found in pond at ARL Teddington

The following query has been received from former DRA/DERA/Dstl scientist Nigel Godsell:

"Hi Rob,

Once again I’m craving your indulgence.  

Until the mid-1950s, the Admiralty Research Laboratory (ARL) at Teddington was still actively involved in minewarfare research, and mine countermeasures for that matter.  Small-scale experiments were carried out in what was one of the ornamental ponds within Bushy Park, Teddington.

In recent times the ornamental ponds have been restored and, in the process, these objects were recovered from the mud.

So the question is: any idea what they may be?  

Cheers,

Nigel  

P.S. I’ve also had contact with a guy who has been researching WWII (and just after) aerial minesweeping, because of the ARL involvement."

Over to you.

13 Apr 17 - Diving museum reopens for the summer season 

The Historical Diving Society (HDS) museum in No.2 Battery at Stokes Bay reopens tomorrow after its winter closure.  Click on the newsletter below to see what is in store for the new season:

12 Apr 17 - Funeral of former FCPO(D) Peter 'George' Hann Alderton BEM

I am grateful to ex-CD Alan 'Charlie' Chapman for this message (see first entry for 31 Mar 17 in News Archive 57):

"Rob,

Just to let you know that Peter (George) Alderton's funeral went off well in Plymouth today.  It was attended by Colin 'Scouse' Kidman, Rocky Stone, David 'Jimmy' Bond, Mick Kester, Cris and Nigel Ballinger, Clive Egginton and me.  There were only a few of us but we tried to do him PROUD as he deserved.

George was the first WO(D) I knew when I did my ships' divers course in 1972 and later in late 1973/74 when I joined the diving school in Guzz so I learnt quite a lot from him and the staff at the time.  The guys who were there also had the greatest respect for George.

Yours aye,

Charlie"

From former CPO(D) Cris Ballinger BEM:

"Hi Rob,  

I know I have asked before, but I have George Alderton's funeral Order of Service and I know you like to keep them, so once again if you give me an address I will post it on.  As Charlie reported, Scouse Kidman was there and he may have passed it on already.  Just let me know.

Although the service was was held just 500 yards from SDU1, it wasn't a particularly full church but I think the family were impressed nonetheless,  I was certainly impressed with Mick Kester's eulogy.  He struck just the right note.  

We all retired to the St Elizabeth's House, Plympton for refreshments and story-telling on completion of the service.

Cheers,

Cris"

This is the Order of Service that Cris has been kind enough to send me.  Click on the image to see the full document.

From George Alderton's daughter Sue:

"Dear Rob,

I am writing to behalf of my mother Elsie Alderton.  

Mum would like to say a big “Thank you” for all those who took time to write messages of condolence and tributes to my father.  In addition, thank you to all those who attended his funeral and the many kind donations in respect to the chosen charity Marie Curie, who looked after Dad so very well during his last few weeks.  

Kind Regards,

Susan O’Connell

(No 3 Daughter)"

11 Apr 17 - An appeal

It appears that ex-LS(D) Kev Winwood died in particularly tragic circumstances (see entry for 8 Apr 17) leaving a 13-year-old daughter who discovered his body. 

The RNCDA has started a crowdfunding appeal which is available here:

JustGiving: Weʼre raising £3,000 to give a Divers' Send off for Ex LS(D) Kevin Winwood

Please access the linked page and act accordingly.

10 Apr 17 - SNMCMG1 participates in Exercise ARIADNE

The NATO website contains this article describing the participation of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) in Exercise ARIADNE 17 off Greece.  The participants included 14 ships of different classes from Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain and Turkey as well as several explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams, a ship-based helicopter and Mirage 2000 fighter jets.

SNMCMG2 with other units during Exercise ARIADNE 17

(NATO website photo)

SNMCMG2 was represented by the Polish flagship ORP Kontradmiral Xawery Czernicki, the Spanish minehunter ESPS Tajo, the Turkish minehunter TCG Alanya and the German minesweeper FGS Rottweil.  The Group was augmented by the Spanish minehunter ESPS Duero and the Romanian minesweeper ROS Axente.

Reportedly, SNMCMG2 is about to be commanded by the RN for the next 12 months.

8 Apr 17 - Another untimely death

It seems to be another sickly season.  I have heard on the grapevine that ex-LS(D) Kev Winwood has passed away.  He served in the Portsmouth B&MD Team, SNICDT and HMS Challenger among other ships and units.

Kev Winwood

(Photo courtesy of MCDOA member Richard 'Soapy' Watson)

7 Apr 17

SDU1 deals with unexploded anti-tank mine

The Plymouth Herald website contains this article describing this morning's call-out for members of Plymouth-based Southern Diving Unit 1 (SDU1) to deal with an unexploded anti-tank mine uncovered during the renovation of a hotel at Woolacombe on the north Devon coast.

Unveiling of the world's first successful diving helmet

People gathered in gorgeous weather today at the Historical Diving Society's museum at No. 2 Battery in Stokes Bay for the unveiling of the world's first successful diving helmet (circa 1823).  Cllr Lynn Hook (the Mayor of Gosport) performed the honours accompanied by Kevin Casey (the Museum Officer).  The helmet is on a three-year loan from the Science Museum and it has cost the Diving Museum £21,000, through a grant from the South East Museum Development Programme, to help buy items such as a cabinet in which to display the mask together with an alarm system.

Discerning readers may recognise MCDOA associate members Dr John Bevan (world record-breaking deep diver, HDS Chairman and Project Vernon trustee) and Gavin Anthony (formerly of the Royal Naval Physiological Laboratory (RNPL) at Alverstoke) plus former Clearance Diving Branch members John Dadd BEM, Jim 'Tommo' Thomson, Mike O'Meara and Dusty Miller who are volunteer guides at the museum.  Former WO(D) Andy Brunton MBE, representing JFD, and former SBS diving officer Don Shiers, founder of Consortium Underwater Engineers Ltd, were also present.

Former FCPO(D) John Dadd BEM with Mrs Webmaster

Ex-CPO(D) Dusty Miller with Kevin Casey, the Museum Offiicer

Garry Wallace-Potter, Peter Dick (Editor of the HDS Times), Yours Truly (Rob Hoole)

and ex-CD Jim 'Tommo' Thomson

Kevin Casey the Museum Officer and Cllr Lynn Hook, Mayor of Gosport, starting the proceedings

Ann Bevan and Una Smillie

Give us yer money!

Charles and John Deane (1800-1884; known as The Infernal Diver) were the inventors of the diving helmet and have associations with Gosport.  The helmet was used by Augustus Siebe as the basis for his first 'closed' 12-bolt diving helmet with which we are familiar today.  In 1823 Charles Deane patented a “Smoke Helmet” to be used by firemen in smoke-filled areas.  The apparatus comprised a copper helmet with an attached flexible collar and garment.  A long leather hose attached to the rear of the helmet was to be used to supply air, the original concept being that it would be pumped using a double bellows.  A short pipe allowed breathed air to escape.  The garment was to be constructed from leather or airtight cloth, secured by straps.  This was later developed into a diving apparatus when Deane altered the design with his brother, John.  The helmet was used to dive on shipwrecks such as the Royal George in 1834 and the Mary Rose in 1836.

The centre of attention

Read more about the helmet's background here on Wikipedia:

Deane Brothers

The diving museum has certainly come a long way since our small band of volunteers first started work on the derelict structure which now houses it.  Next objective, the Vernon Monument.  Please provide all the support you can, and then some.

6 Apr 17 - Death and funeral arrangements for ex-LS(CD2) David William 'Tilly' Tyzack MSM

I was saddened this morning to receive this email announcing Tilly's death:

"Good morning Sir,  

By way of introduction, I am WO2 Colin Shearsby RM and have the dubious honour of being the Vice Chairman of the North Devon Royal Marines Association.  

It is with regret that I inform you of the passing of one of your members - Dave "Tilly" Tyzack, Service number P/JW898422.   Dave was also one of our stalwart members, attending functions and often out collecting with us...and normally having a laugh with the general public where he blamed "the booties" for making him stand in the cold, wet areas, especially as he was Senior Service.  

He also assisted me by marshalling the Chivenor airfield leg of the Barnstaple Marathon where he took great delight in telling the runners (who had completed about 18 miles) that the end was just around his corner.  In fact, just around Dave's corner was about a mile and a half of flat land where you could see other runners disappearing into the distance..!!  

Dave's funeral will be held at 1430 on Monday 10 April 17 at the Methodist Church, Sticklepath, Barnstaple EX31 2DH followed by a family-only service at the crematorium.  There will be an honour guard of serving Royal Marines and retired ranks from all Services and the coffin will be draped with the White Ensign, whilst also bearing his beret and medals.  

On the subject of medals, we have noted he had a Mention in Despatches with a clasp for Near East - could you shed any light?  The picture also shows his MSM."

I am too young to have served with Tilly but I met him at various reunions and funerals. 

Pages 49 & 50 of the RN Diving Magazine Vol 5 No 1 (April 1957) contain an article titled CLEARANCE DIVING TEAM (AMPHIBIOUS) which covers the disbandment of what constituted the last remnant of the LCOCUs (Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Units - informally called 'LOCKUs' - the RN & RM teams first ashore on D-Day) and its subsuming by the RM SBU (fore-runner of the SBS or was it a sub-unit?).   The article mentions Dave 'Tilly' Tyzack as a member of the team.

MCDOA member Harry Parker, OIC of the CDT (Amphib) and author of the article in the Diving Magazine, is still very active and lives near Edinburgh.   I have just told him on the phone about Tilly’s death and he can provide no information about the Mention in Despatches oak leaf on the ribbon of his Naval General Service Medal (1915) with Near East clasp (Suez Canal 1956).  He is not listed here whereas Harry is:

 Naval-History.net: SUEZ CAMPAIGN, OPERATION MUSKETEER, November to December 1956

I have been unable to find any reference in the London Gazette website’s archives to either the Mention in Despatches or the British Empire Medal (not an MSM) in the photo above but I will keep looking.

Page 5 of the RN Diving Magazine Vol 8 No 2 (June 1961) contains a Special Order of the Day announcing the award of a Commander-in-Chief's Commendation to Tilly for rendering first aid to a ship's diver from HMS Londonderry.

Page 13 of the RN Diving Magazine Vol 9 No 1 (April 1962) contains an article titled S.E.A.T.O Exercise by CPO(CD1) 'Mac' McKinley and Tilly describing the participation of the Hong Kong Fleet Clearance Diving Team in an exercise in Thailand.

Tilly started on the CD1 course in 1963 but did not complete it.  According to his old course mate Gerry 'Pincher' Martin with whom I have just spoken, he left the Royal Navy shortly afterwards and joined the police force in Bournemouth.

Dave 'Tilly' Tyzack (standing far right) on CD1 course at HMS Vernon in 1963

(Photo courtesy of former FCPO(D) Dave 'Mona' Lott BEM)

I hope Plymouth-based Southern Diving Unit 1 (SDU1) can spare a uniformed representative to attend Tilly’s funeral.  In the meantime, I am sure that all in our community will join me in extending our condolences to Tilly's family, close friends and former colleagues.

From ex-CD Jim Tommo' Thomson:

"HI Rob,

Thank you for passing the sad news!  Tilly was a killick twosie, when I was in Vernon in 1963.  A few months ago he contacted me for some information on UBA, as he wanted to give a talk about CDs to a Ladies association in October.  I asked him to send me the story of when he met  'Buster Crabb', I can't remember if I previously sent it to you so here it is:

"Hi Tommo,

Here is what I recall about Buster Crabb's visit to HMS Vernon in 1955. 

My CD3 Course was nearing its end.  I'm not sure of the exact date but the five of us remaining qualified in December 1955.  There was myself Dave (Tilly) Tyzack, Ginger Bichard, Dave 'Mona' Lott, Frank (Darkie) Newman, Horrie Horrocks and our Instructor Taff Roberts.  We had completed our morning dive in Pompey harbour and laid our topped-up sets on the deck of HMS Deepwater ready for the afternoon's dive.  We were having our lunch in the dining mess in Vernon when the Alarm for "Exercise Awkward" sounded.  We, being senior class, had to get to Deepwater as quick as possible to repel enemy frogmen.

We swiftly dressed up and onto O2.  As we were about to jump into the harbour, Taff Roberts called "Stop.  Off O2".  He then introduced us to a short tubby man with reddish greying hair and long side burns.  This was Commander Buster Crabb (retired).  We had a vague idea who he was. 

Taff then got myself and my dive partner Ginge Bichard to get him dressed up for a dive.  When ready, we jumped into the harbour and Buster climbed down into the water.  It took us several attempts to get him down, he got a nose bleed and had difficulty clearing his ears.  Eventually we got him down to about 25ft.  Our detail was to swim him up the harbour towards the reserve fleet and Portchester Castle.  Keeping close to the jetty we swam under a couple of British warships, the next one we  knew to be an American plus we knew that they have armed deck patrols even in the UK. 

Buster swam up towards the sonar dome and produced a length of knotted cord and was about to start taking measurements.  We got hold of him and indicated "No" and pulled him down to about 30 ft.  We knew that the Americans would have dropped explosive charges if they suspected frogmen were nosing about under their ship.  We swam him away towards the centre of Pompey Harbour where we knew Taff and our standby divers would be, ready to pick us up.  We surfaced and got him in the safety boat.  We informed Taff why we had surfaced so early.  He turned to Commander Crabb and told him that it has cost thousands to train us young divers and to endanger us in such a way.  The language then turned to Taff's native tongue that made us blush (Ha Ha).

We returned to Vernon where we made written statements in case anything came of our venture.  That was the last we saw of Buster.

Shortly after this we qualified and in January I got my posting to join the Diving Attack Team based in Royal Marine Camp (Swimmer Canoist) now know as SBS Poole, Dorset.  It was later in 1956 that we heard stories of Crabb's venture to explore a Russian battleship visiting the UK.          

Hope this is okay.

Tilly"

RIP Tilly.  Unfortunately I can't get to the funeral.  

Same subject I'm afraid.  Ex-CD1 Les 'Slinger' Wood EX CD1 told me this morning from Brisbane on Skype that Barry 'Baz' Davis, ex-CD1, offshore Diver and Life Support Tech, passed away suddenly on the 31st. of March, in Plymouth.  The three of us worked together sometimes, RN and Offshore.  

RIP Baz.

Best regards,

Tommo"

5  Apr 17 - A chat with former CPO(D) Alan Broadhurst

Alan and I sat and chatted in the sun this afternoon at St James Hospital in Milton where he is convalescing (see second entry for 22 Mar 17 in News Archive 57).

He sends everyone his regards. 

4 Apr 17 - Arrangements for the funeral of former FCPO(D) Peter 'George' Hann Alderton BEM

George Alderton's funeral will take place at Weston Mill Crematorium, Plymouth PL2 2HA at 1000 on Wednesday 12 April (see entry for 31 Mar 17 in News Archive 57).

2 Apr 17 - Minehunter crews to man Offshore Patrol Vessels

The Royal Navy website contains this article announcing that MCM2 Crew 6, which recently returned from manning HMS Middleton on Operation KIPION in the Gulf, has taken over HMS Tyne in the Fishery Protection Squadron.  The temporary ship-swap project called JICARA allows HMS Tyne's previous ship's company to bring into service her new sister ship HMS Forth, the first of five Batch 2 River class OPVs being built in Scotland.  Later in the year, MCM2 Crew 7 (currently manning HMS Ledbury) will take over HMS Mersey allowing her crew to move on board HMS Trent.

HMS Tyne entering Portsmouth hrbour

(RN website photo)

The article features MCD officer Alex Coleman, PO(D) 'Toby' Jones and LS(MW) 'Eddie' Edmonson. 

1 Apr 17

Tower beside Horsea Lake to be replaced

On Thursday afternoon I found myself at Horsea Island where I renewed contact with Ldg Divers Kev McBride and Dave 'Mac' McNamara.  Kev is married to an old family friend (see entry for 15 Mar 17 in News Archive 57) and I first met Dave when he was among the members of the Fleet Diving Squadron (FDS) attending the Ouvry 70th Anniversary Commemorative Event on board HMS Belfast in 2009 (see entry for 27 Nov 09 in News Archive 28).

Ldg Divers Kev McBride and Dave 'Mac' McNamara

Kev and Dave were overseeing circuits being performed by members of HMS Dragon's ship's company.  I chatted with Ldg Chef Richard 'Richie' Burden and Chef Lana Marshall who were watching their shipmates with some glee.

Ldg Chef Richie Burden and Chef Lana Marshall of HMS Dragon

The old tower, familiar to generations of trainee divers performing circuits at Horsea, is now in a sad state and has been condemned as structurally unsafe.  It was reduced to two boards several years ago but is now cordoned off completely.

The remains of the condemned tower

Trainee divers are currently climbing and jumping from a mobile aircraft boarding ladder pending the construction of a new purpose-built tower.

The mobile aircraft boarding ladder currently used at Horsea

Who else remembers the wonderful Horsea Island barbecues organised on summery evenings by the late Jimmy James?  Jimmy, a long-retired Supply officer, was the Wardroom Mess Manager at HMS Vernon for decades and was elected an associate member of the MCDOA for services above and beyond the call of duty.  He was a keen supporter of our social events and we were all smitten by his death in 2004 (see entry for 25 Apr 2004 in News Archive 6).

The late MCDOA member Frank Ward with Jimmy and Mary James

at an MCDOA Ladies Night in 2002 

One of the highlights of the wardroom barbecues Jimmy organised on Horsea Island (where he had been born and lived as a child) was to strip off and leap into the water from the top board of the tower.  We then swam out to place candle-powered 'port' and 'starboard' lanterns on the pontoon moored in the middle of the lake.  In those days the tower had four boards, having been designed to be the same height as the flight deck of the Majestic class aircraft carrier HMS Massive.

The original tower at Horsea Island prior to the removal

of the upper two platforms

A diving watch with a difference

An essential acquisition for all shiny bling collectors obsessed with paying thousands of pounds for the 'latest' limited edition diving watch that goes up to 13, complete with abrasive bezel that frays your shirt cuffs:

Bremont website: Diving watch with unique shark recognition technology