Port Phillip Papers
No. 0317
Newsletter of the Port Phillip Bay Branch of the Royal Naval Association
Branch Chairman: Michael Bennett, 0407 336 088
Hon Secretary: Dennis Fryer, (03) 5975 4573
Hon Treasurer: Susan Bennett, (03) 5943 1953
Postal address: 36 Barretts Road, Langwarrin South, Victoria 3911, Australia.
RNA UK HQ; http:/
Wiggy’s Waffle
‘Beware the Ides of March’!
A big thank you those who not only attended the AGM but also those who took part in the raffle; although the funds raised where not quite as high as in December (!) they were still excellent, as the Hon Treas (Sue) was smiling so all must be well! Your Committee was re-elected but we have lost the services of Shipmate Tony Gregory (Coral and Tony have been posted to Queensland) and so we are very keen to have at least one more person join the committee, to keep the views balanced.
The forthcoming March meeting will (as has been well promulgated) be themed ‘British Isles Saints Lunch’, the menu (your committee believe) will both delight and the special desert prepared by Joan Kime will most certainly include her home-grown apples, Flo Livingston is preparing homemade Bread and Butter Pudding and to finish, an extensive selection of English Cheeses, a platter for each table for you to fight over who gets what. If you unable to eat beef /pork products, or if you are gluten intolerant, then please let us know ASAP and by Thursday 9th at the very latest and we will strive to offer an alternative, but only to those who we know about. BTW If you don’t finish your cheese platter then take it home.
March is also the month for those who have not yet done so to pay your annual subs so the Hon Treas can confirm her pacific cruise booking!
The theme for the British Isles Saints lunch is exactly that, British Islands and (of course) Ireland both north and south. So, see what you can do to ‘dress up’ to represent your country/county/area of origin – The kilt or Trews, Welsh Rabbits (!), the Bowler Hat Brigade, West Country Smocks and the like should give you a hint.
March is already upon us (groan!) and June is in turn not that far away, where does the time fly we ask. The preparations for the annual RNA birthday party are underway and I am pleased to advise that our shipmates of the FNMC and the Sydney Association are keen to join in with us (cost and organisation wise) and make it a joint effort.
Although I intend to get the ‘flyer’ ready before the May 2017 meeting I am now able to confirm that the theme for the June Birthday Party will be a fully professionally catered lunch, and a musical affair encompassing the 1950’s and early 1960’s, so dig out your Zoot suit, brothel creepers and (ladies only please) your full skirts and twin sets.
The cost will be (as always) reasonable and the atmosphere one of fun!
Yours Aye
Mike Bennett, 0407 336 088 / (03) 5943 1953
Secretary’s Scuttlebutt
Most Annual subs are in – thank you to those members.
For those who have not yet paid, please do so as soon as possible.
Skin Cancer Update
From March Circular:
If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer you may well qualify for a lump sum or regular pension, if it is believed that the tumour has developed as a result of sun exposure during your period of service.
If you have developed a Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) or Melanoma you can apply to the War pensions Agency (particularly if your services was in sunny climates) Veterans UK have a helpful team who are able to support you to complete the necessary application. You can contact them at;
or by phone 0808 1914218. Please see below a letter forwarded to the Loch Class Frigates Association highlighting this issue:
“Dear Andrew, I was in the Med from 1952-55. It was sunny in summer! In later years (60+) I have developed skin patches that have been treated with SOLARAZE or freezing. However, about 10-15 years ago I had to have one surgically removed and last year another on my forehead. When I saw a dermatologist last November he said ”Ex Navy? Served in warm climate? You should be claiming for this?” He promptly downloaded and printed off the enclosed which I forward. I knew nothing of that scheme but am in the process of claiming as the last bit excised was BCC (Basal Cell Carcinoma). It has healed very well but I still get scalp issues treated with a prescribed shampoo and cream.
You might think others in the Association also have grounds for claiming. Best wishes and may 2017 be healthy and happy. Sincerely, Peter Malindine.
I don't have the form, but will try to get more information in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, web-savvy members could research this from their own computers.
Yours also aye,
Dennis.
Diary – RNA Functions except where noted
Rig of The Day: Neat casual, unless otherwise promulgated.
March 11 / 1030 | Committee Meeting | Then set up for tomorrow
March 12
/ 1130 / Annual Fees will be accepted.
British Saints theme.
Fancy Dress of the theme is encouraged.
April 9
/ 1030 / Committee Meeting
1130 / Lunch Meeting
May 21
Third Sunday ! / 1030 / Committee Meeting
1130 / Lunch Meeting
Please check the table at the door for any notices of FNMC functions.
Birthdays between 12th March and 8th April:
March
18th / Rob Thomas, / 20th / Shirley Turner, / 22nd / Tony Gregory.
to you all !
Trivia, and Other Stuff
RN VCSeries: - LtCdr Malcolm David Wanklyn VC DSO & Two Bars Royal Navy
CITATION FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE ADMIRALTY
Whitehall, 6th December, 1941.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the VICTORIA CROSS for valour and resolution in command of His Majesty’s Submarine Upholder, to: Lieutenant Commander Malcolm David Wanklyn, D.S.O., Royal Navy.
On the evening of the 24th of May, 1941, while on patrol off the coast of Sicily, Lieutenant Commander Wanklyn, in command of His Majesty’s Submarine Upholder, sighted a south-bound enemy troop-convoy, strongly escorted by Destroyers. The failing light was such that observation by periscope could not be relied on but a surface attack would have been easily seen. Upholder’s listening gear was out of action.
In spite of these severe handicaps Lieutenant Commander Wanklyn decided to press home his attack at short range. He quickly steered his craft into a favourable position and closed in so as to make sure of his target. By this time the whereabouts of the escorting Destroyers could not be made out. Lieutenant Commander Wanklyn, while fully aware of the risk of being rammed by one of the escorts, continued to press on towards the enemy troop-ships. As he was about to fire, one of the enemy Destroyers suddenly appeared out of the darkness at high speed, and he only just avoided being rammed. As soon as he was clear, he brought his periscope sights on and fired torpedoes, which sank a large troop-ship. The enemy Destroyers at once made a strong counterattack and during the next twenty minutes dropped thirty-seven depth-charges near Upholder. The failure of his listening devices made it much harder for him to get away, but with the greatest courage, coolness and skill he brought Upholder clear of the enemy and safe back to harbour.
Before this outstanding attack, and since being appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Lieutenant Commander Wanklyn had torpedoed a tanker and a merchant vessel.
He has continued to show the utmost bravery in the presence of the enemy. He has carried out his attacks on enemy vessels with skill and relentless determination, and has also sunk one Destroyer, one U-boat, two troop- transports of 19,500 tons each, one tanker and three supply ships. He has besides probably destroyed by torpedoes one Cruiser and one Destroyer, and possibly hit another Cruiser.
TV Channel 5 - Assistance Please. TV Channel 5, are making an exciting two part documentary about Britain’s most famous ships. The MV Queen Mary will be the focus of one of our episodes. They are looking for individuals who can share their memories and experiences of the Queen Mary.
A key chapter of the Queen Mary’s history is its role during the Second World War as a troop transport ship. They are looking to talk to anyone that has memories of their journeys on board the Queen Mary. In particular, they want to talk to individuals who can recall the tragic sinking of the HMS Curacoa on the 2nd October 1942; Churchill’s transatlantic journeys; or the presence of German Prisoners of War on board.
For more information please contact Josh Sykes on 07882 436225 or e-mail or by post to Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd, 17-19 Hawley Crescent, Camden Town London NW1 8TT.
6. Perth RNA Conference 3rd
Swinging the Lamp.
Just for a change, I am including a personal anecdote from our illustrious Chairman, Mike.
I was involved in the "MV Claudia" gun running incident in 1974. I was a newly qualified CEMech (WEA) 1 (SM) serving in HMS Dolphin Spare Crew, I was ordered to report to the Duty CO, HMS Dolphin. The Duty CO informed me I was to join HMS/M FINWHALE (FINBIN), under the command of Lt Cdr Christmas - to go on a sneaky.
We trailed the MV Claudia, laden with IRA ammunitions and guns, communicating regularly with a Nimrod aircraft, from the Gib Straits right up to the River Shannon. All I did was watch Nav Radar with a 1000 PRF and a 2.5 ARP -(Pulse Repetition Freq and Ariel Rotation Period) for days on end and report a bearing! Why the powers in command could not use one of Spook RO (EW) trainees taught in Electronic Warfare remains a mystery, oh well it got me out of my pit! Obviously the time honoured RN rule of, ‘over react send in the best’ was used! Yawn.
My missus Sue didn't want a hug and kiss on my arriving home ... “you stink” was all Sue could say, as (with a deft hand any international rugby player would be proud of) she tossed my pussers hold-all containing my steaming kit into the back yard, from the front door!
Lubbly Jumbly served on nukes but nothing like a smelly P & O submariner to ignite the nostrils!
Unfortunately, salt water and fresh water from the river makes the trim a might difficult to keep ...
UK Daily Telegraph News report next day “Russian Submarine tracks IRA MV Claudia” with a picture of a fin sticking out of the oggin.
No. It was the FINBIN!
(Thus confirming our opinion on how accurate Daily Telegraph reports are !!)
Quote of the Month
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.Albert Einstein
AX Locker
- President Trump invited the Pope for lunch on his mega yacht. The Pope accepted. During lunch, a puff of wind blew the Pontiff's hat off and right into the water. It blew off about 50 feet, then the wind died down and it just floated on top of the water.
The crew and the secret service were scrambling to launch a boat to retrieve it, when Trump waved them off, saying "Never mind, boys, I'll get it."
The Donald climbed over the side of the yacht, walked on the water to the hat, picked it up, walked back on the water, climbed back into the yacht, and handed the Pope his hat.
The crew was speechless, the security team, and the Pope's entourage were speechless. No one knew what to say, not even the Pope.
That afternoon, NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, CNN all covered the story.
Their banner headlines read, "TRUMP CAN'T SWIM"!
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