H.M.S. DORSETSHIRE ASSOCIATION
NEWS PAGE
SOUTH RIVER REUNION
Bert Gollop lays a wreath at the South River Reunion on 23rd March. Click here for more pictures
FROM THE SECRETARY - 10th March 2007
I see I started off last year's Notes with an apology for them being late, so nothing changes! Actually I do like to leave it as long as possible in order to report on the latest news (and late applications). I also like to process your cheques at the last moment but this does mean that some members think that their applications have not been received. Sorry about that.
Although Bert Gollop, our President, will not be with us this year I am very pleased that the following survivors will; George Bell, Ted Bodman, Norman Jones, Bill Kelly and (I am delighted to say) Charles 'Shiner' Wright.
'Shiner' has not been able to be with us in recent years but unfortunately Eddie Phelps has had to call off due to family reasons.
Other past crew members who are unable to be with us but have sent their best wishes include Frank Antis, John Cannon, Sam Cawthra, Gerald Charles, Lloyd Foster, Vic Foulston and Geoff Kitchen. John has let me have a copy of W H 'Jimmy' James's detailed diary covering his service on board the Dorsetshire between June 1937 and June 1941 which I shall bring to the Reunion along with other new (and old) items of interest
I have also had a kind letter from the present owner of Harry Cuffling's (S) old house who let me know that Harry is now living at Autumn House, Sandown, Isle of Wight, Muriel having died some years ago. We do appreciate such contacts.
As always I have had many messages from relatives and friends of survivors and members including Jim & Charlie Sheldon, Mac & Vera Sweeney, Christine Clark, Gwen Treweeks, Janet Tucker, and Gwen Williams who all send their best wishes to the our members and the Association.
There should be over 40 at our Reunion Dinner with about 30 joining us for the Friday coach trip. To cement our strong contacts with Alexandra House we have arranged to make that our first stop which I am sure, will be of interest to us all. We shall leave the RFC at 9.00a.m. but while we are at Crownhill I hope to arrange a short visit to the old fort (although officially it is closed). We then move on to Buckland Abbey, the home of the legendary 'Drakes Drum' for an early lunch and a tour of this historic National Trust property.
(If you are in the N.T. please remember to bring your membership card).
Finally may I apologise to anyone trying to contact me by e-mail
as I have 'lost' my connection, temporarily I hope!
REMEMBERING
Bert Gollop & Ray Carpenter commemorating the Dorsetshire sinking (below). Taken in South River Ontario Canada the inset shows the wreath they laid at the War Memorial at Easter this year. Picture courtesy of Derrick Pearse MBE:
PICTURES FROM 2005 REUNION
PICTURES FROM THE HEROES RETURN - OCTOBER 2004
SECRETARY'S REPORT JANUARY 2005
What a fantastic year it has been for the Association. Not only did we have a very successful Easter Reunion but, following the news of the Big Lottery Fund's Heroes Return scheme, a party of 38 of us, Veterans (from both HMS Dorsetshire and Cornwall), Spouses and Carers made the journey back to South Africa to lay wreaths in memory of those of both ships and HMS Hermes who lost their lives way back in April 1942.
In addition we seem to be making more contacts with relatives and friends
of ex crew members thanks to our web site maintained by Kevin Gollop, and
the internet. The most interesting contact is, I think, with Paul Buckley
whose ancestor was transported to the America's in 1736 on board the first
HMS Dorsetshire (1694-1749)!
Since last year a few more members have 'crossed the bar' including Percy
Thompson (survivor) in October, Lewis Leonard (s) September, Frederick James
Carter (s), William 'Bill' Howe (s) January in Ottawa and Reg Racher (s) December.
Where possible we were represented at their funerals and we send our condolences
to all their family and friends.
This year sees the 60th Anniversary of the end of the World War II and among
the number of commemoration events being planned will be the one held Sunday
10th July on Horse Guards Parade, London. Kath Evans, one of our members who
is also a member of the War Widows Association of Great Britain, has arranged
for a number of our survivors to go with their spouse or a carer.
Report on the 62nd Anniversary Reunion 2004
On Good Friday we visited Charlestown the beautiful Cornish fishing village
and then on to Falmouth to visit the new Maritime Museum before returning
for our Buffet Supper and to see the collection of new old memorabilia from
all over the world.
At the dinner held on the Saturday our President Peter Martin welcomed our
Principal Guest Commodore Richard Ibbotson, Commodore of the Britannia Naval
College, Dartmouth and his wife Marie. They were then introduced to the 12
survivors present who were Hugh Atkinson, George Bell, Ted Bodman, Ray Chandler,
Gerald Charles, Bert Gollop, Norman Jones, Bill Kelly, Geoff Kitchen, Eddie
Phelps, Percy Thompson, and Peter Turner.
The 80 members and friends that sat down to dinner did so with items of HMS Dorsetshire Silver on the top table which thanks to the sterling (sic) efforts of Geoff Kitchen who had located them and arranged their loan from the various naval establishments.
After Dinner our Chairman, Bert Gollop invited Commodore Ibbotson to become a Vice President to the Association to which he readily agreed.
We attended the Easter Communion Service at HMS Drake and after the service
we processed to the Drill Shed to lay a wreath at the Memorial Board, for
the last time as the Drill shed is due for redevelopment.
Heroes Return 19th to 28th October 2004
Thanks again to Kath Evans we were able to take advantage of the Big Lottery
Fund scheme and the assistance from a lot of people, including our new Vice
President Cdre Ibbotson, Pat and I led a party of 38 from both the HMS Dorsetshire
and Cornwall Associations and including a Royal Marine bugler to South Africa.
Unfortunately days before we were ready to go Percy Thompson, who had just
left hospital, died but we were able to take his ashes with us.
Three days at Cape Town allowed us to visit the Dockyard, Simon's Town Naval Museum, where the Rev Ralph Thornley led a moving service, then to the Town Museum for lunch. We also saw the 'Just Nuisance' statue etc. before going on to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Most managed to climb (by cable car) Table Top mountain and to fit in other trips before we flew on to Durban.
There we met survivor Ray Lock who organised most of this part of our pilgrimage
starting with us attending The Church of the Good Shepherd. Then we moved
on to Durban Dockyard where thanks to the South African Navy we were able
to go in two Strike Boats out onto the Indian Ocean to lay wreaths to our
departed shipmates and also to spread Percy's ashes on the sea.
On the Monday Bert organised an excellent mini Safari to a wild life park
After a farewell lunch on Tuesday, organised by Ray Lock we went by coach
to Durban harbour to see the statue of the Lady in White, Perla Siedle Gibson,
the famous South African opera singer who sang to the ships entering and leaving
the harbour during the war.
Arrangements for the 63rd Anniversary 24th-27th March 2005
We will assemble at the Royal Fleet Club Devonport on Thursday 24th March
where the Dining Room will be open from 6.00 - 8.00p.m. for dinner if required.
The bar will be open and the lamps swinging. On Good Friday we will be visiting
the Britannia Naval College at Dartmouth at the invitation of Commodore Ibbotson.
Saturday is a free day until we gather in the RFC lounge for a Sherry Reception
and the Reunion Dinner.
We visit the church of St Nicholas, HMS Drake on Sunday for the Easter Communion
service and afterwards we shall place a wreath to our shipmates adjacent our
crest in the chancel as the old Drill Shed is under conversion.
There will be many more new items of interest on show at this year's Reunion as well our ever growing collection of other memorabilia but in addition there will be a display of items and photographs recording our Heroes Return visit including a showing of Doug Harris's video.
News from around the World
As from June 2005 Commodore Richard Ibbotson, is in line for promotion to
Rear Admiral. We send our congratulations to him and his wife Marie, and wish
him well in his new position.
It was good to meet our South African Survivors and they and the S.A. Naval
Association made us very welcome.
While we were in Durban we were all able to purchase from Ray Lock a signed
copy of his 108 page book 'Bismarck, Dorsetshire and Memories'.
This fascinating book of his life on board is a definitive record that is well worth having. Ray's address is 1 Furn Ridge, 1 Burne Crescent, Durban North 4051, South Africa; the cost is about £10 plus postage.
Remember my contact address is: Gerald Blackburn; The Fairings, School Lane,
Hints, Staffordshire B78 3DW and 'phone 01543581593 e-mail gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
and thank you for all the letters and e-mails that I have received over the
past year.
NEWS ARCHIVE