H.M.S. DORSETSHIRE ASSOCIATION
NEWS ARCHIVE
PICTURES FROM 2004 REUNION
SECRETARY'S REPORT - 11 JANUARY 2004
At long last I have managed to get around to writing an up to date report which is a condensed and modified version of my report in the Newsletter. As I have said elsewhere all our thanks are due to Bert's grandson, Kevin, who was instrumental in preparing the original web site which was 'lost' due to the then server. Fortunately Kevin managed to 'find' an old copy which he brushed up and with the help of a new Server we now have an excellent web site.
I will keep an eye on the 'Guest Book' and reply as appropriate as well as publishing any news. Having said that I heard today (from Ted Bodman) that we might have another survivor in New Zealand. I have an address for Patrick Stainer so I will try and establish contact with him.
If you wish to be kept in touch with the Association send me your address I will forward an application form. At the moment the joining fee is £6 with no annual subscription (although we do appreciate donations to cover costs).
Report on the 61st Anniversary Reunion
held at the Royal Fleet Club Devonport April 2003
I was most surprised and pleased at the numbers attending so much so that
we had to use a double decker bus on the Friday to get to Totnes to board
our River Boat to Dartmouth. After a look around we crossed by ferry to Kingswear
where we had our own coach on the steam train to Paignton. Our bus got us
back to the Royal Fleet Club in good time for a quick wash and brush up before
gathering in the Lounge for the Buffet and the all important swinging of lamps,
both old and new.
This year were able to revert to the normal format of having Saturday as a free day for sightseeing (or shopping) before the sherry reception and our Reunion Dinner where our principal guest this year was Captain David Larmour RN, Director Personnel and Plans, Devonport.
The Roast Beef of Olde England main course with the usual trimming was accompanied
by 'Dorsetshire Gravy' the ingredients of which was a closely guarded secret
between your Secretary and Cook, Kathy (okay, and Pusser's). Following the
traditional Wisbech Bramley Apple Pie and coffee our vice President Captain
David Tall gave the Loyal Toast and Captain Larmour proposed the toast to
HMS Dorsetshire.
The toast to our Departed Shipmates and Absent Friends was given by Rev Gerald
Charles and Mr Geoff Kitchen proposed the toast to HMS Enterprise, Panther
and Paladin.
Mr Alan Salmon gave his usual humorous toast to the Survivors and the final toast to Our Ladies was given by Mr Peter Turner. Bouquets were presented, and the Evening concluded with dancing (of all types) to the resident DJ
Sunday started with a hearty breakfast before boarding our bus to St Nicholas
Church in the Dockyard which was full to overflowing as there were to be a
three baptisms. Unfortunately the microphone was not on so few heard the service!
As always we provided Easter Eggs for the children at the end of the service.
We then processed to the Drill Shed where a wreath was laid at the Memorial
Board and the salute taken by Captain Larmour.
Of the nearly 50 known survivors 12 were able to make the Reunion but a slice of the cake was sent to those survivors who were not able to be present due to health or other reasons. There are still at least 10 out there whose addresses we have not got on record.
On behalf of the Association may I thank all those Members and friends who made the many donations and raffle prizes (including from Stan Higgins who had to cancel at the last moment) and the generous gifts from Pussers Rum
Finally thanks from us all to John and all the staff at the Royal Fleet Club.
Arrangements for the 62nd Anniversary Reunion 8th-11th April 2004
Any non-members wishing to attend will be warmly welcomed and they should contact me as below and details will be forwarded
Those attending are reminded that they must make their own arrangements for accommodation either directly with the Royal Fleet Club (01752 562 723) or otherwise. Many rooms have already been reserved at the RFC so if you wish to stay there contact them immediately and remember there will be the usual 'stay four nights for the price of three offer' thanks to John Hardwick.
Details
Thursday 8th Assemble at the RFC 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.
Friday 9th After breakfast we make an early start by coach across the Tamar for the beautiful Cornish fishing village of Charlestown near St Austell which has been used as the location for a number of films and TV dramas. We have arranged to visit the Shipwreck & Heritage Centre and there is a nearby 'Smokery', which should entice some of the fish aficionados (Spanish for those that like two!). We then continue to Falmouth in time for lunch by the sea before visiting the spectacular new Maritime Museum. There should then be time to look around Falmouth itself before returning to the RFC to get ready for the buffet and a few more stories.
Saturday 10th The day is free to allow for your own sightseeing (or shopping)
and then we gather in the RFC Lounge for the sherry reception from 1745 for
piping all hands to Dinner at 1825. We shall then enjoy a four-course meal
before the usual toasts and announcements.
The night will continue with the opportunity of dancing to the resident dance
band or just talking.
Sunday 11th Easter Day As usual we shall go by coach to the church of St
Nicholas, HMS Drake for the Easter Communion service and afterwards we shall
place a wreath at the Memorial Board in the Drill Hall.
We return by coach to the traditional Chicken (or Scampi) in the basket lunch
at the RFC where we expect presentations to be made and members will start
to depart except for those taking advantage of the extra night. The Dining
Room will be open for those requiring a buffet dinner.
____________________
Geoff Kitchen has made a strenuous effort to locate the missing HMS Dorsetshire Silver which has been missing since it was taken off the ship in South Africa before going on active service. We all thought it had gone forever but Geoff has managed to track down at least some of the smaller items which appear to have found their way back to the U.K. and he hopes that they may be on show at some time during the Reunion. Well done, its good to have members interested in revealing the history of our ship and its crew.
Other News
Part of one e-mail from Suzy Wyatt (see later) is worth printing; it's from
William Wyatt's private diary while he was aboard the Dorsetshire.
"June 14th 1940.
Sunk German submarine in English Channel. No survivors."
"July 24th 1940.
Received message that Portuguese liner "Colonial" had Italian Ambassador
to South America on board, and we went forthwith to intercept her, which we
did at 16.15 in the afternoon. Captured Italian who was elderly and seemed
a little scared."
"Saturday August 24th 1940.
Went to St Helena again and took on provisions of potatoes, which we hadn't
had in two months."
"January 19th 1941.
Funeral today of P.O Aspin
New contacts and Old shipmates
Since last year I have been in contact with the following by email:
Andy Wade, who runs the www.forcez-survivors.org.uk web site which includes a list of HMS Dorsetshire officers and crew (as yet incomplete). Worth a look.
Richard Merrick rjmcx@yahoo.co.uk who gave me the above contact and is the g/son of the late Vincent Merrick (s) a Royal Marine on board
David Stephens dstephens@jointgroup.fsnet.co.uk who is a neighbour of George Stanton (s) an electrician and has sent me a copy of his Service Record written on 'sail cloth'.
Jason Christopher jason@area51roadswow.fsnet.co.uk a g/son of Leading Seaman John Thomas Jordan (s)
Nicola Pollard np014j1934@blueyonder.co.uk g/daughter of Thomas Pollard who served on board from 1937-1940
Michael Barker michaellbarker@yahoo.com nephew of Leslie Ives, stoker who was a Royal Navy middleweight champion
Frank Farrell ffarrell@capitalnet.com
nephew of Warren William Herridge who came from Newfoundland and had only
been on the 8 months before the sinking.
I managed to put Frank in touch with Len Warren(s) who remembered 'Bill' very
well and wrote a nice letter to him with some memoirs of the old days.
Charles Turner chuckfturner@yahoo.com. g/son of Frederick Jayne, gunner
Geoffrey Lloyd geoffrey.lloyd@ntlworld.com son-in-law of L B Robinson, stoker
Suzy Wyatt suziedoo@msn.com g/daughter of William Wyatt, stoker (see above).
Since sending out the Newsletter we have also had contact with:
Patrick Burke who along with Tom Alexander are volunteer A.B.'s on the restored Liberty Ship Jeremiah O'Brien in San Francisco (www.geocities.com/jeremiahobrien). Tom's uncle George Grey was probably a carpenter (and gunner) a survivor.
Steve Bannister, see Guest Book
Michael Beresford, see Guest Book
All the above would love to hear from any of the survivors or their families of any contacts, photographs etc. they may have. Either contact them through me or direct by e-mail or letter (but send me a copy for record and general interest).
Copies of Hugh Atkinson (s) book 'A Boatswain's Progress' recounting his 33 years in the navy including his time on the Dorsetshire are still available from him at 9 Southway Lane, Plymouth PL6 7DH at £6 plus £1 postage. I found it excellent.
Obituary
Since the last Newsletter I am sorry to record that a number of members have crossed the bar including;
Cross (Survivor) and Hilda Crosskey both died in October 2002
Fred Ball (Survivor) February
Bungy Wiliams (Survivor) February
Mick Uren (Survivor) May
Ernie Feltham (Survivor) July
Members will also be sad to hear of the sudden death of Andrew Churchward
the popular Receptionist at the RFC.
Where possible the Association is represented at the funerals of these past members and friends. We send our condolences to all their relatives and friends.
Remember my contact address is: Gerald Blackburn; The Fairings, School Lane, Hints, Staffordshire B78 3DW; Telephone 01543 481 593, and for those on the net (which must be all of them Ed.!) gblackburn@mgownersclub.net and thank you for all the letters I have received over the past year.
The Dorsetshire Association wishes all our Members, Families and Friends a Happy and Healthy New Year
PICTURES FROM 60th REUNION