Blogs

From Carl,
If you wish to buy slops at half price, contact John Dunwell at [email protected] ASAP for items available and at what price.
Thank you.

From:Diccon Murphy <[email protected]>

Subject: HMS Mercury 50th Anniversary Garden Party - Official Photo 

I am contacting you in the hope you can help me obtain a copy of the only photo ever taken that has both myself and my Father in Law in it.

Not sure if CRS Arthur "Wally" Walker was a member but he crossed the bar on 2 March 2024.
His claim to fame was serving as an extra in 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' while he was stationed in the old Ceylon West billet.
He was Buffer in Mercury for a period in the 60s, served on Hermes and was instrumental in setting up the RNARS station on board HMS Belfast.

Joe Kirk

The following was submitted by Carl Beeson.
Reading my copy of this month's Current Archaeology, the following article was of interest;
'Minesweeper discovered in the Irish Sea'

From Carl (the Sec)

Shipmates, I recently received a query from an elderly shipmate member of ours aged 96, asking if he had paid his subs and if not how to go about paying them.  After some thought I did two things;

One,  knowing that he was a WW2 veteran I contacted the RNA HQ and having passed on his details I requested that they contact the Branch nearest to him to arrange a visit Covid permitting or when the lockdown is lifted and ..

Two, to arrange for the RNA Certificate Of Appreciation to be issued.  

 I'm attempting to get hold of a copy of the cartoon book "Jack by Tugg" which was published in 1983 but have failed miserably.  I've also got Ken Sutton searching as well (Comms Museum).  Not only would I like it for myself but also for our RNA Branch out here where, as you know, I'm the Branch Sec. and where such cartoons could be used in our monthly newsletter.

Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give

Yours Aye

Spud (934)

My Sister Patsy Ellerker was reading a book about Bletchley Park and found this photo, she was surprised to see a  younger me in the photo, she showed the photo to my other Sisters they all agreed that although it wasn't me it was our Mum! Alice Joan Blackey nee Brotherhood, she was ATS Y Branch and served at BP during the war. Mum never told us where she served in the war, it was only when visiting us that she mentioned it.

I'm not sure if all the members of the RNCA are aware, but Bernie Brisoll has a part time job on HMS Belfast, alongside by Tower Bridge in London, demonstrating and teaching morse to paying visitors.

Don't believe me, checkout the link below to see a video produced by the Imperial War Museum showing Bernie at work.

HMS Belfast Wireless Office

Ahoy CONA Colleagues,

Hope you are staying safe.  PSA Bereavement Update No 3 from the RNA Deputy Welfare Adviser, which I commend to you.

Stay safe