www.bulwarkassoc.com R08 Magazine HMS Bulwark Albion Centaur Association The Journal of the Centaur Class of British Aircraft Carriers WINTER 2022

Page 2 Chairman Jim Ure Blenheim Gardens 101 Camberley Road Bulwell Nottingham NG6 8GE [email protected] Treasurer Tiny Ashton 101 Wood Lane Bramley Rotheram S66 1UP 01709 548623 [email protected] Secretary Denis Askham 155 Chorley Road Walton Le Dale Preston Lancashire PR5 5RJ 07773651213 [email protected] Membership Secretary Harry Roddis 15 Palmerston Avenue Maltby Rotherham South Yorkshire S66 8HS 01709 816667 [email protected] Editor R08 Magazine Alan Key 28A Frogmore Lane Lovedean Waterlooville Hampshire PO8 9QL 02392 598000 [email protected] Vice Chairman Steve Foster 12 Queen Acre Newham on Sea Gloucester GL14 1DJ [email protected] Views and opinions expressed in the R08 are those of the contributors and unless stated are not necessarily those of the Association COVER: HMS Albion Returning to Plymouth

Page 3 NOTICE BOARD NEWS ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS SUBS. £10 per annum. Due from 1st May each year (*See note below) CHEQUES Make payable to HMS BULWARK, ALBION & CENTAUR ASSOCIATION. This must be written in full as the bank will not accept any other name e.g. BAC Please send cheques to TINY ASHTON, 101 WOOD LANE, BRAMLEY, ROTHERHAM, S66 1UP. BANK TRANSFER (Most members prefer this method) BANK: LLOYDS SORT CODE: 30-96-11 ACCOUNT: 02739754 HMS BULWARK, ALBION & CENTAUR ASSOCIATION REF: YOUR NAME & SHIPS BOOK NUMBER (SBN) ASSOCIATION WEBSITE www.bulwarkassoc.com Updated regularly & for the benefit of all members. Packed with information. Photos etc. welcome. Send relevant items to the Webmaster at: [email protected] Face book group. HMS Bulwark (R08 & L15) HMS Albion (R07 & L14) HMS Centaur (R06) AREA REPS Details for the area representatives are at the back of the R08, AREA REPS WANTED Vacancies in SE England, Midlands & East Anglia, Kent & East Sussex, Cornwall, Devon. Dorset, Wiltshire, Herts & West Essex. Contact the Sec. for details.

Page 4 In Memoriam R .I.P R I P IN MEMORIUM John Davis 2271 29th January 2022 John (Yorkie) Marshall 1660 15th July 2022 Mick Morris 2682 2nd November 2022 Capt. Alan Hensher RN 28th August 2022 Although not a member he would have been known to many members of the Association

Page 5 PRESIDENTS ADDRESS Many thanks to all who send in interesting dits, articles or photographs however, any more would be welcome especially from new members and I am running out of supplies. Any photographs that require returning to owners is not a problem. I would also appreciate you having them weighted at the post office to prevent additional costs when I have to go to collect and pay the extra with the £1.50 excess charge. Don’t forget, this is your magazine and many members enjoy having their memories jogged about their time on the ships. (Editor) ARTICLES & PHOTOS I hope that you all have had good Christmas and New Year celebrations, with appropriate levels of refreshment to sustain you, and that you are well set up for the rigours of the year ahead. The mix of very cold and very wet weather have conspired to make this seem a long winter, but Spring is approaching, and the days are lengthening. We are, of course, entering our first full year with King Charles III as our Monarch, in what will be a challenging period both nationally and internationally. There seems to be no end in sight for the conflict in Ukraine, and we will continue to watch and wait, and hope that there will be no miscalculations from either side. It follows that all Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel serving in successor ships to our own will need to remain at readiness to act if required. The world remains an unstable place, evidenced not least by the high levels of migration we witness daily, and competition for scarce resources can lead quickly to flashpoints. This winter marks a change in my own working arrangements, as, after 14 years, I have retired from the role of Harbour Master for the Port of Bristol; in its place, I have taken on a number of part-time tasks which will free up more time for broader interests, including our Association. On which subject, I hope that I will see as many of you as possible when we get together in Southsea in May. In the meantime, my very best wishes for 2023, Jerry Stanford

Page 6 CHAIRMANS CHAT Welcome shipmates and associated members to the Winter edition of the RO8, Happy New Year and I Hope you all had a good Christmas holiday. I do not have much to chat about this edition. The only event since the A.G.M. was the gathering at the Cenotaph. We had 9 members due to march on the day, but due to health issues 2 had to drop out. After the parade we had a wee dram or two in The Sanctuary house. Those parade was formed by John Large, Alan Brabant, Whiskey Hague, Reg Reader, John Moore, Neil Pearson and myself. See photos of the parade and the pub afterwards. Well that’s all I have for now. Hope to see you all in May. Best regards Jim….

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Page 9 TREASURERS REPORT 282 M GILLETT 608 J GLITHEROE 649 P AMES 1112 H HURCOMBE 1396 E REES 1480 K WRIGHT 1569 M MCANDREW 1580 I THOMPSON 1618 J COLLIS 1619 J DAVIES 1768 G GOODWIN 1866 C MACDONALD 1879 T HINE 1957 R TURNER 2141 C FARTHING 2157 M PATTEN-HALL 2179 J FARLEY 2236 L DYER 2283 A WARREN 2309 T DIXON 2312 C FOSTER 2323 R EVANS 2325 K OATEN 2336 P JACKSONS 2347 D HUNT 2430 S SANDERS 2436 W CARR 2472 K BUSHNELL 2547 A JOINER 2550 D MILLER 2637 J REDMOND 2639 M BURROWS 2647 D WOODHAMS 2654 D AMOS 2668 D CARPENTER 2671 A WILSON 2672 MUDGE 2675 B COOK 2676 M MCARTHY 2678 J BROWN 2680 R SPEARS 2681 B FROST 2683 M HAYNES Here we are again, at least it’s a bit warmer than of late. Its been a fairly quiet year but very enjoyable at Scarborough. I hope you all had a great Christmas and New year. Funds remain in good condition; full report and balance sheet will be in the Spring R08. Unfortunately a large number of members missed renewing their subs this year, can the following members on the list below please contact me either by email or telephone (pm only) the details are on page 2. Tiny Hope you all had a great Christmas time. Where does the time go? I’m told that half the rooms at the Queens Hotel, Southsea are already booked for our event in May. If you want to join us, please contact the hotel a.s.a.p. Full details are here & on the website. www.bulwarkassoc.com I’m looking at possible venues for 2024. Any suggestions are welcome with details of hotels which could accommodate us. Get in touch if you can. Looking forward to the May event. Keep safe. Denis SEC’S SCRIBBLES

Page 10 2023 ASSOCIATION REUNION NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE FROM THE ROYAL BEACH HOTEL, SOUTHSEA VENUE NOW IS THE QUEENS HOTEL, CLARENCE PARADE OSBORNE ROAD SOUTHSEA PORTSMOUTH PO5 3LJ Telephone: 023 9435 1879 MAY 12th to 15th (Friday to Monday)

Page 11 GALA DINNER MENU AT QUEENS HOTEL SOUTHSEA SATURDAY 13th MAY 2023 STARTER (1) Tomato & basil Soup, croutons (2) Prawn cocktail (3) Honey cured smoked duck breast, orange chard salad ………………………………………………………………………………………………… MAIN COURSE (1) Breast of chicken, madeira sauce (2) Blade of beef, port & thyme sauce (3) Butternut squash. mushroom & goat’s cheese wellington, pesto cream sauce All served with chef’s choice of vegetables ………………………………………………………………………………………………… DESSERT (1) Blueberry crème brulee (2) Amaretto filled profiteroles, warm chocolate sauce (3) Cheese & Biscuits, celery, grapes ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Tea, coffee & mints PLEASE SEND YOUR MENU CHOICES TO DENIS ASKHAM BY THE END OF APRIL

Page 12 CONFIRMED HOTEL DEALS AS FOLLOWS: Deposit of £10 per person for room booking 4 night package: Thurs to Sunday Nights @ £278 per person 3 night package: Fri, Sat & Sun Nights @ £216 per person 2 night package: Sat & Sun Nights @ £170 per person 1 night package: Sat Night & Gala Dinner @ £95 per person Gala Dinner only @ £42 per person Additional night @ £96 per room for B & B Additional night @ £80 per room for single B & B Quote Code: GA000495 ASSOCIATION WEB SITE www.bulwarkassoc.com The site is regularly updated & comments are welcomed. If you would like anything appropriate included, please let me know. [email protected] Jam packed with information about our ships & associated matters. Hundreds of photos in the Gallery. The R08 Facebook Group is found at HMS Bulwark (R08 & L15) HMS Albion (R07 & L14) HMS Centaur (R06) Please join the group its there for members to use and keep in touch.

Page 13 ASK JACK A new feature of the R08 as Denis receives many enquiries regarding ex servicemen who have links with the three ships. Barry Atkinson: Barry was on Bulwark 1965-1967 & was from Runcorn. Joe Simon has contacted me for any information on Barry. Please contact the Sec. if you know of Barry & I’ll pass on the details to Joe. Mick Hardwick: Was a Royal Marine & in the RM Association. One of our members met him on a coach tour many years ago & would like to contact him. He lived in the Belper area of Derbyshire. Please contact the Sec. with any information which will be passed on. Harry Plummer: Harry served on Centaur & Bulwark as an Aircraft Handler & was probably on Albion sometime in the 50’s & 60’s. Our member Terry Griffin often thinks about him & wonders of his whereabouts. Please contact the Sec. with any news of Harry. This edition has another batch of images from HMS Bulwark during the Suez Campaign, many thanks to all who have sent images and information. There have been many changes to both the Royal Navy Fleet, Squadrons and aircraft operated by the Fleet Air Arm and the structure of the Royal Marines over the past decade, in particular with new ships and aircraft entering service. With this in mind I thought an update for you all would be appreciated, describing the new modern Royal Navy. In this edition we welcome Cdr Steve Gilmour RN, WEO and Lt David Lukic RN Media Officer of HMS Albion. Steve has taken over from Cdr Paul Thompson RN who had been keeping us up to date for the past two years on the deployments of the ship. EDITOR

Page 14 HMS ALBION L14 Update Cdr Steve Gilmour and Lt David Lukiv Operation Achillean – A Mediterranean Voyage At the end of summer HMS Albion sailed from Plymouth for an autumnal Mediterranean deployment on Operation Achillean along with HMS Defender, RFA Argus and RFA Mounts Bay. While working up together as Task Group 318.01 (TG) off the South West coast, it was in UK waters that the sad news of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II was announced to the nation. Pausing the TG’s activities, Albion paid her respects to the late monarch by firing a 96-gun salute off the Plymouth Breakwater and followed this up with a 21-gun salute marking the proclamation of King Charles III the day after. Whilst en route through the infamous Bay of Biscay, all the ships in the TG met up and conducted continuous training together, including a Replenishment at Sea (RAS), this being one of the most dangerous and challenging serials ships undertake at sea, as this necessitates getting within 40 metres of another vessel whilst attached to each other to supply vital necessities such as fuel, ammunition & food.

Page 15 RFA Mounts Bay RFA Argus

Page 16 HMS Defender and HMS Albion pulled into Rota, Spain for the first stop of the trip with the two RFAs going into Gibraltar for the first “run ashore”. After a little stint of R&R, the TG entered the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar, with everyone very much enjoying the warmer weather away from home. While the rest of the TG split up and proceeded to different objectives, Albion made for the desert sands of North Africa, to Tripoli, Libya, a country where the Royal Navy had not set foot for many years. Albion’s visit to Tripoli was the first major Defence activity undertaken in Libya since Operation Ellamy back in 2011 and was likewise the first significant event undertaken by the recently-opened British Embassy. Events had to be carefully managed given recent history and the fact that Albion was hosting representatives from both Eastern and Western governments. Yet it was a most successful visit with a positive whirlwind of Defence Engagement (DE) activity taking place, and a men’s football match between Albion and Tripoli Dockyard. Departing Libyan shores, though not saying farewell to North Africa just yet, Albion sailed east towards Cyprus. The TG re-aggregated and arrived off the coast of Cyprus to conduct Exercise Austere Wolf; an exercise proving the utility and versatility of maritime forces to support personnel operating ashore. Albion proceeded alongside soon after, again with the dual purpose of facilitating more DE as well as allowing for a bit of well-deserved R&R for the Ship’s Company.

Page 17 A brief spell at Sea followed with Albion making a 48 hour dash northwest into the Aegean Sea to Izmir, Turkey witnessing a truly glorious sunset as the ship came into harbour late that evening. Albion sailed into a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the Turkish Navy, once again proving her interoperability with allies and partners from all across the region. Once through the Aegean, Albion sailed south back to the sandy shores of North Africa, this time going to the world famous port of Alexandria in Egypt. And yes, the Ship’s Company went to see the Great Pyramids of Giza; more often than not sighted on the back of a camel! Departing Alexandria, though again not saying farewell to North Africa, Albion sailed north towards the Adriatic Sea this time for a rendezvous with the USS George H W Bush Carrier Strike Group and Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, working with the UK’s closest allies in the region. USS George H W Bush After these important interactions, Albion visited the rolling and rugged hills of Bar, Montenegro. The Ship’s Company took the opportunity to visit the charming shoreside town of Budva, a most understated place which exceeded the expectations of all who visited. Going back to business, Albion hosted a Distinguished Visitors Day before sailing, hosting the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović and showcasing the training given to the Montenegrins by the Royal Navy.

Page 18 After these important interactions, Albion visited the rolling and rugged hills of Bar, Montenegro. The Ship’s Company took the opportunity to visit the charming shoreside town of Budva, a most understated place which exceeded the expectations of all who visited. Going back to business, Albion hosted a Distinguished Visitors Day before sailing, hosting the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović and showcasing the training given to the Montenegrins by the Royal Navy. HMS Albion then sailed to one of the Royal Navy’s most cherished runs ashore, namely the island paradise of Malta – a place that seems to have something for everyone, from diving off Comino island, to exploring historic Valletta, to enjoying the nightlife in St Julian’s. This stop was predominantly an R&R visit with the Ship’s Company being given three full days to explore. Before sailing on the 11th of November, Albion sent a contingent to the famous Saluting Battery in Valletta, for a Ceremony of Remembrance commemorating the Armistice. After leaving Malta, Albion spent less than 24 hours at Sea before waking up off the coast of a different continent, returning to North Africa for the final time, namely Tunisia. More DE followed with some Ship’s Company taking time to visit the ancient city of Carthage. Sporting success here was mixed, with the ladies football 5-a-side team winning their fixture and the men’s rugby team fighting valiantly against the Tunisian National U20s team, though ultimately losing 55-0 in keeping with the staggering odds.

Page 19 Charles de Gaulle Finally bidding adieu to North Africa, Albion sailed north towards Sardinia, meeting up with the French carrier Charles de Gaulle and her TG. Somehow Albion and RFA Argus miraculously defeated the French in a surface exercise whereby both units had to avoid detection and “attack” an island with the French required to intercept and “sink” the perfidious British. By happenchance and good fortune the French failed to sink the TG. Nelson would indeed be proud… After this exercise Albion sailed through the iconic Straits of Messina towards the Gulf of Taranto to participate in Exercise DYNAMIC GUARD, an Electronic Warfare (EW) exercise focussed on improving NATO’s EW doctrine and capabilities. Once done with the exercise Albion headed back North through the straits of Messina towards the Port of Rome. A contingent of ship’s company travelled from the ship in Landing Craft to Anzio, where Albion held a Remembrance Ceremony to commemorate the Operation Shingle Anzio Landings of January 1944.

Page 20 Sailing a little further north, Albion came alongside in Civitavecchia, the Port of Rome towards the end of November for the deployment’s penultimate stop. Ship’s company were received by His Majesty’s Ambassador to Italy, Lord Edward Llewellyn at his residence to celebrate Albion’s achievements over the past few months. Lord Llewellyn is also Honorary Captain of HMS Albion, and spent time at sea on two occasions during the deployment. The Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, visited HMS Albion, and HM Band of Royal Marines Scotland came to support proceedings, performing on the ship and in Rome. The Royal Marines Band staged “flashmobs” at the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, and Pincio Terrace which drew huge crowds. Albion sailed home in early December, with the Mediterranean finally yielding and succumbing to winter’s cold and windy embrace. A perfect prelude to Albion’s well deserved homecoming and Christmas leave back in the UK. HMS Albion’s ships company can reflect on a busy and successful deployment. They leave behind the Mediterranean sunshine, but look forward to the warm welcome they will receive at homecoming, in time for Christmas with families and loved ones.

Page 21 HMS BULWARK L15 Update – Capability Development Lt Bill Mawhinney Since Non-Fleet Date, Aug 22, the pace of regeneration for HMS BULWARK has increased significantly. The LPD Support Group, and members of the new BULWARK crew, have integrated fully into Babcock Marine’s production schedule, ensuring the main activities are delivered as required to meet the next project milestone. This close relationship with our Industrial Partner is critical to the timely capability transfer from HMS ALBION this year. At this stage of the project the majority of activities have been focused on the Marine Engineering equipment. A significant achievement was the successful installation of a new Sewage Treatment Plants, which required the engineering team to find an innovative solution to ensure this upgrade fitted correctly. BULWARK has also had her propellor shafts removed in preparation for overhaul. Personnel are starting to regenerate the necessary Departmental administration framework for their respective areas as we start to focus on becoming an operation ship once more; this has been bolstered by the 26 permanent Ship’s Staff who have joined. In order to maintain SQEP on an LPD Platform, the Senior Engineer and other key members of his team joined ALBION for several weeks in December while the ship was deployed on operations. This allowed them to gain valuable experience from their counterparts and discuss elements of the handover for later this year. We will repeat this throughout the first half of this year as we continue on our journey. We have utilised our shore time to build team working skills through completing Outdoor Archery Courses and Escape Room Experiences. The highlight of the social calendar was the Christmas Party, where current and ex serving personnel from the LPD Community had a fantastic evening with food and entertainment provided from the social fund. We also had the privilege to officially celebrate the promotions of Jonathan Roberts and Gary Thompson to WO2ET(ME) with a clear lower deck on board the ship and formal presentation of their Warrant parchments.

Page 22 SCC UPDATE S/Lt (SCC) Dave Burley RNR ‘Happy New Year to you all. Its been a busy time for both TS Albion & TS Centaur. All waterborne craft have been taken off the water for the Winter with repairs ongoing, in order to get ready for another year on the water. Both Units had their Unit Reviews with South West Area Officer Commander Gary Mills RN in attendance. The Inspections cover all aspects of Sea Cadet activity and leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we give our young people the best possible Sea Cadet experience. I am delighted to say that both Units passed with flying colours and have been awarded the highest level of efficiency. Really good effort. The Units joined together for a combined Christmas Party and had a great time. The new Commanding Officer at TS Centaur – Petty Officer Richard Evans - and I were talking the other evening and he has great plans for 2023 – Likewise TS Albion. Both Units have seen Cadets attending a number of courses, including offshore voyages with our fleet of vessels that undertake coastal voyages with cadets supporting the fixed adult crew. A really amazing experience. Chief Petty Officer Jonas relieved me as CO at Albion in December. Sorry to leave the Unit, but my five years in command there were a marvellous experience and I wish him and the Unit well. Both Units are increasing in numbers, with Centaur operating with almost a maximum compliment. Again no mean achievement as we are still recovering in many ways from lockdowns. As I type this we are preparing for the first District Competition of the year – Football. 160 Cadets from 8 Units in Mercia District battling it out for a place at Area. In my new role as Deputy District Officer I am not supposed to have any bias, but I am sure you, with me, hope that both Albion & Centaur do well today. As I said earlier, I hope that 2023 brings you all good health and keeps you prosperous. Yours Aye, Dave Burley

Page 23 Centaurs Junior Sea Cadets Handover at TS Albion

Page 24 ROYAL NAVY & ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY CURRENT FLEETS AIRCRAFT CARRIERS Two Queen Elizabeth Class ships operating all FAA aircraft and helicopters in service with the RAF. These are the RN’s principle strike and command assets. ASSAULT SHIPS HMS Albion and Bulwark operating FAA and RAF helicopters with the ability to operate vertical take off aircraft if necessary. Used to support amphibious operations with land forces such as the Royal Marine Brigades. They can also act as command ships. DESTROYERS & FRIGATES Six Daring Class ships capable of operating Wildcat and Merlin helicopters Twelve Duke Class ships also operating Wildcat and Merlin Helicopters HMS Northumberland (& Albion) 824 Sqdn Merlin embarked OTHER SHIPS 40 smaller ships many of which can operate small helicopters but without servicing and hangarage facilities.

Page 25 The current Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet AMPHIBIOUS SHIPS Three Bay Class ships capable of operating helicopters and embarked Royal Marines operating as part of an amphibious assault group with the two assault ships. They are also capable of operating as independent units with embarked land forces and Merlin and Wildcat helicopters. TANKERS Four Tide Class large tankers used to refuel ships at sea with Merlin or Wildcat helicopters embarked. Two Wave class ships are in a reserve state of readiness. RFA Wave Ruler SUPPLY SHIPS Currently only RFA Fort Victoria is in service however six multirole support ships are on order for service capable of supporting the fleet with supplies with the capability of embarking Merlin and Wildcat helicopters and a detachment of land forces. CASUALTY RECEPTION AND TRAINING CARRIER RFA Argus is currently in service (until 2024) with a role of training aircraft carrier capable of operating FAA & RAF helicopters and vertical take off aircraft if necessary. It is also the Fleets hospital ship.

Page 26 FLEET AIR ARM TRAINING & OPERATIONAL AIRCRAFT Aircrew Suitability training is carried out at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton by No.727 Squadron flying the piston engined Grob Tutor. The squadron gives flying training to current serving members of the Royal Navy and civilians who are considering applying to join the Fleet Air Arm. 727 Sqdn Grob Tutors No. 703 Sqdn is responsible for training of all aircrew from the RN flying the turbo-prop Grob Prefect T1 aircraft at RAF Barkston Heath. On successfully completing the course the aircrew candidates progress to either helicopter flying training at RAF Shawbury or to RAF Valley to learn to fly fast jets. Operating the H135 Juno HT1 helicopter at RAF Shawbury, No.705 Sqdn trains all helicopter aircrew for all three services (pilots, observers/ navigators and aircrewmen) in basic and advanced helicopter flying. On successfully completing the course the aircrew begin operational training at Yeovilton with the Commando helicopter force, carried out by two squadrons No.846 Sqdn (Merlin HC4) & No.847 Sqdn (Wildcat AH1); whilst No.825 Sqdn (Wildcat HMA2) trains aircrew to operate from the Royal Navy frigates and destroyers. Aircrew joining the fleet’s antisubmarine fleet go to Culdrose for their training with No.824 Sqdn (Merlin HMA2) helicopters; also at Culdrose No.750 Sqdn (Avenger T1) aircraft trains RN observers and RAF Navigators in ASW and 750 Squadron Avenger (T1) AEW operations.

Page 27 A special training squadron No.700X based at Culdrose is tasked with training all military operators of Remote Piloted Vehicles (eyes in the sky) including small battlefield drones used by the infantry units of the Royal Marines and Army. For larger operations it is equipped with –Scan Eagle UAV (unmanned Aerial Vehicles), Banshee & Puma drones. The unit deploys on RN & RFA ships and conducting operations with the Fleet. 700X Squadron Banshee Target Aircraft The front line squadrons consist of No.814 and 820 Sqdns flying the Merlin ASW and AEW (airborne Early Warning) helicopters from the aircraft carriers, larger warships and RFAs, No.815 and 825 Sqdns flying Wildcat helicopters from frigate’s, destroyers and RFAs. No.845 and 846 Sqdns with Merlin commando assault helicopters and No.847 Sqdns with Wildcat commando helicopters. The joint RN/RAF F35B squadron No.617 Sqdn RAF operate the F35 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the two strike carriers. A new F35B squadron No.809 Sqdn will be formed in 2023. Pilots chosen for training to fly the F35B Thunderbolt II fighter jet from the two Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers go to RAF Valley in Wales to join No.72 Sqdn RAF who operate Texan T1 turbo-prop for initial fast jet pilot assessment, learning basic fast jet flying. If suitable they move to No.4/25 Sqdn RAF (Hawk T2) aircraft. On completing the course the successful pilots join No.207 Sqdn RN/RAF the F35B operational conversion unit training pilots how to fly and fight the fighter aircraft.

Page 28 ROYAL MARINE COMMANDO (CDO) BRIGADES In 2017 it was announced the Royal Marines would be restructured with enhanced capability for deploying as special operations units as part of the new Future CDO Force (FCF) taking on the traditional roles of both the SBS and SAS in maritime operations. Two new littoral response groups were to be formed – one East of Suez the other in High Northern Areas. Females were to be accepted in the Corps on successfully completing the Commando Training Centre course at RM Lympstone. Up to 26,000 applicants are received per year however only 400 are successful and complete the course. UNITS Battalions: operational units available for deployment worldwide and embarking on RN & RFA ships 40 CDO Norton Manor Barracks Taunton 42 CDO Buckleigh Barracks Plymouth 45 CDO Condor Barracks Arbroath Specialist Units 30 CDO Specialist Intelligence, Surveillance and Targeting group – Stonehouse Plymouth 43 CDO Maritime Security Fleet Reaction Group- HM Naval Base Clyde, Hellensburgh, Argyll & Bute. 47 CDO- boarding and searching Group – Devonport Dockyard Armoured Support Group - RNAS Yeovilton Logistic Support Group – RAF Chivenor. Devon Special Boat Squadron – Special Operations Group – Poole Dorset

Page 29 YOUR LETTERS ALAN BRABANT 2147 As I served on the Albion 1962-64 commission I was chuffed when I won the painting of the Grey Ghost in the raffle at the Scarborough reunion this year. It survived the journey back to Wales in my suitcase and now has pride of place in my daughter’s hostelry where it has already become quite a talking point. Should anyone be visiting West Wales in the future a free viewing of the painting is available in the Tafarn-y-Deri situated in the village of Llanedi about 2 miles or so from the end of the M4 at Pont Abraham. Regretfully refreshments and accommodation is extra! I would like to pass on my thanks to the family of the previous owner who donated the painting to our association and assure them that it’s found a good home!

Page 30 Peter Francis (SBN 2150) Peter displaying an original HMS Centaur tie at the RNA Trafalgar Dinner, Marlborough, Wiltshire.

Page 31 left to right - Satch Weaving, Frank Keith and Ted Bullman More information and images from HMS Bulwark during and post the SUEZ Campaign have been received from Ted including a photo of the Catapult Crew of Ted and Frank Keith (National Service) and regular Satch Weaving. Ted was the holdback loader, Satch was the bridal loader and Frank was the bridal catcher. Satch and Ted were both 6 feet 2 ½ inches tall, “ideal” for crawling underneath the diminutive Seahawk and Sea Vampires! The Dragonfly returned a pilot who had ejected from his Seahawk. 804, 810 & 895 Squadron Seahawks were busy during the campaign attacking Egyptian airfields and other strategic targets, supported troop operations and sank three motor torpedo boats during nearly 600 operational sorties in the two week campaign. Divisions were held in Malta after the campaign - apologies for the dirty flight deck around the starboard catapult the crew had just completed a cable change with a new cable coated in graphite grease being pulled through – the old and the new one were spliced together by a couple of Xpert Seaman Chiefs. TED BULLMAN BEM 82 SUEZ ROUNDUP

Page 32 Seahawks

Page 33 Seahawks over Egypt Pilot Returns

Page 34 Bulwark Divisions post campaign Bulwark Returns home from the campaign

Page 35 REGIONAL REPS CO-ORDINATOR PLUS SCOTLAND & OVERSEAS Denis Askham 155 Chorley Road, Walton Le Dale Preston PR5 5JR Tel; 07773651213 [email protected] NORTH WEST ENGLAND Alan Collinge The Worthington Highgrove Ancots Lane Alderley Edge Cheshire SK9 7TT Tel; 0773 3265784 [email protected] EAST & SOUTH YORKSHIRE; LINCOLNSHIRE (Joint Reps) Harold Roddis 15 Palmerston Avenue, Maltby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S66 8HS Tel: 01709 816667 e-mail: [email protected] Neil Pearson 31 Longfield Drive, Ravenfield, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S65 4LF Tel: 01709 549689 email; [email protected] SOUTH WEST Mike Patten-Hall, Flat 6, Raybridge View, Warton. Devizes. Wilts. SN10 5SE. Tel: 01380 739083. Email: mike.pattenhall.btinternet.com NORTHUMBERLAND, COUNTY DURHAM & CLEVELAND – Colin Larcome, 22 Broom Road, Ferryhill, Co Durham email: [email protected] WALES Allan Brabant, 144, Treglan Park, Ammansford. Carmarthenshire SA18 3RA. Tel: 01269593817 email: [email protected] VACANCIES (Contact Secretary if available for the position) SE England, Midlands, East Anglia, Kent, East Sussex, Herts & West Essex

Page 36 YOUR COMMITTEE President Commodore J H Stanford RN Ret Honorary Vice President Capt. S Kelly RN CO HMS Albion (L14) Chairman Jim Ure Vice Chairman Steve Foster Secretary/Archivist Denis Askham Treasurer Tiny Ashton Membership Secretary Harry Roddis Committee Member/CONA Rep Mike Noonan Editor R08 Alan Key Standard Bearer Neil Pearson Cdr. M Rowbotham RN SNO HMS Bulwark (L15) Vice President Mike Noonan