HMS Veryan Bay News Letter

Introduction

It has fallen to me, S/M Graham Ledbrook to try and produce a regular newsletter for distribution to old shipmates. To this end of course I do require some input and feedback from you all so that I can include any news and events to be passed on.

To expedite the distribution of newsletters and to reduce postage costs; shipmates with Internet facilities are asked to send their Email address to S/M Graham Ledbrook at gledbrook@aol.com  or to veryanbayeddie@aol.com also the newsletters will be published on the Veryan Bay web site at www.web-community.co.uk/veryan this hopefully will attract any other ex shipmates.

Previous Reunions

In 2002 we all met up in the Grand Hotel Exmouth which included on the Sunday a cruise down the river Dart including a buffet lunch and afterwards a visit to the Britannia College at Dartmouth .

In 2003 saw us in the Adelphi Hotel Liverpool where we enjoyed a trip down the Mersey . The numbers attending were down on previous reunions due to sickness.

In 2004 we all met up in the Devonport Fleet Club. On the Sunday we all left early to attend the Veryan Church where a glass topped case containing memorabilia of HMS Veryan Bay was donated. After the service a wreath was laid.  The villagers did us proud entertaining us at their sports club for Lunch.

In 2005 shipmates met in Savoy Hotel Bournemouth for a long weekend this included a trip to Portsmouth dockyard on the Sunday.

In 2006 found us all at Scarborough for a very interesting weekend. Some shipmates arrived on the Thursday and soon found the local British Legion Club where the beer was very reasonably priced. There was some excitement one evening when the Grand Hotel opposite had a full scale fire alarm with smoke billowing from the upper floor, 5 fire engines arrived and our hotel was filled with the evacuated guests all clamouring for the bar.

2006 AGM

22 Members and 14 guests attended the General meeting on the Saturday morning.  The meeting was presided over by Chairman S/M J. Miller with Vice chairman S/M W. James, and Secretary / Treasurer S/M E. Johnson.

Apologies were received from S/M T. Baird, S/M P. Bailey, S/M K. Lanfear, S/M S. Haworth and S/M I. James.

Those who have crossed the bar; – S/M F. Wallis, B. Godwin, J. Inskip, A. Chalmers,  Mrs. B. Allen, Mrs. K. Macfarlaine.

Those too ill to attend; – S/M R.  Benjamin, S. Haworth, I. Janes, A. Barnes, Mrs. L. Supple, Mrs. T Baird, Mrs. K. Lanfear.

A prayer was read by the chairman and all members stood for a 1 minute silence.

The minutes of the 2005 AGM was read and adopted.

It was considered that as this was the 10^th Anniversary of the Veryan Bay Association that some of the association funds be used for the purpose.

A letter has been sent to the vicar of Veryan Church that we will be discontinuing the laying of a wreath at the church, as owing to the age of the members it will be too difficult to organise another visit to Veryan, however with the permanent display of Veryan Bay memorabilia in the church for future members of the congregation to remember us by.

The Chairman informed the meeting that if we wish to continue the outings on the Reunion Sundays, it would mean members paying towards the coach.  A proposal was raised by the chairman to reintroduce the £10 membership subscription for those attending the Reunion , after some discussion the proposal was adopted. The reunion subscription; to be collected at the end of the AGM. 

Treasurers and Secretary Report

The cost of facilities to include meeting rooms, Buffet lunch, Wine with Dinner and the coach on Sunday plus gratuities had all been paid from funds, leaving a balance after the weekend of approx. £1,200.

The rum for Up Spirits was provided by the chairman.

Future Reunions

It was suggested that the 2007 reunion be held at Trecarn Hotel Torquay (now confirmed as being the weekend Friday May 4^th to Monday May 7^th)  DB&B at a cost of £78.00 pp. This is a Wallace Arnold Hotel similar to the 2005 reunion in Bournemouth and it has entertainment each night. A Sunday outing may be arranged.

A proposal that the 2008 Reunion to be held in Liverpool, as that is the City of Culture year. In a  reply to a letter sent to the Adelphi Hotel regarding to a group booking the management indicated that this was not available at a weekend but they would consider a 3 night booking mid-week. After some discussion it was decided to investigate further before next year.

The coach trip visit to York on a wet Sunday proved interesting, shipmates were soon wandering round the narrow streets and into the York Minster. Some shipmates found their way to the railway museum which was a very good way to escape the rain and the entrance being free was a bonus.. The coach driver took us on a very interesting roundabout return trip to  Scarborough .

Obituaries

Lt Cdr Andy Chalmers born 27^th December 1920 and died 13^th October 2005 aged 84; Andy joined the RN as a boy seaman 1^st class in 1936. In 1944 Andy; while 1^st Lieutenant of the submarine Ventura was awarded the DSC for his part in the sinking of 2 German U boats, While off Norwegian coast 9/11/1944   sank U-771 and 9/2/1945 while submerged west of Bergen sank the submerged U-864 after firing 4 torpedoes, it being the only known sinking of one sub by another while both submerged. U-864 was carrying some 20 Luftwaffe Officers, German and Japanese Engineers, 64 tons of mercury, heavy water and Me 163 rocket powered interceptor. This prevented the export of these to Japan .

Other ships Andy served in were Dunedin , Royal Arthur, 90^th Landing Craft flotilla during allied landings in North Africa, Commanded Spur, Truculent, Alderney, Sanguine, Trenchant and Alliance .

In later years Andy was First Lieutenant of Veryan Bay in West Indies. Andy retired from RN in 1970 to work with the Probation Service.

Bill (William Godwin) died 2005 Bill was on the 54/55 cruise to West Indies and South America, he was well known for his cruising on his narrow boat around the canals of the Midlands. He was a committee member of his local Royal Naval Association where he virtually ran their club. Bill attended many of the Veryan Bay reunions and will be sadly missed.

Submitted News and Stories.

Received by Email

Dear Mr Ledbrook (Re Veryan Bay Web Site)
In the photograph on your Default Shipmate Page, I am fairly sure that the man standing immediately behind the man seated between the two posts to the right of the lifebelt is my father. My father was Petty Officer William Eric Willott.  He joined the RN before the 2nd World War (I think 1937) and served aboard HMSs Ajax (including River Plate), Valiant, Cockade, and Veryan Bay . He told me the Veryan Bay was his favourite ship - and hence my middle name. He was the RN Long Range champion at Bisley in 1949, and served as Chairman of Doncaster RN Club for a good number of years. I believe he was a popular crewman and know he was well thought of at the RN Club. He died 6th January 1980. It would be good if you can confirm and include his name on your list of crew members. I am currently acquiring his war service record, which will hopefully provide full details. An ex-crew member from HMS Cockade has kept in touch with me over the years and is interested in writing an article for a magazine. Good luck with your website - it's good to see the ship and its crew remembered this way. Best wishes John Veryan Willott.

John Willott,  E-Design Technician,  Information and Communication,  Nether Hall,  Nether Hall Road , 
Doncaster ,  DN1 2PN , 

Tel: 01302 735301   Fax: 01302 735680,  E-mail: john.willott@doncaster.gov.uk

Dear Sir,              I just received an e-mail about your web site for the above site. My dad (Jim Prophet) sailed on this ship and always talked fondly about her. Unfortunately he has died now but I always associate him with this ship. In fact I have a photograph of her in my study at home. Regards Jimp

Dear Sir,  My name is Denis Wilfred Savage S/N- DJX912473.  I was a member of the Veryan Bay ships company from August 1954 until 1956 and had joined as a boy seaman. I now live in Barrow-in Furness , Cumbria and am contacting you having viewed the website whilst visiting family in Scotland .  As I do not normally have access to a computer I would appreciate it if you could contact me by the following means.  Address: 45 Farm St , Barrow-in-Furness , Cumbria .  LA14 2RX Tel No:01229 831658. Thank you and best regards Denis W. Savage

From the Web Page Visitors book

Tuesday 02/28/2006 4:31:43pm Name: Morgan Peacock E-Mail: morgan_peacock@hotmail.com Comments: I have in the past been in contact with DENNIS BLUE an old shipmate of my father HAROLD (GEORDIE) PEACOCK,who died 5yrs ago. Although I have tried a number of times to contact him again I have been unsuccessful ,if anyone could help me regain contact with him or his wife DOREEN please contact me at my e-mail address many thanks, Morgan Peacock.

Sunday 01/15/2006 2:51:31pm Name: Anthony butler E-Mail: butlerrab@hotmail.com Comments: does any one have any information about James Prophet who served on board during the second world war?

Wednesday 12/28/2005 1:32:46am Name: Rob Rimmington E-Mail: rob@waveproduction.co.uk Comments: I am trying to find out more about my father who served on HMS. Veryan Bay and also HMS. Amethyst - My father died in 1967 so any information from colleagues or friends who knew him would be gratefully received. I have quite a few photos of ships company etc. which I would be glad to send on to any interested parties.
I think that my father was a gunner/able seaman, but not sure. I am eager to find out more about him and his exploits.
regards
Rob Rimmington

Thursday 05/27/2004 1:01:02pm Name: Irene Ryan E-Mail: ukditch@yahoo.com Comments: I am trying to locate a Fearnley Albert Luckham. I have a proclamation declaring his visit to H.M.S. Veryan Bay on 31st May 1950, as far as I can see it was on a journey to Christmas Island at this time. I can't find him as being a shipmate. Could anybody shed any light?.