Here is an image of a recruit intake for 1958. They certainly looked a smart bunch which is only to be expected noting that most of these were Communicators. Click on Image to enlarge.
Sitting L – R OTEL Terry East, REC (L) Albie Wardle, JTEL Des Long, JTEL Bob Young and JTEL Ken Beattie. (All Comms except Albie Wardle)
Absent: Boy TEL Alan (Benji) Hathaway and Boy TEL Peter MacDonald (who were seamen boys only at that time) and OTEL Eric Pearce who arrived on the island several days later.
Sadly on 23 May 1959, REM2 Albie Wardle died in a fire in the accommodation block at IRIRANGI along with his shipmate REM1 Fred W Grupen.
Can anyone fill in the missing chap marked with a ‘?’
Des Long later in life, after leaving pussers, became a Radio Officer on the Inter-Island Ferries.
The Boy Wireless Telegraphist Intake [42nd Boys W/T] joined the RNZN on 19 September 1957 at HMNZS Philomel. The following day, the boys were posted to HMNZS Tamaki [Motuihe Island aka The Rock] for one year. The names of the 42nd Boys W/T are as follows:
* Boy Tel – Neal Catley [Class Leader]
* Boy Tel – Roy Halgarth
* Boy Tel – Alan Hathaway [Benji]
* Boy Tel – Lindsay Lawerence
* Boy Tel – Peter McDonald
The 42nd Boys W/T together with the 1958 Recruitment Telegraphist Intake [older lads as detailed in Bob’s photo] were combined in September 1958 as one Telegraphist Class. The class continued their Basic Telegraphist training at North Head Communications School [HMNZS Philomel] for eight months. The Communications Training Officer was Lt Cdr Eggy Biggs, RNZN and the course Instructor was PO/Tel Snow Millson. All of the class qualified and were posted to HMNZS Royalist on completion.
Thanks to Bob Young and Neal Catley for the image and narrative.
The following Sailors ‘Crossed the Bar’ during the month of August 2018. Details of funerals etc can be found by clicking HERE.
HICKMAN, John AlfredStoker Mechanic WORSFOLD James Ernest (Jim)LSEA VICKERS Mary CarolynWren Writer BROWN, Albert Maxwell (Albie).Seaman ODELL, David Arthur. Articifer Shipwright SIMPSON, Alfred Alexander (Alf). Seaman UNDERWOOD, Alan Kenneth. Seaman Gunner
Information has been received by the Assocation re a Job Opportunity in the Veterans Sector for an ex RNZN sailor/officer. The position is 20 hours per week with a very generous salary attached. Click HERE to access Job Description. If you are interested then please contact Mr Barry Dreyer on 021 614 404.
Just to advise that this book which was written to celebrate 75 years of women in the Royal New Zealand Navy is still available for purchase at the Navy Museum. Learn some things you never knew about women in our Navy.
Here is an image taken at the recent HMNZS CANTERBURY Reunion held in Tauranga.
These two matelots joined in January 1966 – (the shortest Great Grandfather in seven Navies) Rick Howland and Rod Berry – President of the RNZN Communicators Association.
• Brigadier John Boswell, DSD, will become the new Chief of Army, upon promotion to Major General
• Air Commodore Andrew Clark will become the new Chief of Air Force, upon promotion to Air Vice-Marshal
Change of Command ceremonies will occur on 7 September for the new Chief of Air Force, 10 September for the new Chief of Army, and the end of November for the new Chief of Navy.
Brigadier Boswell replaces Major General Peter Kelly as Chief of Army, Commodore Proctor replaces Rear Admiral John Martin as Chief of Navy and Air Commodore Clark replaces Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies.
“This is a major change to the leadership of the New Zealand Defence Force,” Air Marshal Short said. “It follows the change of command of Chief of Defence Force earlier this year, and the announcement of a new Vice Chief of Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshal Davies, recently.
“I want to congratulate all the successful candidates, and those who were interviewed for these very important positions. It reinforced to me the depth of talent in the ranks of the Defence Force.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has today announced a new medal that recognises meritorious service in the Public Service. The medal will be awarded to public servants who have provided service that has brought significant benefit or prestige to New Zealand or the Public Service, or who go above and beyond what is expected.
“Recognising and celebrating public servants who have been exemplary or a model to others is an important way to promote and acknowledge the work of the public sector,” Jacinda Ardern said
“The new medal will also help reaffirm the Public Service’s spirit of service to the community that New Zealand’s public servants bring to their work every day.
“Public servants rarely get acknowledged for the exceptional work they do that changes New Zealand society and lives for the better.
“This medal will recognise those public servants who have really made a difference.
“Some of the greatest contributions of public servants are not always obvious to the public. Public servants find solutions to New Zealand’s most challenging problems and implement big changes.
“They create new ways for New Zealanders to access services, whether it be cutting wait times to receive social support or designing innovative campaigns that lead to better health and education outcomes.
“This is the calibre of service we can be proud of because it changes peoples’ lives.
“It’s time we acknowledge high-achieving public servants. New Zealand needs public servants prepared to take risks and find solutions to the big challenges. I hope that this new medal will inspire others to do that,” Jacinda Ardern said.
New Zealand’s current Royal Honours system includes extensive options for the recognition of state servants, particularly those in the Armed Forces and uniformed services, such as Police, and Fire and Emergency NZ. But there is no medal that exclusively recognises the work, achievements, and contribution of core public servants.
The introduction of a new medal is consistent with other jurisdictions, including Australia. It will be instituted by Royal Warrant.
The medal, which will be presented for the first time later in the yearby State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes, will be part of the New Zealand Royal Honours system. It is anticipated that around five medals will be awarded each year.
and from the State Services Commission website
New Public Service Medal for meritorious service
14 August 2018
Written by Peter Hughes the State Services Commissioner – I’ve always believed in the power of awards and recognition. Public Servants work hard for New Zealanders. They come to work wanting to do the best job they can for their communities.
So I’m really pleased the Prime Minister has announced the introduction of a new Public Service Medal.
This medal is for meritorious service. It’s for those public servants who make a real difference and inspire the rest of us.
Recognition is important. And it’s fitting the new medal will be presented this year when we are celebrating Public Service Day for the first time.
Public Service Day is 7 November, the day in 1912 the Public Service Act became law. The medal will be presented each year on or as close as possible to this date.
In addition to the medal, I will be presenting Commendations for Frontline Excellence to those who have really gone the extra mile in demonstrating a spirit of service to the community.
Public Service Day is about more than awards. It’s about reflecting on the ideal of public service. It’s also an opportunity to remind ourselves that New Zealand has a Public Service that values neutrality, fairness and integrity – a public service we can all be proud of.
Every day all around the country public servants are doing great work to make a difference for New Zealand and New Zealanders. They deserve our support. And this recognition.
Some food for thought –
This medal is being struck and it will be consistent with other jurisdictions including Australia.
It is going to be presented in a timely manner i.e. 7 November 2018 – this year.
The medal will be instituted by Royal Warrant – They must have a direct link to the approval chain noting the time it has taken for the NZDF to get their royal warrants approved.
Paul and Wilma Adams have sailed their 44-metre ship, the decommissioned Royal New Zealand Navy dive tender Manawanui, across the Tasman and docked it at their hometown of Carrington.
“Overwhelmed. WTF,” Ms Adams said of how she feels about owning the ship.
“It’s not just the size. Paul looked regularly on websites to find a suitable ship and when he came out with it, it was like, ‘hey darling, I’ve found the ship!’
“What more can you ask for? You can’t find these in Kmart.”
Perfect match
The Manawanui is built for diving missions in the middle of the sea. It has a decompression chamber, a domed bell for deep diving and a 15-tonne crane for heavy lifting overboard.
The Adamses plan to use their ship, bought for a sum in the vicinity of “a few hundred thousand dollars”, to preserve the fuel-laden, mostly Japanese vessels that sank in the South Pacific during World War II.
Many of the wrecks are corroded and starting to leak oil from the ocean floor.
The Adamses have feared a looming ecological disaster ever since they visited Micronesia’s Chuuk Lagoon, where the US Navy sank dozens of Japanese ships in Operation Hailstone in 1944.
“While we were diving on one of the ships we saw this huge blob of black oil come out, drift up to the top and disperse,” Mr Adams said.
A man standing next a decompression chamber aboard a warship speaks to a reporter.
PHOTO: “You can’t find these in Kmart” … Mr Adams stands next to the Manawanui’s decompression chamber. (ABC Newcastle: Anthony Scully)
“Each wreck we dived on had oil come out of it.
“The long and the short of it is, nothing’s being done.”
“”So we decided we’d do something.”
The couple plan to lock guard the wrecks against leakage by using cathodic protection, with blocks lowered underwater from the Manawanui.
The method works by guarding vulnerable metal against corrosion by making it act as an electrical cathode.
Race against time to stop oil
Responsibility for the 70-year-old wrecks of the South Pacific has grown murky over time. Many of the ships were once part of the Japanese merchant navy.
A corrosion survey of the Chuuk Lagoon in 2002 by Dr William Jeffery, a maritime archaeologist and assistant professor of archaeology at the University of Guam, found that “many of the wrecks … will retain their existing integrity for only the next ten to fifteen years before they begin to undergo significant collapse.”
Dr Jeffery, who is advising the Adamses, said the governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, USA, and Japan all have conservation or historical reasons to protect the wrecks, but Japan’s surrender of its weapons at the end of the war might legally clear it of responsibility for its sunken ships.
Nonetheless, a Japanese group called the Japanese Mine Action Service is currently in Chuuk doing a clean-up.
Dr Jeffery said his contacts in Chuuk and Micronesia are happy to work with the Adamses, subject to their mission being funded — the couple are appealing for financial and in-kind help through their website.
“So while it’s a private mission, it will be implemented in accordance with the laws and procedures required by these governments.
“The archaeological, social, cultural and biological values of the wrecks will be taken into account, but they won’t be a focus at this stage and everything will be done not to impact these values.”
For Mr Adams, the mission has become a consuming passion into which he has poured thousands of dollars and countless hours.
Buying the ship was just the beginning, he said.
“It just keeps flashing red lights that this is urgent, and nobody seems to be picking up on that just yet,” Mr Adams said.
The following article was published in the Professional Skipper and has been reproduced here as I have it on good authority that the content is ‘Kosher’. Thanks also to Professional Skipper and an unamed Leading Signalman.
This is what happens when young sailors, alcohol, adventure and a little initiative takes charge in a foreign port. If it is not brass guns, 10inch signal projectors, ships trophies or other attractive articles it might just be Nelson’s Ensign.
Regret to advise that our mate Pokihi (Tom) Hiini U18648 crossed the bar at 4.15am this morning, Saturday 15 September 2018. No other details to hand at this time. Tom was an ex Chief Petty Officer Yeoman of Signals who joined the Navy in January 1966 and retired from the Navy in April 1987.
I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In some others’ eyes, my life is the epitome of success. However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, my wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to. At this moment, lying on my bed and recalling my life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in have paled and become meaningless in the face of my death.
You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone bear your sickness for you. Material things lost can be found or replaced. But there is one thing that can never be found when it’s lost – Life. Whichever stage in life you are in right now, with time, you will face the day when the curtain comes down.
Treasure love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends. Treat yourself well and cherish others. As we grow older, and hopefully wiser, we realize that a $300 or a $30 watch both tell the same time. You will realize that your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world. Whether you fly first class or economy, if the plane goes down – you go down with it.
Therefore, I hope you realize, when you have mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, who you chat with, laugh with, talk with, have sing songs with, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth, that is true happiness! Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. So when they grow up they will know the value of things and not the price. Eat your food as your medicine, otherwise you have to eat medicine as your food.
The One who loves you will never leave you for another because, even if there are 100 reasons to give up, he or she will find a reason to hold on. There is a big difference between a human being and being human. Only a few really understand it. You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. In between, you have to manage!
The six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence and friends. Maintain them in all stages and enjoy a healthy life.”
Armistice Day 2018 will mark 100 years since the end of the First World War in 1918.
Join William C. Daldy on Saturday November 10 as it commemorates Armistice Day (the day before) with a Memorial service and wreath laying, followed by BBQ lunch and up spirits. Daldy will sail at 0930 and return at 1330.
The Old Salts have a limited supply of ‘NAVY’ & ‘NAVY VETERAN’ branded polo shirts and caps. ORDER YOURS NOW! No image available.
Dark Navy Blue with gold logo (shirts) or white logo (caps only).
Unisex sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Shirts $20 each
Caps $10 each
All orders plus $7.50 P&H.
Limited stock. Get in quick or miss out.
Order by phone to ensure we have your required size available.
Orders to Jill Thompson on Mob: 021 2744426 email: jillt.nz49@gmail.com
Old Salts Commemorative Polo shirts
We also have a limited supply of OLD SALTS navy blue polo shirts. Click on image to enlarge
Dark Navy Blue (of course) with white Old Salts 75th logo on chest and William C Daldy logo on right sleeve.
Unisex sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
$15 each plus $7.50 P&H.
Limited stock. Get in quick or miss out.
Order by phone to ensure we have your required size available.
Orders to Jill Thompson on
Mob: 021 2744426
email: jillt.nz49@gmail.com
I, and other servicemen and ex servicemen recently attended the funeral of a fellow shipmate who had served 21 years and 90 days in Her Majesty’s NZ Naval Force. A certificate of service was provided to the local RSA and in consultation with Veterans Affairs it was determined that he was ineligble to be buried in the Service Section of his local cemetery.
Why!
He had no ‘Operational Service’ according to Veterans Affairs.
I and many other serviceman present were disgusted that a man who had served his country was denied his wish and that of his family. Where have we gone wrong?
On review of the Burial and Cremations Act 1964, Section 15 which was last amended in 1997 it would appear that the term ‘Operational Service’ used as the criteria for medallic recognition has now flowed on to whether a serviceman is eligible to be buried in the Service Section of a cemetery.
So, under current legislation, if you served after 1966 on the Far East Strategic Reserve and never qualified for ‘Operational Service’ under current legislation you are not entitled to be interred in a plot reserved for a member of Her Majesty’s Forces.
I like many of you have served in the forces for a good part of our life. I have completed 52 years in the service, I am not classed as a veteran, I have not qualified for ‘Operational Service’, I served in the Far East Strategic Reserve and I find now that I am not eligible to be buried in the Service Section of my local cemetery.
If you are concerned as to your entitlement it is strongly recommended that you write to the Minister of Defence, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Your local MP, National RSA and the Chief of Defence Force expressing your concerns over eligibility.
Here is an image of the HMNZS IRIRANGI Soccer Team for 1974. Thanks Toots for the image.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Back: Fonce Lora – Warren Knauf – Jamma Jensen – Mike Wade – Dave Fletcher – Dave Cohen – Harvey Tutauha
Front: Peter Thomas – Martin Frost – Ex/RN REA?? – Alan Foy – Alan Mortimer – Mick Burrett – Jim Conning
Spot the serving or ex naval person on this Advisory Board.
HON RON MARK
Veterans
‘Who should be considered a veteran’ will be the main question facing the new appointees to the Veterans’ Advisory Board.
The Board is a statutory body which was established as part of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014. The Board’s function is to provide advice to the Minister for Veterans on a range of issues impacting veterans, including advice on policies and entitlements.
“The recently released report by Professor Ron Paterson analysed the Veterans’ Support Act, and identified 63 recommendations which aim to improve it,” says Minister for Veterans Ron Mark.
“Many of these recommendations are already underway, but several, including looking at how we classify a veteran in New Zealand, need further work.
“I have decided to ask the Veterans’ Advisory Board to focus on this important issue.
“It will be complex – as it will involve not just a consideration of military matters – but also consideration of the broader social sector in New Zealand, including what entities such as the public health services and the ACC have to offer military personnel and former servicepersons.
“The Board members who will be undertaking this piece of work will be bringing to it a wide variety of skills and experience.
“Most, but not all of them, have military backgrounds.
“The Board will be chaired by Leith Comer, who has extensive knowledge of the workings of government and leadership experience in the military, private and community sectors. He served in the New Zealand Army for 21 years, and has held senior positions as a public servant, including being the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Maori Development.
“The Deputy Chair will be the Hon Chester Borrows, who has experience in a non-military service, in particular with the New Zealand Police, as well as a distinguished Parliamentary career.
“The other members are; RSA President BJ Clark, Fiona Cassidy, Baden Ewart, Denise Hutchins, Group Captain Leanne Woon and Warrant Officer of the Defence Force Mark Mortiboy. Michelle White is a deputy member of the Board.
“I have asked the Board to report to me by 30 June 2019,” says Ron Mark
