Secretary's Report
The Belfast had shed its mantle of deep snow in time for our January meeting and more members than we had expected arriving aboard. Several days before, it had been thought that cancellation would be the safest course to pursue, but a window of opportunity was forecast for our Sunday and so it proved to be. A glorious day of sunshine, so far not repeated.
The Committee are always mindful that members do not have to attend, and it is not always easy to travel to the Belfast, especially when the warmth of a home rivals the outdoors on a cold winter's day. And we know that there are many members who wish that they were able to make the journey, but cannot. They too, are in our thoughts.
From enquiries on the health front, we know that Doug Elliott had a rather serious three weeks spell in hospital before the holiday. Since then, he has had treatment from a Specialist on a bone fracture condition, and the Specialist ended the appointment session by muttering something about "I think we might try cementing it". They are obviously not going to let Doug get away! Dennis Reeve said that he is not getting along too badly, but wished that he could say the same about Sybil, his wife, who currently finds great difficulty in moving at all. We hadn't seen Colin Morris for several meetings, due to specific afflictions, but he did say that he hoped to be at the March meeting. Bill MacAngus is due into hospital early Feb. for treatment. And so, sadly, the list goes on. ls it all gloom and doom? Not really. lt would be a sad day if we ever became disinterested in the problems of our fellow shipmates. And you never know, someone might welcome a call from you, just to see how they are.
With much sadness we must report the death of Andy Banger, a long time member of the London Branch. He entered hospital before Xmas but was unable to make the return home. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Joyce.
Mention was made in the December newsletter that annual subscriptions were due in January 2010 and a further reminder is given today. Members and Associates are asked, if subs. have not already been paid to please send a remittance of £5:00 direct to the Branch Treasurer, or alternatively if his address is not to hand, to the Branch Secretary who's return address is on the back of the transit envelope.
In accordance with London Branch rules, by the end of March, members who have not renewed subs will not be included in the updated membership list, and will be designated as lapsed members. A copy of the new list will be distributed to Full members and Associates, possibly with the next newsletter. Best wishes to all.
E.D.Chairman’s Message
It is with great sadness that I have to report that Shipmate ‘Andy’ Banger DSM MID died on Friday 29th January after a long illness. He was a most loyal and popular shipmate, and was a regular Branch member many years before I had heard of the Coastal Forces Veterans’ Association. (CFVA).
The Funeral Service was held on 10th February at Slough Crematorium, with a strong Naval presence. Andy’s grandson, Mark Davis (CFVA’s ‘Doc’ and a Branch member) has kindly offered to write an obituary, which will be published at a later date. And now, with yet another sad reminder that we veterans are all nudging towards the head of the queue, we intend to enjoy year 2010—and beyond.
First, I thank our fellow surviving Branches for their Christmas /New Year greeting cards; keep ‘em coming. Secondly, despite my pleas, our January AGM decided to keep the same gang in charge. I’d like to have said that competition was intense and voting was close. But, perhaps next year. In the meantime, listed here is our present Branch Committee:-
Chairman: Ken Gadsdon
Vice Chairman: Wallis Randall
Secretary: Eddie Dibley
Treasurer: John Williamson
Social Sec: Bill Fenton
Webmaster: Ted Else
HMS Belfast Liaison Lt (SCC): RNR Pam Phillips
Our ship’s complement is: Veterans 42, Associate Members 16
Our year was a successful one, ‘considering’, but I was disappointed that there was not much enthusiasm for mini holidays. On our holidays previously, we got to know shipmates (and, better, their wives) over a five day holiday, more than at our bi-monthly three-hour Branch Meetings. I have noticed that some Branches still manage to organise mini breaks. Perhaps we love London so much that we are loath to leave it.
I am pleased to record that our Branch Meeting attendance rate is still holding up. Although we are trying to defy the ageing process, we cannot avoid it altogether and have had our fair share of irksome age-related problems within the Branch. Nevertheless, I have yet to hear of even one self-indulgent gripe: plenty of nautical language about our medical histories yes, but always concluding with a ”worse things happen at sea” comment.
When I look around I reckon that, in a perverse way, WW2 experience did our generation some good: no clamour for consultations, compensation etc. I believe that had our wartime population performed as of to-day, the country would have been even more broke and psychiatrists overwhelmed.
On a happier note, our website has attracted several more members to our Branch this year. Our latest recruit is Alan Yates, a veteran who served on MTBs 1026 and 5518. Alan was once a ‘townie’ from Chingford , but is now loafing in Gloucester. Joining the Andrew in ‘49 as a Boy Seaman, he ended up as a ‘Chiefie’ in ’73, which is a mite more than most of us did. He has already paid his 2010 Subs (so Chiefs have improved since my time) and I was pleased to welcome him on behalf of us all. Branch members will see his ‘phone number on our new Members List and, as with our other ‘Remote’ members, I am sure he would welcome a call.
Thanks to our website we have attracted a few of the 25,000 Coastal Forces veterans who were not in CFVA but, even at this late stage, would be pleased to be associated with their shipmates. Additionally, our website has revealed that there is a considerable interest in the Royal Navy’s Coastal Forces, their boats, their crews and their exploits, by historians, relatives, and well wishers generally.
I am pleased to record the recruitment of Associate Members: those who are sufficiently interested in Coastal Forces matters that they wish to have a closer relationship than just being a site browser. Most are younger and it is my hope that when veterans of London Branch are too tired to carry the flag or (worse!) have died, we have younger Associates who wish to continue. We see that beginning to happen in other Branches already.
We have been asked on occasion about the supply of Blazer Badges and other items of CFVA membership and have had to reply that CFVA is now demobbed. Even past members can no longer obtain blazer badges etc. Following on from this, the Committee has discussed the possibility of asking a company to produce a CF blazer badge. Our Committee will discuss source, design, quality etc and I hope to have more news by our next Branch Meeting.
With the exception of East Lancashire Branch, I have received no report of News from Branches covering the Christmas period. It is not surprising, considering the season and the rough weather, but I look forward to a resumption in the Spring, please. One day such Reports might attract a veteran living within reach of another Branch. For instance, if we had a Gloucester Branch, Alan Yates would have been delighted to join them rather than being one of our ‘Remote’ Associates, and our own complement would be reduced by one. Chairmen, think about it !
Ken Gadsdon
Vice Chairman’s Message
No report from our Vice Chairman.
