Ian Plackett
On Saturday 30th November 2024, the memorial service for Ian was well attended by his local community and family, of course very emotional tracing back to his career paths and events. The bottles of beer on either side of his ashes likely sum up his very successful life, a bottle of Tribute and a Proper Job. Cheers Ian.
In the pub some great dits from his local friend and football rival on Ian’s sea stories, it had us in stitches renaming one of Ian’s ships. Don’t think Charlie had heard that name before. In all a lovely tribute to the man/matelot and a good turnout by our group, lovely to see you all.
Words from Ash Price
Shipmates - Tony Evenden
Hi! Hope you're all well, I'm just looking to find out if anyone remembers my dad, Anthony Evenden, might have been known as Tony, he was MET in the navy, I think he joined around 1960, I also know he was on Ark Royal but I don't know if he was on any other ships but I do know he went to Singapore. I was wondering if anyone knew him or could tell me anymore about his life on the ark royal. Thanks for reading!
This is the email sent to us by Tony's daughter, Jodie. Unfortunately her email keeps bouncing so we cannot currently reply. If you read this Jodie then please get in touch, also any member with a few minutes spare could pen something here via the usual channels.
Shipmates - Tom Scanlon
Tom's daughter has written to us via the Contact Us page updating us on his passing at the grand old age of 93 and asking for some background information on his RN service. Any help appreciated as our records on Tom are somewhat blank.
Kete
BOOK REVIEW - HARRIER – Out of the Blue (Reflections from a windswept cliff top) By Pamela Jean Haines
I recently had the pleasure of attending the book launch of HARRIER - Out of the Blue (Reflections from a windswept cliff top) written by Pam Haines, wife of the late Cdr Nick Haines (RN Instructor Officer). The book tells the story of HMS HARRIER (Royal Navy Air Direction Centre (RNADC) Kete), near Dale in Pembrokeshire, and features many interesting reflections from those who served there between 1944 and 1961.
Sitting high up on the windswept cliffs, HMS HARRIER was the training school for RN Aircraft Direction Officers and Radar Operators and was the first proper home of the RN Met School, bringing together for the first time the training of forecasters (Instructor Officers) and observers (Naval Airman and Wrens). The book features a whole chapter on the Met School and includes recollections from some of those who trained there.
Met School Buildings at HMS HARRIER
Pam’s interest in HMS HARRIER came about when she and her late husband, Nick, purchased a house overlooking the sea near St Ann's Head on the Dale peninsula. From first viewing Pam and Nick instantly felt at home in the property, which is surrounded by fields with no remaining signs of the Naval establishment. Only later did they realise that the reason they felt so comfortable in the house was because it is a former MoD married quarter having been the Captain’s House, just off the main establishment. Pam later joined Coastlands Local History Group and was encouraged to research the history of HARRIER, which became rather an obsession, the result of which is a highly informative book full of interesting recollections from those who served there.
An interesting read, an amazing story of a thriving, but short lived establishment, and the antics of those who served there. If anyone is interested the book can be obtained by contacting Harriet Bishop on coastlandshistorygroup@gmail.com.
Andy Robinson
Cdr RN (rtd)
Spud in the Falklands
Ed note: For those who don't know of Spud. He is a Met man who became a Helicopter Pilot.
A day in SPUD’s life on the Happy HERMES. Written 10 years ago …
In ’82 I served on the happy HERMES having been transferred with my Lynx Flight from RFA FORT AUSTIN,via Atlantic Conveyor following the taking of South Georgia. There was no room for my helo on Hermes so we left it in Conveyor.
I did visit the Met office regularly - Sadly , I can’t remember the Met staff .
When I joined ‘Happy’ we were short of food (varieties) probably because we were so overcrowded with extra aircrews (like myself), Naval Gunfire Spotters, Admiral Woodward, his staff and retinue and CRAB AIR with their GRAs ( - ground attack harriers flown down from UK via Ascension with multi VC10 Tanker sorties).
We did seem to have lots of Ice Cream though - (probably an Ice Cream making machine onboard and of course lots and lots of the powdered MILAK and it was not unusual to have Brocolli-Ice cream for dessert ! Think one night we had a garlic ice-cream!) Mostly the Ice Cream was served in a different colour – the alternate dessert was an Ice-cream – yes- of a different colour just to add variety ! only the crabs complained!) Actually the Crabs were very well behaved –(too busy being sea-sick ‘me ‘tinks)!
Despite food shortage - during one VERTREP (helo replenishment) a large pallet of Fray Bentos corned beef was jettisoned into the sea probably because of an incoming raid – the Commander briefed the ship’s company after the raid about the loss of the Argentinian Fray Bentos to a great cheer in his background !
The Captain (recently deceased Admiral Len Middleton) was (rightly) very nervous of submarine attack,- although we had sunk one of their two working boats at South Georgia, the whereabouts of the other (German type S206 or S209) was not known.
The NBCD teams (those teams that repaired the ship after damage – mainly of course, flooding , but also electrics etc ) had ‘standing orders’ to close EVERY water-tight door in every compartment at the ‘Action Stations’ alarm and it did not matter who you were you had to stay in that compartment until the end of the raid.
The Captain also put an embargo on anyone sleeping below the waterline and guess what - all the junior officer cabins were down there – so I slept fully dressed (the rule) on a camp bed or on the floor wherever there was space for my sleeping bag and my ‘rucksack’ (could not leave that unattended – after all the Crabs were onboard!) – BUT I can assure you IT REALLY DID NOT MATTER where you went to sleep or what you had to eat.
On the anniversary of the Argentine Republic on 25th May (82) we had a very quiet start to our day (we kept GMT – 3 hours ahead of local time) – so we were up and about well before sunrise (a very good tactical routine) and by midday (9am Argie time) - with no raids – which was unusual - we thought they would be celebrating.
However, onboard, the day went as usual – all defensive onboard and airborne assets were at their airborne or at ‘alert’ ! (perhaps even more alert!) – but many of us not due to fly for a couple of hours mustered in the Wardroom (sea level plus 6 ft in HERMES- about the height of an incoming sea skimming Exocet) to watch a couple of xxx videos sent to the Padre from fellow padres in the UK. The title of the vids ..? Midnight Blue? Or similar - (at least they had a sense of humour) or something similar indicated soft ‘Playboy’ material (I’m a southern Irish catholic boy I would not know anything about these ‘tings after all I nearly became a Priest (these vids would probably be aired today if there was an equivalent BBC video of ‘Thought for the Day)– anyway I promised myself that I would never be caught below deck during daylight (the Argies did not fly at night) – (though WE WERE prepared if they did!) I ended up early that afternoon on their National Day, down below in the wardroom watching the ‘blue’ vids.
Mid way through the Midnight Blu – just about as she was taking off her … we got hit with a major raid – at an intensity not seen before - ( the results were disastrous for the Task Force and have no place here in my light hearted account of one of my days in Happy HERMES).
ME – Fcuk - I found myself face down on the deck and annoyed (mainly for my family) that I got ‘exposed’ to a situation I could have avoided by staying ‘up-top’). ?wondered if the vicars who sent the videos were Argies ? of course not .
Happy HERMES can keep her name and title – she got herself (and me) home VICTORIOUS ( I’m sure the VIC association will allow us that!). I am proud and HAPPY to have been part of her crew.
All ‘old’ HERMES can be proud of her final act in the RN – she won that war – she fulfilled her duty as did all those who served in her throughout all those commissions’ – getting her to the preparedness for the ultimate design for a warship, sadly which is to fight - and help win Wars !.
There is one Meteorological phenomena of the Southern Winter of ‘82 that I can report – one of course I could not have experienced in my four earlier visits because mine were ‘southern summer’ – and that is in my many flights away from HERMES and close in to the Eastern Falklands shore line there were Cumulus and often towering cumulus clouds SITTING on the surface of the sea ! so much so that, as we in our LYNX helo had NO defensive weapons , we could use these Cu as a hideaway – very assuring – the Arg PUCARAs had no radar so we were generally safe hiding in the Cumulus with clear air and good visibility in between !.
Happy HERMES will always be a happy memory for me – But
I would much prefer that Ray, Ian P etc & co’s happy HERMES memories had prevailed – we were, after all in our times ‘geared-up’ for the Cold War and ended up in a War with a ‘friend’ !.
January 2024 Veterans ID cards now available.
Apply online or by written form
Thousands more veterans will receive HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards now thanks to a £3 million injection to expand the roll-out to veterans who left service before 2018.
Government has invested £3m to scale up production of HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to 50,000 cards a month.
Follow the link for more information and to apply
https://www.gov.uk/veteran-card
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Staunton Arms 17th August 2023
On Thursday 17th August 2023 a group of Midland Metocs plus visitors met up at the Staunton Arms, Staunton in the Vale for a get together, talk, eat, more talk and the obligatory group photograph. Thanks to Ash and Gill for organising. More pictures on the Midland Metocs Facebook page.
Nuclear test medal: UK veterans to receive recognition after years-long campaign
Veterans of Britain's nuclear test programme are to receive a newly designed medal in time for Remembrance Day, the government says.
The release of the design follows a years-long fight for recognition by veterans and their families, who said exposure to nuclear tests had caused cancer and premature deaths among thousands of people who took part, as well as causing health problems for their families.
The first medals will be available in time for Remembrance Sunday on 12 November, the government said. However, they will not be issued automatically - veterans and relatives wanting posthumous recognition will need to apply, and survivors will be prioritised over next of kin
The Met Branch was involved in the tests but as far as I know all persons have now crossed the bar. Their relatives may wish to apply for this long overdue medal.
Steve Howard at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial 31 March 2023
Hermes Recognise anything ?
An enterprising chap on the Hermes group on Facebook has published a series of plans of the Happy H as it was in the 1970's before the addition of the upturned shoe horn (ramp). Below are a couple, can you spot anything?
04 Deck (the highest) HMS Hermes
No wonder we were fit! My cabin was on 2 Deck forward over the bows, four high bunks opposite a wall of lockers, used to help the climb to ones pit. Work was in the Met Office on 04 deck, the space forward was a brilliant goofing platform and drinking area when VIP's were on board. The Bar Steward used the Met office as his bar - Go Figure!
The Balloon Shelter was Port Side Aft, under the flight deck, a long way from anywhere as I recall and used as little as possible i.e. never with a compliment of PO plus 2 X L/Airmen. Finally the Bathy Launcher was attached to the Quarterdeck as aft as you could go without having to swim with a print out just off the Quarterdeck, Starboard side as I recall. We did use this. Sea temperatures taken by using a bucket from one of the weather decks, depending on how the sea/swell was behaving.
Navy Wings Naval Aviation Documentary - candidates to be interviewed for the film (One of our Wrens is being interviewed)
Following on from the great success of the fundraising campaign for Navy Wings' Fleet Air Arm/Naval Aviation documentary, things are progressing rapidly. The team (in Cc above in case of any questions) are now looking for suitable candidates to interview, and tell their story in the film.
The first group that they are looking to find interviewees from are those who served in World War Two, and up until 1950. They are particularly interested in anyone who served at sea, and especially in the Battle of The Atlantic, Arctic Convoys, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Normandy, BPF. Other groups will follow later.
Ideally they would like two or three candidates from each association, who it is felt have a particularly good story to tell about their time in the FAA. They have plenty of aircrew candidates, so would like some from a non-aircrew background.
Rather than ’self-nominating’, it would be great if each association committee could suggest two or three suitable candidates, obviously having checked first with those they plan to put forward.
They are keen to start filming very soon, so it would be appreciated if this action could be taken quickly within association committees. A short ‘bio’ on the individual would also be very useful.
The Navy Wings team would then contact the individual to explain the situation, and have a thorough ‘get to know’ session prior to the interview being filmed.
This will be a fantastic way to contribute to the film, which will need a broad cross-section of interviews to tell the complete story of the FAA.
By Arthur - Am sure they will get around to us youngsters eventually, in the meantime any ladies or gents who are old enough contact Gill who will make sure you are included in the possible contributors.
Steve & Rosina's Travels a further update April 2023.
The Good news is that Steve's blog has been resurected from the dead after much hiffing and puffuing from Steve.
https://www.driverandchef.co.uk/ is the link to the newest version.
More Good news is that Steve has booked a wreath laying at the Menin Gate for 31st March on his way to Instanbul and Greece. We hope to cover the event in some detail.
If you were unaware, Steve Howard and partner have travelled extensively in Motor Homes throughout Europe, the USA West to East and East to West over the last decade. During this time he published a popular blog on camping, the locals, cost etc which included numerous pictures with occasional text that Jolly Jack would understand.
Steve has decided to continue to publish his travels but in a slightly different way. The Cloud Observers site will continue to link to Steve's thoughts and photographs where relevant.
Steve Howard, that's Steve back row next to PO Bogey Knight (photo from David Strike, front row L/H marker doing the eyes right). Steve will be off on his motorhome travels again soon.
Follow Steve on his Blog, lots of photos, hopefully to include a small ceremony in Ypres sometime in 2023. Picture Link to Steve & Rosina's Blog below.
Midland Metocs cover the world!
On Wednesday 7th December a group of the Midland Metocs met up at a pub in Worksop, Nottinghamshire for a get together and chin wag. Joining the group from Australia was Dave Strike via the know how and dexterity of Ash Price and his bat phone.
The bat phone was slightly less than perfect but a big thanks to Dave Strike for burning the midnight oil to stay up to chat to us, wish us all a Merry Christmas.and sip a Tiger beer on our behalf.
So next meeting might just include a few more expats?
Nuclear test veterans to be honoured with medal after campaign
Those of us of a certain age will remember that members of the then Met Branch were involved in the Nuclear tests and that they highlight a hole in our records. Any lucky enough to still be with us can apply for this overdue medal which is also available to the families of those that have passed. Link here.
Frank Nowosielski
Military ID Cards Now Available To Veterans
Some veterans will automatically be given one of the new cards, with all former personnel being able to apply for one by the end of 2019, thus said the MOD back in 2018.
Slow forward to 2022, it now appears that all persons leaving the service have been issued with a veterans ID card as part of their leaving routine. The rest of us are still in nowhere land, the latest "statement" from MOD is copied below.
Last reviewed 15 February 2022
The Veterans’ Recognition Scheme has a two-phase rollout. Phase 1 is complete; with Service leavers receiving a recognition card as part of the discharge process.
Phase 2 is to extend the scheme to existing veterans so that they can more quickly, easily and securely prove they served in the UK Armed Forces so they can access the services they need.
There is a need to future-proof the roll-out and ensure that we are giving ID cards only to those with verified service to guard against fraudulent use as veterans become able to access a wider range of benefits.
In the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan (2022-2024) the government committed to exploring the secure, digital verification of veterans’ status. This work is underway, and we are currently working with veterans and other stakeholders to ensure any solution meets the needs of all veterans. This will support delivery of the Phase 2 roll out of ID cards. The government is still committed to delivering ID cards but cannot give a timescale for final delivery as this work is in progress
HMS Fearless 40th Anniversary of the Falklands Campaign book
The Fleet Air Arm in the Falklands War
David Strike
With, ‘Asian Diver Magazine’ about to celebrate its 30th Anniversary in June of this year, ‘Counterstrike & Other Musings’ is a timely release of the stories - peopled with largely fictitious characters – that appeared in that magazine throughout the 1990’s as the whimsically titled, ‘CounterStrike’ editorial column.
Offering an irreverent take on sometimes-serious diving issues – ranging from training and practical diving techniques, through to marine conservation, equipment and safety – it is a collection of light-hearted commentaries mixed with a touch of satire; in short, it’s an easy and humorous read that can be enjoyed by everyone … regardless of whether or not they dive.
Attractively priced, the 240-page, ‘Counterstrike & Other Musings’, is available as either a downloadable Kindle version, or as a soft-cover book, via Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RJ2DPZH And in Australia, at:
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09RJ2DPZH
18th to 25th September 2021
A Mini Reunion was held at Culdrose Manor, highlights included a cream tea and BBQ for guests. Old and new haunts were visited by all those who stayed in the Manor house as well as nearby accomodation.
A few images from our week at Culdrose Manor with many more to see on the Midland Metocs Facebook page
Midland Metocs Mini Reunion
16th June 2021 The Staunton Arms in the Vale of Belvoir was host to the Midland Metocs, we previously entertained the Metoc Retreads at this venue (complete with London Bus) a few years back. Another great meet kindly organised by Ash Price. Wherever next?
Our next mini reunion will be held at Culdrose Manor between 18th and 25th September 2021 where we hope to meet many of the branch who settled south of the Tamar, indeed anyone south of the Midlands.
Westminster Embankment 2020
Bude 2020
Lee on Solent 2020
Director Force Generation | Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm
https://www.facebook.com/NavyWingsUK/posts/2716926115243032
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Discounted Tube Travel
If you live in London or are an infrequent visitor like me then you probably have an Oyster Card. My spies tell me that you can get a third off, offpeak fares if you also have a forces (coming to a pensioner near you) or Senior Railcard. You have to apply at a ticket office as this cannot be done online. Presume the new Veterans Railcard will be included in the scheme
Having tested the water on this one by asking at a ticket office the routine is
- Find a ticket office thats open (degree of difficulty - high)
- Explain that you do not live in London etc. (degree of difficulty - less than 1 above)
- Find that you need to open an account. (degree of difficulty - cannot do at ticket office)
- Back home, I now have an account, next trip to London, see how we go. (degree of difficulty - takes time)
- Summary This is not straightforward and well hidden. You almost feel they dont want you to succeed. TFL Staff were polite and patient throughout so no reflection on them.
- Now own Veterans Oyster card but have to establish if any top ups of the card earn the discount.
- In the two years it took to get my Oyster card the original ticket office closed down.
Midland Metocs Mini Reunion
Meeting at Grange Farm Pub, Oadby, Leicester on 23rd Nov.2019, organised by Ash Price.
Radio sonde 2017 style
Here we have a video of a container ship, a big brutish, frankly ugly container ship. She is westbound from Liverpool to Halifax NS and enroute launches radiosondes. Have a look at the video from 4:09 onwards to see how they receive weather information and generate their own. How easy it is now!
David Strike Diving in Australia
Pussers Tilley
Those who know me will know that I dabble a little in Model Railways.
Whilst looking for suitable vehicles I came across this model of a Bedford Tilley and so memories of transport to and from the Tower
and other such journeys sprang to mind. Would anyone like a model section on the Website?
Latest finds are two Pussers Landrovers, a long wheelbase Station Wagon and a Short Wheelbase varient that were often found on the carriers.
Dockyard Dandy
Forces Discount Card
Your discount card to flash wherever you go. Only £4.99 for five years so why not apply today for all year round discount opportunity?
I always forget mine but the occasional assistant has noticed it in my wallet, thus it has paid for itself a few times over.
Membership Forms
More downloads on site and on the Downloads page
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