Notices & Events

SHIPS VISITS.

Please note for all Ships Visits please contact Ship Visit Coodinator S/M Audrey Lawson on Tel, 0191-5281

ONCE NAVY ALWAYS NAVY.

Up and Coming in Bradford.

Saturday 19th June.
Standards in Centenery Square for 1045hrs.Service
in Cathedral to Inaugurate the new Lord Mayor.

Sunday 27th June. Armed Forces Day Drum Head Service in the Square.Standards at 1030hrs. Up Spirits at 1200hrs.

Sunday 7th November (week before remembrance day)
Annual Festival of Remembrance. St Georges Hall.
Standards at Stage Door 1700 to 1730hrs. 1800hrs start......finish at 2100hrs.

Come along and enjoy.
Regards,
Bill Lee (Bradford0.

War Veteran Returns to Narvik.

War Veteran Bernard Hallas forced to make three-day journey home after flight grounded due to Ash Cloud.

A SECOND WORLD WAR HERO who became stranded in Norway when the Icelandic Volcanic Ash cloud grounded his flight home say'he has been left more than £1,000 out of pocket.

But Bernard Hallas said he enjoyed every minute of his train journey from Oslo to France,where he boarded a ferry back to England. The 91-year-old had been visiting the port of Narvik, in northern Norway, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Royal Navy's victory over Germany in the second battle of Narvic in April 1940.

After spending an extra three nights in his hotel, Mr Hallas and his carer,Barney Clifton, decided to make the journy home by train.

After an internal flight to Oslo, they embarked on a two-day 700-mile train journey through Sweden, Denmark and Germany to the port of Calais in France.

He said: "SCANDINAVIAN AIRWAYS told us if we stayed in the hotel until we could fly they would cover the costs, but my carer had to get back to his job, so we decided to go overland".

"The extra nights in the hotel cost £400, the train cost £600, the ferry cost £120 and then the train from Dover to York cost another £150".

"But we had a really good time. We met a group of girls on the train who were recorder players. One of them gave me a bottle of liqueur, a photo and a kiss-we had a fantastic time."

Mr Hallas, who lives in Haxby, served with the Royal Marines for 15 years and was a gun captain on HMS Warspite during the second Battle of Narvik.

He said: "I've wanted to go back to Narvic for years and i was thrilled to bits to be there on the 70th anniversary."

"It was emotional and the tears were all the way up on the surface."

Mr Hallas, who was awarded 13 war medals, said the Royal Navy lost two destroyers, two aircraft and 299 sailors in the battle, while the Germans lost all eight of their destroyers and 316 sailors.

"I didn't see a lot of it, as I was locked up in a turret behind armoured doors," He said.

"But I remember feeling exuberant because we were winning".

During his trip, Mr Hallas was invited by the Norwegian Navy to travel on a boat to the site where the British warship,HMS HUNTER, sank, and throw a poppy wreath into the sea.

He was also given flowers to lay on the graves of Brirish sailors who died in the battle.

THIS WAS IN THE YORK PRESS 20-05-2010.

The HMS Illustrious Association Re-union & Liberty Boat Disaster Memorial Stone Unveiling & Dedication.

The annual Re-union will be held at the Russell Hotel,Weymouth from Friday 15th October to Monday 18th October 2010.& it is hoped it will include the Un-veiling & Dedication of the Liberty Boat Disaster Memorial on Sunday 17th October 2010.

With regards to the unveiling ceremony,The First Sea Lord & Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope KCB OBE ADC,Has kindly agreed to carry out the unveiling of the Memorial.We are also honoured that the actual Service of Dedication will be conducted by the Chaplain of the Fleet, the Venerable John Green. For the event we will enjoy the services of a Royal Marine Band.

It should be a fitting tribute to those 29 young sailors who tragically lost their lives in Portland Harbour some 62 years ago.

To Book, Contact Isle of Wight Tours Ltd on 01983-405116 qouting HMS Illustrious Association.They are handling the bookings,and we have the sole use of the Hotel for the weekend.
Thank You Shipmates.