March 2023

FITTLETON Memorial Service

The service is scheduled to be held on Sunday 17 September 2023 at St Mary’s Church, Fittleton, near Salisbury, commencing at 15.00.

The event is being coordinated by the Parochial Church Council, assisted by President Old Hands Association. TCA has donated £1000 but is not otherwise involved.

The Bishop of Salisbury wishes to preside at the Service and TCA Chaplain, Rev Trevor Filtness, has been invited to participate.

The church is quite small, with a seating capacity of about 200, so it will be necessary to make it an ALL TICKET event.

It is likely that the event will be over-subscribed, so consideration is being given to how to accommodate any “overspill” via audio or CCTV link, together with tentative plans for a reception.

Current information on arrangements is being posted on the website www.hmsfittleton.org which will be updated as planning progresses.

You can register your interest in attending the service but please note that priority for allocation of tickets will be given to survivors, relatives of those lost, then members of President Old Hands Association and TON Class Association.

 

Circled: Arnold Jeacock onthe capsized hull waiting to be rescued by Harry Sharpe

Congratulations to TCA Members

TCA Member Terry Hall has been commended in a Points of Light award by the Prime Minister’s office.

The awards  recognise outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.

Terry has worked tirelessly over the past twenty years to ensure that the crew lost in the W5795 Wellington Bomber crash in 1942 are remembered.  He helps coordinate an annual parade and memorial service, arranging flypasts to mark significant milestones, including the Lancaster aircraft for last year’s 80th anniversary of the Dam Busters’ attack. The aircraft trained for their attack on the German dams at nearly Ladybower reservoir, which has a similar configuration.

Terry has also supported the Poppy Appeal in his village for over half-a-century, and is the editor of the ‘Derbyshire Submariners’, a regular magazine bringing together the local veterans’ community.

Terry was nominated by his local MP Pauline Latham OBE, his local MP.

BZ to George Creasey who has received the new Atomic Tests medal. He served in ALERT for the second test at Monte Bello and subsequently at Christmas Island, the Hydrogen Bomb ! Ann reassures us that George does not glow in the dark …

He is also a FITTLETON survivor, Cox’n on that fateful day, George recalls scrabbling uphill to reach the screen door of the wheelhouse, as the vessel capsized.


Did You serve with the (then) Prince of Wales aboard BRONINGTON or JUPITER etc ?

The Royal Navy Press Office is appealing for former service personnel who served alongside the then Prince Charles during his RN career to come forward for interview.

The RN is also searching for veterans from that time who now have relatives still serving.

If you can help please email