Nigel Edsell,of Bristol, a noted ship modeller and frequent contributor to TON Talk, has kindly extended an invitation to TCA members to attend the Annual RN event this year. Admission just £20. Details and booking form attached.

Keynote talks include:

• Destroyer men - Identity and Experience
• County Class Cruisers- Born of a Treaty; Lifetime of Service
• How the RN was saved from the 1981 Nott Defence Review

There will also be an opportunity to buy books of naval interest at advantageous prices

It is with considerable regret that we have to announce that George Creasey Crossed the Bar on 6th September, after a long illness.

TCA extends our most sincere condolences to his widow Anne.

George was one of the stalwart characters in TCA. A member since our first year, George and Anne regularly attended Reunions, where he was a source of merriment with his stories of the "old navy". He was Cox'n of FITTLETON on that fateful day of the collision. Long afterwards he said he had no recollection of how they had got out of the wheelhouse as  the ship rolled over.

His real name was David but he was re-christened by shipmates after the famous Admiral Sir George Creasey,  The two had met and exchanged pleasantries.

George's funeral will be held at 13.30 on Friday 26th September at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham., followed by a family-only service at the Crematorium and a reception by Grantham RNA at the nearby Conservative Club,

All TCA members are welcome to attend to pay their respects to George but, if you are able to attend, please advise Anne on 01476 563 536 to assist with numbers for catering.

OLD SHIPS CROSS THE BAR

It is with considerable sadness that we have to advise the loss of three stalwart members of TCA within the short space of a couple of weeks ; George Creasey, Colin (Pancho) Brett and Tony Standish.

All had bravely endured long illnesses. George had the comfort of Anne at his side when he passed.

Pancho and Tony were both GANGES Boys and proud former Stokers.

George, formerly a PO RP2 and CPO, RNR, was Cox’n of FITTLETON on that fateful day in 1976. An obituary for George will appear in December’s TON Talk.

Pancho was renowned at TCA Reunions for his hilarious dits and leading the Sods Opera. He joined TCA at the outset, with Membership Number 003. He served in KEMERTON in 1963, DARTINGTON 1966 and LALESTON in 1967 where he participated in attempts to clear up the oil spill from Torrey Canyon. He also served in TILFORD during Confrontation in 1965 as an LME and wrote up his experiences on the oil spill and Confrontation in TON Talk. He was TCA’s Area Rep for Yorkshire for many years and set up the Affiliations between the Sea Cadet Units in Huddersfield, Stockton on Tees and Thurrock, which he coordinated for several years before ill health curtailed his driving. A true Gentleman of Yorkshire, Pancho will be greatly missed.

Tony was a Londoner, born during the Blitz, and a long-standing member of TCA, Membership Number 0717. He had lived in Denmark for many years but kept in touch with his family in England and regularly attended TCA Reunions. He served as an ME in diesel powered Cat and Cathedral class frigates before graduating to Deltics in FISKERTON in 1961, transferring to HOUGHTON in 1963. A keen footballer, he led the team that nearly beat ARK ROYAL in the Far East Final – a last-minute lapse by the Jimmy, a stand in goalkeeper, denying that honour. Tony was Field Gunner for the Portsmouth crew in 1966. He was also a self-taught artist of considerable talent. His cartoons taking a rise out of Daily Orders encouraged the Ship’s Company to read them - for which the Jimmy was very grateful. Tony’s paintings grace the walls of Clarence House (BRONINGTON presented to our Patron as PoW), the Home Club (aka Royal Maritime Club), Royal Marines Museum (action at Limbang) and the boardroom of Toyota (Cherry Blossom) as well as several private commissions, including the Italian Lakes, LEVERTON, PENSTON, MARY ROSE and African wild animals. Tony and the Jimmy remained close friends and regularly kept in touch.

Our sincere condolences are extended to Anne Creasey, Joe Brett, Barbara Standish and their families.

Pancho's funeral will be held at 09.00 on Wednesday 15 October at Rose Hill Cemetery, Doncaster.