As movies, so many of the films screened to RAN personnel in rare moments of comparative leisure time in wartime ships were easily forgettable. For the author and many like ...
Humour
Malaya – Permission to open fire
During the Confrontation period 1963-67 there were often little incidents which came to light from the very different experiences enjoyed by the many vessels from several navies who participated. This ...
Christmas Day Off Korea
I recall this amusing little story as told by my former captain of a large destroyer, from his earlier days during the Korean War (1951-53). My CO was a gunnery ...
Terse Verse
The following verse was apparently composed on the occasion of the initial Task Force of the British Pacific Fleet joining up with the US 3rd/5th Fleet in the North Pacific ...
S206 – Officer Competancy Reports
The form used for Britain’s Royal Navy and Marines officer competency reports is the S206. The following are apparently true excerpts taken from people’s 206s. In the RAN it was ...
The Legend of Arnold Green RAN – Follow-Up Stories
Further to the article on Arnold Green in the December 1996 edition, more Arnold Green stories: 1. On assumption of his duties as Resident Naval Officer, Hobart, Arnold Green ...
A Naval Airman’s Christmas Carol
Or “Who me, Joss?” (Courtesy – HMAS Albatross) Jossman Wencelas looked out On the Feast of Stephen, When the R.P.O.s stood round about, Blancoed, crisp and even. Loudly swore the ...
Personalities – The Arnold Green Legend (1940s & 1950s)
Letters: Rush of Blood
Dear Sirs, Re page 17 of “REVIEW” Vol. 17 No. 2 of June 1996. “Rush of Blood”. I did not stand on my head during the Loyal Toast, nor did ...
Rush of Blood
Ancient Mariners have been quick to respond to my note about the Combined Service rugby dinner, when some Naval officers stood for the Loyal Toast and others followed tradition and ...
Trincamalee Harbour Incident – 1944
The British Fleet that lay at anchor in the harbour at Trincamalee consisted of five battleships, two squadrons of cruisers, four aircraft carriers and two flotillas of destroyers, all peacefully ...
The Captain’s Table
The ocean liner was carrying a group of veterans returning to Europe on a visit. A dozen of his group had been assigned to the Captain’s table but, unfortunately, the ship ran into ...
True tales from travellers
The following snippets have appeared in various hotels, shops and other places in non-English speaking countries around the world. The original intent has lost something in the translation from the ...
Letters – HMAS Swan
The September 1987 issue of the Review contains an article by the late Rear-Admiral J.S. Mesley giving a run-down on the activities of the sloop HMAS Swan during the period following ...
Sailor’s Humour
A sailor rushed up to the Officer of the Deck in such great excitement that he stammered and stuttered. The Officer lost patience with him finally and said “Sing it ...
Tokyo Bay – 1945
With the surrender signed and whilst waiting for the first run ashore, a half dozen or so sailors from the Australian cruiser Shropshire (including myself) were granted permission to take out ...