Readers of letters to the editor across the UK responded to my appeal for Royal Navy Electricians to join their new association and they wrote in their hundreds.

Well the proof that such an association was needed was endorsed on the sunny coast of Bournemouth where we held an Inaugural meeting and reunion over a weekend.

Those who didn't stay at the hotel but lived locally came in to swap yarns and reminiscences and 'Swing the Lamp' in general and packed into the Inaugural meeting.

Many old ship friendships were renewed, one back 51 years!

What will the next reunion, planned for Llandudno and booking fast bring?

This is a thank you from the Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association first to the newspapers who printed my letters and to say "They are read keep up the letters to the editor section" and secondly to say thank you to the readers who have ex RN electricians in their families who live abroad and have informed them.

We have members in the States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and a
bit closer, France.

If you, or a member of your family served in the Royal Navy in the Electrical department and would like to meet up with your old mess mates, send your name and address, service number (if you can remember it) and a couple of second class stamps to help association funds to Brian Joy, Membership Secretary, 237a Tithe Farm Court, Alexandra Avenue, South Harrow, Middx, HA2 9DN for details.

(Please leave the self adhesive stamps on their backing paper) or email
him on navy.bj3@ntlworld.com.

Most important, what was your favourite ship and where you would like to be 'taken back to'?

Which ships are mentioned already?

Here are a few, HM Ships Ark Royal, (old and new), Bacchante, Bermuda, Caprice, Dundas, Eagle, Gambia, Harrier, Kenya, Lincoln, Newfoundland, Protector, Ranpura, St Vincent, Superb etc.

How's that for just a very small sample as an alphabetical appetiser?
Not convinced the association is for you?


Mike Crowe
Royal Navy Electricians