Searching for past crew mates

While surfing the net on a Sunday morning, I came across your publication. It reminded me of my time in the Navy during the eighties when the arrival of a copy of the Navy News was eagerly awaited when we arrived in port.
I spent three hours going through the news and past issues to see what is actually happening in the Navy today, and man, has it changed.

Today’s media very rarely touch on items such as new ships, pay rises or results of patrols or deployments, and I found articles on my old ships brought back a bit of nostalgia.

I found Hobart was now a reef and my old girlfriend, Townsville was still around...I wonder if she is still the fastest one?

I was on her for the inaugural great patrol boat race, we had a great crew and officers. I served nearly four years on Townsville as the ETW...joining her in 1984 and discharging at the end of my time from her in 1988. Saw out two refits and more trips to TI than I can remember. Mud crabbing at Bird Island, fishing at Lehowe Reef off Townsville and two consecutive years as the start boat for Hamilton Island yacht races...was it the real Navy?

The endless patrols on the APE, the boardings, the exercises, the workups and the toasted sandwiches when it was too rough to cook... the best fun and adventure I ever had.

I would like to catch up with old crew mates — is there a column in your publication I can advertise my email address for contact by ex-servicemen or current ones still serving?

Keep up the good work. I’m sure current sailors serving all over the world look fwd to your issues nowadays as much as I did during my time in the Navy.

Charles (Buck) Rogers, ex LSETW3
Buck27@optusnet.com.au

Help needed with Ark Royal construction

I am a member of a model radio controlled boat club in our town and all sorts of craft are present except aircraft carriers.

These craft have always captured my imagination and I have one well advanced in its construction. It’s the Ark Royal that was responsible for her swordfish aircraft hitting the Bismark in the rudder in WWII.

I am a member of our RSL and many of our members are ex RN and some served in the Ark Royal.

It is my ambition, when completed, to put her on show for them. Obviously it will receive much scrutiny so every detail will be taken into account as it is being made to scale.

Is there anyone who could send me some relative information on colours of the ship, flags and planes, even the propellor. I have some photos but would appreciate these as well.

Ron Webb
2 Foreshore Cove, Sth Yunderup
WA 6208

Heartfelt thanks to Jupiter survivor

By chance I came across a letter to the Editor in the following on-line edition of Navy News:

July 9, 2001
Sole Aussie Survivor
I was the sole Australian survivor of the sinking of HMS Jupiter in the Battle of the Java Sea in the last war. I am very keen to hear from any other survivors living either in Australia or the UK
John Eden
Melbourne

My father, David Bateson, born in England, was a radio operator on the Jupiter when disaster came. Though he did not speak very often of his time in WWII, his story is quite remarkable. I’m not sure if John Eden remembers my Dad — after being rescued, he transferred to the RAN and then returned to the UK for some years.

He later became a school teacher, husband and father of two kids, an Australian citizen and an accomplished children’s author.

Sadly he died in 1998 after a short illness at the end of a remarkable life.

I know that there were some, including my father, who escaped capture by the Japanese and came to Australia — however he never kept in contact with any fellow survivors after returning to the UK in 1944.

I would appreciate if you could pass this message on with my best wishes to Mr Eden — without the courage of the very many who served in those times of conflict, I would not be in a position to enjoy the quality of life and opportunities we have today in Australia.

Paul Bateson
threecg@ozemail.com.au

The opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not represent the views of the editor or the Navy. Sailors wishing to air their views through letters to the editor have access to the newspaper without using the chain of command. Letters may be edited. Preference will be given to letters of fewer than 300 words. The letter will be published only when it includes the author’s name, unit (where applicable), location and contact number. If the author has a genuine reason for remaining anonymous, he or she must still provide details to allow Navy Newspaper staff members to discuss the matter. Send your letters to:
The Editor — Navy Newspaper
R8-LG-039
Department of Defence, Canberra 2600; or email to:
navynews@defencenews.gov.au

.