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Message from the Chairman: Mike Bosazza
I don’t think anyone can say that the last year has been easy. And the one before that was probably worse, but now we are looking ahead and at the time of writing there is some hope that the latest variant, Omicron, is not as powerful as the earlier ones and that the vaccinations still seem to be working. Many of us are hoping to get a booster jab in January and if that means we can go back to meeting family and friends, eating out, going to movies and generally living a more normal life, I am all for it.
In this past year we have said goodbye to friends and one in particular I would like to mention. RAdm Chris Bennett was our Deputy Chairman for several years and he served on the NHT Exco for longer than most. He took over the role of editor of our digests from Roger Williams and did an incredible job. He gave wise counsel at our meetings and is sorely missed. It is therefore with considerable pleasure that we have produced Naval Digest no 32, being his story. This Digest has recently been sent out and if you have not received your copy yet, it should arrive very soon.
We have also been honoured with the distribution of V Adm Robert Simpson-Anderson’s book, President Mandela’s Admiral which is a fascinating account of his role as Chief of the South African Navy during the years 1992 to 2000. Copies of his book are available from the NHT.
Looking ahead to 2022 there are a number of publications which will be printed in time for the anniversaries that fall into this period. Details of these and more are to be found in this Newsletter.
But before that, there is the Festive Season and so on behalf of the Trustees I want to wish you peace and happiness – with a healthy helping of merriment – this December. Merry Christmas for those who celebrate Christmas and for others I hope you will be safe and well.
Regards
Mike Bosazza
Books in the pipeline
Day by Day is having a complete update covering the period 1488 – 2021. This book is progressing very well and is still on track for a Feb 2022 publishing. Glen Knox is processing this book.
The Navy Band by Kenny Leibrandt. This book has unfortunately slowed down due to lockdown.
My War – 1939 to 1945 by Lt J N Barfield. Is being put together by Mac Bisset.
SATS General Botha WWII Roll of Honour is being processed by Mac Bisset with assistance from SATS GB in preparation for their Centenary celebration in 2023.
Ton Class Minesweepers by Bill Rice. The book is now in the final editing and proofreading stage with Arne Soderlund and Peter Smith and will be published early 2022.
Honour and Duty stories from the SATS General Botha by Ian Manning and Peter Rogers is nearing completion for publication in early 2022
SA Marines – this book is on hold until a suitable author for the project is found.
History of the Strike Craft. Being complied by Chris Myers in consultation with many others. This project is just getting underway and will be on the go for at least 2 years
Navy 100 to celebrate the SA Navy 100 in 2022 is a work in progress. The Trust has been given the go ahead by Navy Office to produce a book for the Navy 100 celebrations. This publication is being handled by two NHT members and we are expecting both these books to be published around April 2022.
Naval Digests in the pipeline
The proposed digests below are in no particular order and will be published as and when ready:
Projects Pullen and White Dove, Drakensberg and Outeniqua visits to the Congo – Arne Soderlund
Voyage to the Ice – SAS Outeniqua by Arne Soderlund, this Digest is complete however Heritage is awaiting approval from the original author, as her notes were used to compile the Digest.
SAS Protea This Digest is being compiled by Cdr Leon Steyn from the SA Naval Museum. This project is just starting up and it is hoped to be completed by the time SAS Protea decommissions.
The Ship. The text is complete and is now receiving the sketches by Theo Honiball. This Digest is due for publication in the first quarter of 2022.
Naval Heritage and Naval Museum working together.
Naval Heritage and the Naval Museum are once again working together and Cdr Leon Steyn (OIC Naval Museum) has returned to the Board of Trustees. Our monthly meetings are now held in the Museum.
NHT Office
The NHT office is situated in Court Road Simon`s Town below the Simon’s Town Museum and next to the Snookie Shellhole. The office is open for members to visit on Mondays and Thursdays between 0930 and 1200. If you in the area you are most welcome to pop in for a cup of tea or coffee. You will then be able to view the Heritage collection of books, paintings and Oral Histories in the Office. Please bring along your own mask. The office is run by Les Gale and he loves a chat with visitors
Tim Johnson Prints
The Trust has acquired a few sets of the Tim Johnson naval vessel prints which are available for purchase by the Society members. There are two packs,
The first being the collection of 6 vessels, Drakensberg, Outeniqua, Strike Craft, Protea, A River class Hunter and a submarine. This set of 5 prints sells for R450.
The second set is of 4 prints depicting the 4 Valour class frigates. This set sells for R300.
Each set is sold complete and cannot be split up for single prints. These print sets can be obtained from Glen Knox or by visiting the NHT Office.
NHT Library of Collected Books
The Trust now has built up a library of over 500 books which are available to members for reading at the NHT Office. The full list of all the books is available on request. A request to all members when clearing out, please remember the Trust. We are always on the lookout for Nautical themed books and in particular those with a South African theme.
We have duplicates of a few books and these are available to members for purchase.
The duplicate list is available on request
These books can be purchased through Glen Knox. The cost of postage will need to be added, unless picked up from the NHT Office in Simon`s Town or hand delivered within the Cape Town area. His contact details are glenknox090@gmail.com
Oral History Program
The Trusts Oral History program has continued even through the Lockdown with numerous proof readings continuing and even members writing their own Oral Histories. There are now 244 completed Oral Histories in our archives. Heritage Society members are welcome to visit the office and read any of the Oral Histories on file. Since we started adding photos to each document they have become even more interesting.
During the Lockdown the team has not been able to conduct many one-on-one recordings. We have however been able to follow up on the outstanding recordings and also complete numerous Mini Oral Histories with the info being obtained from family members, old Navy News articles and other documents.
Since the last Newsletter, the following full Oral Histories have been completed:
Cdr Keith Hartley and he also completed his father Arthur Hartley war records, WO1 Greg Faure, Hayden Bailey, Jason Leer, Eric Joyce, Capt Stan Slogrove, Capt Herman de Vries, Capt Kevin Wise, RAdm Lukas Bakkas, Cdr O`Kennedy Rademeyer, Cdr Fran Hulett.
The “Mini Oral Histories” completed include Cdr Brian Stiger, Cdr Peter Bredenkamp, Cdr Frank Wilkinson, Capt John Mallory, G. Berry. Fedde van den Bosch, Cdre Brian Hegarty, Capt Jack Netterberg, Cdre Neil Guy, Cdre John Goosen, Stokes, Frank Chalmers, Robert Neville, Ralph Olivier, Harry Johansen, Russel Paterson, Harold MacCoy, M.D. Lewis, George McCourt, Norman Rankin, RAdm James Sleigh, RAdm Charles Woolley, Lt D. R. Stephens and Mr M.S. Manuel(tailor)
Those still outstanding and busy with proof reading and additions, include:
Cdr Tim Johnson, WO1 Roy Marks, Lt Cdr van Blerck (Being completed by his son Johann) Capt Preston Barnard and CPO Johnny Walker
It is request that those still proof reading and adding comments and photos to have their documents completed soonest and returned to Glen Knox at glenknox090@gmail.com
Own writing has also caught on with Hanlu van der Poel, Gerrit Rademeyer, Rob Shelly, Nigel Peddie, Johan Swiegers, Kevin Packer and Chris Dooner who are all busy with their own writing projects. Third Parties are also assisting with Oral History of Cdr Tony Rendell.
Although Lockdown is still strictly enforced in some areas we would really like to get the program running at full speed once again. The list of possible new recordings is now over 120 with more and more retirements taking place. We would encourage Society members to start writing their own Oral Histories, an hour or two each week is all it takes. However, if you would prefer a recording to be conducted as part of this Heritage project please get in contact with Glen Knox on his e mail glenknox090@gmail.com or through WhatsApp on 084 686 1384
New Members for 2021
New members to the NHT Society are warmly welcomed and we trust you will all enjoy the publications produced and interacting with the Trust and Society members
The new members for the period September to December 2021 Capt peter Rogers, Prof Wim Muburgh, Cdr H van Wyngaard, Capt Peter de beer Strydom Capt Rohan Erleigh, Cdr Clive Scholtz, RAdm Leon Reeder, Chris Myers, Bernhard Klocke, RAdm Steve de Toit, M Cordes, Capt Preston Barnard, Capt John Gower and Candice Chetty
We would like to encourage all Society members to look at their own friends and other retired Naval and Defence personnel who are not yet members and if they are interested in SA Naval Heritage to please get them to join up with the NH Society. The Application form is on the SA Naval Heritage fb site also on our new web page.
Make this a Christmas challenge to get friends to join up
The paid-up membership for the Naval Heritage Society now stands at 191. This number has remained the same over the past few months as there have unfortunately been deaths amongst the members. Other members who do not respond to emails and are non-paying for two years are removed from the data base.
If you are moving home or changing your email addresses please update your new addresses with Andre Wessels. Confirmation of your E Mail, postal address and cell numbers may be sent to the membership secretary at nhtmembership@gmail.com
Naval Heritage Website
The Naval Heritage web page is looking very good and is being maintained by the Web Master Nicholas Dunn.
We encourage all our Society members to log on and see the additional items on display. The link for the site is navalheritagetrust.co.za
Typing in SA Naval Heritage Trust will also link you to the page.
Additional Books and Naval Digests can also be ordered through the web site.
Where can you purchase Naval Heritage books and Digests?
All our published books are available at the NHT Office or through the Naval Heritage web page. Remember paid up members get a big discount on all purchases.
Other stockists include Inkosi Africa gift and souvenir shop in Simon`s Town. The Bookworm Fantasy, Main Road Somerset West, Select Books Kenilworth, Clarks Books Long Street Cape Town. These shops only hold a selection of the inventory and sell the publications at the full price.
Special deals on Naval Digests
The Trust has made two full sets of the Naval Digests number 1 to 31 available to members at just R500. Normal price R1550. Postage of R99 with POSTNET will need to be added in unless collected in person from the NHT office Simon’s Town or in Muizenberg.
SA Naval Heritage Society Facebook site
This site continues to grow each month and has become extremely popular with 6563 members by 12 December 2021. There have been many positive interactions on the site which have highlighted new and interesting items on the SAN. The daily Shipwreck Heritage Report is also being included, this makes for fascinating reading each day.
Are you a member of this Facebook site yet? If not click on it and join in the daily discussions.
Naval Heritage Yearly Subs
Naval Heritage Subs continue to be slow in coming in even with Andre Wessels our Membership Sec sending out an email when your subs are due. To all those who have submitted their subs, Many Thanks these subs ensure we can get the two Naval Digests out to you all each year.
Please ensure you do not fall behind in your subs. The yearly cost is still R150 and will not be increased next year even though the cost of publications and postage has put a strain on the available funds.
Naval Heritage Trust Banking details
Naval Heritage Trust Standard Bank Fish Hoek code 036 009
Account number 072 102 276
Assegaai Submarine Project
This project is in a delicate balance with ongoing discussions between the Committee and the SA Navy. A new site on the hard is being considered and if approved the Submarine could hopefully be open for viewing by end 2022.
Naval Heritage Trust Board
Chairman: Mike Bosazza
Secretary: Capt Trunell Morom
Treasurer: Mrs Glynnis Hellemann
Capt Glen Knox (Vice Chairman)
RAdm (JG) Arne Soderlund
Capt Chris Dooner
Cdr Eddie Wesselo
Cdr Mac Bisset
WO1 David Harrison
WO1 Andre Wessels
Web Master
Nicholas Dunn
Volunteer staff
WO1 Les Gale
WO1 Harry Croome
Next newsletter – March 2022
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