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As soon as the Royal visit was over 824 were soon back in the HDS role
embarking stores, mail and people. Our visitors for the passage to
Gibraltar included the Chaplain of the Fleet, the Venerable Basil
O’Ferrall, three Members of Parliament, Mr Spencer Le Marchant, Mr
Michael Brotherton and Mr John Stanley, plus Mr Alan Bilyard and his
recording team from BBC Records.
The passage from the Moray Firth took us via the north of Scotland, the
Islands of the Hebrides, the west coast of Ireland, the Bay of Biscay
and on down past the Iberian coast. After RASing fuel from RFA OLMEDA
while to the SW of Ireland on Friday 22nd we bade a final
farewell to our faithful oil well as she left us for a refit in
Portsmouth.
The highlights of the passage included the Grand Handicraft Exhibition
and Competition, a Sods Opera and Flight Deck potted sports. The
handicraft competition had been initiated by the Chaplain soon after
leaving Norfolk and during the long period at sea many people were busy
preparing their entries. The Exhibition and judging took place during
the afternoon of Saturday 23rd and over 60 exhibits were
shown. They included paintings and sketches, wood, metal, rope and
leather work, ceramics, models either from commercial kits or self
inspired design, and even a knitted garment. It was obvious that we have
wealth of hidden artistic talent on board and the exhibition gave a lot
of pleasure to many.
The highly successful Sods Opera during the evening of the 23rd
resulted in the ship’s second single record being recorded. After
several attempts the BBC men were satisfied with our rendering of “The
Last Farewell”, as the A side, with “Never Walk Alone” and “Land of Hope
and Glory” on the flip side. The acts during the evening were very
varied and many had taken a lot of time and effort to perform for our
amusement.
Sunday 24th was a pleasant Sunday at Sea with Potted Sports
occupying the flight deck during the afternoon. Competitors and
spectators were out in force and it was obvious from the start that the
PT Staff had thought up many arduous and strenuous events for the
occasion. The eventual and worthy winners were the Seaman Department.
Over night we approached Gibraltar and with the Levanter wind persisting
at the Rock giving an air of gloom we successfully secured alongside the
South Mole during the forenoon of Monday 25th September to
start the week’s visit. For almost everyone Gibraltar was the first step
ashore for over five weeks.
Many departments took the opportunity to carry out maintenance work and
also repair any damage that had been sustained in the storm during
Northern Wedding. By the end of the week the storm battered scars had
disappeared and the ship looked smart with a new coat of grey.
On the rest and recreation side, a number took advantage of a week’s
leave and spent their time on the tiny peninsula with their families who
had flown out from the UK. A very extensive sports programme was held
with success and failure fairly evenly distributed. The biggest event of
the week was the Top of the Rock race during the forenoon of Saturday 30th
September. A gallant 251 completed the uphill course and congratulations
to CPO Joe Clare who came in first after a fine run and to 809 Squadron
who were the overall team champions.
Gibraltar offered many attractions and despite the fact that the visit
was a working one, many found time to see the various sight-seeing
points of interests. A goodly number took advantage of the day return
tours to the Moroccan town of Tangiers on the north coast of Africa. The
Royal Marine Band were once again to the fore with their services in
popular demand. The highlight however was a memorable concert given by
the band in St Michael’s Cave during the evening of 30th
September. Their truly professional performance in such a unique and
picturesque setting must be one of the memories of the week for those
lucky enough to be among the packed audience
By Monday 2nd October we were ready for sea again and with
our 450ft paying off pennant flying we slipped and proceeded from
Gibraltar for the last time.
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