The Second HMS Manchester Association

November 2007

Dear Steve and Ian

I thought the following may be of interest to your Association members.

I am resident in Spain and a member of the local branch of the Royal Air Forces Association. Every year the branch hold their Remembrance Day Service in The English Cemetery in Malaga on the Costa del Sol. There are four war graves in the cemetery where we lay our wreaths, one of these being that of Commander W D Stranack of HMS Manchester, whose date of death is listed as 23/7/1941. As well as members of the local RAFA the ceremony is attended by Torremolinos RBL the Royal Naval Association based in Torre del Mar and representatives from the base in Gibraltar, one of whom is RN and lays the wreath at the grave of Commander Stranack.

I have attached a few photos from the ceremony this year.

Best wishes

Reg Haywood RAFA Benalmadena

Our reply to Reg -

Dear Reg

Many thanks for your email and attachments. As you are probably aware, the 2nd HMS Manchester Association is primarily to do with the current HMS Manchester, although we do have strong links with the HMS Manchester Association, which deals with the 2nd World War Cruiser of the same name. The Cruiser boys do not have internet access just yet, but we will be keeping them informed as to what has transpired between ourselves.

As for Paymaster Commander Wallace Douglas Stranack, our own investigations reveal that he was one of 26 fatalities when HMS Manchester was hit by an aerial torpedo whilst escorting an eastbound Malta convoy on 23rd July 1941. He was 45 years old, and was one of three paymaster officers killed that day. His wife Grace lived in Southsea, Hampshire. Of the 26 officers and ratings who died, 13 were listed as Missing Believed Killed and the remainder were buried at sea. The reason Cdr Stranack was not similarly buried is that we understand his body was recovered when the ship docked down in Gibraltar for essential repairs prior to sailing to Philadelphia for full repairs. Cdr Stranack also served in the 1914-18 war.

HMS Manchester was lost on another Malta Convoy a year later.

Many thanks for your interest in our Association, and long may your pilgrimages to St George's British Cemetery, Malaga, continue!!!

Sincere Best Wishes

Ian and Steve

Global 86

I am looking for any info with regards to the film crew we had following the deployment on Global 86. They were originally going to do a series I believe, like the one on the old Ark Royal and I would be interested in trying to get any of the footage that was shot. I think the camera crew was Granada TV but cannot be sure of that.

Tony Shingler

(Oh No!...Not a movie too!!...Ed)

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Fantastic! I have just got back from dropping the kids at school and have spent more than a happy few minutes looking at the website - it brought back so many memories and the jack humour had me in stitches!!

Bob Hubble (Yeah! I thought it was well written too!! - Ed)

Message to "Doss" Living - "Now that's a 'Fine and Dandy' pic of me on the Quarterdeck shippers, that was my escape and evade tactics from rounds finally caught on camera!... I had 2 days on Albion through my work 2 years ago...guess who I bumped into?...JJ. (A P.O. Stoker) during our time 83-86...and Guess what?....I was his V.I.P. in the Chiefs mess!...so naturally I along with others laced the 2 beer coolers during our time onboard!...we'll catch up for that beer next year eh!, my regards to all the other lads who were onboard during the 1st commissioning...Cheers...John Dixon

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Just been in stitches after reading all the dits on the updated website, brought back a lot of great memories. Keep up the good work.

Tony Shingler (Tanky)

Gents,

Thank you very much for your letter. It was a pleasure to host some of your association in our Mess. As you know we are currently just starting a seven month deployment to the Gulf area but when we get back if any of your boys want to crack open a few cold ones, just give us a shout and we'll make it so. All the best.

Yours Aye

Cuz

POMEM (L) Cullen

Petty Officers Mess President

HMS Manchester

(Apologies for the delay in publishing this note - slight IT problems - Webmistress).

Did Tony Shingler or anyone else find out anything as to the film crew and film of the Global 86 trip? I believe it was made into a television series, and broadcast on cable or something like that back then. Perhaps a letter or contact made with the RN Film Unit? Would other members mind if I wrote to them to see if any light can be shed on this?

Regards

Chris Way

Chris, crack on!! If you can get the footage you will make the Global 86 vets very happy! As for the rest of us....!!

Ed: (Global 86 Dit Listening Specialist 87 - 89)

Really good website. Would you know if the 'old' Manchester Association is still in existence? My uncle was SBA CPO (Sick Berth Attendant - CPOMA as is now - ed) when the ship was torpedoed during the 2nd World War, and I would like to contact any survivors.

Brian Clifford (Brian is now in contact with the "Manchester Association" - Ed).

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Message for Nick Athawes -

Nick - Nice to see that after our chance meeting in the Whitgift Centre that you followed up the association and joined, you had become famous before you even joined! (look at the photos!). Hope to see you all on 23rd June 2007.

From Chris Baker

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I have been monitoring the website on and off (since last March)and have noted all of the improvements and additions you have made and I have to say that I am well impressed - have you thought about going into the web site production world?!

Chris Heyes - Website creator

Chris, Thanks for your kind words!! However, it was all down to you that we got this show on the road and for that we are all very grateful - Stevie, Ian & Alyson.