THE ROYAL NAVAL

ASSOCIATION

Incorporated by Royal Charter

Patron: His Majesty The King

Registered Charity No: 1068408

LISKEARD BRANCH

Commissioned 20th April 1986

Full Recognition by The Royal Navy

The Bilge Rat

November 2025

Issue No 433

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2025/26

Any items for inclusion in the Bilge Rat are to be

sent to: - editor@liskeard-rna.org.uk

Branch website www.liskeard-rna.org.uk

Blog https://liskeard-rna.blogspot.com/

President

Chairman

Vice Chairman

Secretary

Treasurer

Membership Sec

Branch Support

Wellbeing Officer

Area Delegate

Social Secretary

Standard Bearer

Slops Bosun

Rum Bosun

Fundraiser

Auditor(1)

Auditor(2)

Auditor(3)

PR Officer

Branch Chaplain

Bilge Rat Editor

Sports Officer

Vacant

S/M Marie Belfitt

S/M Bill Billing

S/M Lisa Strutt

S/M Warwick Belfitt

S/M Christina Whitty

S/M Maureen Parker

S/M Steve Parkinson

S/M Jerry Fleming

REQUIRED

S/M Adam Strutt

S/M Warwick Belfitt

S/M Adam Strutt

REQUIRED

S/M Adam Strutt

S/M Steve Parkinson

Chrissie Henwood

REQUIRED

S/M Ian Wheatley

S/M Adam Strutt

S/M Terry Whitty

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01579 346606

01579 343605

01579 343139

07855861450

07508785122

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01579 346606

01579 345198

07855861450

01208 821272

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01579 343605

DISCLAIMER

Whilst The Bilge Rat is the magazine of the Liskeard branch of the

Royal Naval Association, it should be clearly understood that the

contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the Association, the

branch members or the Editor and should not therefore be interpret-

ed as such.

A colour version of the Bilge Rat may be viewed on the RNA website.

Branch website: www.liskeard-rna.org.uk

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2025/26 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 4

FIELD OF REMEMBRANCE 5

HMCS NEW LISKEARD: A CANADIAN NAVAL LEGACY 6

THE CAREER AND LOSS OF HM TRAWLER FULMAR

IN 1916.

REMEMBRANCE 2025 10

MENTORS 12

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 14

NOVEMBER QUIZ 15

OCTOBER QUIZ ANSWERS 16

SOCIAL CALENDAR 2025 17

Contents

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Birthdays for December and January

Members;

Life 3

Full 49

Associates 31

Total 83

7-Dec Mary Newbury

17-Dec Peter Billing

18-Dec Tony Bamber

22-Dec Gerry Murray

24-Dec Mari Steele-Tyson

19-Dec Stephen Owen

1-Jan Andy Booth

5-Jan Chris Lavers

6-Jan Maureen Jones

6-Jan Peter Palmer

8-Jan Lynne Fleming

17-Jan Terry Whitty

21-Jan Neil Walsh

21-Jan Anthony (Tony) Clarke

30-Jan Sara Treeby

Field of Remembrance

A short service was held on the afternoon of Sunday 2nd November to dedicate the

RBL’s Field of Remembrance this year. There was a good turn out and members of

the public were invited to dedicate a cross in memory of someone who gave service

to our country and to peace in our time.

HMCS New Liskeard: A Canadian Naval Legacy

While New Liskeard in Ontario carries a name that

echoes its Cornish roots, it is the Royal Canadian

Navy ship, HMCS New Liskeard, that most power-

fully extends the community’s legacy onto the

world stage. The vessel’s distinguished wartime

and peacetime service stands as a proud chapter

in Canadian naval history.

HMCS New Liskeard was a River-class frigate, commissioned in 1944

during the Second World War. Built in Canada, she was part of a fleet

of anti-submarine escorts designed to counter the U-boat threat during

the Battle of the Atlantic. Her robust design offered improved range,

accommodation, and armament, allowing her to perform vital escort

and patrol duties in harsh conditions.

During the war’s final years, HMCS New Liskeard escorted convoys

across the Atlantic, protecting merchant shipping lanes from subma-

rine attacks and ensuring that supplies reached Europe. Serving with

the Mid-Ocean Escort Force, her crew was responsible for both locat-

ing enemy submarines and safeguarding Allied vessels, contributing

to the broader success of Allied naval operations.

After 1945, HMCS New Liskeard remained in service, reconfigured for

peacetime roles such as training and coastal patrols. She supported

the transition to a peacetime navy, helping to instruct new sailors and

maintain Canada’s readiness during the early Cold War years.

Later in 1958, HMCS New Liskeard was fully converted into an ocean-

ographic research vessel. The ship performed this role until 1 May

1969. That same year, she was taken to Dartmouth Cove, Nova Sco-

tia and broken up

HMCS New Liskeard’s steadfast service, both in war and peace, ex-

emplifies the spirit and resilience of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Article provided by S/M Simon Cassidy

The Career and Loss of HM Trawler Fulmar in 1916.

Originally built in 1899 as the Trawler Fulmar for Pickering & Haldane's

Steam Trawling Co, Hull, the Fulmar was part of a larger fleet serving

the British fishing industry in the early 20th century. Like many of her

contemporaries, she was designed for durability and endurance, able

to withstand the harsh conditions of the North Sea.

With the outbreak of the First World War, however, such vessels were

recognised as invaluable assets for the war effort and were swiftly req-

uisitioned for military purposes.

As hostilities escalated, the Royal Navy found itself in need of more

minesweepers and patrol craft. Civilian trawlers like Fulmar were thus

adapted for military use. Renamed HM Trawler Fulmar in 1915, the

vessel was fitted out for minesweeping and anti-submarine duties.

Fulmar’s crew was a mixture of naval personnel and seasoned fisher-

men, whose combined expertise made them particularly effective in the

perilous operations against enemy mines and submarines. Among

these crew members was Trimmer George Hogg RNR, a native of

Liskeard, whose life and service would be forever linked with the

vessel’s fate.

On 17

January 1916, HM Trawler Fulmar was conducting mine-

sweeping operations off the Egyptian Coast in the Gulf of Sollum. It

was during this mission that the Fulmar struck a mine. The resulting

explosion was devastating, and many lives were lost—including

that of George.

The sinking was a sudden and tragic event, emblematic of the dan-

gers faced by the crews of the Royal Navy's auxiliary fleet. The loss

of Fulmar and her crew underscored the immense risks undertaken

in the service of their country, often with little recognition or com-

memoration.

George Hogg is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial

We will remember him.

Article provided by S/M Simon Cassidy

Remembrance 2025

Despite the rain, Liskeard came out in force to remember and pay

their respects to all those that have paid the ultimate price in service

to our country, we also remember all those that have suffered serv-

ing our nation.

The service at the memorial was one of the busiest I have seen,

with people squeezed in to any spare vantage point.

Following the Church service the rain came down and the parade

back to the Legion was one of the wettest I have taken part in.

Once in the RBL Club, it didn’t take long to warm up, with rum on

sale and food provided by Tapenades. It was also very generous of

JJ’s to agree to sponsor the cost of the food, this allowed all contri-

butions to go towards the poppy appeal.

As usual the raffle and auction benefitted from the rum sale preced-

ing it, it tends to loosen wallets.

Although wet, a good day was had and money was raised for the

poppy appeal.

S/M Adam Strutt

Mentors

Winner of the John Bartlett trophy

AA (AET) Campbell

Some of the mentors had a meeting on Thursday with S/M Bill Oli-

phant, Sarah and John from central office, held in HMS Raleigh, and

had the pleasure to work with them on the Gould 25/14 Passing-out

Parade

Annual General Meeting

As all members should be aware, our meeting in January will

include our AGM.

This year the posts of Vice Chair and Treasurer reach the end

of their two year cycle and current incumbents will be standing

down.

Nominations for these roles must be returned to the branch

secretary by the 31st December 2025, nomination forms and

agendas will be available at the November meeting.

Other posts that require filling to maintain the smooth running

of the branch include:

• Fundraiser

• Standard Bearer

• Public Relations Officer

• Social Secretary

• Bilge Rat Editor

• Committee member

If you have any questions regarding any of these posts, or how

to nominate someone or to volunteer, please contact a mem-

ber of the committee.

November Quiz

European Tri-Colours

There are nine European Countries that have a Tri-colour as a flag

plus I’ve thrown in one South American to make it up to ten, do you

know them?

5 6

October Quiz Answers

1. What is a bottle of Champagne containing one-and-a-half li-

tres called? (This is the equivalent to two standard bottles of

wine. A Magnum

2. Who was the legendary Benedictine monk who invented cham-

pagne? Dom Perignon

3. Which Scottish River supplies over 90% of all water used in

Scotch Whisky production? River Spey

4. The cocktail, Gin & It which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s

is made with which two principle ingredients? Gin and Ver-

mouth The “It” in the name refers to Italian (sweet) vermouth.

5. Where would you find the Marlborough wine-making region

which is, arguably, the best region in the world for the production

of Sauvignon Blanc wines? New Zealand The Marlborough dis-

trict of New Zealand is the most northerly part of the south island

of that country.

6. Which Champagne is named after the widow Barbe-Nicole

Ponsardin? Veuve Cliquot

7. What is the name of the Cocktail that was named after the City in

which it was invented by the Barman at the famous Raffles Hotel

in 1915? Singapore Sling

8. Which type of Gin should be used for the drinks Pink

Gin and Sloe Gin? Plymouth Gin Plymouth Gin is a sweeter Gin

than the better known London Gin which is a more bitter Gin.

9. How many standard wine bottles make up a Nebuchadnezzar?

Twenty

10. Which liqueur is said to be made according to a secret recipe of

Bonnie Prince Charlie? Drambuie

Social Calendar 2025

Date Event

5th April Community Fair

3rd May Army/Navy Rugby.

11th May VE Day Wreath Laying

31st May Skittles

12th July Liskeard Show

19th July Liskeard Carnival

25th-27th July Boconnoc

3rd August RNA Croquet St Austell—Cancelled

17th August VJ Day

23rd –25th August Great Trethew

27th September St Mathews Fair

18th October Trafalgar Night

23rd October RNA Quiz

25th October Poppy Concert

2nd November Field of Remembrance

9th November Remembrance Parade

11th November 2 min Silence

27th November Final Meeting of the Year (Free Drinks)

6th December RNA Christmas Dinner

29th January AGM

Liskeard RNA usually meets on the last Thursday of the month, in

the room above the Royal British Legion. The room and bar are open

from 1930 and the meeting starts at 2000. You do not have to be ex

Royal Navy to join. All are welcome.

ONLY DRINKS PURCHASED IN THE RBL CLUB

ARE TO BE CONSUMED ON THE PREMISES

Anybody who has content for the Bilge Rat, please send to

the Bilge Rat Hon Editor.

Email: - editor@liskeard-rna.org.uk

Breakfast Club· Market Cafe Liskeard

Now meeting every Wednesday 0930

and 2nd Saturday of the Month 0930

Facebook.

Terry Whitty has set up a Facebook page to record the events of the

Liskeard Branch of the RNA.

If anybody would like access please contact Terry who will arrange

access.