HMS INDOMITABLE ASSOCIATION

It is with great sadness we have to announce that Surgeon Commander Eric W. King Turner has 'Crossed The Bar'.

Our Past and Founder President passed away in Nelson, New Zealand on November 2009, Age 104.

Eric served on HMS Indomitable during the 1940s. He took part in the 'PEDESTAL OPERATION' (The relief of Malta) and was featured on the Channel 4 Programme 'CONVOY'

When the ship was decommissioned and broken up Eric purchased the ship's bell and donated it to the War Museum in Malta and many Members of the Association have pictures taken of and with the ships bell during our reunions held in Malta.

As I sit at my computer to write these notes I have had to close the blinds to keep the sun (yes the sun) away from the screen. The second day of March 2010 has brought the sunshine to my part of the country for the second consecutive day; at last there are signs that this awful winter is beginning to let up.

I have just done an analysis of how our Membership stands as at 28th February 2010.

We have exactly 60 paid-up members this year: There are 16 Members who have not paid their 2010 subscriptions: 6 who have not paid both 2009 and their 2010 subcriptions: We have 4 Life and Associate Members.

I have said previously, it is usually only when you update your subscriptions that we know that you are still with us. The 22 Members who are not yet up to date may just have forgotten to contact us, I really do hope so. If you are not quite certain you can give me a phone call on 01909 720 564 and I can turn my records up quite quickly. Most of you will probably be aware that if your cheque has been cleared through your bank statement, I have received your payment of £5.00 for your annual subscription.

HMS Indomitable Association was formed by Ron Pearson and Ron Sloan when they met in Manchester one wet and windy day.

It was suggested, after some reminiscing about their time aboard the INDOM that an association would be a viable proposition.

They were absolutely spot on in their judgement. We now have a membership of around 60 our oldest member, being 106 years young, was Albert Flint, sadly now 'crossed the bar' while living in Australia, served on the battleship Indomitable at the battle of Jutland.

The Association is considered to be a “Happy Ship” and the annual subscription of £5.00 gives us Newsletters 6 times a year and a “Tot” at the annual Reunion, which is usually in September or October.

HMS Indomitable was built by Vickers Armstrong at Barrow-in-Furness, She was launched on 26th march 1940 by Mrs. Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston Churchill then first Lord of the Admiralty.

The Ship was an "Illustrious Class Aircraft Carrier" with armoured flight deck and the first of the last three to have hangers at two levels.

The Battle Honours of Indomitable were: (Battleship) - Dogger Bank 1915; Jutland 1916: (Aircraft Carrier) - Diego Suarez 1942; Malta Convoys 1942; Sicily 1943; Palembang 1945; Okinawa 1945.

On 3rd November 1941 she was damaged by grounding when working up in the west Indies and May 1942 saw service against Madagascar. Badly damaged by German aircraft during service on Pedestal Operation (Malta convoy) as seen on the Channel Four programme "CONVOY"

September the Ship joined "H Force" for the assault on Sicily and was badly damaged by a torpedo.

Then joined the Eastern Fleet and in January 1945 was transferred to the British Pacific Fleet and on April of that year was damaged by a Kamikaze aircraft but remained operational.

After an extensive refit the Ship saw service in Home waters as Flagship Home Fleet. While working up in the Mediterranean in 1952 an explosion, cause by aviation fuel leak in the foward keyboard flat, caused a number of fatalities and serious injuries.

Having been Bombed, Torpedoed and hit with Kamikaze suicide planes it is a miracle the Ship survived till 1955 when she was mothballed at Faslane and eventually broken up at Cairnryan near Stranraer

Our Former President Surgeon Commander Eric W. King Turner purchased the Ships bell which is now in the war Museum in Malta.

Anyone who was on board as a member of the Ship's Company, F. A. A. or took passage on board or family members are welcome to become Members of the Association.

Our last reunion at the Britannia Hotel, Coventry, was disappointing for a number of reasons, which caused a number of members and visitors to leave the hotel early.

Our next reunion will be a return to the Stretton Hotel, 206/214 Promenade, Blackpoll. FY1 1RU.

Friday evening will be the time to meet and greet old and new friends of the Indom and our guests.

10am Saturday morning will be the A G M and election of committee for the ensuing year, after which we receive our Rum Tot when we have the Loyal Toast and remember those who have crossed the bar.

Saturday afternoon you are free to do as you please, shopping, go for a swim , a walk or visit the local features of the area. After dinner we are entertained by ‘In House Entertainment of the Hotel’

Don’t be disappointed and get your booking in now. If the standard set By Ron Sloan on previous Years this will be a weekend to remember.

The proud name of the ship is still to the fore by the excellent work of First Officer Ann Tyrrell, a welcomed visitor at our reunions, and Commanding Officer of Training Ship Indomitable of The Nautical Training Corps from the headquarters at Leylands Park, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill, Sussex.

The Nautical Training Corps is an uniformed youth organisation for boys and girls between the ages of seven and eighteen. It gives young people the opportunity to participate in Seamanship Training. The high quality leadership provides adventurous, exciting and fun activities in a challenging way

The organisation is centred on local units known as ‘ships’. Water activities including sailing, kayaking and power-boating. Cadets are encouraged through a rank and reward system. Many Cadets move onto become adult Officers in the Corps.