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The RFA REUNION

The RFA Reunion, our annual get-together and the most important element on our annual calendar is held each year in May

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Captain BJ Waters OBE RFA(Retd) Crossed the Bar Sitrep 1 (412)

half mast

Sitrep 1 Funeral Arrangements

It is with so much sadness that I report that Captain B (Brian) J Waters Crossed the Bar this morning (9 Jun 2018) aged 74 in a Salisbury Hospice. Brian was a stalwart of the RFA Association as a former Trustee, Chairman and latterly President of the Solent Branch, his contributions to all our activities will be sorely missed.

Brian's funeral will take place at St Lawrence Church Salisbury (HERE for their website and HERE for a map) at 14.00 hrs on the 27^th June 2018 followed by a committal and private cremation. Rig of the day “sober” dark Tie/ RFAA tie.

Friends, colleagues and shipmates will be made most welcome to attend the service at St Lawence Church and wil be invited to join the family afterwards for refreshments.

Family flowers only but donations in Brians memory, if desired, should be made to the Salisbury Hospice (HERE for their website and HERE for a map) donations will be coordinated by the Funeral Directors I N Newman from their Salisbury office (HERE for their website and HERE for a map)

On behalf of the RFA Association I offer our sincere condolences to Stephanie and all his family.

If you have any remembrances of Brian please email them to me at captain.pat@rfa-association.org.uk and I will post them on this page. I am also looking for photographs of Brian for this piece and the RFA Association Gallery and Archive, If you have one please email it to me.

Pat Thompson Writes:-

I never actually sailed with Brian but over the years we frequently met up together on courses, cross deck and to swing the lantern. We both joined the RFA at about the same time, me from a north east coast tramp outfit and Brian from the Blue Funnel Line aka the "Scouse Navy" and our RFA careers pretty well ran concurrently. Brian served in RFA Headquarters back in Empress State Building Days and was always proud to state that he was the last "Marine Superintendant" with the RFA.

Fair winds and following seas Brian, I will miss you and your wise counsel, your warmth and friendship

Peter Fry writes:-

I sailed with Brian back in 1986 on the Fort Austin when a young, newly appointed, green as grass STO(N) and he the Chief Officer. He was a joy to be with, both as a wise, experienced mariner, never outwardly ruffled, happy to advise and always with the right words to ease tensions and pressures and as a friend with a quick quip, a joke and the ability to make one feel totally at ease in his company. I have enjoyed the same company socially over many years with the RFAA for which he worked incessantly. A lovely man and a good friend he will be greatly missed. Anne and my condolences go to Stephanie and their family at this very sad time.

Peter & Anne Fry

Martin Seymour writes:-

Brian was a Gentleman and will be sadly missed by the old RFA. We had fun together.

Regards

Martin Seymour

ex Sparky and later converted to SEO

Pam Axworthy writes:-

A true gentleman whose support to me during my early days as a trustee were much appreciated. Rest in peace.

Pam

Ray Bennett writes:-

I sailed with Brian three times and worked once the office for him. Each time was a good ‘trip’ and in the early days as Chief Officer he was something of a mentor to me. Probably most memorably was when Gold Rover lost her rudder off the Falklands. Worst weather I’d ever known! I was on the foc’sle head with the bosun and sailors trying to connect a tow from the harbour tug that had battled its way out to us. While trying not the be washed off the deck I radioed the bridge to speak to Brian, to be told he was lying down. Thought it odd, but passed the message via the navigator. Later found out he was trying to run the ship and control a nose bleed. After we were safe and in the bar (am I allowed to still say that?) the next day it was a subject of great amusement with Brian laughing the loudest. It is really sad that we have lost a shipmate all too soon! Calm seas and fair winds.

Shaun Jones writes:-

I sailed with Brian in FORT AUSTIN (1986) during a very long and extremely busy Falklands deployment. It was my first “big ship” Nav/Ops appointment and very daunting with a large replenishment programme and 4 Sea Kings embarked. Brian was the Chief Officer and provided much highly valued advice and mentoring throughout. He was never too busy to assist and I will be eternally grateful to him for his guidance, friendship and encouragement. My sincere condolences go to his family at this sad time.

Shaun

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Published on Saturday, 09 June 2018 11:04

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The James Coulll Memorial Award 2018

The trustees of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Association are delighted to announce that the 2018 Commodore James Coull Memorial Award has been made to First Officer (now Chief Officer) Jamie Edward Finlay RFA for his outstanding performance in RFA Mounts Bay, during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations in the British OverseasTerritories of Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands,the Turks Caicos Islands and the independent island of Dominica (Operation Rumen) after they suffered unprecedented damage post hurricanes IRMA and MARIA. It is clear that he ticked all the boxes one would expect from an officer of the modern RFA and more.

Published on Saturday, 26 May 2018 11:16

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RFAA Reunion 2018

RFAA REUNION 2018, LINER HOTEL LIVERPOOL.

Liner THE NORTH WEST BRANCH OF THE RFAA WARMLY WELCOMES YOU TO THIS YEAR'S REUNION TO BE HELD ON 19th MAY 2018 AT THE LINER HOTEL LIVERPOOL. (HERE for their Website and HERE for a Map)

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR THE MENU CHOICE FORM AND USEFUL INFORMATION TO ENHANCE YOUR STAY IN LIVERPOOL. IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT ITEMS FROM THE TERRACOTTA ARMY ARE CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY IN LIVERPOOL. SEE liverpoolmuseums.org.uk FOR DETAILS AND TICKET OPTIONS.

The 56th Annual RFA Golf Tournament

THE RFA A ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT 2018

The 56^th Annual RFA Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Waterlooville Golf Club, at Cowplain, nr Portsmouth, PO8 8AP, on Thursday 05^th July 2018. This year we have Cammell Laird Shipyard as the main sponsor with ever generous support from Portland Port Ltd, Seaking International, MLS Overseas IPS, A&P Group, P&S Automation and Trimline Ltd, and other sponsors who have donated prizes. With their help, the total cost for the day will be Forty Five Pounds; green fees will again be subsidised, a breakfast bap, coffee, dinner and prizes provided will be inclusive in the price. You will also be able to bid by sealed envelope for two tickets to a black tie dinner at Skinners Hall to be held by the Worshipful Company of Fuellers on Tuesday 16^th October. Proceeds will go to our nominated registered charity (RC 1083950).

Published on Saturday, 26 May 2018 10:23

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The Chairman's Christmas Message

Chairman This year has past as quickly as ever. The AGM and Reunion Dinner seems a distant memory. The Branches have been as busy as ever. We have sadly lost some of our friends and colleagues, but they will be remembered. We now look forward to the New Year, which will be a busy one for the Trustees.

Changes in the law require that we administer the Association in a more tightly controlled way. You will learn more of this in the Year Book mailing (which we hope to post mid-February) and the enclosures with it.....but for now, and on behalf of all the Trustees, I wish you a very merry Christmas, and a happy and peaceful New Year!'

Thanks,

Ray

Ray Bennett

Captain RFA (retd)

Chairman

Royal Fleet Auxiliary Association

Published on Thursday, 21 December 2017 16:09

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