1

NL70 Final Update Freedom came from the sea

Berthing
The simple plan:- you notify us at the Ouistreham East cardinal. We start to gather you by similar
size and forward groups into an allocated trot in the Marina. Late comers/odd balls, someone will
not join the right queue will be re directed to the appropriate trot.

Report to our reception passing Ouistreham East Cardinal on VHF channel 72. Call yacht Julie Marie.
Change to channel 74 for Ouistreham approach. The lock is channel 12 and the Marina 09. It is not
necessary to actually report on any of these channels but please monitor. Our reception and the
berthing party will have hand held VHFs on channel 72 should any further advice be required.
Monitor the appropriate Approach, lock and Marina channels as you progress.

See Reeds Almanac pages 773 and 4. The lock uses the International Port Traffic Signals (IPTS). Page
78 in Reeds.





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Church Service
We have a service arranged in St Sampsons Church 16:00 on Thursday 5
th
June 2014. This is to mark
the sacrifice and bravery of those who preceded us. The Church has a memorial and stained glass
window to the Royal Marines that landed along with French marines onto Sword Beach. The
Reverend Jon Backhouse RN is officiating and will be crossing the channel on board Volunteer, the
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Yacht Clubs new charter yacht. Apologies if the order of service is
slightly damp.

There will be a collection on arrival at the Church to defray the cost of the organist and to make a
contribution to Church funds. Please keep a euro note or two available.

Normandy Veteran
Mr Donald Rhodes, born in 1920. He was a regular infantry soldier with the Lincolnshire regiment
during and before the war.
Originally posted to India, as a boy musician ( he was 14!) Later taking part in the Burma campaign,
among other decorations he holds the Burma Star. Posted back from India, and knowing little about
the war in Europe he was almost immediately put on a landing craft ( he thinks at Newhaven), and
landed at Sword beach.
From where, he and what few surviving comrades there were made it to Caen. He considers one of
the reasons he survived was because he managed to get ashore dry. The landing craft grounded by
some wreckage on the beach and they managed to keep out of the water in the mad scramble that
it surely was. My father also fought at Arnhem, Nijmegen and was at the liberation of Breda-for
which cities he was awarded the freedom a number of years ago.
He's pretty fit for his age, doesn't see very well and is hard of hearing, but the rest is working pretty
well. For the D-Day commemorations he will be based at Caen where his family have rented a
holiday home.
It is hoped he will be joining us, as our guest at the Evening Cocktail Reception in the Club House
on 6th June 2014. It will be at the end of an emotional day so we hope he has the stamina.

Official Guests
Commodore Simon Lister CB OBE Commodore RNSA will be with us from 5th to 7
th
.

At the Evening Cocktail Reception we have invited three members of the Yacht Club who have been
very active in arranging our shore side functions, Marina staff and the Town. Some 11 in total.

Absent Friends
A number of members have fallen by the wayside. Lack of crew, over running repair work, time off
work being the principle reasons. I hope their issues are soon resolved. I am sure they will be with
us in their thoughts.

The East Coast contingent have their Blue Peters to hand and will be hoisted on Wednesday ready
in all respects to go to sea outbound for Calais and onto Normandy. Fair weather, calm seas and
moderate winds from any direction other than SW.

Terry Corner
Event Facilitator
19
th
May 2014 -o-