RNZN Communicators Association

Update on South East Asia Medal – 29 May 2012

Frank Rands — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:01:48 +0000

The Medallic Recognition Joint Working Group received 68 submissions on service in South-East Asia. After considering the submissions, the Joint Working Group submitted an interim report to the Minister of Defence in November 2011.

The Joint Working Group is currently undertaking further archival research and will then finalise its report and recommendations. The Joint Working Group expects to present its final report to the Government in July 2012.

The Government’s decisions on the recommendations from the Joint Working Group will be widely publicised, including in the RSA Review and on the Breaking News page of the NZDF Medals website.

For further information see the South-East Asia review page of our website.

Jack Passings – May 2012

Frank Rands — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:12:03 +0000

The following Sailors ‘Crossed the Bar’ during the month of May 2012. Details of funerals etc can be found by clicking HERE.

ANDERSON Warren Joseph
OAKBY Jack
WATSON, Malcolm Hames
BYERS, Joseph Alexander (Joe)
HENDERSON, Robert (Chick).
McFETTRIDGE Reece William
KIRTON Hugh Dickson
BYERS, Joseph Alexander (Joe)
BREHAUT Mark Anthony
ALCORN, Robert James (Jock)
REVELL, Benjamin James (Ben) AEW
FORBES Neil Vincent

Wearing of Medals – Guidance

Frank Rands — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:52:18 +0000

The rules governing medal wearing in New Zealand known as the Order of Wear specifically allows family members to wear medals of the deceased on the right side for national days of memorial like Anzac Day and Remembrance Day (11 November) and other notable events.

“Serving members of the NZ Defence Force are also allowed to wear their deceased relatives medals while in uniform under the same convention.”

Conventions for wearing a relative’s medals include:

• People should only wear one set of medals and they should be directly related to their family, for example, should have belonged to a brother or sister, dad or mum, grandfather or grandmother.

• In all cases these are worn on the right chest.

• Only service medals and decorations mounted on a medal bar (full-size or miniature) can be worn by a relative. It is perfectly acceptable for people to wear miniature medals mounted on a medal bar as the weight is far easier to handle.

• Royal Honours insignia such as neck badges, sashes, sash badges, or breast stars cannot be worn by anyone other than the original recipient. The same rule applies to any Unit and Personal Commendations that the deceased wore on their right chest.

•The occasions on which wearing of relatives medals is permitted are confined to Anzac Day (25 April) and Remembrance Day (11 November). In addition, it may be appropriate for next-of-kin and other relatives to wear relative’s medals on an occasion where either the relative’s service or the unit in which they served is being commemorated.

Lieutenant General Jones reminds ex-Service people that their medals should be mounted and worn in exactly the same manner as if they were in uniform, on the left chest.

“Anzac Day is a day in which as a country we commemorate the efforts of ordinary New Zealanders in the service of their country. The wearing of medals is a tradition that links our past, with those serving today.”

Images from the Past

Frank Rands — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:37:21 +0000

Can you name these people, ship and time? Who is the sparker with the mickey mouse tattoo.

The Silent Drill Team 33rd Boys – HMNZS TAMAKI 1955.

Sporting Images

Frank Rands — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:12:22 +0000

Thought you might like to see these images with lots of old faces. ASG Norm Mua who joined the Navy in September 1966 made the team. Norm is 2nd from left middle row. He crossed the bar in 1973 from Cancer.

This is interesting- who is the person sitting second from the right.

New Postal Address

Frank Rands — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:03:36 +0000

This is to advise that the Post Office Box has changed for all correspondence. All Snail Mail should be directed to:

RNZN Communications Association
PO Box 34038
Birkenhead
AUCKLAND 0746

Comms Mess 3L – Waikato

Frank Rands — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:00:38 +0000

A few of you may have got your head down in this mess over the years. Images courtesy of Phillip (Aspro) Aspinall. Thanks Phil

Message from Jim Dell

Frank Rands — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:50:29 +0000

At the reunion, I had a number of sparkers come up to me and said that they also had had cancer of the prostate, plus a couple more with other problems. The following is a rerun of what Frank has already put up but with a rider at the bottom. Please don’t be shy in coming forward. http://www.navalradiation.bravesites.com/ . Thanks Jim

Memories of TAMAKI – Motuihe Island

Frank Rands — Sat, 12 May 2012 08:22:11 +0000

Here are a couple of images which some of the older communicators may remember. Thanks Rob Thompson for the images.

ML Q1192 coming in to the landing at HMNZS TAMAKI, Motuihi Island 1950

A view that all sailors will remember if they joined prior to 1963.

The Road to HMNZS TAMAKI

Military Drill Teams at their Best

Frank Rands — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:28:22 +0000

US Navy Presidential Drill Team in Norway

US Marine Corp

US Army Drill Team

Norway Military Drill Team

The Kremlin Military Tattoo

The Sweden Military Tattoo

Chinese 60th National Day Parade