The Second HMS Manchester Association

4th November 2024

Shipmate!

Welcome to the 23rd edition of "The Buzz", the 2nd HMS Manchester Association's own views and newsletter. We sincerely hope it meets with your approval. If this is the 23rd edition to come your way, we greatly admire your fortitude and good taste and much appreciate your continued support! Please, please keep it up - things will get better - honest! The arrival of this edition of "The Buzz" also marks the point where 2MA moves into its 24th year.

Well, that's the normal salutations out of the way, and time to formally welcome ten new members who have chosen to discard their street cred, leave themselves open to abuse and join our motley band. Welcome! Here's what they have told us about themselves.

Greg "Bobby" DEVERELL -

Served onboard D95 from 2007 until decommissioning in 2011 as a ET(ME), the new posh name for a Stoker! Swam across the Equator during a hands to bathe in a Borat Mankini - possibly the first person to do so, but sadly photographic evidence was not forthcoming. Spent his last two years in the Pusser onboard Tyne, before release in 2013. Learned about 2MA from Larry Motton. Bobby lives in Essex and attended Re-union 23.

Martin FINE (Re-join) -

A short career matelot (1983 - 1988) he served onboard D95 1984-1987 as an AB, which saw him enjoy…Global 86! How fxxxxxg lucky can you get?! In for 5 years and he gets a world cruise! He played in goal for the Ship's hockey team and Santa Claus on return from THAT voyage! Heard about 2MA from Jacko. Martin lives in Leicestershire and attended Re-union 23.

Chris FORESHEW (Re-join) -

A full career plus matelot, he was in the Andrew (1986-2021) and is still working FTRS as a WO1 in an MoD Establishment close to his home in Bristol. Fortunate to have two drafts to the Mighty Manch including a four year stint Dec 86 - Sep 90. Yep! How unlucky can you get? Joining a ship just back from Global and all those fxxxing dits!! Among his own memorable dits was the Tsavo Safari tour in Kenya, assisting in the feeding of alcohol to Dennis Thatcher in the Stokers Mess while Maggie did a tour of the ship and made the famous pipe - "D'yer hear there! Prime Minister speaking". Chris also enjoyed an alcohol fuelled visit to the Houses of Parliament! Among his other sea going drafts were Exeter (twice) Newcastle, Nottingham, Ocean and Protector, which included three Gulf Deployments. Attended Re-union 23.

Carl "Charlie" HENSMAN -

Another career matelot, 1988 - 2011, Charlie served onboard Warship Wonderful 1989-92 starting on the lowest rung of the promotion ladder as a JMEM, (on his way to becoming a CMEA). Among his memories is the meeting with a certain "Janice Cheng" in Singapore where Charlie introduced himself as the Captain! All went well until she turned up on the gangway and asked for Captain Hensman. The Bosun's Mate duly piped "Captain Hensman, visitor, flight deck" which resulted in our hero feeling the full wrath of the Master at Arms! The less said about the Penthouse Suite whilst on station leave in Singapore with other 2MA members, the better! Charlie also saw sea service on Intrepid 93, Southampton 94-97, Iron Duck 98-99 and Richmond as well as two drafts to SNON1. Charlie attended Re-union 23.