WEST RIDING BRANCH

1950 – 1969

1984 – Onwards

This was one of the earliest formed Branches dating back to 1950.  Unfortunately through lack of support it was wound up in 1969.  However, in 1984 a few who were members of the old and other Branches decided to reform the Branch.  

 One of the founder Members in 1950 was Sam Avons who served on ‘Holland 1’.  He is a member of the crew depicted on the Centenary Stamp Issue.

 A surviving item of the period is our Branch Standard.  We believe it to be probably the oldest still being carried, purchased about 1952, but definitely the most unique.  It is hand painted and truly magnificent.  The Branch still holds the Minute Book and list of members dating back to 1950.  In June 1950 there were 21 members by July 1956 it was 79.

Minutes can make rather boring reading but in January 1957 there was a lighter moment.  Funds were running low and instead of increasing subs it was decided to hold a Raffle with a first prize of a carpet.  By the time of the Raffle the carpet had been needed elsewhere.

 The inaugural meeting for the re-forming of the Branch was held on 27^th July 1984 at Leeds Prison Officers’ Club, which was our regular meeting place until a necessitous move to our present home.  Our Branch Standard was recovered from the attic of a member of the former Branch and brought back into service.  By 1995 consideration was given to either a new one or a renovation.  Feelings for the old Standard were so strong the latter was chosen and it had a refit.  It was carried with some pride at Barrow when the Submarine Service received the Town’s Freedom and on many other occasions.

 The first major project of the new Branch was in 1986 when a memorial stone to LDG/Sea.  James Magennis V.C. was laid in Bradford Cathedral.  This was presented by our President the late Tom “Topsy” Topham and the occasion was attended by three Submariner V.Cs.  “Topsy” had donated numerous memorial stones for which he received the M.B.E.

 On a social level Dinner Dances and Social Evenings have been held. Occasionally other Branches have been invited as guests.  One such occasion was the Slide Presentation by Gatwick Branch, a most successful evening.  The most recent event was to the Maritime Museum at Birkenhead.  A grant from the National Lottery Fund enabled our members, friends and others to enjoy a day out and an evening with Merseyside Branch.

We have always tried to support National Events, at least five times at the Embankment Parade.  On a personal level I along with another member attended the 2001 Remembrance Sunday Parade in Whitehall.  I felt privileged to be marching with my Training Coxswain from 1944 Tom “Pony” Moore.  The previous evening he had attended the British Legion Festival in the Royal Albert Hall as the oldest Submariner aged 92 years.

 Like most Branches we are fast losing the older members only to be replaced by new younger ones.  The Submarine Service has changed; the Association has changed but only the name.  What has not changed is the spirit and comradeship of the “Family” of Submariners.