6 of 8 August 2024 The 1805 Dispatches #24.04 Here are some extracts from Royal Navy News giving welcome news: Museum bosses in Portsmouth have been given the money they need to celebrate the deeds by the Royal Marines with displays befitting both a mid-21st Century museum and an elite fighting force with an unmatched 360-year history. The Corps’ long-standing museum in Eastney closed in 2017 as the building needed urgent renovation and was regarded as unsuitable for meeting the expectations of present-day visitors. Instead, the National Museum of the Royal Navy – responsible for the four main museums which tell the story of the Senior Service and its various branches/ arms – looked to revamp Boathouse No.6 in the historic dockyard (the iconic yomper statue which dominates the eastern Southsea seafront has remained in place due to popular demand). In awarding £4.9m, Stuart McLeod, Director England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said the new plans offered “a world-class museum” which would allow visitors to immerse themselves in the Royal Marines experience and remind the public of “the important heritage of the Royal Marines for many generations to come” as well as hopefully boosting the local economy through increased footfall. On 18 June, at the Royal Canadian Military Institute, in Toronto, Ontario, John Rodgaard gave a talk on the book, From Across the Sea: North Americans in Nelson’s Navy, that he edited with Sean Heuvel. Canadian members of The 1805 Club, and perspective members, attended for dinner, the talk, and drinks in the bar. Photo on the left: Left to Right: Gurth Pretty, William McLaughlin, John Rodgaard, Judy Pearson, Ron Anderson, Gregory Loughton, and Ian Russell. ROYAL MARINES TO GET A FIT-FOR-PURPOSE MUSEUM IN PORTSMOUTH HISTORIC DOCKYARD FIVE P CHALLENGE BY OUR CHAPLAIN In June, while in Montreal, John Rodgaard and Judy Pearson had a delightful evening at dinner with Canadian Secretary Mark Billings and his charming daughter, Daphne. The Italian restaurant, Da Emma, had a grotto atmosphere: an underground setting with stone walls, no windows and low ceilings. The historic building was once a nineteenth century women’s prison. U.S. AND CANADIAN HAPPENINGS (2) On 3 June, some 1805 Club members attended the annual Battle of Midway Commemoration Dinner organized by the National Capital Naval Consortium at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. The keynote speaker was VADM John B. Munstin, Director of the Navy Reserve, who described the battle's significance. He read from the diary of his grandfather, who was a young lieutenant commander present at the battle, in USS Atlanta. Pictured here below, left to right, Peter Pennington, John Rodgaard, Pamela and John Prevar, and Judy Pearson. A pillion perambulation of proximal parishes by priest – saw Revd Lynda and Risby biker, Stephen Spencer, visit eleven churches by motorbike. This ‘first’ for Revd Lynda is a fund-raising challenge towards a new boiler for St Giles Church, Risby. If you want to help, ring Revd Lynda on 07870640074. Photos: © Norman Savigar FOR UK VETERANS It’s easy for UK Veterans to get a UK Veterans Card. Any armed service veteran who retired before 2019 should apply and get the benefits described at: https://www.gov.uk/veteran-card
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