THE FORMATION OF THE EURYALUS ASSOCIATION

In 1975. Norman Comb attended a reunion of ex-members of the Second Commission of C42 onboard HMS Belfast. The following year, an advertisement was placed in "Navy News" asking shipmates interested in forming an Association to contact Gordon Gunstone at Sittingbourne. Norman wrote to Gordon as did Jim Rillett and a former PTI whose name has been forgotten.

Norman and Gordon met again at the 1977 RNA Reunion at the Queen Elizabeth Suite at the South Bank, London where there was a Royal Marine Band Concert and Parade of RNA Standards. Contact was maintained, but sadly, Gordon became very ill with cancer and died the following year.

In 1985 in the Scarborough RNA Club a photograph of three sailors in uniform enjoying a drink in the Shanghai Naval Club many years before was being admired by the same three. This led to a meeting in Newcastle of Norman, George Dixon, Chick Henson. Pat Ellward, and Walter Clark, under the clock in the Railway Station. Good beer and good company was followed by tea at home with Ethel Ellward. The following week Norman met former Corporal John Barlow at an RNA Reunion. Further contact included a chance meeting with Stan Rose in a buffet queue!

As a result of these meetings and an interest and enjoyment they brought, an advertisement was placed in the "Navy News" and the "Globe and Laurel" asking any Shipmates of HMS "Euryalus" interested in forming an Association to attend the Combined ex-Services Association Meeting at Bridlington 17-19 June 1988. Sixteen attended and despite all the bustle and to-ing and fro-ing, the Euryalus Association was commissioned on June 18th 1988.Chairman John Barlow, Secretary George Dixon, PRO Laurence Hedley, Treasurer Norman Comb. Members were Len Dunn, Ray Butler, John Dupre. Ron Goss. Arnold Heely, George Henson, Jim Rilett, Stan Rose, Roy Humphrey, Cyril Shaw, Charles Wiggin and Ken Young. Colonel John Uniacke. RM agreed to be President. F15 also became part of the Association.

The AGM is held at the British Legion Club, Bridlington during the Combined Ex Servicemen Reunion and the first annual Reunion Dinner was held in the Royal sailors Home Club Portmouth in September 1989. This has continued as an annual event.