Old sailors to raise glasses to Navy legend

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The gin pennant will fly from the RSA mast tomorrow.

The Gisborne Naval Association will bring back the old Navy tradition at the Gisborne Returned and Services Association as it honours World War 2 HMS Gambia veteran John Barham.

Naval association president Jack Donnelly says 50 former sailors are expected to attend, including Gisborne's Ken Gordon, who also served on HMS Gambia during World War 2.

Others are coming from Napier, Hastings, Wairoa and Whakātane.

“Johnny, who is from Napier, has expressed a desire to come to Gisborne to meet our old salts and chew the fat with them,” Mr Donnelly said.

Such “old salts” include four men who served in the Korean War.

“Naval traditions will be the order of the day with a welcome appropriate for a Navy legend,” said Mr Donnelly.

The gin pennant will be hoisted at 10.30am before attendees are asked to assemble at midday before Mr Barham arrives at 12.30.

The Navy's bosun's call (or whistle) will usher Mr Barham into the RSA and a guard of honour of sailors will salute him as he goes through the ranks, followed by three hearty cheers.

Drinks and toasts to Mr Barham will be held and Mr Gordon will make a presentation to his former crewmate before a luncheon at 1.30pm.

“During lunch, veteran sailors will salute Johnny with a toast of rum,” Mr Donnelly said.

Mr Gordon — who was also on HMS Gambia during kamikaze attacks and witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay — is looking forward to the function.

His brother Dick, who served in the Korean War, is also attending.

Ken Gordon's daughter Fiona Scragg said it was wonderful the Gisborne Naval Association was hosting such an event.

“This will be an amazing get-together at the RSA for these sailors and I'm sure many tales will be told.”

Mr Donnelly said Ken Gordon would also receive a presentation.

The event was part of a campaign to boost membership of the local Naval Association.

Membership was open to anyone who served in any Navy while younger people who had not served could join as associate members.

“We welcome everybody,” said Mr Donnelly.

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