Royal Naval Assn. Bexhill Branch - May 30

42 shipmates attended and after the branch business was completed they were entertained by a very informative talk on the local associations of the Brassey family. With the aid of many interesting slides the Bexhill Museum curator Julian Porter explained the family history of Thomas Brassey who built railways throughout the world and his son Thomas Brassey the Liberal MP for Hastings and author of 'The Naval Annual'.

His talk then centred on the life of Annie, Lady Brassey and her collections, some of which are in the Bexhill Museum, and were collected on her voyages onboard the steam-assisted three-masted topsail-yard schooner "Sunbeam". The local connections with Bexhill and Hastings, the association the family had with the navy and the sea made a very interesting subject, which was expertly portrayed by Julian.

The ship identification competition gave an account of a World War I naval disaster when three cruisers were sunk by a u-boat before breakfast. From the clue provided the shipmates had to find the u-boat's number. The winner of the bottle of wine with the correct number 'V9' was shipmate Les Quilty.

Our next branch meeting is on Monday, June 23, 7.30pm for 8pm. New members are always welcome.