Following the normal custom of ships in the Far Eastern Fleet, we allowed Jenny and her girls to attach themselves to the Ship as soon as we arrived in Hong Kong. They had been highly recommended to us by HMS Belfast – and in fact, by all the ships for whom they had worked. For the benefit of those readers who may not be familiar with the theory and practice of sideparties, it should be explained that these girls are not paid anything in cash. Their "pay" consists of all the spare food, boxes, tins, bottles, old rope – anything that would otherwise be thrown overboard. In return for this conglomeration the girls work from their sampan on the ship’s side, washing and painting.

Jenny and her party were most popular with all, from the Admiral to the newest member of the Boys’ Division. They were expert washers and touchers-up of paint, and they could cut-in bottom colours with the best. When they were not doing this, they would be washing, or sewing and darning for someone. They were never anything but cheerful, and could speak the sailors’ language – yes, even some of those words too! – as well as any.

A full account of the Ship’s activities in the Realms of Sport during the Commission would fill the whole of this book so this account is only a very brief outline of our achievements.

SOCCER. The first Match of the Commission was played against HMS Highflyer at Trincomalee and from then on our team settled down and played Ships and Establishments on the Far East Station.

In March, 1948, our Teams played the Combined French Navy and Army team. Though beaten, the team was not disgraced as they were playing in intense heat and against a very much stronger side. Our Games in Saigon did much to foster Anglo-French relations and the French hospitality was almost unbelievable.

Two trips were made to North Borneo during the Commission, both of which produced good games against Native and European sides.

Our team also played against local sides in Manila, where we played at night in a floodlit stadium with a white ball, Shanghai, where we beat the champion ’Y’ Red Team, Keelung in Formosa and Khota Bahru, Trengannu and Penang in Malaya.

Two Inter-part competitions were played during the Commission, the first being won by the Top and the second by the Royal Marines who were presented with the Lord Mayor’s Cup for the best team in the Ship.

HOCKEY. has been one of the most popular games played in the Ship. Under the careful guidance of the Selection Committee there has always been a very strong team.

Our first real matches were played at Penang where we were unfortunately outplayed, but though on paper the results appeared a dismal failure, many valuable lessons were learnt which were of great use later on in the Commission.

October and November of 1948 were spent ashore in HMS Terror, whilst the ship was refitting, which gave the players access to the excellent grounds there. Many trial games and practices improved the standard of play.

It was whilst at Singapore that excursions into the Civilian World by both the first and second teams became a regular feature, and our victory over the famous Singapore Cricket Club was one of our more outstanding achievements.

One Inter-part competition was played which proved immensely popular, 138 players actually taking part. The Top and Officers teams emerged into the final which the Top won by 5 goals to 2.

BOXING. Our Boxers have done their ship great credit throughout the Commission. They fought the French in Saigon and the Americans in Shanghai, where many action photographs of our stars appeared in the local press.

In the Fleet Boxing Competitions held in the China Fleet Club at Hong Kong, they have boxed many hard fights and come out on top.

RUGGER. Though less games of Rugger have been played than Hockey or Soccer during the Commission, it was not through lack of enthusiasm, but merely because of hard grounds and hot weather.

Some of our more outstanding successes were the defeat of the Shanghai team and the winning of the Fleet seven-a-side tournament in Hong Kong.

MISCELLANEOUS. There is not room to cover in detail all the other sports we have played as they are so many and varied. We have tried our hand at Basket Ball and Soft Ball against the Americans, not with great success, but with plenty of spirit. Our Water-polo experts have done great things in forming a strong ship’s team and by helping the Navy to beat almost all comers in Singapore. Many bruised shins have resulted from the numerous hard fought deck hockey games played whilst at sea, and of course the ever popular Tug-of-War competitions have been pulled off time and time again.

For many ranks in the Royal Marine Detachment and Band, this was their first peacetime Ship. Under the influence of the more experienced, all settled down as part of the Ship’s Company and the minor difficulties experienced at the outset of the commission were soon overcome.

The activities of the Detachment over a period of two years must necessarily be reviewed in very general terms. Variety from the daily routine of chores in the ’barracks’ and ’part of ship’ was found in general drills, gun drills, Guards of Honour, ceremonial marches and "Beating the Retreat," a ceremony which was guaranteed to find its way into the programme for the Ship’s visits during cruises. "Beating the Retreat" coupled with a "Ceremonial Sunset" became almost the Detachment’s speciality "turn". The ceremony which when well performed is always impressive, never failed to draw large crowds to witness it. In fact, in one or two places the dress rehearsal claimed almost as large an audience as the advertised parade. Without exception these ceremonies earned for the Detachment the praise, not only of the civilian people, but of perhaps more critical high ranking officers of the three Services.

We had a steady average of twelve Altar Servers who nobly assisted to keep going a daily celebration of Holy Communion. The number of communicants has been high, and has compared very favourably with a shore side parish.

A total of eleven Baptisms took place on board, the famous ship’s Bell being placed on the after capstan as a font. These took place at Hong Kong, Nanking, Formosa, Saigon, Jesselton, Sandakan, and Trengganu. By the time we had finished the Quarterdeckmen were expert in "Rigging for Baptism," and knew the exact temperature for the water.

We have had a good commission, and things have gone very smoothly for us. Do you remember the Concert? That alone must bring back memories of the great fun we had. And then there was the Broadcast our Concert Party did at Saigon, not forgetting the kind gentleman who said, "Would your Boys like a drink?" The reply was very much in the affirmative!

Then there were our trips to the Jungle, when we were at Singapore, for coconuts. We got plenty, but forgot about the tide, and left the cutter high and dry inland!

It was with deep regret that we said goodbye to our late Divisional Officer, Commander Laing, last August. He is now Commanding Officer of HMS Starling, and has said that he will be very pleased to hear from any of the ex-Boys.

In the regatta in Ominato Bay, we did very well, our cutter’s crew being the only crew to win a cutter’s race – but there, you see, the Chief Cook had the spare duff laid on!

Our six week’s training in HMS Terror was very successful. We managed to complete Seamanship and Gunnery, and we also made a holiday of it. When the Commanding Officer of Terror asked one of our Officers how the Boys’ Division worked, the reply was "What happens in the Boys’ Division is a secret within itself." That is true enough, but really there’s no secret. It is just co-operation, discipline and cleanliness which has made this Division, during the commission, the most contented in the Ship.

We have supplied the destroyers with Boys, and they have proved to be a great asset to these Ships. We were very sorry to see the remaining Boys go, just before we left Singapore for home. They went to Cossack and Alert. But as one of them remarked, "I do not really mind going on draft – I want to get some sea time in."

Captain Addis was our first President, and P.O. Blacksmith Roberts was elected Chairman; this position he held throughout the Commission, fulfilling his duties with efficiency and with wisdom. We were all very proud to think that we were the only Branch afloat.

Membership has increased during the two years, rising from forty to one hundred and twenty-seven. The hundredth member was the Chief Baker, C.P.O. (S) Betton, who was presented with his Badge at our first Birthday Party, held at the China Fleet Club in Hong Kong. He himself had made the Birthday Cake, which weighed forty-one and a half pounds! WHAT a good cake it was!

For the rest of the Commission our activities continued, as we went from strength to strength. But a cloud over- shadowed us in the shape of the Yangtze incident, when the Branch lost Shipmate Roper, P.O., and Shipmate Arkell, L/S, killed in the Action. The "Lookout," when mentioning the loss of these early members of our Branch, said "May they be granted a Safe Anchorage," to which we all say "Amen."

It was good to see how well organised and enthusiastic our Brothers in other countries are.

The early days of our Lodge saw meetings held in many parts of China; at Shanghai and Nanking, also in Japan at Yokosuka and Ominato. In Singapore during the refit of September, 1948, it was deemed necessary to re-open a further Lodge and several who were remaining behind in the Island opened the "Singapore Lodge No. 1805," which is still making excellent progress.

The accomplishments of "London No. 1789" have been many and too numerous to mention individually. One of the most outstanding was the endowment of a bed in the Anto Tuberculosis Hospital in Hong Kong.

A Special "China Insignia" has been struck in U.K. for those members who are likely to attend lodges in the China Province in the future, one part of this crest incorporates the crest of HMS London.

Many members of the "London Lodge" have been presented with varying insignia of the order, seven have obtained higher degrees, and one member is due to receive honours on arrival of the ship in Chatham (Elevation to Third Degree of Knight of the Order of Merit.– Ed.). On the 13th April this year, the Lodge celebrated its first Birthday with a very special Social Evening. Unfortunately, Captain Cazalet, D.S.O., D.S.C. R.N., could not attend owing to other commitments, but Commander Hodges, D.S.O., R.N., was our Guest of Honour and cut the 28 lb. cake on this special occasion.