The Gunnery World had its ups and downs during 1962. Performances were not outstanding, but this in no way detracted from the willingness, spirit and endevours of all personnel concerned to get the right "brick" in the right hole roughly on time. Naturally the frequent and fabled reply - "There is no delay : the Gunnery Branch always takes this long" - came from the usual number of cynical and vitriolic mouths who man the secondary armament and pester the denizens of the deep with their "ping and swing" tactics.

We had our highlights and moments of glory. I recall a devastating direct bombardment on the "impregnable" shore defenses of Fairfax Island TUCKERBX TWO (see tour notes). On the same day our substitute aimer on the Close Range weapon took it upon himself to "bag" a highly elusive sleeve. His enthusiasm drew high praise; his discretion, well . . . no comment!

In the long history of N.E.X's (Night Encounter Exercises) never was the task of encountering the opposition made so easy for the "enemy" one night last May. "Set fuse short" was the order that had but one meaning to our fuse setter. When the cordite fumes and noise from our first starshell group had cleared it was suddenly (and oh, so painfully!) obvious that we had successfully illuminated ourselves instead of the "enemy". Ah my : how lessons are learnt!

The faithful band who answer the call "Gun's Crew Number" have also made a "big noise" in other fields. Collectively the displayed many unique "talents" at our last Gunnery Branch Party. Credits are due to:-
"Brigham" Young, "Granny" Henderson and "Guns" would occasionally turn out for the Ship's rugby teams. In a recent match "Guns", after exchanging identities with another player, came of the field rather prematurely looking like the proverbial "train smash".

Nigel Triffitt who became the most highly publicised and best "goddamn" lookout in the World after the KAWI rescue operation (see story).

Bob Batho and "Bilge Rat' Luke who have made the grade for potential Petty Officer and Leading Seaman respectively, congratulations to you both.

"Twister" Collier, the faithful 'Scribe' whose untiring efforts with the typewriter make our little ole gunnery world go round and round and round.

And last but not least, Mark Goodwin, "Gecho" Waghorn and "Bullet Bosun" Jones who provide the "behind scenes" efforts which are the backbone of the team.

If "Lady Luck" forsook us in 1962, little else did. Here's hoping she deigns to glance on us with more favour during 1963. I look forward with confidence to the coming year and to all those faces who will be missing after next refit go my thanks and best wishes for happiness and good fortune in your new jobs.

"Barrels"