THE REVIEW - PAST TOPICS - 2005

• Spring 2005 (Vol 17.4)
  The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service 1905-2005
  Jon Wise marks the centenary of the RFA with a 16-page history accompanied by no fewer than 17 pictures of its ships across the decades.
  
  Sleeve Rings and the Executive Curl
  Taken from the files of the late Capt K J Douglas-Morris, this article explains the development and significance of the gold lace that marks a naval officer's rank. Fourteen photographs from the Victorian period illustrate sleeve rings for officers ranging from Paymaster and Master to Lieutenant and Captain.
  
  Naval Swords
  As well as being the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar, 2005 marks the 200th anniversary of the regulation naval sword still worn by officers today. Mark Barton explains the history and development of this weapon.
  
  The First Term in HMS Frobisher
  The cruiser Frobisher was converted into a training ship for naval cadets in January 1933, sending them to sea to live for a year as seamen. Among them was T H Waterhouse, now a retired lieutenant-commander, who recounts his experiences aboard her as a young man when he went to the West Indies, the Baltic and the Mediterranean.
   

• Summer 2005 (Vol 18.1)
  A Hundred Years of Naval Officer Training
  Review editor Allan Hall offers the first part of the story of the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, taking the story through two world wars up to 1950. Twenty pages with 16 photographs.
  
  Operation Reservist - The Attack on Oran Harbour, November 8th 1942
  This illustrated article by John Bradley sets out the details of the operation to secure the harbour at Oran, including lists of awards and casualties.
  
  HMS Ben-my-Chree
  Dick White's interest in this first world war aircraft carrier conversion began when he bought a model of the ship in an antiques shop. The former Isle of Man packet saw plenty of service until she was sunk in January 1917.
  
  George Stewart
  Association member and medal collector George Callaghan pieces together the story behind a group of 1939-45 and Korean War medals - with the unusual addition of US Merchant Navy War Medal. He tells how he researched the medals and how he was helped by the NHCRA.
   

• Autumn 2005 (Vol 18.2)
  This special Trafalgar bicentenary edition of The Review marks a move into full colour for the first time. It includes 18 articles relating to Nelson and the battle, with contributions ranging from Collingwood's dispatch through to Nelson's orders, decorations and medals, from his height and eyeshade to the story of a young man in the 38-gun Melpomone who just missed the battle.
  
  The 34 illustrations in this special 72-page edition include 12 in full colour - with a similar facility extended to quality advertisers.
  
  There are also all the usual features, including book reviews boosted by an extra insert in addition to the standard pagination.
   

• Winter 2005 (Vol 18.3)
  A follow-up to the Trafalgar bicentenary edition of The Review, this issue continues the use of full colour.
  
  It includes further articles concerning Nelson and his final battle, beginning with a ten-page illustrated article on the hero's funeral, followed by a short history of HMS Victory and an article on the completion of her restoration. Another contribution, with handsome illustrations, describes Nelson's watches, including his pocket chronometer.
  
  Variety is maintained with articles on HMS Verdun and the Return of the Unknown Warrior in 1920, the Royal Navy and the 1894 Hong Kong Plague Medal, Naval Sideshows of World War One (with a nominal roll of HMS Philomel's officers and men known to have taken part in the landing in the Gulf of Alexandretta) and an article on a distinguished Victorian naval officer, Commander Joshua Hutchinson (1809-1874).