Royal Navy amphibious helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious was in Singapore last week taking on stores before setting sail ready to render aid to the Philippines.

The ship and her associated air group were rerouted to make best speed east in order to assist with the humanitarian effort following the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan. ‘Lusty’, as the ship is known, arrived in Singapore at midday (local time) on November 20 and the entire ship’s company of men and women from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and British Army worked through the night to bring on the vital stores required for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

They have taken more than 500 tonnes of equipment and stores supplied by the Department for International Development to distribute under their direction in the Philippines.

The whole ship’s company worked hard overnight to get this done in the shortest time possible. Over a 24-hour period, HMS Illustrious had organised, packed, repacked, carried, craned, lifted, loaded, unpacked and hauled hundreds of pallets and boxes into the main aircraft hangar within the ship.

HMS Illustrious carries a range of utility helicopters, which are likely to be essential in moving people and consignments of aid around the country.

Diary Dates:

Today: The Yorkshire Volunteers Association meets at 19.30hrs at Keighley Drill Hall, The Royal British Legion, Central Branch, meets at 13.00hrs at Unit 16 Listerhills Science Park.
Wednesday: The Russian Convoy Club meets at 11.30hrs at Eastborough Working Mens Club, Dewsbury, The Royal British Legion, Low Moor and Wyke Branch, meets at 20.00hrs at The Harold Club, Wyke.
Thursday: The Submariners Association meets at 20.00hrs at Tong Street Conservative Club.
Monday, The Royal Naval Association, Skipton Branch, meets at 20.00hrs at The White Rose Club, Skipton.
Tuesday: The Parachute Regiment Association meets at 20.00hrs at Thornbury Barracks, The West Yorkshire British Korean Veterans Association meets at 13.30hrs at North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax.

Remembrance:

THE following are being remembered specially at Bradford Cathedral this week: Benjamin Ramsden, Noble Wrathall Raper, Hugh Ratcliffe, Stanley Ray, Wilfred Rayner, Joseph Rayner, Harold George Patrick Reed, Ernest Read, Ernest Reed, Jack Redman, William Redmile, John Lister Renton, Frank Reynolds, Gordon Lin-coln Rhodes, John Rhodes, James Robert Richardson, Jack Richmond, Arthur Richmond, Jack Ridsdale, Edmund Riley, Ralph Roberts, Stanley Dawson Robertshaw, Fred Pitt Robinson.