| The Royal Society of Saint George |
| Jakarta Branch |
Royal Society of St George (RSSG) – Jakarta
Trafalgar Night – October 2010
The English have few national days of their own, so probably the greatest naval victory in English history is as good a reason as
any to hold a celebration. Logically following a naval theme, the room decoration, settings, music and events had the look and
feel of dining on board a ship – a kind of early 19th century ship to boot. On arrival, guests were serenaded with traditional
English folk songs by Gary Plant and his accomplice and ultimately shepherded in to the mess (dining room) by Geoffrey
Blundell, the MC for the evening.
Three long tables, laid out as three sides of a square, allowed Captain Rex Whistler and various dignitaries to lord it over the
lower ranks on the two laterals (I think that’s a naval term?). People were dressed in an eclectic mix of costumes – standard Red
Sea Rig for most of the men, although one or two refugees from Pirates of the Caribbean were noted, as were many ladies in
rather fetching serving wench outfits. Geoffrey started proceedings by introducing the crew and guests to Captain Rex Whistler
who welcomed all, including, in a rare moment of détente, a contingent of Frenchies – brigands all, who I understand were
captured whilst attempting a daring last gasp raid on HMS Kijang. We moved swiftly to national anthems, not itself normally
worthy of comment, but digitised versions of the songs had disappeared and, in a pure Hollywood moment, Martin Smith and
Barbara Speirs stepped up to the grand piano to play God Save the Queen and Indonesia Raya respectively – fantastic
improvisation!
The MC outlined the rules for the evening and, consistent with Royal Navy dinner regulations, fines would be levied for any
breaches of protocol including loosening of ties and ‘easing of springs’ (visiting the head/lavatory) before 9.15pm. Dobbing in
your fellow guests was actively encouraged as all fines would go to the RSSG’s chosen charity. Needless to say, human nature
prevailed and any minor failing was gleefully reported to the authorities in order to excise penalty.
Following a succinct grace, dinner was served and, despite concerns amongst the crew and guests that it would comprise
rancid mutton and weevil-infested biscuits, we were relieved to find that the galley at the Mandarin Oriental moved away from
standard Royal Navy circa 1800 fare and the food was great, including the appropriate ‘Fleet Broadside’ dish of Beef Wellington
– you don’t want me to list it all, do you? Dinner was interrupted by a lively rendition of the hornpipe dance from Corrie Hodsman’
s crew, trying not to look too much like a period version of Village People: lots of formation skipping and stomping,
accompanied by plenty of naval shouting, seemed to go down well. Captain Rex then called on HE Martin Hatfull to make his
speech. Having given a rousing rendition of Shakespeare at the previous RSSG dinner, something similar was expected for this
evening. This time he had selected a poem by the 1910 Poet Laureate, Alfred Austin, which by the ambassador’s own
admission, was one of the worst he had ever read. HE delivered it with great gusto and enthusiasm, even though we suspect that
both he and the audience had no idea what he was talking about! Eventually the port was duly passed – to the left, of course, and
further fines were levied on any guest in breach, although by this stage many of the manners of polite society had gone to Davy
Jones’ Locker
Following dinner, Captain (Les Robinson) Hardy and his troupe staged a historically accurate reconstruction of the Death of
Nelson. It came as a surprise to the audience to learn that following success at Trafalgar, HMS Victory moored off Tanjung Priok
in order to get the mortally wounded Admiral the best possible treatment at SOS Kuningan. Captain Hardy questioned Able
Seaman (Scott Barr) Rooney on how he had acquired his various battle injuries, including his fearsome hook (which he duly
dropped and retrieved with his newly grown right hand). All was going well until Ship’s Surgeon, Tony (a shifty Welshman drafted
in an emergency) went off-script, claiming that Wales had won the World Cup! Needing to exit quickly, the dying great man was
rushed off on a bamboo stretcher.
The festivities continued with the games – the true modern Battle of Trafalgar. Vice Admiral Nigel Baker took charge and ropes
fed through the hulls of two magnificent ships of the realm were to be pulled across respective lines in a tug o’ war. Teams from
England, Wales, Scotland and France – plus a late entry from Ireland – were marshalled into place. Consistent with battle, boy,
was there cheating aplenty – standing up while pulling (France), feet on the rope to give purchase (Ireland) … I could go on.
Super-power party poppers were launched like distress flares and the battlefield was soon littered with glittering shrapnel. The
high spot came during the England v France semi-final when HMS Redoubt was pulled too hard and keeled over, complete with
its hapless occupants, Joan Robinson, and her French counterpart. Truly the Fog of War! Ireland and France managed to grunt
their way into the final, whereupon Ireland, with their somewhat youthful team, secured victory. The aftermath of battle was
soothed by further traditional songs from Gary the troubadour.
We then moved to the finale and a rousing Last Night of the Proms, which included singing all the old favourites: Jerusalem,
Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia. The evening officially closed but moved on to informal free-form dancing (the disco,
to us of a certain age) and finally wound down with relaxing at the bar and an impromptu Beatles sing-song.
All in all, a fantastic evening and another great credit to Rex and the committee who worked very hard to make it happen. His
Lordship would have been proud!
Philip Cox
Photos