48 Years after leaving the Royal Navy an article caught Fred Bangerts eye regarding a reunion in Portsmouth for former ships crews of the British Pacific and East Indies Fleets. Always known as the "Forgotten Fleets".

He applied early and was placed in the Norfolk Hotel Southsea. He was later to learn that thousands of ex matelots were due to arrive in the area that had served on ships in the above Fleets. All accommodation in the Portsmouth and Southsea area were full, all pre-booked for the occassion. Fred Bangert noticed that the Duke of York Association along with the KGV and Howe Associations, all sister ships of HMS Anson were present. Something has got to be done about this.

Fred arrived at the hotel on the Friday afternoon, was allocated his room, unpacked and went for a stroll, mingling with thousands of ex matelots wandering around. He met up with a chap from the KGV Association, Fred Bangert mention to him that he had served on Ansons first and second commissions and politely avoided the question when asked, where are members of HMS Ansion Association staying. That made Fred even more determined to do something about it.

After Fred returned home from a wonderful weekend he started the ball rolling by contacting Service Pals Channel 4, also the Navy News saying I am trying to contact anyone that had served as ships company on HMS Anson between the years 1942 - 1949. The response was most encouraging. One of the first of the 40 or so who answered his appeal was an ex Marine who like Fred Bangert had served on Ansons two commissions. Ken Whiterod and Fred decided in December 1995 to make contact, the meeting place Tower Hill Station. The recognition sign, a black briefcase tucked under ones arm. On contacting each other they made their way to the Dickens Inn, situated in St. Katherines Dock, adjacent to Tower Bridge. They had a long chat and decided to go ahead and form if possible, HMS Anson Association. First things first, they knew they had contact ex Anson crew members who had answered the appeal and lived in the vacinity of the London area and were willing to attend a meeting. Several were contacted naming Tower Hill Station as the assembly point, but who would arrive, would anyone turn up!!

On a cold March evening in 1996 Fred and Ken Whiterod waited for the arrivals at the prearranged meeting place. Three were to turn up. Sonny Casbolt an ex A/B from Bermondsey, Harry Francis an ex Stoker from Fulham and Ken Westwood another ex Stoker from Leyton. It was then that Sonny Casbolt said we can't hold a meeting at the station, follow me. He took us to a Thames Sailing Barge based in St. Katherines Dock. Evidently Sonny Casbolt sometimes acted as crew member when the Wyvenhoe put to sea. On board the Thames Sailing Barge they cosumed cans of beer that Sonny Casbolt had previously sneaked aboard knowing full well the meeting would be held on the Wyvenhoe. As there were only five present , not enough to form a committee, the owner of the Wyvenhoe Peter Cariss gave permission for another meeting to be held in July of that year. Fifteen attended that meeting. A commitee was formed and HMS Anson Association came into being.