Flag
Duchess Banner
Home
Crew Members
Gallery
Notice Board
Specifications
Naval Links
Contact
News
News



 

Page 2.

+ CROSSED THE BAR+
S/M RON SPEAKMAN
SIM TOM NEVIN
S/M GEORGE TURNER

Our condolences to Beryl and S/M Ron’s family and friends they will miss you as we all will in the Duchess Association.
S/M Ron Speakman our Chairman. Crossed the Bar on Monday the 12th January 2009. Bristol RNA attended at S/M Ron’s Funeral, a donation was sent on behalf HMS Duchess Association.
Ron was a great run ashore and a regular attender with Beryl at our reunions, we all enjoyed their company. For the last three years Ron’s been our Chairman keeping us all in order.
I remember Ron well in 1954/55 in the part of ship job as Buffer’s Mate, a prized job in those days. Also as stroke oar in the winning the Hamilton Cup whaler. Winning the “Cock of the Fleet” in the Fleet Regatta Malta. ron

(e mail from S/M Ron Speakman’s youngest son. S/M Mike) to our S/M Bill Wright
Bill,
I believe we’ve ever met, I am the younger of Ron’s
two sons. I’ve just come through to the Duchess site now via NN. I am at present writing the eulogy for dad’s funeral this Wednesday (28th) and wondered if there was anything in particular you wished to be said? Any dits gratefully received too, don’t worry too much about their providence, as he used to say post tot-time, “What’s the truth got to do with a good story?”
You can e mail back or give me a ring, I’m traveling down to Bristol tonight and actually going to see him tomorrow. As you know, he died suddenly of a heart attack around 23.15 on Monday 12th. By the time I had got down to Bristol from Northampton he was off with the Coroners staff and I haven’t seen him yet. I do know he’s going out in his favourite blazer, complete with RN crest and tie.
We’d always spoken of me attending a reunion with him, but like so many things now it has moved into the regrets box because it never got done. I did 7 years myself in the mid eighties- early nineties, so at least I could understand the language?
Hope this reaches you in time and that you are well. Best wishes Shippers, (once removed obviously) Mike

 

 

 Condolence also to S/M Tom Nevin’s Family and friends. Tom Crossed the Bar on the 22nd January 2009. Tom’s funeral service was at the Beulah Baptist Church, Bexhill, after at the Crematorium Eastbourne. Dawn & myself were able to attend to pay respects on behalf of the Association. I had the privlage to join with Bexhill RNA and their standard bearer to see Tom on his way. I have received a card from Pat and Tom’s family thanking for the association donation which helped in enabling £383 to be donated to the RNLI and £562 to the British Heart Foundation. Thank you Pat and family. As you know 1955 Tom was a Chief ERA on the Duchess. A couple of years ago Tom sent in articles from 1954/55 ships newsletter and the Malta Times. these we used as in our association newsletters.
Condolences to S/M Topsy Turner’s family and friends. Sadly Topsy crossed the bar on 21st May 2009. Topsy had been an Association member since we were founded Attending on the reunions with his daughter Jayne. They both enjoyed the reunions also the Malta and Spanish reunion breaks. topsy
Topsy was great company joining in all that went on, the lamps swing at times.
Topsy’s part of ship job was in the ships laundry, I can see him emerging from the laundry hatch, mainly at tot time or for a run ashore. S/M Doug Phillips & Sue, S/M Arthur Newton & Shelia attended at Topsy’s funeral with flowers from the association and their own floral tributes. After they were able to meet up with Shelia and meet family and friends. Jayne assured Doug she was well and would look after Shelia her mum. It would be great to see Jayne at future reunions. Sleep well Shipmates we will all miss you.
********** * * * *** ** ** ** *** *** ****** *
demob

back to page1