20th November 1989
Shipmates of HMS Hazard Association
Report on the 1989 Re-union
Well, we've chalked another of our pleasant 'get-togethers' up on the
funnel and here is an account of how the evening sped by :
When I arrived at the 'King's Head' with Douggie Maule at 1810 we found
Harry Paul and his wife Mary, Len Ellis and his wife Pauline and
daughter Ann already there.
The 'Hazard' crest and the much prized painting of our old ship were
very soon unpacked and they made a lovely splash of colour against the
oak panelling of the hall. A table was set up bearing the many raffle
prizes and a banner depicting the ship's name was suspended over all.
All of us have seen many photographs of 'Hazard' but sadly, these have
all been in the old black and white format. I think like me, the Lads
and guests were intrigued to see a really fine picture done in oils by
an artist who is very alive to matters nautical. Without doubt the
painting is an excellent portrayal of the 'Old Lady' as we remember
her.
Shipmates and guests soon began to arrive and all were warmly greeted
and issued with a sticker to wear on their lapels declaring their first
and surnames. Easy recognition may well have contributed to a
spontaneous 'bon amie' which soon got us all chatting away, and I like
to think that everybody enjoyed the re‑union all the more because of
this.
After nearly an hour of non-stop chatting and laughing I called
attention to a few important announcements :-
Everybody
was warmly welcomed with a special welcome to those joining us for the
first time, i.e. Len Ellis and wife and daughter, Peter and Betty
Spanton, Mary Paul wife of Harry, Mr.& Mrs .Miles and Mr.& Mrs. Johnson
(Close friends of Sheila's). We were again pleased to welcome Mrs.
Lenora Luck (Senior Teacher from the St. Alban's Girls' School) and
husband John, also Charlie Woods and wife Ellen.
Then came the sad news of departed Shipmates who had passed on since we
last met :‑ Bert Dilnutt, George Hocart, Gerry Last and more recently in
August Ted (Ginger) Baldwin. Ted's son in law Ken Whitehouse wrote
telling me the sad news about three weeks after Ted's passing. On behalf
of our Association I sent Ken and the family our sincere condolences.
Reverend Charlie Goldstraw then led us in a short service of
Remembrance for departed Shipmates, we all stood for a moment in silent
respect, followed by the Lord's Prayer, and by special request of Mr.
Johnson we sang the first verse of 'Abide with me'.
Greetings and apologies were then read out from: Jenni Crawford,
Margaret Gunnell, Margaret Dilnutt, Stan Stannard (Transport
difficulties), Willy Haynes (Unfit to travel) Sidney Searle (In Spain)
Ken Burrell (Other engagements), Sid Broad and John Davison (Both with
Cardiac problems), Harry Eglington (Suffers from ulcerated facial skin),
John Flood (Peptic or duodenal ulcer) and Harry Senior and Bill Frewin
(Declining health). Again we received a Greetings Card from Ron Williams
(Mayor of Helston) with a message to the effect that he hoped we would
all enjoy a 'Wonderful Evening'.
Thanks were expressed to Sheila and Eddy for all their efforts on our
behalf over the past twelve months.
Attracting much admiration especially from the ladies was of course THE
BABY just three months old. Young Adam was there in a fetching blue
sailor suit, topped by a bonnet bearing the ship's name. He was
extremely tolerant; we didn't hear a murmur from him all evening. We
again congratulated Sheila and husband John on the birth of a fine son.
The ready response of our Shipmates and friends to the suggestion that
we present Sheila and the Baby with a cheque at this re‑union was indeed
very gratifying. Mrs. Luck did the honours, and presented Sheila and
Baby with a cheque for £100 and a card bearing the names of the
subscribers.
Thanks were expressed to Mrs. Luck for making the presentation also for
again bringing the 'Hazard' Bell to our gathering.
Mrs Miles, friend of Sheila's very kindly baked and iced and decorated a
cake bearing the ship's name, this, Mrs. Miles very kindly presented to
us. It was later cut into sizeable portions and was enjoyed by everybody
present. Mrs. Miles was thanked for her generosity.
We then all fell on the very nice buffet which stood on the side tables
and once more the reminiscing was resumed over the eating and sipping
our drinks. Light music was supplied by Eddy on a tape recorder.
The raffle then took place, one of the prizes again came from Barney in
the form of a 'Hazard' plaque. Barney also brought a few plaques which
he makes himself, these were on sale. Thank you, Barney.
Harry Paul who had served on H.M.S. 'Belfast' presented a plaque bearing
that ship's crest and name, to be sold, and the proceeds put towards the
expenses. The plaque was auctioned, bidding was fast, and it went to Mr.
Dennis Miles for £27. Thanks were expressed to Harry Paul and Mr Miles
for their generosity.
Several Shipmates handed me sums of money during the evening towards the
expenses, I hoped I would remember who they were, but, I too was
enjoying the evening as well as being kept quite busy. So to all those
generous Shipmates; My hearty thanks.
All expenses of booking the hall etc. etc. have been met and there is
enough in the kitty to cover this edition of the News-Letter.
Barney Belcher doing the rounds late in the evening with a glass of rum,
invited me to 'Sippers'. It caused some consternation when I thought he
was giving me the 'Tot. However, soon rectified, much to Barney's
relief, he then told me a lovely 'Men Only' story of the Royal Marines
parading in the nude in the snows of Norway. If you meet Barney get him
to tell you the story. (Very sorry Ladies, I can't repeat it here)
Again we were very pleased with the attention given to us by the
Management of the King's Head, and it must be attributed to our mature
ages that nobody drank to excess.
All too soon it was 2300 hours and time for farewells and good wishes
before we drifted away to waiting cars.
With Shipmates, wives and sons and daughters and friends we numbered 47,
a nice sizeable gathering. We would of course, have been delighted to
see many more of our Shipmates. Please make it next time.
If you think you are entitled to any medals, then write to D.N.A. . ....
address below.
If you are interested in a painting of 'Hazard' like the one you
saw that evening, then the Artist can be contacted at the address given
below.
The Director Naval Pay and Pensions Accounts, Ministry of Defence,
H.M.S. 'CENTURION', Grange Road, GOSPORT. Hants. P013 9XA
The Artist, Ian R. FRASER, 37a, Chilwell Road, BEESTON Nottingham. NG9
1EH Tel. (0602) 226789
And please do let me have your snippets of news to include them in the
next NEWS‑LETTER.
yours.
Tom McKnight
