Guestbook – HMS Coventry D118

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2297 entries.

Joe Erskine wrote on February 18, 2013 at 01:36

Hi Chaps, I have only just found out about your Tree and Plaque dedication on Sunday 10th March. As I lost friends on Coventry, I would have liked to have been there to join you. I will be at the SAMA (82) reunion weekend, part of which is a church Service in Derby Cathedral at 1045 on that same day and the coaches do not leave the Cathedral for the NMA until 1145 at the earliest. If you could hhang on until about 1215 for our coaches to arrive, then that would be appreciated by me and the rest of the SAMA Members who would like to support your dedication service. (The HMS Glamorgan Association is also dedicating a bench at the NMA on the same day. Neither of these events are listed anywhere on the SAMA (82) website or Forums). Best wishes, I may see some of you when the SAMA Coaches arrive.

Chris Howe MBE wrote on February 14, 2013 at 12:58

FYI - Chairman has responded off-line to Stephen's post below re his Dad's HMS Coventry crest.

Stephen wrote on February 14, 2013 at 00:46

I worked at Cammell Lairds and help launch the HMS Coventry.While being built there was a small contingent of naval personnel who where involved in overseeing the out fitting stages. I bought a ship crest off one of the ratings and gave it to my father, it has hung in the living room for the past 30 odd years. My Dad past away recently and I was wondering if the crest was of any use to any association or club. Could anyone please advise? Best Regards Steve

steve wrote on February 11, 2013 at 18:46

Had the events of the 25th of may 1982 not gone the way it did I have just discovered the HMS COVENTRY was to take part in that years Navy Days at Chatham againhaving received a copy of the chatham navy days brochure for 82 it was in the end cancelled due to the conflict

Chris Howe MBE wrote on February 6, 2013 at 14:40

Shipmates Just a quick request to one and all that if you are indeed attending at this year's Reunion/Remembrance on Sat 25th May in Coventry, then can I request you let me know. We intend to arrange a light finger buffet again for the evening at the Warwick Club(Cov RNA) and I will need an accurate idea of numbers for the caterers. To that end please pass your details directly to me using usual email address: chris.howe@systematic.com All 25th May details are under the Reunion tab adjacent and should you have any questions please contact me. Many thanks for your cooperation. Yours Aye - Chairman

Chris Howe MBE wrote on January 16, 2013 at 09:40

Shipmates et al Final confirmation re the Tree and Plaque dedication ceremony to take place at midday on Sunday 10th March 2013 at the NMA in the Naval Review area adjacent to the WRENS Garden. No dress code, outside so dress accordingly, being there to witness is good enough. No more from me on this event but just to say I hope you will make every effort to join us and also spread the word to others you may be in contact with in case they do not regularly view this website. See you in March - I hope Yrs Aye - Chris Howe MBE, Chairman

Chris Howe MBE wrote on January 2, 2013 at 09:58

Shipmates et al - 2 Jan 2013 Happy New Year to you all and lets hope it is a prosperous one and that this dit finds you all in good health. Just a quick note to confirm that the planned dedication ceremony for our tree and plaque at the National Memorial Aboretum is scheduled for Sunday 10th March at around midday. It will be a simple and short service led by myself and our very own 'Bish' Martin Kirkbride. Specific catering will not be organised etc due to costs but there is of course the local facilities available for any of us to use in the restaurant/cafe visitor centre area where most requirements can be met without prior arrangement. It would be good to see as many of us there as possible but I do understand the travel issues etc. for such a short service. As long as a few of us are in attendance to witness the dedication that will be fine. Naturally, once I have the precise location details they will be published and then anyone can visit at any time in the coming months and years. I will place a final agenda here in the next few weeks for those that will be attending. Meanwhile, take care and be lucky. Yrs Aye - Chris Howe MBE Chairman

Derek Kimber wrote on December 13, 2012 at 09:47

On Thursday last week I attended a service of rededication for a copse of Beech trees planted in 1982 to remember those who lost their lives in the Falklands. 258 Beech trees were planted and can be found opposite The Centurian pub on Portsdown Hill facing the harbour from where many of those who died last left. The service was well attended with many veterans present on a really cold morning. The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshie Dame Mary Fagin attended with Civic dignatories from all the neighbouring boroughs and some families of those who died. You might like to take a look when next in the area. Happy Christmas to everyone, see you next year at the reunion in Coventry Regards Derek Kimber

Chris Howe MBE wrote on November 21, 2012 at 09:25

Dear Shipmates et al, Just a quick dit to let you all know that the initial draft agenda for our 2013 Remembrance/Reunion weekend is now promulgated under the 'Reunion' tab adjacent. Please take a few minutes to read what we are up to next year on Sat 25th May when it is hoped many of you will come to Coventry and join your fellow shipmates in remembering those we left on patrol over 30 years ago. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions should you have any at this stage. Also, a couple of photos from this years march at the cenotaph are placed under the Photo Albums tab. 9 ex Covs marched on what was a fine day and a very moving one. Take care Yrs Aye Chris Howe MBE Chairman HMS Coventry D118 Ass

Mick Daniels wrote on November 17, 2012 at 10:15

All our family remembered our lost shipmates on Sunday at our local war memorial - got back home in time to see SAMA parading past the cenotaph - spotted Si Rouse doing an eyes left -so well done all ex -Cov's who were on parade. This week i was able to visit the National Memorial Arboretum and on your behalf placed a small poppy cross both on the Falklands Memorial and on the National Memorial below the names of our fallen shipmates.It was very quiet and peaceful. Hopefully will see some of you in March at the tree dedication otherwise at the re-union. regards and Best wishes for the festive period to all ex-Covs and families of our lost shipmates, Mick Daniels & family

Toby Owen wrote on November 16, 2012 at 10:29

Had a very special day on Sunday remembering all our shipmates still on patrol at the Cenotaph in London. Met up with Si Rouse, Colin Kemp,Mel Berry,Steve Bell, Dave Woods,Tony Reece, Chris Howe and Paul Inman. See you all in May 2013. Toby

Russ Garner wrote on November 15, 2012 at 15:42

Pete, I went to Caludon castle school, but did spend some time at pres. Kennedy, but was RTU`d. Are you sure it was me you saw in a pub, I`m not sure I frequent such places. I may try a visit later this year, see if I like such behaviour.

Craig Phillips wrote on November 11, 2012 at 19:46

Remembering those still on patrol. Spent our Remembrance Sunday in Eckington with the Tonkins.Thinking of all whose have lost loved one to war.

Graham Sylvester wrote on November 6, 2012 at 18:05

Have a look on ebay at iten number 290541337991. Old Royal Navy Embroidered Cummerbunds. Hope that's what you are looking for.

Dave 'Stevie' Stevenson wrote on November 5, 2012 at 10:46

Greatings from South Africa one and all. I sometimes have to wear a dinner suit to attend work events and was wondering if anyone knows if it is still possible to get a Coventry cummerbund? (with the correct shape crest). If so where from. Thanks Stevie

Chris Howe MBE wrote on October 15, 2012 at 11:03

Shipmates et al Just a short update as time goes by... Plans are maturing for next years reunion in Coventry, I will place the full agenda on the website for the Sat 25th May 13 in due course once plans are finalised. However, for now I would encourage all attending to make hotel bookings for the Sat evening in order to secure a room. In order to keep admin simple and because it is very easy to book hotels on line these days, please go ahead and make your own arrangements. I have looked at options and the City Centre Premier Inn appears to offer good value and is far better than the Brittania we used in 2011, which left a lot to be desired. I have personally booked the Premier Inn for the Sat 25th at £60.00 inc breakfast (for 2 pers). Everything we will do over the weekend is within walking distance of this hotel. There are other options as well...Britannia being one of them and IBIS is a little further away. Also, arrangements for the tree and commemorative plaque are now finalised with the National Memorial Arboretum Site. I am in the process of agreeing a date for our own dedication service at the site. It is most likely going to be Sunday 10th March which is the day following the annual SAMA AGM and dinner in Derby. Please put this date in your diaries for next year. That is it for now but if anyone has any questions at all about anything next year then please contact me on the email provided or indeed on my mobile: 07786 156763 when I would be happy to provide answers of some description. Meanwhile, take care. Yours Aye - Chris Howe MBE Chairman

Damien Burke wrote on October 4, 2012 at 11:10

Anybody fancy a 909 operator's seat? Check out ebay item 390431417078

Rachel bedford wrote on September 8, 2012 at 23:30

Photo : Ian Luff picture front row far right hand side Peter (Swampy)Marsh still living and working in Sheffield ship mates Not 18 anymore old bastard at 48 now!! xxx

Chris Howe MBE wrote on September 6, 2012 at 11:07

Shipmates et al First of all many thanks to Heather Todd and Portsmoouth CC for the offer below which will certainly be of interest to HMS Coventry D118 Ass. of that I am sure. For everyones benefit I will discuss off line re the very kind offer below re attendance at the Portsmouth re-dedication ceremony on 6 Dec 2012. However, should anyone wish to take part I would ask that you contact me by email/phone directly and not post to this site. Then in due course I will put up a note detailing what we will do as an Association. More later then Yours Aye - Chairman

Paul wrote on September 5, 2012 at 09:12

Thought this may be of interest? FALKLANDS MEMORIAL PLANTATION RE-DEDICATION CEREMONY – THURSDAY 6th DECEMBER 2012 A number of events and commemorations have taken place during 2012 to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands conflict which has allowed us to remember and honour the men and women who took part or lost their lives during that conflict. To mark the end of this special year The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Frank Jonas would like to invite you to attend a ceremony on Thursday 6th December at 11.00am to Re-dedicate the Falklands Memorial Plantation on Portsdown Hill, where 258 Beech trees – one for each member of the Task Force and Falkland Islanders killed during the conflict - were planted in 1982. The dedication of the Plantation was carried out in 1982 by Lt Col Sir James Scott, the then Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. On December 6th, exactly 30 years to the day of the first dedication, Dame Mary Fagan, the current Lord Lieutenant will undertake the Re-dedication in this anniversary year. The ceremony will commence at 11:00am. Your association is welcome to provide a Standard to take part in the ceremony but unfortunately, we are unable to provide any expenses for them to attend. If you wish to attend the ceremony, please contact the Events team on 023 9284 1400 or by email at events@portsmouthcc.gov.uk by Friday 23rd November 2012. Yours sincerely Heather Todd Assistant Events Manager