Guestbook – HMS Coventry D118

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2297 entries.

pete matthews wrote on August 31, 2012 at 17:18

Russ, you went to Pres Kennedy in Coventry with my sister Helen. Last seen you in the Craftsmen Pub many years ago.

Chris Howe wrote on August 28, 2012 at 13:12

Shipmates' even....or maybe Sip was correct...

Chris Howe MBE wrote on August 28, 2012 at 13:10

Sipmates et al, greetings Most of you will remember that it was agreed at the AGM back in May that we would fund and commemorate a tree and plaque at the NMA in order to remember our ship and shipmates. As your Chairman I took an action (with great assistance from Mick Daniels) to make it so and report back in due course. I am now in a position to confirm that the design of the plaque has been accepted by the NMA and that a draft is being drawn up for approval, so progress. However, the tree that will be planted for Coventry will not be available until early 2013, and will be in the Naval garden in line with other ships past. This situation we have to accept as it is in accordance with an agreed planting scheme. This means we will not have the tree adjacent to the FI memorial as we had hoped originally. I have no issues with this personally as the main aim is to get our Coventry D118 tree planted and the plaque in place. Once I get a firm way ahead I will come back to you all, it is likely we will go for a dedication ceremony at the NMA around March 2013. I trust you are enjoying 'the summer' and will talk again soon. Plans are well underway for 2013 in Coventry, watch this space. Yours Aye - Chairman

Dennis Bear wrote on August 16, 2012 at 02:08

I was working in Gibraltar Dockyard at the time HMS Coventry was sent to the South Atlantic, it was hush hush at the time but the ship was painted and all markings removed so we all know it's posting. I worked as a Leading Draghtman and had lots of contact with a Chief Mechanical from the Navy "Gibraltar Refit Group". He was good to work with and a friend. He was transferred to the Coventry just before departure to the Falklands and distinctly remember wishing him well a in town at the Piazza when I found out of his transfer to the Coventry, not that he would let know where the ship was heading, although we all knew. I have often wondered how he went and always hoped the best for him. It would be great to make contat again. I eventually emigrated later that year in September 1982 to Australia. I never forgive myself for forgetting his name.

Jim Hudson (For Martin Sl wrote on August 15, 2012 at 19:43

All. I have been asked By Martin Slater to post this here.... As you may be aware, HMS PLYMOUTH is to be sent to Turkey for scrapping this year. I am the Secretary of HMS Plymouth Association and am posting this on all my friend’s and group pages who I think may wish to help. HMS PLYMOUTH is the last frigate to have taken part in the Falklands War of 1982 where she served with such distinction (the surrender of Argentine troops on South Georgia was signed in her wardroom), as well as being the last of her type, the Rothesay Class Type 12m, still afloat in the UK. HMS Plymouth Trust has been formed to try and get her a last minute reprieve and take her to a port in the North East of England where a berth has been offered. To do this they must raise £400,000, which is the figure it is believed is required to buy out the contract with the Turkish ship breaker. However, there is very little time as this figure must be achieved by the end of September. £400,000 is a lot of money in any language, be it English or Turkish. I am therefore posting this here to ask if you would be able to help by making a pledge towards the fund. Legal documentation and Terms & Conditions will need to be drawn up before you hand over any money, so all that is asked of you now is to make a one-off pledge of however much you will be able to comfortably afford at the end-date of 30th September. At this stage NO MONEY NEED CHANGE HANDS and making a pledge puts you under no obligation as you may withdraw your offer at any time. Once the deadline is reached, the money will be ‘called in’ and added to the Trust’s bank account. To make a pledge just visit the SAVE HMS PLYMOUTH group, find the topic titled *** MAKE YOUR PLEDGE HERE *** and in the comments add the amount you wish to pledge. It couldn’t be easier. Please do not make any other comments. Before making your pledge, please read the file entitled PLEDGES in the ‘Files’ folder. I do hope you will be able to help save this historic vessel by making a pledge and posting this message on all your friend’s pages.

Russ Garner wrote on July 24, 2012 at 22:51

I recently joined the assoc, and was tasked with checking up on the security at the Britannia hotel in Cov(thefts from rooms).Spoke to Samm Fisher, sales manager, assured me that electronic locking systems were fitted in June following the thefts(before would have been best)Did this months ago, but couldnt e-mail ressult cause `F` and `O` buttons missing off my flaptop, and they were my favourites.

John Sharman wrote on July 9, 2012 at 18:36

To those of you that have not read the latest "Association" tab entries, I have stepped into the role of Membership Secretary (because "Beer Bosun" was already taken) I have received all previous records held by Simon and will soon have an overview of who our 70 members are, even though I met so many of you again in May and marched proudly behind the standard on both occasions. If there are any of you who have not joined and want to, please contact me. If there are any of you who know someone else who served who may want to join and hasn't, get them to contact me. If there are any of you who knows anyone out there who may not know that we exist, please direct them to the website so that they may see what we do in the knowledge that there is absolutely no obligation to identify themselves or to join if they do not wish to do so. I look forward to all future replies, dits and wets.

Roger Newman wrote on July 5, 2012 at 19:15

In todays obits in the Telegraph, there is a very nice tribute to the first Captain of HMS Coventry Christopher Burne. To any of us who served from the first commission, he was an eccentric but in a very nice way, well worth a read and the last sentence sums him up.

Chris Howe MBE wrote on July 3, 2012 at 13:07

Shipmates et al FYI - As mentioned earlier and due to recent resignations from the Association committee it has been necessary to seek volunteers to take up several of the now vacant positions. To that end I am now happy to announce the 'new look' which is promulgated under the 'Association' tab adjacent. I should also like to take this opportunity in personally thanking those leaving, those taking up the vacant positions and the committee in general for their continued support to me as Chairman as we go forward in growing the Association and the planning already underway for next year in Coventry. On a final note, planning is also well underway with the arrangements for our Tree and Plaque dedication at the NMA (many thanks to Mick Daniels on that score) and more info will appear here in the coming months. Meanwhile many thanks and calm seas. Yours Aye - Chairman

Alan Rogers wrote on June 23, 2012 at 12:59

30 years on thinking of my old mate Frank armes RIP mate.

Stuart 'Titch' Hancocks wrote on June 22, 2012 at 19:06

Mick Braid, Yes you're absolutely right, I don't know how I came to miss you off the football team line up - sincere apologies and, of course, belated thanks for endless supply of hangover relief coffees up there in the odd Nav's Yeo office! Good to hear from you and hope all is well. 'Up the Town'

Brian "Smudge" Smith wrote on June 15, 2012 at 08:44

Jack {the Gunner}Russell let me have your email: drop it at archanjel@talktalk.net: important Aye Smudge

Andy Stewart wrote on June 13, 2012 at 12:28

After talking to a few people at the reunion I searched on Utube for the film of our 1980 deployment. I found it having searched for "All of One Company (1980)" You will need to type the capitals. Someone may have posted this link already but have posted again just in case. Great shot of me having a shave 30kg thinner! Hope you enjoy.

Andrew "Taff" Thomas wrote on June 11, 2012 at 20:12

Really sad to hear of the passing of Captain Burne. A really wonderful man. Such a gentleman.

Chris Howe MBE wrote on June 11, 2012 at 17:56

Shipmates A link to the BBC East Midlands TV covearge taken on 25th May. http://www.facebook.com/midlandstoday Yours Aye - Chairman

Mick Braid wrote on June 10, 2012 at 12:14

Steve how you doing I think you meant leg - end if you are ever in Weymouth give me a shout accomm and beer available.

Mick Braid wrote on June 9, 2012 at 19:12

Selwyn I hope life is still Magic, Andy you need to be banned from this site for using abusive language Blackpool indeed. Surprised you two had time to post with jack dustys always being in bed. If your ever down Weymouth way give me a shout I might buy you a drink. Titch Hancocks I dont believe you did not remember me on the Covs football team the best right back you ever played with (steady) and the amount of coffees I used to make you when you were navs yeo and boring me about Shrewsbury F.C hope everythings ok with you lads, best ship I served in in my 30 years in the mob, memories eh?

steve hale wrote on June 8, 2012 at 01:46

micky braid...... a legend indeed... still talked about in the steward world and known by millions ( im guessing) ( patches)

Buster wrote on June 7, 2012 at 09:27

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b01jv3pt/?t=20m15s

Stuart 'Titch' Hancocks wrote on June 6, 2012 at 19:54

Sorry to hear the sad news of the passing away of Capt. Burne. A true gentleman who I'm sure will be remembered with a genuine fondess by those of us fortunate enough to have served under him. R.I.P. Sir.