2291 entries.
Shipmate, families, and friends of D118:
Just a further heads up about the Liberation Day event being held at the NMA on Tuesday 14 June 2022. Of course, any SAM holder or family member is openly invited to attend, and we are expecting that many will. I know that quite a few have asked me about this over the past months so here is the notice from the RBL (who are running it on behalf of the FI veterans) that has just been issued yesterday. Please note that anyone attending must register, so for those members of SAMA82 that’s easy as an event is already in place on the SAMA82 website and email to the Liberation email address for SAMA – details here: https://sama82.org.uk/rbl-40th-service/ but for non-SAMA members you need to complete a form (use the link on SAMA82 website as above) and email it direct to me and I will process it through the RBL on your behalf. You can list any guests you are taking on the same form. Shipmates, as always, if you are not sure just call me, I’ll help in any way I can.
FROM THE RBL:
In 2022 we mark the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falklands Conflict. The Royal British Legion will be commemorating this important milestone with a special event held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Tuesday 14th June. Falklands 40 will recognise the service of the 30,000 sailors, marines, soldiers, airmen and merchant mariners who served in the Falklands War, along with the many civilians who supported the Task Force and remember the sacrifice of those 255 British personnel who lost their lives.
In the afternoon, there will be a commemorative event centred around the Armed Forces Memorial. This will feature veteran testimony from key points in the conflict as well as the Act of Remembrance.
On the morning of the event there will be an opportunity for unit associations to conduct intimate commemorations at their respective memorials within the Arboretum.
The RBL's Falklands 40 is set to be a very special occasion, commemorating the conflict that ended 40 years ago.
Veterans of the Falklands Conflict, their families and participating civilian organisations are invited to attend the event of the 14th of June at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. All those wishing to attend must register through their appropriate association. Registration will open in early February and if you wish to attend please email your association lead.
Doors will open at the NMA from 0900 with the central Act of Remembrance Service taking place at 1330. Further details will be sent out in early February.
Click here for the FAQs
If you have any questions about the event or the accreditation process, please do not hesitate to email the event team at falklands@britishlegion.org.uk
Best wishes,
Good morning shipmates and families, some of you may well be aware of the Falkland Island 82 conflict Liberation Day event taking place at the NMA on Tuesday 14 June 2022 in order to mark the 40th Anniversary of the conflict. Whilst RBL and FIGO are the main organisers, SAMA82 are assisting and as a Trustee for SAMA I will be involved in aspects of the day. To that end, should any D118 SAM holder (with any family members also) wish to attend this event (and many have told me they wish to) then please use the link below to read about it and then use the form at the bottom in red to download, complete and register.
If you are a SAMA82 member you can send the form to the email address stated on the link (liberation@sama82.org.uk); however, if you are not a SAMA82 member you can still use the form (obviously no SAMA membership number needed) and email it to me. I will then forward all D118 non SAMA82 members (but SAM holders) registration forms direct to the RBL in due course.
The main event will take place early afternoon and last for around 90 minutes or so. However, I am looking to hold our own D118 event in the morning and carry out a short Re-dedication of our Oak Tree at the NMA that we planted quite a few years ago now. Many other Associations/Regiments/Ships etc will also be doing something similar in the morning period. We can then take some free time in readiness for the muster of the joint main event.
FIGO are laying on a refreshement tent for SAM holder use only.
So, if interested and you are a SAM holder then use this link:
https://sama82.org.uk/rbl-40th-service/
This will be the biggest event of 2022 the 40th anniversary year, so will be well attended and RBL are expecting up 10,000. Any questions re the event give me a call. I hope to see some of you there. Of course we have our own Remembrance and Reunion a couple of weeks before on the 28 May, Portsmouth.
I will be taking the RBL Remembrance Service at Wellington (Somerset not New Zealand!) on Sunday 14th @ 15.00. A wreath will be layed for D118
Dear shipmates, I was informed last evening of some very sad news and have been asked to place this notice of breavement on our website:
From the family: It is with great sadness that I bring you the news that Steve Allwood, Class of 82, HMS Coventry D118 has crossed the bar. Fair winds and Calm seas Shipmate we have your watch.
Details of the funeral arrangements will be posted soon.
Thank you
I have recently been asked to do a couple of presentations on 'The Coventry Story'. The presentations are about Coventry Cathedral, Coventry Reconiclliation Ministry, and the Cross of Nails. There is reference to D118, but this is in the context of the relationship with Coventry and the Cross of Nails. As one who wasn't with you in May 82 I wouldn't presume to tell the ships story - that is your story to tell not mine. My slight concern, lest there be any misunderstanding, is that the publicity material, in which I had no input, features a picture of the ship, and so may give the impression (wrongly) that the event is all about HMS Coventry.
* I remain duty sin bosun and look forward to our next muster. Martin
Shipmates of D118, Rachel Simons has kindly donated her 118th SAM scarf to the Association. Rachel has asked me as Chairman to see that this unique scarf (which is made from Falkland Islands wool) is presented to one of my HMS Coventry D118 shipmates from the crew of 25 May 1982. A big thanks to Rachel for all her efforts and for what she has done to promote this activity, BZ Rachel.
So, how do I decide who the fortunate person is? Only fair way is to ask that those who would like to be considered to email or text me your details, you will be placed on a list for a 'draw' at some stage in coming weeks. Alternatively, I would be happy to recieve a recommendation for who 'we' think is a deserving recipient - think about this and let me know off line by email, NOT messenger.
I need your help to decide this, cheers everyone, take care. Photo on HMS Coventry FB pages
Chris Howe MBE - Chairman D118
Fellow servicemen & women,
I have the sad duty to inform you that my father Mike Smith (GMC Smith) passed away after a long battle with Kidney Failure & Heart Disease. The last days of his were spent happily remembering his time in the Navy, especially his time on the Coventry. From her build & launch in June '74 to his final days in the RN in '76. He was a Stoker, through and through and loved his job & mates. If anyone remembers him or (better still) have any photos they would like to send me via email, please just drop me a line.
Dave A
Gents, another Hero of May 25th and sadly another obituary.
Lt Cdr Philip Dickinson who rescued 14 from HMS Coventry on My 25th. See link below.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lt-cdr-philip-dickinson-obituary-p56vsqwmk
Our "Thanks" for your service and our condolences to his family.
With reference to 40th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict in 2022 it is hoped to have reached all Falkland Veterans and invited them to receive a Falkland scarf -hand knitted or crochet by a group called ‘scalves for Falkland Veterans ‘ in the Falkland Medal Ribbon colours - you can apply for one from the facebook page site. Anyone who served in the Falklands during the conflict is eligible -you just need to put your name and the ships name and pay postage of £5 . We are trying to reach as many Falkland Veterans as possible. Thank you Val Pollard
Dear shipmates, families and friends of D118,
It was great to see so many join us in the virtual service of remembrance we ran last evening 25th May, we actually had 59 call in to the zoom service, BZ everyone. Also a big thank you to all those that responded back to me personally last night and today, your thanks is much appreciated of course but we all know why we do these events and long may it continue.
Just a few questions that came up and answering them here:
The polo shirts for 40th anniversary are now available at http://www.forever-jack.com/welcome.html
email them or call them and speak to Louise, she will take your order, just need size.
Remember dates for next year's 40th reunion, will be Sat 28 May 2022 in Portsmouth and will follow the usual routine, I will get something out later in the year. Don't forget it is also the 5 yearly Gosport parade on the following day, Sunday 29 may 2022, so hopefully Coventry D118 will have a big turnout as we did in 2017.
The 2 major events at the NMA for next year are 1-3 April, SAMA82 AGM/Gala Dinner and Remembrance Service on the Sunday at the NMA.
14 June, Liberation Day event at the NMA, this will be a very large event, more info on the SAMA website.
If there are any other questions about next years events under the SAMA82 banner then please call me.
Take care everyone, stay safe and see some of you in November.
Yours aye - Chairman
Will raise a glass tonight and remember those still on patrol
Every 25th, have a quiet moment. With deepest sympathy from the 1981 Propulsion Systems Team in Pompey.
Thinking of all the great guys we left behind today, there families, those who continue to suffer and the great shipmates that I served with in 1982.
I will raise a glass in remembrance tonight
Remembering Stephen Dawson and all who were lost with him . No longer by our sides but forever in our hearts.
A toast to all those still serving on the best ship in the fleet never forgotten much love to there families and survivors .
Shipmates, another reminder to make sure you let me know by email if you are intending to join us for the virtual service of remembrance I am holding on 25th May 2021. All details in previous post. The list is growing nicely, join your shipmates and families in remembering our shipmates still on patrol.
Stay safe - Yours aye - Chairman
Hi there shipmates, families and friends of D118.
I hope you are all managing to survive in this continuing lockdown and COVID pandemic, tough times for all I know but hopefully we can get back to some sort of normality in the coming months.
As we will not be able to physically meet up again this May for our service of remembrance I will once again hold a virtual service on zoom. It will follow the same procedure as last year which seemed to work well.
To that end then, we will open zoom at 1755 on Tuesday 25 May 2021 with an intention to start the service just after 1800 ish. I really do hope many of you will join us in once again remembering our shipmates left on patrol and of course those we have lost in the 39 years since.
If you do wish to take part then please email direct to me using or stating the email address to which I will send your invite for zoom. The service sheet will be attached to the final invites. I will also provide a few updates with next years 40th anniversary activities.
Email:
cahowe500@gmail.com
Thank you shipmates and stay safe.
Yours Aye - Chairman
Shipmates, families et al
Very sad news indeed to learn of our dear shipmate Russ Garner passing recently. He was always a regular supporter of our reunion and events, such a big personality, and will be very much missed by us all. My condolences to his family in your time of sorrow.
RIP Russ - shipmate and friend.
Sad news one of our shipmates LMEM(M) Russ Garner passed away last week - Russ had been ill for a long while and had a heart attack - sadly missed and a great oppo - Rest in Peace shipmate
Just to let you know the sad news that John Stipetic sadly passed away yesterday after battling cancer. Gone but not forgotten sparks.