2297 entries.
Morning Shipmates,just to say I managed to march at the cenotaph yesterday, and so very proud to do so alongside my shipmates, - Simon, Toby, Ian, Tony, Richie, Sam Mac and many others in SAMA. It is a very moving and humbling thing to do and would make a plea for others from Coventry to consider this for next year as we approach our 30th year rememberance. The friendship, humour, dit sessions and the sharing of hip flasks (with varied libations) was also a most pleasant antidote to the soaking we all get by the end. Well worth it, we MUST always REMEMBER!
Finally, please do not forget to sign up for our Coventry reuninon next May, get yer room booked, we need you there.
Calm seas shipmates
Chris Howe MBE - Chairman
Remembering today our 19 shipmates still on patrol and their families.A glass raised to their sacrifice and memory.
THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOREVEVERMORE.
regards to all ex-Cov's
Mick (Jack)Daniels & family
good luck to all those who will be at the cenotaph today,thoughts and prayers with you all..
respect and regards
jim
Can't make cenotaph but will be paying my respects tomorrow at the memorial in Old Portsmouth.
I will leave booking my twin on the 21st May till the end of December if no sharers by then I will take a twin on my own.
Cheers
Will be at Cenotaph in London this Sunday marching with Si Rouse, Richie Richardson, Colin Kemp, Tony Reece, Ian Luff and Chris Howe and hopefully many more. The Coventry Numbers are growing. I'm sure we will raise a glass or two to our fallen heros from 82. God bless them and may they be resting in peace.
I held my silence for 2 minutes at 11.00am yesterday, and am attending a Royal British Legion-organized service on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, along with a few other Falklands veterans
still looking for someone to share a twin eith on the 21st May, cant book till ive got a name cheers.
Thinking of everyone and remembering the finest ship that ever sailed the oceans of the world.
Sam
A note about the posting by Mike Pitt on 7th June, asking about the cased ensign and the photos. They are from the time (April, 1979) that HMS Coventry got the "Freedom of the City of Coventry". I remember sitting in the bar at the main police station and someone asked me to smoke a cigarette in front of my PO (Graham Hampstead), because he HATED smokers. It was also the time that some of us cycled to Coventry from Pompey to raise funds for the canal boat mentioned in the newsletter on the left. I have a local newspaper from the time, but it's on my desk at work, so i'll try and copy it and post it tomorrow.
I was on the Coventry, June '78 to Jan '81, Sea Dart maintainer I have recently had some transparencies put on disc and a few of them are from the time out East in 1980. If you would like to see them to see if you want to put them on the site, please send me an e-mail address I can attach then to.I also believe the Reflection photo you attribute to having been taken in HK was actually taken in Birkenhead at Camell Lairds by the ships phot when we paid a visit for a weekend in '79. Cheers Roger Newman
What a great set of photo's, well done all involved
Nice one Jack, these are very precious records of our dear ship and its short history as D118, BZ for making the effort to secure them and in my capacity as current Chairman of the HMS Coventry Association I would like to offer my very special thanks to the Lewin family for allowing us to share these memories.
Bravo Zulu
Hello Folks, I have recently been in touch with Tim Lewin (Son of Admiral and Lady Lewin who subsequently Launched in 74 and Commissioned in Nov 78. Tim has allowed our site a copy of the photos that were taken at both occasions from his mothers Photo album that was given by the then head of Cammel-Lairds.
Acknowledgements to Tim Lewin and Family.
I hope that you are all in fine fettle and roll on the 23rd December when am next home.
Kindest Regards.
Jack.
Many many memories. God Bless You All.
Just to look in again. Never forgoten. Good luck gentlemen.
(A student in 1980 and listened to radio every day at the time.)
Any one interested in 42's should have a look at the Type 42 Association site on Facebook.... some great photos of most of the 42's that have served in the RN, including the 'Cov'. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=133112320066880
Hopefully will catch up at the reunion in May.
Hi All
Following Chris' last entry on to the site I have just sent away for my Association membership, it has only taken me what will it be 2 years to get round to doing it.
I wonder how many people out there are the same as I was, every time I went on the site I thought I must print that form off and send my tenner. Well please take two minutes out of your day and do as I have.
I hope I am not speaking out of turn and certainly hope not to cause anyone any offence but it appears there are less than three dozen members of the association so if you feel ashamed as I do please back the commitee in their efforts to increase the numbers. Lets ensure that in times to come our ship and more importantly 'OUR shipmates still on watch' are not forgotten.
Do as I have done and join or if its not for you make sure you tell people you are still in contact with about what is going on and they can make up there minds.
Shipmates and families
Just a quick plea from your Chairman:
Since being voted in as the new Chairman just a short time ago, and having agreed with your elected committee, one of our major objectives is to increase our contact knowledge of any ex-Covs D118 and associated families. To that end, and in order for us to meet this objective, your committee and I respectfully ask each of you to consider providing your contact details to the Sec - Steve Hunt, in order that he can start building and maintaining an up to date contacts database. I would also encourage any of you to consider (re-consider) joining the HMS Coventry D118 Association, details are on the website or please contact a committee member.
I fully understand that not all of us wish to be involved in annual reunions and acts of remembrance by attending memorial services etc, and I totally respect that.However, I also believe many of you do look at this website on occasion just to see what is going on, so you must still have some connection with what happened to us back on 25 May 1982.
It is also fully realised that I may be on dodgy ground here and I apologise if this plea offends anyone, but as your newly elected Chairman I have to try and build our special community, or why bother? so forgive me.
Our aim therefore is to get as many as possible join us at next years reunion in Coventry (details on adjacent tab) and then take it from there for joining the association and/or making the 30 year event in May 2012.
All I ask is that you strongly consider letting us know where you are, many thanks for your time and take care.
Calm seas
Chris Howe MBE - Chairman
Gents - I shall respond to SAMA post by private means.
Meantime arrangements for our reunion in Coventry next May are maturing nicely; hopefully our turn out will be higher than previous years, I look forward to seeing many of you again.
Yrs Aye
Chris Howe MBE - Chairman
I noticed a mention of your 30th reunion in Pompey in May 2012. You may wish to take into consideration that there is a major Falklands Conflict 30th anniversary event in the planning for the dedication of a major Falklands memorial on 20th May at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas and we are hoping that HRH Prince Charles, our Patron, will be carrying out that dedication. We are looking at having the SAMA AGM and Social evening, perhaps even a Gala Dinner, on Sat 19th at a nearby Hotel, with accommodation packages. All still in early planning stage but date firmly set. Just thought you may wish to keep this date clear for this major event.
Any fundraising for the Memorial by The HMS Coventry D118 Association would be greatly appreciated by SAMA.
Regards
Joe Erskine
Trustee SAMA (82).