2292 entries.
Just to let you know the sad news that John Stipetic sadly passed away yesterday after battling cancer. Gone but not forgotten sparks.
Shipmates, families and friends of D118...
What an awful year 2020 has been, so much grief for so many families, all very sad indeed. I only hope this coming year will see us move out of the dreadful situation we have been dealing with for far too long now.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my shipmates, families and friends a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year, however you get to spend it.
Finally, I have tentative plans for our reunion in May 2021, Coventry on Sat 22 May, however, the prevailing uncertainty prevents any firm plans being agreed. So, please watch this space in the coming months and let's hope we can all get together again next May.
Meanwhile, please take care and stay safe
Yours aye - Chairman
Wishing everyone a thoughful Falkland Islands Liberation Day.
Chairman
My thoughts this morning are of my shipmates we left on patrol 38 years ago.
Not a single day goes by that I do not think of 25 May 1982. That final valiant action of D118 changed so many lives but we that survived will never forget, must never forget. This evening we will once again come together in Remembrance and honour our shipmates.
Thinking also of those families and friends of our shipmates and those that have crossed the bar along the years since. God bless them all.
Chairman
Remembering Stephen R. Dawson.
You are near,even if I don´t see you. You are with me, even if you are far away. You are in my heart,in my thoughts, in my life always.
Shipmates
Just a final reminder that if you are wishing to join us in the Zoom Remembrance Service on 25 May (all details explained a few dits ago) then you do need to email me in order to confirm as I need your email address to forward the link invitation to allow you to join the Zoom call.
I will be sending out the invite and a short order of service next weekend. Meanwhile any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Hoping you will join your fellow shipmates and families for service and up spirits!
Take care, stay safe
Chairman
Dear shipmates
ZOOM Update to ealier dit below:
Some are asking about what software to download, answer is you dont need to download anything. The invitation link I will send will do all that for you at the time of logging in to the call. All I need from you is your itention to take part and the email address you will use to take part. I will forward the invite and link nearer the time along with the abbreviated order of service for you all to follow what Martin and I will deliver.
We have now had a couple of test runs and all looks to work fine so hopefully we can hold our service as planned, which will be great. Please pass the word on to other shipates you are in touch with, they may not be aware of the intention to do this.
Any questions just call me/email me.
Stay safe out there shipmates.
Chairman
Dear shipmates, Faz has passed this link to me, in order to allow any of us to witness Bob Applegate's funeral service tomorrow. Information supplied by Sue Applegate.
Please see below the link for anyone wishing to join Bob Applegate's funeral service via the weblink on Wednesday 29th April at 3.15pm. Please feel free to share this as appropriate.
http://crematorium.mediaondemand.net/Player/portchester/12641
Please note the broadcasting will not begin until the service starts so allow a few minutes before 3:15pm for the broadcast to start. You may need to refresh the browser until the service appears. The service will also be available to download by clicking on the same link approximately 2 hours after the service.
Love to all
Sue Applegate
Chairman
Today is eighth anniversary of the death of Mark Gould.
He was my friend and colleague in South Wales police and a 1982 veteran.
He died days before he was due to retire, I will crack a tinny to his memory this evening. Cheers Gouldy.
Hi Trev, all i can think of is Chris "higgy" Higginson but sadly has crossed the line now.
Dear shipmates, families and friends of D118
First, I sincerely hope you are all faring ok in this strange world we live in now. Like many of you no doubt, Margaret and I are both thankful we have a garden to use and get stuck into many of the projects we had planned for this year, but cant wait to get back to normal.
As you all know, having had to cancel this year’s Remembrance/Reunion, it is with great anticipation to offer anyone of you that wishes to join a service of Remembrance at 1800 on Monday 25 May 2020 using ZOOM. Mark Whitney suggested the idea to me some weeks ago, closely followed by Martin Kirkbride. To that end we have tested the ZOOM system out and I feel it will certainly do for a Plan B. So we will go ahead and run it. Please note that I will be doing a toast and up spirits at the end so have your glasses charged and ready for that!
Due to security issues, if you wish or intend to join the service you will need to email your intention directly to me. Subsequently, the ‘Invitation to Join’ will be forwarded to all participants on those same email addresses nearer the 25 May. Some of you will no doubt be aware of ZOOM but for those (like me) who have not used it, it is very simple to follow the instructions and take part, honest. Either on smart phone or PC/Mac etc. The service will be run by myself and Martin as usual and Mark will manage the ZOOM conferencing tool in the background and make sure things run smoothly.
Please can I also ask that you disseminate this event to anyone you are in touch with who I may have missed out in the emails forwarded and perhaps is not looking at the website either. Thanks for that shipmates.
So, email me and lets do this for our shipmates! Stay safe everyone
Chairman – Chris Howe MBE
Stay safe wherever you are in the world. We have gone through so much as a unit that we can get through this together. Currently sat on my cruise ship in Dover harbour waiting for the operational pause to be lifted. Can anyone help me, I believe one of the old Covs is now working for UK Border Force, any information on who or how to contact would be much appreciated.
Be safe everyone, what are you playing at Jack???
To All Old Shipmates Stay Safe In These Times We Will Get Through.
Cancellation of t the Act of Remembrance and Reunion at Coventry: The privilege of being Chaplain is one that I highly value and I will miss meeting up with everyone this year (and the P U afterwards). I know that everyone will be raising a glass on the 25th. and perhaps you may join me In also raising a prayer.
If you are isolating, or this whole Covid-19 issue raises any problems/issues for you, please don't hesitate to phone or txt me 07746519311. Although chaplaincy visiting is discouraged I am available to visit should you or your family find themselves in distressing situations, including bereavements. This applies to anywhere in mainland UK.
Yours aye, Martin
Shipmates, families and friends of D118:
It is with great sadness that I have had to take the painful, yet necessary, decision to cancel this years gathering in Coventry on Sat 23 May 2020. I know you will all be well aware of the very recent severity of the restrictions the Government are placing on the whole of the nation due to the Coronavirus. It is the adherance of these 'social' rules that cause this decision to be taken. It is not envisaged social life will change until well into the summer months and perhaps even later into the year.
Also, many of us are now of an age and some of us with underlying issues that we must also be mindful of, it would be irresponsible to 'tempt' even the hardiest of our shipmates to a reunion hence the decision albeit a reluctant one, needed to be taken. (no pubs to use anyway)
I sincerely hope you will all understand, but most importantly support me in making this call and only hope we all come through this unscathed when we can look forward to our next gathering in 2021.
Of course I know you will all join me in raising a glass or three on 25 May at the given time, take care shipmates and stay safe.
Email or call me if you need to, no problems with that.
Chairman
Weekend Shenanigans
Dear Shipmates, Families, Friends, Due to the Main event taking place in the City of Coventry this year it gives me great pleasure to announce that the next "Portsmouth "HMS COVENTRY D118 Locals"Reunion/Remembrance weekend will take place Friday 22nd May 2020 till Mon 25th May 2020, late May Bank Holiday.
Friday 22nd May 2020 - Commencement with a "Meet & Greet" from 1200Hrs in Ruby's (Royal Standard) which in turn will lead to the usual late nite Curry & Cobra beer extravaganza.
Saturday 23rd May 2020 - Starts with a Dinner-Time Sesh starting at the Park Tavern/Ruby's (Type 42 Club-house) All to be Fell-in by 1230 Divisions, Ladies may/will Slip and proceed to Commercial Road for their usual Shopping extravaganza, or they may wish to partake in the Libations. EVENING:- This is a make it your own thing night, with Ship's Company able to do whatever they wish.
Sunday 24th May 2020 - The Service of Remembrance will take place at the Falklands Memorial at the "Hot Walls" at Old Portsmouth.
Dress Code - Smart and/or Casual, "Come as you are/Feel"
1100 - Muster
1105 - Service of Remembrance
Sequence of Events - Address, Roll of Honour, Parting Address.
This will be followed by our usual return to the Ponderosa (Home Club/Royal Maritime Club) for a few Libations and Dits. Ship's Company will then be able to Slip & Procede to their destinations.
THE ABOVE ITENARY IS PLANNED, TO WHICH, AS ALWAYS, YOU CAN JOIN IN AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU WOULD LIKE.
If anyone has any questions please do not hesitate to contact me 07907-822-024.
Thanks in advance
Yours Aye Jack Russell "Fortis Fert Securitatum"
Merry Christmas shipmates
From D118 Memsec
Merry Xmas Happy New Year
To All Members The D118 Club.
Missing Shipmate:In my RNA Bish role I've been asked to help trace Ex CPO Ray Galeozzie of HMS Coventry(Falklands?) believed to have once resided in the Minehead /Somerset Area. If you have any or background on this individual please contact me asap