Guestbook – HMS Coventry D118

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2297 entries.

chris mabbott wrote on April 28, 2008 at 15:56

Hello guys, Just a quick dit, I will be travelling down from Nottingham to Portsmouth for the reunion weekend. I will be travelling down on the Friday and travelling back late on the bank holiday monday if anybody needs a lift on route please get in touch, I no longer have the motorbike I have a four wheeled type a car! so travelling in comfort. See you all the bank holiday weekend, saving my beer tokens. Chris

Ian Luff wrote on April 16, 2008 at 09:33

We have approached Cunard to try to arrange a date to replicate the photograph take of the Stokers on the upper scupper on our voyage back to Southampton. They are interested in helping us out sometime after June. We need to locate "Nobby" Newbold & "Slinger" Wood and a couple of others maybe. If anyone knows where either can be contacted please drop me a line or call me. Many thanks. Ian. Tel: 01983 240302/240900

Sam MacFarlane wrote on April 16, 2008 at 07:16

Rocky, nice one, brilliant idea and very fair for everyone. Now let me think....... Cheers, Sam

Jim "Rocky" Hudson wrote on April 15, 2008 at 17:07

A lot of “ex Covs” have made known their support for, or reservations against, setting up a formal Coventry D118 Association. The decision in the end has to be made by us, and only us, so, the intention is that we have an Email vote. Just email me here: jimahudson@tiscali.co.ukNOJUNKMAIL giving me your name and a clear statement saying whether you do or do not want an Association. Please head your Email HMS COVENTRY. Do not forget to remove the “No Junk Mail” at the end of the Email. I will close the poll at midnight on Sunday 18th May. I will keep a tally of the voting and the emails and will post the results of the Email vote on this website on Monday the 19th of May 2008. The results will also be available at the Home Club over our weekend for those that wish to see it. Making the decision in this way involves a majority of us, it will be quick, convenient and fair. If the vote were left to the Saturday of the get together it would not take into account the wishes of those that want their opinion heard but for a variety of reasons are unable to travel this year. It is now over to you. Do we want a formal HMS Coventry D118 Association, with all that it will entail, or do we wish to remain as we are. Your vote will need to reach me by midnight of Sunday the 18th of May 2008 to let me know. I will repost this message from to time to keep it more or less at the top of the messages. It is, it really is, a big decision for all of us, so please do respond one way or the other." Jim “Rocky” Hudson

Paul wrote on April 14, 2008 at 18:37

Totally agree with Sam re: SAMA AGM; if other arms or ships companies attend such an event that is their personal choice. Whether any Coventry survivor attends such an event or not will be solely their personal choice. Mr Erskine with respect – the choice is ours – not yours or SAMA82. Paul

Sam MacFarlane wrote on April 11, 2008 at 19:10

Joe, sorry to hear you were disappointed. The Coventry survivors had a choice on whether to get involved and took it. It is after all our choice?

Sam MacFarlane wrote on April 11, 2008 at 19:05

Dean, I am very sorry to hear your sad news. Your dad and I got on quite well and he borrowed my car after an incident in his just before we sailed. Knowing Dave he is very proud of you, Steve and your mum. God Bless.

Dean Ozbirn wrote on April 9, 2008 at 23:10

Part 2. My brother steve who is 34 was only 8 when my dad died and he never come to terms with what happened, he just felt cheated, but all he says now is that he can't wait to meet Dad upstairs for a pint. I think it has made him more comfortable with what is happening to him. I am sorry that i have gone on a bit and i will leave another message soon. Dean...

Dean Ozbirn wrote on April 9, 2008 at 23:04

I don't know if anyone will remember me, but i came to the reunion last year with my mother Pamela and my Brother Steve. It was such a moving night hearing stories about my Dad (CPO David Ozbirn) and what a joker he was. We were all planning to come to the reunion this year but a lot has happened in the last ten months. Seven months ago my brother Steve was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and was given six months to live. Well seven months on and he is not good, he was given two weeks to live, two weeks ago and he still has a little fight left in him, so we are just taking it day by day at the moment.

Joe Erskine wrote on April 8, 2008 at 15:04

Indulgence Passage now avaialable for Holders of the South Atlantic Medal to the Falkland Islands. The Information is too long to post here. All infoarmation available on the SAMA (82) website http://www.sama82.org/members/index.php?showtopic=3645

Joe Erskine wrote on April 8, 2008 at 14:58

SAMA (82) AGM and Reunion weekend. 4th to 7th April - Royal Maritime Club Portsmouth. What a brilliant weekend, good food good compnay and a great service on Sunday in the Cathedral followed by a moving wreath laying ceremony at the RN Falkands War Memorial. Over 200 members were in attendance for the weekend. Veterans from almost every unit that served in the conflict. However I was so dissappointed that there wasn't one member of the HMS Coventry Veterans in attendance all weekend, what a shame. I know so many of them as well, with many living in the Pompey Area.

Steve (ginge) Woolham wrote on April 4, 2008 at 15:27

hoping to attend the reunion this year if anyone has a dvd of Sea of Fire please bring it on the night so i can take a copy of it. regards to all looking forward to the weekend and swapping a few dits.

David Hart Dyke wrote on March 30, 2008 at 10:32

My book about Coventry in the Falklands War, 'Four Weeks in May' is out in the shops next week as a paperback with a new cover, and includes a more accurate list of names of the ship's company in 1982. Please tell all your friends about it and buy it! Very best wishes to you all - and never forgetting you. DHD

Laya Sasikumar wrote on March 27, 2008 at 17:08

Hello, My name is Laya Sasikumar and I am a Researcher for the Current Affairs department at ITV Central in Birmingham. I am hoping that your members can help me with research for a series we're producing entitled 'Above and Beyond' which is due for broadcast in June this year. The series will look at conflicts Britain have been involved in since the Second World War, with one of the programmes focussing on the Falklands conflict. I am hoping to speak to survivors of HMS Coventry to relate their stories on the events of 25 May. I am also hoping to track down veterans who were awarded medals for their acts of bravery. If you'd like to get involved with the series please do get in touch. My email address is laya.sasikumar@itv.com. I can also be contacted on my work number which is 084488 14166 or mobile on 07825 193 951. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you, Kind Regards, Laya Sasikumar

Bob (Ginge) Applegate wrote on March 24, 2008 at 21:35

Ex PO Gunner, served on Coventry 1979 - 1982. I have just got back on the web site again after an awful long time. It really brought back memories reading all the entries. It's great to know so many of you still keep in touch. In answer to Steve (Darby) Allen and Jan Oxford's question, I too served under all three of Coventry's skippers, and was very proud to do so (she was a wonderful ship with an unforgettable ship's company). I also have a copy of 'Four Weeks In May', it was an emotional read and I had tears in my eyes more than once. This is just to say hello to all those who remember me and I hope to get to the reunion this year. Regards to you all. Ginge Applegate.

Pamela Henning wrote on March 22, 2008 at 01:12

As the great-granddaughter of a British soldier, the doings of British forces are of especial interest to me. The Falklands War will always tear at my heart...and I hope someday to be able to visit those islands.

Sam MacFarlane wrote on March 19, 2008 at 21:14

Rocky, I'm back in the UK and thanks for some clarification of the thoughts regarding the "Association". I believe that D118 needs to be the focal point and whether we need to carry on as we are, when we can, is paramount. The question as you say is "do we need more than we have?" I'm sure we will have the answer come 1900 25th of May 2008. If I can make it will be there. Calm seas guys, Sam

Dougie Douglas wrote on March 18, 2008 at 20:02

I've just had a couple of messages from Gary "Knocker" Knock on my facebook page, with a photo of him climbing in the Himalayas. Who'd have thought one of the biggest eaters onboard could manage a mountain climb? I'm going to see Paddy Casey this weekend in Palm Beach. Hope everyone's doing OK.

Martin Rossiter wrote on March 17, 2008 at 12:20

For Ann Eheim. Ann House build is now complete!! I've found a photo of Frank and a few of the ME dept on the flight deck of the Coventry. Unfortunately the photo I had of Frank in 3N mess has gone astray, although the one I have left is still pretty good. You can contact me at my email at home with your address to send it to you. martinr28@tiscali.co.uk Best regards Martin Rossiter (Rigsby)

JIM DAVEY wrote on March 17, 2008 at 06:13

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY ONE AND ALL