Guestbook – HMS Coventry D118

Add an Entry

Name *

Email *

Guestbook entry *

Fields marked with * are required.
Your email address won't be published.
All entries are reviewed before being made visible.

2297 entries.

Andrew "Taff" Thomas wrote on June 2, 2007 at 00:44

Had a few drinks to remember everyone who lost their lives. I wasn't on HMS Coventry during the Falklands, but I remember quite a few people whose names are on this site (Steve Ingleby, Jim Hudson, Tony Woodruff, Andy Stewart, etc). If anyone wishes to get in touch, my email is andrewthomas98@yahoo.com Regards Taff

Derek Rutherford wrote on June 1, 2007 at 23:35

Great programme,25 years, how could i forget, i was 11 years OLD heard my brother was presumed ??missing,fortunately day or so later, all is well,QE2 would follow to Southhampton.What's happened since me old china's,He left I joined the RN I left in 96 ID card handed in "SEE ya later big boy". maybe home club 25 yrs later,Joanna's'Boob's(rest in peace). The RN social emporium in all parts of the globe,you realise that on the day you give up the ID. MYSELF I DID NOT LOSE ANY FRIENDS,YOU DID, HOOTROTDCAUDCASAH R.I.P (unfortunately did not make good TV in London. Might meet all my brothers old mates who survived,"AS LONG AS YOU BUY YOUR OWN BEER LOVE YOU ALL".D118 ,MMMMMMMMMeeeee thinks something is a bit amiss

Doc Savage wrote on June 1, 2007 at 22:28

Just watched the sea of fire thought it was very good and well done to the skipper and all who took part. Nice to see it shown from our point of view. Sam Macfarlane if you read this then could you send me the charter dont seem to be able to get you on the email address I have fore you best wishes. Big Doc

Graham john Parsons wrote on June 1, 2007 at 22:05

Watched and taped the programme tonight,and was very touched .I remember the events very well.Cannot believe it was 25 years ago.A tear was shed tonight in rememberance of that sad time and for all those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.Once Navy,always Navy.Graham J Parsons,X-MA,Volunteer for The British War Memorial Project.

Derek Rutherford wrote on June 1, 2007 at 21:35

Well guy's 'HERO'S' plain and simple. My brother Malcolm was on board in 82,he is out of the country but still phoned to get me to record the programme 01/06/07. Being x RN i was happy to see no dodgy senior rates shirt's in site. May god above send down a dove with wings as sharp as razors to slit the throat of those bad blokes,that sell bad beers to sailors HMS Coventry Crew I Salute You All xxx

John (Geordie) Hannon wrote on June 1, 2007 at 21:14

Have just watched the programme on BBC2 tonight. It was heartwarming to see the `Mob` still produces good down-to-earth sailors. At times I felt proud, then I felt numb & speechless. To those still on patrol - from one old mariner - I salute you. Lest We Forget...

Stuart Tamblin wrote on June 1, 2007 at 12:07

Thanks to the Captain and a few shipmates for signing autographs for me on Sunday morning in the Club. Honoured to meet you. I was at the HMS Hood Association reunion the same weekend. Looking forward to the TV programme tonight.

David MacCreedy wrote on June 1, 2007 at 11:11

‘Brothers in Arms Live at Abbey Road’ This has been released specially for the 25th Anniversary, a new version by Mark Knopfler that he has given for free. All proceeds go to SAMA 82 and are ring-fenced for personal pilgrimages back to the islands for all Falklands Veterans not just SAMA members. Downloads are available now! www.hmvdigital.co.uk http://www.virgindigital.co.uk iTunes ‘Brothers in Arms Live at Abbey Road’ 79p Tell all your friends!

David Hart Dyke wrote on June 1, 2007 at 10:21

To everyone. It was wonderful being with you again on the 25th and 27th. Truly memorable occasions. I immediately felt at home with you, as if it was yesterday. Never mind the 25 years! Please let me know of errors and omissions in my book (I have noted a number already). Also I ought to delete the names of those who left the ship in '81 who are listed so we have an authentic 82 list: I don't know who these are so any information would be appreciated. Good luck to you all. I hope you will always look back with pride at your great contribution to that remarkable victory and to a brave ship. Thank you for all your support, past and present. DHD.

John Casey wrote on May 31, 2007 at 21:07

Ok guys a week has passed I am sorry I wasn't there at the re-union, reading the guestbook everyone had a great time catching up, remembering but let's see the photos.

John Davey wrote on May 31, 2007 at 21:04

A post script to my previous message. I should add that the film 'All of One Company' was for the central office of information, was filmed between Mombasa and Hong Kong. I don't think the film was ever released. Running time is about 28 minutes and, even although I say so myself, there are some beautifull aeriel shots of HMS Coventry in the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and entering Hong Kong harbour. Regards John Davey (j.ndavey@virgin.net)

charlie johnson wrote on May 31, 2007 at 20:10

worked on coventry for three years building at cammell lairds in birkenhead, she was a great ship to build .best time was away on trials , fantastic hearing the sound of the olympus and tynes as the should be!! ended up doing 21 years away with p&0 after thaton canberra and a few others. best wishes to all ex crewmembers of coventry

John Davey wrote on May 31, 2007 at 15:24

Although I'm a civy, I was the cameraman aboard HMS Coventry, I think it was either 1978 or 1979, on a Far East deployment. I have to say that although I've worked on many productions in over 100 countries during my career,my time on Coventry will always be very special. Without exception, all of the ships company made us (myself, David John, sound recordist, recently deceased, and Dixie Dean, my assistant) feel welcome, and it was one of my most enjoyable and memorable film experiences (particularly the run ashore, sods opera etc!). If anyone is interested in getting a copy of 'All of One Company', which was the end result of the film I shot, please contact me by e.mail. Regards, John Davey

Admin Reply:

John's been deluged with emails so please, everybody, hold fire! We are sorting something out and will announce it in due course.

Jack Russell wrote on May 31, 2007 at 11:07

Reply for Luke Eaton; Sorry Luke, you will have a great difficulty in attempting to buy a Model "Cov", at an eigth of an inch to the foot, as far as I know my model is the only one in UK and the other is in Cyprus. Guys, the weekend was an absolute pleasure and lang may it continue, with big Doc setting up the Association again - BRILLS !. Regards to All.

Stevie Stevenson wrote on May 31, 2007 at 01:05

Dear all, I have just experienced a great week end in Portsmouth, with all that were there, and remembering all that were not, (for various reasons). My thoughts will be with you all on the 17th at the march for our never forgotten shipmates. As some of you know I work away so it will be hard to attend all reunion's, I will always keep in touch with this web site and I will never forget our time together. (after 24 years in the Navy it still remains the best ship I served on). Take Care Stevie (davestevieis@hotmail.com)

Steve Webster wrote on May 30, 2007 at 16:53

Just as a heads up guys. The venue for the FVF do on Sat 2nd June 2007 is now the Senior Rates Mess, HMS Collingwood. See the FVF site for further details Yours aye Steve

Graeme (Jock) Weldon (ex wrote on May 29, 2007 at 18:57

Had a fantastic weekend my congratulations to all who were involved in the organisation of the event first class as it always was on the Coventry. Great to see so many familiar faces, must admit some of the names still evade me. Good to meet my old mates from the Comms side again, maybe we can persuade some more to come in future years. All the best to everybody and its good to see we can all still have a bloody good run ashore specially since some of as are knocking on a bit now!! Yours Aye Jock

Martin Rudd wrote on May 29, 2007 at 15:55

For Richard Lane... Great to chat to you on Friday. Feel the need to clarify something that we discussed. It is my belief that in the last minutes before impact, we told Broadsword on Tac that we were altering. The direction and course escape me now, and I doubt my ramblings would stand up to any robust forensic attention anyhow! I was the tac uhf op RO1(T), in the ops room, with LRO(T) Sylvester as Yeoman. Vic Sylvester, if he could be traced, could maybe shed more light. RO(T) Codognotto, I believe was voice op on the bridge, although he may have been otherwise engaged at the time..(Lookout etc) it would be normal practice to have Tac uhf on loud speaker on the bridge at action stations. I hope this clarifies my response to your question on Friday night, I was concerned I may have answered you without hearing it properly, as it caught me off guard, in noisy, free-flowing, salubrious environment! Regards... Martin Rudd

Martin Rudd wrote on May 29, 2007 at 15:03

Have just read the abridged version of the Captain's book. Was surprised to read that the idententity of person giving the order to abandon ship is still unknown... I was certainly not alone on the foc'sle when the Master Gunner (Lt Pollard/OG?) gave the order to those there.

Mel Berry (Chuck) Stoker wrote on May 29, 2007 at 14:17

I can't add much more to that Rocky, you've said it all, thanks to you and all involved. I was unable to make Friday night due to a last minute pet bereavement, May 25 now has a double-loss meaning in the Berry diary. I hope to catch up next time with the lads from the ME Dept who could not make the full w/end run...... I was going to make this weekend 'hook or by crook', so we got down Saturday and I was so glad I did. It was great to see so many faces from the past and catch up with those I knew and those I didn't. D118 was a special ship with a great skipper and a tight ships co'y, no doubt about that, Tony Reece didn't put his hand in his pocket once while I was standing at the bar...but there you go.... The Sunday service was emotional for me and very well attended. The 'Last Post' always kicks me in the guts.... To be part of this ship's history and crew is such an honour, it's a very special place to be. Keep on keeping on ex-Cov's... Chuck.