Ref. H.M.S.HAZARD's" first
re-union at Wimbledon on Sat 24th Oct 1987
Perhaps this is as good a
time as any to drop you a few lines to say how nice it was to have met a
few old shipmates at the Hazard re-union. The evening sped by so quickly
it was difficult to appreciate that we had all been talking ‘Full Speed’
for nearly five hours. I knew by my throat next day that I hadn't wasted
many minutes
The joy of meeting old
shipmates for the first time in 41 years was quite something (The
Cornish Press said "Tearful Re-union") I didn't see any tears, a hell of
a lot smiles and recalling old times- we talked so much that the
tremendous buffet, kindly donated and prepared by Sheila Hill's two
sisters Teresa and Paula was almost forgotten. That buffet would easily
have been in keeping with a high class hotel.
We must all be greatly
indebted to Sheila and her brother Eddy for so much research into
Hazard's history, for booking the Sea Cadets hall, beflagging it, and
generally acting as hosts. Even to using their cars to taxi us from
stations to the hall and back.
I'm sure the 'Girls' loved
it an much as we did, so much so that Eddy's wife, Sue, in a very
advanced state of pregnancy could be seen busying with the buffet and
drinks and clearing up until a few minutes to midnight. Next morning at
1130 hours dear Sue gave birth to a 9lb 6oz daughter. Both Eddy and Sue
were determined to see the re-union - I don't think as much can be said
for Eddy regarding the birth, I believe he had a king size hangover next
morning. I must add that nobody was the worse for drink come the end of
the evening; some of us were in a singing mood and who wouldn't be after
five hours?
I was delighted to learn
that Sheila had sent everybody a photocopy of the press report and
photograph. I must here remark that the report did not in my estimation
give anything like the credit due to Tibbs Hallford, Sheila Hill, Eddy
Hallford and their sisters Teresa and Paula, not forgetting their wives
and husbands for all the preparatory work they did to make our 'Get
together' so enjoyable.
I feel that in view of the
lapse in year, 41 from Hazard going into reserve, up to a re-union in
1987, the Hallford family did very well to find 23 of us and then get 20
of us at the event. I also sense that the Hallfords are not going to sit
on their laurels on past achievements, Sheila and Tibbs have been on the
telephone to me recently to confirm that plans are to go ahead for an
another re-union next October.
For those of you who could
not rendezvous with us in Wimbledon on the 24th Oct 1987, we sincerely
hope you will join us in 1988, details will be promulgated nearer the
date. You will be getting another screed from me about Easter, perhaps
with R/V and date.
Again for those of you who
did not attend , we only had 1 representative from the CPO's & PO's Mess
and only 1 from the Wardroom so not wishing to be too sad, but honestly
facing facts, "Time like an ever rolling stream etc ", none of us are
getting younger, so let's meet one an another while we can.
Present at Wimbledon on
24/10/87 were: -
Tibbs Hallford
Sid Broad Bill Goldstraw
Bill Closier
Bill
Strickland Charlie Wood Mike
Pratt Doug Maule
Don
Matthews Harry Eglington Stan
Stannard Steve Keeler
Les
Rowe Frank Taylor Bill
Frewen Bill Belcher
Sid Bedwell
Bill Graves Tom McKnight
Wives, families and friends
an well as the Senior Teacher from the St Albans Grammar School for
Girls, Mrs Luck and her husband, also Barney Hogg P.R.O. of the RN
Association, Helston, Cornwall and his wife.
It is almost 'UP
SPIRITS', please keep in touch, Good Luck
Captain Tom McKnight M.N.
Rtd
Plymouth
5th
Dec 1987
