15th. March 1988 

EX‑SHIPMATES OF HMS HAZARD ASSOCIATION                                        

Since my last NEWSLETTER dated 5/12/87 wherein I reported in some detail the tremendous amount of effort by the HALLFORD family in arranging our first RE‑UNION, and the fact that Tibbs, Sheila and I have been in close liaison organizing a further re‑union for 1988. 

It has been my pleasure to make two journeys to London to confer with Tibbs and Sheila, the latter outing more like a midweek holiday. Tibbs with the willing help of his youngest daughter Paula put at my convenience a newly decorated a-la Laura Ashley bedroom, which has since been designated. 'The. Captain's Cabin'. For which I am most grateful.

On your behalf the three of us have regularly corresponded and much has been attempted to find more shipmates, as well as trying to get the Russian Embassy to came up with the SOVIET MEDAL for all of you who so well deserve it. Letters have gone between Counsellor Alexander NIKIFOROV and ourselves with all the details of 'HAZARD'S duties in Russian waters - but so far he has held out that applications had to be in before May 1987. Some of our shipmates who heard of this medal in time sent off their applications and have recently received same by post. Our local newspapers have made great play at printing photographs of recipients together with their Soviet Medals 

We were delighted to get all your responses to our Christmas Cards, it clearly showed the interest and pleasure that was being generated amongst us all. 

Sheila and I were therefore further encouraged to fire a couple of 'FULL BROADSIDES' in our efforts to reach more of our shipmates. We wrote over 200 (Two hundred) letters to the 'Navy News, newspapers, Independent TV stations, and local Radio stations as well as countless telephone calls covering the whole of the British Isles, the success of which has probably not yet fully materialised. We did however score 'Hits' by reaching Douggie ROSS, Tommy FARMILOE, Albert FORREST, John FLOOD, Ted BALDWIN, Harry SENIOR, and George MORLEY. 

We also had word from the Brother of the Late Tommy COOMBER, also from Mrs. Margaret GUNNELL wife of the Late Jack and through Douggie ROSS ‑Mrs. CRAWFORD wife of the LATE J.C. Jack CRAWFORD Lieutenant Commander RNVR our Captain from Aug.44 to Xmas 45. Another very sad call from Miss Irene Wilson, of Romford, Essex regarding Tom SMITH an athletic 6 footer served an 'Hazard' until early in 1942. Irene and Tom made plans to marry, Tom died in October '42 just a week or so before the wedding day. All the guests who had received invitations to attend the wedding attended Tom's funeral. It is with very deep regret that we learn of their 'Passing' . 

A list of all 'Hands' found so far is enclosed with this letter as it is thought several of you will want to correspond with long lost Pals.  

NEXT RE‑UNION 

SATURDAY 8th OCTOBER 1988 

Sheila has booked a hall at : 

THE KING's HEAD,

MERTON HIGH ROAD,

COLLIER'S WOOD                                                                                     

£5 PER HEAD (Includes buffet) 

A bar will be in the hall for those who require liquid refreshment.

Sheila will be sending out invitations around August, so no need to take any action at present. 

Let us hope we are going to enjoy a 'Spanking' good summer to get us keyed up for a super Re-union.

Tom McKnight