30th March 1989
SHIPMATES of HMS HAZARD ASSOCIATION.
Looking back to our 1988 Re-union, then Christmas and Hogmanay and here
we are at Easter; I almost feel as though I've been hibernating for the
winter. But, as always, when one stops to recall all that YOU have done
in that time, it is then you recall the sad as well as the happy
occasions that have gone towards filling the past six months.
Immediately following my News‑Letter dated 17th October 1982, you will
remember I sent you all a letter conveying the very sad news of Bert
DILNUTT'S death and a report of Sheila and I attending his funeral in
Dover
I, of course, sent a copy of my letter to Captain Hocart in Guernsey,
Channel Isles; I knew he was in hospital and in fact, I bad made
enquiries regarding flight times to the Islands from Plymouth in order
to pay him a flying visit. However his Executors intercepted my letter
and wrote to inform me that Captain Hocart had passed away in hospital
on the 2nd November 1989 at the age of 82. I understand he left no
living relatives, he had remained a bachelor.
The death of both these Shipmates is recorded with deep regret.
Both Sheila and I thought we might trace another Shipmate given to us by
Andy Duncan, of a Stoker Claude Milroy who joined us as the 'Hazard' lay
at anchor off Ostend on V.E .Day. His last known address was in Kingston
upon Thames, we eventually traced his Widow to, Cowes, Isle of Wight,
who gave us the sad news that Claude had died in April 1972.
Plans were made in Sheila's household for a family pre Christmas lunch
to which I had been invited on the Tuesday before Christmas. Well, you
have all experienced 'The best laid plans of mice and men’, I have my
seat booked on the train, bags packed for an over night stay at Tibbs,
only to go down with influenza during the night before departure.
Sheila, the dear, cancelled the lunch which I believe had taken several
days to prepare. So yours truly went through Christmas somewhat like a
Zombie. By the 28th December I thought I was on the road to recovery and
fit to travel though not fit for duty. 'Phone calls are exchanged and
the Christmas lunch is on again. This time the venue is Tibbs' house
with youngest daughter Paula doing the honours. I rejoice in being one
of the family in the Hallford's households, and Paula invited me to
inspect the 12lb turkey she was about to cook for our lunch with a mass
array of about eight or nine different types of vegetables.
Whilst all this is being prepared, Tibbs is playing his recordings of
our favourite wartime songs to which I readily joined in. All this time
I'm navigating around the lounge and kitchen holding a claret glass that
my 'Very Good Friend' Tibbs is constantly topping up with sherry. About
one hour later, my singing a little louder, throat well lubricated by
three glasses of sherry at least; I feel I ought to be ashamed to say 'I
was very pleased to be quite merry and thoroughly enjoyed the fine
spread put before us.' I recall the Hallford's and the Hill's were quite
tickled to see the effect that so much pre-lunch wine had on Captain
Tom.
Tibbs was so pleased with the success of the luncheon party that he
thought we ought to have another - soon. I heartily concur.
Still on Christmas, I must thank you all again for your lovely Christmas
Cards and greetings. So many cards came I was tempted to construct a
wooden frame in the form of a 'HAZARD' crest to which they were pinned.
The crest was 4 feet high and with all your cards pinned on, 54 in all,
they made a striking decoration on the wall in my lounge. My many
visitors and friends over the Christmas were impressed by the fine
array.
Whilst still on the subject of Christmas Cards, I was pleased to learn
from many of them the names of your nearest and dearest, and this tends
to bring our association that little bit nearer to a family circle. You
may at this point like to know that I am a bachelor.
Over the past few months we have sought the help of a couple of
broadcasting stations to put out calls for Shipmates we haven't
contacted as yet. Charlie Chester hosts a two hour programme each Sunday
on Radio 2 from 5 pm to 7 pm. He kindly put out a call a few weeks
before the last re-union, he also put out another on Christmas Day
giving Seasonal Greetings to all who had served in 'HAZARD'.
Thames T/V took up my request for their programme CONTACT. They asked
for a photograph of the ship also one of the crew, I must say they 'did
us proud! The Hallford's took a video recording of it so on my last run
up to London I was able to see a recording. We had two of the old crew
write in to Thames TV one letter appears to have gone astray, but, the
other bore fruit. This 'CONTACT' goes on the screen at 0115 hours. Not
many of us would be up at that time, but, fortunately for us a Lady
living in Highbury is having difficulty in getting off to sleep, so she
gets out of bed a wanders her lounge and flicks on the television; on to
the screen comes CONTACT showing a photograph of 'HAZARD' and asking
ex‑shipmates to write or phone in. On returning to bed she tells Hubby
about the programme she had been watching because she knew that he had
served in 'HAZARD'. Our grateful thanks to you Betty for telling our
Shipmate Stoker Peter SPANTON to get in touch.
On the 4th February Barney and Ellen Hogg came up from Helston to see
our Pantomime here in Plymouth, after directing them to one of my best
'Locals' I met them for a very pleasant hour or so. Barney is the P.R.O.
of the R.N. Association (Helston). He has been to both our re-unions and
is planning to attend our next. You may recall that it was Barney who
kindly gave the 'Hazard' plaque as a first prize in our 'Lucky Draw'.
Barney makes these plaques by hand, and he informs me that he will have
some for sale at the next re-union. It was Barney who took our re-union
photographs.
Talking about re-unions ...Our next will be held in the same hall
KING'S HEAD, MERTON HIGH ROAD, COLLIER'S WOOD, LONDON.
ON OCTOBER 14th 1989
Time is usually 7 p.m. Price is not known yet.
By way of a bit of amusement can any of you oblige by singing a song, or
playing a small instrument, telling a funny story (Clean) reciting a
poem, or dancing a pas de deux, to fill in a few minutes for all to
enjoy.
If you can, please let me know before October. Don't forget the children
they usually act and sing very well.
THE HAZARD BABY
Our very own Sheila HILL 'phoned me in January to say that she is
expecting an increase in her family around late July. Tests over the
past couple of weeks have assured Sheila that the pregnancy is taking
it's normal course. I'm sure I speak for you all in wishing Sheila well
over the final months, and offering our congratulations to SHEILA and
Hubby JOHN.
AND FINALLY, WE DO WANT TO SEE YOU AT OUR NEXT RE‑UNION, SO PLEASE, ON
OCTOBER 14th NEXT, GIVE THE SOCCER TEAM, THE DARTS TEAM, THE WRESTLING,
THE SNOOKER THE HORSES, THE GROUSE and even THE KIRK and THE BOX a
miss.
Sincerely hoping to see you
Yours
Tom McKnight
