16th October 1991
SHIPMATES OF HMS HAZARD ASSOCIATION
It was my intention to pen a News-Letter sometime in June last, but as
Robbie BURNS wrote 'the best laid plans o' Mice an' men – Gang aft a-gley'.
Mine did early this year when my Brother's health sadly deteriorated. We
have lived together all our lives and by the good grace of friends I was
able to leave him in May to attend the Re-Union. Shortly after that date
major surgery was prescribed and his condition gave cause for grave
concern. I was at his bedside when he died on 2nd July. By the time I
had settled his estate and recovered some of my composure I needed a
rest, I then took my companion [Nancy] to Bournemouth for two weeks. I
have recently returned and now getting down to some letter writing.
Whilst in Bournemouth we went to Lyndhurst to visit Shipmate Stan
STANNARD and his wife Connie. We found them both looking very well and
they have certainly made their flat into a very comfortable home. Nancy
and Connie hit it off immediately, they soon disappeared into another
room leaving Stan and I to recall old times and he proudly showed me a
large collection of miniature ships in bottles. Going on appearances,
Stan and Connie could be taken for much younger people than they are.
Long my that continue.
The Re‑Union last May saw a very reduced number attending, 17 in all
including Sheila's three children. The new management at the King's Head
reduced the size of the hall by sliding over a dividing screen which
gave it a more intimate atmosphere. The buffet was ample as usual,
having hoped for about 30 guests.
However, we soon got on to old times and welcomed newly found shipmates
aboard. Stan LEWARS and Reg [Pusser] MILES joined us for the first time.
I then asked all present to stand in silence for a moment as a mark of
respect to departed comrades John DAVISON and Harry SENIOR.
Booking the hall and buffet cost £120,and if 24 guests had attended
paying £5 each the costs would have neatly balanced, as only 14 paying
guests turned up there was naturally a short fall. The day was saved by
the generosity of the following friends and shipmates: Jenny CRAWFORD,
Mick PRATT, Les ROWE, Sid SMITH, Stan LEWARS, Sid BROAD, Jim BISHOP,
Norman ROBSON, Charlie GOLDSTRAW, Albert FORREST, Stan STANNARD, Steve
KEELER, Tibbs HALLFORD and son Eddy, Harry EGLINGTON, Peter SPANTON,
John JOHNSON, Dennis MILES, and Reg MILES. My sincere thanks to you
all.
On the 7th April 1991 following a suggestion from Mick PRATT, I put an
insertion in the Sunday Express about our Re‑Union, This brought forth
letters and 'phone calls from Alfred GOWER, Ted BLACKMAN, Stan LEWARS,
Albert SMITH and Reg MILES. [Their addresses on reverse side.] Alf Gower
served in Hazard from Aug 1938 to Oct 1939.
Charlie WOODS relates a story of an incident during an air raid on Scapa
at the time the IRON DUKE was hit. To supply the for'ard 4 inch, shells
were passed up through the Stoker's Mess by hand up a vertical ladder.
Close proximity fused shells were cradled in the arms of the supply
party as they climbed the ladder. One young O.D. who very likely was
scared half out of his wits, part way up, missed his footing and
descended with a rush hitting the fuse end of the shell on every step on
the way down. The Stokers Fire Party were seen to 'Clear lower Decks' in
record time. Thanks Charlie, heart stopping at the time, but fortunately
we are now able to laugh about it.
Harry EGLINGTON wrote me a very lively letter in March; in it he asks if
any Shipmate has any advice to give on growing cauliflowers? Those he
grows seem to reach a certain stage then explode.
Stan STANNARD found Sidney SEARLE'S memoirs of Hazard very interesting,
and recalls one of Churchill’s rallying calls to the Nation. ‑ " THE DIE
IS CAST ‑ EVERYTHING IS ON THE HAZARD ". Stan was staggered to think
Hazard was expected to 'GO IT ALONE'.
Another Stan, LEWARS this time, says he spent his last six months before
being demobbed on our old ship.
Bill FREWIN sends his regards to all hands, his health is not all that
he would wish, but, he is very interested in matters Hazard. He was
saddened to learn of the death of his 'Old Pal' Ginger BALDWIN, also the
continuing problems Tibbs HALLFORD is experiencing.
Norman and Cathy ROBSON regretted missing the last get-together, both
being handicapped. They're always pleased to read snippets of news about
other shipmates.
Charlie GOLDSTRAW sent a very comprehensive letter last April; he and
his good Lady had recently returned from New Zealand. During their
absence I had gathered several feet of video tape with repeats of ' WAR
at SEA '. One tremendous shot was of H.M.S. BARHAM, on the point of
capsizing and then erupting into a terrific explosion. This happened in
the 'MED' and Charlie seems to think our own Bill GRAVES was a survivor
from BARHAM. The video also reminded Charlie of the loss of BRAMBLE, and
it was about then that he had cabled his sweetheart with a proposal of
marriage from Russia. Because of lack of mail the Banns were already
read when correspondence was resumed, much to his amazement - however
Charlie and his wife have been very happy and both think it was well
worth it. He was unable to join us at Collier's Wood this year owing to
his having to conduct three marriage ceremonies on that day.
Reg. MILES appears to be taking life nicely in his stride, his buoyant
manner and trim figure. He has certainly avoided the middle‑aged spread
that catches most of us.
Steve KEELER after serving in Hazard was drafted to H.M.S. 'BULLER',
which I believe was sunk by torpedo off CAPE WRATH. U775 fired the
torpedo and after all these years a meeting with some of the subs crew
had been arranged for 27th May last, in Germany. They had been
corresponding over the last year or so and exchanged photographs.
Sid BROAD had suffered a chest infection earlier this year, lost 9 lb in
weight and apparently is slowly regaining the lost pounds. Sid has
kindly offered to accommodate me in Falmouth if I ever get the chance to
get down there. I hope to take him up on that offer in the not too
distant future.
Ron MORLEY has been in touch, he is anxious to obtain a book entitled '
THE BOAT’. He did find a copy of ' PQ 17 ‑ CONVOY to HELL' and Ron was
somewhat pleased to find our old ship was mentioned at least twice in
it. CURLY as Ron was more affectionately known served for six years in
Hazard. He asks if anyone can beat that. Perhaps the late Bert DILNUTT,
and John SCRAGG must have been very near that length of service.
Ron as to be expected with that length of time on board can call on a
vast catalogue of experiences. He too watched the IRON DUKE being bombed
in Scapa, remembers the time Hazard sat on the mud in CAMPBELTOWN LOCH,
and was actually sitting on the ring of the mooring buoy ready to 'Let
Go' when the ROYAL OAK was sunk. He, like several other shipmates that I
have spoken to, held CAPT. SEYMOUR in high esteem.
Mick PRATT was getting a little concerned that he hadn't heard from me
for several months and wondered how the last re‑union had gone off. My
apologies Mick and to all Shipmates for the long delay. Mick reports
that he has been well pleased with his show of asters, marigolds and
latterly of his chrysanthemums. Seems they have had a hose ban in
NORFOLK for most of the year.
Erie MORRIS, Secretary of the GOSSAMER ASSOCIATION reports that in spite
of increased membership, he was disappointed at the lower number that
attended their last Re‑Union in June. It would appear they are
experiencing similar results to ourselves.
Unfortunately some of us are ageing faster than the others and with all
the will in the world find it quite daunting to travel far and possibly
stay over‑night somewhere. I can only reiterate what I have said many
times in the past. "If we are fit to travel to meet up with 'Old Ships'
then let us do it now before it is too late".
I will make plans to hold another get‑together next May, meantime I hope
you all enjoy reading these snippets of news gathered from your very
welcome letters. Please keep me up to date with experiences.
In closing I know I speak for all Shipmates when I offer our continued
sincere thanks to SHEILA and EDDY for the interest they maintain in our
Association.
With best wishes
Tom McKnight
Please add these to your list of Shipmates.
Reginald MILES, HASELY LODGE, HASELY, WARWICK. CV35 7HF 0926‑484394
Stanley LEWARS, 28, QUEENSWAY NORTH, HERSHAM, WALTON on THAMES
SURREY. KT12 5QW 0932‑242317
Albert SMITH, 37, EDWARD Street, CANNINGTOWN, LONDON. E16
4DN
Alfred GOWER, 22, NEWFIELDS, SPORLE. KING'S LYNN, NORFOLK PE32 2UA
Edward BLACKMAN, 28, FOREST LANE HEAD, HARROGATE, N. YORKSHIRE. HG27TF
