If there's no menu on the left click on the dog to take you back to frames.
Seadogs Index P
All the names are listed alphabetically by first name.
Paddy Clare (Deceased)
Pam Thornton (now Blackmore)
Pat Gallagher (aka Pat the Hat)
Pat Sinner (now Ayliffe-Jones)
Pat Hutchinson (aka PTR - Pat the Rat)
Patsy Sly (now Garbett)
Paul ? (RO)
Paul ? (Restaurant Waiter)
Paul Baker (aka Stringbean)
Paul Brown (aka Mini Bond)
Paul Dixon (aka Tex)
Paul Gedge (Deceased)
Paul Green (aka Granny)
Paul Hudson (aka Brains)
Paul Mead (aka Peam) (Deceased)
Paul Mommatt (aka Two Dogs)
Paul's Memories on Oriana.
Paul's Memories include Canberra, Oriana, Uganda.
Paul Robinson (aka Blue)
Paul Robinson (aka Boots)
Paul Truman (aka Freddie)
Paul Williams (aka Mamby)
Pauline Miller (now Scott)
Peggy Gillies (now Askew)
Pete Connors (aka Jim Pete)
Pete Edwards (aka Cornish)
Pete Smith (aka The General)
Peter ? (Photog)
Peter ? (Stores)
Peter Chester (aka Bonz)
Peter Gillespie (aka Goldfish)
Peter Kennington (aka Lazarus or Laz)
Peter Love (Deceased)
Peter Marsh aka Mark Stevens
Peter Morgan (aka Taffy)
Peter Pallas (Deceased)
Peter Pine (Welsh Wizard)
Peter's Memories include Pacific Princess, Sun Princess.
Peter Robinson (aka Pee Wee)
Peter Stuart (aka Tassie) (Deceased)
Peter Thomas (aka Tin Tin)
Phil Aldridge (aka Lofty)
Phil Hancock (aka Clark Kent)
Philip ? (Bellboy)
Steve
Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
If there's no menu on the left click on the dog to take you back to frames.
Seadogs Index Q
All the names are listed alphabetically by first name.
Queenie Mastin (now Clark)
Steve
Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
If there's no menu on the left click on the dog to take you back to frames.
Seadogs Index R
All the names are listed alphabetically by first name.
Rachel Dobney (aka Radish)
Rafe ? (Rafe the Naif)
Ralf ? (Chef)
Ralph Brookes (aka Brooksie)
Ray Conway (aka Mr Dumpy Dumps Disco)
Ray Crossan (aka Radio Ray)
Ray Houghton (aka Raymondo) (Deceased)
Reed Williams - Our very first Honorary Seadog!
Renske Gaus (Now Matthew)
Richard Biggs (aka Ronnie)
Richard Clark (aka Dicky)
Richard Warren (aka Bunny)
Richie ? (Plumber)
Rita ? (Tele-Op)
Robin ? (Carpenter)
Rod Drake (aka George or Rodders)
Rod's Memories of Oriana.
Rod Murchison (aka Murch)
Roddy Rodrigues (aka Wizard)
Roger Dobney (Deceased)
Roger's Memories include Anastasis, Canberra, Himalaya, Strathmore.
Roger Major (aka Wee Butty)
Roger Marshall (aka The Farmer)(Deceased)
Ron Dunford (Deceased)
Rosemary Walker (Deceased)
Rosi East (now Hygate)
Rosie ? (WAP)
Ross ? (Steiner's)
Roy Arnold (aka Arnie)
Roy Barlett (aka RAF)
Roy Chivers or Chilvers
Steve
Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Pat Marshall
Finally I've got a picture of Pat. Hopefully, after finding his Discharge Book, he's going to send his sea career history.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Pat Sinner (now Ayliffe-Jones)
Courtesy of Joe Clark
Pat served in the Purser's Department on Orcades in 1961.
There's the group photo where this was cut from in Orcades Groups here
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Paul Brown (aka Mini Bond)
Courtesy of Mike Maskell
Paul was 2nd VO on Chusan in 1968. The face peeking around the door is Eddie Duncan who was in charge of Engineering Stores on Oriana in my day.
Courtesy of Mike Williams
This was taken ashore in Florida in 1967.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Paul Carney
Paul started as a cadet with Ellerman City Lines 1976-1980. He joined P&O in Aug 1980 with his first ship being Pacific Princess (1980-1984) with a brief spell on Uganda. Then followed the Royal Princess (1984-1987), Canberra (1987-1989), Sky Princess (1989-1994), Oriana (1994-1996), Canberra 1996-1997), Victoria (1997-1999), Aurora (2000-2001), Arcadia (2002), Sea Princess/Adonia (2003-2004), Royal Princess/Artemis 2005-2008) and Artemis & Aurora 2008-Present Day.
Paul is now Chief Engineer.
There's more of Paul starting here.
Paul's email address is carneypaul@supanet.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Paul Clasby
I remember Paul clearly but didn’t sail long enough with him to get to know him very well. I think I left the sea shortly after he joined Oriana. I do recall him to be a very warm and friendly guy and I just found out recently from Marty Elliot that Paul is another still at sea and is Chief Technical Officer on the new MV Arcadia. That’s Paul 4th from the left of the guys standing. If anyone can help out with any stories or photos of then and now I’d appreciate it.
Thanks to Captain Steve Burgoine we now have a very recent photo of Paul.
L-R:
Paul Clasby (CTO), Andy Jackson (Guarantee Engineer) and Steve Burgoine (Captain).
There’s more photos of Paul here,
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Paul Dixon (aka Tex)
Unfortunately Paul’s another one that I have very little recollection of. I must have sailed with him because we’re in the same photo below but like Paul Clasby it can’t have been for very long before I left. Paul is 2nd from the far left standing next to Nick (Taffy) Williams.
Someone may like to say something about Paul and tell us where the nickname Tex came from.
I’m happy to say that Paul found this site and has emailed me. He’s still at sea and is Chief Engineer on OSV Relume and works for MENAS Marine Services Ltd. He assures me that staying at sea is not all it's cracked up to be. Very few decent companies around. Mercenary contracts. Erosion of standards. No beer. No social life. HSE gone mad. Paperwork up the walls. He cant wait to pack it in and go home.
Paul’s email address is pepd53@yahoo.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Paul Lightfoot
Finally the illusive and infamous Paul Lightfoot.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Paul Oliver
Paul sailed on the 'big O' from November 1976 for about 7 months then did several other fly-out cruises to Australia. This photo was taken in the Pig of the Oriana whilst Aussie cruising in 1977. He was paid off in April 1980.
This is Paul now, taken at the Sydney Crew Reunion last year. Paul's on the left and Dave Partridge is on the right.
There's more of Paul in Paul's Oriana Memories.
Paul's email address is paul.oliver8@bigpond.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Paul Robinson (aka Blue)
Blue was Mr Cool and a perpetual prankster. Here he is below putting the rabbit ears on me this time. He never missed an opportunity to take the Mickey out of somebody. All in a good way though, never malicious.
The above shot was taken in my cabin on my last trip on the last leg of the Sydney Homeward Bound just a few days out of Southampton in May 1976. L-R Back: Les Diffey, John Speed, Me just above Speedy, Dave Grant and Blue. And that’s John Russell at the bottom of the shot.
Above is the infamous Lecky shot of 75/76. That’s a top bunch of lads.
L-R
Back:
Mark Sawyer, John Atkinson, Steve Musson, Mick Everson, Paul Robinson, Charles Oxley.
Front:
John Hammond, Tom Douther, Dave Whitehand.
Here’s a great shot of the “Pompey Boys” arriving in Sydney.
L-R:
Paul, Dave Oakes and Roy Arnold.
Another one of Dave & Arnie
Now this is what I want … all the guff direct from the horse’s mouth.
Paul left Oriana at the end of 1978 and decided to emigrate to Oz but had difficulty getting a visa. He then worked for an independent service company fixing ships all over the place whilst he pursued his attempts to get a visa. During this time he got divorced.
He finally got a job in Garden Island (Sydney) in 1981 purely to get the visa that came with it and he finally emigrated in Feb 1982. His UK girlfriend, Gill, and her 2 kids, whom he met after his divorce in 1980, came out to Oz in April 1982 and they got married.
He lasted only 3 months with Garden Island and then left to work for GEC Automation as a Robotics Technician and got to be Engineering Manager and then decided to leave and work for himself in 1986. While he was running his business Gill bought a restaurant in 1989 and ran that for a couple of years and then they both went into a Horse Riding business on the North side of Sydney.
They then bought 100 acres in the Hunter Valley, set up a Riding School (1992) and later a Guest House to go with it (1997). They stuck with that until 2002 when they decided to come back to Sydney (Berowra) as they were about to become Grandparents (Grandson Jake courtesy of daughter Anita).
Since moving he tried a short spell with a Robotics company but couldn't stand working for accountants, so he revived his old business again and hasn't looked back since.
They’ve recently become Grandparents again (Granddaughter Abby courtesy of daughter Anita).
Blue made the fatal mistake of telling me where some holiday snaps were posted on the Net so with his permission here’s what he looks like now.
Now there’s a line there like “which one is the real Blue?” but I’m not going to use that one :)
Above is a very dashing Blue with his lovely wife Gill. I have to admit Mate I’m very impressed. If I were you I’d be running for Prime Minister, I’d certainly vote for you.
There’s more photos of Paul here
Paul’s email address is pr7@dodo.com.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Paul Truman (aka Freddie)
This photo has been cropped from the Oriana 80's Skivvies Party and I've done this so that I can add this very funny story about Freddie as remembered by Ken Ellis;
"I remember a little story about Paul Truman (also known as Arthur – short for J Arthur Rank!). He was an Engineer Cadet on the O and was sent by the Chief to work with the Leckies for a spell. He was put to work with Paul Mead (Peams). The Chief asked Arthur to find out the correct safe procedure for the detection of a fault on a lighting circuit in the Engine Room. So, Peam sat down with Arthur and ran through the ‘procedure’:
1) Contact Fire Party Charlie (Engine Room Fire Party) and alert them to what you are doing.
2) Replace the fuse that has blown on the lighting circuit with a larger fuse.
3) If this fuse blows, replace it with a larger fuse.
4) Continue to replace with larger and larger fuses until the fuse holds and the faulty light fitting catches fire!
5) Get Fire Party Charlie to extinguish the fire.
6) Replace the faulty light fitting.
Poor Arthur fell for it hook, line and sinker and wrote it up. He then proudly showed his work off to the Chief (can’t remember who it was, probably Mazo or Jumpin Jack) who promptly hit the roof!
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Pauline Miller (now Scott)
L-R Back:
Jose Mackenzie, Dianne Ashworth, Rosemary Walker (Deceased), Sandra Whaites.
Front:
Pauline Miller, Celia Cowan.
I remember Pauline well but I don't think we ever spoke to each other during our time on Oriana. I'm very pleased to say that Pauline has recently contacted the site to add some information about Rosemary Walker and I can tell you she's fit and well and currently running a B&B in Cornwall with her husband Richard.
There's more of Pauline starting here.
Pauline's email address is richard.scott77@virgin.net
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peggy Gillies (now Askew)
Courtesy of Don Askew
Peggy was a passenger on Oronsay where she first met Engineer Don Askew in 1967.
Courtesy of Don Askew
She must have really enjoyed it as she came back in 1968 but this time to work as a Children's Hostess. The romance blossomed and they were married and emigrated to Vancouver together where they still are.
You can see them both as they are now in the Reunion section where every year a group of ex Oronsayites meet.
Peggy's email address is daskew@telus.net
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Pete Clarke
Pete was a 4th Engineer on the Orcades from 1970 till 1972, then Canberra for a Xmas UK cruising season only, then Himalaya, Chusan for the trip to the wreckers yard and finally Oriana before moving to New Zealand in 1974 and joining the Union Steam Ship Company of NZ.
The Orcades group photo that the above shot was cut from can be seen here. Pete would like to know if anyone knows where Bob Tweddle is/was? He last saw him in Sydney in the early 80’s and has wondered where he is now. Also, Louie (he thinks Ian) Armstrong, both he and Bob were ex Orcades engineers.
Pete's email address is pjcc@ihug.co.nz
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Pete Woods
I know this a terrible picture but I think it's the only one I have to date. Pete was an engineer on Oriana at the same time as me in 1975 and he's finally found the site and sent in his history and contact email address.
Pete left P&O in 1977 to join Chevron Tankship UK and finished up joining the Royal Navy in 1983 as the last of the direct entries. After 25 years in hiding, he's decided to reveal himself to all.
Pete writes;
Now this will come as a shocker, I fell ill with a spot of man-flu and went to see the duty Doc at HMS Nelson sick bay. The long and short is he had pictures of Canberra all around his office. I was obviously enamoured and after he handed me the drugs he asked why I was making cow-eyes at his paintings. "That's the old "Wheel barra'" I said, I was a Mid (Engineer) on her ages ago.
I
then found this site and saw the photo of the Engineers
on Oriana 1975 and I've since read with great sadness the demise of great
names like Danny Lloyd, Dave Twinning, Pete Pallas etc and figured that before I too get a knock on the
head I'd get in touch.
We're very pleased you did Pete and hopefully you'll send me a better picture. Which he has ...
Pete writes;
HMS Sultan is the Defence College of Electro-Mechanical Engineering (a bit like Warsash...!) and I work within it, at the Royal Naval School of Marine Engineering, as a Divisional Officer.
Basically, I support technical trainees, much as a PO Personnel Officer would look after a bunch of Cadets. Chuck in the odd week of lecturing (Maths, Mech Principles, electronics etc) and that's me...
I always admired the crusty old gits who taught me (or tried to...) at College and intended to return the compliment after a few decades at sea.
The only recent mug-shot was taken at Exeter Cathedral last year after I got my Cert Ed (FE).... You'll notice the beard has gone in exchange for a few Kg around my waist-line.
Brilliant to see you again Pete, this site amazes me sometimes and having you pop out of the woodwork is a point in question.
Pete's email address is
sultan-dtomea@nrta.mod.uk
Steve
Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Anderson
Peter writes;
This is a photo of me and my mate Barry Sylvester, he has been at sea since 1963, his first ship was the Queen Mary, and has been on every type of ship over the last 46yrs. This is us on a holiday in Cuba this May. I am on the left, 2nd and 3rd Butcher on Oronsay, Iberia, Oriana in 60's and 70's and finally the Canberra in 1978. That is Barry on the right looking like Robert Shaw in Jaws (before the shark had him for lunch)!!
Peter's email address is juliaanderson66@gmail.com
Steve
Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Bennett
Peter was an engineer on Oriana in the 70's and stayed for 4 years.
There's more of Peter starting here.
Peter's email address is neptunesix@gmail.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Boyle
Courtesy of Debbie McAughtrie & Brian Griffin
This photo was sent as a very low resolution scan which I’ve blown up as big as I can. I’m hoping Deb can rescan it some time so we can enlarge it.
All I know about Peter Boyle is that he was J2 on Canberra. The photo was taken at St Alban’s Church in 1977. Griff’s named the group as;
L-R:
Jady Stevens, Rocky, Willie Henry, Peter Boyle + wife, John Selwood (J2), Phil Nicholas, Mick Lemm, Brian Griffin.
There’s more photos of Mick Lemm here,
There’s more photos of Peter here,
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Phil Prescott
Phil was a purser back in my day on Oriana in the 70's and thanks to Dave Jewkes we now know that Phil is one of those amazing people who are still there.
This is Phil on the new Arcadia take just yesterday (5th July 09).
There's more of Phil starting here.
I haven't got an email address but if you want to get in touch I can forward your email address to Phil via Jewkesy.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Chester
That’s Peter, the very handsome fellow in the center of the above shot. It was taken on the Spirit of London in 1972. Peter was 3rd Eng and he met a wonderful old friend of mine Celia Cowan on Uganda around 1976 I think and they were married and still are which is a real tribute these days.
L-R:
Peter, Bill McCandless and Celia Cowan (now Chester).
There’s more photos of Peter starting here.
Peter’s email address is peterhchester@ntlworld.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Croucher
Courtesy of Phil Archer
Peter Croucher, Island Princess 1982, having a small Greyhound drink in the wardroom.
Peter with a very famous Pig, again taken on the Island Princess in 1982.
There's more of Peter here.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Gillespie (aka Goldfish)
Courtesy of John Elder
There's another photo of Pete here.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Kennington (aka Lazarus or Laz)
Peter was a VO (Ventilation & Refrigeration Officer) with P&O (1981-1985). He was definitely on Oriana as he appears in Gary Wood's Memories. Peter now lives in Brisbane.
All Peter's photos are linked starting here.
Peter's email address is patmken@tpg.com.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Love (Deceased)
Courtesy of Simon Lockyer
Simon writes;
I just came across another photo of my favorite 'Skipper' of all time, the late Captain Peter Love. I was coxswain of one of the cruise launches (lifeboats) and snapped this one. We were cruising the Norwegian Fjords, early seventies at this time, I think the late Commodore Wacher was in command, a very eccentric pair to say the least!, very sad that they have both passed on.
There's more of Peter starting here and finishing in Seadogs Departed.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Marsh aka Mark Stevens
No Photo yet!
Peter was on the Canberra and Oriana alternating between the two from 1974 to 1979 before joining Princess. He is still enjoying the BIG ships now with Disney Cruise Line. He also loved the stops in Fremantle on Oriana way back in the 70's and the fabulous Swan beer. Sadly not so fabulous these days Peter.
Peter recalls;
I am living in Naples Florida for the past 17 years. A lovely place for sure especially as I watch the telly and see the cold winters up in the north when here it is in the 70's.
I retired from Disney Cruise Line about 18 months ago and I must say I did have a great time for six years. I was one of the Music Managers - looking after 15 musicians and all the recorded music all over the ship - also - they let me play those fabulous big Yamaha Grands in the Atrium twice a night - most nights, The pianos on board the DCL ships are tuned every week, not every year as was on the Oriana and the Canberra.
After leaving the P&O Southampton based ships I went to work for Princess based in LA working the Love Boat - Pacific Princes for about three years. Had a great time here and met my now wife on the PP in '81, 25th wedding anniversary looming. I see that Robert Easthope, who was my bass player for years and years has recently retired from P&O. I think he was awarded a wooden Oriana plaque on his last night - looks like the one's we acquired in the 70's out of the gift locker. 30 years service and a wooden plaque???
Peter's email address is apetermarsh@mac.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Pallas
This was taken On the Sun Princess, probably late in 1975 or early 1976
L-R:
Dai Young, Peter Pallas, Clive Simpson
There’s more photos of Dai here, here,
Peter sent me a great shot of the Engineers on SS Iberia from 1970 or 71 which I’ve posted in the Groups section.
There’s more photos of Peter here, here, here, here,
It's with the deepest sadness that I have to tell you that Peter Pallas passed away on the 1st August 2006 after a valiant battle with Cancer.
There’s a memoriam tribute page to Peter here
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Rimmer
Peter writes;
I joined P&O in September 1974 as 2nd Engineer on Sun Princess after being four years as 2nd/Chief Engineer with the British Antarctic Survey. My first four month trip was as 3rd engineer, then 2nd engineer until they started bringing in 2nd engineers from the steam ships, from then on I became Junior 2nd Engineer. During my final three years with P & O, I was 2nd Engineer on Sun Princess for two months and Air Conditioning Engineer on Pacific Princess for the other two months. I left P & O in August 1979 to start a career in Aviation where I remained until May of last year to an enforced retirement, i.e. no jobs.
Currently there's 23 photos of Peter's time at sea posted in Peter's Memories.
Peter's email address is r111mer@ntlworld.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Peter Stuart (aka Tassie)(Deceased)
Courtesy of Rod Sharpe
Rod Sharpe tells me that Peter at that time was winning his battle with Anorexia. Rod goes on to say that Tassie now lives on Vancouver Island and is a professional Santa Claus (a natural progression from the fridge as they never worked much anyway)?
Courtesy of Rod Sharpe
Rod recalls; ‘That’s Roddy Kelly sitting and Peter standing. Note the high tech reel to reel in the background – I still have mine, the Science Museum is trying to get it off me.’
Courtesy of Rod Sharpe
Who is that gorgeous girl that Rod Sharpe is hiding behind?
Courtesy of Rod Sharpe
Check out the body language of all 3 of these people. There’s enough material in that single shot to hold an entire Body Language conference. The gorgeous girl’s legs and body are turned towards Rod and decidedly away from Peter hence the look on Peter’s face and Rod’s expression says ‘you’re all mine Baby’ and I’m going to enjoy fixing you up later. Brilliant photo. How did you go Rod? Sorry Mate, I know a gentleman never tells :)
There’s other photos of Peter here, here,
Peter emailed me to say: ‘I have a great variety of memories from the 60's and early 70's when I immigrated to Victoria B.C. Canada, where I’ve lived for the last 30+ years. For many years there were P&O fellows, with whom I sailed, coming into Victoria during the cruising season to Alaska. I used to visit them from time to time and we had some really first class P&O style parties at my apartment. I was married to an Aussie girl in Sydney in 1964 when I was on the Canberra. We had the reception on board in the Crows Nest Bar. I’ve had a very full life here in Canada as I managed to keep up all the best traditions of P&O Engineer education. My shadow has not decreased by any great amount over the years and I only have the occasional Dark Rum and Orange Juice (keeps the rum healthy) these days.
Here’s a couple of Peter’s anecdotes worthy of being immortalised:
On watch in the Engine Room on board SS Strathmore 1961. 12-4 watch, (Van) Van Schalkwyck (3rd/Eng) with Tassie (Jnr/Eng). With a very cultured accent he asked "Well you big fat bastard, what do you think of this large white floating fornicatorium". Wonderful.
Standing in the wardroom at a lunchtime pour-out, yours truly with a drink in hand is joined by the 2nd Electrician Ian Hope (later my best man, now deceased). He gets a drink and comes over to stand beside me then lets loose with the LOUDEST Fart, turns to me with a look of abject horror and says "Peter!" Probably one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.
Peter has a web site for his other profession http://www.rentasanta.ca/
It’s great to hear from you Peter.
Sadly Peter passed away in his sleep either Saturday night or Sunday morning 3rd or 4th March 2007. Go to Seadogs Departed section here.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Phil Archer
Courtesy of Phil Archer
This is a picture of Phil taken on the Island Princess in 1981 or 1982 when he was a 4EO. I think he was wearing a mess boiler suit at the time.
Courtesy of Mark Barnett
Phil's the one on the left with Mark Barnett relaxing in his cabin.
Courtesy of Tony Clarke
This was taken in 1979 whilst Island Princess was transiting the Panama Canal showing a young Phil Archer then an engineer cadet working in a lifeboat.
Phil's contributed some great shots of the Sun Princess and Island Princess.
There's more of Phil starting here.
Phil's email address is phil.archer@sbcglobal.net
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Phil Hancock (aka Clark Kent)
Phil
sailed as an Engineer on the Canberra, Oriana and Royal Princess between 1981-1987.
The above photo was taken on the 12-4 watch on Canberra in 1982 during the
Falklands War.
L-R back:
Mike Eltham, Phil Hancock, Simon Collier
L-R front:
Gerry Murphy, Hugh (Sugie) McNicol, Charlie Hill
Phil also has a website detailing his memories of the Falklands war which contains many photos including shipmates. He now lives in Rockhampton Australia.
There's more of Phil starting here.
Phil's email address is philip.hancock@optusnet.com.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Philip Durell
Philip was with P&O-Orient Lines 1964-71, Himalaya 1968-70 and P&O Cargo Division 1971-74. He's originally from St. Albans, Hertfordshire, but now lives in Vancouver, Canada.
Philip writes;
This is me as 2/O of the Pando Sound...
...in 1971 - a year or two after I left the Himalaya
as you can see we were having a laugh!
Philip's email address is pdurell@live.ca
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Captain Philip Jackson
Courtesy of Celia Chester
Philip Jackson was one of the nicest and respected people I met during my entire time at sea. Here he is at Dave Rourke’s birthday party. Dave was a Crew Chef and the fact that Philip went says it all.
Courtesy of Celia Chester
Here is again doing the right thing by his fellow officers, cooking a BBQ on deck.
Now you may ask why I’ve included this shot in Philip’s section and the answer is even though he’s not in this shot he was actually there that day when we took a lifeboat out to a deserted little Island for a bit of R&R and Captain Philip Jackson cooked the Barbecue for us all on that occasion as well. That just shows you what a top bloke he was. He was the best example that shows senior officers didn’t have to be hard aloof bastards to be respected. Philip showed the way. He was a lovely man.
I recognize the four people laying in the water from
L-R:
Andy Ball, Alan Conlin (TT), Les Diffey and Mike Jack.
Standing to the right of the BBQ is Mark Sawyer.
I believe Philip was the captain of Oriana on the scrap run. That would have been tough. If anyone has any photos of Philip please send them to me. There's another photo of Philip here with a fine group of men.
Philip's email address is pbj@captpbj.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Queenie Mastin (now Clark)
Courtesy of Joe Clark
Queenie served on Orcades and Arcadia in the Pursers Department in 1961. She married Joe Clark who was Purser on Orcades at the same time as Queenie. You can see a photo of them together in the Orcades Groups section here
Queenie's email address is joe@djclark.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Ray Conway (aka Mr Dumpy Dumps Disco)
No photo yet!
Ray sailed on Arcadia & Oronsay
Ray's email address is tanyacorbett@bigpond.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Ray Houghton (aka Raymondo)
Photo and narration courtesy of Steve Hodge
Raymondo - Ray Houghton AEO on Pacific Princess. Ex Dockyard matey (Pompey). Known by various alias's: Raymondo Rock, Raymondo Dinsayo the Great Italian Whale and most famously Moink - a pig with a hair lip (he cultivated a moustache in later years). He died tragically young of cancer. He was a total party animal and the only man I ever met who perspired pure gin!
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Ray Pearson
No Photo Yet!
Ray writes;
I was P&O Nav cadet in the 70’s and sailed on Oriana, Canberra and Uganda, finally settling in GCD! However, went on to the North Sea and other exotic locations and finally ended up marrying a girl from Kirkby,
Osgodby, 4 miles from Hibaldstow!!
A little story - I was 12-4 on Uganda with Mick Fatchen (then 2/0) and was told to go in the pilots cabin one night and get on with
course corrections. This was so Mick could wheel in on the bridge night time tour!! The gyro went tits up and he yelled at me shortly afterwards to come out and get on the wheel. Spoilt his fun but
it was a good laugh.
I’m now a Financial Adviser and work all around your home area.
Ray's email address is raypearson@thinkpositive.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Reed Williams - Our very first Honorary Seadog!
Reed and daughter Kit.
Dear
Steve:
I have recently been introduced to the "Seadogs" website which I
have greatly enjoyed.
While my terrestrial background does not qualify me for admission to
Seadogs, I feel a certain kinship to P&O, and more importantly, to
many of you (both living and deceased) with whom I have worked over the
years and with whom I have acquired some lasting friendships.
I was privileged to act as legal counsel for P&O and Princess Cruises
for many years during which I represented them in a number of legal
actions in places such as the U.S. and Panama. Among these were the action
which I filed on behalf of P&O against the USA as a result of the
collision between Oriana and the US Aircraft Carrier Kearsarge on the
morning of December 3, 1962 when Oriana was making its arrival at Long
Beach and Kearsarge (and supporting vessels) were leaving port to carry
out anti-submarine warfare exercises.
During the course of the litigation I acquired this photograph (which I
doubt was seen by Oriana personnel) taken from the Kearsarge and depicting
the Oriana as she backed away. While of poor quality, I have kept the
photograph as a memento, and attach a copy thereof which may be of
interest generally to many of the Seadogs, and particularly to Malcolm
Rushan, Toni Mazonowicz, Terry McCarthy, and others who were aboard Oriana
on that morning forty-six years ago!
I also represented P&O in an action against The Panama Canal Company
in connection with the major damage to Oriana's starboard rudder and
tailshaft when the canal pilot was making a turn to port at an excessive
speed which resulted in the starboard propeller digging into the canal
bank. Unfortunately the only memento which I have of this incident is my
satisfaction in achieving a significant recovery.
I hope that the foregoing, and attachment, provide a bit more background
and information which will serve as the basis for conversations over a few
drinks the next time you get together.
My best to all,
Reed Williams
Brilliant stuff!
Reed's email address is reedowms@charter.net
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rex Cardy
Rex was a Bellboy on Orsova, promoting to Winger when he reached 18, where he did a couple of cruises, then flew out to Sydney to the Arcadia doing 2-3 week cruises out of Aus. After that, he returned to the UK and went on the Canberra for 18months, Overall Rex spent 4 years at sea from 1972-76. The above photo was taken on top of the Rock of Gibraltar when he was 16 or 17.
L-R
Back:
Pete, Davis, Cosy, Pip (Castle Line), Rex, Waymark, Ian (Orsova and Oriana)
Next:
Smiffy, Bill, Beany, Welchy, Horn, Smiffy2 (Orsova), Aslum, Tabot (Mule Train), Brett.
Next:
Ochi (Orsova), Solly (Orsova and Oronsay), Brendon Cole (Canberra), Chalky, Ted (Orsova), Terry, Atki (Orsova)
Front:
Greeny, Martin, Dell, Hail, Jud, Woody (Orsova), Craig,
Bob Nichols was on a skive!!
And this is Rex now.
The above two pictures are passengers on Rex’s table while waiting on Arcadia. Does anyone recognize any of them?
The lady in the centre is Rex’s mother with her two cabin mates.
And this is Rex’s Mum in the Solent.
Rex’s email address is blancorex1@jerseymail.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Richard Reubin
Richard Reubin was the Baby Doc (Surgeon) on Oriana during my time at sea and I remember him well, specifically on one occasion when I contracted a rather uncomfortable condition of the nether regions. I won't reveal Richard's treatment but I can assure you it worked :) That's Richard above with Maggie Barlow (Senior Nurse) on the Sun Princess and it was taken in 1977.
This is the Canberra Medical Department dining in style on the hospital aft deck during the world cruise of 1980. That's Richard 2nd from the right and I know Allison Ross is one of the ladies but not sure which she is.
Here's Richard with Liz McNamara (Nursing Officer) on the Sun Princess taken in February 1978 at Martinique.
This was taken on the Sea Princess on the 9th March 1982 during a Panama Canal Transit. It's the Hospital Ward obviously and on the left is Nursing Officer Jenny Iddles (aka Miss Super-Tan) caring for a little passenger with the Chickenpox.
Unnamed Pirates on a Boat Party in Lautoka from Oriana during the 1976 or 1977 Aussie Cruising.
Richard has sent in a great series of photos of Uganda being repaired in dry dock in Piraeus after an unfortunate incident outside Alexandria, 1979 he thinks. Richard recalls Mike Fatchen was Chief Officer at the time and was the hero of the day! We must get Mike to tell the story.
Sun Princess Bridge 17 December 1977. A few days before we hit the typhoon. Dr Richard Reubin in command!! The medical dept was small but versatile and carried out useful tasks around the ship helping out where we could in times of need. Here the doc steers while the crew have a tea break.
Consulting Room on the Sea Princess. 19 November 1982. Some of the original spaces on this ship were handsomely appointed. As Kungsholm she was one of John Brown's last passenger ships and great care had gone into selecting the veneers for the panelling you can see in the background.
There's more photos of Richard starting here.
Richard's email address is richardreubin@hotmail.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Richard Warren (aka Bunny)
Courtesy of Marty Elliot
Bunny recalls;
‘I started in 1971 as an Engineer cadet with Paul Clasby, Dave Jewkes (who was my Best Man) and Mike Jack. Sailed as first trip cadet with Bert McAughtrie on Arcadia. Then "served time" on Uganda, Canberra, and good old Oriana, then latterly Sun Princess and finished my sea life in 1977 on Island Princess. I vividly remember just about all of the members in your photos! Have a few photos which I'll try to send. I had a regular slot in the Officers Review on Oriana as the leading "lady" of the Corp de Ballet - namely one "Olga Ripsanikasoff" with Oaksey, Dave Whitehead, Gavin Ash and a few others (usually well oiled with free beer from the Cruise Director - Mike Robbins?). I now work as an Engineer at Carlsberg Brewery in Northampton - been there nearly 25 years - seemed like a natural progression !! Like to take my work home with me - hence the waistline ! I’m still in regular contact with Paul Clasby, but have lost touch with Jewksie.’
There’s more photos of Bunny here,
Bunnies email address is richwarren54@hotmail.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Richard Wilson
Richard served as Cinema Operator from late 1964 to mid 1970 on Arcadia, Orsova and Orcades (twice). The above picture was taken in 1967. He now lives and runs his own business in Corfu.
Richard posted this plea in the Seadogs Guestbook on the 22nd February;
As a former JLH on the old Arcadia I would love to see inside the new one however, modern day security prevents visitors! Any ideas anyone. All the people I used to know are now retired so cannot use any names. Arcadia is coming to Corfu, where I now live and run a business, on 16th April 2007. Would love to see inside a modern cruise ship!
I'm very pleased to tell you that Richard's plea didn't fall on deaf ears and I received this email from Commodore Captain Steve Burgoine;
Steve
I am sure we can do something if we are alongside. More tricky if we are at anchor. He will need to bring photo ID with him.
Best regards
Steve Burgoine
Commodore
mv Arcadia
And I was even more pleased when I received this email from Richard;
I had a very enjoyable visit to 'Arcadia' on Monday and was lucky enough to meet the Commodore!
I felt very honoured that he allowed the attached picture to be taken.
Paula (Entertainments officer) was my escort around the ship and she was full of bubbly enthusiasm and an excellent hostess who invited me to have lunch with her and we chatted about life at sea. She had only been with P&O six weeks having done the Caribbean cruise before starting Med cruises. I was surprised that most people seem to be on short contracts these days when in my day a six month contract seemed the norm.
The standards are still very high ... the ship was spotless, a credit to all the crew with a very high standard of service which befits what is in fact a five star hotel afloat!
A very enjoyable day filled with a little emotion on my part as I had not been back on board a P&O ship for 30 years! My life at sea, although relatively short at 6 plus years, had a great influence on me and I was fortunate enough to visit so many wonderful places all over the world and I will never forget those days.
Thank you Steve for making this visit possible I am very grateful.
Richard's email address is arcadia@otenet.gr and he would be very pleased to hear from anyone who remembers him.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Richard Wood
Richard was a 4th Engineer Canberra and Uganda. He now lives and works in Alexander's Pub in Paphos, Cyprus.
There's more photos of Richard starting here and he has one item in the Memorabilia section.
Richard's email address is alexanderspub@yahoo.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rick Butler
All I can tell you about Rick at this stage is that he was 2nd Lecky on Oriana at some stage.
This is Rick on the left at Barry Chilton's wedding. The lady in blue is Barry's sister.
This is a good shot of the four of them.
There's more photos of Rick in Mike Page's Memories and Oriana Groups.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rick Thompson
Rick was a Photographer on many ships including the Oriana. He married Susan McGowan from Head Office in Sydney and they have four children Susan, James, Alexander and Charlotte. Rick’s wife, Susan, is the sister of Debbie McGowan who married Iain Mackinnon who was a Barman on the Big O. Rick now works for Iain in his Real Estate business as Property Maintenance Manager.
Rick’s email address is rentals@mackinnonestateagents.com.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Robert Jones
No photo yet!
Robert sailed on Canberra as a Junior Lecky, then Oronsay & Arcadia as Second Lecky in the 70's. Robert was originally from South Wales UK and is now living in Camden, South West of Sydney, Australia.
Robert's email address is jonesr@ideal.net.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rod Drake (aka George or Rodders)
Rod
was introduced to the site by John Rennie, who came into his current business
(http://www.aussieautoservices.com) looking for parts to fix-up one of his old English
bombs.
Rod was a Bank Line cadet but was lucky enough to be picked up by P & O when all the cadets were put off at the end of our cadetships (1980).
He had no idea what he was getting into when he flew into Sydney for the first time
on the 22nd Feb '81.
You can see more of Rod's story in Rod's
Memories
Rod's email address is prodabs@bigpond.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rod Hampson
Rod was a 3rd Engineer on Oriana in my day, I remember him well. This the only photo of him on the site at present and was cut from an engine room shot here. That's Jungle Jim on the left and Chris Hall on the right and cadet who's name escapes me peering from behind. Rod now lives in NZ with wife Lana who he met in the old Ark days.
Rod's email address is rod.hampson@xtra.co.nz
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rod Murchison (aka Murch)
Rod writes;
I served with P&O between 1970 and 1973, all as an Engineer on the Chusan. Very happy times!! I have attached a couple of photos to see if anyone might remember me. The first is of me (on the left with beard) with a great mate by the name of Ronnie Price. The other is of me now, showing the ravages of time.
People I remember include Pete Shuttleworth, John Gray (Snoopy), Martin
Peek, Colin Harper, Terry Lodwidge, Norman Pound, Dave Whitby, Dennis Tanner, Reg (ex RN Lecky) and many others. I should also mention the
infamous Eddie Duncan who I last saw here in Gibraltar when his RFA was in
the shipyard here in Gib.
I would, of course, love to here from anyone from those brilliant days.
Murch's email address is rodmurch@gibtelecom.net
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rod Sharpe
Rod was an Engineer on SS Oronsay in the late 60’s early 70’s. I haven’t got much information about him yet but he’s about to start scanning a ‘store room’ of photos for us so we’ll look forward to that.
Rod recalls ‘This was a regular Sunday afternoon Bible Study class we used to hold in Kelly’s cabin. I only recognize Roy Statham (lower Left) and myself on the day bed. I’m astounded that the name of the gorgeous Princess I was studying with now escapes me, I usually have a memory like a ….. what do you call those big grey animals with a trunk and big ears?’
Rod thinks this is a great picture. Young Davey ? extending the hand of friendship to one of our Japanese sisters. Does anyone remember Davey’s surname?
Rod has no idea what was going on here but he was quite obviously enjoying it.
He recalls the time when Oronsay suffered an outbreak of Typhoid;
‘This was a small slice of heaven to any engineer worth his salt. We had an official warning not to drink the water, we were quarantined and anchored off Vancouver for weeks (turning on steam), and no one knew who would be next to succumb to the hidden scourge. I am ashamed to report that, with this terrible threat hanging over the heads of all on board, inhibitions and morals rapidly took the next lifeboat ashore. Whilst I preached caution and abstinence to some of the younger engineers and warned many of the younger single females of the possible dire consequences we commenced the mother of all parties; a bacchanalian gathering of epic proportions that went on for weeks. Eventually some poor steward from Goa was identified as the carrier and flown home, somewhat bewildered at all the fuss, in chains. I however still give thanks to the shore side fitters who may have left the lids off the fresh water tanks in Southampton and a subsequent overflow of the adjoining sewage holding tanks.’
Here’s one of Rod taken more recently looking very happy. If you want to see why he’s looking so happy click on the photo and see the whole picture. A catch like that would make anyone happy :)
Here’s Rod taking some time-out in the office planning his next fishing trip no doubt. He’s a Director of the Property Consultant firm of Henderson & Horning in the Sydney CBD.
Rod tells me his office runs with the efficiency of an ocean liner and is almost as much fun. I can see in the picture above the resemblance to the seagoing life. He’s a lucky man. Do you need an IT assistant or web designer Rod?
Rod’s just recently spent 2 weeks fishing in Tonga. He tells me it was absolutely stunning and the fishing was awesome. We can see that the lucky bugger :)
He came very close to landing his first Black Marlin, he had it on for 40 minutes and got it almost back to the boat when it dropped the lure and swam away. He was quite relieved to see it go as he’d previously promised his wife that he’d go on more traditional holidays once he’s caught and landed his first Marlin. The fun’s in the fight eh Rod!
There’s a great Oronsay Engine Room group shot Rod sent that I’ve put in the Oronsay Groups section.
Rod’s email is rsharpe@hendersonhorning.com.au
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roddy Kelly
Courtesy of Rod Sharpe
Roddy Kelly (3EO) Oronsay is the one in the white shirt looking very smooth having a dance at the time I’m told. Mike Page (Elect) is looking lustfully at ‘Sweet’ Caroline who was a delightful passenger travelling from Vancouver and certainly is absolutely beautiful.
Courtesy of Rod Sharpe
Rod Sharpe recalls;
‘I don’t know if the “Pineapple Party” was a common ceremony across the fleet but it was a regular occurrence for the 8–12 watch on Oronsay. Simple, effective, fun and low cost.
Take 2 Pineapples hollowed out (retain pulp). Fill with a bottle of Gordon’s Gin (one bottle = one Pineapple). Place each Pineapple and pulp into a large bowl and dispatch to the freezer 24 hours prior to use thereby allowing the Gin to gently and slowly filter through the Pineapple shell into the pulp and holding bowl.
At around noon on the appointed day transport carefully to 4th Engineers cabin and place in the centre of the floor on small round table. Close porthole curtains. Put red bulb in light fitting. Turn on reel to reel with suitable music previously selected. Open a box of straws and await arrival of guests.
On arrival check age and sex of invited guests to ensure all over the age of consent and female. Arrange guests and Engineers sitting on the floor around the Pineapples. Each guest is given a straw. The master of ceremonies (usually someone with at least a BOT Second Class Certificate of Competency) begins proceedings by instructing “heads down and suck” after a suitable interlude he gives a further instruction “heads up and clear your straw on the person sitting on your right (or left).
After around fifteen minutes things are guaranteed to degenerate to a level that made the 8 to 12 one of the more desirable watches on Oronsay.’
Courtesy of Rod Sharpe
Roddy’s checking to see if the Pineapple was empty.
Courtesy of Rod Sharpe
Above shows Roddy Kelly on the right seeking divine intervention but Rod Sharpe’s ashamed to say he’s forgotten the surnames of Brian ? (the electrician on the left) and Davey ? (the junior in the middle).
John Sullivan has come up with the sparky’s name i.e. Brian (Bryan) Milton who hailed from Wales. A great guy very quietly and correctly spoken (until he'd had a few). Sounds familiar John.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roger Dobney (Deceased)
Courtesy of Dave Jewkes
Roger was a Radio Officer on Oriana and other photos of him can be found in Dave Jewkes' memories.
Courtesy of Lynn Hurlstone (Now Hart)
Lynn writes;
ss Oriana official photo of Roger Dobney - 1982 ish. Wasn't he handsome?
Sadly
Roger passed away in 2008 and information can be found in the Seadogs Departed
section.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roger Emtage
Roger was a deck officer on Canberra back in the 70's and is now a Captain. The above photo was cut from Lyn Thompson's 1977 Birthday party on Canberra.
Courtesy of Chief Officer Robert N. Groom, MV Freedom
On Sunday 25th April 2004
Roger was privileged to be on board the QM2 with his family for it's
historic voyage sailing in tandem with the QE2 from New York to Southampton, the two Queens of the Atlantic. This had never been done before, a unique occasion!
You can read Roger's entire account of this amazing event here.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roger Lancaster
Roger was an R/O with P&O from 1956 to 1959 and again from 1961 (Canberra maiden voyage) to 1969. During 1959-61 he served aboard ships of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand (a P&O subsidiary). From 1969 to 1996 he was a lecturer at Brunel Technical College, Bristol, at first teaching would-be radio officers. From 1996 to 2004 he was an instructor in electronics for the Royal Air Force. Now, in his retirement, he still gives illustrated talks about the charity Mercy Ships (see www.mercyships.org.uk).
Roger has supplied the following link for people that may be interested in a website for the old Strath liners and other ships/people of the 1930s to 1960s: www.ozhoo.net.au/~strathsisters.
This is Roger today.
I've made a new section called Roger's Memories for the fantastic photos that Roger's sent in. It's great to see what it was like before our own time especially a cabin bonding session during Canberra's maiden voyage. Brilliant.
Roger has a business website selling great Mini Lifebelt Souvenirs (made to order for ANY ship).
Roger's email address is roglanc@yahoo.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roger Lownsborough
Here's a very young Roger and he recalls;
"It was a steaming hot day in Noumea circa 1969. The 'walkie-talkie' intended to provide a link between the Himalaya and the shore party proved to be so completely and utterly useless that I thought it would serve better as a fishing rod!"
Roger is 2nd from the right when he was 1st RO on Canberra.
L-R
Alan Hearne (passenger hosting the pour out in his cabin), John King (Deputy Captain), unknown passenger, Roger Lownsborough (1st RO), Susan Hearne (wife of Alan Hearne).
Roger says "Having been guided to the seadogs site by Terry Bartholomew I thought that it was only right and proper that I should attach a photo of him, hard at work at a cocktail party on Canberra, being exceedingly courteous to passengers (my beautiful wife and I)".
Roger has previously been mentioned on this site. He's the 'Roger' who offered Alan Mackenzie a beer at 10:00AM the day Alan joined Canberra (Sea Story by Alan Mackenzie).
What a fabulous shot of the two greatest liners of our age side by side in San Francisco.
They were both due to leave at the same time but Oriana was quite happy to give Canberra a head start!
Hotel Bahia, Santander, New Year's Eve 1972.
Crew
Mutiny survivors are;
L-R:
Frank Belcher (3/E/O), Roger Lownsborough (R/O), Tim ? (4/O), ??, Tom Hislop (4/E/O), ??, Ray Jones (Ch. Steward), Tony Holehouse (3/O), Tony Frogett (2/O), Naval Architect + wife, ??, Dave Williams (Ch. Off).
Missing from the photo are John Manly-Tucker (Ch. Eng) Deryk Cox
(Captain)
The story...
A happy group of blokes in celebratory mood as we toast the New Year and
the successful completion of mv 'Post Rover' at the Astilleros shipyard, Santander. Built as a 24,000 ton parcel tanker for a South American
owner, the newly completed hull was taken to Spain for conversion into a chemical tanker for the newly formed Panocean Shipping and Terminals; I
think it was P & O working with Ocean Inchcape. Post Rover was the second
ship of the fleet, the first being Post Runner - I think it was bought from Stolt Athel's stable.
We set off on our maiden voyage from Santander to Sandakan to pick up a
cargo of palm oil for subsequent discharge at a refinery on the Thames where it would be converted into margarine and ice-cream, cosmetics and
other things. Having put in to Vigo for urgent repairs the next morning the trip proceeded quite well until a mini-mutiny erupted among the
Chinese deck crew. The primary source of their grievance was the fact that the officer's cabins all had radios, but they only had one radio and
that was in their recreation room - they each wanted a radio as well. They
were also unhappy about having to share the 16mm film projector and having
to watch the same English-language films as the officers - they wanted their own projector and Mandarin/Cantonese language films. The situation
festered for a few weeks without resolve and the outcome, when it came, was spectacular. The crew decided that if they couldn't have what they
demanded they would have nothing, and so set about destroying their accommodation with fire axes, opening fire hydrants and swinging valves on
deck to see what they could achieve by mixing the contents of the tanks. The Captain Deryk Cox put in an urgent call to Head Office and it was
agreed that the ship would put in to Singapore and the crew would be paid off.
Singapore:
Bye bye crew, and up the gangway walked Angus Osborne, a Panocean Director who had flown out from the UK. 'Bad news lads' he
announced to the officers assembled in the wardroom - 'We can't get a replacement crew at short notice, and we're desperate to put on a good
show as this is the ships' maiden voyage for a new Company and we're trying to create a good impression for our clients. We must arrive on
schedule.' He put forward an interesting proposition; would we, the officers, take the ship on to Sandakan without a crew? We agreed to do
it; picked up the anchor and quietly crept out of the anchorage. We had a
great time. We arranged a voluntary roster regarding catering, working in pairs we raided the freezers and fridges each day, shoving great big lumps
of meat into the galley ovens and failing miserably with our culinary
expertise, we had steaks that were vulcanised, and steaks so rare that you
had to use the fork to stop them from jumping off the plate. Angus Osborne agreed to cook breakfast each day - imagine that, the Company
Director frying up for you - but he was a dab-hand with eggs, bacon and all the trimmings. The engineers took over the laundry, restricted to
boiling up and drying endless white boiler suits as we did not feel the need to dress for dinner, or anything else come to think of it. The
Company compensated us by picking up the tab in the wardroom. We made it, picked up a new crew and had a pleasant run back to the UK
Roger's supplied some fantastic material about Himalaya, Oriana and Canberra. Go to the recent updates to see it all.
Roger's email address is Roger.Lownsborough@solent.ac.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roger Major (aka Wee Butty)
Roger writes;
"I served on the Arcadia from 1970 to 1972, first trip was to Alaska, cruising out of San Francisco, 6 cruises in all, I think I am right in saying it was the first P&O ship to cruise those waters, have you any contacts from the Engineers on the ship at that time, I served as an Assistant Engineering Officer, I stayed on the Arcadia until 1972 then transferred to the General Cargo Division and left them in 1983 after P&O was selling off every ship I was on for the last 2 years, took voluntary redundancy, went into hospital engineering with BUPA and General Healthcare Group, officially retired April 2008, but working as a consultant facilities manager at the University Hospital North Staffordshire City General Hospital site for 6 to 9 months then off to Spain for good.
The above small photo was cut from this in Bill Paterson's Memories.
Roger's email address is Roger.Major@uhns.nhs.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rosemary Walker - Deceased
L-R
Back:
Jose Mackenzie, Dianne Ashworth, Rosemary Walker (Deceased), Sandra Whaites.
Front:
Pauline Miller, Celia Cowan.
There's more of Rosemary here.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rosi East (now Hygate)
Rosi started off as a Disco Dolly and served on Oronsay. The above picture was cut from the Oronsay Bunny Girls group shot here. Rosi continued her career and finished up Entertainments Officer. She's still in touch with Bill Allison (Cruise Director of Canberra for years), Graham Lewis (married to Gretchen Goertz), Deryck Gowland (Surgeon), Stuart Fleming (Surgeon) and Mike and Vickie Andrew.
Rosi married entertainer Billy Hygate back then.
This is a recent shot of Rosi, still looking gorgeous.
Rosi writes;
Billy and I were divorced so many years ago I almost think it happened to someone else!!! I was indeed Patrick Swayze's Executive Assistant for ten years, ran his corporation, his Arabian horse farm and travelled with him all over the world. My experiences of having travelled to most of the places before certainly helped!! His death has left a huge hole in my heart, even though I wasn't working for him any more we remained very close friends, my family adored him, and he them, and it is so surreal that he is no longer with us.
I then worked for Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas for six years... a whole other experience... but nevertheless enormously interesting with lots of travelling, private planes and a lifestyle most people only dream about. An interesting thing I learned from being at sea, working for high profile people was never my reality, my home and family are that for me, being at sea and then my career were always just my job... much as I have loved both!!!!
A big cheers to you Rosi. What a fabulous and interesting life you've led with so much more to come I'm sure. Rosi, who now lives in Los Angeles, has promised to dive into the cupboard and pick out some choice shots to include on this site.
Rosi's email address is roromg@aol.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roy Arnold (aka Arnie)
Roy was an Electrician on the Oriana in my day, in fact I'm sure he moved in next door to me when Bob Chambers was on extended leave. Arnie has just recently found this site and has sent in some great group shots which are in the Oriana Groups section.
And this is what he looks like now shown here with Lesley, his lovely wife of 30 years. Unlike most of us they met shoreside and Lesley waited devotedly for her man to come home knowing the sort of romantic pressures we all had to endure at sea, a testament to them both.
There's more of Roy starting in Charlie Oxley's Memories. Roy appears in so many photos in this section so I haven't linked them all together but when you get to the last one there's the link to the rest of Roy's journey.
Roy's email address is roy@royarnold.orangehome.co.uk
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roy Statham
Courtesy of Rod Sharpe
That’s Roy in the centre looking pretty smashed after another Pineapple Party. That’s Peter Tassie Stewart going in for the kill. Rod Sharpe tells me the girl definitely fitted the requirements as an eligible guest i.e. over 18 and female.
There’s more of Roy here
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roger Marshall (Deceased)
Roger is the one with the red hat playing the squeeze box. On the right is a very young looking Bill McCandless. Thanks to Dave Oakes here's a story about Roger in Dave's words;
While browsing the photos I noticed one of Bill McCandless with a bearded person in a red hat and squeeze box behind him and no mention of his name. I can't recall seeing him in any other pictures or any reference made to him on the entire site but it is the legendary Roger Marshall. Roger was the 2nd E/O on the "Uganda" (also ex Oronsay/Orsova etc) when I was on there in 19??. He was a great guy but a menace to his day work team. I was often summonsed to an after lunch "planning" meeting in his cabin. They would usually deteriorate into reminiscing and the odd beer would pass lips. Then the squeeze box would come out and things would go from bad to worse. "That sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon on day work" I hear you say. Things would have been brilliant if that was how it ended. Unfortunately, just when you could hear your pit beckoning, Roger would decide that the planning was now sorted and it was time to get to work. I started to dread Rogers summonses as I knew that it would end up with me working late into the evening to complete something we could have finished and knocked off by 17:00. I think, amongst others, Bob Brunyee and John Barclay may be able to verify this. Roger was a fantastic guy and a brilliant Engineer, however I hear his methods were not always appreciated by the higher echelons of P&O. I think I can put myself in that last category (less the brilliant engineer bit). Anyway that's another detail cleared up. I better get back to work. Keep up the good work and come over this way one day.
All the best to all the seadogs.
David Oakes
Estimating Superintendent
Geoff Kimber adds;
One of the great characters on Uganda was Roger Marshall, 2/E. Here’s my contribution:
Roger is quite an accomplished squeezebox player in a manic sort of way. He plays by ear and with great gusto. When performing a double act with the somewhat more accomplished Bob Brunyee (3/E), the din was quite incredible, very entertaining and remarkably tuneful.
Expansion Stroke
Here are two very animated shots from about 1981 of Roger performing in his cabin – what a pity we didn’t have camcorders in those days.
Compression Stoke
Shows Radar’s better side (Andy Webb, 4/E) and Pete Johnson’s left knee (J2/E at the time).
The next shot is of Roger, Pete Johnson and Lightning (Andy Ball) – this is in Rogers cabin alongside I think in Haifa where we often had a 24 hour shutdown for steam plant maintenance while the punters were in Jerusalem. This is an after lunch conference/planning meeting (as described previously by Oakesy). This could be a caption competition photo - my suggestion would be:
Roger: “Fancy another quick peg Peter?”
Pete: “Bloody Hell Roger these lads have to turn to again this afternoon and it’s nearly 6 o’clock now!”
It looks like some maintenance is also taking place on the ventilation in the deck head.
This letter was found under my door one morning, written by Roger to myself and tells a whole lot about Roger – those who know him will instantly recognise the humour and p***taking here being thumped out energetically on a typewriter built to withstand nuclear attack. I don’t recall the full story behind it, but refers to a certain junior engineer (let’s call him “Kevin” for now) who had a reluctance to attend Roger’s “planning meetings” and did not drink very much beer at all. In fact he was one of the new generation engineers who kept fit and looked after himself. The “enclosed device” referred to was a can opener. Also note the date of the letter.
“Kevin” (surname withheld, but you know who you are) if you are reading this – I apologise – but I am sure you will forgive me in the interests of nostalgia!
Brilliant stuff - thanks Geoff.
Courtesy of Mike Maskell
Above is a great photo of Roger taken while he was 3rd Eng on Chusan in 1968. It's good to see the old revered Allsopps put on it's pedestal as it so rightly deserves.
There's more photos of Roger starting here, and Roger's departed section here.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Roger Villiers
Roger was an engineer on Oriana in the early 70's. I don't know much more about Roger other than he married Julia Rymer (WAP).
There's more of Roger starting here.
Roger's email address is rvilliers@supanet.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Ron Dunford (Deceased)
Ron was 1st Electrical Officer and relieving Chief Lecky between Oriana & Canberra, he sadly passed away in February 2008 aged 82.
Ron has been added to the Seadogs Departed section.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Ron Sheldon
Ron was a Chef on Orsova Jan 66 - Sept 67, then on Himalaya in 1968.
Ron has sent in a few photos of himself and friends from the Orsova days which can be seen here and here, and Himalaya days here.
Ron's email address is ronniesheldon@hotmail.com
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Ronnie Keir
Ronnie Keir (left) is the new CTO on the Pacific princess having taken over from Bill McCandless (right) who's now retired. Ronnie is ex Cunard and was on Renaissance and the QM2 before moving to the PP. I'm told he's a very good man and another good Scottish lad.
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design
Rory Smith
Courtesy of Dave Jewkes
Here's a great shot of Captain Rory Smith showing a lighter side ... good to see!
There's another shot of Rory here
Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design