Seadogs Departed

In Memory of Captain Gerry McGowan

Born … ?

Died … 2006

No information to date.

Rest in Peace fellow Seadog

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

In Memory of Captain John Young

Born … ?

Died … ?

Captain John Young was a very popular Captain. I didn't sail under his command but there are a quite a few mentions about him on this site and not a bad word from anyone.

Courtesy of Alan MacKenzie

These photo with Princess Dianna were taken on the 15th November 1984.

Courtesy of Alan MacKenzie

I'm not sure which is better ... John Young meeting Princess Di or visa versa.

Courtesy of Neil McGrath

This shows how he took everything in good humour.

While on the Sun Princess a special tribute was arranged for John just before he left the ship for the last time. The Channel 4 News team, lead by the very talented Colonel John Kling, compiled a magnificent 'This is Your Life' session and there's a set of photos from that event here.

Rest in Peace fellow Seadog

Steve Borrill © Amberfluid Web Design

In Memory of Lita Rosa

Born … 14th March 1926

Died … 14th August 2008

Lita Rosa claimed to have inherited her musical talent from her Spanish-born father, Francis Vincent Roza, a marine engineer who played the piano in Liverpool clubs. She was born Lillian Patricia Roza in Liverpool in 1926, one of seven children, and was educated at Granby Street Council School. One of her classmates was the future Coronation Street actress Jean Alexander who played Hilda Ogden.

The family were poor, but as a child she learnt the piano and accordion, and had aspirations to become a dancer. She worked in a factory at an early age to help to support the family but at 12 she saw an advert in a paper for juvenile dancers for a pantomime in Norwich. Without telling her parents, she applied and passed the audition.

The epitome of 1950s glamorous big-band singers, Lita Rosa was one of the most successful recording artists of her generation. Known as “the singer’s singer”, she made her name with the Ted Heath Band and remained in his star line-up alongside Dickie Valentine and Dennis Lotis until she left to pursue a solo career.

She was voted by New Musical Express and Melody Maker readers as Britain’s top female vocalist of the Fifties, and her 1953 No 1 hit record How Much is that Doggie in the Window? made her the first British female singer to top the charts.

Mike Page adds this information about Rosa;

In 1970 she travelled from Southampton to Sydney entertaining the passengers before embarking on a tour of Oz. During this trip she had a rather stormy relationship with one of the engineers who shall remain nameless. There should still be a few Seadogs living that will remember this trip, but there are also a few that have recently departed, Dave Twining, Paddy Claire and 'Tas' Stuart that I know of. We all got to know her quite well. I thought she was a Londoner, but she was actually born in Liverpool. She must have moved to London at an early age as she had a strong London accent and lived in Battersea which is just down the river from me when I lived in Fulham. Anyway, I thought you might want add the fact that she had passed away, and had been employed by P&O. I know at least one Old Seadog who will be interested.
Mike, (Page) Vancouver BC.

Lita Rosa, singer and ex Seadog died on August 14, 2008, aged 82. There's a fabulous copyright magazine cover photo of Lita in a Bikini here.

Rest in Peace fellow Seadog

In Memory of Dennis Moore

No Photo Yet!

Born …

Died … 23rd December 2008

Sadly, Neil Whitmore (aka Bob) has advised me of the following;

Some of the P&O engineers may remember Dennis Moore, Chief Laundryman. He sailed on a number of P&O ships and passed away last night at the age of 83. For a number of years he owned a house boat at Little Venice in London.