Guest Book

Johnney I remember you at the Admiralty just before you left the mob and I came to a pub you were running somewhere south of the Thames one evening. I was just a sprog then.

Hi to everyone. I've not been paying attention to the site for ages so thought that I'd let you know that I'm still about, just! In normal circumstances John we would be on our way to France this week for our late winter break. Last years 4 week break turned into nearly 5 months for various reasons. I hope all of you that remember me are well. Cheers Ian.

I blame Bryn for my officer career! Having been a od fron 1958 to 1968 once my hook arrived my DO suggested I had a go at SD. Bryn had been our office PO in Centaur and got SDAV sub around 68, I next met him in 70 when was in Hardy (type 14) getting his Bridge watch keeping cert. I was SDAV in 71, my appointer (Geoff Maltby) told me I could go GL like Bryn, so after ark Royal and 845 sqdn I too was sent to type 14 Dundas for 1 year, then FNO (navigator) Berwick 1 year, PWO and back to sea! I was SWO Fearless in 82, Bryn was Cdr Intrepid, got a mention in dispatches! Did not see Bryn again, I was sea going til 86 before coming ashore for good. Seem never to cross paths with Spud after Admiralty in the 60's I was 1st Lt Invincile 82-84 so just missed you there, Had a good life, and always look back on my Tiger draft as a 17 to 19 year as a favourite job, happy days

Brian - just noticed your post - I swear I check in every day and am really looking forward to Christmas.
Yes, Bryn (Brin) Telfer made it to Captain. He was a PO at the school in '62 when I was in training. He got a Commission as an (X) (Executive) Officer (fishead) (ship driver). I bumped into him several times during my own officer training (as a fishead aviator) in the early '70s and at sea in '82 South Atlantic by invitation of Galtierie . Latterly In the early '90s, on the train from Waterloo to Weymouth on Friday afternoons when he was then a Senior Captain working in the MOD where I was - (working on the integration into the Fleet of the new MERLIN helicopter). He had held a senior NATO job and was XO of a ship ( ....? ) in the Falklands War (and was decorated (?) I crossed his path there when I was helo moving him ... from - to ...? for a conference or such, - (busy times).

Keep it coming members it is good for our dementia - good exercise researching your brain for the past but also an alternative to doing endless crosswords or playing patience ( I do NOT deny that these activities are good for you).
.
Look forward to a response .... let's see .... March ? (2021, 2022 .... etc ...)
SPUD wish us all a covid free 2021.

When I was quoting the male (MET) staff at Halfar Control Tower in 1958 , I didn't mention Brin Telfer . I've got the feeling that Brin became a Naval Officer of high rank

Johnny - you sadly missed the original cloudobs website replaced some years ago because of some tech glitch and had to start again. . It was previously a vibrant platform with contributions from those who served post war to about mid '70's. The Aircraft Carrier era.
We have all moved on and most have celebrated the 35h anniversary of their 40th birthday.
Please accept there will be little input until us oldies start repeating ourselves .

Frequently I look into the comment Entries but apart from all those strange people. all I see is my last entry on the 12th April 2020 the day after my 81st Birthday but alas I see no more replies or New Entries, either I am in the comments have moved elsewhere or no one has anything to say.
I hope everyone is well and will one day return to making comments in the Guest Book.

Hi Kenneth thought I would state my thanks for your Birthday Wishes , who would have thought we would reach our 80's and now I am 81, obviously due to good cleaning but more probable through lifting weights and exercise, which with Lockdown have just started after many years taking a unhealthy course of life, based on Gin.
Best wishes to all ex Mets hoping you all come out this, remembering the good old days which for such a small branch vary in many ways.
I got myself involved in our local RNA as Vice President , most members seem to be Greenies, or Gunnery and other run of the mill branches.
TAKE CARE STAY SAFE.

Hi Kenneth ,
Glad to see you are alive and kicking and keeping to the rules by staying home something which was very difficult in the old days. Either my memory is very bad because all those names that you have mentioned over the years I have not met, maybe I started isolation way back in the old Navy days.
Take care and stay safe hope to see you back on here after all this is over.
Johnny W

forgot to mention in my previous post that another former Met of my vintage rang me last night, "Lofty" Richard Farthing , two tours on Victorious 61/62 and the one after who wished me to pass on his good wishes to old shipmates and aquaintances. He doesn't use the Guestbook he is alive and well and living in Maidstone with wife Barbara. Lofty was and still is one of the nicest blokes you could possibly wish to meet, I spent the first Vic tour with him and others in 61/62