Where Are They Now

From time to time we come across old friends who have disappeared from the scene for some time, when they resurface we try to give an account of where they are now.

Michael Dimmick

Mick joined up in 1965 and first came to prominence in the Met world when he joined the first retread course in 1971. There followed the usual mix of sea and shore drafts with Mick finishing his time at the school in Culdrose as a CPO(Metoc) in 1992. After retirement from the Navy he ran a newsagents shop for a time but sadly recession hit and Mick may now be found driving a bus around Pompey and leading a quiet life with his sister in Gosport.

John “Bungy” “Tanky” Williams

I joined the Navy at Ganges in February 1963, then after qualifying as a JNA Met3 in the spring of 1964 I joined the cruiser HMS Tiger for a nice little pre-Xmas cruise of 3 months around South America. That was followed by a stint at RNAS Brawdy then onto HMS Albion for what turned out to be the first draft to that ship. My next (and last) was HMS Ark Royal (1974-75), the time from leaving the Albion to 1981 was spent at the FWOC Northwood. I had a draft out of specialisation for 2 years as the “Reggie” of the Fleet Target Group at Portland, and then to the School to what was to become my final draft when I took the offer of early retirement in 1985 as a POA (Met).

For those of you who remember me, my main passion for a long time was Surf Life Saving. I have only just retired from this, being a little too old for running around on the beach, but during my time I was for 23 years an Examiner and Competition Judge, officiating at the World Championships in 1994 and also for five years The Youth Development Officer for Cornwall. I did qualify as an Inshore Rescue Boat Coxswain but after a minor accident in heavy surf I decided to call it a day. Now I try to spend as much time on the golf course as possible but it hasn’t improved my game. Additionally I am the Treasurer of the local British Legion and also a founder member and Standard-Bearer of the Bude RNA.

Jim & Edna Warren nee Horton

Jim Warren – Jim joined the Navy in November 1945 as a seaman and transferred to the Met branch in 1949. He was on a Leading Airman course at Lossiemouth from March to June in 1949, then on to HMS Harrier, Kete to do his basic Met training.

It was at Kete that he was to met his future wife Edna Horton who was a PO Wren instructor on his course. They married in 1950. Jim had a varied career at sea and overseas with his last posting being a PO instructor at the Met School leaving in December 1962 to take up employment with a river board.

Edna joined the Wrens in 1946 as a Met Wren with her initial training undertaken at Lee on Solent. She then went on to serve at Culdrose, Donibristle and Kete leaving in 1950 when she married Jim.

Edna and I remained together for 50 years and I continued to work for River Boards for the rest of my working life. Edna kept the local rain gauge and was extremely happy when the Met Office recognised her 30th year of service by presenting her with a suitably inscribed book. She made me her assistant when I retired, but I was not officially promoted until Edna died in 2000. I still keep the Daily Rain Gauge and am looking forward to receiving my book in due course.

Paul Reed

Paul initially served in the Seaman branch changing to the Metoc branch and qualifying as a LA(MET). Paul and Melanie married in 1985 and managed to have married accompanied postings to Lisbon and Naples before Paul left the Metoc Branch in 1994 as a CPOA (Metoc)

I wanted to remain in living in Cornwall but re-entering the job market was difficult. After a while started work with Cornwall College which led to work with Cornwall County Council Social Services teaching adults with severe learning disabilities which I did for 8 years.

In 2000 Melanie got a call to serve the church so after much deliberation we decided I should give up work, we sold our home in Reduth and moved to Bath so that Melanie could attend college in Bristol and gain her degree. The photo shows Melanie on her graduation day with Paul and their three children Crystal 18 who has just started University at Cambridge, Rebecca 14 and Toby 8. We now live in Bath where Melanie is the Minister for two Methodist Churches.

So although I am “retired” and now a “house-husband” I intend to do some voluntary work in Bath with homeless peolple in our local area.

Keith Joselyn

Keith Joslyn has recently got in touch with Cloud Observers and joined the association. Keith served in the branch from December 1978 to 1989 leaving as a POA (Metoc). Whilst in the branch Keith served at Culdrose then on HMS Hermes (1981 – 1983) returning to Culdrose followed by an attachment to HMAS Nowra in 1984. Returning to Northwood 1985-87 then finally to HMS Illustrious (1987-89). After leaving in 1989 Keith began a full time career in computers working in the City of London for 5 years with the Association of British Insurers then joining IBM in 1994 to the present day.