15.
Nov. 15, 2009

I am trying to trace my cousin's service on HMS Ark Royal possibly sometime in the 1960-70's. His name was Laurence (Laurie) but I don't remember his surname. He was in the Fleet Air Arm on the Royal. The only other thing I can tell you is that he sported a "Players Please" type beard, and was quite good looking.

Unfortunately we lost touch with his wife and daughters after he died of a heart attack. He had left the Navy by that time. If anyone could help me with details of his service and friends, I would be very grateful, as I am trying to put together our family history.  

Many thanks,
Jean Singleton

14.
Sept. 2, 2009

I was in 6g1 mess and 2r2 mess we had a fantastic ship and a great crew. It was a part of my life that I will never forget for so many reasons, suffice to say I was honoured to serve aboard. I owe an apology to l.m.e. Case of 6g1 mess and I was never able to offer it, so many good times and only one regret. God bless the memory of that great ship and all the shipmates who served therein.

Vincent Foran
d/k934775 l.m.e.,
crew  1956-57-58

13.
Aug. 31, 2009

In July 1965 while the Ark Royal was in Changi, a few of the sailors spent quite a bit of time at our house, (my father was in the RAF) and used to take my brother and I swimming and to the markets. I remember one of the sailors particularly well, Alan Cronin, I was only nine at the time and when they left he gave me a silver Saint Christopher medal which was engraved "To Wendy Love Alan". I still have this medal and at the moment is pinned to my sons photo to protect him while he is overseas. I have often thought of Alan and wanted to thank him for his kindness to us. Can you help?

Regards,
Wendy Kerr

12.
Aug. 14, 2009

Ark Royal was my last ship before I left on pension in 1972. One of the ways I filled those quiet nights in the Ops. Room whilst on passage was to research and catalogue the fortunes and misfortunes of the fourth Ark and her predecessors. I had intended to present the results on Ark's TV station over six episodes. The night before the first one was to be broadcast the Captain asked if I could condense it into one show as we would be passing over the (supposed) site of the wreck of the third Ark. I had only 24 hours to prepare and finally decided to play it by ear. I have no idea what it cam out like but I still remember the salient facts as I read them.
Had the Ark lasted another few years there might have been no need for a Falklands conflict. She was pretty good at scaring off predators.

A.G.Litchfield

11.
June 17, 2009

I am trying to find my father. My mother found out she was pregnant after his ship left Jacksonville, Florida in 1975. My mother remembers his name being Michael and he had a twin sister. She does not recall his last name. She remembers him being very tall, about 6'6 and that he flew the jets. She also remembers him telling her that his father died in a submarine accident. She says that he was her soul mate and regrets never being able to tell him about us. I also am a twin. 

Thank you,
Rhonda Bolton
Birmingham, Alabama

10.
June 15, 2009

I am trying to find two sailors that served on HMS Ark Royal round about 1960. Their names are Eric Rogers and Bill Logan who were about 19 or 20 years old. I am trying to track them down for my mum and her friend who knew them back them. Eric had dated my mums friend and he was the love of her life and he wrote to her regular but her parents had never gave her the letters until years later and at this point it was too late and their was no further contact. Please if you have any information on either of these two men could you help me to hopefully reunite them. Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,
Lesley Frearson

9.
June 8, 2009

I served on HMS Eagle on your sister ship. When I was de-mobbed I used to watch the program, as most of my fellow ship mates (which include the one and only Master at Arms). I have been trying to buy the DVD or Video without any success. Unless of course getting ripped off at ridicules prices. Any suggestions??    

Kind regards,
Shipmate Roy   

8.
Feb. 28, 2009

Hello shipmate, I've been browsing your excellent website and brought back a whole load of memories for this ex-Ark Royal matelot. I had the great privilege of serving aboard H.M.S. Ark Royal R09 twice (4v1 Mess). The first time aboard her with 892 Squadron (Phantoms) based at Yeovilton then RAF Leuchars, Scotland.

The second time as part of the ships crew. I remember her with absolute happy memories of great messmates and great times. 1970 to 1973 with 892 Squadron 1974 to 1978 ships crew. I use a photo of the Big-A as wallpaper on my PC and use photos of the Big-A as a screensaver. I have the original BBC Sailor on Video Tape (VHS) and also on the DVD release which 2nd-rate compared to the original VHS tapes.

My brother recorded all the episodes whilst I served onboard her. Every time I watch sailor it seems just like yesterday that I was a young sailor (18 years old) experiencing life at sea. It really was a great life, a life that I sorely miss and would highly recommend to any young chap who wants an exciting life and wants to make friends that will last all his life.

I'm 55 years old now (56 this May) but still have my memories of a good ship with a good crew. It was a sad end when she was towed away to be scrapped in Scotland. It would have been befitting and an honourable thing to do if they had taken her to sea and sunk the poor old girl. She's gone, but I for one, will "never" forget her. Wherever my shipmates are now I bid them Fair Winds & God Speed.

Big George (Geordie) 4V1 Mess, top grot middle pit.
John Hannon

John Hannon in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 

John Hannon (right) in 1970.

 

John Hannon standing in front of the O Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue on Corcovado mountain
near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 

7.
Feb. 15, 2009

I am trying to verify a piece of information regarding the HMS Ark Royal R09. I have been informed that the admiral of this ship, during some period from the early 1950s through the late 1960s, was a Jesus Nasser, who, I have been told, was the third in command in the British armed forces. I have been searching in vain for any information about this Adm. Nasser without success, and I would be most grateful for any information you could provide me.

Thank you,
Gunilla Faringer
Scarsdale, New York

6.
Nov. 30, 2008

I am trying to trace any information regarding my father (now deceased) I know he served on the Ark Royal and was a Royal Marine. I am guessing it would have been in the 1960's. His name was Peter Edward Johnston. Any information would be most appreciated

Shirley Johnston

5.
Apr. 24, 2008

My name is Sue Miles and I live in Loretto, Kentucky. In some yard sale items we got there was a (framed-tin
on canvas picture of the Last commission of H.M.S. Ark Royal 1978. It was produced by Wendron Forge Helston Especially for the Souvenir Shop H.M.S Ark Royal. Do you know anything about this item.?

Sue Miles

4.
Apr. 11, 2008

In reference to your enquiry on the Ross Revenge .. Not sure I can be of any help but I was involved in the de-commissioning of Ark Royal in 1979 after three years of service on her. Not sure if I am right or not but I believe the Navy News ran an article on Ark Royal and had loads of shots showing her being towed and scrapping... I remember thinking at the time I should keep it for prosperity but have moved about so many times it got lost. And now I live in the States. Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Dave Davies

3.
Jan. 30, 2008

I hope you can help me find out about a visit the Ark Royal R-09 made to Melbourne, Victoria (Aus) in the very early 60's. Am trying to put the pieces of my life together and unfortunately I have no family photos from that visit - they all went missing when the family dissolved many years ago.

I believe it was sometime between 1960-63 that the Ark Royal visited Australia, along with a few other ships of the Royal Navy and I was one of the hundreds of lucky people who were allowed on board for a tour of the great ship (I believe I also went on-board a destroyer). I was only a little girl at the time however it left a lasting memory; I can still hear the flapping of the ship's bunting in the high winds that day.

I can't find anything online about that event - have tried the Melbourne Age & Sydney Morning Herald newspaper archives. Would love to find out if any of your regular website readers recall the event or if you have any records. I'm sure that the R-09 would be the vessel in question.

Many thanks for any help you can offer.
Glenda Fordham
Toronto, Canada

2.
Oct. 11, 2007

My father (recently deceased) served aboard the Ark from 1964 to 1966. I am trying to track down the squadron he was attached to while serving. His name and rank were C.P.O. D.R. Sturgess. I believe he was on Vixens, but can't be certain. Unfortunately the fifth commission commemorative book does not list this information, whereas the HMS Centaur (on which he also served) second commission book does. I would be grateful for any help you may be able to give regarding this.

Roger Sturgess

1.
Mar. 9, 2007

I came across your website while doing some research for a documentary on the Ross Revenge the former side-trawler that became the home for Radio Caroline in the 1980's. I am wondering if anybody has either footage or photos of the Ark Royal being towed to the breakers yard in Cairnryan, Scotland in 1980 by Ross Revenge. Needless to say there's not much money in the pot but I am willing to pay for prints or more for footage.

Best Regards,
Patrick Mounteney