YOUR RESPONSES

Dot Bowness - June '08
Hi Bill.
I am researching my family tree,I have discoverd that my mothers uncle was Captain James Cook of the S.S. Athenia.I was wondering if you or anyone has a photo of him. My Brother came across this infromation in a book that my mother had given him , the book is called Liverepool at War.
Kind Regards
Dot Bowness.

Cheryl Mumford- February '08
Whilst researching HMS Linaria, I was so pleased to read this article. My father was Norman Barrack and whilst this is a long shot, I would love to hear if Bill had ever met him.
I would be most grateful to hear whether or not you have a photo or have heard of my dad. He was based in Canada whilst the ship (Linaria) was being built and he served in the Atlantic, South Africa and the Indian Ocean. I do remember there was a dog aboard with them Sadly, he has died, but it would make me so happy to hear from you.
Many thanks
Cheryl Mumford (Maiden name Barrack)

Teresa Doran - Apr' 07
Unfortunately cousin Bill died on Good Friday and was buried on Easter Sunday. I had the privilege to be asked to do a reading at his Requiem Mass. May he rest in peace

Ian Newton - June '06
Very nice to read your history. Some of the events were familiar to me as my Father William (Bill) Newton was a radio operator on HMS Raider while she was in the Burma campaign. I remember him talking of the submarine rescue. Also the time the gunners shot of their own radio mast and many other stories, some of them quite harrowing.
My Father passed away 3 years ago.

Laurie Barron - April '06
My grandfather had a picture (I now have in my possession) of the SS Athenia incident 3 Sept 1939. His name was William Barron. I am researching the connection to our family to the ship Athenia. Possible relations may be to Cptn. James Cook who was aboard it maybe be related to our Joseph "Albert" Cook & maybe to another passenger who was supposed to be aboard but wasnt named. Mrs. Samuel Black maybe be related to our William C. Black. Does anyone know anything of these people?? My email address is stbegga1- at -aol.com.

Douglas James Ashdown - March '06
I wrote away, with tongue in cheek, to DNA Bath - Suggested they might have run out of the Pacific Medal plus bar. In official terms 'They are looking into it' and will let me know. I cannot ask any more of them as I am sure they are trying. I said to my Grandsons 'its no great shakes' but they insisted I did something.

David Clark - Mar 06
A fascinating article about a man who I believe may have been my father's "next door neighbour" at Knockinelder.

Scott Wood - Feb '06
CAN YOU HELP?
I believe my grandfather served on H.M.S.VIVIAN during ww2. his name was William Wade {Bill} and was born in Edinburgh in 1925. His time on the ship must of meant somthing to him as he named my mother after it. Do you remember him and if so, would you have any pictures of the crew. Many thanks..

W Richthofen - Feb '06
Hello Bill
Can you recall which submarine HMS Fame was going to the aid of when she was attacked and a bomb exploded? Any light you can shed on this would be appreciated, as i'm trying to identify the submarine.

Julia - Jan '06
My father, Ernest Storey, served on HMS Vivian during the 2nd WW and I would be interested to know if anyone knew him or has a photo of the crew etc.

Douglas Ashdown - Dec '05
Good. I was an HO 'Jack Dusty' during WW2 and have all the medals other than the Russian one. I also have the Normandy 'Bar' attached to the Atlantic Star.
What is this Blue Peter medal for?
A friend of mine, who has since died, explained to me that there was a special medal, other than the Burma Star, for those who had served in the Malacca Straits and Phuket area plus Singapore. Was he right?

L J Felgate - September '05
Did a Albert Francis Felgate serve on H.M.S.Vivian? Can anyone help.

Geoff Davies - June 05
Very interested to read of your experiences with HMS Capetown in 1937-38. The reason; my mother and I were evacuated in the ship from Hankow in December 1937. Dad was working there when it was decided to remove all British women and children due to Japanese war situation. Spent Christmas on the ship. Don't remember a great deal personally as I was only 2, but I have a lot of interesting material given to me by my mother - photo of ship, newspaper reports, etc. Can let you have copies on CD if interested. Geoff.

Neil Ockwell - November '04
Hello Bill, interesting story. My Great Uncle was on the Capetown in 1937 - radio operator Billy King, can you remember him?

Brian Cook - November -'04
My father served on HMS Fame. In his memoirs he starts by mentioning the SS Athenia incident. Does Bill remember Roland Cook from Leicester? He was Telegraphist. Please e-mail brianwaltercook@aol.com with any info.

Douglas Leighton - November '04
Lovely article. I found it because I was looking up Wei hai wei on the WWW as I have an album of photographs taken by my grandfather who was posted to Wei hai wei in the 20's while serving with the RN (HMS Medway and HMS Hermes) and was considering how to put these on the web, also many photos of Peking/Beijing/Hong Kong/Japan and Shanghai in the 20's. My Grandfather also lived in N.I and worked at Harland and Wolf until his retirement in the 60's. I would attach one of the photos but can't in this format. If whoever reads this is interested : e.mail to douglas.leighton@virgin.net.

Kevin - October '04
As a fellow countryman, who is still serving in the "Andrew". It was great pleasure to read about your life's adventures. Bravo Zulu Bill!

Noel Russell - October '04
Intriguing article about a fascinating career.

Teressa - September '04
I know Bill very well and tonight I stumbled on this. What an interesting life Bill has lived.

Rodrick Jefferies - September '04
Bloody brilliant article. Nowhere else you would get it. Keep up this good work. Far better than the crud on TV. Thank God some parts of the BBC still have values.