Dave Hallas aka 'The Crow' 1962-1965 whilst onboard H.M. Submarine Otter.
Some four year or so ago I received an email through my 'Britsub' site from one Keith (Scouse) Prowse enquiring if it was the same Dave Hallas who he had served with during the first commission of the Otter.
Keith kindly forwarded some photographs which he had taken during the first commission and also informed me that he was in contact with Tony (Les) Thornton who had been 'Tanky' and also said it might be a good idea if we could see how many of the first commission we could round up and the possibility of some sort of a get together.
Over a period of time we managed, between the two of us to contact the following:(Alphabetically)
Keith (Bradders) Bradbury - RAN - Residing in Queensland, Australia.
Arie (Dutchy) de Rooy - RAN - Australia
Gordon (Jan) Foad - Stoker (Oily) - Kent??.
Nigel Gilbert - First CO - Hampshire.
Terry Furnival - RO1 - Brazil
Dave Hallas - RO2 - Cheltenham
Johnny Head - RAN - Back in Australia.
Terry Metcalf - Stoker (Oily) - Eastleigh, Hants.
Don (Big Pat) Patterson - RCN - Canada
Brian (Jan) Pearce - UC - Not Known.
Keith (Scouse) Prowse - Forendy - Plymouth.
Mark (Jimmy) Ruddle - First 1st Lieutenant - Dartmouth.
Hamish Sneddon - Forendy - Gosport.
John Speller - First Navigating Officer - Bucks.
Tom (George/Geordie) Stott - Stoker (Oily) - Peterlee.
Stuart Sutherland - Stoker (Oily) - Essex.
Bryan (Tommo) Thompson - Killick Stoker/Later SPO - Gravesend.
Tony (Les) Thornton - Forendy/Tanky - Australia.
Richard (Topsy/Shorty) Turner - Second CO - Cheltenham.
Tony (Fingers) Wardale - First LO - Hants??
Dave Willcock - L/Sea RP/Later P.O. - Lincoln.
Ian (Tug) Wilson - Stoker (Oily)/Later Killick - Cambridge.
Frank Wolfe - RAN - Second Navigating Officer - Holland.
Roger (Danny) Daniel - EM - Cambridgeshire
Brian (Willie) Whelan - UC - Australia (Phone No.
61 07 5485 4021)
John (Scouse) Talbot - EM - Northwich, Cheshire.
Dave (Taff/Blodwin) Griffiths - UC - Details will follow - Contact can be made via Katie his daughter.
Known losses to date are:
Trevor (Lofty) Castle - Coxswain - Passed away June 2008.
Brian (Sandy/BLP) Powell - Second P.O. Tel and survivor of Sidon - Passed away 2000.
Mick Godly -
First P.O. Tel.
It is also beleived that Charlie Hewson may also have passed away but to date have no means of confirmation, this also applies to Alfie Mullett.
Will be attending the Diesel Boat Reunion (DBR/DTS) in Guzz on the first Saturday in August and hoping to meet up with Tug Wilson and Danny Daniel once again. Anyone else who may be interested in attending please let me know and I will send you the details.
Almost fell off my perch on receiving an email from Scouse (John) Talbot on 30th April 2012. I wonder how many of us knew his name was John.
Two in one week, it's getting frightening, David (Taff/Blodwin) Griffiths' daughter contacted me and informed that he will be 70 this coming Saturday (5th May). At present no contact details only his daughters (Katie) email address, once know will be posted.
Surfacing signal received from Willie Whelan now living in Australia, Willie doesn't spend much time on his computer and only found the site by chance. I have his snail mail address for anyone who may be interested in contacting him. Arie de Rooy contacted me today and if Willie isn't too far away he is going to contact him.
I can now confirm that unfortunately Alfie Mullett has passed away. On a recent visit (May 2009) to The Clyde Naval Base (Faslane) I met Alfie's son-in-law who is a sergeant in the river police running out of the naval base who confirmed that Alfie was no longer with us.
In 2004 those of us who were able had a small get together in the Submarine Museum, Gosport, it would be nice if we could make a repeat performance at a suitable venue to everyone before there are too many who will be unable to make it.
Plymouth was put forward for this year but didn't meet with too much approval, if this is the case again can you please make suggestions for an alternative venue, it was also suggested that we make a weekend of it rather than a one night stand.
My search is still ongoing and hopefully this site will help in bringing more of the crew out of the woodwork. If you were one of us and would like to get in touch please EMAIL me.
Treat this site as your own and if you have any contributions please contact me.
