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.
Mick Godly - First P.O. Tel. - Fareham, Hants.
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 - France.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I'm off to the Submariners Association annual reunion being held in Nottingham on the weekend of 9/10/11 October 2009 so please be sure to make yourself known, don't forget we have all changed somewhat.
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.
