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Obituaries

November 2008

Moreland Smith

Sadly, we have been told by Alan Gunshon of the passing of Moreland on Thursday 20th November 2008, in hospital after a short illness. Our condolences go out to Norrie and all his family. He sailed on many of the Manchester Liners ships and was an active member of our Association, and was at Didsbury only four weeks ago for the Reunion. He was well-known and will be missed many of the Old Shipmates.

His funeral takes place at 11am on Wednesday 26th November at the Sacred Heart RC Church, Floatshall Road, Baguley, Manchester.

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March 2008

Ray Camilleri

Ray regretfully crossed the Bar on the evening of Tuesday the 26th March in hospital. I was advised of his passing by Barbara Gunshon, she and her husband Alan were close friends of Ray and Joyce.

His thanks giving service will be at 1045 on Thursday 3rd of April at St Joseph's Church, Salford, followed by Commitial at Agecroft Cemetary at 1140.

Ray was with M. L. for many years starting as a Galley Boy in the old coalburners and rising through the ranks to Catering Officer. Ray will be missed by many who have sailed with him, they will miss his comradeship and sense of humour. Ray was a Grand Shipmate.

Capt. Peter Cullen

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March 2008

DEREK CLULOW

Our thoughts go out to his wife Jean, and to their daughter Wendy who lives in Canada.

It is with regret I have to inform you that Derek passed away peacefully in hospital on Sunday 9th March 2008. He will be sadly missed by his many friends in Liners Old Shipmates, with his ready humour and his wonderful approach to life.

Our thoughts go out to his wife Jean, and to their daughter Wendy who lives in Canada.

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December 2007

DOROTHY ASKEW

I am sorry to tell you that Capt Eric Askew's wife  Dorothy  passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday 30th Dec 2007. She and Eric had been married for 58 years.

Together they had chosen the venue at the Lindum Hotel for the first weekend reunion way back in 1982, and up until Dorothy had a stroke in 1995 she was with Eric at all the Old Shipmates reunions.

Many who sailed with Eric will also remember Dorothy from the times she accompanied Eric on voyages .

Capt & Mrs Cullen and Capt & Mrs Worthington attended the funeral which was held at St Georges Church New Mills.

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November 2007

WILLIAM CAIN

On a sadder note I had a card and letter from Elisabeth Cain to say that Bill had passed away on November 2nd. in hospital in Torquay Devon. Apparently they had moved down there in July to be near their son David. Elizabeth is hoping to move into a bungalow in Totnes in the New Year and their house in Blackrod is up for sale.

Elisabeth did ask that I inform you ( i.e. Old Shipmates ) of Bill’s death though unfortunately she did not give any address for a reply.

Alan Wilde

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October 2007

GERRY PATCHETT

After the newsletter was circulated last October an email was received from the person now living at Gerry Patchett’s former address, informing us that Gerry had passed away.

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October 2007

ROBIN TOWNSEND

Sadly, on Wed., September 26 we learned of the passing of Robin Townsend, who will be well-known to many of the Old Shipmates.

He was very well known on the Montreal waterfront as a ship chandler for 40 years and was a frequent visitor to the ML ships when they were in port.

He passed away in Perth Hospital, Ontario on Monday, Sept. 23 at the age of 85.  A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Robin will be held in the O’Dacre Family Funeral Home Chapel, Friday, Sept. 28 at 2pm.  Private burial to be held at a later date. On-line condolences will be accepted at www.odacrefamily.ca.

 We sent the following message on behalf of MLOSA.

On behalf of Robin’s many friends and colleagues of the Manchester Liners Old Shipmate’s Association, sincere condolences are offered to his wife and all his family at this time of loss.

Robin was a founding member of the Association which this year celebrated its 25th Reunion in UK.  Having attended that function one can vouch for the many fond memories of lunches past aboard and ashore which we shared with Robin.

One can be sure that many former captains and chief engineers who “crossed the bar” before him have already welcomed Robin and are now swapping yarns of bygone days together.  Bon Voyage and smooth sailing, Robin.

Capt. Blake A. Nelson

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July 2007

Yvonne Wilde, wife of Alan Wilde.
It was very sad to hear that Yvonne passed away in Spain in June of this year after a very long and brave fight to overcome what turned out to be a terminal illness.

Alan and Yvonne moved to Spain with great plans for the future but alas this was not to be.  On behalf of the membership we offer Alan and his family our sincere condolences.

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April 2007

FRANK PRIEST

News has been received news via the Social Services and the East Lincs Council that Frank Priest passed away on the 8th April 2007.

Frank was a member for only a short time but was regularly in contact by phone, and enjoyed hearing news of former shipmates.

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February 2007

With great sadness we have to report the passing of the following:

Margaret Cockshoot, wife of the late Captain N.W. Cockshoot, passed away in Malta in October 2006

Captain Alan Cookson passed away in Dorset in late October 2006

Bill Allen died Thursday 25th January 2007

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BILL ALLEN

William H (Bill) Allen "crossed the Bar" - Friday, 26th January 2007.

Bill Allen joined Liners in August 1950 from the C.W.S. Export Department. He was educated at Manchester Grammar School, and had six years War service, half of them in the Royal Navy in Destroyers and half with the Fleet Air Arm.

In March 1953 it was decided to open a Liners Branch Office in India Building's, Liverpool, in order to maintain close and friendly relationships with all our supporters in that area and Bill was appointed Manager for the opening. He proved to be a very successful representative for ML being well thought of both by Shippers and Agents in Liverpool and by those of us in Manchester. He was to remain in that position for almost 30 years, travelling each day from his home in Stretford to Liverpool.

I first became friendly with him when in 1957 I was asked to undertake a six month tour of duty in Liverpool due to Bill's assistant, George Bibby, contracting a serious illness. For the next six months I travelled with him each day as well as working with him, returning back to Manchester only when George fortunately was returned to full health.

Bill was a joy to both travel and work with and he taught me, a then very inexperienced Junior Clerk, a great deal about the business which stood me in good stead in later years in the Company.

We kept in touch over the years, although not seeing much of him after I left the Company, so it was a joy to me when he joined the MLOSA and we met again.
After the Tung takeover it was decided to combine the ML office in Liverpool with that of PSNC but Bill opted to take retirement at that point.
He leaves a wife, Margaret.

Derek Porter

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CAPTAIN ALAN COOKSON

I am sorry to announce the death of Captain Alan Cookson in Dorset in late October.

Capt Cookson was born in 1922 in Withington, Manchester, his Father serving in the Royal Navy in both World Wars until his untimely death from cancer prior to 1945.

Alan left school at 16 years of age and approached Manchester Liners Ltd for a trial trip as an Apprentice Deck Officer prior to being offered Indentures, he did not like this experience as he was put on one of the Company's Cattle Carriers, he was assigned as a rookie, to the job of looking after the cattle and was violently sea sick and therefore at the end of the voyage declined a life at sea.

Shortly after coming ashore he had second thoughts and again applied to Manchester Liners and for second chance at a trial trip, and this was granted, things went better and he signed his indentures just as World War II was getting under way and as a Junior Apprentice spent the early years serving with the "Dems" Gunners on the Ship, manning anti-aircraft guns etc.

By the end of the War he had his 2nd Mates Certificate and some time later served on "Park Boats" (Managed by Manchester Liners), out in Canadian Waters, both as 3rd and 2nd Mate, before rejoining the Manchester Liners Fleet.

During peace time he continued his career and while serving on the Manchester Regiment in Dry Dock in Glasgow was taken ill, and fell for the nurse in hospital, a Scots Lassie, Anne, who was looking after him and they eventually married. Anne survives him with a son and a daughter.

By 1950 he was sailing as Chief Officer on the Manchester City, moving through the Fleet at this rank until being promoted to Master and eventually assuming permanent Command in the small Great Lake Ships in the mid 1950's and later moved on to the larger ships.

He was eventually given command of the Manchester Progress, a modern and larger Great Lake Ship in which he was very happy, staying with this ship until the start of containerisation, when after moving through the container ship fleet he was given command of the Manchester Crusade, also becoming Fleet Commodore.

He took the Manchester Crusade out to the Far East on Charter under the name of "Asian Reward", thoroughly enjoying the experience.

On the demise of Company to C.Y.Tung he retired, and later moved down south to Dorset to be nearer his family.

From: Michael Robson
Subject: Captain Cookson

Thank you so much for the sad information on Captain Alan Cookson's passing. I have often wondered how he was faring in recent years.

He was my first Captain when I joined the "Manchester Progress" for a so-called "trial trip" at Hamilton, Ontario in July 1969. I was a tender-faced seventeen year-old at the time! Captain Cookson was such a fine gentlemen and, I would hasten to add, very much a father figure in the eyes of the young deck cadets. He was never afraid to muck-in with all and sundry if there was a big job on!

One incident I recall was a deep tank leaking liquid lard into the cargo space of an adjoining 'tween deck (I believe we had yellow corn there ) and he was down there in full uniform blues assisting with a cement box construction ! You can imagine the state of his uniform after this job was completed !!

I cannot remember how many times I sailed with Capt.Cookson but it was on several occasions in 1969/1970 and perhaps even 1971.

I also recall he had a son ( Ian, I believe ) who went to sea as a deck cadet with New Zealand Shipping Company ( I think ) and I met him aboard the "Progress" one time. I often wonder what became of him.

Thanks very much for letting me know.

Michael Robson

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September 2006

We were sad to hear JOHN JACKSON died on the 20th March 2006.

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February 2006

Blake Nelson in Canada has informed us that WILLIAM JOHN (BILL) FORCAND died Dec. 27, aged 82

Senior members, especially masters and catering officers can probably recall Bill, otherwise known as "The Best Salesman in North America" (ex VP Sales Montreal). As such, Bill attended the many "specials" held on the Challenge class at Section 70 and afterwards often "pushing the boat out" uptown. Bill was also one of the very few who could match Commodore Denis one for one and live to tell the tale!

John Vandenengel and I attended the visitation on behalf of all ML staff. As Terminal Manager, John (also 82) was also well known to us all and remains in excellent health, with his remarkable sense of humour still intact!

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February 2006

It is with regret I report the passing of MRS SHIRLEY JOHNSON. Shirley was married to Pete Johnson who was a Radio Officer with Manchester Liners. Although Peter predeceased Shirley a numbers of years ago. Shirley continued as a member until her passing.

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January 2005

THE END OF AN ERA

It is with regret that I have to inform the membership of the passing of ROBERT BURDON STOKER MBE, who was often affectionately referred to as 'Mr Manchester Liners'. We all owe him a debt of thanks for the way he steered the company through some very difficult times, especially towards the latter days of the company's existence.
I am sure the whole of the membership join together to express our sympathy and condolences to Mrs Mildred Stoker and her family.

The notification of the passing of R.B. STOKER MBE in the Daily Telegraph read as follows :-
STOKER
" ROBERT BURDON, M.B.E. M.A. Died peacefully in hospital in the Wirral on the 14th January 2005, aged 90 years. Beloved husband of Mildred, much loved father of Ann, David and Francis and dear grandpa of nine grandchildren. Family Cremation, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at St Bartholomews Church, Wilmslow at 3pm on Friday, 4th February 2005. Family flowers only, donations if desired to The Arthritis Research Campaign or The Mission to Seafarers, may be sent c/o J.A.Whiston, King Street, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6DW, 01565 632644 "

A donation has been made on behalf of the members to The Mission to Seafarers endorsed
"In Memory of Robert Burdon Stoker"

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January 2005

It is with regret I also have to report the passing of MR DENNIS TYNAN who had reached his 92nd year.
Dennis was Chief Cook with Liners for many years and sailed with Capt Peter Cullen in various ships, the last one being the Seatrain Trenton. Ray Camilleri was Chief Steward on the Trenton when Dennis was the Chef.
Peter recalls - “in 1975 when I was asked to do a 6 month tour of duty (on the Trenton) trading between the States & Japan I asked if I could have Dennis, the reason being “Good Chef = Happy Ship”, and it worked.”
I am sure everyone extends best wishes and condolences to Dennis’s wife June and family.

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January 2005

Mike Taylor phoned to say that HARRY TOBIN one of our recently-joined members had just crossed the bar. Harry used to work with Tom Moss and Frank Stafford on the dockside. I think many may well remember those 9 dock and 8 dock days. Harry was often seconded to the Pacific Boats.
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September 2002

It is with regret I have to report that some of our members have passed away.

Capt Geof Shadbolt earlier in the year died in Fleetwood.

John Armstrong Clay died at the Dartmouth hospital aged 81.

Mrs. Julie Moorwood died on the 11th August this year.

Capt John Mann died in Toronto just before Christmas aged 83.
John was Mate with Liners when the Great Lakes Service opened. He later went on to become Harbour Master inToronto.

I am sure the whole membership would want me, on their behalf, to extend our best wishes and condolences to families concerned.

 
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