Mike Paterson
In Memory of 'Brum' Wilkes.
Although I had not seen Brum for over 25yrs, I still have strong and fond memories of cheerful Tony.
For me, 'Brum' will be most happily remembered as the 'third-man' in Tony (Clem) and mine's games of 'Doms' & 'Crib'.
You are sadly missed Brum.
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Pat Norris
I am very sorry to read of the death of Tony Wilkes, we chatted at the 2009 reunion and I was not even aware that he was ill. He was of course a member of the 4.5 gun crew, he could talk for England and always had a story to tell about the Navy and civilian life. He must have been one hell of a sea rider.
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THE LADS
Derek Armstrong would have been 50 today. Love and miss him loads.
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Steve Jackson
A merry Xmas & a drunken new year to everybody.
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Ted Griffin
She has not been forgotten by everybody. Sailed in HMCS Skeena in company with her before the Falklands incident.
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Johno Johnson
Hi remember me just looking through the webpage and nice to see some old face again sorry i have missed a few reunions but i live in New Zealand so a bit difficult but always have a drink on the 21 May to remember you all Oh has Richie Gough still got hair at his age take care Johno
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Dutch Hollands
Devastating news about Cliff one of those you expect to go on for ever. Not met up for years but my sincere condolences to his family and friends
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Steve Jackson
Just got the message about Cliff. My sympaphy to his family, another one less at the bar next year.
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Steve Jackson
Hi All
Well it would seem that I am to be discharged from the Army due to being medically unfit for duty. This has all happened overnight due to the arrival of a new civilian security officer (yep another case of the civvys running the military). So if anybody out there has a job for a decrepid old soldier/ex merchant seaman drop me a line.
Hopefully this won't stop me coming to the re-unions but that will depend on whether I can find a job or not.
Regards to you all and I will hopefully see you next May.
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Kev Johnson
Steve hope the ankle is on the mend, you can contact me on 01851 702268. Excellent weekend even managed to get onboard HMS Albion and drink on my son's number in the PO's Mess after all these years. To Pete and his loyal team thanks for a great weekend, see you next year or in October for the Ardent new build in HMS Raleigh.
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Steve Jackson
Hi All
Another good weekend especially as I won the plaque!!. Thank you to all those who ferried me around this weekend (you know who you are) I dont think I could have made it without your help.
To whoever got the decanter I hope it gives you as much pleasure as it gave me donating it! Something new next year so watch this space. And to the engineers who continually adjusted and worked on my crutches well!? lol
See you all next year and I hope the rest of the year is good to you. Kev Johnson I never got your details mate spoken to the boss and we may well come up next summer let us no how to contact you mate
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ChristinaParkhouse (Heyes)
Hi all, laid my flowers at the Memorial yesterday and you were all in my thoughts as ever. The council here have been good as their word and have renovated the memorial so that all names are clearly visible . In the warm sunshine and overlooking the Solent it felt as raw as yesterday and not 27 years since we lost so many good men . Take care and have a good weekend .. we will all be with you again next year for sure xx
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Abe
Tot taken. Pussers not available. Our guys remembered especially but losses all around remembered. Yours aye. Abe.
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Steve Jackson
Hi All,
My thoughts will be with u all today. I was asked many times last year why i gave the decanter to TS Ardent. Alot of people do not realise just how much it means to me to be able to be a member of the Association. I made some great mates on the Ardent and even after over 20 years I was still welcomed to the reunions - well this is my way of showing my thanks. I only hope you all dig deep this weekend for the chance to win the decanter I have donated. After all, at the end of the day whatever is raised will go into your funds! I am looking forward to seeing you all again tomorrow.
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Mike Fraher
mailto:michaelfraher@aol.com
Why do you call ardent the forgotten frigate ? I along with many aboard Canberra both merchant and military will never forget ardent or her crew. As our escort you gave every one on board peace of mind on the voyage south and while we were at anchor at san carlos. Your fight may have been short only because you had very little defence from the air assault coming from inshore. I am sure it would have been a different story had you been in another area but then you would not have been on station to defend us. I was one of those who had the honour of bringing your crew on board and looking after them as best we could. I still have the anti flash head gear given to me by one of the crew. There is no way I for one will ever forget Ardent or her Crew.
I wish you all the best and hope you all have a good day in plymouth tomorrow 21st.
Yours sincerely Mike Fraher
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Mac McCarthy
Derek Armstrong and I got to know each other in 1980 when the submarine I was on went into refit in Guzz. Yes a skimmer and sludgemariner crossed the divide to become good mates – through our shared love of the Mighty Magpies. I often spin a dit of the times we hauled ourselves up and down the M5/M6 (sometimes driving back overnight for a Sunday duty) just to see our heroes.
Think of you a lot mate, but most of all today – it happens to be my birthday also, so a tot of rum is always drunk to you by all who are with me on this day of respect.
Well Derek our beloved Mags are deep in the mire but if they can muster half the spirit and passion that you always showed we should be ok on Sunday – I will be shouting for you.
Yours Aye,
Mac McCarthy
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Peter Saward
Hard to believe that it was 27 years ago today.
May the memory of those that did not come home, live on.
Peter Saward
RS
Ardent 1982
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Christina Parkhouse
Hi all just to say that due to family committments we are unable to be with you in body this year, but as ever we will be with you in spirit . love to you all
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bernard campbell
great site , Steve Hayes was a mate of mine and is always in my thoughts have a good reunion and all the best to old shipmates..barny campbell
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Steve Jackson
Hi All
To all members reading this I am on the scrounge. I'm currently on crutches after rupturing my achillies tendon and can't drive till probably end of June. If anybody is travelling through Dorset to the re-union next month I would be very grateful for a lift. I live near Wareham but can get myself to the main routes such as the 303 etc. I wouldnt ask only I won't be to manage on the train with the decanter and my kit.
Thanks in anticipation Steve Jackson
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Zeke
Hi this is zeke, im from argentina. i´m trying to write a book about the 74 days war in the malvinas-falklands. if anyone is interested in my project, please write me a mail. I´m trying to find out the real info about the falkland´s war cause, here in my oun country people don´t know anything about that and they sadly dissrespect our veterans. i want to know how we fought and about our weapons and planes.- thanks and honor and glory to all the veterans that from two grats countries fought doing what they should do, their duty.
ezequielgomara@hotmail.com
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Kevin Fleming
Lovely website. enjoyed reading Nigel Wood's story of events. I served with Nigel onboard HMS Somerset and remember raising a glass to the crew of HMS Ardent a number of times with you on runs ashore. God bless them all. We will remember
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Sandra Elizabeth
Merry Xmas lads. Will raise my glass to you all and our NEVER forgotten Lady bless her and all who sailed with her.
San
xx
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Steve Jackson
Merry Xmas and a drunken new year to all members and their family's. I hope 2009 is a good one for you all. I will be presenting another wine decanter to the association at next years re-union. It will be of the same design as the one presented to TS Ardent. This one will be auctioned/raffled with all proceeds going to the association funds so get your money out people after all it is for you. See you next year Jacko.
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Jan Joyce
Wishing all Ardents and their families a good christmas and new year. (Still can not get into Forum and Chat).
Jan and Gill Joyce
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darren veevers
hi Pete
couldnt send an email through the "contact us" link, prob my settings.
my email addy is darrenveevers@aol.com
many thanks
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PatNorris
With my 'green hat' on, can I encourage those that can, to sign up to have Ardlines delivered by email. You get it in full colour, it costs nothing in fuel to deliver and it saves the Association a few bob in postage as well. You can still print a copy if you wish and finally, it's dead easy to email a copy to friends and family. Cheers Pat
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Pete Brierley
Darren please send me your email address and I will pass it on to Mark - he is a member of the Association. He can then contact you so you can talk to him personally.
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Darren Veevers
As a young JMEM I served on HMS Amazon from 88-92 I came into contact with quite a few ex Ardents, PO Cliff Sharpe springs to mind
I recently read Mark Higgits excellent book Through Fire and Water. In some small way I helped with the book, because of my 21 experience I was asked to accompany Mark through the Damage control unit and the fire ground at HMS Raleigh.
I was wondering if anyone has any contact details for Mark as I wish to congratulate him on his book
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Pete Brierley
Joe, please reply to this message and leave your email address or contact me thru the "contact us" link. I give you some info on 2 of those sought.
Pete Brierley secretary HMS Ardent Association
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Joe Lawton
Anyone know what happened to AB(M) Bagsy Scouse Baker; AB(R)'s Trev Hawkes & Ross Saxty?
Aye
Joe Lawton
HMS Sheffield 1982
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ezequiel
mailto:ezequielgomara@hotmail.com
Hi, my name is zeke, i'm a fellow from argentine. my dad foght in malvinas's war, he was a chief master in the islas de los estados. i'd like to meet veterans of falkland's war so we can chat.
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Allie Fox
mailto:madgirlallie@hotmail.co.uk
Hi
Just wanted to leave a note. I was very emotional reading viewing your site. I went aboard the Ardent prior to her going to the Falklands. As a navy kid and as one of my dads close friends JC Evans was a crewmate I was lucky to share my time with the familys on this day.
As a young 14 year old I got chatting to a young steward called Shaun who was allowed into the PO's mess with us as I think he was keeping me company and keeping me out of trouble while the adults drank. We chatted about football and music and I managed to pursuade them to let me play his Human League tape in there which was much better than the rubbish they were playing :)
Hearing the news that the Ardent had been hit was terrible, waiting for news that JC was safe was a nightmare but luckily the news was good. Reading the news though I realised Shaun had not been so lucky and had died a hero trying to save a crewmate on the flight deck. Although I was very young I never forgot this lovely sheffield lad who saved me from the boredom of the oldies on that day and my thought still go out to his family on their loss and regret that although he had taken my address I was never to be given the chance to get to know him better. I was there in Southampton to watch the heroes come home and among all of the families being reunited I was saddened that Shaun's family did not get the chance to welcome him home. He was so young and if in a small way by posting this little message pays him some respect and thanks as to all of his fallen crewmates.
JC did survive but would relive the moments of that day right up to his death from cancer a considerable time later. As for me, I was lucky enough to still have my mateloe Dad come home after the conflict and at 41 myself I am happy to say I still do but I do so feel for all of the children that did not.
A great site.. noone will ever be forgotton!!
Alison Fox
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Paul Shepherd
HMS Ardent is the name I most think of when I think of the Falklands conflict. The reason for my vivid remberance of her and her is that I was out on the water when she left Plymouth. I remember it being foggy and her rounding Drakes Island. At that time I was working on the pleasure boats in Plymouth taking people for trips around the Devonport dockyard, my first job out of school. We saw several ships leave during that time but none has left such an impression as the Ardent. I took a photograph of her passing Drakes Island and I hope that oneday if I get the chance to return to England, I will be able to find the photo and the negatives that I took that morning. It has been over 20 years. I feel privalidged to have been among the final people to have seen her sailing the waters of her homeland.
To the brave crew and to the ship, thank you for your bravery and sacrifice.
Paul Shepherd
Born,rasied and will die an Englishman now living in the U.S.
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Drew Armstrong
RIP
Derek Armstrong one of the heros who died on board HMS Ardent 'through fire and water'
RIP dude........
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PABLO
Dave Wilkinson:
Until today I learned that in his country further attention to the veterans in my country ...
Ojala in Argentina respects them as heroes of war ... Went to fight for a cause unfair and many do not return to their families ... OTHERS WHO go home committed suicide over time because the Government the homeless and a few does its best to keep alive the memory ...
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Dave Wilkinson
I am attending the National Memorial Arboretum on 1 June 2008 (with family associated with the Royal Marines).
I shall ensure I place a memorial to our fallen shipmates.
My thoughts are with you all next week.
Dave
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Pucara
mailto:fiaca_lan@hotmail.com
Hello ... I am from argentina, seeking contact people who participated in the Falklands war to talk about it.
Greetings.
My email is: fiaca_lan@hotmail.com
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Steve (boris) Overall
mailto:wendy.overall@ntlworld.com
Trying to contact ex AB(M) budgie burgess he was in 4.5 mag when you were hit then served with me in Nottingham 1984 please contact through Coventry site would be good to hear from you again
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Jon Major
BZ for the new site Richie, I'm sure all your hard work getting up and running is appreciated by us all. I have just read in the newsletter about Bob McGinnis, I have always thought highly of Bob because he was responsible for saving my life that day, as he would not let us go back aft to relieve the other watch of chefs during the air raids. I also had the pleasure of working for him briefly at Drake on the committee of the Drake Bar. Thank you Bob, you are forever in my thoughts.
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Richie
Welcome to the new guest book, there is also a chat forum now for chatting in the NAAFI queue section of the website.
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