Dorsetshire Guestbook

The following entries are in the guestbook:
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Thu Nov 26 07:58:37 2009
email :  

cambridge@ihug.co.nz
name :  

john cambridge
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It was with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Bert Gollop I never met him but he was a great friend of my father.My father along with Bert founded Assoc. May he rest in peace
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Sat Nov 14 00:32:28 2009
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tnc820@sympatico.ca
name :  

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 390
comments :  

It is with deepest regrets to inform you of the passing of Bert Gollop, November 13, 2009. Legion Service of Rememberance will take place at Moore's Funeral Home, Sundridge, Ontario on Sunday November 15, 2009. Funeral arrangements pending. Lest we Forget
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Fri Nov 13 20:07:34 2009
email :  

keith.houghton4@btinternet.com
name :  

Keith Houghton
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Hello Dorsetshire Association. At the recent Remembrance Day Service at Petersham Church, Surrey I had the pleasure of meeting the nephew and namesake of Denis Grey, a lost shipmate of the Dorsetshire. My connection is that my father - Ernest Houghton was a survivor of HMS Cornwall and was being remembered at the service along with Denis Grey. My father died this lasy July aged 86. I now have inherited his archive of memories which includes quite a bit about the Dorsetshire. I'm trying to find out whether the Cornwall Association is still active, can anyone help?
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Tue Oct 27 11:19:18 2009
email :  

nick.benny@babcock.co.uk
name :  

Nick Benny
comments :  

My father served on HMS Dorsetshire from prior to the Bismarck action until she was sunk on April 5th 1942, he survived the sinking, with some assistance I believe, as he was a non swimmer! Cyril John 'Jack' Benny - Jack Dusty/stores, later on he was a senior rate but I don't have any knowledge of rank at that time. Later ships included the Ramillies, Centaur and Cardigan Bay, he finally left the RN in 1960. I don't know much about his RN career and he wasn't one for putting on the medals and parading, he seemed to prefer to remember lost colleagues on his own, although it is such a shame that he never new (as far as I know) anything about the annual reunions because he settled in Plymouth after leaving the RN and certainly enjoyed a tot or two. Sadly he passed away in 1995, before I managed to get his 'story'.
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Thu Oct 8 19:18:07 2009
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alanandirene@telkomsa.net
name :  

Alan Harris
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AB Douglas Edward Morrow of East London, South Africa lost his life on the ship on 5th April 1942. I am keen to find a photograph of him to include in a record of the naval servicemen of this city who died during WW2. Most grateful for your help.
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Sun Oct 4 14:36:39 2009
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gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
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Belated thanks to our contributers- what a wide variety of queries from camouflage to moles! I'm interested to know why Michael is interested in the former (after all these years) and John has my sympathy (as a previous churchwarden) with his moles. I will circulate details of both together with S/L Alfred Lines contact in our next Newsletter. Thanks all. Gerald
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Mon Sep 7 05:03:46 2009
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maeisen@comcast.net
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Michael Eisenstadt
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I hope that the former service members and the families of those servicemembers who served and perished on HMS Dorsetshire will forgive me for making such a trite request here, but it is a matter of filling in some gaps in our knowledge about the ship and her history: would anyone have any additional photos of Dorsetshire while she was painted in the camouflage scheme depicted in the photo that can be accessed via this link below? http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/download/file.php?id=12518&mode=view Sincere thanks for your help, and to all for your service and sacrifices.
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Fri Sep 4 15:35:58 2009
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montycat@derekandmarion.plus.com
name :  

Marion Farmer
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My father Alfred Lines was a sub-lieutenant on HMS Dorsetshire when she was sunk in 1942. He survived but never spoke of his experiences apart from the fact that he was on his way to the sick bay when the ship was sunk. He would otherwise have been in the engine room and undoubtedly would have not survived. Sadly, my father passed away in 1991. We know very little of his experiences apart from this website. Thank you.
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Sun Jul 5 12:37:21 2009
email :  

john.kelly15@virgin.net
name :  

John Kelly
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All, I live at Weeting with Broomhill in the fair County of Norfolk. I am the Churchwarden of St. Mary's Church. We are pestered by moles and as I was walking about the Churchyard seeing their latest runs, I noticed the grave of a lady, however what I was drawn to was the fact that she was the mother of Lt. J. Biddulph Sidebotham and the details of his death on the 5th. April 1942 on the sinking HMS Dorsetshire, these are "leaded" into the base of the tombstone. I will ensure that a suitable token will be placed at the tomb for Armistice Day etc. Yours aye, John Kelly 'On a Sailor's grave no roses bloom"
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Sun Jun 14 21:11:41 2009
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
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I should have said that there is no definitive list of survivors, unfortunately! G.
date :  

Sun Jun 14 21:02:08 2009
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

G Blackburn
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Yes, I have you at 218. Conn. I presume that's still okay? Gerald
date :  

Sun Jun 14 20:55:17 2009
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
comments :  

Frank, I will send a copy of your note to George Bell who was Captain Martin's 'boy'when he first joined but was pretty clued up with what was going on. (He' not on e-mail). I'm not sure whether I have your latest snail mail address-I'll check). Nice to hear from you. Gerald
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Mon Jun 8 19:58:41 2009
email :  

frank_jones6823@sbcglobal.net
name :  

Frank Jones
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Three weeks before Dorsetshire was sunk six of us Midshipmen were transferred from HMS Durban to Dorsetshire while she was in Colombo. Looking at the survivors lists, I found no record of our being on board when she sank. It is perhaps not surprising, even though the Admiralty knew we were aboard and phoned my Dad to tell him I had been picked up (by Paladin). The stories I have read about the sinking are interesting but find a very wide set of discrepencies of detail. The number of survivors varied from 550 down to 250. The report I received was 279. Various other differences occured which is not surprising under the circumstances. In the photograph showing both ships under attack, it was mentioned that Cornwall's Steering broke down and she then continued in a circle whereas Dorsetshire continued to take avoiding action. The picture of the two ships show the one in the background to be out of contol traveling in a circle. The tracks of both vessels which were on a southerly course start as parallel wakes showing clearly. We in Dorsetshire had Cornwall on our Port beam. That would place the ship closest to the foreground of the picture to be Dorsetshire not Cornwall as reported. My action station was controlling the multiple 0.5" guns mounted on a platform about 15 feet above the boat deck and between the two forward funnels. The forward funnel split down to the deck due to a bomb exploding in the foreward boiler room.The fumes were most unpleasant as you may imagine.
date :  

Sun Apr 19 22:31:36 2009
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
comments :  

As I am checking for any comments can I take this opportunity to report on our Easter Reunion last week. Everyone agreed it was fantastic (at least they did while I was around!) and we had great weather. There were 46 for the Reunion Dinner and we were delighted to have with us our newly promoted Vice President, Vice Admiral R J Ibbotson CB DSC and his wife Marie. Full report will follow.
date :  

Wed Apr 1 23:14:26 2009
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
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As we prepare for our 67th (and possibly the last formal) Reunion we are sorry to say another of our survivors has crossed the bar. Alec 'Rossi' Ross made the journey last week. We send our regards to all his family and friends. Although we could not make the funeral service we sent a wreath from the Association. Can I take this opportunity to thank on our, and your, behalf our WebMaster, Kevin Gollop, without whom this site would not exist. Thanks Kevin for all you do.
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Fri Feb 27 18:40:27 2009
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
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As Bert says three of our survivors have crossed the bar in the last few weeks they are John Clements, Eddie Phellps and Ray Lock (S.A.). Gerald
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Thu Feb 26 15:10:16 2009
email :  

eagle 28@sympatico.ca
name :  

Bert Gollop President ,survivor
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Thanks Gordon,Arthur was very well liked by us all. Sorry to say the number of survivors are decreasing rapidly. Bert
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Wed Jan 14 21:46:33 2009
email :  

gordon.w.cooper@btinternet.com
name :  

Gordon Cooper
comments :  

Hi, to all readers and a belated Happy New Year. Looked up the history of the Dorsetshire after chatting to a friend a few days ago. Hard to express the emotions that surface. My late mothers brother Arthur Bodycoat P.O. was KIA on that fateful day.
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Fri Jan 2 09:49:59 2009
email :  

pamstuart@hotmail.co.uk
name :  

Pam McIntyre Shaw
comments :  

I have been researching my family history and my father Peter McIntyre was on this ship when it sank. He survived but sadly passed away in 1965. best regards to all the Living Survivors. Pam
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Sat Dec 27 17:04:11 2008
email :  

steve_xx11@hotmail.co.uk
name :  

steven evans
comments :  

does anyone remember a crew member named phillip idris evans who served on the dorsetshire 1939 till she was sunk . be ever so grateful for any infor .. god bless you
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Mon Dec 22 12:46:03 2008
email :  

williamvillet@netscape.net
name :  

William Villet
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To Whom It May Concern My grandfather, Lt Cmdr Norman Pring (Pay master) served on HMS Dorsetshire. He unforutnately did not survive the sinking and my mother and family would welcome any comments from people who may have known him. Thank you and Merry Christmas.
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Mon Dec 22 07:57:49 2008
email :  

glennishall@rocketmail.com
name :  

Glennis
comments :  

My great uncle, Walter Allen died when the Dorsetshire sank - does anyone out there remember him?
date :  

Sun Dec 21 15:12:50 2008
email :  

thomasalexandershirley@googlemail.com
name :  

Thomas Shirley
comments :  

Hello! Unlike my Grandfather, my adventures on the water only reached as far as sailing an 'oppy' on a reservoir, 160 miles inland of the Atlantic! My father sent me the address for this website after finding it through chance. It has been a great read. Thank you for making the website! Regards, Thomas Shirley (Grandson to Tom Shirley).
date :  

Sun Dec 14 17:55:40 2008
email :  

doug.maclellan@dsl.pipex.com
name :  

Doug Maclellan
comments :  

Hello. My father (John Maclellan) is a survivor from the sinking of the Dorsetshire - I believe he is on the newsletter distribution list. Anyway, he is always talking about attending the reunion (he did go a couple of times in the late 1970's), I was thinking of bringing him to the 2009 reunion, is there a reunion planned for 2009 at all? Would it be possible to add his name to the list of survivors? Many thanks. Doug Maclellan.
date :  

Tue Dec 2 23:53:28 2008
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
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PLEASE NOTE my CHANGE OF ADDRESS. It is now: COPT HEATH MANOR, WARWICK ROAD, KNOWLE, WEST MIDLANDS B93 9LQ and 'phone is 01564 770 427
date :  

Tue Dec 2 23:45:46 2008
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
comments :  

Hi Sid and Trevor nice to hear from you both. I will put your enquiries into our Newsletter which I am about to publish and let you know if I get any respose. Regards Gerald
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Mon Dec 1 20:27:49 2008
email :  

sidney568@btinternet.com
name :  

Sid Hill
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I am the son of S.R. Hill (Sid) who was an OA on Dorsetshire, but transferred to Dulverton when Dorsetshire put into the Tyne after the Bismark battle. I have been very interested to read everything on the site and would be chuffed to hear from anyone who remembers him.
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Fri Nov 21 11:53:29 2008
email :  

trevor.gerrard@yahoo.co.uk
name :  

trevor eric gerrard
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My father was an officers cook on the Dorsetshire,his name was Eric Gerrard alas he was lost when the ship was bombed in 1942 I was aged five at the time so I dont remember him. Does anybody recall knowing him?
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Mon Nov 17 23:56:05 2008
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
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Hi all, Sorry I have been off (web) line but have now got my connection restored. (I did try to go onto BT Broardband but that's another story!). I will catch up with all the queries and they will be acknowledged in the Newsletter. Thanks Bert for keeping up with the replies. Gerald (I have replied to Christine Clark by e-mail, it would be nice to have the family with us at Easter).
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Fri Nov 14 00:54:04 2008
email :  

christine.clark@homecall.co.uk
name :  

Christine Clark
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I am the daughter of Jack Popman (survivor) and regularly receive your News Letter which I read with interest. My eldest nephew is asking me if there will be a re-union in Plymouth at Easter 2009? He is suggesting we attend.
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Mon Nov 10 17:19:15 2008
email :  

pebsie@gmail.com
name :  

Laura Muir
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My mom has sent me a photo from Uncle Tot's wedding. It has him and two other crewmen from the ship on, is there a way I can send this photo to the site. Maybe somebody will recognize the other two men. I must say this site has been a great help to me and yet also a very emotional experience. Thank you to the people who started it.
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Mon Nov 10 16:48:33 2008
email :  

rosie catterall@aol.com
name :  

Roselyn Catterall
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My father, Stoker 1st class Albert Henry Rule D/KX104103 had just gone on duty when the Dorsetshire was hit and went down with the ship.He was 24yrs old. As I was only 18months old at the time I do not remember him but have a photo of him holding me when I was about 7mths old. He was home on leave and it was the only time he saw me. I would like to know if anyone remembers him.Thank you. Roselyn
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Fri Nov 7 19:24:02 2008
email :  

pebsie@gmail.com
name :  

Laura Muir
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Oops, Roland Redman. Sorry but he was always just Uncle Tots, only found his real name here.
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Fri Nov 7 19:12:40 2008
email :  

pebsie@gmail.com
name :  

Laura Muir
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My great uncle Ronald "Tots" Redman was on the killed when the ship went down. Any information or stories or even photos would be greatly appreciated. He was well loved by my family.
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Mon Oct 27 15:12:08 2008
email :  

doggale@aol.com
name :  

bill gale
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MISTAKE should have been H.M.S. Dorsetshire
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Sun Oct 26 11:56:24 2008
email :  

doggale@aol.com
name :  

bill gale
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My cousin served on The Devonshire,I know he drowned. can anyone give me further information. his name was Ronald Ellis
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Wed Oct 22 14:54:47 2008
email :  

eagle 28@sympatico.ca
name :  

Bert Gollop President
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Please add Thomas Bannerman Seaman to the list of the HMS Dorsetshire crew. Bert
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Wed Sep 3 20:26:26 2008
email :  

tigermadmick@yahoo.co.uk
name :  

mick dennison
comments :  

just browsing your site so i can suprise your old ship mate Sam Cawthra in our up spirits news letter. Sam is doing very well and, is joining some of us on holiday in Malta later this month. regards Mick Dennison (castleford rna)
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Mon Aug 4 15:03:38 2008
email :  

eagle 28@sympatico.ca
name :  

Herbert Gollop
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Hope a South African survivor can help. I am quite poorly at the moment. Bert
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Mon Aug 4 15:00:31 2008
email :  

eagle 28@sympatico.ca
name :  

Herbert Gollop
comments :  

Hi Again more congratulaion to our vice Presidant. He is being promoted to a VICE ADMIRAL. WOW. He will be in charge of the Navy based at Portsmouth
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Mon Aug 4 08:35:24 2008
email :  

sannets@gmail.com
name :  

Anne Skinner
comments :  

My maternal grandfather, Sidney Richard Doyle, served on the Dorsetshire during WWII. He was aboard during the sinking of the Bismarck and was one of the survivors when his own ship was sunk. He was South African and joined the crew when she docked in South Africa sometime in 1939. Do any former crewmembers remember "Paddy" Doyle? He would have been in his early 40s during the war, had thick red hair was, by all accounts, a bit of a character. His best friend was Mike Brasler, also South African and aboard the same vessel.
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Tue Jul 1 08:32:32 2008
email :  

@ihug.co.nz
name :  

cambridge
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Glad to know it was a problem at your end Kevin They kept refusing me entry
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Wed Jun 18 13:40:29 2008
email :  

eagle 28@sympatico.ca
name :  

Bert Gollop President
comments :  

Congratulations to our Vice President Rear Admiral Richard Ibbotson CB, DSC on receiving the CB in the Birthday Honours list.
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Tue Jun 17 15:09:32 2008
email :  

kgollop@blueyonder.co.uk
name :  

Kevin Gollop
comments :  

Hi all. Apologies that we have been offline for the past few weeks. Virgin Media managed to mess up my account after I moved house. Anyway, glad to be back online! Hope everyone is well. Kevin.
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Tue Jun 3 13:14:27 2008
email :  

BASTRADIEG@YAHOO.FR
name :  

Patrick Hamilton
comments :  

thank you for this huge work,after so many years without knowledge and aquaintance of the real drama story, at last i retrieve my uncle on your pictures ( Banney richard Thorpe ) mechanic god bless theirs soul,in the name of my cousin Marina Nicholson his daughter. P.Hamilton
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Sun May 11 11:59:45 2008
email :  

skatetrader@lexicon.net.au
name :  

John McKeown
comments :  

Hi, my father was Sam McKeown, a survivor of the DORSETSHIRE sinking, he was in "A" turret when she was hit. He sadly passed away 3 years ago aged 84. Can anyone tell me where i can purchase a plaque of the DORSETSHIRES ships crest. Also i have discovered a lot of photos that my father had, i am sure when he was on the ship. I will get some copies organized for download or send copies to the association. Regards . John McKeown.(AUSTRALIA)
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Fri May 9 15:05:49 2008
email :  

brian.ward39@btopenworld.com
name :  

Brian Paul Ward
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Dennis William Ward KIA 5/4/42 was my uncle. I am trying to get hold of photograps of the crew does anyone remember him.
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Fri Apr 25 01:43:10 2008
email :  

derrick@hugonet.com.au
name :  

Derrick Herbert
comments :  

I was pleased to find this site and would just like to provide the following information. My father was a Corporal with the Royal Marines and served on the H.M.S Dorsetshire and from his enlistment records was on the ship from 24 August 1937 until the sinking of the ship. He survived the sinking and returned to the RM base and was released from the Royal Marines as a Sergent in 1948. He emigrated to Australia in 1950 and passed away in 2001. I still have his medals and a photo of the Dorsetshire sinking, plus a copy of the booklet published at the Reunion Gathering at Cape Town South Africa of the survivors which was held on the 5th April 1962. I also have a copy of the booklet about the HMS Dorsetshire and Cornwall giving details of the sinking.
date :  

Fri Apr 4 13:55:43 2008
email :  

eagle 28@sympatico.ca
name :  

Bert Gollop President
comments :  

Sorry I know little about the Royal Marines on board, if Geoff Kitchen R.M.Retired has been in contact with the web of late he may be able to help Bert
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Tue Apr 1 16:06:56 2008
email :  

chriswalker@bulldoghome.com
name :  

christopher john walker
comments :  

Marine Roland Wilson killed in action on that fateful day My late mother's brother. I have his letters to her including Dorsetshire's own Christmas cards sent from when she was off China. Any recollections or information gratefully received.
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Fri Mar 28 21:33:07 2008
email :  

caitmich@gmail.com
name :  

LYNRE PERRIN
comments :  

Hi there, my grandfather, Henry Perrin was on the Dorsetshire when it was sunk and was one of the survivors. If I remember correctly my dad had the piece of wood that he survived on but has since donated it to the naval museum. Does anyone remember him or know anything about from the ship? Thanks.
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Mon Mar 24 23:58:12 2008
email :  

gblackburn@mgownersclub.net
name :  

Gerald Blackburn
comments :  

Hi Jennifer, glad everthing went well. We also had a very successful 66th Anniversary Reunion and are now looking forward to next year! Regards to all, Gerald
date :  

Sun Mar 23 19:25:15 2008
email :  

gi_jenn2000@hotmail.com
name :  

Jennifer Carpenter
comments :  

It is Easter Sunday, 2008 and I have just returned from the most wonderful ceremony commemorating the sinking of the H.M.S. Dorsetshire and it's sistership the H.M.S. Cornwall some 66 years ago. Although the ceremony took place here in my hometown of South River Ontario, Canada, a world away from the site of the ships' sinking, I feel a great deal of understanding and respect for the events that unfolded on that fateful day. Most memorable of all is that I was able to share this special day with my grandfather and surviving crew member, Ray "Chippy" Carpenter. I feel truly privileged to have had the opportunity to witness today's special event and see my grandfather and fellow shipmate Bert Gollop lay wreaths in memory of those who lost their lives aboard the H.M.S. Dorsetshire and H.M.S. Cornwall on April 5, 1942. To the survivors and members of the Dorsetshire Association, thank you for keeping their memories alive.