John Hastings

Michael (Mike) Holehouse (2)

Further to my previous advice, I have now received details of the link that will enable Michael’s funeral on the 21st December to be viewed via the Internet.

Website: https://watch.obitus.com

Username: sude4898

Password: 978333

The funeral is scheduled to start at 9.30 am and the link will be live five minutes beforehand.

Please also note that the email address given in the previous advice should have read jamesholehouse1@gmail.com    

Derek Warmington
Michael (Mike) Holehouse
News has been received that Michael (Mike) Holehouse died on the 8th December after losing a long battle with cancer. He was 63.

Mike joined Fyffes as an Engine Cadet in 1975 and remained with that company until the early 1980s when he was made redundant. After working ashore for a few years he then joined P&O as an Assistant Engineer Officer in December 1989.

He remained at sea with P&O and achieved the rank of Staff Engineer in 2000. In December 2005 he was seconded to work ashore but shortly afterwards was obliged to retire early due to ill health.

The funeral will take place at 9.30 am on Tuesday the 21st December at The East Riding Crematorium, Octon Cross Road, Driffield, YO25 3BL. The Service will also be streamed through the Internet and details of how to access this can be obtained by emailing Mike’s son James at jamesholehouse@gmail.com. The email should be headed ‘Mikes Zoom.’ 

If wished, donations may be made in Mike’s memory to St Catherine’s Hospice, Scarborough.

Derek Warmington
Peter R Wise
News has only just been received that Peter Wise died suddenly on the 15th November at the age of 91.
 
After completing his National Service with the Seaforth Highlanders at Fort George, Inverness, Peter joined P&O in the West End Passenger Department in 1949. During the years that followed, he held various positions but specialised in Agency Sales. 

In 1971 he became Passenger Manager and continued in this role until taking early retirement in 1983.

The funeral took place on the 3rd December at St Columba’s Church, Nairn, but a Memorial Service will be held at 11.00 am on Thursday the 20th January at St Paul’s Church Knightsbridge, 32a Wilton Place, London, SW1X 8SH.

Derek Warmington
Norman W Pound
I bring the sad news that Norman Pound, retired Chief Engineer Officer, died of Pneumonia on the 7thDecember in the Victoria Hospital, Blackpool at the age of 90. 

After completing an apprenticeship with Great Western Railways in Swindon, Norman joined P&O in May 1952 as an Assistant Engineer Officer. During the years that followed, he worked his way up through the ranks to become Chief Engineer Officer.

In 1987 he had a serious illness that prevented him from remaining at sea so he transferred ashore to become the Cadet Recruitment Manager for P&O Princess Cruises. He continued in this role until his retirement.

Funeral details are not yet known

Derek Warmington
Catharine Hooper
The sad news has been received from California that, as a result of a heart attack during a hospital procedure, Catherine Hooper died in the Kaiser Hospital, San Rafael  on the 3rd November. She was 75 years of age. 

Catherine initially joined P&O in the San Francisco office at 55 Post Street where she was instrumental in setting up the first P&O passenger loyalty scheme known as the POSH Club, a name later also adopted by P&O Cruises in UK. Then, with the acquisition by P&O of Princess Cruises in the mid 1970s, she was transferred to Los Angeles to create the Cruisemaster Club for Princess Cruises.

Catharine missed San Francisco and her family there so decided to leave and join Royal Viking Line in San Francisco where she performed a similar role with that company for some years.

Later in her career, Catharine moved into Port Agency work and became the Manager of the Williams Dimond & Co. office in San Francisco until her retirement.

Derek Warmington
Catharine Hooper 2

This was written by Hoops a few years ago which I managed to come across very soon after hearing about her passing.

I thought it might be helpful to update a little about me... while I was never on 'ship’s articles' as a bona fide crew member with the P&O ships, I spent quite a bit of time at sea in conjunction with my shoreside responsibilities in the USA. As a result, I came to be quite close to so many of our Seadog friends. I started with P&O in San Francisco in 1973... in the marketing department as a secretary, straight out of University.
 
Within a few months of joining P&O, I was promoted to Secretary of the POSH Seafarers Club... for, I had an idea that I presented to the then President of P&O NA, that it had occurred to me that we should send out brochures to all of the guests who had previously travelled with us... for, in answering phone calls and requests for future literature, I thought we should tap into this potential market. Bingo... President said to write up my ideas, and thus the seed of what was then one of the first past passenger club in the world (I think APL was the first, P&O the second), and the beginning of what is now called relationship marketing, and I as the Den Mother... P&O sent me to sea quite a bit, which was clearly the most joyful part of my job with P&O... 
 
When P&O purchased Princess Cruises around 1974, I was one of five P&Oers that Princess Cruises retained (the rest of the P&O San Francisco staff being made redundant) and I was transferred from SF to Los Angeles... I drove my 1968 VW Bug with all of my possessions in the back, and thus started my Princess Cruises Los Angeles chapter... the two company clubs were joined, and then called the Cruisemaster Club. In addition to being the Secretary of this ever growing club, I was also appointed as the NA Building Coordinator of Princess’ newest ship, ROYAL PRINCESS, and did a wonderfully fun several month tour of the US and Canada with Captain John Young, extolling the joys of the new ship and destinations to the Cruisemaster members, to the travel agent community, and to the press. I was also privileged to be the director of the Inaugural Activities for RP. 
 
In 1984 I was reluctantly wooed away from P&O/Princess Cruises to join Royal Viking Line back up in San Francisco... I say reluctantly, as I really did not want to leave all of my P&O dear friends, but the offer was simply too generous for this career girl to decline... so back to SF I went, where I was the Director of RVL’s past passenger SKALD Program, and also the building coordinator, and inaugural Activities Director for RVL’s ROYAL VIKING SUN. Kloster Cruises moved RVL to Florida, I declined their generous offer to move to FLA, and Kloster then transferred me to their other cruise company, ROYAL CRUISE LINE, where I remained for the next 5 years heading up their past passenger programs. 
 
When Kloster dissolved RCL, Peter Pallas (electrical officer, Spirit of London), by then married to Jerry Sue, and ashore with Inchcape Shipping Services, enticed me to become a Port Agent for ISS in SF... 
 
I am now an independent Maritime Consultant here in San Francisco, and am frequently tapped to provide consulting services to ISS and other husbanding companies, on behalf of visiting Cruise Vessels, naval vessels etc including a wonderful project a couple of years ago for Tony Dyson, then MD of Swan Hellenic... on another occasion, I was in Sydney and Brisbane on an assignment, and spent some wonderful time with Terry Russell, Ted van Bronswijk and others... 
My current passion is India, where I head each fall to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. I usually try to stop over in the UK before and after my India Junkets to see friends... Lisa Connell Betteridge (Gordon), Tony Dyson (Terry), Lorraine Evers, Pru Barlow, Paul Brougham, Martin & Denise Reed, among them. 
 
As time goes on, I am ever more grateful for those joyful days (and nights!) at sea, and to the deep life-long friendships that were formed during those years, and only seem to get stronger as time goes on. To those who still send Xmas cards, please keep sending... and don’t give up on Whoopsie! 

David Jewkes
Catharine Hooper 3

Here is a link to an Obituary which has been posted in the San Francisco Chronicle dated 13th December 2021

Catharine Moore Hooper June 26, 1946 - November 3, 2021

David Jewkes
Commander Derrick Webster, RAN.
Tony Dear writes from Sydney, Australia:

 “I am passing on the sad news of 'the crossing of the bar' of Derrick Webster aged 76 on the 10th November. Diagnosed with Leukaemia 3 years ago, he continued to enjoy life thanks to chemotherapy treatment until just a month ago when his health suddenly deteriorated. He leaves behind wife Caroline (whom he first met in Malta back in 1975) as well as children Derrick, Charlotte and Sam and as father-in-law of Mark. He was the proud Grandfather of Angus, Totti and Mitzi. 

Derrick joined P&O as a Cadet in the late 1950's. He attained his 2nd Mates Certificate and went on to attain his Mate's Certificate before leaving the company as a Junior Deck Officer in "Canberra" in the late 1960's.

He then emigrated to Australia to join the Royal Australian Navy and was appointed to HMAS "Platypus" in Sydney, specialising as a submariner.  He rose through the ranks, quickly attaining the rank of Commander, RAN.  Following an exemplary career and potential future with the Royal Australian Navy he decided to end his days with them when he failed an X/O “Perisher” course in Scotland which would have given him submarine Command. Those familiar with the submarine service, will know why the course is called "Perisher" as few survive.

Given the opportunity at the time, he was appointed to what was then known as The Maritime Services Board of NSW (MSB) as Chairman of their leisure craft division. The appointment saw Derrick undertake the planning, coordination and execution of the Australia Day Bi-Centennial celebrations in Sydney Harbour in 1988 that were broadcast on radio and TV.

He then left the MSB to pursue his own business interests, venturing into the defence industry successfully continuing in this field until his retirement.”

The funeral will take place at 3.00 pm on Tuesday 16th November in the ANZAC Memorial Chapel, Royal Military College, Duntroon, Canberra. The service will be streamed through the Internet and can be received by using the following link:

https://livestream.com/iv/DerrickWebster

Derek Warmington
Michael (Mike) Pullen
News has been received from Australia that Mike Pullen died on the 17th October at the age of 90.

After serving an apprenticeship with the Peter Brotherhood Company in Peterborough, Mike joined the Orient Line in September 1951 as an Assistant Engineer Officer. His first ship was OTRANTO and during the years that followed he also served in ORSOVA, ORION, ORCADES, ORONTES and ORIANA.

In 1974, he left and emigrated to Australia where he joined the Australian National Line, remaining at sea with that Company until his retirement in 1996. His last appointment was as Chief Engineer Officer of the Ro-Ro passenger ferry SPIRIT OF TASMANIA.

The funeral has already taken place, but it can still be viewed by clicking on the following link:  

https://tobinbrothers.com.au/tribute/details/22119/Michael-Pullen/obituary.html#tribute-start
 
 Derek Warmington
Jill Salmon
I bring the sad news that Jill Salmon died on Friday 15th October in the Whittington Hospital in North London where she was being treated for pneumonia and kidney problems. She was 88 years of age.

Jill joined the Orient Line as an Assistant Purser in the late 1950s when they were known as Female Assistant Pursers or ‘FAPs’. Her first ship was ‘Otranto’ and in December 1960 she sailed in ‘Oriana’ for the maiden voyage.

She remained at sea until 1973 when she was obliged to leave/retire to comply with a company policy that required female Officers to retire at the age of 40. She was one of the last, if not the last, to whom this policy was applied because Equal Opportunities legislation introduced a couple of years later caused this policy to be abandoned.

Funeral details are still awaited.

Derek Warmington
 
Peter J Sara
The sad news has been passed to me that Peter Sara died of COVID-19 on the 14th October. He was 71 years of age.

Peter joined as a P&O Group Engine Cadet in 1967 before joining P&O Cruises as an Assistant Engineer Officer in 1971. During the years that followed, he worked his way up through the various Engineer Officer ranks before leaving P&O in 1980. 

His various ships included – Oronsay, Canberra, Spirit of London/Sun Princess, Island Princess and Pacific Princess.

He then joined Warsash Maritime Academy as a Senior/Principal Lecturer and stayed there until December 1997, spending his last year as Acting Head of Engineering.

In January 1998 he joined the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a Marine Surveyor and remained there until his retirement in 2011.

Funeral details are still awaited.

Derek Warmington
 
Karen Harris (Court)
Karen sadly passed away from cancer on Sept 13th aged 58.

She joined P&O in 1984 as a dancer sailing on Canberra, UK and World cruises, leaving towards the end of 1985.

On Canberra she met Peter Harris who was Chief Officer at the time. She joined Princess cruises in 1986 until 1988 working as a dancer - ents Officer .

In 1989 Peter and Karen married and went to live on the white cliffs of  Dover. They had 3 children, the eldest Tom is a technical manager in the  marine industry, Eloise who became a dancer and Claudia who went to sea in the hotel side of cruising.

Once the children had reached teenage years Karen went back into the dance industry as a ballet teacher and was asked to become an examiner with the Royal Academy of Dance. A role she really enjoyed that took her all over the world. She also spent several weeks a year cruising with Peter.

Captain Peter Harris
Captain Alistair Clark
The sad news has been received that Captain Alistair Clark died on Wednesday 15th September following a stoic battle with cancer.  Alistair was 65 years of age.
 
Alistair first joined P&O as a Deck Cadet in 1974 and he subsequently enjoyed a full career as a Deck Officer that spanned more than 40 years on board many vessels in the P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Cunard fleet.  Alistair was promoted to Captain in 2000 and commanded a number of company vessels until 2016 when he took on the Fleet Captain role, serving across the entire fleet.  Alistair retired in 2018 due to ill health.
 
Alistair’s wife, Eileen (née McFarlane), was a Purser's Officer with P&O from 1987 until 1998 when she left the sea to bring up their two daughters, Abigail and Roseanna.
 
Funeral arrangements are to be advised.

Derek Warmington

Captain Alistair Clark

Dear All 

It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you of the death of Captain Alistair Clark, who died peacefully yesterday, 15th September.       

Alistair’s amazing career spanned over 40 years with Carnival UK starting in 1974 rising through the ranks to become Captain more than 20 years ago. Alistair was Master of many vessels in his career across the P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises fleet, latterly signing off from Ventura before taking his role as Fleet Captain where he shared his many years of knowledge across the entire corporate fleet. Alistair subsequently retired from his seafaring career due to ill health.  I personally have many great memories over the decades working with Alistair and would say his style of management and mentoring has given us some of the great people we have in our Fleet today. 

Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Eileen at this very difficult time, who will be known to many as a friend and colleague within Carnival House and the Fleet.  I know you’ll join me in expressing our deepest sympathy to Eileen, their family and many friends and colleagues across the world, our thoughts are with them too.   

If you’re affected by this news, support is available to you from your HR Manager, CARE team or via our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). 

As a mark of respect, the flags at Carnival House will be lowered to half mast today.   

Regards 

Donnacha 

Donnacha O'Driscoll | Executive Vice President Maritime, Carnival UK
Mrs Jean Smith (Wood)
The sad news has been received that Mrs Jean Smith died on Saturday 4th September after losing a long battle against cancer. Jean was a Nursing Sister at sea with P&O from 1967 to 1971 and was the wife of Commodore Rory Smith.

Jean Anne Cameron Wood trained as a paediatric nurse in Glasgow before going to University College Hospital to acquire her general nursing qualifications and later gained her midwifery qualifications in Aberdeen. In 1967 she joined P&O, sailing in ‘Iberia’, ‘Cathay’ and returning to ‘Iberia’ in 1969, before going ashore on marrying Rory Smith in 1971. 

She continued to sail with her husband until his retirement in 2004 and was a keen supporter of the P&O Medical Society.

Funeral details to follow.

Derek Warmington
Peter Newman
The sad news has been received that Peter Newman died on the 29th August at the age of 92.

After completing National Service in the Army where he served in Malaya, Peter joined the Orient Line in the West End Passenger Department in the late 1940s and specialised in Reservations and Sales, continuing in this role with P&O after the merger of Orient Line and P&O in 1960. 

In 1974, he transferred to Fleet Personnel Department where he specialised in budgeting and administration, remaining there until the Department relocated to Southampton in 1984. Rather than move, Peter opted to remain in London and transferred back to Reservations and Sales until his retirement in 1990. 

The funeral will take place at 11.00 am on Wednesday the 15th September in the South Chapel of Southend Crematorium, 285 Sutton Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 5PX.

Derek Warmington
Michael ‘Mick’ Ward (2)


Michael ‘Mick’ Ward’s funeral will take place at the West Berkshire Crematorium, Bath Road, Thatcham, Berks, RG19 4LD, at 10.00 am on Thursday 9th September.

For those of you who would have liked to attend but are unable to do so, the Service is being streamed through the Internet.  Details of the Webcast are as follows:

Website:   www.obitus.com   
User Name:     xugi9055
Password:       220256

Streaming will begin approximately five minutes before the Service commences.

The Funeral Directors are AB Walker, 40 The Broadway, Thatcham, Berks, RG19 3HP. Telephone: 01635 873672.   Donations in Mick’s memory may be made through them to the Royal Berkshire Hospital ITU and the Ambulance Service.

Derek Warmington
Michael ‘Mick’ Ward

I bring the sad news that Michael ‘Mick’ Ward, retired Chief Butcher, died on the 19th August in the Royal Berkshire Hospital as a result of post operative complications. He was 78 years old.

Mick went to sea as a 3rd Butcher in 1961 and worked at sea for 46½ years until his retirement in 2008. His last ship was VENTURA, but he will be particularly remembered for the many years he spent in CANBERRA.

Funeral details are still awaited.

Derek Warmington

Mrs Lesley Richards (2)
 
Further to my earlier advice, a remembrance service will be held at the Harbour View Crematorium, Lytchett Minster, BH16 6AN, on Thursday 2nd Sept at 10.00 am. 
 
The rig of the day should be colourful and casual and the ceremony will be followed by a celebration of Lesley’s life at the family home, Landlubbers Cottage. All are welcome and directions to the cottage will be provided on the day. For anyone travelling some distance, an accommodation package has been arranged through a family friend at the Railway Hotel, Fordingbridge. The hotel can be contacted on 01425 653388 for details and bookings.

In order to get an approximate idea of numbers, attendees are requested to confirm whether they are coming to the service at Harbour View and whether attending the celebration afterwards. If you have not already confirmed, please email Harbourviewrsvp@outlook.com along with any other questions.
 

Derek Warmington
Mrs Lesley Richards 
The sad news has been received that Mrs Lesley Richards died on Friday 13th August at her home near Fordingbridge after a long illness. She was 71 years of age.

Lesley was a dancer and member of the entertainments team on board Oriana and Canberra for much of the 1980s.

Her husband Guy was a Second Officer with P&O.

Lesley will be much missed by her family and friends. Like her approach to everything in life, she dealt with this recent period of adversity in her typically cheerful and positive manner.

Funeral details are not yet known.
 

Derek Warmington
Ian Bruce Benson
News has been received from Australia that Ian Benson died in Mornington, Victoria, on the 10th August at the age of 89. He had been in a Nursing Home on the Mornington Peninsula for the last three years.
 
Ian joined the Orient Line office in Melbourne straight from school in the 1940s, initially working in the baggage area, then Claims, before moving to the Passenger Department where he eventually rose to be the General Manager for Melbourne.
 
Following the Orient Line merger with P&O, he left in the mid 1960s to join Lloyd’s Agency in Melbourne, initially as the Assistant Manager and then as the Manager, remaining there until his retirement.
 
The funeral will be private due to local Covid restrictions but it is hoped to hold a celebration of his life at a later stage.
 
 
Derek Warmington
Commodore Antony Barrett CBE RD** DL RNR
I bring the sad news that Commodore Antony (Tony) Barrett died in Fremantle, Western Australia, on Sunday the 20th June at the age of 89. He had been suffering from motor neurone disease.

After pre-sea training at the Southampton School of Navigation, Warsash, Tony joined P&O as a Deck Cadet in 1949 and remained at sea until 1969 by which time he had risen to be Chief Officer. He then transferred ashore and there followed a succession of management appointments in P&O Cruises and P&O Ferries. 

In 1987 he was appointed a Director of P&O Ferries, with special responsibility for the audit and restructuring of marine operations following the capsize of the ‘Herald of Free Enterprise’. This was followed by assignment to the P&O Group where he oversaw the operational safety management of the whole of the company’s activities, ashore and afloat, as Director of Safety Audits.

Tony joined the Royal Naval Reserve in 1954 and rose to become Commodore in 1985. He held the Reserve Decoration with clasp, was appointed an ADC to the Queen in 1983 and awarded the CBE in 1989.

In 1993, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London and represented the Lieutenancy for the Borough of Harrow. He was also a past Master of the Honorable Company of Master Mariners, a Past Chairman of the Council of the Naval Club and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights.

The funeral details are not known.

Derek Warmington
Rod Clayburn
The sad news has been received that Rod Clayburn died on the 11th June at the age of 76.  He had been suffering from cancer for a number of years.
 
Rod joined P&O in 1968 as an Assistant Electrical Officer and his first ship was ORONSAY. He subsequently sailed in various P&O and Princess ships before retiring from ROYAL PRINCESS as Chief Electro-Technical Officer in 2001.

His wife Liz (née Kenyon) was a Nursing Officer with P&O Princess.

Private funeral arrangements are being made.

Derek Warmington
Roy Coots
I have received news from Christchurch, New Zealand, that Roy Coots died suddenly on the 8th May at the age of 62.

Roy was a Public Room Steward and Assistant Barman with P&O Princess in the late 1970s and early 1980s and sailed in ‘Oriana’, ‘Sea Princess’ and ‘Pacific Princess’. He left in 1986 , married his wife Denise and emigrated to New Zealand.

The funeral has already taken place but there will be a celebration of Roy’s life at the Halswell Bowling Club, 301 Halswell Road, Christchurch at 2.00 pm on Tuesday the 18th May. His former P&O Princess colleagues will be represented at the event by Brad Maxwell, ex Public Room Steward, who now lives in Auckland.

Derek Warmington
Geoffrey (Geoff) Dobbin
News has been received from Australia that Geoffrey Dobbin died peacefully in New South Wales on 28 April at the age of 90.

After growing up on a sheep station, Geoff went to sea as a Deck Cadet in 1947 with the Australian United Steam Navigation Company (AUSN Co) and E&A Line. He also spent a period with Bank Line before joining P&O in 1951 as 4th Officer of ‘Perim’. During the years that followed he sailed in ‘Stratheden’, Coromandel’, ‘Strathaird and ‘Arcadia’ before leaving P&O in 1960 as 1st Officer.

He then returned to Australia and worked in a number of different companies and organisations including Associated Container Transportation Australia (ACTA) where he was Operations Director, and The Grain Handling Authority, where he was Managing Director. He was also Director of the Department of Agriculture from 1986 to 1988 and then from 1990 to 1992, he was Chairman of the Island Industries Board and Administrator of the Torres Strait Islands, based on Thursday Island.

He was a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve and was awarded the Reserve Decoration (RD) in 1966.

The funeral will be held at 11.30 am on Monday 10th May in the Camellia Chapel at the Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium, Delhi Road, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.

Derek Warmington
Ronald (Ron) Davies
I bring the sad news that Ron Davies, retired Purser with P&O, died on 25 April after losing a long battle with cancer. He was 87.

Ron spent his whole career at sea. Initially he joined Royal Mail Lines as an Assistant Purser but left to join British India S N Co (BI). In 1971, by which time Ron was a Deputy Purser, the BI ships ‘Nevasa’ and ‘Uganda’ were transferred to P&O Passenger Division and he transferred with them and joined P&O.

Ron retired in 1993. His last appointment was as Purser of ‘Canberra’.

The funeral will be private.

Derek Warmington
David (Dave) Hale
The sad news has been received that Dave Hale died on the 12th April at the age of 71.

After attending the National Sea Training School in Gravesend, Dave joined P&O in 1965 as a Bell Boy at the age of 16. In the years that followed, he sailed in a number of P&O ships including ‘Chusan’, ‘Oronsay’, ‘Pacific Princess’ and ‘Island Princess, working his way up to become a Public Room Barman. He left P&O/Princess in the early 1980s.

Funeral details are not yet known.

Derek Warmington
Father James Earley
The news has been passed to me that Father James Earley died on Sunday the 21st March at the age of 73.

Father James was with P&O Princess from the early 1970s onwards as a Head Waiter, Assistand Maitre d’ and Maitre d’, sailing in a number of ships including ‘Oronsay’, ‘Canberra’, Oriana’ and ‘Sun Princess’, before leaving to enter the Priesthood.  

His most recent appointment was as the Dean of the Catholic Church for North East Lincolnshire.

Funeral details are not yet known.

Derek Warmington
James (Jim) Davis CBE

Jim Davis
 
Helped steer shipping industry through boom and bust
 
JIM DAVIS, who has died aged 92, was a leading figure in the global shipping industry, instrumental in the creation in 1975 of the International Maritime Industries Forum (IMIF) a pioneering affiliation of owners, bankers, charterers, insurers and many others in the industry.
 
Over the next 40 years, mostly under Davis’s chairmanship, the IMIF became a vehicle for informal debate and discussion of problems. Davis was a genial host of the forum’s annual dinner when he would invite as guest speaker a powerful ship owner, a senior politician, or a round-the-world, single-handed sailor. He also gave his own insights before concluding with a comic routine.
 
Behind the scenes Davis helped to shape governments’ shipping policies and to steer the industry through busts and booms.
 
James Gresham Davis was born on July 20 1928 in Dovercourt, Essex, where his father, Robert, who had gained his master’s ticket in sail, was marine superintendent of the LNER North Sea train and passenger ferries.
 
As a child, he was never happy when far from the sea or ships, and as a schoolboy in wartime he worked during the holidays as a deckhand on the Harwich pilot boat. After three years’ “disappointing and melancholic” National Service in the Royal Navy, he went up to Clare College, Cambridge, to read Economics and Law.
 
From 1952, he undertook a four-year apprenticeship with P&O, when he learnt all aspects of the company’s business. His apprenticeship encompassed a slow boat to Calcutta and periods in Kobe, where he learnt Japanese, and Hong Kong, where he befriended future shipping magnates such YK Pao.
 
Returning to P&O’s London offices, he was responsible for planning the introduction into service of SS Canberra. He learnt lessons from the mergers of P&O and the Orient line, and helped to steer the company though the introduction of cruising and containerisation. In 1967, at a remarkably young age, he was made a director.
 
But the highlight of his time with P&O was when Miss Amsterdam was invited to glamorise the launch of the company’s continental cruising season, to be outclassed, in Davis’s view, by a Dutch Second Officer Purser, Adriana Johanna “Hanny” Verhoef; they married in 1973.
 
Davis survived the dark shadows cast when the management consultants MacKinsey “bruised their way through all departments of the company” in 1972. But he was “shattered” to be “let go” by P&O, despite having backed the winning side of a boardroom putsch. In 1972 he was recruited by Kleinwort Benson as its director of shipping. For the next 15 years he thrived. He understood shipping; he loved it, and passed his enthusiasm on.
His ever-expanding circle of friends and business clients included Loucas Hajioannou (the father of Stelios, founder of easyJet) who stood out because he always made his payments of interest and repayments of loans several days earlier than needed.
 
Davis, who was appointed CBE in 1988, also developed a strong relationship with Det Forenede Dampskibs Selskab (the United Steamship Company or DFDS) and other Danish cruising, shipbroking and travel companies. He served as chairman of the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce, and in 1996 was made knight commander of the order of Dannebrog.
 
Davis’s sharp mind meant that he was listened to and his ideas were acted upon. From early youth he doodled during lessons and meetings and was sometimes accused of not paying attention. But, he explained, his doodles of ships helped him to concentrate. In 2007 he published an autobiography You and Your Ships (2007).
 
His wife and three daughters, who all survive him, were the epicentre of his life.
 
Jim Davis, born July 20 1928, died March 20 2021
 
Published in the Telegraph Monday the 19th of April.
James (Jim) Davis, CBE
 
The sad news has been received that Jim Davis died on Saturday the 20th March at the age of 92.

After National Service in the Royal Navy and attending Cambridge University, Jim joined P&O in 1952 as a Management Trainee. During the years that followed he spent periods in India, Hong Kong and Japan before returning to London and becoming the Marketing Director of P&O Lines.

Jim left P&O in 1972 and became a Director of Kleinwort Benson, with particular responsibility for Shipping and Transport, until his retirement in 1988.

Post retirement he became the honorary Chairman of the International Maritime Industries Forum (IMIF) and continued in this role until 2014.

He was awarded the CBE in 1988.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral will be private but it is hoped to hold a memorial service later in the year.

Derek Warmington
Dennis Morris
News has been passed to me that Dennis Morris died on the 14th March in Fullerton, California, at the age of 70.
 
After serving an apprenticeship with British Rail in Derby, Dennis joined P&O as an Assistant Electrical Officer in 1973. His first appointment was to ‘Nevasa’ and he later sailed in ‘Island Princess’, and in ‘Canberra’ as 2nd Electrical Officer, before leaving to get married and moving to California.

In California, he worked at the California State University, Fullerton, remaining there until his retirement in 2013.

Derek Warmington
Susan (Sue) Huggins
I bring the sad news that Sue Huggins died suddenly during the weekend of 13/14 March.  She was 70 years of age.

Sue joined P&O as an Assistant Purser in 1971 and her first ship was ‘Uganda’. During the years that followed she sailed in most of the P&O Princess ships, working her way upwards through the various ranks until promoted to Purser/Hotel Manager in 1994.

She left P&O Princess in 2001 after opting to take early retirement. Sue’s last appointment was as Purser/Hotel Manager of ‘Royal Princess’.

Funeral details are not yet available.

Derek Warmington
Mrs Connnie M Brown (Douthwaite)

News has been received that Mrs Connie Brown died earlier today, the 14th March, at the age of 86.  She had been suffering from cancer and passed way in a Hospice in Grantham.
 
As Connie Douthwaite, she was a Nursing Sister with P&O in the 1960s in Arcadia and Oriana.
 
Funeral details are not as yet known.

Derek Warmington

Alan Myers
The sad news has been received that Alan Myers died on Friday the 5th March at the age of 85.

After National Service in the RAF, Alan initially joined Gray Dawes Insurance before moving to British India SN Co (BI) where he eventually became Operations Manager for BI Educational Cruising.

When Educational Cruising ended in1983, Alan moved to P&O Cruises where he became Operations Manager in Southampton until his retirement in 1994.

The funeral will be private due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Derek Warmington
Captain Peter Jarvis

I bring the sad news that Captain Peter Jarvis died on the 12th February. He had been suffering from cancer for some time and earlier had a heart attack whilst in the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

Until his retirement, Peter was a Senior Master with P&O Ferries, Portsmouth. His first command was in 1982 and he was the only Master to have commanded all three of their ships based there, from the smallest  - ‘St Magnus’, to the largest – ‘Pride of Bilbao’.

The funeral has already taken place and was private due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Derek Warmington

Dennis Trigg

News has been passed to me that Dennis Trigg died recently.

Dennis was Hull Maintenance Manager with P&O but left in 1974 to become Clerk of the Works of Durham Cathedral.

He undertook his training at Redhead’s Shipyard in South Shields and prior to joining P&O he was a Surveyor with Lloyds Register of Shipping.

I regret that I have no further information.

Derek Warmington

Mrs Delphine Langley

More sad news.  Mrs Delphine Langley died in a Care Home in Winchester on the 8th February at the age of 84.  

Delphine was the widow of Alan Langley, the former Managing Director of P&O Cruises. She and Alan first met in Singapore where she was living at the time and Alan was a 2nd Officer on shore leave.

Funeral details are not yet known, but it is likely to be private due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Derek Warmington

Peter Moores
News has been received that Peter Moores died of COVID-19 on the 22nd January at the age of 85.

After serving an apprenticeship with W H Allen & Sons in Bedford, Peter joined the Orient Line in 1957 as an Assistant Engineer Officer and sailed in ‘Orsova’ and ‘Oronsay’. 

In 1962, while on study leave for his 1st Class Certificate, he was offered a position with Reckitt & Colman in Chiswick as a senior plant engineer and never returned to sea. He went on to be the Manager of the Chiswick plant before becoming the HR Director for Reckitt and Colman’s Household and Toiletries Division. 

Later, he moved to the Prince of Wales’s ‘Prince’s Youth Business Trust’ (sponsored by Reckitts) helping to identify hopeful and talented young entrepreneurs to make a success of their new businesses.

The funeral will be held on the 22nd February, but will be private due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Derek Warmington
Pamela Chapman

I bring the sad news that Pamela Chapman died on the 1st of February at the age of 84. She had been living in a Care Home suffering from dementia until recently developing COVID-19.

 

Pamela was a Children’s Hostess with P&O in the 1960’s and sailed in ‘Iberia’ and ‘Oronsay’. She had previously spent a period with Union Castle Line. 

 

Derek Warmington

Captain Othello ‘Otty’ Ghoshroy

The sad news has been received that Captain Othello ‘Otty’ Ghoshroy has died at the age of 47.

After completing a Cadetship in cargo ships, ‘Otty’ joined Cunard and was appointed to QUEEN ELIZABETH 2, where, during the years that followed, he progressed through the ranks to Chief Officer. He then sailed in QUEEN MARY 2 for the maiden voyage as 1st Officer. 

In 2007 he spent a period as Deputy Captain of P&O Cruises ARTEMIS and in 2009 he was Deputy Captain of OCEANA. 

In 2013 he was promoted to Captain with Seabourn Cruises.

Derek Warmington

Captain David Perkins
It has been announced that Captain David Perkins died on the 14th January at the age of 64 after a short illness.

David joined Cunard as a Cadet in 1974 and, during the years that followed, he progressed through the ranks to become the 25th Captain of ‘Queen Elizabeth 2’. Subsequently he commanded ‘Queen Mary 2’ and the P&O Cruises’ ships ‘Artemis’ and ‘Oceana’ before retiring from Carnival in 2012.

Derek Warmington
Mrs Irene Dobson (Birchby)

I bring the sad news that Mrs Irene Dobson died on the 8th December 2020 at the age of 76. She had been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.

As Irene Birchby, she was an Assistant Purser and later a Hostess with P&O in the late 1960s and early 1970s, sailing in ‘Himalaya’, ‘Oriana’ and ‘Canberra’. She also spent a period with Royal Viking Line as a Hostess. 

The funeral will be held at the Wessex Vale Crematorium, Bubb Lane, West End, Southampton, SO30 2HL at 10.00 am on Monday, the 25th January. Numbers attending will be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Derek Warmington

Barbara Dracott

I have received the sad news that Barbara Dracott died on the 11th January 2021 at the age of 79.  She had been in a Care Home for some considerable time.

Barbara was a Nursing Sister with P&O in the early 1970s and sailed in ‘Arcadia’, ‘Uganda’ and ‘Himalaya.

Derek Warmington

Gerry Dyer
I bring the sad news that Gerry Dyer died on the 9th January 2021 at the age of 72.

Gerry joined P&O Princess as an Assistant Electrical Officer in the early 1970s having previously completed an Apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering in South Brent near Plymouth, and first serving at sea with Shaw Savill aboard ‘Zealandic’.

He spent the remainder of his career with P&O Princess, serving mainly in the ships of the Princess Fleet and he retired with the rank of Staff Electro-Technical Officer in April 2012.

The funeral will be private due to COVID-19 restrictions but the family hope to hold a Memorial Service for Gerry later in the year when circumstances permit.

Derek Warmington
Philip Hearle

The sad news has only just been received that Philip Hearle died on the 19th November 2020 after losing a long battle with cancer. He was 88.

After serving in Hong Kong during his National Service, Philip joined Elder Dempster Lines Limited and was based in West Africa from 1953 to 1960. He then joined P&O in the West End Passenger Department in Cockspur Street, London, specialising in Reservations and Sales. 

In 1979/80, he transferred to the Shore Staff Personnel Department as a Personnel Officer, initially in London and then from 1984 in Southampton. He left P&O in 1986.

From 1986 until his retirement in 1994, he was a Personnel Officer with the Hampshire Ambulance Service.

The funeral has already taken place.

Derek Warmington

Mrs Eve Hall (Clarke)

I have heard from her husband, Graham, who was a Deck Officer with P&O, that Mrs Eve Hall died on the 16thNovember 2020 after a short illness. She was 86 years of age.

As Eve Clarke, she was a Children’s Hostess with the Orient Line and P&O in the late 1950s and early 1960s. She left to marry and return to teaching until her retirement, having moved to Bembridge on the Isle of Wight in 1969.

The funeral has already taken place.

Derek Warmington

Dr Patrick (Paddy) Morrissey

News has been received that Dr Paddy Morrissey died on 1 January 2021 at the age of 94.

Paddy Morrissey was a ship’s Surgeon (Doctor) with the Orient Line and later P&O from the early 1950s until the mid 1960s.

After leaving the sea, he went into General Practice in Kensington in London where he remained until his retirement.

The funeral will be private due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the family hope to hold a Memorial Service later in the year.

Derek Warmington

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