I've just heard that Billy Allen, the last surviving crewman from the Cervia tragedy, has died. I don't know the exact date, but I understand it was about two weeks ago. I first met him when he was my skipper on the Ocean Cock back in 1962 -------------------Mike Houckham
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CAPTAIN DON WYATT
Don passed away peacefully 27th April 2012.
A sad loss to all who knew him. --------------Harold Russell.
Don Wyatt and I sailed together many times he was Mate of the Cervia when I was cook and Mate of the Sun XIX when I was third hand. I was also his Mate when we transferred to Felixstowe, he was somebody I looked up to, when I got my Masters job I tried to model myself on him and as I used to say to him at the reunion's, Don you're my Hero. I will miss him greatly. With sad Regards------------ Tony Gregory.
Very sad to hear the news about Don Wyatt . sailed with him in Cervia 1964/65 even managed to get the old girl to Rotterdam and back .Great shipmate great loss. ------------------Tony Wade
Sad new regarding Don, I remember him from many years ago when he was Mate with No. 2 Relief Crew with Jackie Simmons. I was the cook. Then later in Felixstowe as Master of the Deban. He was such a nice guy. Good night and God Bless.-------------------Capt. Toby Freeman [Panama].
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JOHN CHANDLER
Posted 7-6-2012
John passed away in 2012. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time. John was cook on Contest in 1962.
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BOB SAMSON
Bob very sadly passed away on 18th December 2012.
So sad to hear that Bob has passed away i was with Bob for many years in the sun london and sun sussex there was never a dull moment with Bob, he will be fondly remembered by myself and my family. - Barry Sutherland
bless you bob many happy times in steam tugs in 1960s rest well gypsy bill [Bill Simpson]
My self and my family are truly saddened to hear, the news that Bob (Sam )has passed away.I worked with Bob for many years on the tugs,and remained good friends to the end.He had great presence and character , and will be missed by myself and all.Rest in peace Bob.
Tom Reilly.
Svitzer Tugs
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CAPTAIN ALEX BRETT
Passed away 5th Feb 2013. Aged 84.
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Passed away October 2013.
Passed away 4-12-2013.
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Passed away 25 January 2014.
Paddy was my 'fireman' in the 'Vanquisher' when I joined the Tugs at 15 and we were chief engineers on opposite watches in the 'Sun Sussex' when he retired, He was a good friend and will be sadly missed. -
Barry Sutherland
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BRIAN 'CHUNKY' WOOD
Passed away March/April 2014.
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PAUL HERITAGE
Crossed the bar 9-2014.
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HARRY BENNETT
HARRY BENNETT 2nd engineer passed away
on Sunday 30th of August 2014 aged 85.
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Brian Dearing informed me today that his brother Captain Alf Dearing passed away about three weeks ago, the funeral has already taken place, sadly missed by all. - Nolly Harvey.
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BILL COUVES
Passed away 19th May 2015 at Darenth Valley Hospital aged 82.
30-5-2015 Much saddened to read passing of my old friend and childhood neighbour Bill Couves (Royal Pier Road) . Pauline Pullen.
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PETER WIGG
Peter Wigg passed away on the 5th May 2015 and his funeral was 22nd May 2015. - Peter Sutherland.
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BILL RILEY
Doug Hardy reports ex-skipper Bill Riley passed away during June 2015.
Bill Riley passed away on 17-6-2015 - Colin Riley
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SID STYLES
Sid passed away 17-7-2015 in Darenth Hospital aged 75 - Doug Hardy.
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TREVOR HARRIS
Trevor Harris founder member of South Eastern Tug Society and often captain of Tug KENT passed away Saturday 3rd October 2015.
Missed by all on-board- Keith Toms.
I had the pleasure of meeting Trevor at a tuggies Reunion some years back and found him to be a very friendly and knowledgable person, We exchanged several emails over the years on tug matters and i will miss greatly his input and very willing help. RIP Trevor. Pete B.
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REG COX
Passed away February 2016
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RAY JONES [Mate]
Passed away 2017 and cremated at Gravesend 3-3-2017
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CAPTAIN JACK SIMMONS
Passed away on 3rd APRIL 2017 at his home aged 92.
Sad to hear the news on Jack, I first met him way back in 1968 I also knew his two sons Jackie and Colin. I worked on the Tugs in Gravesend. Many years have passed us now for my own sins I also became a Tugmaster. I will always remember Jack great guy. - Capt Tyrell Freeman [Panama].
I have known Jack since the early sixties. I learned a lot about tugging
from Jack when I was third hand with him in the Sun XIX John Reynolds
was the Deck Hand Jack was a great guy and I really appreciated his
friendship. He will be greatly missed
- Tony Gregory
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JACK ROOTS
Jack Roots passed away on 24th July 2017
I worked with Jack for many years a lovely man a great golfer and a gentleman.- Barry Sutherland.
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DENNIS McCARTHY
It is with sadness that I have to report that Dennis McCarthy, remembered as Arthur, sadly passed away on 6th February 2018 at hospital in Manchester.
He was cook of the Watercock, and one of life's real characters. I will miss him greatly.- Tony Gregory
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ERIC WOTTON
Ppassed away 7th January 2019.
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Chief engineer DAVE THOMPSON
Passed away on Wednesday the 24th April 2019
age 83 in Darenth Valley Hospital
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SKIPPER CHARLIE CARTER
HAS PASSED AWAY AGED 75 IN 2019
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GRAHAM EAST
WHO WAS A BOY ON THE TUGS IN THE 1980S PASSED AWAY 2019
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SKIPPER ALAN CLARKE
PASSED AWAY ON THE 19TH JUNE 2019 IN A HOME IN CHATHAM
Sorry to hear Alan [Nobby]Clarke has crossed the bar. Spent many happy times and laughs in Crested Cock R I P. - Tony Wade.
Article from Kent Messenger
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TERRY HALEY
Passed away April 2020 [Covid-19]
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DENIS WISE
Passed away in hospital 14 April 2020
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BRYAN J BACON
Retired skipper of Sun Kent
Passed away peacefully on Sunday 31st May 2020 at Ellenor Hospice in Gravesend
R.I.P. Bryan - Mark Stevens
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DENNIS [Mac] MCCARTHY
[Chief Engineer]
Passed away 20th July 2020 aged 90.
To think that 90 percent of all the chiefs of today working the Tugs at Gravesend and Sheerness are all down to the training given by Dennis, is some legacy ----------Rick Pedler
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Captain DOUG HARDY
Sadly passed away 11-2020 following a long illness.
I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Doug at one of the re-unions some years back. A very nice guy. He was also a regular contributor to this website from its earliest days and i will miss his contact and input greatly. RIP Skipper. - PETE.
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Captain JOHN STANFORD
Passed away 23-1-2020
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MICHAEL 'MIKE' HOUCKHAM
Passed away 7-2021
Mike was a very early and constant contributor to Thames Tugs website and in later years the driving force behind the preservation of Cervia. I met him on a number of occasions at Ramsgate and greatly valued his friendship and knowledge. Rest in Peace Mike.--- PETE
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KEN GRIG
Chief Engineer
Passed away peacefully at home 26-12-2021. RIP.
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KENNETH [KEN] SUTHERLAND
Hi I would like to inform
you my father Kenneth (Ken) Sutherland passed away on the 16.06
2021 and will be sadly missed by family, friends and all who sailed with
him over the years
Many thanks David Sutherland
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CAPTAIN BERT CHAPMAN
Passed away peacefully in his sleep 13 July 2022.
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CAPTAIN REG MERCHANT
The family of Captain Reg Merchant ex Sun XVI, Sun III, Sun Swale and
Ionia are sorry to announce his passing at the age of 95 on Tuesday 15th
November 2022 at home of old age. He will be sorely missed by his
Daughter's Carol and Linda and his son Peter.
13-12-2022 Captain Reg Merchant; sorry to here of Reg"Crossing
the Bar" He was Mate of Sun 111 when I was made Junior Deck Hand in
1956. Reg looked after me and made sure I was safe. He was always kind
and helpful. A really great Tugboat Man. Kind regards to all the family.
Brian Biggs
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