Mark "Mickey" STOWE
86 - 87
(Mark) Mickey Stowe was a stoker for Pusser UK Ltd between 1983-1990, during which time he clanked his way through the Main Machinery Spaces of Phoebe, Arrow, Invincibubble, as well as the mighty Manch, joining as you do prior to circumnavigating the globe - yep, we've been discovered by yet another Global 86 vet!! Travelling Executive Engineering Class, Mickey particularly recalls the visits to Singapore, Pearl Harbour and Vancouver together with the great rapport he quickly established with the Jimmy and the Joss and their frequent and indepth chats where Mickey was granted, the nautical privilege of holding his cap in his hand! Indeed, Mickeys many generous donations to the funds of Pusser UK Ltd during this time drew much critical acclaim - mostly on his 264's - (Pity he didn't take these donations to a political party, then perhaps we would be welcoming Sir Mickey Stowe to the 2nd HMS Manchester Association!). Since ceasing to fund the Grey Funnel Line, Mickey lives and works in the West Midlands making automotive accessories. In his spare time he likes to join 18,000 other hardy souls watching Coventry City F.C. He heard about the Association from Tony Shingler. Joined 26th March 2008.
Christopher "Percy" PURCELL
84 - 87 & 89 - 92
Percy Purcell was a killick seaman onboard the Mighty Manch 84-87 and again from 89-92 which makes him yet another Global 86 vet! (no comment!). A sailor who also saw service on Sheffield (1982), Glasgow and Apollo, he chose Singapore as his best global experience..., but declined to say why! However, informed sources do tell us of an interesting story of our hero in St Petersburg, Russia, whilst St Mungo's warship was acting as guardship to the Royal Yacht. Lurking with intent on the jetty alongside the yacht, it wasn't long before a friendly soul invited him onboard for a beer. Firmly ensconced in the WO & CPOs Mess, which just happened to be throbbing at the time, Percy's hosts got round to dit spinning about all the various ports the Royal Yacht had visited. Eager to impress, Percy informed his hosts that he knew one big harbour that the Royal Yacht had never visited. 'Where's that?' his hosts enquired... "Portland, Dorset" replied Percy, "'cos you b@stards don't do work up"! A comment that got Percy a prompt tour of the gangway! (information anonymously supplied by the Royal Buffer!). Now retired from Pusser UK Ltd, Percy resides in the UKs premier naval port. He heard about the Association from Jack Russell. Joined 5th May 2008.
Alasdair "Gilly" GILCHRIST
82 - 84
Alasdair "Gilly" Gilchrist was a killick golly onboard D95 between 1982 - 84, which was one of eight ships he served on during his undistinguished naval career (Falmouth, Galatea, Sheffield, Scylla, Hermione and two minor war vessels - Ark Royal and Illustrious, being the others). Like all first commissioners, Gilly has his own first...he was the first matelot to be nicked by the old bill! Evidently this travesty of justice took place in Pompey after Gilly had had a mega row with his pash. Keen not to spend the night onboard with his shipmates Gilly thought long and hard for an ideal prezzy with which to make amends. Settling for a giant teddy bear - the big softie - it was whilst travelling back to his pash's house on his bike - with teddy perched on the handlebars - that he had the misfortune to lose control of his cycle, and Gilly, teddy and pedals all went their separate ways...right in front of PC Plod who booked Gilly for being drunk in charge of his velocipede! The story does have a happy ending, Gilly got case dismissed at the Old Bailey, teddy found a home, and his pash discovered the benefits of a cuddly golly over a cuddly teddy. (they are still together!). Gilly retired from the Pusser in 2005 and Her Majesty called our hero round for tea and medals, before he embarked on a second career as a civil serpent. Gilly heard about the Association from Taff Coombs. Joined 11th May 2008.
Andrew "Josey" Wales
87 - 91
Andrew "Josey" Wales - no relation to the boys from Buck House - was a young "skin and essence" sparker on D95 from 87-91 which accounted for most of his seven years in the mob! Josey particularly enjoyed the 88 Armilla Patrol - evidently there were a great bunch of guys onboard at that time (No arguments from me on that one. Ed) - and such was the camaraderie that it prevented our hero from going into the brown and smelly in Athens on the way home. Returning onboard after an all night singing and dancing sesh after Colours...which suggests he may have been slightly adrift...he suddenly realised it was he who should have been actually hoisting the flag!! However, thanks to an unnamed oppo who stepped in to save the day, Josey's time onboard was "table" free!.. Outside since 91, Josey lives in Sheffield with his wife and 3 children where he runs his own business flogging a wide range of hand tools (Jose spanners!). He found out about the Association on Facebook. Joined 1st May 2008.
Douglas Hull
84 - 86
Born in Melrose and educated in Hawick, Rugby enthusiast Dougie Hull - he's been a player coach and referee - was a POWEM(O) onboard the Mighty Manch, from 84-86, and was denied a berth on the world cruise due to a serious rugby injury that caused him discomfort when getting out of his scratcher in time to go ashore! A full career electrician, Dougie has fixed phones and bunk lights on Maidstone, Plymouth, Nubian, Euryalus, Fearless, Triumph, Miner5a, Lincoln and Kent, a list of warships that will no doubt have our younger members searching their personal copies of Jane's Frightening Ships and old I-Spy BR's for details! Dougie's best run ashore was... Manchester, although this did not come without some personal grief from his then wife...she simply did not believe that D95's then Comms Maintainer could not find a serviceable phone where the ship was berthed...in Liverpool! (Mobile phones had not been invented at this time!). Dougie says this is perfectly true even if his speech was somewhat impaired by all the post match hospitality in the 0161 metropolis! Now long retired the Pusser, and Rugby, Dougie is the proud owner of a bus pass which he uses to travel around Pompey. He heard about the Association from Percy Purcell. Joined 15th May 2008.
Stan Sayers
84 - 87
Stan Sayers was a Petty Officer Missleman (PO GI that was) onboard D95 from 1984 to 1987, which makes him yet another Global 86 vet! (How many more are there?!) A full career matelot, in his 37 years with Pusser UK Limited he cracked two drafts to Bristol - the ship, not the holiday camp in Avon - before embarking on his worldwide sojourn on the Mighty Manch. This was followed by a draft to York before he completed his sea going days as a WOGI and carrier queen onboard Ark Royal (2000 - 2003)...which was, he says 'his best ship' - which suggests that Global 86 was not too exciting for our gunnery guru?! ...or is senility creeping in!! Back to his time on D95, Stan - who was captain of the ship's football team - fondly remembers scoring twice in Gibraltar and in true global fashion the runs ashore in Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as being a key member of the PO's Mess Alcohol Appreciation Society!! Now retired to rural Cornwall, Stan is a mobile meterologist. He learned about the Association from Rum Ration. Joined 16th May 2008.
Andy Hazelden
88 - 90
Andy Hazelden was a young AB(M) on the Mighty Manch 88-90, one of two Type 42's he served on during his five years with Pusser UK Ltd. As it happened our young missileman arrived onboard completely by accident... or should I say big accident as he was through drafted to D95 from the Southampton after the Scummers impromptu attempt to send a 240 strong boarding party onto the VLCC Torbay!... which resulted in a small amount of structural damage to Torbay...and a hoofing great hole in D90! Andy's most memorable time onboard his pristine Type 42 was Singapore where he experienced a great "blow out" (his word, not mine) an interesting analogy considering his current employment - and many letters from his bank manager asking him to refrain from using up a whole cheque book per week! Long retired from sailing the seven seas, Andy now runs a tyre fitting business - evidently he has always been into rubber - and lives in the home county renowned for noisy dogs...Barkshire! Heard about the Association from Percy Purcell. Joined 17th May 2008.
Michael "Bully" Bull
88 - 91
Mick (Bully) Bull was a young AB (Missleman) onboard the navy's finest from 1988 - 91, and another who was through drafted from the Scummer after she was T-boned by the Torbay. Among his fond memories of life aboard D95 is the time he was chased around the upper scupper by L/S Jack on the day King Neptune came calling - a very short chase by all accounts - and also being a mate of the Bosun on many an occasion. Informed sources also tell us of a little escapade our hero got up to in Singapore - where one of the locals was very keen to get to know our Bully better!! Evidently when it came to the hand up the kilt part of the acquaintance, poor old Mick was confronted by meat and two veg! (Shock horror disaster exclusive!) How true this is we know not - but it is not like us to publish a Cock and Bull story!! Joined 30th May 2008.
