Archie GEDDES
89 - 92
Archie Geddes joined the Grey Funnel Line in 1988 as a baby stoker, and in the time it takes to get a pair of ovvies that don't fit from Jack Dusty, he was on the Gulf-bound Mighty Manch! In a career that is still going strong, Archie has assisted in the propulsion performances of Liverpool, Southampton, York, Grafton, St Albans and Illustrious and is currently standing by the cruiser-sized destroyer, Diamond in Glasgow. However, with such competition it is pleasing to note that Archie rates D95 as his best ship!! As for runs ashore, he nominates Penang and Singapore as the best, and as for the worst?- Jebel Ali takes some beating! Twas in the United Arab Emirates that our hero fancied doing some sightseeing and duly hired a car for the purpose. Unfortunately - and this is the sad part of the story - he failed to notice that the Arabs drive on the opposite side of the road to the UK! As a consequence, at the very first roundabout he bumped into a Mercedes driven by a local who actually arrived at the scene of the accident with his head already sporting a bandage!! (How lucky was that?!) As a result of the RTA, Archie gained additional sightseeing experience in the local jail, and "first hand" knowledge of crapping without pan or paper! However, the story does have a happy ending due to the intervention of the British Embassy. Crash, sorry Archie, was excused the summary trial and execution bit and was returned safely to the Mighty Manch. Norman Stanley Geddes heard about the 2nd HMS Manchester Association "in a roundabout way"!! Joined 20th March 2009 (192)
Stuart GERRARD
Alasdair "Gilly" GILCHRIST
(Sharon)
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.
Paul "Boxer" GRAHAM
Joined 10th October 2010 (227)
Andy GREEN
(Kathy)
Adrian "Cinders" GREENSLADE
88 - 91
Adrian "Cinders" Greenslade joined Pusser UK in 1987 as an electrical engineer, and in the time it takes to create a loud bang and a puff of black smoke he was off to the Mighty Manch under the auspices of the awe inspiring and astute Stevie Swaine! Acquiring the nickname "Cinders" because of his insistence of departing the Royal Naval School of Dancing before midders on his first run ashore, he rates Singers as his best ships visit and D95 as his best ship, (he only had 2 anyway and the Scummer came 2nd!). However, informed sources do tell an interesting dit about Cinders and a group of messmates who went to Blackpool for the weekend. Everything was hunky dory on the Costa del Lancs until Sunday morning when our hero awoke in Leeds with a lot less attractive and much older woman than he had met the night before! To this day Cinders has no idea what his mode of transport was between Blackpool and Leeds - although a broomstick has not been ruled out! Detaching himself from the lady of his screams, Cinders was then confronted with travelling the 260 miles back to Pompey with only the price of a BR sarnie in his pocket! This he did with all the guile, cunning and flannel with which matelots are renowned, and he duly turned up onboard in time for a shxt, shower - he didn't need a shave - scran and a leisurely saunter to the Nelson Bop! Outside since 97, Cinders is a Sales Manager for a company in Coventry. His interests are centred around flights and flying - he is a confirmed toxophilite (out dictionary!) and he is also learning to fly - Willie Walsh watch out! Cinders heard about the 2nd HMS Manchester Association from Wally Walton. Joined 20th April 2010 (218).
Simon "Dolly" Grey
84 - 88
Simon "Dolly" Grey joined Pusser UK Ltd in 1980 as a 16 year old Artossifer and after a lengthy course on how to tie his shoelaces etc., it was off for a short jolly on the Fearless before he won the star prize - a draft to the Mighty Manch! In a four year stint on Her Majesty's finest, our hero rose from the rank of LMEA to one that permitted him to go ashore dressed as a Chief Petty Officer! He was also forced to endure the rigors of Global 86! (Oh no! Not another one of the b@stards!) A very sociable, garrulous and loquacious member of the clanky sect, Dolly was not above allowing the local gendarmarie to participate in his many lively runs ashore! As a consequence he became a close custody consultant for locations as far apart as Zeebrugge and Zanzibar whilst being able to plead "Not Guilty" in 17 different languages!! Indeed, it will be no surprise to learn that Singers was nominated as his best run ashore on account he was able to return safely to D95 every evening unaided by the local bill! A keen sportsman, particularly football, Dolly was invalided from the Pusser just short of his 22 as a result of an injury sustained playing footy for Pompey R.N. Equally sad was his attempt to gain recognition as a rower of repute. Commandeering a craft for a late night paddle across Pompey harbour on his way back to Collingwood - yes the last ferry had long gone and he hadn't trapped - unfortunately, and here is the sad part of the story, his progress was suddenly halted by the arrival alongside of a speedy craft displaying one green light, one red light, and two of flashing blue! Outside since 2001, Dolly now lives in the New Forest where he works as a landscape gardener. He heard about the 2nd HMS Manchester Association from surfing the www. Joined 23rd March 2010 (215).
Andrew GRIFFIN
Jack GUNTRIP
Ian "Whisky" HAIGH
83 - 86
POMEM(L) / CMEM(L) - 83-86. "Whisky" joined the "Mighty Manch" just in time for the Falklands trip and hopped off in Singers and is therefore only half a Global 86 vet!! An engineer of the old school - Whisky likes to build things - his most famous creation was a large 7' tower constructed entirely of empty Cider tins - it was not recorded which toppled first - Whisky or the tower!! As star of the only performance of the Bonzo Dog Tea Boat Band, he was rather surprised when selected for his buttons (he wasn't the only one!). Whisky now lives in deepest darkest Dumbarton and he heard about the Association from Bungy Williams.
Ade "Itchy" HANCOCK
Joined 16th March 2011 (244)
Glyn HARRIS
(Kim)
95 - 97
