Contact and Messages
This site is still evolving, if you have any queries, comments, information or feedback, please feel free to email Sam Edgar at sandredgar@sky.com
For Membership Enquiries, or to join the Association, please contact the secretary Eddie Summerfold
Address:
28 Greymont Rd
Limefield
Bury
BL9 6PN
Phone: 01617 648778
Feel free to leave a comment on the website below…
My father’s cousin Jack Taylor served on the Opossum in 1946. He drowned in Hong Kong on 27 Oct 1946, probably the man mentioned in Arthur Harris’s ‘Memories of the First Commision’. Please can you add him to your crew list.
It is with regret that I have to report the death of Arthur Fredrick Harris on 28th March 2019. Arthur’s home was in Victoria, Australia so he was unable to attend reunions, but he followed our fortunes and very much enjoyed the Newsletters.
Your Contacts facility is fully functional again after we managed to resolve the spam problem which was wasting ages of my time deleting all the rubbish that came in.
Hello Alan
Thank you for your comment and email. I took over the web site from my chum when he passed away. He built a very comprehensive site and as you point out, his Roll of Honour list is more complete than our secretary’s, who produces the newsletters. I will ask him to add your late father’s name. I will also send you a separate email.
Kind regards
Sam Edgar
Although my late father is noted in your roll of honour list, is there a reason why the same is not shown in any ‘news letter’ roll of honour?
Ivor Williams passed away 10.10.2009.
Thank you.
Hi…My father served on HMS Opossum briefly from 1948 to 1954 (William Albert George Bellamy (Cook(S) D/SMX 851877) it would be heartwarming to see his name in the roll.
My father (Bill) has sadly left us now, but I always recall his fond memories and recollections of his time onboard HMS Opossum, many of these memories were extremely vivid and had a lasting impression in his later life.
Michael Bellamy.
Hello Sam, my father was skipper of both HMS Oppossum & Mounts Bay in the late 50s and always told my brother and I how much he loved having a ship’s command, I don’t know if it was unusual as he was Fleet Air Arm. Sadly he passed away some years ago but his memories have remained. Regards, Graham
Hi, My grandad, Jack Orme (known as John – I dont know why!) was the Foreman when HMS Opossum went into Cammell Lairds shipyard for repairs in May 1966. They needed to get the submarine out as fast as they could and did this two weeks earlier than estimated. In recognition of the hard work my grandad and the team put in he was presented with a silver tankard by her commanding officer, Lt. Commander B. R Trussler. I still have the tankard and the shipyards magazine (The Repairer) with a photo of the presentation. I wanted to attach them but could not find a link. Do you want them? If so I can send them to Sam Edgar.
Regards
Sharon Woodward
Hi there I’m certain that my late father Francis(Frank)Breakwell served on the opossum in 1945. If there is anything you can tell me I would love to hear from. Many thanks…Frank Breakwell JR
Hello Ken
I have sent you a separate email. Thank you for contacting us, we hope you can come to our next reunion on 12th to 15th April 2019 at the Queens Hotel in Blackpool. Our secretary, Eddie Summerfold, who was a boy seaman on your commission, would love to meet you again.
Kind regards
Sam Edgar
Hi, my name is Ken Anderson I served on the Opossum 54-56. As a Telegraphist.
We were the first ships company to Re commission by air having taken 5 days to reach Singapore in a York transporter aircraft. Many happy memories.
I continued my navy career for 30 years retiring in 81 a WO1 CT.
Can you please add my name to the crew list.
Hello Iain
I have sent you a separate email. I have posted your enquiry, but I doubt if any of our dwindling band of members will be able to help.
A MEM Robin Skelton doesn’t appear on any of our crew lists.
Sam Edgar
Sorry, tried e-mailing earlier. I am ex RN.I am trying to help this man’s family. He would have been a JMEM, his name Robin Cedric Skelton, joining in 53. Would I be able to check on any of his shipmates are around?
It is with sadness that I report the death of Walter (Brum) Lewis. It happened a couple of years ago, but we only found out when Eddie tried to contact him via a next door neighbour. Because he was a watch keeper in harbour (quartermaster) he lived with us in the stoker’s mess. He was a good mate and I was sorry to hear of his passing.
Hello Gary
I have sent you a separate email after talking to Eddie. He has provided the web site with that very comprehensive 1954-56 crew list, but unfortunately he does not have first names. Knowing Eddie, I think he might find the answer for you and he will contact you directly. By the way, we would love to see you at our next reunion.
Kind regards, Sam
Can anyone help me with AB Smith’s first name & know what happened to him? He was one of the stars of the 1954-55 Rugby team, took me sailing and introduced me to film developing. I owe him much.
I joined ‘Opossum; in January 1955 leaving to return to UK in May 1956. I was one of those rare ratings, a Coder(Ed)with responsibility for ET1 & 2; one of my students was Eddie Summerfold.
An unforgettable amazing experience – thank you ‘Opossum’
Hello Alan
I have sent you separate emails to keep you informed. Our Chairman, Lewis Trinder, who served on that commission could not remember your girlfriend’s father. This communication will remained logged and if anything comes to light I will let you know.
Kind regards, Sam Edgar
I am trying to find out information on my girlfriends grandfather who we think served on u33 ? He recently passed away and in his belongings we found a pennant with HMS OPOSSUM on it and a photograph dated 1945 .His name was James G Shakespeare .Could you shed any light on his service .
Hello Graham
Thank you for contacting us. Your father would have served on the 1952 – 54 commission and I will add his name to the crew list.
Do you have any photographs of his time in the service. We don’t have many from that period. An email attachment would be fine, but originals will be returned safely.
Sam Edgar
My father, Francesco John Stoppani, was a petty officer ordnance artificer on the Opposum during the Korean war. He was part of the crew that following the end of hostilities sailed to Singapore where they left the ship to return to the UK
Hello Adrian
I have added Lance’s name as requested. He was a handsome lad, but I have only vague memories of him. As a young stoker I didn’t get to know lads from the other branches very well. We have family members who attend our reunions and it would nice to meet you next May.
I will send you a separate email.
Kind regards, Sam Edgar
Hi Sam,
Can I add a name to the crew list for the 57-58 commission crew please. My elder half brother Lance Gregory served on that tour, in fact in your crew gallery for that crew page 6 photo number is in fact my elder brother at Terror Pool.
Many thanks,
Adrian (Greg) Gregory, Cpl (Retd) REME
Hello Janet
Your father would have served on the Frigate during the 1952/54 Commission and I have added his name to the crew list. Our shipmates from that era are now very few in number and their memories have dimmed.
I will ask them and you never know, something might stir a recollection.
There are very few photos from that Commission (see ‘Gallery’) and if you have one, it would be nice to include it.
Kind regards, Sam Edgar
Does anybody remember my father William Ryan, who served on the Opossum in the early 50’s? He used to speak of his experiences in Korea. Unfortunately he died at Christmas 2009, but it would be good to hear from anybody who has memories of him.
(Bill Ryan’s daughter Janet)
My dad served on the frigate . He indeed was part of the Korean campaign he served in the RN from 1948 to 1956. His name is John McInnes Gillespie .died September 2012
Hello Barry
Thank you for contacting us. Your Father’s name has been added to the crew list and also to the Roll of Honour. Our reunion is taking place this week end and at least one of our shipmates may remember your Dad.
I have sent you a separate email.
Kind regards, Sam Edgar
hi
Could you also enter my fathers name onto the Crew List above. Thanks
My father – John (Johnny) McDiarmid – Able Seaman – served on HMS Opossum from 03 May 1946 till 27 Jun 1947.
He was also a member of the ships Football team, and possibly represented the ship in boxing (or HMS Implacable)
He didn’t go back to England after the J Force period when he was often based in Hong Kong and left the service on 19th Nov 1947 to return to New Zealand. He died 12th Sep 1992.
Served in the Royal Navy from 6th Mar 1944 – 19th Nov 1947.
Hello Paul
Thank you for contacting us. Yes, our Association welcomes all who have served on the frigate (not many of us left) and everyone who has served on the Submarine during any Commission. In fact we hope my submariner successors will eventually take over and take care of our very smart Standard and this web site.
Is this Opossum reunion open to all serving crews or just certain years
Eddie and myself (with the Standard) attended Ken Hodgkin’s funeral on 3rd March. As usual we found it very moving and Eddie, bless him, was in tears when he was recounting his experiences when Ken was teaching, the then Boy Seaman, Eddie the tricks of his trade.
We were made very welcome by Ken’s family. Mark organised things and transported us around. Daughter Linda and husband Nigel popped round to our hotel that evening to buy us a few wets and give us tots out of an exotic looking bottle of whisky that Ken been saving. Daughter Sue and husband Phil may pop in to see us during the reunion at Southsea in May.
We will miss Ken. One of our stalwarts.
Hello Mr Draycott ,my name is Peter James and I was one of the crew on Opossum as a boy seaman , I remember you and the a/b you called spike Townsend along with a/ b Maggie Lockwood and Jan Pope . I am just about to join the opossum association so may see you in Southsea my email address is peterjames1939b@gmail.com
It is with sadness that I report the death of Shipmate Ken Hodgkin.
Despite some severe illnesses, Ken made every effort to attend our reunions and was always cheerful and good company.
We will miss him.
Hello Carol
I will contact our members from that era to see if we can come up with any information on your Dad.
Sadly, age is taking its toll and our numbers have become very depleted.
Thank you for contacting us. I will keep you informed.
Kind regards
Sam Edgar
Hi.
Does anyone know of my father Cyril King (known as John). I think he served on the Opossum between 1952 – 1954). Any news of him would be greatly appreciated.
Carol Robinson (daughter)
Calling all Opossum Shipmates. Our reunion in May is not far away and Rita and myself are looking forward to welcoming you to our neck of the woods in sunny Portsmouth. There is so much to see and do in this famous old city, especially in the Historic Dockyard.
Don’t forget to book up for another of our enjoyable reunions.
Sam and Rita
From Sam Edgar. Hello Tony, will get the numbers from Eddie and IOW Tours and let you know. We won’t get the full count as some don’t book until quite late. Happy New Year to you and Sylvia.
How many have booked for the 2017 reunion at at southsea
Sylvia and I wish all ship mates and their family a happy xmass and new year see you all in may we are booked in for
the rest of the reunion week we are looking forward to it
Over the moon about choice next year can’t wait to book