An Anglo-Australian MCD gathering
10 May 2023 - Old Aussie friends Paul and Helen Davey have been making one of their two-yearly pilgrimages to the UK from their home near Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. Paul and I first met at HMS VERNON in 1983 while he was undertaking the MW module of the LMCDO course as an RAN CDO and I was on the staff. He returned to Australia after training but transferred to the RN and moved to Southsea with his family in 1990. We served together on several occasions thereafter and our families spent a lot of time with each other before he and Helen moved back to Australia in 1999. My wife and I have enjoyed reciprocal visits with them ever since. Their daughter Maggie has worked in London for several years.
On Sunday 28 April, we rendezvoused at Gunwharf Quays (formerly HMS VERNON) in Portsmouth where Helen fulfilled her ambition of abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower. I had undertaken the same act in 2016 to raise funds for Project Vernon and Paul had performed the descent in 2022.
We celebrated Helen’s achievement with some al fresco drinks in the company of our mutual friends James & Carol Mant. James had served in the Royal Navy as a WEO (Weapons Engineer Officer).
On Friday 3 May, we met the Daveys again at Gunwharf Quays. After the obligatory photo in front of the Vernon Mine Warfare & Diving Monument, we enjoyed the brief company of our old VERNON friend and colleague John ‘George’ Turnbull with his wife Louise, and Gunwharf Quays Operations Manager & Project Vernon trustee Mike Coulter, before enjoying a convivial lunch in the Old Customs House pub (formerly the Captain’s offices in HMS VERNON).
Paul and I then revived old memories by touring the Still & West, the Sally Port and the Dolphin pubs in Old Portsmouth before ending up having a late dinner with our wives back at the Old Customs House where we were joined by my son Gareth and Paul & Helen Davey’s daughter Maggie with her Dutch beau Bobby. Unfortunately, I have no photo of our evening gathering.
On Tuesday 7 May, Paul and I caught up on life with fellow MCDOA members Martyn Holloway and Mike Critchley. We started with a pint at the Fox & Hounds just outside Denmead before consuming a leisurely lunch in the sunny beer garden at the nearby Horse & Jockey.
On Thursday 7 May, Linda and I were joined by our next door neighbours Lez and Janet to give Paul and Helen a good send-off on their final night with us. We all enjoyed a cosy dinner at the Red Lion in Chalton.
The following morning, I drove Paul and Helen to Gatwick airport for the next stage of their journey.