Gentlemen Who Lunch
29 Jan 2025 - Yesterday, MCDOA members Martyn Holloway, Geoff Goodwin and your humble Vice Chairman & Webmaster (Rob Hoole) were joined by former FCPO(D) Chris Jones BEM for a delightful lunchtime session at the Horse & Jockey pub near Denmead in Hampshire.
Geoff and I first met in 1973 while serving in HMS VERNON’s diving tender HMS LALESTON while Martyn was on the staff at HMS VERNON.
Chris Jones, 88 this year, joined the Royal Navy in 1953, qualified as a Clearance Diver in 1957 and left the RN in 1986. Naturally enough, he had a wealth of stories to share. On 6 June 1966, he was gazetted for the award of the BEM (British Empire Medal) while serving on board HMS BREARLEY with the 51st Minesweeping Squadron based at HMS LOCHINVAR at Port Edgar on the south side of the Forth near South Queensferry. This was the citation:
“In August 1965, when a ground to air missile was awaiting disposal on a boulder strewn beach with a rapidly rising tide and no possibility of counter mining measures, CPO JONES showed great skill, courage and technical ability in helping in the removal of the missile over the rocks to a position some way up the cliff. Later in the same month, CPO JONES assisted in the search for and disposal of a 250 lb bomb located under water in the Mull of Kintyre, an operation calling for particular determination and persistence owing to the strong tidal currents in the area, the corroded and unstable state of the bomb and the fact that partial excavation had to take place before it could be successfully countermined. Throughout the entire operation CPO JONES displayed admirable skill and coolness.
Again in the following January, CPO JONES worked with great coolness and courage during the stripping and rendering safe of an unidentified river mine at South Shields. Corrosion of certain parts of the mine made this a particularly difficult and hazardous task.
CPO JONES has consistently shown great courage, determination and an outstanding devotion to duty when dealing with unexploded bombs, mines, shells and warheads.”
Our thanks to Grace, not only for her personal care and attention while serving us but also for taking our photo.
I have set up a ‘Gentlemen Who Lunch’ WhatsApp group for like-minded friends who would appreciate regular lunchtime gatherings, normally on Tuesdays, at pubs in the greater Portsmouth area. If you would like to join it, please let me know by private means, including your mobile number.