Probably the most high-profile of the reacquaintances made through the Timeline has been that of the Engineers on board
during the mid-1960s. Almost simultaneously, I was contacted by Robin Chalmers and George Peterson, and it's been
mostly through George's unstinting efforts that contact has been made with several other former ship-mates.
What comes through clearly is that each section of the “Green Goddess” had its own fairly
close-knit communities and the Engineers, or perhaps I should say the Engineer Officers, were no exception.
Photographs and narrative here were supplied by George Peterson.
17 July 2007
The first of the 2007 reunions took place in Liverpool on 17 July 2007.
George writes…
We managed to get five of us together to “swing the lamp” and try to go over forty years or
more of memories and tales of the past. It was indeed a great night out when me met in the “Caernarvon
Castle” pub in the centre of Liverpool. Although the years have passed, we recognised each other
in an instant.
[Right:] - Left to right:
George Peterson, Mick Kearney, Danny Kennedy, Jimmy Wilson and Colin O'Hara - after a few more pints!
[Photo: Courtesy of
George Peterson]
George continues…
We were very fortunate to have Jimmy Wilson over at this time, as he was holidaying in Scotland having
travelled from Seattle in the U.S.A.
Mick Kearney celebrated his 21st birthday (coming of age at that time) aboard the “Green Goddess”,
so he's the “baby” of the family.
Photo Ref: GP037
Mick Kearney buying a roundPhoto Ref: GP034
Danny Kennedy & Jimmy Wilson
George goes on to say…
We cannot forget our old friend and shipmate John Sarginson who sadly passed away three weeks before the
reunion. We didn't know how ill he was and he was sadly missed.
[Left:] Photo Ref: GP032
Left to right:
Danny Kennedy, Kate Wilson, Sylvia Kennedy, Pam and Colin O'Hara, with Jimmy Wilson behind sofa
Danny Kennedy and his lovely wife Sylvia were good enough to let us stay with them, i.e. myself, Jimmy
Wilson and his wife Kate. Mick Kearney and Colin O'Hara were local lads.
After getting out of the pub at 1am, the following day's golf outing went quite well, with both the ladies
and the fellas.
[Photos above & below - Courtesy of George Peterson]
Another, smaller reunion took place in Athens on the 24th Sept 2007 when George Peterson from Ireland
briefly met up with Neil Clarke from Australia, whilst both were holidaying in Greece.
George writes…
We managed a few hours together and it was great meeting everyone. It was nearly 40 years to the month
when we last said goodbye, so getting the chance to meet again was a stroke of luck, i.e. us being in Greece at
the same time as them.
Naturally, we made most of the short time we had together, going over the past and the present, having a
nice meal and a good wine.
Photo Ref:GP038
Left to right…
Margaret Clarke, Marie Peterson, George and Neil dining in Athens
[Photos above & below - Courtesy of George Peterson]
Photo Ref:GP039
A toast to friendship, George Peterson and Neil Clarke
