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last updated Tuesday, November 21, 2006 |
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from Tony (Tommo) Thompson
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The branch,
diving and EOD world will be empty now without this charismatic,
happy go lucky professional that was Ray Roland’s. Scouse was my mentor when I joined the Scotland Team in 1976 and was also my Coxswain on the Maxton. I am sure there will be many stories going around the net now by people that knew him. I can remember when I first left the Navy in 1983. I had just spent my first 6 weeks offshore and was slowly making my way down from Aberdeen to Portsmouth. I wanted to see Ray to tell him how great it was in the big world and George Kent and myself met him onboard HMS Wilton in Rosyth, where he of course commenced forcing us to drink copious amounts of CSB. After 6 weeks of no alcohol it did not take me to long to get the desired effect and the need to find myself a bunk in an attempt to sleep it off in order to commence my trip to Portsmouth. Of course I awoke with the distinct groan of a Mine Hunters main engines and realised I was now at sea. There was not much I could accept, well, have another beer. Only Scouse could pull this off. This is of course one of the publishable events I experienced with Scouse. There are many more. I will never forget the times I had with Scouse and never did get the chance to thank him properly for taking me under his wing when I was a Baby Diver. The world has lost a great man and my thoughts go to his family and to his children during this difficult time. Sleep well my friend, men like you are never forgotten.Tony (Tommo) Thompson. |
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as
you walk to new horizons |
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