Guestbook

Hi Hugh,

firstly, I wanted to congratulate you on your tribute to your father, and also to those who were both lost and survived the sinking of the SS City of Cairo.

I have to say that I'd never heard the story until a few years ago, when I had the privilege of nursing an elderly retired Naval Commander.......and survivor of the SS City of Cairo!! His name?? Ted Elliot, or rather, "Commander Ted", as I referred to him!! He's actually pictured in one of your photographs which, as I recall, were included in Ralph Barker's book??!!

Sadly, Commander Ted passed away on 01.09.03, aged 83yrs, out-living his life-long friend and fellow survivor, Tom Parkinson, by a couple of years.

Forgive any errors made in dictation and my lack of knowledge, but I thought you may be interested in one of the postings I made during Ted's final months...

Once again, thankyou!!

Jude
x

Hi Uncle Hughie,

great website, and it tells a lot about grandas journey at sea. Well done!

Michelle

Hugh

I served on the MV Lycaon during the Falklands Conflict, you would have been amongst the Navy crew who relieved us in the October. I have been racking my brains trying to remember names of personnel onboard during this time. I have just been back to the Falklands for the first time since 1982.

Any help much appreciated.

Regards

Admin reply: Thank you, Ian. I have replied by email.

I'm studying Theoretical Physics in Trinity College, Dublin, and one of my mathematics lecturers is David Simms from lifeboat 8... exam this week in his course, have been reading this site instead of studying... quite remarkable...

Thank you once again, I didnt realise your reasons for writing this site, there must be hundreds of people out in the world just like me, who until you did this, knew nothing about how there family died. Also there appears to be a few books written about SS CITY OF CAIRO, if you have any information about these I would be grateful, I have a photo of my dad taken in uniform on board the ship, his name is JOHN NUTTALL, as far as I know, he was a petty officer. I can never thank you enough, well done, Irene.

I stumbled upon your web site quite randomly as I was cruising the internet. You have done a fine job in preserving this important story of these brave Allied sailors. May their memory be a blessing to all who value freedom, and understand that although it is costly, it is most certainly worth fighting for.

Admin reply: Thank you. I appreciate your comments very much.

I was so overcome today when my daughter told me about your website. My father was Robert Watts who died on November 19th aboard Lifeboat1. I am aware that my mother actually met Jack Edmead in London shortly after his return to UK. Somewhere I believe that I have a letter written by him to her.... when I find it I will copy it to you as an historical link. I gather that my daughter has already sent you photographs but I send my thanks for keeping his memory alive. I have a copy of Ralph Barker's book, but find difficulty in reading it because of he emotion that is aroused. Thank you for such an excellent website. Pauline Veale

Dear Hugh,
thank you for building such a comprehensive site. It is hard to explain what is is like reading my Granfather's name (Robert (Bob 'Tiny') Watts), as he died in Lifeboat 1 when my mother was only 5 or 6 years old. I will send a photo of him for your website, as I feel this is what my Grandma would have wanted and perhaps in that small way, he will know I am keeping his memory alive.
Thank you again,
Rebecca Deacon

Well done. A very moving insight into such a terrible tragedy.
On researching the TINGLE family of Stockton on Tees and Middlesbrough, I came across a Wilfred Benson TINGLE who perished on the S.S City of Cairo. He was recorded as a civilian by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. I didn't find him listed in the passenger list or among the crew on your site.
I would be very interested to know if anyone else has found him.

Admin reply: Thank you for your comments, Lesley, Captain Wilfred Benson Tingle was travelling aboard "CITY OF CAIRO" as a passenger and not a member of her crew. I will contact you direct via email.
Thank you
Hugh

Hi Hugh
Just finnished reading your dad's story, a moving tribute to him.
He would have been proud of you.
I know what you mean- they will always be here
so many question's you want to ask.
My own dad passed away 17/03/07 he was a Royal Marine and fought in the Korean war.
So many things I wanted to know!

Kind Regards Gordon.