Hello all     

We thought we’d share with you some of the wonderful things our Cunarders have sent us over the last few weeks. We often receive emails and letters in the post from people who have cruised with us or are fans of Cunard and our ships.     

Susie Wiseman from Sydney, Australia sent us some great photos from her friend Keith Moore, who is from Liverpool. Keith’s grandfather Joseph Francis Moore and his father Joseph Paul Moore both worked for Cunard Line in on board Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary carrying US troops to the UK.     

The photos below show Joseph Francis Moore and his wife before he went off to war.     

Here is Joseph Francis Moore’s ship ID, as you can see from the date, it expired almost 64 years ago!     

Below you can see Joseph Paul Moore’s crew medical card from Queen Mary     

Camilla Heinig and Thomas Reise from Germany sent us some photos of a very special birthday gift. Inspired by the puzzle below, Camilla ordered a handcrafted aluminium and copper Queen Mary door sign for her husband’s birthday:  

The sign was made by Sylvia Burgold, you can see some of her other creations here:  http://shop.burgold.de/    

And here is Thomas looking very pleased with his gift:    

The fantastic detailed drawings below were posted to us from one of our younger fans in Holland, who sketched Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth. We think you’ll agree we have a budding Naval Architect in the pipeline?   

We hope you’ve enjoyed looking through these photos and drawings as much as we did, if you have anything you’d like to share with us on the blog please send it through to wearecunard@cunard.co.uk   

Guest Blog: Maureen Ryan, Former Social Hostess

Over a warm, sunny weekend at the start of October this year, 74 of us gathered at the Mercure Dolphin Hotel in Southampton for the yearly Pursers Reunion – men and women who had been part of the Pursers staff on board Cunard ships over several decades.  They arrived from Australia (Ted Finch), the Irish Republic (Eddie Peregrine),  Canada (Peter Quinn), Northern Ireland (Bertie Hosford, wife of Harry) and from areas throughout the UK, to socialise for a couple of days with colleagues who at one time, years ago, were part of their everyday lives, working together on board the Cunard ships. 

By 6.30pm on Saturday evening the bar was packed – some who lived locally were still arriving and it was great to see David and Margaret Holden, Margaret  Newcombe and David and Carole Taylor. The conversation buzzed and snippets of conversation reached my ears – ‘I remember first joining in 1961 on ‘Queen Mary’, and I was so seasick’………… ‘Do you remember the Lady A/P in the Tourist Class Pursers Office on the ‘Sylvania’ – what was her name?’ ……..’Were you on the ‘Elizabeth’ on her last transatlantic?’ ….. so many memories.  I glance across the room and see Sally Freeman chatting with Frank Heseltine and his wife Pat – ‘Carmania’, winter 1965-66 – great beach parties…..

Dinner followed and then Jon Firth said a few words, followed by John Butt who thanked Jon for doing such a great job over the year, getting in touch with so many people for the reunion. Then George Read told of how he joined the Pursers Office on Queen Mary in 1946, after returning from war service in the Far East.  He travelled home on the ‘Georgic’, a Cunard-White Star troop ship. Margaret Newcombe also joined Cunard after war service, in 1948, on the lovely Aquitania, the last of the four funnelled ships, which was in service from 1914-1949.  Also present was Barbara Peden (Moore, wife of Harry) who was in Queen Mary in the early 1950’s.  She had brought to the meeting a small album of black and white photos – it was like stepping back into another age. Lovely to see Muriel Arnold again who, after many years with Cunard, has become a published author, one of her most successful books being ‘Tiaras and T-Shirts’, a story of life on a great ship. Also, Jeff and Barbara Baggot (Sennitt) who sailed together on ‘Mauretania’ as Assistant Pursers and are one of the many couples to ‘tie the knot’ after life on Cunard. I remember sailing with Tony Babington on ‘Queen Elizabeth’ – he came to the Reunion with his wife Josephine. They met on QE2, during the Maiden Voyage when Josephine was one of the first Computer Experts on board in 1969. So many people gathered together, with such a wealth of experience and knowledge of Cunard Line.  As ever, conversation and clinking glasses lasted well into the night!

From left to right: Jeff and Barbara Baggot (Sennitt), Jill Jones (Williams) with Tony Babington, Jon Firth and Peter Quinn

And suddenly, it was over.   Sunday morning, long good-byes in the lobby, cars disappearing into the distance, everyone departing to their own lives.

But what a tribute to Cunard Line that so many of us, in our mature years, still feel part of the company, hold such memories, and have sustained special friendships, that we travel  long distances to be together.

Many thanks again to Jon Firth, who is returning to Australia for the winter, where he lived and worked for 25 years after leaving Cunard – have a great time Jon meeting up with all the ex –Pursers Staff who are now living ‘Down Under’! 

And a big ‘thank you’ to Jill Jones (Williams) for all her hard work helping to arrange the weekend.

Finally, thank you to Hemione Dormer (Pantling) for providing the great photos of the Reunion.  Harry Dormer was a Deck Officer and met Hermione, a Lady A/P, on ‘Queen Elizabeth’.

Until the next time……….

(Atlantic  Hotel, Liverpool – 11/12 May 2012)    (Park Hotel, Southampton – 28/29 September, 2012)

SEE YOU THERE!

Hello All

After a business trip to North America I found myself with a day to spare prior to boarding a flight home to England. A good excuse to go and pay my first visit to Queen Mary in Long Beach, California – and I am so glad I did. It was fascinating – and a story best told in pictures……..

Open Decks…you can really get a sense of what she must have been like from the wide open spaces and from the famous three red funnels. The funnels are so dominant when compared to our current fleet.

The Bridge …I found this fascinating. On the Queen Mary 2 Bridge we have carpets, tea and coffee facilities, heaps of technology, comfy chairs and enclosed bridge wings. Here on the Queen Mary – you slide back a heavy wooden door and move into a very sparse bridge. The controls are marvelous and just as you would expect them to be – gleaming with brass. It must have been freezing in those days – no wonder we see so many pictures of the officers in their thick coats.

Just behind the bridge are the senior officer cabins. Here I am sitting at the Captain’s desk, As I sat there I could not help thinking of the responsibility our Captains had in those days – in many ways the same responsibilities today but with so much less technology and information to guide them.

Engine Room… some of the areas down below are very well preserved. Just look at all the brass instruments – difficult o imagine the noise and steam that the crew had to put up with.

Propeller…there is one area where they have cut through the hull and you can see one of the original props in its rightful place.

Strange gym machines …very different top what you find today in Canyon Ranch on Queen Mary 2 – have a look at the rowing machine.

Beautiful cabins…here I am in a First Class cabin – and it is wonderful to be surrounded by so much polished wood. You can get a real sense of what it must have been like – this particular cabin had a small maid’s quarters.

Feeling at home in the bathrooms…in the UK there is a very famous bathroom manufacturer called ‘Shanks’ – or these days ‘Armitage Shanks’. The Shanks factory was based at Barrhead in Scotland and was started in the late 1800’s – going on to be one of the most famous bathroom names in the world. The Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary and even QE2 was fitted out with many ‘Shanks’ baths, basins and toilets. So I thought it would be fun to share a picture of a ‘Shanks’ basin in a first class cabin on Queen Mary.

Actually – it was more than fun – it was quite an emotional and proud moment for me. It was one of my ancestors who started ‘Shanks’ in Barrhead in 1865 and my father  spent his whole career there and went on to be Chairman of the company. So I feel that as a Cunarder today I am able to have some personal links to the past – the past of two famous brands, two brands that serve customers in very different but invaluable ways.

The Verandah Restaurant…I was very pleased to be able to see this, it was the inspiration behind the new and very popular Verandah Restaurant on our new Queen Elizabeth. I was able to look at the original artwork. The artist had to renew some of the artwork – and in doing so left a very small but interesting signature mark of a small mouse – you can see it below.

Crows Nest..I am not sure if that is the right name for it but on the forward deck there is a look-out post. I am told that it was often used – and that as the ship would heave from side to side it must have been a very uncomfortable place to be – the crew on that watch certainly earned their keep.

Main first class dining room…here you can really get a sense of the scale of the public rooms and wonderful art deco designs. I was able to see one of the most famous pieces of Cunard art showing the transatlantic route. We have carefully copied this piece of art for the new Queen Elizabeth – but here I was looking at the real thing.

I found out that many if not all of the beautiful mirrors on board were made with a gentle pink tint of the glass. This was so that when guests looked at themselves – whilst feeling somewhat seasick and looking somewhat green – they saw themselves with a healthy pink glow on their cheeks – marvelous.

I was shown around the ship by the Captain and by a wonderful chap by the name of Everette Hoard. Everette has been associated with the ship for over 30 years and manages a very good memorabilia store on board Queen Mary. He is also one of the foremost collectors of Cunard memorabilia. I was struck by how proud he – and colleagues – are at being associated with such a historic ship. That is the same sense of pride that all of us lucky to be associated with the brand feel today. Everette asked me to sign his prized visitor’s book – and I was very happy to do so. Well done to Everette and all of those involved in Queen Mary – not last the city of Long Beach – for all they do to keep the spirit of Queen Mary so alive still today.

The Queen Mary is run as a hotel and conference centre. If you find yourself with time to spare in Los Angeles then it is well worth this trip down memory lane. I left enthused that – yet again – I had experienced another part of our proud history and determined to do everything I can with my colleagues to ensure the continued success of Cunard Line.

Best Regards

Peter

Hello All

I could not help but be saddened when I heard that Dolores Hope passed away at home in Los Angeles recently at the grand age of 102. In my youth I remember fondly Bob Hope’s films ‘Road to…’ in black and white. We at Cunard Line have fond memories of both Bob and Dolores Hope who often travelled on Cunard Liners. Even today we have some wonderful Black and White photos displayed in the Heritage Trail on Queen Mary 2.

In memory of both Bob and Dolores Hope – and all the laughter and fun they gave so many of us – here are some pictures of them both enjoying their time on board and of Bob Hope performing on the original Queen Mary.

It was in 1939 that Bob and Dolores Hope travelled on Queen Mary from England to New York. Bob had taken his new wife to introduce her to his family in London. On the ship during the crossing on 3 September 1939, it was announced on the BBC that war had been declared by Neville Chamberlain that morning in London, seeing how upset everybody was, Bob organised a show to lift people’s spirits – he wrote his show that afternoon and then performed in the First Class lounge.

Here are a couple of his one-liners that will lift your spirits today;

How does it feel to be almost 100 Bob – ‘I don’t feel old, in fact I don’t feel anything till noon and then it’s time for my nap’

‘I asked my good friend Arnold Palmer how I could improve my game – he advised me to cheat’

In October 1962 Bob Hope performed at the Royal Variety Show at London’s Palladium – in front of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. At the start of his show, he looked up to the royal box and said – ‘We don’t have titles in the US. No – we just have two classes, the people and the Kennedy’s’. The Queen turned and smiled to her husband. Bob Hope continued – ‘And there are more people than Kennedy’s’. The Queen roared with laughter.

So – God bless Bob Hope and God bless his wonderful wife Dolores. We will remember them fondly and they have a very special place in Cunard’s history – they just don’t make them like that any more.

Best Regards

Peter

Guest Blog

Commodore Rynd

Queen Mary 2

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It’s quite often you meet someone who either sailed in the original Queen Mary or had family who did. They often bring a photo, menu or Daily Programme from that early time and it is interesting to compare the then and now. Some is familiar and some has not continued. Many people travel Cunard as their parents and grandparents did. Part of a great tradition and loyalty.

However it is not often that you get to meet a guest who travelled on the original Queen Mary in that fine vessel’s first year in service and as a young person in their first job.

Mrs Henderson in front of a painting of the vessel in which she sailed 74 years before

Gertrude Henderson was nearly 17 years old when she took the job as a ladies maid to Lady Craigie who was travelling to the U.S. from Southampton via Cherbourg. Lady Craigie was accompanying her husband Sir Robert Craigie to Japan to take up the post of British ambassador, travelling transatlantic on Cunard, of course, then across North America to the west coast from where they would take another vessel to Yokohama for Tokyo. Lady Craigie was short of a maid and young Gertrude, from Wismar in Germany, was looking for a job. It all came together in Cherbourg.

Gertrude showed me her list of passengers titled RMS Queen Mary Wednesday August 4^th 1937.

 

Her  voyage was uneventful. The suite of rooms the family occupied was wonderful and memorable, beautiful wood panelling. Good food.

Following the outbreak of hostilities with Japan in 1941 the British mission left Japan and young Gertrude, as a German citizen could and did  transfer to the German embassy to work there. She still has a trace of her German accent.

In the German Embassy, in wartime she knew and associated with Richard Sorge, the German journalist and secret communist working as a spy for the Soviets. She recalled his charming manners and social skills that made it possible for him to extract information vital to his masters. And later she wrote a short account of this.

She survived the events that brought the war against Japan to an end. Of the bombing of Tokyo she says ‘I was lucky’. After liberation, and following extensive interviews by the US intelligence forces she was cleared to go free. Her father had sent a message via Switzerland not to return home, the home town then being under Soviet control. She finally got permission to emigrate to the US and settled in California. She married an Englishman, Henderson, who was an entertainment director with Canadian Pacific Lines. A long and happy marriage. She kept her fitness and health into advanced years by playing tennis and walking.

Gertrude sailed on the recent transatlantic crossing from New York to Hamburg, en route to the town of her birth, Wismar, on Queen Mary 2.  She had travelled from California unaccompanied and gets about using only  a stick for assistance. She was visiting Wismar to celebrate her 100th birthday at an official event in her honour organised by the town mayor.

During a Cunard voyage you’ll scan the Daily Programme for the day’s activities and entertaiment, peruse the menus for your favourite dishes and glance at ‘Britain Today’, our syndicated newspaper. These are all printed daily on board by a small team of printers, who do a great job in producing this literature for every voyage. Meet Kelly Scalise, Queen Victoria’s Chief Printer in today’s guest blog:

I became involved in various aspects of printing while attending my local community college. I always enjoy looking at the final product that I had a part in creating. I became aware of a programme at the Rochester Institute of Technology that provided an internship for six months as Assistant Printer on a Cunard ship.

I vacationed as a child in California and stayed overnight on the original Queen Mary in Long Beach. Perhaps my destiny was unknowingly decided at that point. Would it be possible for me to actually partake in this opportunity on a Cunard ship? I did my best to make this a reality, and my dream actually came true! I did my internship on Queen Mary 2 starting in February 2010, stopping at ports around the world that I previously only read about or saw on television. Once I completed that internship, I applied for a Chief Printer position with Cunard. I am currently in that position on Queen Victoria. I consider myself fortunate to be able to have a job I love, and at the same time travel the world. Working on a ship is very different than a typical land job. There are so many new things to adapt to, such as living quarters, foods, people and cultures. The people I have met on board are absolutely incredible and it’s fun to learn about where they are from and how they came to be at sea.

It has been an amazing year and half for me and I wouldn’t change it for anything. It is always nice when I go home on holiday and hear people say how lucky I am that I can do this while I am so young. Most of my family and friends are envious when they see where I have been. Growing up in Central New York State I enjoy the change of seasons, except for winter, which is too cold and snowy for me. My hometown is close to the Adirondack Mountains, with many lakes and plenty of places to explore. Not many people leave the area to do something as drastic as working at sea and traveling the world. Every day I wake up someplace different. It is something you get used to, but it is still a very exciting feeling. There are days I think to myself, I can’t believe this is my life. It is very surreal. This truly is my opportunity of a lifetime!

Thank you for a great guest blog Kelly! If any of our readers are interested in working on board the Cunard fleet, you can find out more here: http://www.cunard.com/About-Cunard/Employment/

Hello All

We have an exciting personal blog today from none other than Jerry Springer who recently travelled on board Queen Mary 2 – we are very grateful to him for sharing his story – I hope you enjoy it.

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In 1949, my parents brought my sister and me to America by way of the ‘Queen Mary’ – a 5 day journey from Southampton – in hopes of finding a new life – having lost most of their family in the Holocaust.

Though I was only 5 years old, I remember the morning we sailed passed the Statue of Liberty into the New York Harbor. Everyone came up on deck to look at ‘Miss Liberty’ – and in later years Mom told me I had asked her “What are we staring at? What does it mean?” She responded in her German “einfach alles”– ‘one day everything’. She was right; America has given us a wonderful life.

We have never forgotten that voyage – the ‘Queen Mary’, and so, for my sister’s birthday I bought 4 tickets for our spouses and us to relive the journey, this time on Queen Mary 2. What a magnificent ship, what a wonderful week – another life memory.

If you get the chance – sail away – call the Queens

Jerry Springer

Queen Mary 2 is here in her home port of Southampton today and she will be leaving later this afternoon, heading across the Atlantic to New York. Our guests embarking today will be joined by a rather special group of song writers as part of our Professional Insights series. They will be able to  take part in workshops with Chris Difford, Simon Hanson and John Bentley from Squeeze, Angie Pollock from Lightning Seeds and Geoff Martyn from Travis. They will also have the chance to record their song to CD at the end of the voyage! Our first songwriting voyage on board Queen Mary 2 was a real success and Chris Difford will be sailing on board our flagship several times this year. So, if you’d like to find out more about the songwriting voyages you can click here: www.cunard.com/songwriting

On other news from Queen Mary 2, I received a note from Deputy Captain Dariusz Gozdzik with a very interesting story from her previous Transatlantic Crossing. Darius met Mr Patrick Chisholm of the Isle of Wight, who brought with him a blue ensign from the original Queen Mary, which he bought at auction some time ago.  The flag measures 18 feet in the hoist and 36 feet in the fly, making it overall 72 square yards. He thought that this made it the largest maritime flag in the world.  He spoke of the privilege of wearing the Blue Ensign on Queen Mary stemming from her, and her consort  Queen Elizabeth, troop carrying duties during World War II.

He asked if we could fly it – which we were honoured to do one afternoon in the North Atlantic. It was a great privilege to celebrate its maritime historical credentials in that way. The flag is made of traditional bunting and so, unlike modern flags, flies silently.

So, what do our readers think? At 72 square yards, could this be the largest ensign in the world?

Hello All

It’s Friday as I write this and I am approaching the end of a busy week at our offices in Southampton.  As ever, days are filled with meetings and reviews with colleagues, pouring over numbers and at this time of year we are already focused what needs to be done for the year ahead in 2012. Seems strange to think that in a couple of weeks it will be the longest day and then the days start getting shorter as we head towards another winter. Still the summer lies ahead of us all. Just in case anybody thought our ships were full for the summer – we do still have some space on many of our voyages and we have seen strong interest in all of our markets around the world from those guests still looking to get away on a voyage this summer.

Queen Mary 2 is in Southampton today – so I could not resist going down to see the ship and find out how the last voyage went. I am pleased to report the ship’s company were in good spirit. The ship has just returned from Hamburg where she completed a very nice 6 night voyage from Hamburg up to Oslo, Stavanger and Copenhagen. We had a really good mix of different nationalities on board and the feedback from our guests was terrific. Today she sets off for New York – you know you can sense that when you go on board. Queen Mary 2 was built for the Transatlantic run – and on those runs she is at her very best, our guests and crew know what to expect, and there is always a sense of setting off on a journey. Having walked the ship, spent some time with our Hotel Manager John Duffy, I left the ship to go back to the office. Of course it would have been a lot more fun to stay on board and travel to New York – but I left that pleasure the the 2,600 lucky guests embarking.

One piece of news from Queen Mary 2 is how well our new 3D Cinema productions are doing. In particular the full 3D production of Carmen is proving a hit. We also show some previews from more animated productions like Toy Story 3. It can have quite an impression on people – have a look at this picture and see if you recognise anybody;

Well did you spot them? Yes, on a rare moment of time off, you can see three of our most valued Cunarders. Hotel Manager John Duffy, Captain Paul Wright and Entertainment Director Paul O’Loughlin. I am sure Captain Wright remembered to take of his 3D glasses before going back up to The Bridge.

Changing track – we had another moment in history to celebrate. On 27 May it was the 75th Anniversary of the first Transatlantic Crossing of Queen Mary from Southampton to New York in 1936. Now we don’t let opportunities like that pass by without a fuss. To talk you through what we did I am delighted to welcome Jackie Chase as a guest blogger. Jackie works in our North America Sales and Marketing Team;

Guest blogger

Jackie Chase

Manager of Public Relations

Cunard Line, North America

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On Friday 27 May, I had the privilege of representing Cunard Line aboard Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, to pay tribute to the legendary ocean liner on the 75^th anniversary of her maiden Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton to New York in 1936.  Enthusiastic well-wishers from all over the world joined the festivities and included maritime devotees and historians, former crew members and past guests of the iconic ship.

Also in attendance was a group of WWII squadron members, reunited for the first time since Queen Mary carried them across the North Atlantic during her service days as the Grey Ghost. I was honoured to meet one of these guests, Stuart Babcock of Hartford, Connecticut, who was with the 34^th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron and sailed aboard a six-day Queen Mary Crossing on 21 March 1944 from New York’s Pier 90 to Glasgow, Scotland.  Many people may not be aware of the significant contribution that these squadrons made during the war, flying alone and armed only with cameras, they were the eyes of the allied armies over every battlefield and played a critical role in aerial surveillance. Accompanied by his daughter, Susan, for the anniversary celebrations, he was visibly moved to be back on board the vessel for the first time since his journey during the war.

Standing with Stuart Babcock, a member of the 34th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron which sailed aboard the Queen Mary in 1944 during World War II, and his daughter Susan.

Guests from the United Kingdom included a group from the R.M.S. Queen Mary Association, based near Southampton, England.  Retired Cunard Commodore Ronald Warwick, OBE FNI LLD is the president of the organisation whose mission it is to preserve the historical legacy of the beloved ship. During the reception, I met Mrs. Pat Adams, treasurer of the Association who was thrilled to spend the weekend aboard the ship for the festivities and sent along warm regards from Commodore Warwick.

To mark the occasion, I presented a commemorative print to John Thomas, Queen Mary’s historical consultant and master of ceremonies, that featured references to the ship’s dramatic impact on the 20^th century – including Winston Churchill’s famous accolade about Cunard’s role in ending WWII one year early, due to Queen Mary’s transport of thousands of American troops between the United States and Great Britain.

John Thomas (right), Queen Mary’s historical consultant, receives commemorative 75th anniversary print from Cunard Line spokeswoman Jackie Chase (centre), and is joined by Everette Hoard (left), retail manager of Stacks on Queen Mary

Among the excerpts that I shared with guests:

“Queen Mary is an icon of the 20^th century who shall forever remain one of the world’s most beloved ocean liners, and an enduring symbol of the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.”

“Since 1967, when Queen Mary retired to her new home in Long Beach, California, she has continued to fascinate visitors from all over the globe. She lives to bear witness to the revival of Cunard’s ocean liner renaissance with the advent of her namesake Queen Mary 2, which proudly carries on the company’s traditions, heritage and hallmarks made famous by Queen Mary.”

Bruce Vancil is Western Regional vice president of the Steamship Historical Society of America and was very involved in Queen Mary's 75th anniversary events

The team at Cunard’s office in Valencia, California are very fortunate to have Queen Mary in our own “backyard.” In recent years we have had the pleasure of collaborating with the iconic ship’s staff on two Cunard Royal Rendezvous’: first in 2006 during Queen Mary 2’s maiden call to Los Angeles, and this past March during one of Queen Victoria’s Americas calls to the city.  It is thrilling to have the opportunity to walk the decks of Queen Mary where people from all walks of life have gone before, and to be a part of Cunard’s ongoing, living history.

Countless Cunard devotees agree and passionately carry on the company’s legacy as evidenced by the many guests who spent the weekend aboard Queen Mary for her anniversary events.

Well – these sort of events never fail to create special moments. In reading Jackie’s blog of the day I could not help being reminded of the special place Cunard Line has in history. To think that Stuart Babcock travelled on Queen Mary to support the war effort in 1944 and here he was 67 years later able to enjoy his special memories with his daughter Susan. Congratulations Mr Babcock Sir, and thank you so much for being part of the celebrations of such a very special ship.

That is all for now. Have a good weekend wherever you are reading this………

Best Regards

Peter Shanks

Guest Blog

Ed Moffat

Assistant Entertainment Director

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Those of you who are regular readers of the blog will know that we often have meetings on board for guests who have travelled on previous Cunarders through the years to share stories and memories of their voyages. On a recent crossing on board Queen Mary 2 we had a special reunion for past guests of the original Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary. The most enjoyable part of attending these reunions is collecting the information. Gathering the smallest part of just one personal memory and sparking a conversation containing individual unique reflections.

I had the pleasure of meeting some of our previous guests, who brought some wonderful photos and memorabilia with them:

Patricia Rudkin (Nee Brown) and her best friend at the time were handed their green card and immediately immigrated to the US in 1963 sailing to their new home on board Queen Elizabeth. “It was the first time I sailed and was such a big adventure for me.” “I recall the salt water in the swimming pool and bath especially having to use the special soap with the salt water”.  Patricia also remembers her and her best friend being such a ‘big hit’ one of the bands took them to one of the First Class lounges on a few occasions.

Linda Davie sailed to Southampton, June 1964 and returned back to the US August 1964. The trip of a life time to and from the UK and 2 months in Europe was a graduation present.  Linda was 18 years of age when she sailed first class on the Transatlantic Crossing. Because the Queens where registered in UK the drinking age once out of US waters was no longer 21 as in the US but 18, the same as the UK. “I would often sneak into the disco in cabin class, where I had my first glass of sherry”.

Jeannie O’Brian sailed on board Queen Mary with her mother in 1966. They where visiting relatives in Hull, England where her mother originally came from.  Jeannie’s husband, Forest O’Brian remembers thinking to himself as he watched Jeannie sailing away into the distance on Queen Elizabeth” “I’m going to marry that girl one day”. And they have been together ever since.

Murray Edwards from Victoria, British Columbia sailed on Queen Mary in 1943 as a serviceman after his tour finished in England. Mr. Edwards served in the Royal Canadian Army, Princess Patricious Company, Light Infantry. He remembers sailing on an almost empty ship with only 500 other service personnel on board. He also recalls the first Cunard ship he sailed on, Berengaria. Mr. Edwards also met his wife on the Scythia.

Eunice Palmer’s Father, Henry Moore was on the maiden voyage of Queen Mary. “He worked for Moyse and Stevens of Berkley Square, London and delivered the wreaths for her first voyage“.

Anthony Greenwood travelled on board Queen Mary when at the age of nine in 1965. He was the eldest of three children when his family immigrated to a new life in Canada. ”I remember watching my first 18 rated movie which was Cincinnati Kid”. Also travelling on board was TV’s Arthur Haines

Sadie Berbelowitz was only 16 when she sailed on board Queen Elizabeth in 1948. “The ship looked so clean and so new”. She had only been in peacetime service a short while after being refitted from being a troop carrier. “The officers would always be in the ballroom waiting to dance”

On a final note to close this Blog take a look at the segment of a guest list from Queen Mary below. Can you spot the celebrity and his family who sailed? Incidentally I am uncertain of the date or year of this particular guest list, but what a great souvenir to have had for all those years. Thank you to Miss Maria DeLoure for donating this marvellous piece of Cunard History. We will ensure that it makes it to its intended recipient.