John Barrett Casino Manager 1972 to 1973

[Lynda Bradford]

John Barrett, Casino Manager, has contacted admin with photos taken when working on QE2 from 1972 to 1973

I was the casino manager from 1972 until 1973 ,during this time I went out with a girl (one of triplets) group was called the looking glass from Folkstone UK.I did Caribbean cruises med cruises plus a few months of trans Atlantic crossings.I was on the ship during the very bad storm 16 April 1972 and also 18 May with the bomb threat 1972.i have some very fond memories and would love to hear from any body that shared my time on this great ship.John Barrett

I have added the photos to the crew gallery album including this very interesting photo taken in the Queens Room. If you know any of the people in the picture please post to let us know.  Hopefully John will post more information about the photo and his time on the ship.

[Graham Taylor]

There’s only one person I recognise in that photo and that is the officer 4th from left middle row, surely that’s Doug Ridley? I’m thinking the person 4th from right middle row is John Bainbridge Executive Chef.

With reference to this month’s newsletter asking who the young ladies are with the distinctive brown and gold uniforms and where they might have worked: looking at their immaculate hairstyles I would have a punt that they worked in the Hairdressing and Beauty Salon - was is Steiners back then?

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks for the names and the suggestion about the hair and beauty staff.  Does anyone haveearly brochures, I wonder if there is a photo of the beauty salon that shows the uniforms

[Lynda Bradford]

Brian Price has responded with more names:



Back row 4 from left Betty Westley
Back row 5 from left John Westley
Middle row left Eric Mason
Middle row 4 from left Capt Douglas Ridley ADC
Middle row 3 from right Robert Wilkinson

He also confirms Graham's thinking that Douglas Ridley is in the picture

There’s only one person I recognise in that photo and that it the officer 4th from left middle row, surely that’s Doug Ridley? I’m thinking the person 4th from right middle row is John Bainbridge Executive Chef.

[Chris Thompson]

In the staff photo who is the gent in the tux bottom row left? He looks a lot like a Cruise director I knew on Ocean Cruise Lines called Bernard Reid?
Also John I would love to hear about the actual Casino when you were working onboard, wasn't it located in a different area to the upper deck location?

[Rod]

On right of Doug Ridley Harvey Smith, Chef next to Harvey Smith Vic Coward, Chef on left at back row, Billy Dart, 3 ladies in bro0wn and yellow sitting down, were I think 3 of the original Q'nettes  Beauty contest winners. In tux to Doug Ridleys left, a regular entertainer named Alan Stewart. Next to him a BR called John, worked 2 or 3 deck aft, looked after Deb, Douglas and I when we emigrated. Very, very nice man!
Back row yellow jacket, could that be Kevin McGhee?

[Lynda Bradford]

Alan Dutton has sent a message with the following names of people in the picture:

So here are 8 people I know are in that picture
Seated : Judy Challacombe Hotel Officer
              Palmer, Columbia Restaurant Mgr
2nd Row: Eric Mason Fitness guy
               Doug Ridley Staff. Capt
                Possible Harvey Smith 1st Officer
               Vic Coward Asst Exec Chef
               Bob Wilkinson Cruise staff
Standing. Billy Dart Chef
               Derek Lee Chef

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks everyone, I have checked the names suggested and listed below.  Does this look right? 



Back row:
3 from left Kevin McGhee (yellow jacket)?
4 from left Betty Westley
5 from left John Westley
Billy Dart, Chef
Derek Lee Chef

Middle row left to right:
left Eric Mason
2nd left John BR?
3nd left Alan Stewart
4 from left Capt Douglas Ridley ADC
5 from left Harvey Smith
6 from left Vic Coward Chef
Bob Wilkinson, Cruise Staff

Front Row:
Seated :
Judy Challacombe Hotel Officer
Palmer, Columbia Restaurant Mgr
??
Qnets


               

[John Barrett]

hi You asked about the girls in the front with the gold edged outfits.They were called the Qnets and were x beauty queens from all over England and they used to act as dance hosts and help customer around the ship lovely girls nice to talk to and good company.The Triplets call The Looking Glass all got married in Folkestone after finishing on the ship and cabaret work in the UK on the same day I'm sorry i lost contact with them. I will send some more pictures and stories.I had a wonderful time on the QE11 as we were very privileged and traveled as passenger during our time on board in those days it later changed but for use it was great.We eat in all the restaurants drank in all bars and had full use of the ship.Meeting all the guests seeing all the shows what a life.

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks John for this additional information. Back row where are two women wearing pink blouses.  Do you know who they are or were they worked?  Also front row the young man wearing a blue jacket?  He looks so young!

[Rod]

I said that in my post! Qnettes were from all over UK, All Miss Scotland, England etc. They were also on the side of Tennents lager cans!
 Gut in blue would be a Commis Waiter/Messenger could be as young as 16!