Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic

[Alan Snelson]

Hi Lynda,

It looks as though you have gone along the same routes that I had and came up with no evidence either. I wonder if there are any Cunard records that might be able to verify the title.

[riskygizmo]

Captain Ridley did hold a Commission in the RNR. The Navy Lists of the time may have the information.

[Twynkle]

Thanks for the information.  An initial search on ADC to the Queen on Wikipedia indicates that it is members of the Royal Family who are Personal Aide de Camp to the Queen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Aide-de-Camp

Then there is further information on Royal Navy Aide de Camp but so far I cannot see Captain Ridley's name. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aide-de-camp

Any other information appreciated

Commodore Douglas Ridley (1926 - 2002) was a volunteer with the Royal Navy Reserve.
He joined Cunard when 26 yrs old, and stayed for 36 years.

This link may be of interest!
http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=2c57d704-b705-402d-933e-45f879320001&sponsor=


Just for the record (!), anyone can become an ADC to the Sovereign - not always a member of the Royal Family!
The office of ADC is usually held by a serving officer of any one of the three armed services, and they can be old, young or in between. The role can be carried out in public, and although not as personal as for example, a Lady in Waiting - it usually involves being involved with the arrangements before an event, as well as  'being in attendance', in uniform at the event!
Ref.  http://www.royal.gov.uk/thecurrentroyalfamily/theprinceofwales/honours.aspx

[CAP]

Captain Arnott retired on 31/7/1985 ending a 45 year career at sea and nine as master of QE2

Additionally, I have stumbled across a Cunard article regarding the "This is Your Life" episode.

Apparently the programme was given the go-ahead about 12 months beforehand.  The producers did not want to film the epsiode whilst the ship was alongside in Southampton, the preference was to do it whilst at sea.  This obviously presented a number of challenges not least getting familiar people onboard and unnoticed.  The actual filming took place as QE2 left Cherbourg bound for Southampton and had disembarked the pilot.  There were a number of technical challenges including the different phasing of the TV production equipment and the ships power systems, radio interference was also an issue at the time of the broadcast.  The latter was readily fixed by cancelling all ship to shore radio broadcasts.  A smokescreen in the form of a "aired from sea cabaret" was devised which also provided the opportunity to get the Captain on stage!  Guests were boarded at Cherbourg and were given full disguises by the television company. This feat was aided by the French Authorities who had to process those involved using their different names and disguises.  For legal reasons it was necessary to produce a full passenger manifest at the time of departure, the relevant ship's company were sworn to strictest confidence.  One of those boarding was of course the Captain's wife, known to many of the ship's personnel.  According to my information this was a Thames TV production.

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks Chris for posting this story, which gives an insight of the planning to get the guests onboard without Captain Arnott knowing what was going on. 

[June Ingram]

Yes, thank you, Chris for telling how this was done.  Most interesting !

[CAP]

Commodore Ridley was promoted to the senior role on 27 May 1985.  Prior to this he held the position of Vice President/General Manager of QE2, a first for the ship.

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks Chris for the information on Captain Arnott and Commodore Ridley.  Do you have a source that I can quote for the Commodore Ridley information?

I have updated Commodore Ridley's Profile with the information   https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php?topic=5623.msg56589#msg56589

and also Captain Arnott's profile
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,5625.0.html

[CAP]

Lynda,  Both updates to the Captains' records maybe sourced back to the "Cunarder - Journal of The Cunard Shipping Companies", Winter 1985 edition.

[CAP]

Laurence Portet was appointed master of QE2 on 1/8/85 following the retirement of Captain Arnott
(BTW same source)

[Lynda Bradford]

Laurence Portet was appointed master of QE2 on 1/8/85 following the retirement of Captain Arnott
(BTW same source)

Thanks again for this information.  I have updated the profile. 

[Adam Hodson]

This really is a great idea to have, thanks for working hard on this topic Lynda. 

[holynougat]

Shocking to see what happened to Peter Russel... obviously after the QE2 days though, thank goodness.

[Graham Taylor]

It is with great sadness that I have just read that Staff Captain David Carr passed away two days ago.

[June Ingram]

Hi Graham -

That is indeed very sad news, but thank you for letting us know about Staff Captain Carr's passing.  Would you have a link to an obituary by any chance ?

Thanks,

June