RIP Clive Meek

[Willum]

Sorry to have to relay that Engineer Clive Meek died on 15th Sept. His nephew Zac Perry is collecting stories and would especially like photos of Clive if anyone has one. Clive was an old fashioned QE2 Character with a capital C. You'd often go into the Wardroom and be entertained by a rousing 'Swanee, or I'd Walk a million Miles' but underneath there was a proper Steamship man who cared a lot for his fellow workers. I'll raise a glass to Clive this evening. If anyone has a photo  or story PM me and I'll forward it to Zac

[Rod]

As you say Willum, a true character!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

If the stories, photos or memories are suitable for this forum, it would be nice to show them here. Zac is a new member of the forum and I am sure he will be happy for us to share with him the memories which those of us who knew his uncle might have.

Our condolences to you, Zac, but what a wonderful gesture to join us here so that we can remember Clive and look back at the life of the Character who is already emerging from the first couple of posts. May he rest in peace.

[John Grace]

Clive, one of the finest characters on the ship, a man without an axe to grind ... my story of Clive revolves around an early evening when I went into the ward room and was standing behind the bar helping myself to whatever libation I had a mind to drink... on the other side of the bar sitting at opposite ends was Clive and the wife of the staff captain whose name I can't remember except for the fact that on marrying the Staff Captain she adopted a double-barrel, hyphenated, surname. This woman had been part of the theater at sea crowd and as such was used to playing to an audience. Clive who it has to be said was a little under the influence of drink must have been listening to this woman's diatribe of words for a while, every time I looked at him his eyes rolled back in his head as a slight grimace crossed his face....eventually (and those of knew who knew him will recall his northern accent) he looked this woman in the eyes and said"

Clive: " I knew a woman with an hyphenated surname once"
Woman: "oh really" (said with a definite "upper class" accent).
Clive: "ay..ay her name was bull-shit"

With that the Staff Captains wife left the bar and a satisfied smile crossed Clives face.

[Willum]

Good story John, The one I like was about a Engineering Apprentice, who asked Clive how he should address Angus Horsburgh, "Should I call him Sir, or Mr Horsburgh, what do you think?" Clive replies, "Call him Jock, lad, Aye, Jock, He'll like that."