WEM (O) 82 - 85 - "Wally was a Greenie during the first commish, and was probably in his rack snoozing when they asked for volunteers for Global 86. He also had the "misfortune" to work for Mick D'Arcy, and really is looking forward to buying Mick a pint at the next re-union...but only if Mick can sort out his social calendar!! Whilst on the subject of things that don't stand up straight, John is married and lives with his wife in Chesterfield. He learned about the Association via the world wide web.
Steve "Wally" WALLER
Joined 24th November 2014 (305)
Anthony "Wally" WALTON
Joined 25th March 2009 (195)
88 - 91
Wally Walton, who hails from Blackburn - a small town near Burnley - joined Pusser UK Limited in 1987 as a stoker, and in an 8 year career graced the main machinery spaces of both Manchester (88-91) and the Birmingham, before sailing off into civvy street in 1995. Much of Wally's time on D95 is shrouded in secrecy although informed sources do tell of a sickening experience that befell our 17 year old hero when being questioned by Raleigh's QM!! (The QM told Wally to "grow up" - in his confused state Wally thought he said "throw up" - which he promptly did!!). Wally's best run ashore in the Pusser was the jolly boys outing to Penang - and a week away, from his ovvies and the Joss!! Now working as an engineer for British Aerospace, Wally lives in his native Blackburn - a small town near Burnley - which is a long long way from Norwich, where Wally had a particularly wet weekend, but for that dit you will have to ask Wally yourselves!!
Neil "Sharky" WARD
Joined 18th June 2021 (357)
Ted WEAGER
First Commission - CPOMEA(L). Ted joined the "Mighty Manch" in build in Barrow and was the first tiff the builders let loose with the steering gear and stabilisers...and things have not been the same since!! Had the privilege of sharing a cabin with Sam Wellens - Sam told me to write that bit - and after such an experience, Ted went outside in 86!! Now working for some guy called John Lewis, where Ted maintains Lifts and Escalators. His normal response to civvy "Maccy breaks" is "Have you tried the stairs?"
Richard "Spider" WEBB
Joined 27th May 2017 (325)
Sam WELLENS
81 - 87
Sam Wellens joined Pusser UK Ltd as a young skin and essence (!) Stoker in 1968, and impressed so much he was selected for Muckanician training and subsequent Hull adqual, and after a crash course on how to hold a mallet and chisel and with an additional first aid adqual, he was let loose on an unsuspecting fleet as a genuine ship maintainer. Sam's ocean going soirees included drafts to Grafton - the Type 14 Frigate, Eagle, Amazon and Plymouth, before Drafty selected him to be Ships Crest and Picture Frames Production Officer for the brand spanking new, rootin' tootin' shootin' Mighty Manch - with two hours per week specifically allocated to hull maintainence!
Indeed, rumour control tells us that Sam was the first person to join Warship Wonderful in April 1981, having witnessed her launch in November 1980, and he may well hold the record for the longest consecutive period on board, as he didn't get drafted off until January '87 - having completed Global 86 (the lucky b@stard!). But that wasn't his only Global - the really lucky, jammy b@stard did another World Cruise on Eagle, which hardly seems very fair! Now then, what may come as a complete surprise, he names D95 and that flat top as his best ships, and he names Liverpool as his best Manchester ship's visit, whilst also choosing to recall a global dit for the enjoyment of all in 2MA.
"During Global 86 (had to get that in) I went on a cultural run ashore in Fremantle with Ted Davies the Hull POMEM, we decided that since tha America's Cup was being held in the City, we would offer Team GB our hull expertise (modesty abounds!). On arriving at The Fremantle Yacht Club, we were somewhat dismayed at not being allowed in by the security guards, but not disheartened, and switching on a charm offensive, we apprached a local police car, and with the offer of a lunch time session next day, jumped in the back of the car, and with flashing lights, drove through the gates to the front door of the yacht club, where we were met and handed passes to enter the club and given unrestricted access to the moring areas! After a few gin and tonics we ventured out to find the Team GB boat, and whilst they did decline our offer of free hull maintenance (a very wise choice), they didn't turn down the lunch time session in the Chiefs Mess the next day! (No wonder they didn't win!).
Outside since 1990, Sam spent 20 years as an estates manager for the NHS. Now fully retired, he likes to spend his time travelling, fishing..and doing a little DIY! (What else would a retired Chippy want to do?!).
Luckily for us, Sam is a staunch supporter of 2MA, but we do have concerns...his email addy is Shirley Wellens...is there something we should know?
