Scousesubs

J. (Mick) Jones. AB.HSD. Age 85.

Merseyside Branch. S/M. Service:-1941-1946

S/M's:-Una Unbroken Sunfish Tribune.

To celebrate the life of a man who went under three different first names. To his immediate family and others he was John, to his dearly loved wife Joan, he was Jack, and to thousands of Royal Navy sailors he was plain old Mick. So what's in a name you may well ask? Well the answer to that one is easy - whichever one you personally feel happiest with when remembering an outstanding man.

I can only speak on behalf of the Royal Navy Submarine Service and its submariners, both young and old, that knew him to tell you that Mick was and remains a legend within the elite brotherhood of the Silent Service

I don't have a copy of 'Unbroken - The Story of a Submarine' by its Captain, Alistair Mars to hand, so I shall have to recall this passage from memory. It went something like this:

After sinking a major unit of the Italian navy in the Strait of Messina, HMS/M Unbroken came under a heavy and sustained attack from enemy escorts. After what seemed hours under depth charge attacks even the cool Lt. Mars thought this was definitely the end of the line for them all. Now desperately short of air and standing in sweating silence in the sweltering control room Lt. Mars was handed a scribbled message on the back of a Woodbine cigarette packet which had been passed around the group to much smothered laughter. It read: "AB J. Jones D/JX 254129 requests an immediate transfer to general service" That inspired and hilarious note broke the terrible tension and eventually Unbroken was later able to limp away from danger to lick her wounds and live to fight another day.

The character who came up with that much needed morale ice breaker was of course 'Mick' Jones who served with the 10th Submarine Flotilla in Malta during those hectic WWII days when it was under siege. Stories about the little leprechaun's escapades were legendary in the Submarine Service. Belfast born and bred he was the stereotype of the devil-may-care Irishman always with that mischievous twinkle in his eye and with an off-the-wall sense of humour. For fifty odd years after WWII Mick was a member of the Merseyside Submariners Association and during its golden days of the Ballet de Scouse Sods Opera as a star performer playing reunions, naval establishments and even the Royal Philharmonic Hall right here in Liverpool raising many thousands of pounds for local charities.

Always up to the minute with his characters on stage you had to be there to see his fantastic impersonations of Nana Mouskouri, Michael Jackson and even the good looking half of the Torville and Dean skating team. For a man who faced death on more than one occasion during his naval career I am still amazed that he wasn't electrocuted years ago as he sang 'Cool Clear Water' standing in a metal tray as buckets of cold water were poured over him by Jim Bellew whilst Mick held a live microphone in his hand.

He was the author of many amusing and often raunchy monologues about the Royal Navy and as writer of the equally funny and informative 'Ping Bosun's Log' in the Merseyside newsletters the 'Submariners Times' Mick gave pleasure and laughter to generations of sailor's both old and new.

Even during his past months of suffering he bravely and steadfastly continued to produce on his trusty word processor his funny and eagerly sought after submissions for the Merseyside newsletters for the amusement and information of submariners all over the world. As long as his produced writings last we shall continue to print his spot in future newsletters to keep his never-say-die spirit alive.

We have sadly lost one of life's gentlemen and a wonderful caring comrade who thoroughly deserves our highest respect and reverence. We shall continue to spin the stories about Mick, especially the raunchier ones; laugh at them and be grateful for them and for the sheer privilege of knowing him as a friend.

Mick had many friends all over the world ranging from Admirals to stokers who admired him for his humorous talent and happy demeanour. He has some friends whom he served with living in Australia and his old friend Fred Bottrell has sent me a short condolence that I would like to read on behalf of him and all Aussie submariners:

"All WWII submariners are at the age when we become accustomed to the demise of yet another mate. However I was deeply saddened on receiving the news of Mick crossing the bar. He was a very special man, a brave man, and a very funny man. He possessed that special quality of wit to enlighten any situation whenever things might appear gloomy. History records that he was a valuable asset to the captain and crew of HMS/M Unbroken in the dark days of the fighting 10th Flotilla at Malta.

This is the time to give thanks for Mick's life and service to his country in peace and war. We should all be proud of his untiring effort and contribution to the Submariners Association over many years. I shall miss reading 'The Ping Bosun's Log' in the newsletter. His loss leaves a big void in our ranks and I trust that his example of service to the SA will encourage the younger generation members to become office bearers and to share the load as he would have us do.

From Victoria in Australia to his dear wife, Joan and all their family members my sincere condolences and I pray that you all will find inner strength to overcome your sorrow and to find peace."

Yours Sincerely

Fred Bottrell

So Mick our old friend we wish you fair winds and following seas on your last patrol to the Promised Land. - Resurgam - 'I shall rise again'.

Below are a few photographs of the committal of Mick Jones