Merseyside Branch

of the Submariners Association

Branch President

Vice Admiral Paul Lambert CB

A short history of the Merseyside Branch

Banjo West

The Merseyside Branch of the Submarine Old Comrades Association was formed in the Mitre Hotel in 1956. The first President was Bob Pounder, the Chairman was Ben Miller and the Secretary was Bill Jones. Founder Members were Phil Drewary, Alf Young, Cobber Cain, Bill Cowley, John Cole, George Simms, Bill Kibbey, Les Fowles, George Ford, Tommy Heath and Roy Williams.

The meetings continued in the Mitre for about four months when the branch moved to its new meeting place in HMS Eaglet, which was moored in Salthouse Dock. The new place proved very popular and the membership flourished. Bill Kibbey took over as Chairman and Les Fowles as the Secretary.

In 1964 the membership dwindled due to lack of social activity; meetings were purely business. Les Fowles informed Bill Sadlier (the National Secretary) that he was wrapping the Branch up but Bill refused to believe that such an area as Merseyside could not find the necessary support, and he met members at that year's reunion. Ray Hedgecock said he would take over the Branch on the promise that meetings would be more social occasions and wives would be able to attend. Meetings increased to two a month - the first being Branch business and the second a social evening. The Branch flourished and membership once again increased.

When the old Eaglet was taken away for scrapping a new venue was found at the Dolphin Hotel. This pub was built for us and was opened by Admiral Sir Anthony Miers VC. The pub was built on a nautical theme with stool seats in the bar each bearing a submarine name, submarine photographs on the walls and boats' crests in the meeting room. We had a very successful period here with the landlord, Ray West, being very kind to us.

Around 1965 a new stone Frigate was built at Princess Half Tide Dock, opened by Admiral Sir Gilbert Stephenson (aka 'The Terror of Tobermory') and the Captain of the new Eaglet, Captain Humphrey Jones, extended the use of its facilities to the Branch. Successive CO's of Eaglet made us welcome and this friendly liaison continued until 1970 when the IRA troubles made security a problem and we had to seek new premises.