The Watch Ashore

Special Notices

Liz Swan

Liz was one of 5 children and on her fathers death attended the Masonic School .   She became a member of the Women’s Royal Navy and spent many happy years in Plymouth, Devon and around Britain. Liz met and married Robert whilst he was serving in the Royal Navy and they had two sons, the older son joined the Merchant Navy and worked on the rigs in the North Sea – Liz often used to joke about having the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy in one household!

Liz and Robert were very involved in scouting and also their local church in Mickleover, Derby where Liz played the euphonium in the church’s music group. Liz worked for Radio Derby for many years and during 1975 she became an active member of The Watch Ashore and shared with us all her love of catering, embroidery and above all her cats (she would feed and nurture any stray or local cats who turned up on her doorstep)!  It was during this time that she renewed her friendship with Joyce Watkins from our Southampton branch with whom she had attended the Masonic School with when she was younger.

Liz became our Executive Member in 1988-1991.  Several years later in 1997 she was nominated for  Vice Chairman and took over from Doreen Morris as National Chairman in 2000 until 2003.   During her time as Chairman she was a guest speaker at the Nautilus AGM’s on a couple of occasions. When she handed over the Chairmanship to Pat Warren, her chosen Charity which she nominated was the Derby Branch of the Deep Sea Fishermen’s Society and their representative was presented with a cheque for £1236 at the Glasgow Triennial 2003.

Liz sadly passed away in July 2010 and The Watch Ashore donated a cheque to the Alzheimer’s Association in her memory.  She was a very bubbly and outgoing lady with many interests and many friends from all walks of life, a lovely lady she will be sadly missed by all her friends in The Watch Ashore.

Read further tribute at The Derby Telegraph.

Dorothy Isabel Cookson. 1921-2008.

The following is an extract from a letter received from Sally Ayres, Dorothy’s daughter. Dorothy died earlier this year and the family requested that any donations at the funeral were given to The Watch Ashore to continue its work.

Dorothy was born in Scotland in 1921 and grew up in England.

She served with the Wrens during the war and married Norman, a pilot, at the end of the war. Victor was born in 1946. They spent some time in South Africa, where Linda was born in 1949. Later that year they returned to the UK. Sally was born in 1951. The family moved to Poynton in Cheshire in 1955.

Dorothy joined the Manchester branch of the Watch Ashore on 20 October 1963 (as a Country Member - Membership M7307 ) when Vic joined Manchester Liners, sailing out of Salford. She served as Branch Secretary in the early 80’s and National Secretary from 1985 to 1991. Dorothy made some dear friends while she was a member of the Watch Ashore, friendships which continued long after the closure of the Manchester branch.

Dorothy is survived by Norman and their 3 children Victor, who lives in New Orleans, Linda, who lives in Frascati (Italy) and Sally who lives in Staffordshire. She is sadly missed by all her family and friends.

Mrs Beth Proudlock

Sadly Mrs Beth Proudlock passed away on Thursday 17th July 2008, her funeral took place on Friday 25th at Mutley Baptist Church, Plymouth, Devon.

Olivia Johnson

The funeral of Olivia Johnson was held on Monday 9th June at Sherwell Church, Plymouth.