HMS GANGES
ASSOCIATION
Notice Board

John Douglas. 1932 - 2007 P/SSX836468, Benbow, 31 Mess, 09 September 1947

It is with great sadness I have to report that John Douglas, Ganges 1947 of both Benbow and Grenville Divisions CTB 4th December 2007 in Dereford Hospital Plymouth.

Joining Ganges on 9th September 1947 - after growing up in Birmingham. During his service days rising to the dizzy height of Yeoman of Signals before leaving the RN to return to his beloved Birmingham, thence on retirement moving to Cornwall. On leaving the RN became over the years quite a celebrity in the Birmingham area as both author, having written several books in his own inimitable style of himself as the third party of his days growing up in rather a notorious area of the City known as 'Summer Lane' he is also to be remembered as the author of 'H.M.S. Ganges or Roll on My Dozen' from which our Association was born, when in collaboration with Peter Taylor, then operations manager of Eurosports, organised the first 'get together' (to drive his Rolls down the Long Covered Way) at Shotley way back in 1981. Although not a founder member was later persuaded to 'sign on again'. He was also a song writer of some repute, the most well known of his creations was 'Saturday Night in the Bull Ring' performed by the well known Birmingham entertainer Malcolm Stent. At one time John or Duggie was a frequent broadcaster on what was then 'Radio Birmingham' when he appeared as a presenter on the Sunday morning programme - his catch phrase on closing the programme was 'open the cage and let me in!' After moving to Cornwall he was to compile another Ganges Book of anecdotes donated by Association Members titled 'Tales of the T.R.O.G's'

John will be sadly missed by his Wife and extended family plus all who knew him.

Farewell old pal - may you have found a 'Safe Anchorage' sadly no more cups of what-ever or the white Merc. parked outside!

Dickie Doyle <mail@sloproom.co.uk>