Members comments and contributions to QE2 Captains topic

[Lynda Bradford]

I have created the Captains of the QE2 board with information about the various Captains/Masters of the QE2 throughout her service life with Cunard and beyond.

The first topic stickied to the top of the board is a list of QE2 Masters/Captain.  I have added links from each Captain's name to their individual profiles.  However, as this is work in progress, there are some Captains, such as Captain R Warwick who have more information than others, but I am hoping that members will contribute their knowledge and add relevant facts, especially for the earlier Captains. 

The individual Captain's profile has a simple format with background information, navy career, any information on awards that may have been given to particular captain and details of books they have written.  Links to media and information sources are provided, so that members can see where the Captain profile information was obtained.  We have also included links to QE2 Story topics that feature a particular captain. 

You will see that we have locked the topics to maintain the chronological order of when each of the Captain assumed command of the ships.

If you have relevant, factual information on any of the Captains that you want added to a Captain’s Profiles, please post the information on this topic with source information.  If appropriate, we will update the topic or add your contribution to an already existing topic on the Captain or Captains referred to

Your input is appreciated as it is what makes the QE2 Story a successful Forum. 

[Woolston]

I think you will find it was spelt "J.E. Woolfenden", I must have signed his signature hundreds of times!


Note: Updated

[Lynda Bradford]

I think you will find it was spelt "J.E. Woolfenden", I must have signed his signature hundreds of times!

Thanks for confirmation of the spelling Woolston.  Any other information you can provide would be appreciated. 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you for your superb work here, Lynda! I know you have been gathering this data over a long period and putting it together piece by piece.

This collection will be another great asset to the Forum .

[Jeff Taylor]

Larry Portet was Staff Captain at times on QE during 1968, and Wm Law was relief Captain on QE during some of the same time period--I was there just as regular Captain Geoffrey Marr returned from his rest period and relieved him.



Note:  profile updated

[Lynda Bradford]

Thank-you Jeff I have added this information to the relevant profiles.  It is really good to have this first hand knowledge onboard the Forum. 

[CAP]

Wm Law was relief Captain on QE during some of the same time period

Interesting to read of WJ Law and Queen Elizabeth.  I have just been sifting through some information regarding date of commands and I have information that has Captain Law as possibly the first Captain of three Cunard Queens. 

The reason I think this is worthy of note is that when Queen Victoria arrived on the scene Captain Paul Wright was given the command as at some points previously he had been in charge of both QE2 and QM2, he was given the title honour.

[Lynda Bradford]

Interesting to read of WJ Law and Queen Elizabeth.  I have just been sifting through some information regarding date of commands and I have information that has Captain Law as possibly the first Captain of three Cunard Queens. 

The reason I think this is worthy of note is that when Queen Victoria arrived on the scene Captain Paul Wright was given the command and as at some points previously he had been in charge of both QE2 and QM2 he was given the title honour.

It would very interesting to know if Captain Law was indeed in charge of the three Queens and whether there is any recognition of this fact. 

Do you have any information on date of commands to add to the Captains profiles?  Would be pleased to hear more. 

Cheers Lynda

[Jeff Taylor]

Not certain how relevant this would be, but Law was a relief captain of QE.  At the time (Summer, 1968) Cdr Geoffrey Marr was definitely the captain of QE.  Law may or may not have been (probably was) a relief captain on other occasions on QE, QM, Caronia, etc.


Note:  profile updated

[CAP]

It would very interesting to know if Captain Law was indeed in charge of the three Queens and whether there is any recognition of this fact. 

Do you have any information on date of commands to add to the Captains profiles?  Would be pleased to hear more. 

Cheers Lynda

My data sources are from passenger lists/daily programmes, so pretty good.  However, they are not 100%, hence my caveat of possibly.  The caveat could also mean there could be others, for this I need to check further.  I guess you need to see the ship's data to fully confirm - or have actually been there!

Regarding your request I'll get something together and send it to you via PM

[Lynda Bradford]

Not certain how relevant this would be, but Law was a relief captain of QE.  At the time (Summer, 1968) Cdr Geoffrey Marr was definitely the captain of QE.  Law may or may not have been (probably was) a relief captain on other occasions on QE, QM, Caronia, etc.

Thanks Jeff I have noted this information to see what I information I can find on Captain Law on QE, QM and Caronia

My data sources are from passenger lists/daily programmes, so pretty good.  However, they are not 100%, hence my caveat of possibly.  The caveat could also mean there could be others, for this I need to check further.  I guess you need to see the ship's data to fully confirm - or have actually been there!

Regarding your request I'll get something together and send it to you via PM

Thanks CAP, looking forward to hearing more by PM

[CAP]

Not certain how relevant this would be, but Law was a relief captain of QE.  At the time (Summer, 1968) Cdr Geoffrey Marr was definitely the captain of QE.  Law may or may not have been (probably was) a relief captain on other occasions on QE, QM, Caronia, etc.

I have Law in command of QE in May 1968 for at least a Westbound Transatlantic.  For Queen Mary, voyages identified in 1967 and for QE2, 1970 and 1973 (although for the latter there will inevitably be more)

Note:  profile updated.

[Rod]

Lynda, fantastic job!
One note of interest...Captain Peter Jackson when torpedoed, was on a Blue Funnel ship (Blue Flue)

His rescuer was 3rd Officer Robert Arnott I believe! Later to become a Captain himself!

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks Rod, it has been really interesting finding the information for the profiles and I am looking forward to seeing these developing even further as members contribute even more information.   

QE2 and history - my favourite subjects 

[Cabin 2066]

Lynda:
Captain Law was the master of QE in late May, 1967, on my eastbound crossing and, on my return westbound on QM in July, Captain Marr was the master. My grandfather knew them both very well and I got to meet them on both voyages.
Tom G.