When Bob Venning came aboard, I believe it was early 70's, 73? he was given the job of updating QE2's security. Frankly, at the time it was a joke, and I can well imagine why some people had a different name for him. You have to remember that at that time the IRA had named QE2 as their number 1 target. It had been proven that that the QE2 had smuggled a signicicent cargo of arms to the IRA with the help of QE2 crew members.
To give you an example of QE2 Security staff in 1971. I was asked to go to a pax cabin to assist the Chief SPO with what would now be called a "domestic disturbance" This was a call from the night SPO CSPO turned up with one of the trapshooting shotguns! I asked him if it was loaded and he said he didn't know! The domestic distrurbance was Peter Sellers and Miranda Quarrie.....who was Cunards Chairmans daughter. Thats what security was like before Bob Venning.
On all ships those days, you could show up at the bottom of thae gangway show a photo ID and go on board for a drink!