Author Topic: Who on this board are the earliest and latest passengers of QE2?  (Read 15563 times)

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Offline Lynda Bradford

Yes, Lynda, I would second Bob's request for a detailed description of what you did, what you saw, and what you thought from the minute of stepping into John Brown's to the moment you left.  June   :)

Thanks for asking!

I have probably told the story before in different topics but here it is:

When QE2 was launched I did have the opportunity to have a ticket for the launch, but because I worked outside Clydebank at the time and could not get time off I could not go.  At the point when QE2 was launched I could hear all the shipyard on the Clyde sounding their works horns and the ships on the Clyde welcoming the new Cunard liner.  When I went home I mention to my Dad that the ship had got a good reception, he had said "and so she should, she is a Queen" He then asked if I would like to go in to see the ship.  My Dad was  aManaging Foremen in John Brown's shipyard so he had the authority to arrange this.   So on the first Saturday after QE2 was launched I went through the gates of John Brown's with my Dad and we walked to the fitting out basin to see the ship. 

It was a long time ago but my recollection is I had walked onto the ship which must have been by a gangway of sorts.  The decks had markings ready for metal to be cut.  I have always had the impression that the markings were for cutting out the swimming pools, but I may be wrong.  I did not go into the ship, I suppose because it would not have been safe.  I just remember standing on the metal decks and looking at the vast expanse of the ship and the view over the shipyard. 

I knew it was pretty special to have the opportunity to be onboard the ship, but I could never have imagined how famous she would become or that I would have the opportunity to be writing this 47 years later. 
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline Jeff Taylor

Lynda:  Thank goodness you did (go on the ship),  and that you have (written about it).

Offline Bob C.

Thanks Lynda!

Offline June Ingram

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« Reply #33 on: Sep 02, 2014, 02:47 PM »
Hi Lynda -

Thank you so very much for sharing with us your recollections in detail of your first visit to our QE2.  I can just imagine how awe-inspiring that must have been and how it is such a treasured recollection to have throughout the years !

June   :)
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Online Rob Lightbody

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Lynda, how often did you think of her in the many years between seeing her as a child, and stepping aboard again as an adult passenger?

Were the memories clarified by being back aboard?
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Offline Lynda Bradford

Lynda, how often did you think of her in the many years between seeing her as a child, and stepping aboard again as an adult passenger?

Were the memories clarified by being back aboard?

She has always been foremost in my mind and throughout my adult life I made every effort to read news articles about her.  As the decks and finally the funnel were added to the QE2 she towered above the tenements in the town. 
Alistair has posted a Clydebank Post article about The Funnel among the chimneys (reply 48) and this really describes how much a part of Clydebank QE2 was when being built.  She was our ship and we had to give her up to take her place in maritime history, but she was always in our hearts. 

In November 1968 when I had the opportunity to tour the ship I loved the modern decor and design of the ship and it was at this point that I knew that I really wanted to sail onboard the ship.  This dream did not come true until 1997 and when I stepped into the Midship Lobby to the sound of the harpist playing and it was like coming home. 
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline June Ingram

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Thank you, Lynda, very much for sharing these wonderful thoughts and memories !

June  :)
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Offline Adam Hodson

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Wow Lynda. Thanks for sharing that with us. Thinking back and seeing how famous and glamorous she was, it must have been a very proud moment. :D
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Offline Rod

Obviously I am not eligible for this!
Although, if you listened to some of my bosses on board, I was a passenger for 10 months/year for just short on 20 years!