Terence O'Connor : Information wanted

[Cat O'Connor]

Hello QE2 crew!

My name is Cat, and I'm trying to find out a little more information about my Granddad, who I've been told worked aboard the QE2 as a Sous Chef in the late 1960s to early 1970s.

His name was Terence O'Connor (probably known as Terry) and he had a very strong Northern Irish accent. He sadly passed away in 2001 and I've never been able to find any information about whether he actually worked aboard QE2 or if this was a tall tale he would tell...

Any help would be greatly appreciated and if anyone has any memories of him, or any photographs, I would love to know more!

I can upload a photograph of him if it'll help jog any memories - apparently he looked much the same in the 70s as he did in the 80s! (EDIT: Photo now uploaded, taken circa 1985)

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Welcome Cat, we are glad to see you here!

Yes, a photo of your Grandad would be good to have, because it could be very helpful in jogging memories. Also, any stories or anecdotes that come to mind. It would be great if we could find him for you .

If he worked on QE2 during the late 60s (i.e. in 1969) or early 70s, he would have known the ship right at the start of her sea-going life, when she was fresh and modern and the "it girl" that many of us never knew. He would have been in a very special ship at a very special time.

[Cat O'Connor]

Welcome Cat, we are glad to see you here!

Yes, a photo of your Grandad would be good to have, because it could be very helpful in jogging memories. Also, any stories or anecdotes that come to mind. It would be great if we could find him for you .

If he worked on QE2 during the late 60s (i.e. in 1969) or early 70s, he would have known the ship right at the start of her sea-going life, when she was fresh and modern and the "it girl" that many of us never knew. He would have been in a very special ship at a very special time.

Thank you Isabelle!

The only anecdote I really recall is him talking about making "horses doofers" (hors d'oeuvres) aboard the ship, and something about frying eggs in a storm.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

The only anecdote I really recall is him talking about making "horses doofers" (hors d'oeuvres) aboard the ship, and something about frying eggs in a storm.

I shall remember the "horses doofers"! And I have all sorts of ideas as to what happened when frying eggs in a storm... something that would not normally bother us too much on dry land .

What a pity you did not get to question him more about all this while he was alive -- but that, I fear, is a common problem, one that I have also experienced so often myself...

[June Ingram]

Welcome, Cat ! I hope you will be able to find out more about your Grandad.

As an aside, one of my uncles always referred to hors d'oeuvres as "horses doovers" with a "v".

Have a look around The Forum. There is so much to find here ! June 

[Lynda Bradford]

Welcome to the forum Cat. There are a few forum members who were crew on QE2 in 1969 into the 1970's, let's hope someone remembers your grandfather. 

Have you had a look at the 1970's crew photos in the Gallery?

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=37

[Cat O'Connor]

Thank you everyone for the lovely welcome!

I have had a look in the photo gallery but couldn't spot anybody that looked vaguely like my Grandad - but thank you for the suggestion!