大象传媒

This is a brief story about my father Mr Sydney Dyson Antrobus (Yeoman of Signals JX205675,based at Devonport).
During WW2 he served on several vessels mainly in the Mediterranean,first HMS Royal Arthur(Class S35)in 1940,then the Drake,Protector,Stag,Nile,Canopus,Caroline and finally HMS Urley in 1945.
It was on the Urley that my father had the welcome duty to signal the arrival on board of the King George VI.This was an immensely pleasurable task yet my father was somewhat saddened to see that the King's illness was already beginning to take its toll,as he appeared somewhat gaunt and heavily 'made up'.
Father was demobbed on 28/02/1946 and like all the veterans in the village received the following message on a certificate from John Gartside(Chairman of District Council),Samuel Lees(Chairman of Welcome Home Fund),Herbert Wilkinson(Secretary) and Harold Boardman(Treasurer):-

"We, the Chairman and Members of the Lees Welcome Home Committee, on behalf of the inhabitants of this district extend to you a cordial welcome home on your return from the service of King and Country during the World War 1939-1945.
We desire to place on record our appreciation of the devoted service you have rendered in the cause of Freedom and Justice for the benefit of humanity generally.
Your contribution to Victory is a source of pride to your fellow townspeople, and on their behalf we tender to you our sincere thanks."

In addition,Mr S D Antrobus and friend were invited to the First Welcome Home Ball to be held in the Co-operative Hall,Lees Tuesday October 8, 1946 7.30 to 12p.m.

My father spent the rest of his working life in advertising and retail management, joining the Spa Gardens Tennis Club and
later the Oldham Golf Club where he became Captain and latterly member of the Gems.

At his funeral service on May 25 2000, as the coffin was being carried into the Church,a sudden hailstorm broke out.Though only lasting a few minutes,the stones were as large as golf balls.The organ began to play the sailors'hymn 'Eternal father,strong to save',a wreath in the shape of an anchor on the coffin- a fitting tribute to the man who had signalled the arrival of the King on HMS Urley over half a century earlier.

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