[Graham Wallace]

Peter J Gildea-Evans, BP Second Mate circa 1969 onwards.


It has come to my attention through an ex BP contact that Peter Gildea-Evans died in South Norwood London on 24 March 2015 age 84.

I have never been in touch with him but have seen some threads in BPS section of Ships nostalgia commenting about him. He was not an ex BP Navigating Apprentice but joined probably in the late 1960’s as a Third Mate progressing to Second Mate and I believe remained at that rank with BP to be one of those known as ‘Professional Second’ Mates

I knew nothing of his previous seagoing life until recently. A staff member of Cadet Ship Worcester and an RNVR National Service Officer, eventually joining the Merchant Navy with P&O as a quartermaster, a very special one. He passed his Second Mates Certificate and moved on to BP as Third Mate.

These are a few of the ships he sailed on; Fame as 3M August 1969, Trader 2M May/June 1971, Skill 2M Jan 72, Officer 2M July 1972. Laurel x2M Nov 1972, Hazel 2M June 1973, Poplar x2M June 1974, Promise 2M March 1975.

I do not know how long he sailed with BP or when he left.


Graham

[derekhore]

I sailed with Peter on the Laurel .. he was a true officer and a gentleman, meticulous in all he did and knew the 'background' details to so many different things, nautical or otherwise.

He was indeed mentioned by me (and others) in a thread about 'professional Second Mates' and he was a true one.

I remember him well ... RIP

[yogi t]

Thank you Graham and Derek for those memories. I remember him in my Worcester days in 1961, he eventually got me through my 2nd O level-Geography, 2nd attempt too. I probably was not a good student as far as the scholastic subjects were concerned. I was more interested in sailing the dinghies and the nautical subjects.
John Taylor

[twogrumpy]

You beat me to it Graham, the notice was in the obit. column of the Torygraph today.

[trevflstn]

Sorry to hear of his passing. Sailed with Peter on the Commerce in 1978.
As I think was mentioned in the professional second mate thread it was his encyclopaedic knowledge of ships and shipping that made him such a memorable character.

[DAVELECKIE]

Sailed with Peter on the Hazel in 73, a true gent.
RIP.

[ninabaker]

Originally Posted by Graham Wallace

Peter J Gildea-Evans, BP Second Mate circa 1969 onwards.


It has come to my attention through an ex BP contact that Peter Gildea-Evans died in South Norwood London on 24 March 2015 age 84.

I have never been in touch with him but have seen some threads in BPS section of Ships nostalgia commenting about him. He was not an ex BP Navigating Apprentice but joined probably in the late 1960’s as a Third Mate progressing to Second Mate and I believe remained at that rank with BP to be one of those known as ‘Professional Second’ Mates

I knew nothing of his previous seagoing life until recently. A staff member of Cadet Ship Worcester and an RNVR National Service Officer, eventually joining the Merchant Navy with P&O as a quartermaster, a very special one. He passed his Second Mates Certificate and moved on to BP as Third Mate.

These are a few of the ships he sailed on; Fame as 3M August 1969, Trader 2M May/June 1971, Skill 2M Jan 72, Officer 2M July 1972. Laurel x2M Nov 1972, Hazel 2M June 1973, Poplar x2M June 1974, Promise 2M March 1975.

I do not know how long he sailed with BP or when he left.


Graham

I am pretty sure he was 2/O on the Progress when I was 3/O in Jan-April 1977. It was my understanding at the time that he had come up the hard way having gone to sea as a deck hand and worked his way up. To be honest I didnt like him much but had to admire anyone who had become an officer in that way - very difficult to do.

Nina

[Gordon L Smeaton]

Sorry to hear of Peters passing. Sailed with him on the Ranger back end of 77. As has been said, a gentleman,artist, ship lover and professional 2nd mate. Not sure when he left BP but guess was in the early round of redundancies when the "professional" 2nd mates and 3rd Engs were dismissed. My recollection of Peter, during a fire drill, in his exuberance and lead by example, charging across the handling space with both ends of the fire hose under his arm. RIP

[Graham Wallace]

Originally Posted by ninabaker

I am pretty sure he was 2/O on the Progress when I was 3/O in Jan-April 1977. It was my understanding at the time that he had come up the hard way having gone to sea as a deck hand and worked his way up. To be honest I didnt like him much but had to admire anyone who had become an officer in that way - very difficult to do.

Nina

Nina, you are correct, Master J Beattie, CO J Luff. Chris Dalquen was 3E
Graham

[yogi t]

It was my understanding that he came to the Worcester as a lecturer with a degree from Dublin University, he was Sub Lt RNR at that time too. Then he pursued his proper sea going career.

John

[NoR]

Originally Posted by yogi t

It was my understanding that he came to the Worcester as a lecturer with a degree from Dublin University, he was Sub Lt RNR at that time too. Then he pursued his proper sea going career.

John

He served his 'apprenticeship' as a QM with P&O passenger division. I wonder if he got remission of sea time for his RNR service ?
With RNR trading and a degree I don't suppose 2nd Mates was too much of a hurdle.

[ALBY2]

I think it was on the Commerce when I sailed with Peter, He had some quirks but at the same time was a real gent. Before we arrived in port he would have a large notice on the board with, the name of the jetty we were on, how to get ashore, taxi numbers, bus and train routes, places on interest local phrases even local bars. He said when he retired he was going to do a painting of the forth rail bridge, with the British mallard sailing under, the steam engine Mallard crossing and a flock of Mallards flying over, I wonder if he ever did, worth looking out for.
Alan Bristow

[sparks69]

A real Gent when I sailed with him.

[actingjunior]

I sailed with Peter on my first ship, the Commodore, in1968, he was sailing as 4th mate. A very clever and helpful person who helped me a lot during my first trip.

[retfordmackem]

Originally Posted by DAVELECKIE

Sailed with Peter on the Hazel in 73, a true gent.
RIP.

Not sure if I met him. I joined the Hazel in Teesport,2 miles from where I lived in Billingham. Unfortunately the trip only lasted as I came down with Haemmarhoids and had to sign off after only 2 weeks to have the dreaded operation. The pain is reported (and true ,especially first motion)to be second only to childbirth I have heard it said.
Is it possible I relieved you .7/9/73 //

[DAVELECKIE]

Originally Posted by retfordmackem

Not sure if I met him. I joined the Hazel in Teesport,2 miles from where I lived in Billingham. Unfortunately the trip only lasted as I came down with Haemmarhoids and had to sign off after only 2 weeks to have the dreaded operation. The pain is reported (and true ,especially first motion)to be second only to childbirth I have heard it said.
Is it possible I relieved you .7/9/73 //

I joined at Swansea 21/9/73 qnd left IOG 14/2/74.
Seems like it could have been the other way round. Was the Chief Sid Fewless or possibly a big tall chap Fred ?

[Graham Wallace]

Originally Posted by DAVELECKIE

I joined at Swansea 21/9/73 qnd left IOG 14/2/74.
Seems like it could have been the other way round. Was the Chief Sid Fewless or possibly a big tall chap Fred ?

Dave,
As far as I can make out you relieved Alan on the Hazel, Ross Jeal (I know him,ex 1960 EA ) was CE on her at the time and relieved by FJA Parsons ( Fred?). I think Ross came from Eel Pie Isand near Twickenham, great area for the 'new' R&R parties? David Bowie was 'found' on Twickenham station.

Alan ,
In your time Ross was CE,Fred Braithwaite 2E (ex1964 EA) and David Macdonald 3E(ex 1965 EA), been in touch with all of them. David was working in Vancouver but feeling he might have retired by now, actually pretty sure he has.

Graham

[DAVELECKIE]

Thanks for that Graham.
Can remember Ross, may have sailed with him a couple of times. Had his wife with him from memory and starting to think I
later bumped into him in Aberdeen while I was working offshore, he may well have become an OME or OIM by that time.

Fred was indeed the Chief you mention, great old school Chief.
As the years have past who relieved or vice versa has long disappeared from the memory banks. Probably because a hour or so in lots of cases handover, was not the same as sailing with someone for a few months.

[twogrumpy]

"As the years have past who relieved or vice versa has long disappeared from the memory banks."

You got it right there Dave, recently took me three days to remember who the 2/E was on the Guardsman in 69, however I recognised the 4/E from the same trip at the 75th. bash at Greenwich.
Funny old world.

[Graham Wallace]

Originally Posted by DAVELECKIE

Thanks for that Graham.
Can remember Ross, may have sailed with him a couple of times. Had his wife with him from memory and starting to think I
later bumped into him in Aberdeen while I was working offshore, he may well have become an OME or OIM by that time.

Fred was indeed the Chief you mention, great old school Chief.
As the years have past who relieved or vice versa has long disappeared from the memory banks. Probably because a hour or so in lots of cases handover, was not the same as sailing with someone for a few months.

Dave,
You are quite correct, I have a picture of him meeting Maggie T , but you only whisper that name on SN, gets some of the locals agitated.
Graham

[retfordmackem]

Originally Posted by DAVELECKIE

I joined at Swansea 21/9/73 qnd left IOG 14/2/74.
Seems like it could have been the other way round. Was the Chief Sid Fewless or possibly a big tall chap Fred ?

Correct Dave ,I was not on long enough to remember anyones names although Graham has posted them on here . All I remember is the tidy and clean switchgear room, and the fact that it was bound for West African coast .

[retfordmackem]

Originally Posted by DAVELECKIE

I joined at Swansea 21/9/73 qnd left IOG 14/2/74.
Seems like it could have been the other way round. Was the Chief Sid Fewless or possibly a big tall chap Fred ?

Correct Dave just checked my discharge book .I left in Swansea 21/9/73. Cannot remember anyone on board at all . All I remember is the switchgear room being clean and tidy and loved working on it.
And the fact we were supposed to be going down to ports on the West African coast.

[Ciarán Callan]

Only opened this thread tonight and may Peter RIP. Sailed with Peter on the Ranger also late 1977 on my first trip as Engineering Cadet. A wonderful gentleman and I still have one of the Christmas menus that he painted and was auctioned for the RNLI.

[Graham Wallace]

Originally Posted by Ciarán Callan

Only opened this thread tonight and may Peter RIP. Sailed with Peter on the Ranger also late 1977 on my first trip as Engineering Cadet. A wonderful gentleman and I still have one of the Christmas menus that he painted and was auctioned for the RNLI.

It is nice to see another ex BP Engineering Cadet has surfaced , I will sennd you an email, I have crew lists for all BP ships you sailed on.

There is a Shipsnostalgia member who should remember you.

Graham

[Duncan112]

I certainly remember Cerain, sailed with him my first trip on "British Respect", at least two other members were on board, John Bryson and Pete Hubbold.