Dave Clarke, 1958 Dover Rodney class, crossed the bar on 28 October 2014, after a brave fight against ill health.
"Dad stayed in the Merchant Navy for 2-3 years firstly on the Port Line, then the Royal Mail Line. He kept his grandchildren enthralled with some amazing memories of his adventures from Australia and South America and else where in-between. After leaving the navy, he settled down and married mum, had me and my brother, and for many years was self employed, until ill health forced an early retirement".
This posting made me so sad! We were in the same class at Dover, and I remember Dave as a really nice bloke. It seems like years ago that I had an email from Sharon about her Dad, and I remember planning to go and visit him, but as with so much in life, something else cropped up, and I never went.
Likewise i was in the same year and remember having our weekend breaks in town chatting up the local girls together and being punished when we were seen by the commanding officer,like all of us at sea we all have tales of what we got up to and things we saw and i am sure Daves family will have great memories of his life. RIP shipmate.
Condolences Sharon to you and your family. Rest in Peace Dave
Crossing The Bar
by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.
