THIS week has brought a few more lovely responses from some of our regular readers, for which, I am very grateful.

To start with there was a happy Hoppy who was more than chuffed with George Springer's explanation re his Fairy Fields query.

Then I had this email from Bob Kettle.

"Liked the photograph of the Lord Leitrim in this week's edition of TRM.

“My grandfather, Bob Kettle, joined the RNVR in November 1915.

“After basic training, and a spell at Signal School, he was sent to the Auxilliary Patrol Base, Great Yarmouth, and from July 1916 until April 1918, he served on HM Drifter Lord Leitrim. He was then transferred to HM Trawler Volesus, in which he served in Milford until he was demobilised in May 1919."

Cheers Bob.

Now let's take another peek at Lt. Col. Doug Joyce's Army Cadet Force memories, which, once again, are dripping with familiar names.

"Towards the end of the war, the Cadets had their first camp out of Pembs, in Beachley Camp, Chepstow, which lasted a week, and in that time we trained for our final exam Cert A part 2. It was a hutted camp, with regular soldiers to train us, and to test us in all Army aspects, including cross country running, live shooting, and night exercises.

“On our day off, some of us caught the train to Newport, Mon, and spent the time exploring the town. In the evening, we went to the pictures, and, after, caught the train back to Chepstow.

“I remember some of the lads, but not all. Frank Gamble, a fabulous player on the piano (he could make it talk)…classic…boogie…Rock…you name it. He went on to win a prize in the Carol Levis Show. In my opinion, he was as good as Russ Conway, the TV star.

“Royston Holman turned out to be a very good goalkeeper, and played for the town.

“L. Ross, a Hakin boy, he lost one eye when he was younger, but was a great rider of motorbikes. I would ride pillion with him sometimes…which was quite a thrill.

“I remember one night, we were told that Mr Ocky Davies, the fighting milkman, was coming to teach us how to box. We already had a boxing ring in the Drill Hall, which was used by the TA. He duly arrived, and put us to the test.

“Not many of us took to it, but there were a few who did, and one or two went on to fight for our Unit and for the Regiment. Ting Phillips of H/west went on to become a Welsh champion. Ocky Davies Junior was a nephew to the fighting milkman, and he was quite handy with his fists. He went into the Welsh Guards and went on to retire as a Sgt Major, and I believe he took over a public house in Swansea.

“I also remember the Reverend Haydn Parry coming to the Drill Hall to teach us boxing after he came out of the Army. There were lots of great lads in the ACF, with lots of talent and skill."

More to come from Doug's fascinating, personal recollections of his early ATC days.

Doug mentioned the late, wonderful Frank Gamble…and he was right, he was such a gifted musician...not only piano, and a few years ago, with help from his family, TRM did a tribute to his memory.

Now back to this week's correspondence.

I had an emailed letter from Margaret Brace, concluding our recent involvement re the vessel, Gordon Richards.

"Dear Jeff, many thanks for highlighting the 80th anniversary of the sinking of the Milford trawler Gordon Richards in your TRM column.

“These are the family representatives who have been brought together as a result.

“Brian Howells, Milford Haven…great nephew of William Hugo Johnston (Skipper) and cousin of Oscar Johnston (Skipper's son...Third Hand).

“Mrs. Norma Cleevely, Milford Haven…daughter of Herbert Davies (Mate).

“Mrs. Laura Beavis, Waterston…daughter of William Howard Jenkins (Fireman).

“Mrs. Ann Martin, Hook...daughter of Charles Roland Orchard (2nd Eng)…her sister, Mrs Margaret Bevan, Haverfordwest and Mrs Elisabeth Lewis, Milford Haven (his niece).

“John Goldspink, Neyland…nephew of Arthur Goldspink (Cook).

“Along with myself, my sister, Anne Whisby and my cousins Tony Leggett, Freystrop; Lindy Nash, Bridgend; Susan Lewis and the family, Canada, grandchildren of James Arthur Lewis (Ch Engr); Ann Axford, Hakin…great niece of E E Carter, Mgr of Westward Trawlers at that time.

“We received news that Mrs Allen, widow of Francis Allen of Grangetown, Cardiff (Bosun) died some time ago and there were no children.

“Mrs Beavis's mother had always kept in touch with her and had stayed there from time to time."

I'm grateful to Margaret, and co-organiser…Yvonne Evans, for letting us know the final result of their research.

Now for our teasers, and last week's answer was TOMORROW, and was successfully recorded by Joyce Layton, Hoppy Atkinson, Les Haynes, Sheila Rimmer, June Rees, Ken Davies, Anne and Jets Llewellyn, Elinor Jones and Charles Wetherall. My thanks to everyone.

Here's one set by Mr. Les Haynes.

Which five letter word in the English Language, sounds the same, and sounds like it means the same, when you've taken away 80 per cent of its letters?

The two photos this week both go back to the 1940s.

From Ivor Day's wonderful Ward's Yard collection comes the SS Dioni. Built by the Northumberland Shipbuilding Company in Howden on Tyne in 1906. She ran aground at Sandy Haven in Sept 1940, was damaged beyond repair, and was broken up at Wards Yard in Jan 1941.

The 2nd snap is of Milford Dry Dock, in 1944.

Who knows, it might have even been taken on the very day I entered the world, in May of that year, in our house in Robert Street.

And, with that piece of useless, random speculation, I will take my leave of you. Don't forget, if you feel like getting in touch, I'd love to hear from you.

See you next time.