Extract from The Gloster Gladiator Issue 169by Len Humphreys

The Strathallan Story web site was conceived three years ago by the coming together of interesting elements which could be compared to a human jig saw puzzle. The original idea came from Jim Gormley a veteran of World War II and a proud member of the RAF Regiment. Jim was pining for his lovely wife, Sheila, who died in the millennium year after 48 years of marriage, and he opened his heart up to his next door neighbour, Robert Kennedy, by relating his adventures of being torpedoed on the 21st December 1942 while aboard the Strathallan Troopship in the Mediterranean Sea. Web site browsers can read Jim’s poignant story under “Survivors”.

As a matter of therapeutic interest, Robert carried out extensive research and attempted to build a web site; an exercise which gave Jim a new lease of life as he was essentially a modest family man but with a real story to tell. Not having the web site building skills, fate led Robert to Les Jones a Yorkshire born computer expert, who was also an ex soldier who saw service in Northern Ireland. As a labour of love Les commenced designing the web site which is seen today; a credit to his skills which may have cost thousands of pounds if done professionally. By chance, at the same time, Ken Chambers from Brighton, Sussex, was also researching the story of the Strathallan as an article for a newsletter called The Gloster Gladiator based in Gloucestershire; he was prompted into this by two colleagues Alf Blackett and Tom Samuel who were both survivors. Thanks to the internet, Ken established contact when he was advised by P & O of The Strathallan Web site, and Les incorporated Ken’s original story which had been published in the newsletter even before the Web Site came on air. Browsers can view Ken’s story under “The History of Strathallan” which added to and complimented the web site. Robert and Les were delighted to receive the extra information and so started an interesting relationship between the Web Site and The Gloster Gladiator.

This veteran’s organ has an interesting story to tell, not least because of the fact Jim Gormley was ex RAF Regiment and a contingent of them set sail from Gourock on the Clyde during 12th December 1942 aboard the Strathallan on her fateful journey. The Editor and Publisher of the Gladiator is Eric Papps ex RAF Regiment who hails from the beautiful middle England village of Ruscombe near Stroud in Gloucestershire. Assisted by Ken Chambers of Brighton and Brian Rich of Barry South Wales, both ex RAFR, Eric produces this near monthly Newsletter which has a circulation of over a hundred and is mailed in the main to ex RAF Regiment war veterans and their families, but also to others who have long become attached by continued interest after publication of their stories. As one reader so aptly wrote, “Another edition of your wonderful and interesting Newsletter; my wife and I always enjoy reading it, the items relating to wartime experiences and those relating to non-war life are equally interesting; they show so clearly how your group is holding together; a really remarkable thing and largely due to you. Thank you and your able assistants for keeping a non-Regiment chap on your list.”

Articles from readers can be on a variety of subjects, but in keeping with the age group and experience; war stories are favoured but these have dwindled due to time catching up with the story tellers! It was due to the Web site that Stan Hambrey of Malvern Worcestershire, a survivor of the Strathallan whose story is featured under “Survivors” has had his further war time exploits serialised in The Gloster Gladiator and is now a subscriber to the Newsletter; he will always be welcomed at the Group’s get-togethers which are held, also near monthly, in Ruscombe when roughly 20-30 members are able to attend - again thanks to Eric who organises every function including “Battle of Britain” and “Remembrance” services at the local Church or Chapel

The Newsletter is a brilliant method whereby a real “band of war time brothers” maintain contact after 60 years. Jim Gormley was ecstatic to receive photographs of fellow regiment personnel including himself from war time days in North Africa and became an ardent reader until he died in June 2003. Most are in their eighties now but share common ground that stretches back to those dark days of 1939-45 when our country and the world was in peril. Eric Papps is an inspiration to all for his sterling efforts in keeping this Group together; bringing everyone up to date and ensuring no one is forgotten by producing and despatching the Newsletter over the past 15 years (27 Comrades have passed on during this time). He has no car; has a long walk to the bus; uses a wheel barrow to transport the catering items to the hall on function days; video recorders and computers are a mystery to him – everyone relies on him – the whole operation relies on him.

On a holiday in August 2003 while visiting his son in South Wales, yours truly the Web Site Editor, visited Eric at home in the company of Brian Rich to receive an outstanding welcome. We at the Web Site are delighted to support and commend the work of this small but unique Group of ex RAF Regiment Comrades and their companions to all throughout the world who log on to this Web Site. Why not mail him a word of encouragement

Addressed - c/o Robert Kennedy, 27 Border Way, Kirkintillock, Glasgow G66 2BE – It will be passed on to him and you will get a reply.