Chris Rickard Eulogy Monday 3rd June 2013
by Danny Streather
Chris followed his boyhood dream when he joined the Royal Navy aged 16. He spent
the next 24 years serving on many ships, including BIRMINGHAM, INVINCIBLE &
NOTTINGHAM, as well as several Shore Establishments, before becoming a civilian
instructor, a job he loved.
“Christopher Dennis”, as I always jokingly greeted him, but Chris (or Rick) to all of
us. I first met Chris when he became part of my trainer staff. I was initially put off by
his stern and dour look, but I very swiftly came to know that his sad and serious face
was more ready to break into a smile than any other expression. I was impressed by
his attitude. We got on well, sharing both a sense of humour and an enthusiasm for
all things to do with Naval communications. My respect for Chris, just grew and
grew. He would for instance, turn up, voluntarily and uncalled for, on RNR trainer
weekends and offer his help to the RNR lads. Shortly after this I was drafted to HMS
Nottingham. I asked Chris to be my right hand man (smart move on my part!), he
took the challenge and we joined Nottingham, at that time a brand new ship,
together.
During our time in Nottingham, I got to know the real Chris. He never let me down,
not once, he constantly gave me more than I could ever ask for and very much as a
team, we took Nottingham through the rigours of Portland workup. Despite all the
hard work, I just remember that we seemed to laugh all the time. Chris would insist
on taking me ashore and roles were reversed, HE very firmly took charge of ME, and
as many people will tell you, trying to keep pace with Chris on any run ashore was a
tough call and it usually meant I was reduced to a gibbering heap that Chris just
dragged around with him as a minor inconvenience for the evening. Chris and I
formed a friendship that was never broken, I never had cause to doubt him, and in
subsequent years, he never failed to be a true, loyal and faithful friend. I have lost
count of the times, over the years, that he “Went the extra mile” for me, for no
reward, out of friendship, loyalty, and his deeply rooted sense of duty to others. I
know too that he did this for many, many others, some of whom are here today.
Chris was one of lifes “givers” not a taker.
Chris eventually got his own ship, HMS Birmingham, where, unsurprisingly, he was
an outstanding success and deeply respected by the whole ships company, I quote
from his Commanding Officer, Steve Wilson:
“Yeoman Rickard encouraged me, a very callow CO, to try lots of mysterious bunting
stuff I recall that under his guidance we became not bad at Squadron exercises (his
assessment) and even volunteered to take OCE for an 8 ship formation anchorage.
Rather like our transit of the Corinth Canal it has proven to be far more enjoyable in
hindsight than it was at the time. I know that all attendees at this sad event will hold
similar fond memories of Chris as I do”
Years later, Chris and I were reunited in the training environment, and this is where
most communicators remember Chris from. He simply took off. He was completely
in his element, his teaching of fleetwork in particular just infected all those he taught
with enthusiasm, he made every lesson interesting, exciting and amusing. He had a
manner about him which endeared his students to him. He loved his job. I quote
here from just a couple who passed under his gaze, but do please take the time to
read the booklet with all the other tributes to this wonderful man.
Quote one
“No matter to whom he spoke and no matter the occasion, Chris would always treat
people with respect and in the passing moments that make up friendships in the RN, I
always came away feeling that I had learned the greatest lesson of all. “Respect for
others.” If friendships in the RN can be described as ships passing in the night, then
Chris Rickard was a man who you would not just pass in the night, but you would
make a bold alteration of course to exchange pleasantries.
And this one, which is pure Chris Rickard and I can picture him doing now
I remember Chris taking us for fleetwork on killicks course. One of the troops
drummed up the courage to ask him in what year he was born. His reply was "I
wasn't born lad, a drop of rum spilt on the signal book during a roll of the ship and I
“evolved”". Great bloke and a total font of knowledge.
Chris, on leaving the RN, immediately did an about turn and rejoined the job he
loved as a civilian (though, from his manner, bearing and demeanour you would
never know it!), whilst continuing to teach, he also built up a vast and unrivalled
library of knowledge on naval communications. He nurtured a relationship between
the branch and the Flag Institute, easily the largest vexillological organisation in the
world, and soon earned their respect. The exchange of information he instigated has
been of benefit to all. His knowledge of the History of Naval Communications was
encyclopaedic. He used this knowledge and built up the branch museum, yet
another part of his legacy which will be treasured forever. The list goes on, he
became a tireless helper and contributor to the RNCCA and helped to take that
forward also.
Incredibly, all this was done whilst he was at the same time fighting a dreadful and
debilitating illness. He rarely let the illness hold him back, he just accepted it and
carried on. Although he openly talked about it, I never heard him complain about it
except when it frustrated him by stopping him doing things. Indeed the way Chris
dealt with his illness is typical of him and shows us his quiet courage, his desire not to
burden others with his problems. One can but admire a man who feeling ill nearly
every waking moment, just carries on with his tasks. We all must pay tribute here to
Jan, his closest friend and confidant, who, we all know, quietly helped him through
some of his worst moments. Thank you Jan, from all of us.
Chris and I often conversed on what we called “Giants of the Branch”, people who
we considered would be remembered as those who had given more over the years
than perhaps others, We would tick them off on our fingers. Chris held them in awe.
If I asked you all today to list the “Giants of the branch” I think you would all include
Chris Rickard. He never realised that people held him in awe and that he too was
that rarest of things, a genuine and true “Giant of the Branch” who leaves a genuine
legacy. Those of you gathered here today are living proof that this is so.
Chris Rickard, Communications Yeoman, a true gentleman and a truly gentle man.
He stands up there with the others, a true legend or “Legg end” as he would
pronounce it.
Chris will not be forgotten by any and all that knew him. I freely admit that he was, in
many ways, to me, the son I never had, I shall miss him greatly, we all will.
Traditionally, I now hand over to Chris’s “Senior Officer Present” to issue Chris’s final
orders
Dick to read out signal groups and translation
Limited time precludes delivery of the second eulogy so a written copy is provided
instead:
Chris Rickard - Communications Yeoman Royal Navy and Retired Naval
Gentleman
by Dick Cooksley
I first met Chris, or Rick as he tended to be called in those days, back in the mid-70s
at the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton in Somerset where, fresh from our first sea
drafts, we discovered to our delight that we were just two of around about half a
dozen young lads amongst thirty Wrens serving in the Fleet Air Arm's
Communications Centre. All those girls and scrumpy cider as well – sheer bliss for
both of us!
Actually, my first indication that Chris was somebody special came one busy
afternoon in Yeovil on a market day. Of course young Naval Ratings had no interest
in markets; they just enjoyed the fact that the pubs stayed open all day! But on this
occasion I had decided not to join my friends and go shopping instead. So there I
was at the back of a queue of drivers all desperate to nab the last space in the car
park. But to their dismay, and some anger, the last space had been taken …………. by
Chris who, somewhat tired after a busy market day, had paid his money and was
using the space to grab a well-earned rest. To cap it all he had stuck the ticket on his
forehead to prove his entitlement!
This would be the start of a friendship that would last a life time. Actually, it could
well have become something more ......... For a while one particular Wren had caught
my eye and I eventually plucked up the courage to ask her out on a date. To my
delight she said yes but there was a problem, her sister was staying with her and she
could hardly leave her behind while she went out with me. “No problem” I said, “I
will get one of my mates to join us”, as my eye settled on Chris looking bored. So my
very first date with the young lady who would later become my wife was spent in the
company of Chris, who proved to be the perfect gentleman to her sister. But sadly no
flame was kindled in their eyes, which was probably a good thing as I might well have
ended up with Chris as a brother in law!
Those with a naval background will be very much aware that our lives have been
shaped by the Fleet Signal and Manoeuvring Book, known as ATP-1 Volume II.
Legend has it that the book has a wedge-shape so that every young Officer or
Bunting in the Royal Navy can use it as a pillow and so absorb its contents when
sleeping. But Chris didn't need to do that because he knew every word on every
page......in every edition that ever existed, even back to the early versions produced
around Trafalgar, ……sorry, before Trafalgar (someone listening just corrected me!).
This encyclopaedic knowledge enabled Chris to become the foremost expert in the
field of naval signalling within the Royal Navy and probably the country. He used this
knowledge in many ways; from assisting research projects, writing a history of the
Signal School - HMS MERCURY, to providing guidance to the Royal Navy on flag
etiquette. He even appeared in front of Her Majesty the Queen at the British Legion
Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall dressed as a Second World War
Signalman complete with Duffel Coat, Sea Boots and an Aldis Lamp. Another
memorable occasion was when he assisted the artist Beth Derbyshire complete her
living picture of communications when a semaphore message was passed along the
River Thames from HMS BELFAST to the Cenotaph on another Remembrance Sunday.
Chris went on to become a leading member of the Flag Institute, an illustrious
organisation which is the largest vexillological membership organisation in the world
and I know that Chris would be proud to know how highly respected he was by its
members.
Chris was also a stalwart member of the Royal Naval Chief Communications
Association, the RNCCA, where he was a very active committee member even though
at times his health must have made this difficult for him. He will be sorely missed by
its members.
Nor did he let his enthusiasm for his profession wane during his illness. Many of you
might not be aware that he was busy researching for a book that he intended to write
about the history of Fleetwork. Sadly I doubt this will ever be completed as only
Chris possessed the knowledge for such an undertaking. Chris will also be missed at
Operation Gzira this coming August which is to be the largest gathering of Buntings
ever as we say farewell to our branch. Nevertheless, I am sure that he will be there
in spirit, keeping an eye on us, making sure that we conduct everything ship-shape
and Bristol fashion!
Chris was not always the bold as brass Signalman; there was another side to him as
well. Many of you will be aware of his great love of rock and roll; Queen, Status Quo
and Buddy Holly, but above all came the King, Elvis. I will never forget the time
when the news broke that Elvis had died. I spent all night with Chris but he was
inconsolable, because for him; that was the "Day the Music Finally Died".
On a lighter note I remember a quick trip to the pub one summer evening.
Unfortunately I had more passengers than seats in my car so Chris came up with the
bright idea to ride in the boot. As long as the lid wasn't completely shut he reckoned
he would be OK. All was fine until a few miles along the A303 I could see a car
behind me flashing its lights and sounding its horn, with the driver and passengers
waving frantically for me to stop. This I duly did where upon I was confronted by the
agitated driver who said that he was going to call the police because I had a dead
body in my boot! Despite the look of innocence on his face it transpired that Chris
had been hanging a limp arm out the boot which had just the impact he thought it
would! Thank goodness there were no mobile phones in those days!
Chris was a larger than life character who endeared himself to everybody. He had an
infectious laugh, I can hear him saying "Ho, Ho, Ho" as I write, and he always
announced his arrival with his trademark "Ahoy Shipmate". I like to think that he was
my friend but that is a very selfish view on my part as Chris was a friend to all of us.
Which is exactly why we are all here today, to say thank you Chris for your
friendship over the years.It would be appropriate to close with an extract of signal
codes taken from the Fleet Signal & Manoeuvring Book that I hope Chris will
appreciate, although no doubt he will spot the tiny inaccuracy1 it contains:
"TA-89 - TA88–3 - TA86-7 - BZ"
Now I appreciate that sounds like a foreign language to many of you, so here is a
simple translation:
"Chris you are detached from the fleet, proceed in accordance with your previous
orders and join your senior officer, well done".
1
The tiny inaccuracy? Well the good book states that as a Governing Group the letters ‘BZ’ should appear at the beginning of
the sequence. But neither does it categorically say that they cannot appear at the end either. A point that Chris would have
debated at length.
CY CHRIS RICKARD RETIRED NAVAL GENTLEMEN AND LEGEND
29th May 1955 – 21th May 2013
By Mark Rutley
In this modern era of media communications such as Face book, a medium that Chris
embraced as much as Semaphore…well OK perhaps not as much, it was incredible to
read the messages of condolence written from generations of Communicators whose
lives Chris touched in a way only he could. The words Legend and Gentlemen come
up time and time again and to me, as well as being the Assistant Secretary to the
RNCCA, he was a very good shipmate and I shall miss him greatly and his customary
greeting of “Ahoy!” For those of you that did not come across Chris during his service
life or indeed his time spent at Collingwood as a Civilian Tactical Instructor you have
been short changed in life.
I and the rest of the RNCCA Committee would also like to thank Chris for his stalwart
efforts during his time on the RNCCA Committee and his timeless energy and
contributions given to the News Letter, where his articles were, as all he did in life
meticulously researched and a most informative to read.
Some dits from Face book I would now like to share with you…..
“I remember Chris taking us for fleetwork on killicks course. One of the troops asked
him what year he was born. His reply was "I wasn't born, a drop of rum spilt on a Vol
II during a ship roll and I evolved". Great bloke and a total font of knowledge”.
“It was life time’s ambition to grow Pompey Pork Chops like Mr. Rickard…..”
“…as for me I did not really conform so he always called me a…….hippy!”
“When I got back classed Yeoman Rickard took it as a personal insult and took a
personal interest in the rest of my training…..”
“There is only one person I know who can get away with the word "morphodite" said
with a straight face whilst the remainder of the fleetwork trainer are in pieces! I once
had the pleasure of receiving "YOU MORPHODITE" thank you Chris! Your dits and
sheer professionalism will always be remembered for generations”.
//EX3 – 4 – TA 88 – 3 - BZ//Time