HISTORY
Way back in1997 Les Welch (who had served in Barrosa as a L/Tel. in 1953) started a contact magazine for former ships' companies of the 4th Dest.Squadron. Having produced half a dozen magazines Les finally decided to form a 4th.Destroyer Squadron Ass. in Dec.1998. Sadly, a month later, Les passed away.
* In May 1999 Terry Parker met the Welch Family at a Showcase Reunion for HMS Cavalier and agreed to carry on the work started by Les in forming the 4th D.S.A.,now renamed FOURTH DESTROYER ASSOCIATION
* Since then the Association has had adverts on Channel 4, Navy News etc. looking for the other 4 ships originally built for the 4th D.S. (Alamein, Dunkirk, Jutland & Matapan). Shortage of money & Naval Personnel meant that the 8 ships never sailed together. Had they, it would have been a breathtaking sight.
* In Sept.1999 the Association had its first meeting in Blackpool, where a Committee was formed. Judging by the initial response, over 100 members joined in the first 3 months
* At the end of April 2002 membership was approximately 250, and at the end August 2008 the membership was approximately 300 and during that time 42 members have Crossed the Bar
TERRY PARKER writes:"I left Ganges as a Boy/Tel. in Apr.1951 to join my first ship, HMS Corunna, at Chatham Naval Base. It was my home for the next 2 years. It was 2 years I've never forgotten, the good times and the bad. Two years of my young life that I look back on with the greatest of affection. HMS Corunna became part of my life - it still is. It's part of my home with all the photographs and memorabilia of her that adorn my place, so forming the 4th. Destroyer Association was a pleasure for me"
Terry looking after OUR interests.
FOURTH DESTROYER ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION HISTORY
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