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MORE SAD NEWS

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2021 4:55 pm
by teesships
For those of you who knew him, and for many others who would know his name, I am sorry to report that Harry Appleyard died peacefully at lunch-time last Wednesday, 19 May 2021. He had needed to go into care a few months ago but over recent weeks his condition deteriorated rapidly leading to his death. He was 78 years of age. He never married and is survived by a younger brother.

Harry was a long-serving member of the Teesside Ship Society and the World Ship Socioety. His work as a customs officer took him away from our area for several years while he served at Sittingbourne and Fleetwood, otherwise he could have claimed to have the longest continuous membership of our local society, dating back I think to the late 1950s.

For many years Harry was a member of the WSS Central Record team and also co-editor of Marine News. He had a number of fleet list histories published by the WSS and had an extensive slide collection dating nack to the late 1950s.

For myself I have known Harry for the best part of 60 years. I have a vague recollection of once meeting him on the Middlesbrough Dock footbridge some time before I met up with him when I joined the Teesside Ship Society in November 1964.

Although his interest perhaps waned slightly over recent years he will be sorely missed for all he could contribute to shipping history and researh both locally and nationally. For a while he contributed material to NEM and some of his photos can be seen by searching posts by HSA.

Ron M,

Re: MORE SAD NEWS

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2021 5:23 pm
by northeast
Very sad indeed, Ron, although I met him on only a few occasions (we did a tour of Northern Netherlands some years back along with Michael and Patrick) his fame preceded him, especially for his work on 'Marine News' and which made him a truly 'world famous' person. His fleet histories remain on the bookshelf as a permanent reminder. RIP Harry.

Re: MORE SAD NEWS

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2021 6:59 pm
by Patrick Hill
RIP Harry.

Re: MORE SAD NEWS

PostPosted: Sun May 23, 2021 4:54 pm
by magoonigal
Happy memories of going for Fish, Chips, Bread and Butter and a Pot of tea before going to Meetings! and his daft dog.

Harry will be a big miss. Whilst he was still driving at night he used to come up to our North East Tug Society Meetings at South Shields, but did on a number of occasions misplace his glasses.

Many years ago when Harry was at Teesside Airport we flew in and he was on Duty. I think the other passengers must have wondered what we were trying to smuggle in when we dissapeared with him and his boss...

R.I.P. Harry.

Re: MORE SAD NEWS

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2021 9:03 am
by creemaster
Sorry to hear about Harry, I met a handful of times but mainly knew him through his work as WSS Central Libary Custodian.
That was back in the day when you sent letters with SAE's with your query.
Must have sent lots of letters regarding Hudsons, Gardners and other stuff.
Seem to remember he had very good hand writing.
RIP Harry
Graham

Re: MORE SAD NEWS

PostPosted: Mon May 24, 2021 12:32 pm
by TEESMAN
Very sad news indeed about Harry, we had over the past 50 years made numerous trips both in the UK and Holland
HAPPY DAYS

RIP Harry
Mick