West Mersea Town Regatta Programme 2000 page 63.
Dr J.W.E. Fellows contd.

Ted was first attracted to West Mersea by Basil and Paula Martin and 'Capt' Guv Crouch through shooting at Peldon. Trips followed aboard the well remembered Crouch family motor yacht, TRESCO. At this time, Ted and Pat were living in Ware and a small motor boat was bought at Worcester and used for family holidays on the canals. Eventually a cruise was made to the Thames and on down as far as Harty Ferry. It was then obvious that a 20 footer was too small for open sea work and a search started for a more suitable boat

In 1959, RIIS was found in Conyer Creek, being used virtually as a house boat. An interesting craft, she was built as WHITE HEATHER in 1920 at McGruer's yard on the Clyde, as the towing boat to the J Class WHITE HEATHER. She was also a 21st birthday present for the daughter of the owner! During WW2, the Navy brought her from Wales and held her ready for Dunkirk. She was sent into St. Valery to help evacuate the 51st Division, then later after being renamed HMS MANATEE - hardly an appropriate name - she was reportedly used for clandestine voyages to the coast of France. She must have had much secret equipment at this time, because Ted found that 16 scuttles still remained in the hull for rapid sinking!

Ted brought RIIS up to 100 A1 at Lloyds and used her extensively for family holidays in Holland and France, to Paris, the Channel Islands and the South Coast, often in company with TRESCO. Ted became Commodore of the WMYC and then later, when it was discovered that RIIS was also a Dunkirk Little Ship, he became an active member of A.D.L.S. and supported a return to Dunkirk every fifth year. As Commodore A.D.L.S. he led the fleet to Dunkirk in 1985. Other big events were the Queen's Jubilee sail past with fireworks on the Thames, D Day Fleet Revue on the Solent and Navy Week at Chatham.

The Town Regatta will miss his unfailing enthusiasm and support.

Photo: Regatta Start Boat RIIS.

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Date: 19 August 2000