he Association has learned of the death of Lt Cdr Arthur John Stevens RN. He died on 9 July 2013 and leaves a widow, Valerie.
Trevor Dale writes:
Arthur Stevens died on 9 July 2013 having suffered from an inoperable brain tumour for the past 12 months. The tumour was only fully diagnosed in May 2013.
An old Conway boy, with a passion for sailing, who was born to a maritime family, whose father was aWorcester boy and RNVR. He qualified as an observer in early 1960 at the Observer School, RNAS Hal Far in Malta. His first front line squadron was 825 NAS, a Whirlwind Mk 7 squadron embarked on HMS Victorious, which was doing the routine carrier run of Med/Far East/Med/Home.
During a fairly active ASW career, which included command of HMS Hampshire Flight, his main claim to fame was the conception and development of the Dummy Flight Deck at Portland. A project for which he received a justified Herbert Lott Fund grant of £300. A sum that was quite substantial at the time from the Fund.
His service continued with a period as a qualified diver with the Helicopter Dunker at Seafield Park. He also spent time with Naval Security on the Staff of Flag Officer Malta and the Ministry of Defence. Finally finishing with a long spell in Photographic Interpretation of SSBN targets.
Arthur’s second hobby after sailing was house renovation. A second career he pursued with his wife,Valerie, at their every opportunity. Culminating in a property portfolio of some twenty plus flats, houses and business premises in the Isle of Man. As well as a large property in Malta, which became a second home and sailing centre during the summer months for he and Valerie and many of his friends.
They were always perfect hosts and pleasant company. Valerie survives him and remains a resident in the Isle of Man.
Ron Gent writes
Arthur’s passing on was sudden and the cause quite malicious. It took us all by surprise.
I first met Arthur at HMS Osprey many years ago and a friendship developed from that day which has withstood the test of time. I remember quite vividly the events that led up to the installation of the floating dummy deck platform barge (of which Trevor Dale makes mention) which was one of Arthur’s genius ideas during the time he was OIC of fixed dummy deck training.
Everywhere Arthur and Val went they bought a house which usually needed some renovation. Hence we were all invited to week-end painting parties and we all did our best. However as the weekend wore on, less was accomplished as the grog flowed more freely than the paint.
The cottage they bought and renovated in Artists Row Portland was their pride and joy, but they weren’t so joyful at the sight of the Air Engineer’s plaster cast leg protruding from their ceiling during their first house warming party!
Both Val and Arthur were extremely generous and more than just friends; when they retired to live in the Isle of Man (did I say retired?!) everyone was made welcome. If they were out when you called you can bet your bottom dollar they were buying real estate.
Their rather handsome villa in Malta was open all hours and I recall many happy times spent by and in the pool and even happier hours as the sun set over the yardarm! It can be truly said that Arthur and Val were extremely good hosts!
It is a great shame that Arthur did not live to reap the rewards of his hard labour and we offer our condolences and support to Valerie who now has to shoulder the extra workload.
With good reason I will say personally with great humility ‘au revoir’ Arthur; you are greatly missed.