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January 20, 2004
Farewell old friend
Last night I had some more bad news, my very dear friend, a gentle man in every sense of the word, yet a very capable man whose own modesty often masked from those who did not know him, his wide talent and ability. Tom Bell befriended me on my first vist to this country in 1986 and made me a member of his family and close circle almost from the start. It was he who got me involved with the preservation of the Massey Shaw, and it was Tom who taught me all her little foibles and bad habits - and how to deal with them.
Tom in command of the Massey Shaw in the Upper Pool, Tower Bridge behind him. After his family, his biggest love was "his" ships.
Barbara, Olive, Kitty, Susie and Helen, his wife, mother in law, sister in law and daughters are naturally distraught, they were a very close family, but anyone who knew Tom was "family". You could not know him and not like him, you could not know him, or he you, and not be important to Tom.
Tom was, like myself, a fire fighter. He never aspired to the rarified heights of command, instead being content to do what he enjoyed well. He served with distinction for most of his career on the fire boats, working aboard the Massey herself, the Fireflair, the Firebrace and the later "Placky" Boats as he called them, the small but fast, Fire Swift and Fire Hawk. He finished his career at Southwark Training Centre as the Training Sub Officer for "floaties", the affectionate term applied to those who serve on the river in the LFB.
After retiring just over ten years ago, Tom began working for the trust that looks after the Cutty Sark, preserved at Greenwich, and rose to be her Boatswain, a job he enjoyed to the full. His skills as a seaman came to the fore here as he worked in her rigging and on various tasks requiring special skills with rope and lines, palm and needle and a thorough going knowledge of the ship.
Rest in peace old friend, it is not good bye, merely au revoir. I know that we will meet again, in calmer waters and sunnier climes. Those of us who labour on, will not forget you nor will we fail to take care of those closest too you.
Posted by The Gray Monk at January 20, 2004 07:42 AM
Comments
Like the wee boats themselves, friends slip away on the tide!
Posted by: MommaBear at January 20, 2004 10:11 PM
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend ... what a beautiful and eloquent tribute you wrote about him. I'm of the mindset that god always chooses the good ones to join him.
Posted by: Cindy at January 20, 2004 11:46 PM
Thank you both, Tom has indeed slipped away on the tide, but his mark remains with his friends and family.
Posted by: The Gray Monk at January 21, 2004 12:08 AM
I offer you my deepest condolences upon this tragic loss.
Posted by: Paul Jané at January 21, 2004 04:23 AM
Monk,
Tom's photo really DOES communicate his love of ships and your tribute was eloquent and sensitive. Very sorry to hear about your loss.
Ron
Posted by: Ron Bell at January 21, 2004 04:38 PM
Tom was above all else, a gentle man in every sense of the term, gentle in manner, in his treatment of others and in his respect for everyone he met. He was also a consumate seaman and knew how to lead when it was necessary. Thanks to you all for your kind thoughts on his departure - we need a few more like him.
Posted by: The Gray Monk at January 22, 2004 11:11 PM