Hi Mac,
Hope you are well. I have just caught up on your site and the chapters from Nicholas Bracegirdle on his father the legendary Cdr Warwick Bracegirdle. I have just pieced together a large gap in my knowledge of events that occurred in the Malta dockyard in 41, Matapan and some of the other theatres that they both fought in. He was such a brilliant man - determined, cunning ( especially when it came to coercing the Yanks), tactical and magnificent in every crisis they faced. I wish that I could have met him - he is such an inspiration to me.
I remember meeting Nicholas briefly when he attended the memorial for his dad back in 93 in Sydney. He also caught up with my Nana at that time, though, I didnt get to spend a lot of time with him. Braces was held in such high regard by Grandad - so much so that he named a son after him. Tragically though, baby Warwick Ferris only lived for 48 hrs and I know that these were very hard times for them both and for Nana even today.
When Grandad was transferred off the Perth in October 41(along with Braces), he couldnt understand why he was being made to do courses at FND when his mates were to sail again shortly thereafter. My Nana recounts a story where they went out to dinner with 6 of his Perth shipmates and partners prior to sailing and one of his mates said to my Nana "Mrs Nutty, If Nutty leaves this ship something will happen to her". Sadly only 1 of those men survived the sinking and then the Thai Burma Railway. My Nana then tells the story of how he couldnt understand why he was alive and in FND when he felt he should have been with his mates in Sunda Strait. I believe that for Braces and Nutty, the Yamishiro was revenge not only for Canberra but for the Perth as well. Braces though had other plans for Grandad and handpicked him in the first Shropshire draft for his 4" guns.
I know that Grandad would have fought anywhere with Braces and to say that he would have fought in Hell would not do justice to the conditions, places and enemy that they(and yourself) spent those 6 years defeating.
I have a copy of the letter that Braces sent to George Cheadle that was passed on per the instructions that you have reproduced.
I hope that you could be so kind as to pass on Nicholas' details to me so that I might contact him and renew the Bracegirdle - Ferris contact.
Thanks again for hosting this fantastic piece of history. This is history that my kids will never get in school and important for them to understand not only for the family involvement, but for the stories of mateship, courage under fire and sacrifice for their freedom.
I had a son in March this year. We named him Cayden Mackenzie Johnston - Mackenzie after your good self. He is an adventurous 8 month old who will grow up to learn of these stories and men such as yourself, Nutty and Braces.
Regards to you and yours,
Chris.
Hello Chris,
How nice to hear from you, congratulations on your son's birth, even if a bit belated. Time is forever on the wing, and the older I get, the quicker it seems to zoom by. You flatter me using Mackenzie as one of your son's names, thank you for that gesture.
Terry and I were delighted to bring Braces and Arthur Cooper's stories to a wider audience, and I am pleased you gained both knowledge and pleasure from them.
One of Nicholas' cousins, Julie Tadman, in Queensland happened to visit AHOY, and not knowing I was talking to Nicholas, made the suggestion I contact him with a view to publishing these stories, it so happened we were about to do just that any way, and she was delighed to be able to read them.
Denise and I will be up in Lane Cove for Christmas, I will give you a call, perhaps we might get together again. In the meantime, the season's greetings to you and your family.
Take good care of yourselves.
Best regards,
Mac.
(Chris is the grandson of Nutty Ferris who was one of Braces gunnery stalwarts in Shropshire, he was in charge of the four inch gun deck with 4 twin 4 inch gun mountings. Chris and I met in Sydney earlier this year, and as you can see was thrilled to be able to read all these stories. With Julie, Nicholas' cousin in Queensland we have made at least two people happy.
Mac.)
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