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Big Jan originally from Yeovil and a keen supporter of its football
team. Bet he's smiling down on them now they have been promoted. Jan
was 3F messdeck killick when I joined the Y in 1968. A genial good
hearted lad well liked by those who knew him. And like his
photograph he seemed to always have a smile on his face.
Peter Sharp
I first met Jan (Ernie) in 68
when we re-commissioned after conversion. He became big oppos of
Al Healy and Dave Asprey (Ships flight). He was a mainstay of
the ships rugby team together with Trixie Treece, Danny Danks,
Tex Ritter and the rest of us and we were very successful only
getting beaten twice in 2 years.
I next met Jan unexpectedly
in 71. I was on the PTA unit in Singers and we had a holding
unit in Mombasa which we went to twice a year .I had to send a
signal and went to the commcen at Mombasa HQ and who should be
there but the man himself.
My visits to Mombers from
then on were great :- Uphomers,fishing, playing for Mombasa RFC
and even attending and auditing the books of the local RAOB
lodge.
The last time we met was in
75 at the Pompey Field Gun Crew track. I was Running for the Air
Command and we attended the Pompey public run night. We had
numerous wets together and did the old nostalgia bit and parted
for the last time.
Jan it was a pleasure to
know you.
Tom Atkinson.
I served with Jan Purnell when was the Chief RS in HMS Juno in 1976. We had a few good runs ashore in Chatham when the ship was in refit. I didnt know he had died.
RIP Shippers
John "Joe" Erskine
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