Mike (Ginge) Whetlor

It is with great personal sadness that I have to inform you that Mike (Ginge) Whetlor 'crossed the bar' on Monday 22 January 2024. He served onboard Lowestoft during the 1965-1967 commission as an AB Gunnery rate.

Mike was a 'Ganges Boy' and one of the original members of the Lowie Association and a great supporter who attended all our reunions and also the annual 'Jolly Boys' meet ups at the UJC. He was also a keen member of the 'Nelson Society' having served on HMS Victory as ship's company/guide when it was run by the RN.

When we became aware that we lived not far away from each other we used to regularly meet up for a pub lunch and a good 'lamp swinging' session. He had retired from life as a London Bus driver to the Somerset seaside town of Watchet and when I moved to Taunton a few years ago he would catch the bus every 10-14 days so he could have a few tots and lunch with me at my new abode.
He became a great mate and we both looked forward to our 'Tot Times' and spinning a few dits.
I will miss him greatly and send sincere condolences to his wife Loretta.

RIP Mike....Attachment 5164..............................Attachment 5165

Extremely sad news.
Rest in glorious peace, Ginge.

Home is the sailor, home from the sea...

Godspeed Mike, we will miss you.

I am so sorry to hear this sad news Ian, Mike was a lovely man and told many dits about his time in the RN. He was telling me at the last re-union at Wroughton that he wasn't well. Can you please pass on condolences from Edith and me to his family Ian.

RIP Mike.

Very sad to hear this today Ian. As you say Ginge was a regular at the Jolly boys do in London and I met him there many times. Always cheerful.

Very sad news.
Mike and I worked on the 4.5 together in 65/66, under the eye of Harry Hardgrave’s (Chief Mec)
Mike was the 2’s rate and I was his flunky.
Harry was also responsible for the maintenance of the diving equipment,
As I was a ships diver, he (Harry) got me to do the maintenance so when job changes came round
Harry fixed it for me to stay on the turret. So Mike and me worked together for over a year.
Also we were in the same mess.
Mike was heavy into Naval History and bought a load of my artefacts off my shipwreck (Halsewell)
I think his front room is full of it.
As Ian said Mike was a big supporter of our reunions and our meet ups at the UJC.
So as you can imagine we always had a lot to talk about.
A good friend and greatly missed.
Sending sincere condolences to his wife Loretta and family.
Rest in peace my old mate.

Attachment 5168Attachment 5169

Very sad news to hear that Mike has passed the bar, we always looked forward to seeing him, he will be greatly missed.

RIP Mike.

Mike Whetlor. Gentleman and sailor.

RIP mike sad news indeed

Such sad news
Always enjoyed chatting with him. He will be sadly missed
Still shocked
Please pass my condolences in to Loretta
Sleep tight shipmate your duty is done

Mike's wife Loretta hosted a function yesterday (25 May) at the RBL Watchet, Somerset to celebrate Mike's life.
There were many of Mike's friends there from all walks of life and it was what Mike had requested.
I attended on behalf of the Lowestoft Association along with John(Sid) Harbour, Bob Errington and Jim Riley.

yo- Ian, John, Bob and Jim.
Thanks for attending on our behalf. Mike always had an interesting story from his past experiences, in or after the RN.

Well done Ian, Sid, Jim and Bob. I hope it was a good send off.