- Author
- A.N. Other
- Subjects
- History - WW2, Poetry
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Quickmatch
- Publication
- June 1974 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
A poetical tribute to Lieutenant Commander R. (Dusty) Rhodes DSC, RAN, on his relinquishing command of HMAS Quickmatch in 1944.
Now Cobbers, fellow shipmates,
The time is drawing near
When we shall lose that gallant man,
Who’s skippered us right here.
“Dusty” Rhodes, the chap I mean
Our Captain, one and all,
The one whom we have followed far
Where’er our duty call.
He steered us into Durban Town,
The sailor’s land of dreams,
Where women, wine and song are found
Within a matelot’s means.
He took us down to “Snooky”
And gave a ten-day break,
Then he put to sea again
For our reputation’s sake.
He’s sailed us o’er the oceans,
On seas both rough and smooth,
He treats us right in harbour,
Who better could we choose.
And now he’s going to leave us,
Not that he wants l’m sure,
He’d like to stick by “Quickmatch”
But that’s the luck of the draw.
So let us get together
And give three hearty cheers,
To wish our Friend and Captain
The best in future years.
AB O.J. Wyly