Holy Loch, Scotland Alumni Web Site

Memorial Page for Past Crew Members

1968

Larry Battles
1968 (?)

Between 1997 and 2001 the seabed of the Holy Loch was being cleared of debris that had accumulated during the time it was used as Site One. On 28 Feb 2000 a set of 4 human bones were found. Police enquiries identified 13 males who had gone missing, presumed drowned in the Holy Loch over the Navy years. DNA profiles were generated from the remains. A positive match between the remains and one of the maternal relatives identified the individual as belonging to Larry Battles, who had gone missing in 1968. His remains were repatriated to his mother Ola May Battles.

Larry was assigned to the USS Hunley AS-31 as a boat coxswain in 3rd Div. He is buried in the home church in Boaz, AL. Larry is survived by his mother Ola May Battles and two sisters, Fran (Battles) Payneds and Judy (Battles) Reynolds.

Rest easy Larry on your eternal patrol.

If you have any additional information about the disappearance of Shipmate Larry Battles please tell Ray so it can be added here.

1970

Let us take this time to remember our three shipmates who died in the fire onboard USS CANOPUS November 28, 1970, BM3 Glen Wilfong 21, SA Arthur Belt 19, FR Carl Thunderbird 18.

You all died before your time.

"Eternal Father strong to save, whose arm
hath bound the restless wave, who biddest
the mighty ocean deep, It's appointed limits keep;
Oh hear us when we cry to thee,
For those in peril on the Sea."

REST IN PEACE BROTHERS.

If you have any additional information about this tragedy or more information about the 3 shipmates please tell Ray so it can be added here.

1976

Steven was born in Omaha Nebraska on Nov 7, 1956. He died on Sept. 20, 1976 in Holy Loch Scotand. He passed away while swimming in the village while serving his country aboard the USS HOLLAND AS-32 from from Feb of 76 to Sept 20 1976. Steven was the oldest child of 6, he had 4 brothers and 1 sister. He came from a large Italian family. He gratuated from Bekmar High School in Lilburn Ga. Shortly after he joined the Navy he went through basic training in Orlando Fla. Then went to Holy Loch in 1976. He loved the Navy and serving his country, also loved his ship and shipmates. Steven was a hard worker and true friend to those he knew. His nickname fit him well as he was very lovable. He was known to his shipmates as Yogi. His best friend aboard ship was Keith Richardson, also known as Boo-Boo.

1977

Tim was stationed aboard the USS Holland from 1976-1977. Tim was a good frend and shipmate. He passed away I believe it was in 1977 while on liberty at a shipmates house. Us that knew him were blessed with his humor and quick wit. He always had a smile on his face.

Tim was born july 7th 1957 in Burbank California and lived in the San Francisco bay area from 1960 to the day he joined the navy.

1982

This is in memorium of a former Seaman aboard the USS Holland from 1975-1977 his name is Joven T. Alba. He was an SH. He died December 10, 1982 in Alberqerque New Mexico in a car accident. He is survived by his wife and four children.

1984

Shipmate James Fox remembers Paco was a very funny person who loved life and his family, a Scottish woman he married. He was a great person and a great shipmate. He died on board the ship and his final resting place is in Scotland. He served aboard the USS Hunley in E-Division, 1981-1984.

1989

Bob was a friend, ship-mate, house-mate, and an overall great person (a great boat coxswain as well). He was always fun to be around and made everyone laugh. He was not selfish, always thinking about others before himself. He served with honor, and I am honored to have served with him. He was killed onboard the USS Iowa on April, 19th 1989 at 09:55 when turret number 2 exploded. I thought it would be fitting to list him on this site. He loved Holy Loch, Scotland. He didn't want to leave.

1993

A former Shipmate, Paul H. Sayles passed away 7/3/1993. He served on the USS Hunley (AS-31) from 1964-1966.Mr. Sayles served as W-4 Division Officer and later Assitant Weapons Officer in HUNLEY. He thoroughly enjoyed his tour in the ship and he felt it was one of the highlights of his career. He also enjoyed Scotland and the many friends he made, both within the Navy and in the local community.

He died on 3 July 1993 after a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife May, two sons, two daughters-in-law and two grandchildren. He is buried in Colma, California.

2000

Former Shipmate, HTCM Ken Slawson Passed away 10/2000. He served as the CPO in charge of the Pipe Shop on he USS Hunley AS31 from 1962-1965.

Former Shipmate, MM1 William "Bill" A. Jones USN Ret. of San Diego, Calif. Served aboard the USS Hunley AS31 and USS Holland AS-32 in R-2 Div. Gage shop during the 1970's. He passed away 4 May 2000 after suffering a heart attack.

2001

Former Shipmate, Richard D. Start served on the USS Holland from 1976-1979 in Holyloch Scotland. He loved the Navy and enjoyed his time on the USS Holland. Richard passed away in Minneapolis, MN in 2001. He is survived by his wife Frances, two children - Theresa & Aaron and grandson.

Former Shipmate, SKC Millard O. Pellom served aboard USS Canopus from Sept. 1967 to June 1971. Rota, Bremerton and Holy Loch. He was aboard the night fire broke out in Nov. 1970. It was a long night and day for anxious wives waiting to hear from their husbands. The men finally came off the ship the next afternoon ending the long hours of waiting for all of us. Sadly, three men had to die. SKC Pellom, passed away 6/20/01 after a long bout with cancer. He served 22 years in the Navy.

2002

A former Shipmate, Paul Darcy Rawling passed away 3/16/02. He served on the Simon Lake from 1990-1992. Paul lived in Hastings Mn. He is survived by his wife Margaret Mearns, his Children Shelly Mearns, Scott Mearns, and Shaun Atwood all born in Scotland, his Mother and Father, John and Ruth Rawling. Paul was born April 26, 1964 in Hastings MN.

A former Shipmate, W. Ferrell (Scotty) Scott passed away suddenly on 3/11/02. He served on the Canopus from 1970-1974 out of the D.C. Shipfitter Shop. Scotty lived in Goldsboro, N.C. He is survived by his wife Brenda, and daugther Jenniffer.

Stationed aboard the USS Los Alamos from 1966 - 1970 serving as a Machinery Repairman.

Born June 17, 1947, in Plattsburgh, he was the son of Iris and Irene (Rabidneau) Premo. Ron attended Troy High School and served in the Navy from 1966-1970 as a machinery repairman on the USS Los Alamos in Scotland.

He obtained a BS in criminal justice from Empire State College in 1975. He was employed by the State of New York since 1972 and at the time of his death, he was a senior investigator in the Department of Law, Attorney General\'s Office, in Albany and Plattsburgh, where he distinguished himself as an aggressive and tenacious investigator.

Ron was passionately involved in many civic and sports organizations including the All-Troy Athletic Club, Armory Little League, and most recently with the Horicon Youth Commission and town of Horicon Zoning Board. He was adjutant of American Legion Post 964 in Chestertown. He is pre-deceased by two nephews, Eric and Jason Coker.

Survivors besides his parents include is wife Cindy Jacques Premo of Brant Lake; two sons, Mathieu Alexander, and Philip Martin Primeau of Athens, NY; a daughter, Bridget Fox of Glasgow, Scotland; a brother, Raymond Premo and his wife Barbara of Troy; four sisters, Barbara Premo of Greenwich, Bernice Primeau of Pilot Mountain, NC; and Betty Murphy of Watervliet; Brenda Premo of Troy. In addition Ron was the loving and devoted \"Uncle Ron\" as well as father figure, adviser, confidante, counselor and friend to all of his nieces and nephews who will surely miss him.

Memorial services and American Legion services will be Noon, Friday, Feb. 22, at Barton-McDermott Funeral Home, 9 Pine St., Chestertown, NY.

Relatives and friends may call from 11 a.m. prior to services at the funeral home.

Private interment will be at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville. After services Friday friends and relatives are invited for refreshments at the Ole Poor House Route 8, Chestertown.

Memorial contributions may be made to North Warren Emergency Squad, PO Box 323, Chestertown, or American Legion Post 964, Route 9, Chestertown NY 12817.

2003

CDR Laurel Blair Salton Clark best known to Holy Loch Shipmates circa 1989 to 1992 (base closing) as "Doc" Salton, Squadron 14 Medical Officer, was tragically lost 1 Feb 2003. She was assigned as a Mission Specialist to the STS-107 Shuttle mission which was tragically destroyed during reentry after what has been acclaimed a successful scientific mission. For a detailed memorial to CDR Laurel Blair Salton Clark go here:

Former Shipmate, Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope was born in Eltham, England in 1903, the fifth of seven sons, passed away July 27, 2003. Bob Hope married Dolores Reade in 1934, and they remained married until his death in 2003. Affectionately known as "GI Bob", at age 94, he was honored by the Congress with the title "Honorary Veteran of the United States Armed Forces" during a October 29, 1997 tribute in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

Listen to Bob Hope's theme song: Thanks for the Memories

To visit Bob Hope's Web site go here: http://www.bobhope.com/
To view a tribute page for Bob go here: http://www.hopetribute.org/

Former Shipmate, Jim Sigler served on the USS Proteus and USS Hunley, in 1962 63 64. He is survived by his Scottish wife, of 40 years, two sons and two grandchildren. Jim had a great love for Scotland and his wishes were for his ashes to be returned to Holyloch. This will be done in 2005 by his family who will attend the reunion.

In loving memory of my husband.
Charlotte Sigler.

2004

Former Shipmate, FTCS Howard W.(Bill) Donovan USN (Ret.) Passed away February 4, 2004. He served aboard the U.S.S.Hunley, W-2 Division from Jan 1965 to Dec.1966.

FTCS Howard W.(Bill) Donovan joined the Navy Sept 1948. He retired Oct 1970 and was a Korean War Veteran and was in love with the Navy and the sea.

He served on 9 different ships and considered Holy Loch great duty. Holy Loch is part of our family memories and very cherished.

Tom Lecki served aboard the USS Hunley AS 31. He was in the W2 Division and was an FT 2. He was in Scotland 1963 through 1965. He then left Scotland and went to the USS America He was on the USS America till 1969. On many weekend liberties, he and Joe Frankovitch used to go down into England and Sky Dive.

Tom passed away suddenly on Febuary 20, 2004. He bred English Bull Terriers for 25 years. He was an American Kennel Club Judge.

Tribute by Joe Frankovitch:
Tom and I attended FT A school at Great Lakes Training Center 62-63, Then we were pulled out of classes to attend IBM Computer school before being sent to Dam Neck for MK 80 Fire Control System that was on the 598-608 subs.

When we arrived in the Holy Loch in late 63, there was still a freshness about the place. Still remember the propaganda movie. The surrounding Mountains protect the Holy Loch from adverse weather.

Tom was assigned to the Alignment Group doing optical Alignments on the boats. He had the ability to listen to an instrument and then start to play it. In about 3 Months he was playing the Chanter (That is the bag Pipe Thingie).

Tom and I became members of the Scottish Parachute Club, a were the only Americans. We would jump at a small field around Paisley, I think. But we were bothering the Airlines so we had to move to an airfield out side of Carlisle England. We would travel by train down on friday night, get to the air field, Jump all day Saturday, and head back up Sunday. Tom had the habit of missing the drop zone almost 60% of the time. While free falling he would lose stability, and spin flat. When he opened his chute he would continue to spin and wrap up his lines, by the time he got them unwrapped he was on the ground in a cow pasture or Tree.

He was over 6 ft tall and use to drive a mini. What an adventure, Remember this was 64-65. Tom and I shared a cottage on John Street (Cloncaird Cottage).

Thomas Howard Miller, 66, of Fernandina Beach, Fl died March 26, 2004 in the Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville, Fl. Tom was born in the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre, Pa on July 19, 1938 Son of Beatrice Rose Miller, Wilkes-Barre and the late Thomas D. Miller.

Mr. Miller attended S & S Memorial School and was a member of the Parson Welsh Baptist Church.He was a 1955 graduate of Coughlin High School,Wilkes Barre PA.

Mr. Miller was a retired Navy veteran. He graduated from the US Navy Submarine School, New London in Groton, Conn. Tom was an Electronics Technician spending a large part of his 30-year Naval career assigned to America's first FBM Atomic Submarine Base SubRon 14 in Holy Loch, Scotland. Starting in 1961 aboard the USS Proteus AS-19 and then the USS Hunley AS-31, then rotating between SUBRON 16 at Rota, Spain & Holy Loch.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bell Campbell White Miller, who was from "Shemore" Sandbank, Holy Loch Scotland, in 1997.

Surviving in addition to his mother, are sons, Stephen and Derek, both of Fernandina Beach, Fla., one granddaughter, brother, Arthur S. Miller, US Navy Photographers Mate Vet. of Carverton, Pa. who was stationed with Tom on the USS Hunley (1964-67), sisters, Mary Ellen Nieman and Jane D. Hensley, both of Wilkes-Barre,Pa.;several nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service was held in Ferdandina Beach, Fl. Interment was at the Church of Scotland, Kilmun (St. Munn's), Holy Loch, Scotland.

Former Shipmate, BMC George Ray Cheshire, USN Ret. Passed away November 19, 2004. He served aboard the USS Simon Lake AS33.

My father spent the majority of his adult life in the United States Navy, the Sea was most definitely his mistress. He loved the Navy and loved his assignments in holyloch. nest time you are in the Chiefs club ladies and gentlemen raise a glass please and toast a brother who has finally made it to his fiddler\'s Green.

George R cheshire is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years Jennifer L Cheshire, his three wonderful children , Jeanette, Tamzin , and Michael and his three beautiful grandchildren , Caleb, Gavin , and Zahra.

Lift him up Lord , He is coming home. 1947-2004

2006

"Gus" Gustav Peterson, Sr. of Poulsbo, Wa, left us December 30, 2006 After a very short illness with Kidney cancer. He was 62.

He was bour June 8, 1944 in Auburn, Wa. Was maried to Anita (Mingus) Peterson February 9, 1963.

He served in the U.S.Navy for 27 years retireing in 1989.

Served on the:

USS Francis Scott Key as A-gang and COB
USS George Washington Carver as A-ganger
USS Ohio as first COB
USS Raton as A-ganger

2007

William Hahn was a radioman in the Navy for 28 years and 11 months. He was stationed at Holy Loch from January 1970 to the end of 1971. He was first on the sub tender USS Simon Lake, which was replaced by the USS Canopus. He later served aboard the submarines USS James Madison and USS Woodrow Wilson.

He was born December 2, 1934 in Pensacola, Florida, and he died at his home in Pensacola on April 24, 2007, after a battle with cancer.

Bill is survived by his wife, Zenova, daughter Desa, and son-in-law Timothy.

His obituary will be online until April 25, 2008: Rill Chapel’s Life Tribute Center

Norman Rabkin of Rockville, Maryland passed away on 14 July 2007. Born on Dec. 9, 1917 he went on to serve in the US Coast Guard in WWII attending the secret ASDIC school in Dunoon, Scotland. Norm was an honarary member of the Site One Holy Loch Assoc. A few years back his inquriy about the secret ASDIC location prompted the Dunoon Observer to do an investigative story on the school and its location as many did not know it existed.

Norman in buried in Arlington National Cemetary.