Richard Anthony Hughs Vanner
| Captain Richard Vanner crossed the bar on Thursday 27th April 2000. He served his apprentice with the Reardon Smith Line and went on to become master in the company. Richard's father was master of the S.S. Bradfine, a RSL vessel which was sunk by German submarine U100, 200 miles north west of Ireland in 1940. 38 crew members and Captain Vanner were lost. Our deepest sympathy goes to Richard's wife Caroline and her two daughters. Printed in Shipmates issue 15 June 2000. |
My name is Caroline Vanner, my father Richard Anthony Hughs Vanner was a captain for Reardon Smith from approx 1958 to 1980 ish?? I’m not quite sure when he got his Master certificate but I know he joined Reardon Smith as soon as he was a qualified Captain, I know this as myself and my twin sister Alexandra along with my mother travelled the world with him for many years. We even had nannies on the ships to tutor us, it was only as we grew older and had to be schooled appropriately that we could no longer travel on long voyages.
All of my childhood memories are on a ship… the ones I remember are the Vancouver, Westminster, Cardiff, Welsh and many more. I have pictures and dates somewhere of every ship we ever travelled on and where it went and why!!
The whole reason of me making this contact is because……. Firstly unfortunately my father is no longer with us and I am longing to find out more information. February 2012.