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One summer’s afternoon, the exact year is not recalled but “just before the war”.  A party of about twenty people set out from Ladram Bay in the fishing boat “Little Annie” with Tom Staddon at the helm, to see HMS Hood on exercises in Lyme Bay.  This ship was the pride of the Royal Navy and its presence in the area much talked about.  

A lot of ladies were on board and had hoped to be “back in time for tea”, when their families would be home from work and school. 

They found the Hood about four miles out and were delighted to get near enough to exchange shouts with the sailors on board. 

On the return journey a thick fog descended, causing a lot of anxiety amongst the passengers – and the lone crew.  It was getting late and a group of very worried people had gathered at Ladram, where apparently ”you couldn’t see the rock”. 

The hero of the hour was Reg Staddon, Tom’s brother, who stood on the cliff top and fired a shotgun into the air at regular intervals, causing much disturbance to the many seagulls. 

The shots could be heard by Tom, who guessed who was firing and he successfully, slowly, brought the boat in, it was 11 pm.   

Tom joked that he recognised the squawks of Ladram gulls. 

Written by Roz Hickman © 2013 

As told by the late Mr and Mrs Gerry Smith

Mrs Smith being one of the passengers

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