Hello
I am the sister of Seaman Matthew Stuart who was killed on his 18th birthday on HMS Argonaut in the Falklands in 1982.
Due to the exceptional circumstances of his death, my family and I have struggled to accept his loss in the fullest sense of the word.
In trying to address this, I am putting together a book or album of our happy memories of Matthew. To add to this,I have also been in contact with his best friend from the ship who has written down lots of amusing and touching stories of when they were out on operations.
What I would like is to get in touch with anyone else who may have memories of my brother that they would like, and would feel able, to share with us.
Is it possible to contact your members to ask that question?
Thank you in advance
Alison Stuart
Please contact the Association if you have would like to contribute.
I would be interested in talking to you . I came to your house with some of Mathews other friends along with Captain Layman, we visited a school and planted a tree in memory of Matthew . I was in action with Matthew when he was killed ,we were in a team of four working on reloading the forward sea cat launcher . The other members of our team were Andrew Tonkinson ” Tonks ” and Ian Boldy . Tonk’s and I were on the top deck loading the launcher , Matthew and Ian were in the magazine , below us ,down the hoist , I cannot recall if we had direct communication with them but we must have to ask for the missiles to be sent up , we could shout up and down the hoist though . Andrew should have got a medal for his actions that day , he showed a lot of courage , more than some who got them .
Hi, I came across this website whilst researching my past Naval service. I was an able Seaman on board Argonaut in the same mess as Mat. I remember celebrating his birthday and he did have a few beers and a laugh with his mates. We saved our beer rations (3 tins a day) for a week so we could celebrate. Seems such a long time ago now, from what I remember he loved his job and was happy to be on board and play his part. We were all desperately sad at the loss of Mat and Ian, I didn’t know him for long as I joined when the ship departed for the Falklands. But you make friends quickly on board and Mat was a very popular and well liked chap, despite his young age he was very competent and not phased at all at what we were about to experience.
Matthew was a pupil at Tewkesbury School in Gloucestershire. As part of our Remembrance day activities, pupils who are cadets in the area will take part in a parade for the playing of the Last post and two minutes silence. Cadets will then march around to the front of the school to lay a wreath for Able Seaman Matthew Stuart. I am very pleased that family members will be able to attend. Also collegues of Matthew who are able to attend the occasion at Tewkesbury school will be very welcome. All cadet forces will be represented along with a Corp of drums from the SCC.
Please contact the school to leave a message and I will return the call.
As part of the PSHE programme, at this time, I feel it is very important that all pupils understand and know about the life of Matthew and what the tree at the entrance represents.
Hi. I joined up with Matt, October 6th 1980 Cunningham 41. I actually remember you and your family at our passing out parade in the November. I will look to see if I have any pictures from then.
I can still remember him quite clearly, always a big smile and a very popular member of our class.
Very Best Regards
Buck Rodgers. Ex RN.
I too joined up with Matt, although my memory is somewhat hazy as to our class designation. I remember going through basic training with Matt and I have a class photo which I still treasure of us the night we passed out and his lovely sister Alison was also in, I am not ashamed to admit she became the first love of my life at the tender age of 16. I was very scared to tell Matt but I found out he knew and was OK with it. He went on to HMS Cambridge and I never got the chance to thank him and tell him how much I enjoyed going through basic training with him.
I look at that 1 picture often and think about that evening and wonder what could have been. Now I know
RIP Matt
I miss ya mate
Alison please contact the Association.
Secretary
I was at Tewkesbury school with Matthew and just about the same time as he was joining the Royal Navy, I joined the RAF. I don’t have many memories of him that I can share, but I do remember both of us being excited about leaving school and his light hearted jokes about “Crab Fat” ringing in my ears, and for some reason curly hair (his?); perhaps it’s stuck in my memory because we were soon to get very different haircuts. Like Matthew I was only just over 16 when I signed up, and I can still remember the shock I felt on hearing of his death on HMS Argonaut.
I don’t quite know what prompted me to start searching for information about Matthew, perhaps because it’s coming up to 30 years since the Falklands, and because of the recent news. Either way, I still remember him and his laugh.
Alison
I can’t help with your request but wanted you to know that I was a 25 year old reporter on the Gloucestershire Echo and was sent to report on your brother’s funeral. I was completely overcome by the emotion of the day and particularly by the poem which you wrote and I have carried it in my purse ever since. It’s now very tatty and held together with sellotape but it is the one thing I have from my days as a reporter.
Hi Alison
I did my Missileman training with Matthew at HMS Cambridge, we were in the same class together, we also used to travel up to Cambridge in the same car or train as i lived close to Matthew in Hereford. I will always remember him as we were great mates and had great times, i will also remember his life being taken away so early in his life. god bless . i have one photograph of him i can send a copy to you if you havent got it.
Alison
I remember him so well and the day we heard the terrible news. And his funeral will stay in my heart forever. Like a previous reader I too still have the poem you wrote and were barely able to read. My thoughts are still with you all for the loss of a truly loveable brother/son/friend.
Hi Alison,
I am Roger’s sister and I will tell him that you would like to hear of memories of stupot as my mum called him. Rog and Matthew were school friends and we lived near to you in Tewkesbury. I remember them setting out all of their TA kit in the kitchen when they joined together. I remember playing trivial pursuit with them and cricket and football in our garden. I also remember the day he walked up our drive and my mum calling “go and give the argies some bargy”. He is never far from our thoughts, but it’s my brother who should send you his. We are sorry for his loss and can understand why you still feel it so keenly.
Deirdre Smith
Alison,
I would be delighted if you could get in touch with me, although I note that your original post was almost 12 months ago. I trust the Association Secretary will pass on my email address. The whole family still talk about and remember Matt every time we meet up, particularly Dad. We miss Matt dearly even after 30 years. It still seems such a short time ago. I vividly remember dropping him at Cheltenham Train Station and waving him off on his way back to join Argonaut before it set sail to the Falklands.
Roger Smith
Please also see http://www.hmsargonaut.co.uk/wordpress/2011/11/23/matthew-stuart-by-paul-hunt/
Hi Alison,
Just found this website and wish I had found it along time ago. I was Matthew’s Divisonal Officer in ARGONAUT and visited you and your famly when the ship returned from the Falklands. On the way down to the Falklands, I spent time on the upper deck with Matthew and the other gunners and lookouts. Matthew loved his job, was always cheerful and I think proud of what he was doing. He was a real character who was well respected and liked with all whom he worked. I was also the ship’s diving officer and was one of the first to enter the seacat missile compartment to look for Matthew and Ian Boldy and assess what damage had been done to the ship. Thirty years is along time, but the memories are still very vivid as, I am sure, is the memory of Matthew in your hearts. Please say hello to your family and my thoughts are with you all at this time.
Peter.
To everyone who replied to my original post, thank you so much for replying and I’m so sorry for not responding earlier but I didn’t realise you had all written.
If any of you come back on here, please please please get in touch with me through the Association. Me and the folks would love to keep in touch.
Roger Smith – I have been looking for you. Please get in touch.
Hi Alison,
Ping me a number I can contact you on to the email with this reply, I hope the Association Secretary will forward to you. This will get to me quickly as it is my work address and will go to my blackberry.
Adam many thanks for your assistance in relaying.
Roger
We are having a celebration of Matthew’s life in 21st May 2012 at Tewkesbury School and would be happy to see anyone who would like to come.
The school planted a maple tree in memory of Matthew and, as he was buried at sea, the tree has become a focus for us as a memorial to him. I can’t speak highly enough of the school and their commitment to keeping Matthew’s memory alive.
If anyone would like to come, the event will start at 2 pm for 2.30 pm at Tewkesbury School, Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
Alison