Capt Rodney W D Kenyon


CAPT Rodney Walker Dixon Kenyon lost his battle with lung cancer on September 6th 2010. He died at home surrounded by his family.

Born in Bolton, Lancashire, in 1928, Rodney spent all his life at sea. He started his education at Bolton School, moved on to Gordonstoun and then to the training ship, HMS Conway. He joined the British and Commonwealth Line and served on a wide variety of vessels from tankers, reefers and cargo vessels to staff commander on the Union-Castle passenger ships.

In 1970 he was seconded to Cape Town for 18 months to supervise the introduction of a new system of loading, and in 1975 he came ashore as director of T. T. Pasco in Milford Haven. However, his love of the sea proved too strong and in 1981 he joined a German shipping company where he served until his retirement in 1994.

From this rich and varied experience Rodney amassed a vast fund of stories and was often asked to talk to local organisations about his adventures. He decided to settle in Nolton Haven 40 years ago. His garden, children and grandchildren were very important to him. He was a member of Nolton and Roch parish council for many years, and a member of the U3A.

On retirement he used to get itchy feet several times a year and loved touring the continent by car. He was a passenger on the last voyage of the QE2 to Dubai, which was a memorable experience.

Rodney was a man who lived life to the full. He was a happy man and often said that there was very little he would have liked to change.

Service Record

From

To

Scottish Lion

Chief Officer

4/1957


Clan MacIver

Chief Officer

6/1960


Kinnaird Castle

Chief Officer

9/1962

1965

Clan MacGregor

Chief Officer

7/1966

1968

Good Hope Castle

Chief Officer

8/1968

1/1970

Cargo Supt

Cape Town

1970


King Arthur

Master

12/1971

1972

Died

6 September 2010

Aged 82

Obituary - 2010

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