Archive for October, 2021

It is with great sadness that OBA Member [OBA 00053] Gerald Corrall passed away on 5th July 2020 at West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance. After a very small burial service and C/19… , now 15 months later the Memorial Service is on 20th October 2021.

TS Indefatigable between 1949-1951.

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Calling all Indefatigable OB’s living in the South West of England

This is a reminder to all that there will be a memorial service for Gerald (Gerry) Corrall 1949/51 on Wednesday 20th October 2021 at 1.30pm at Crowan Church, Praze-an-Beeble, Cornwall, followed by light refreshments at the St Aubyn Arms.

This is not a funeral so dress is smart but not somber! Hopefully we will see you there. Take care. Stephen Corrall – Son of Gerry.

Biography

GERALD NOEL WILLIAM CORRALL

In 1942 at the age of seven, Gerry was evacuated from Leyton, East London to Newlyn Cornwall. Where he was lucky enough to spend the war years with his grandmother.

After attending Tolcarne School, Newlyn, he started at Penzance Grammar School in 1946.

After having lost his father, Luke Noel Corrall, in 1943 on HMS Dasher during a (still) ‘unexplained explosion’, Gerry was drawn to the sea and left school in 1949 at just fourteen, to join the nautical training school TS Indefatigable, Anglesey.   

After two years he completed his seamanship training and, still too young to join the Royal Navy, took up his first post with the Merchant Navy in 1951 on the SS Empress of France.

In late 1952 Gerry joined the Fleet Air Arm, one of the five fighting arms of the Royal Navy. Specialising in aviation electronics, communication, and radar. During his career he was stationed at Lossiemouth and Culdrose, and also served at sea on aircraft carriers and destroyers including HM Ships  Ark Royal, Eagle, Albion and Bulwark. Working on fixed wing and rotary aircraft including Sea King helicopters.

During this time Gerry also focused on his formal education, attaining six O’levels.

He left the Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1975 after twenty-two years of service.

After a short spell with Marconi-Elliot as a QA engineer, Gerry joined Camborne School of Mines as an Electronics Technician before joining Cable and Wireless, Porthcurno in 1981 as a lecturer in telecommunications.

During the next five years he studied with the Open University, achieving a BA Hons Degree in 1985.

After leaving Cable and Wireless in 1986, Gerry continued using his lecturing skills with Cornwall IT Centre, and later as an IT technician at Humphry Davy School.

Gerry also ran his own business, Beeble Microelectronic Services and gave private tuition.

He had a wide range of interests, including singing with Marazion Apollo Choir and he was a keen philatelist. He served on Praze Parish Council and later took up Warden duties with Crowan Church.

With great sadness.  

Indefatigable Old Boys Association (IOBA)

www.indeoba.com 2021