"Australian air hero Cyril Burcher – the ‘Man who Saved Queen Mary during WWII’ – has continued his association with Cunard Line’s Queens, sailing aboard Queen Mary 2 from Sydney to Hong Kong following her history-making Royal Circumnavigation of Australia.
Mr Burcher’s ambition to set sail on Queen Mary 2 was ignited following a brief visit to the liner during the Royal Rendezvous commemoration service and ‘Australia’s Finest Generation Lunch’ last year.
The 93-year-old from the Brisbane suburb of Everton Park received a hero’s welcome when he boarded Queen Mary 2 in Sydney prior to her departure to Hong Kong.
Mr Burcher travelled with his companion, Marion Shaw, and daughters, Desley Tree and Margaret (Margi) Melloy. Ms Tree said Mr Burcher had an absolutely marvellous time on the voyage, buoyed by an attentive crew and endless activities.
“Margi and I had to drag Dad off to bed after midnight after the Madame Butterfly Ball. He had three ladies to dance with and he kept us busy,” Ms Tree said.
“It was a surprise and welcome sight to see Dad's health improve over the three week voyage. Margi and I joked that we should have left him on to keep going around the world!”
Mr Burcher secured his place in the history books while carrying out aerial escort duty in the North Atlantic in 1943. When he and members of his crew spotted a German U-boat lying in wait for Queen Mary, they signalled a warning to the troopship saving the ship and those on board.
He was subsequently awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), and during last year’s Royal Rendezvous commemoration service and lunch onboard Queen Mary 2 was heralded as the guest of honour.
The celebrations took place 70 years after the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, both converted as wartime troopships, crossed paths at the entrance to Sydney Harbour.
The ships played a significant role in Australia’s wartime contributions, between them carrying thousands of Australian troops to the Middle East and to Singapore."
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| Peter Shanks and Cyril Burcher |
Historical and human stories such as these is what life is all about. I thoroughly enjoy how people connect with ships and their companies from the past and what they mean in the present. Recently reported from Cunard and other news sources is the following story of Mr. Cyril Burcher and his accounts of Cunard Lines from past to present:
"Australian air hero Cyril Burcher – the ‘Man who Saved Queen Mary during WWII’ – has continued his association with Cunard Line’s Queens, sailing aboard Queen Mary 2 from Sydney to Hong Kong following her history-making Royal Circumnavigation of Australia.
Mr Burcher’s ambition to set sail on Queen Mary 2 was ignited following a brief visit to the liner during the Royal Rendezvous commemoration service and ‘Australia’s Finest Generation Lunch’ last year.
The 93-year-old from the Brisbane suburb of Everton Park received a hero’s welcome when he boarded Queen Mary 2 in Sydney prior to her departure to Hong Kong.
Mr Burcher travelled with his companion, Marion Shaw, and daughters, Desley Tree and Margaret (Margi) Melloy. Ms Tree said Mr Burcher had an absolutely marvellous time on the voyage, buoyed by an attentive crew and endless activities.
“Margi and I had to drag Dad off to bed after midnight after the Madame Butterfly Ball. He had three ladies to dance with and he kept us busy,” Ms Tree said.
“It was a surprise and welcome sight to see Dad's health improve over the three week voyage. Margi and I joked that we should have left him on to keep going around the world!”
Mr Burcher secured his place in the history books while carrying out aerial escort duty in the North Atlantic in 1943. When he and members of his crew spotted a German U-boat lying in wait for Queen Mary, they signalled a warning to the troopship saving the ship and those on board.
He was subsequently awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), and during last year’s Royal Rendezvous commemoration service and lunch onboard Queen Mary 2 was heralded as the guest of honour.
The celebrations took place 70 years after the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, both converted as wartime troopships, crossed paths at the entrance to Sydney Harbour.
The ships played a significant role in Australia’s wartime contributions, between them carrying thousands of Australian troops to the Middle East and to Singapore."
Source: cunard.com and etravelblackboard.com
