HMS Victory: Search for 'skilled' craftsman who made 'cherished' family ornaments from wood of Royal Navy ship
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The artisan is believed to be the last full-time joiner to work on HMS Victory before the work was contracted out
A plea has been launched to find out who made a collection of “cherished” family ornaments from the original wood of HMS Victory.
The beautiful ink blotter and napkin rings were designed by a man believed to be the last full-time joiner employed to work on on the Royal Navy flagship. Kevin Fitzpatrick, of Sheffield, said they were originally passed on to his father, John Fitzpatrick, who employed the artisan at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
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He said he wanted to reconnect the story of his father, and know more about the man who made the “cherished” family ornaments. “I’m not looking to sell them,” he told The News. “I just wanted to add some provenance to them.
“They were given to my dad and passed on to me. I just wanted to learn more about them and rubberstamp the fact they came from HMS Victory. They’re of nice quality.”
Kevin’s father John was a joiner and finance recorder at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. He joined as an apprentice when he was 15 in the 1950s and retired in 1995.
At the end of his career, he employed the joiner who made the gifts for his sons. The craftsman used the bulkheads and other spare parts of Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship to make them.
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Kevin said two ink blotters were made and given to him and his brother, with a third believed to have been passed on to a retired Royal Navy Sea Lord. The joiner also made replica cannons with wooden stanchions.
“My dad worked in the dockyard and employed this joiner who was reportedly the Last of the Mohicans,” Kevin added. “My understanding is the guy was quite modest and didn’t make lots of things just to sell them.
“He was just a skilled craftsman, made some pieces, and gave them away. It would mean a lot ot me and my family as it would help connected my dad back to the dockyard. He spent all his life there from 15 to retiring at 65. His joinery skills were used to fit out wardrooms and Royal Navy ships. It’s just a nice connection and the real link is the guy who made those items.”
Anyone who knows more about the mementos can contact Kevin through The News, by emailing [email protected] or via calling 07801195443.