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Penthouse waiter - Kenneth Goff

"I first joined the QE2 on 3rd April 1977, as a waiter, having served on the Mauretania, Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, in the fifties…

"During my last 4 years onboard the QE2, my duties were serving the Penthouse suites, which included passengers such as:-

"Tele Savalas and his family, Eddie Fisher, Michael Crawford, Burt Bacharach and Carol Bayer Sager,ÌýÌýHurd Hatfield (actor in the film, the picture of Dorian Gray), The Bachelors, Max Bygraves, Frankie Vaughan and Maxine Andrews (of the Andrew Sisters).Ìý James Cagney, Rod Stewart and many other stars.

"Dean Martin and his family were amongst the passengers I served.Ìý Every night Mr Martin would order chicken, French bread and coffee, and occasionally he would call for coffee around 2.30am.

Burt Bacharach and Carol Bayer Sager

"John Travolta used to go running round the deck at 3am to avoid the fans that used to knock on his cabin door every night.Ìý He would call into my pantry and have a chat on his way back to his cabin.

"Tommy Steele travelled with us from New York to Southampton and I reminded him of the times when he was a crew member on the Mauretania in the 50’s and playing his guitar at 3am keeping the rest of the crew awake, a good laugh was had.

"Terry Downs, boxing champion, was on board for one of the cruises. I brought back memories to him, of when my wife and he were evacuated to Cornwall during World War 2, and of when he lived in Paddington at the same time as my wife.

"On September 11th 1979, we had to change course to avoid a hurricane which covered 1,380 miles of the North Atlantic with waves of 60ft high.Ìý Immense damage was caused, no cooking on stoves was allowed, passengers had to live on sandwiches and salads and we arrived 3 days late in New York.

During the Falklands

"In 1982 the Falklands war started, and I, with many other crew members, volunteered to go with the ship on the voyage, carrying many thousand troops and equipment. We looked after the troops and gave them towels and linen and made the trip as enjoyable as possible for them.

"We arrived at South Georgia and helped them and the Ghurkhas onto the tenders.ÌýÌý On leaving we carried survivors from the ships, which had been sunk.Ìý We arrived back in Southampton to a fantastic welcome.Ìý My family were there to greet me, it was a wonderful experience.

"My whole time on the QE2, near 12 years, will always be memorable to me.Ìý I am now past 75 years and would love one last look over her before she goes away forever."

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