Private Bernard R Hosking

Private Bernard Robin Hosking from Bletchley served with B Company, 2 PARA.

Private Hosking was chosen was one of the Parachute Brigade soldiers selected by Chay Blvth to crew "Great Britain 11" in the first Whitbread Round The World Yacht Race in 1973. On 8 September, 1973 17 race yachts, carrying 167 crew from seven different nations, hoisted their spinnakers on the way out from Portsmouth into the English Channel on the first leg of a brand new sporting contest stopping in Cape Town, Sydney and Rio before returning to Portsmouth.

On Leg 1 on route to Cape Town Pte Hosking fell overboard and was recovered after seven miutes.

From The Pegasus Journal January 1974.

ROUND THE WORLD YACHT RACE

Early one morning in the South Atlantic the main boom started to bend and as the crew were moving to take down the sails, it broke. As it swung back it catapulted Pte Bernine Hosking of 2 PARA into the sea. A lifebuoy was thrown to him and all hands were called to reduce the sails, to enable the yacht to start the engine, turn about and search for him. This was done but when the boat turned about and they looked for the light on the lifebuoy but it was not operating. There was a alarge swell running and the yacht started quartering the area with its searchlight- Bernie Hosking was calling out at intervals and eventually the searchlights picked him out. He was lifted out of the water back into the yacht in seven minutes, which must be some son of record and says a lot for the crew's reaction. His only comment when lifted out of the water was "It's a little nippy."

After leaving Sydney and heading on leg 3 bound for Rio de Janeiro Pte Hosking was again thrown overboard during a storm. He was lost at sea, presumed drowned on 6th January 1974.

From The Pegasus Journal April 1974.

Obituary

Pte Bernard Hosking

Pte Bernie Hosking of B Company, 2nd Bn The Parachute Regiment was lost presumed drowned on the 6th January 1974, whilst crewing for "Great Britain 11" in the Round the World Yacht Race. Bernie was one of the Parachute Brigade soldiers selected by Chay Blvth to crew "Great Britain 11" in this race. He was a very popular and capable member of the crew, and it is ironic that earlier in the race he had been swept overboard in heavy seas by a broken main boom but had been rescued shortly afterwards. Bernie, who came from Bletchley, was a likeable and competent member of his company, and he had completed three tours of duty in Northern Ireland. He will be greatly missed by all, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family and relations.

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