Ian Carruthers - Rest In Peace

It is with great sadness that we report that Ian Carruthers, a former Trustee of the Royal Maritime Club, has died. Ian died peacefully in the Rowans Hospice on Thursday, 9th October 2025.

Ian was a Trustee of the Club for over 20 years. He came ashore from the Merchant Navy (from a career which provided some of the finest and funniest jokes ever heard in the Club ) to join the fledgling Brittany Ferries.

At the time, it was a two-chartered cargo ship operation funded by Brittany farmers to move their onions, artichokes and other agricultural produce directly to the English market without having to cross any French territory in the process.

Ian was chosen to run the Portsmouth operation and, in due course, when both Plymouth and Portsmouth routes had developed into successful car and passenger ferries, became Managing Director of the whole company. Ian always claimed that his need to have a rollie after the interview sealed his appointment; Breton farmers, known for their thrift, approved his lifestyle choice.

Staff, Trustees and members of the Club will remember him for his forthright views, delivered in a strong Glaswegian accent and his impressive knowledge of French red wines.

Patricia, his Breton wife, attended functions with him and in recent years became a loyal Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) volunteer.

The Club is immensely grateful for and proud of his valuable service. Those who knew him will miss his good humour and the practical common sense, which he contributed, along with a shrewd commercial understanding.

We send our deepest condolences to his family and to his widow, Patricia, who we hope will continue to visit the club whenever she can.