Hans Knot: It was October 25th a sad message arrived from several sources, including from Margaret Flo McEwan, who made excellent photos from everything concerning the former Thames Eastury Forts. Late in the evening I found her sad message: ‘This evening we lost a much loved broadcaster and British radio presenter known for his work on pirate radio stations Radio City and Radio Caroline in the 1960s, as well as his later career with BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, and various television networks. It was an absolute pleasure to accompany Tom Edwards on the Waverley Paddle Steamer last year to reunite him with Shivering Sands Fort – the home of Radio City.
RIP “Tatty”.
For the younger generation readers who do not remember Tom Edwards I bring the info from the Pirate Hall of Fame and Jon Myer. ‘He was born in Norwich on 20th March 1945. He first appeared on the air at the age of 18 when he was the announcer on a Border Television programme Beat On The Border. In 1964 he was working as a ‘blue coat’ at a Pontin’s holiday camp when he heard Radio Caroline, which had just started broadcasting off the coast. He began to play requests for holiday makers over the camp’s Tannoy system. He sent a tape of one of his shows to Radio City, who gave him a job. Tom joined City in September 1965 and eventually became senior DJ.
He was known as “Tatty Tom” because he was always so immaculately dressed, even when on a rusting anti-aircraft fort miles from civilization. He used a couple of different theme tunes during his time with the station: Wigwam by the Ted Heath Orchestra and Skyliner by the Mitch Murray Clan. When Radio City was taken to court and closed down in February 1967, Tom joined Radio Caroline South where he stayed until August that year and the passing of the Marine Offences Act. On Radio Caroline his theme tune was Las Vegas Scene by Wes Dakus and the Rebels.
Following his time at sea Tom became a regular on BBC local television and radio in East Anglia. This was followed by BBC Radios One and Two for many years as well as shifts as a continuity announcer on Thames TV. There are a number of clips of him appearing on Thames available on the TV Ark website.
Despite some well publicised problems with alcohol which interrupted his career, he fought back with help from Bob Monkhouse and was heard on five series of the comedian’s TV show Wipeout. At New Year 2004 he presented programmes for BBC Radio Norfolk and Saga Radio and in April later joined in the fun on Pirate BBC Essex.
In June 2004 The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame received an email from Tatty Tom: “Hi guys, into week 9 of having this pc so still learning my way around! Your info is amazing. Came across the Shivering Sands pics being built in Gravesend. Fascinating stuff. They were my ‘home’ for a long time as Radio City of course. When filming for Anglia TV for the 40th anniversary I said to the crew ‘if only I could do it just one more time’. My wish was granted with going out on the LV18 to do a show for Pirate BBC Essex. What with the Caroline reunion and then broadcasting was a weird, wonderful experience which I would not have missed for the world, right? Especially out in the North Sea. Seeing faces and hearing voices from my distant past was awesome. So what goes around … comes around, just like the vinyl we played sometimes in a storm force ten.
Next was Roger Day: ‘I just got the saddest of news. Tom Edwards died today. He was the man who gave me my nickname of Twiggy. Being in his company was always a joy.’
Comment from Steve Ball: ‘Another great friend lost. RIP mate. I can still hear his tones. Brilliant voice. I can highly recommend his book.’
Next the fb group Felixstowe and offshore radio: ‘It is with sadness that we have learnt of the death today of 1960’s Radio City and Radio Caroline South DJ “Tatty” Tom Edwards.
We had the pleasure of meeting Tom in 2017 at the Spa Pavilion Felixstowe, after he had hosted ‘Music from the Boats that Rocked’ featuring The Honeycombs and Tony Burrows to a sizeable crowd of offshore radio fans and locals.
As a tribute to Tom, here a photo taken in Ipswich:
Bob Le-Roi: ‘Sad to hear news of the passing of Tom Edwards. Affectionately known as Mother on Radio City, he began his announcing career as an entertainment host at Holiday Camps. Born in Norwich Tom had been battling ill health for some years, and for over thirty years had lived in Heckington, Lincolnshire. Senior DJ on Radio City I remember the crew congregating at Harold Wood’s, ‘Wall Tavern’, collecting supplies from Tony Pine’s General Stores and music and DJ’s from the office, Eric Martin’s Record Centre then to the harbour to board Fred Downs Harvester II for Shivering Sands. Coming ashore the crew would retire to Tom’s Cabin at the rear of Stan and Floe’s ‘Guinea’ to pick up their meagre wage. Tom was a pleasant easy going character and fine broadcaster, his passing marks another loss of the dwindling Radio City family
https://www.radiolondon.co.uk/redsands/Tom%20Edwards%20Tribute/Tom%20Edwards%20Tribute.html
Ian MacRae: I don’t know why but this has come as an unexpected shock. I really expected to eventually catch up with Tom somewhere, somehow. RIP Tatty one.’
From the Radio Caroline office: 𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗢 𝟔𝟎𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗗𝗝 𝗧𝗢𝗠 𝗘𝗗𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 🎗️
We are sad to hear that one of the original 60s Radio Caroline DJs, Tom Edwards, died yesterday at 80. Tom started his pirate radio career on Radio City in 1965, moving to Radio Caroline (South) when City was closed down. He stayed with Caroline until the passing of the Marine Offences Act in August 1967 made it illegal to work for pirate radio stations.
Tom went on to become the youngest presenter on BBC Look East. During his long career he worked on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2, and Thames TV Our thoughts are with his family and friends ❤️
Last but not least here’s Offshore Echo’s tribute.
