An Erskine veteran in Moray is appealing for help to trace a most unusual Royal Navy companion – a giant tortoise last seen more than 60 years ago.
Simon Murdoch, 88, was a young sailor aboard HMS Owen in 1964 when the crew were presented with a Seychelles giant tortoise by the Governor, the Earl of Oxford and Asquith. The five-foot tortoise, named Theresa, became part of daily ship life, with Simon tasked to feed, walk, and even polish her shell.
Theresa’s bond with Simon featured in the Daily Mirror at the time. He recalls: “She wasn’t quick to trust, but she came to recognise me. She was steady and calm – you could tell she had her own personality. I looked after her, and she looked after me.”
When the vessel returned to the UK, Theresa was handed over to Plymouth Zoo. Simon never saw her again but often wonders if she lived on: “If she’s still here, she’d be well over 90. It would mean the world to know what happened to her.”
Simon now attends the Erskine Veterans Activity Centre (EVAC) North in Forres and hopes someone may know Theresa’s fate.
If you have any information on Theresa's whereabouts, please contact michael.parkes@erskine.org.uk.
EVAC North opened in January 2025 and is already supporting over 500 Veterans across North Scotland. You can read more about the Centre at their website.