Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter

Originally posted to our Patreon

With great pleasure I am honoured to introduce Admiral Tiddles, a most heroic ship’s cat. As a young kitten born near the docks of Portsmouth, Tiddles fell irrevocably in love with the sea and dreamed of adventure. When he was just old enough to depart the warmth and affection of his mother, Tiddles joined Her Majesty’s Royal Navy where he steadily rose through the ranks  from ensign to the distinguished admiral of the flagship Titania. 

It was not only his capability as a seafaring kitty that endeared him to his fellow sailors. (*No one could climb the rigging with the same panache nor fetch kippers with the same elan!) Tiddles always maintained a calm and a kindness in the face of the most hectic of shipboard travails. He rode the seas, bringing moral to the sailors and crew and ensuring that everyone got a proper cuppa. He was especially noted for his skill at finding the sailor who had suffered a grave lost or the youngest sailor, new to the ship and far from home. To these comrades of the sea, he always had a warm paw and a purr to put them at ease.

During the misfortune of the Martian Wars, the flagship Titania was beset in deep waters off the western coast of the Americas. The Martians looked all but certain to win the day in what has become famous as the Battle of the Four Flags, but Titania and her crew sacrificed themselves to secure a rout of the Martian navy. Admiral Tiddles went down with the ship off the coast of San Diego but managed to swim ashore, guiding several of his fellow sailors by holding steadfastly to the ropes on their life vests.

After such adventures Admiral Tiddles retired to the balmy weather and kindness of San Diego. He was much admired by the local population and remembered in song by the sailors of the Royal Navy. He took his last nap and a very well-earned rest in the warm rays of the sun inside the library of the British Embassy.

Admiral Tiddles has gone onto his forever haunt where he no doubt tests the rigging of his new home and offers warm comfort and soft paws whenever needed.

A hip hip and a hurrah for dear Admiral Tiddles!