The last Commanding Officer of HMS Malabar said he is disappointed that the crests of ships at Dockyard are in the process of being knocked down.With demolition started in the Albert Row project, the crests of ships that have docked in Bermuda for the better part of a half century have been knocked, much to the sadness of Commander Robin Bawtree, OBE, who also doubled as Resident Naval Officer Bermuda 17 years ago.“I am sorry to hear the crests have gone as they provided a reminder to visiting sailors that their ship had been to Bermuda before and they would usually touch them up during the visit, but I also think Bermudians felt it was part of their history decorating those walls,” said Mr Bawtree.HMS Malabar, a supply base, closed on April 1 1995, marking the end of the Royal Navy’s 200-year residence in Bermuda.UK-based campaigners have called for Government and Wedco to reconsider their proposal to tear down Victoria and Albert Rows amid fears a vital part of Bermuda’s heritage could be destroyed.Prior to taking over the property, Wedco said it planned to turn The Cottage, the former home of the Commanding Officer, into a guest villa, with a sports/spa facility and commercial offices suggested for the other buildings.Mr Bawtree backed this particular idea providing that the work is done in the best interest of those in the community.“As a retired naval officer who was fortunate enough to serve as the last Resident Naval Officer, Bermuda I was very fond of HMS Malabar and the 28-acre estate that we looked after.“I feel it was left in a pristine condition, including the dockyard with the buildings and facilities all in working order. It is therefore with great sadness that I hear that almost all the buildings are in a dilapidated state.“However, if the space is going to be used for something worthwhile then that is good news.“As a sportsman, I would support the building of a sports centre in the dockyard as the facilities will be immediately available to visiting ships which hopefully will continue to visit Bermuda. Perhaps it could be called the Malabar Centre when at least the memory of the establishment at the West End would endure.“I wonder if my suggestion that Skittle Alley, on the island which contains a large number of signatures on the walls of those who had visited the Island, has been saved or taken over by the National Trust although I believe the bridge across to it from The Cottage has collapsed.“The history of the 200-year presence of the Royal Navy in Bermuda can never be lost and that beautiful and peaceful graveyard just up from the dockyard could never be touched.”