I was just sifting through and sorting a pile of ephemera and came across a clipping from the Boston Globe, 18 Nov 1981 --

Naval Honors for Ship's Cat

Associated Press

CHATHAM, ENGLAND -- Charlie, the last official ship's cat at Chatham Royal Navy base, was buried with full naval honors yesterday.

A bugler played the last post, the flag was lowered to half-staff and the officer of the watch read the service for the tomcat, run over in an accident Sunday.

"Charlie was loved by us all, and we felt he was entitled to a burial with full naval honors like any seaman." said CPO Roger Leeder.

"He will have a place in naval history as he will be the last official ship's cat at Chatham," said Leeder. The base is scheduled for closure under government spending cuts."