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18th May 2017, 10:21 AM
#1
Help from the RBL or MSA
R235941 Arthur John Harvey; Am I am nearly 92 years old I decided to plan my funeral therefore I contacted Royal British Legion also the Merchant Navy Association for guidance and assistance; have been a member of both for very many years. Needless to say neither organization replied or offered any help so much for the MNA an RB0L. This proves how little regards there is for the MN exist even within their ranks.
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Evan Lewis thanked for this post
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18th May 2017, 10:54 AM
#2
Re: Help from the RBL or MSA
It seems to me Arthur that the memory banks of the present generation leave a lot to be desired. The MN apparently must bring back a lot of bad consciences to some of our older politicians the way seamen were treated in the past and quite recent past also. To all it appears we are the forgotten service and most would apparently wish we would disappear into the background. I hope enough of us can make enough noise to make them aware of how much they owe to yourself and those of your era. Most on this site will wish you well and thank you for what you did and endured in their name. Best regards John S.
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18th May 2017, 10:57 AM
#3
Re: Help from the RBL or MSA

Originally Posted by
ARTHUR JOHN HARVEY
R235941 Arthur John Harvey; Am I am nearly 92 years old I decided to plan my funeral therefore I contacted Royal British Legion also the Merchant Navy Association for guidance and assistance; have been a member of both for very many years. Needless to say neither organization replied or offered any help so much for the MNA an RB0L. This proves how little regards there is for the MN exist even within their ranks.
##thanks and much respects to you we all owe you ..best wishes cappy
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18th May 2017, 11:15 AM
#4
Re: Help from the RBL or MSA
Hi Arthur,
Have you tried the Merchant Navy Welfare Board?
Merchant Navy Welfare Board
8, Cumberland Place
Southampton
Hampshire
SO15 2BH
Phone: 023 8033 7799
Email: enquiries@mnwb.org.uk
It is a Charity for British Merchant Seamen.Just phone or email.
OR ........
Sailors' Families' Society Cottingham Road
Newland
Hull
Kingston Upon Hull
HU6 7RJ
Phone: 01482 342331
Fax: 01482 447868
Email: info@sailors-families.org.uk
Cheers
Brian
Last edited by Captain Kong; 18th May 2017 at 11:22 AM.
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18th May 2017, 11:40 AM
#5
Re: Help from the RBL or MSA
Good on you, Brian and Arthur you seem to be neighbours with the latter. Nothing like a personal approach.
Every good wish to you from the son of a Yorkshire lass.
Richard
Our Ship was our Home
Our Shipmates our Family

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18th May 2017, 12:06 PM
#6
Re: Help from the RBL or MSA
Arthur the RNLI in Brixham often are asked to scatter ashes at sea and I know they complied in the past, but new rules about pollution, no doubt drafted by some non-entity have made that request more difficult.
You could try the RNLI in Hull, or The Missions to Seamen, as the one in Hull was always very helpful, but again they may be constrained by petty rules drawn up by people who have no idea what a sacrifice is.
In the past they would have given the ashes to a trawler skipper and he would have done the honours in the North Sea or the Arctic
Thank you for your service, it is appreciated
Ivan (a one time trawler lad sailing out of Hull)
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18th May 2017, 12:26 PM
#7
Re: Help from the RBL or MSA
wandering along shields beach ....of which shields is a old roman fort area plus many finds i found on the beach after the tide went out an urn ...rushing home convinced it was a roman urn i proudly presented it to granny who screamed get it out it is a ashes urn it has somebodies ashes in which of course had been washed out any way ....heading back to the beach i thought ballocks and put it in a garden ...suppose it caused a few thoughts there as well....cappy
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18th May 2017, 12:53 PM
#8
Re: Help from the RBL or MSA
#1, Arthur you could also try this lady below, she was extremely helpful to me in arrangements for visits to our late member Alf Corbyn on here. When Alf passed away the gentleman [Paul Hingston,Welfare Officer for Fisherman's Mission ] who visited Alf, also arranged for the Red Ensign to be at Alf's funeral along with MN members.
May I too offer a heartfelt thank you for your own contribution in WW11.
Chris Rankin MBE MNM
Projects Manager
Seafarers Link
Community Network
t: +44 (0) 1752 812674
m: +44(0)7933 153 189
e: chris@community-network.org
w: Community Network | Connecting people together for improved health and wellbeing
(I currently work 2 days a week, but check my e mails regularly - please allow time for me to reply or if urgent please telephone)
Community Network specialise in training volunteer peer facilitators to host telephone groups that help to tackle loneliness.
0ur income is raised from individual / corporate donors, charitable trusts and from the provision of teleconferencing training and consultancy.
Last edited by gray_marian; 18th May 2017 at 01:00 PM.
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18th May 2017, 03:18 PM
#9
Re: Help from the RBL or MSA
Arthur, So sorry I didn't call you but was sick after my trip to the U.S. I will send you a PM later.
Hugh, To correct the demob number, it should be.. 40 or thereabouts I was 21 years old at that time. 70 was the number for new inductees of 18 years old.
Excuse my delay, both of you, it's age y'know. Cheers, Eric
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19th May 2017, 01:22 AM
#10
Re: Help from the RBL or MSA

Originally Posted by
ARTHUR JOHN HARVEY
R235941 Arthur John Harvey; Am I am nearly 92 years old I decided to plan my funeral therefore I contacted Royal British Legion also the Merchant Navy Association for guidance and assistance; have been a member of both for very many years. Needless to say neither organization replied or offered any help so much for the MNA an RB0L. This proves how little regards there is for the MN exist even within their ranks.
Sorry, just found this. My local MN Branch and our local RBL branch do much in this way, I actually have the branch MN coffin drape and sadly it is used often. With your permission I can contact people at National level for advice and they hopefully can advise more esp for assistance more local to you.
It may be worth you contacting FAIR FUNERALS FOR ALL they should at least advice you.
Regards Keith.
Fair Funerals for all
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