Blue Funnel (A Holt)

[McConville]

Joined Blue Funnel as a 17 Year old. in May 1952
!st Ship..Stentor Galley Boy onto Pyrrhus..Bellerophon..Patroclus..
then Asst/Cook on the Automedon..Pyrrhus till Apr 1955

[Doc Vernon]

Hi McConville
Would just like to give you a warm Welcome to this very good site!
Here you will find lots of info,good Crew and with luck also find a few old Shipmates!
So sit back,relax and just enjoy the trip!
Hope we will have you here for a long time!
A site truly worthy of the British Merchant Navy!
Cheers

If you would like to join in and have your Full name R Number and First Ship
Included in the Flag then Please join the Crew List and leave full details on the Registration Form.
We need your names to get the New Flag full,so please do respond!
Thank you
Vernon (castleman)

Don’t forget to note your First Ship on the Form!

If any new Members or old ones too want a bit of info on the Flag Projects please
Go to the following Links where you can see Pics and Write ups on this subject!
Thanks

http://www.merchant-navy.net/gallery...php?photo=8380

If you have allready done this then Thank You!

[Trader]

Hi McConville,

I joined the Bellerophon on 25th. April, 1952 as deck boy just a month before you joined the Stentor. I left her on 10th. May, 1954. Two years altogether, six trips to the Far East. You may have been on the Bellerophon at the same time as me. I think the Ch/cooks name was Dick Forshaw known as "skinny fat jack" for some reason.

Regards...........Alec.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Mc
Are you from Manchester originally?
Cheers

[Trader]

I am Vernon.

Alec.

[McConville]

HI Alex.
I joined the Bellerophon on the 24th Sept '53 as Galley Boy, Signed off 31 Dec '53 so WE where on her the same time.Unfortunatly I can not remember names of whom I've sail with over the years.Dick Forshaw may well have been the Chief Cook. Bill

[McConville]

Hi, Vernon.
Yes I,m from Gorton, Manchester then Liverpool aged 13. now in Chatham. But do Coast Watch in Folkestone a few times a month
In liverpool as year to Blue Funnel Dinner..
I seem to have a bit of trouble getting around this site. Bill

[Doc Vernon]

Sorry Alec
You have lost me with that post reply!? (Qoute I am Vernon) ??
Have i forgotten something?
Cheers

OK DONT WORRY THE PENNY HAS DROPPED HAHA!

[Trader]

Sorry Vernon,

It was when you asked Bill Mc. if he was from Manchester. I should have said that I was originally from Manchester.

Bill McConville,

I am from Openshaw next door to Gorton but have lived here in Dover since 1972. As you say we were on the Bellerophon at the same time. When you joined it was my 5th. trip in her. I remember the galley boy when I first joined her was Arthur Byland, we were at Aberdovey sea school together.

Regards..........Alec.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Bill
Now as i though it may be you i was not too sure!
You would be about 74 or 75 now i guess,but i am sure i remember you fromway back!
I was at the Bel Vue Park (it was a sort of a fun park with Roller Coater Bumper Car rides etc) and you were with a very nice young Lady then! Cannot recall her name but had a really good set of Pins (excuse the pun)!
The Year was if i recall correctly was 1958,and i and my late Brother were on a bit of Shore leave from Southampton! You were about the same age as my Brother Gregory who was then 22 you must have been 23 or so!
We got talking after i had tried to ram you on the Bumper Cars! Just general talk but i do remember that you said you were from Manchester and a place called Gorton! Seems to stick in my mind!
This may be a very very odd coincedence,but it must have been you!??
Life is funny and this is one time that i recal as clear as ever!
Ihad my Ladyfriend Tunisia with me ,very tal Girl with long flowing Pitch Black Hair! Greg was alone!
Oh well i wonder if it was you! ????????????????
Really perplexed by this!
Cheers
Vernon (then known as Mac Jnr)