Empress Of England Old Bosun

[Ian Walker]

Hi lads,
I was at Malaga airport last week and I was sitting next to an old boy who had trouble getting out of his chair as he was very bad on his legs and needed crutches to get about.
I helped him out of his chair and he clocked the scouse accent, I also clocked a North wales accent so we began chatting and he told me he was the bosun on the England from 1964 until sold in 1970 his name was Taffy Williams and he celebrated his 78th birthday the day before.
I told him about this site and he said he would get his daughter to set up a computer for him, hopefully he will see the postings about CPR.
Taffy did mention some names Martin Quinn, someone called Coffey and I think two brothers called Donohue.
I enjoyed an very interesting conversation that lasted at least an hour before I had to go, just thought I would mention this and hope somoene remembers him.
Ian.

[Captain Kong]

I sailed on the Empress of England in the early 60s. Cant rememder the Bosuns name it could be him. The ones I do remember are Harry Tonks on the Emp. of Scotland, George Britain on Empress of France, Martin Quinn on France and Canada, an Irish man who scabbed the strike in 1960 and took over George Britains place after the strike,
I remember the Captain of the England , Capt. Jeavons. we had a few words with each other at times. The crew of the Emp. of England walked off in the West Indies because of him and so he was flown home and another Capt, flown out.

[briangboyd]

Hi Everyone I feel I have to correct this statement, as it was'nt the Empress of England & it was'nt in the West Indies, it was the Empress of Canada & it was a sit in in New York as I was on her at the time as AB.
We could'nt walk off as that would have been Mutaney, we had a union meeting in the first class resturaunt until a company rep came down.
We also had the backing of the shore baggage handlers & long shore men in New York harbour.
No offence meant but I just thought to put the record straight.
Brian Boyd.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Brian Boyd and also Ian Walker ! (Ian are you also ex MN??)
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

[geoff pearson]

Ii worked on the England as an engineer for a short time dec 1964 to oct 1965. i remember Bosun Martin Quinn Geoff Pearson

[JOHNTHEWRITER]

I remember capt. Jeavons when he was first officer on the england. He treated everyone as low life. He did serve as captain when dehautville bell went on leave. Never cared for the guy !!! Regards john yates

[JOHNTHEWRITER]

Does anyone have contacts with crew members from the old empress of england, between 1956 thru 1961. Some names i remember, but i was younger than most serving around me, perhaps many have passed on. Aga khan, donkeyman from liverpool, john ?? (last name i forgot) engineeroom storekeeper. Senior engineer's, willy mccall. Don hall chief enginner, ernie joyce, chief engineer. Regards, john yates

[Denis F. Ellis]

Hello!

I Was the Extra Chef (Senior Sous Chef) on the 'England" from 1957, after my six plus years on the 'Scotand,' until 1960 when I immigrated to Canada.

Denis f. Ellis

[Charlie Hannah]

I sailed on the Empress of England,joined her on the 1/1/60 payed off 6 April/60.
The Bosun was Black Jack Williams.

[Frank Carden]

My Dad sailed on the Empress of England from 1963/1965, sailing from Liverpool / Montreal / New York, he was a deckhand and his name is Paddy Carden , he had a few mates onboard from Liverpool,Frankie Crane and a little guy named Ronnie who's surname escapes me .