Welcome to Common Brothers Forum

[Peter F Chard]

Roy, I feel I should know you -- were you connected at some time with the Nautical School in Auckland. The school was located in the old Union Steamship Building on Quay Street. I was located right next door in the old Customs House in the Marine Department and worked as an Engineer surveyor looking at boilers and pressure vessels and ships. A few names you may recall -- Jimmy Gladwin, Peter Wenden, Colin Wickham, Dennis Brosnan, Jim Micklejohn, Bill Wise. Hope to hear from you, regards Peter Chard in Auckland.

[Roy A Swan]

Hit Peter, Yes I do remember you well. I think last time I spoke was on the wharf at Gaunt St. about five years ago, I think you were looking at Boularibank which a mate of mine Brian Whiteman was sailing on. I started in Willis St, Wgtn school with Miller- Williams in 79 then moved to Auckland in 1980. 70 this week I am retired but still doing the Masters/Mates exams and travel around a lot doing various consulting. eg Just back from a week in Kiribati and Timaru this week. Yes, i remember a few of the names from the good old days. Keith Bainbridge, Brian McCallum and Paul Harper you may know are still at the school.
Good to hear from you again.
Roy

[Captain Kong]

Regarding Martin Quinn, I sailed with him a few times, On The France, and Britain, He was Bosun on the Canada when she burned in January 1953, He was in tears then in the Caradoc. shouting , "Give me six good men and I`ll save the ship."
The Fire Service had taken charge.
I was in the House of Scouse in Montreal and Martin went to the Gents. Four Canadian Dockers, with their hand hooks on their shoulders followed him in.
The screams were terrible, and a lot of banging then it all went quiet, Kinnel they`ve killed Martin. we all muttered. Then Martin walked out and sat with the Chippy and a Bosuns Mate again and carried on drinking. The Dockers didn't come out.
Hard man was Martin. I never argued with him.
If you were a good Seaman on deck he never bothered you.
Cheers
Brian.

[RogerEmmins]

Hi Roy

Are you still flying?

Regards

Roger Emmins

[Frances Robinson]

Harry Scott died on 19 March 2019. He was born and brought up in Burnhope, County Durham.

Harry was in the Merchant Navy. He sailed on a number of tankers, some of which were for a firm locally known as Common Brothers (but actually called Lowland Tanker Company Limited) and also for Nothern Petroleum Tankers and hunting (Eden) Tankers between 1964 and 1966.

I am looking for men who might have sailed with him.

[RogerEmmins]

Hi Roy

Remember me. Are you still flying?

[Roy A Swan]

Hi Roger, I see you have two posts to me. Sorry about delay but I rarely open this site as so few entries. Quite a few seem to have nothing to do with Common Bros. I am sorry, old age creeps up, your name is vaguely familiar but can't place it. Touch blue, give me a clue ! Where were we together, ship, school, pub ? What was your position. Of course I have so many past students and shipmates hard to keep track. I am still doing exams and some teaching but finish in June when I am 75. No, I don't fly now. It was on my list of things to do more of in retirement but my best friend died in a light aircraft crash a few years ago which means I have some family opposition to doing it. I will keep an eye open for reply Roy

[Steven Mills]

Hello Everyone
It was 50 years ago this month that I joined Commons as a lowly deck cadet. Ships I sailed on were Border Reiver, Simonburn, Kazimah, Border Shepherd, Nimos, Sirine. (happy days)
All the best

[RogerEmmins]

Roy
Was on Border Fusilier first trip in 1964/5. You were 3/0?. Later on the Al Funtas where I think you were too. Apprentice to Chief Officer eventually on the Caribbean Enterprise, Venture, Progress and Endeavour. Redundant in 1979. Retired from sea in 2004.

[Jane Taylor]

Hello,

I understand that Common Brothers had an in house magazine / newsletter, I think it was called the Common Cryer, but could be wrong. Does anyone have any copies of this publication or could suggest somewhere that there may be some?
Thank you.
Jane