Norman Smales 3rd Eng Officer R359678

[Tommy the T]

I hope folk don,t mind me posting this, but I,d like to say that even tho it is along time ago, My Father Norman Smales crossed the bar in 1989, after 45 yrs at sea, in fact he was still at sea only 5 weeks before he passed away.
His time at sea began on Motor Torpedo Boats stationed in Malta in 1943 till the end of WWII then was with BI, NZSC & P&O .
My family are all proud of his service at sea to the point that my brother & myself also went to sea working for P&O, between the 3 of us we have over 75 years of service at sea.

Dad... you were always a true gent & we all loved & looked up to you, always in our thoughts. we look at all your discharge books with pride.

Tommy the T , your proud son.

[Glan Phillips]

Tommy the T......although some years have passed, accept my sincere condolences, it is so sad when we lose someone so close to us and a fellow shipmate.
Glan

[Tommy the T]

Thanks Glan,

The tales my dad used to tell me of his time at sea were always full of his happy memories, His favourite ship was the SS Dunera ( he was presented with the ships plaque from the superstructure below the bridge, we still have it on the wall at home).

Odd it maybe , but having looked thru his discharge books, it fills me with pride seeing that out of the ships I served upon, he had also served onboard 3 of them before me, sort of brings me close to him even after all these years.

Thankyou for your kind words, to all those who have served upon the sea,s, & crossed the bar may they have fair winds and calm sea,s .

Tommy the T

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Tommy
I too would like to send my belated condolences ,and as said its sad to loose one so close to you!
My late Dad was also an ex Seaman,and SAAF,and RAF so i know how you must have felt!
Funny though how special all Seaman seem to be,it must be something in the Ocean Waters that get into the Blood,and make real good Men of all!
Hold on to those great memories Tommy,i know they will be with you all the days of you life!
With respect
Vernon

[Tommy the T]

Thanks Vernon,

You are totally correct.............there is an unwritten unbreakable bond between all Seafarers,past,present & future, something that is rarely seen in other "walks of life".
Proud to have served upon the waves

The last Hymn my dad "heard" was "Those in peril on the sea"......a very touching moment indeed.

Tommy the T

[Doc Vernon]

Indeed a very touching Song and hits home to the Heart!
Cheers

For Those in Peril on the Sea

Eternal Father, strong to save
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave.
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep
Oh hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word
Who walked'st on the foaming deep
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep.
Oh hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease
And give, for wild confusion, peace
Oh hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power
Our brethren shield in danger's hour
From rock and tempest, fire and foe
Protect them wheresoe'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

[Tommy the T]

Thankyou Vernon,

I,m touched by you posting the hymn.

Thanks mate

Tommy the T