John Prescott.

[happy daze john in oz]

Hi, Thats great news from Cunard, assuming you wish to get married on board. I am highly relieved, it has nothing to do with money then? and i suppose they will still carry on paying the correct rate for british crews?, i must be getting cynical in my old age, Keith Tindell

British crews, do you mean white British crews or the crews from foreign British establishments?

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi All.
Now here's a thought, Why can't the United nations establish a world wide uniform tax on shipping to be paid to their respective Governments, that would save all this shifting around to cheaper tax havens. They could then establish a world wide safety system aboard ships , with every country having the right to inspect and fine shipowners for safety breaches, and non payment of wages etc.
As I said at the beginning, It's only a thought.
Cheers Des

[Keith at Tregenna]

Now here's a thought ?

IF.....

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

K.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Former merchant seaman Prescott - lionised by the Merchant Navy Association - said: 'The sacrifice of the Merchant Navy has remained a hidden chapter in our history. Tens of thousands of merchant seamen, fishermen and crews from tankers, some involved in minesweeping duties to help keep our sea lanes open, lost their lives during the Second World War. We owe them a great debt. Without their efforts this country would have run out of food. We would not have supplied our army. The raw materials needed to keep the aircraft of the Few flying would not have arrived. We would have been overrun.'

LINK: Merchant Navy heroes honoured at last | UK news | The Observer

55 years to late - the Red Duster got the salute it deserved: The Fight for More goes on.K.

[Roger Dyer]

PRESCOTT - 'LIONISED' !!!!..................THEY MUST BE JOKING.............that aside, it is gratifying and most welcome news that, at long last, due recognition and appreciation of the Merchant Navy's contribution to an Allied victory is to be acknowledged. Were it not for fear of bruising the sensibilities of certain nations, it is my view that, in a just world, the history curriculum of every British schoolchild would include heightened emphasis of the crucial part played by the M.N. in two World Wars. In saying this, I have no wish to denigrate or dishonour the men and women of the armed services, for they, too, played a most important part in saving the free world from virtual enslavement. However, I sincerely believe the dogged determination and enduring courage shown by British and allied merchant seamen over such a long period, has rarely been equalled in British history. Finally, perhaps, these men will be allowed to occupy their rightful place amongst the British heroes of the past. Let us also hope that this belated recognition will add some impetus towards a just outcome for our brothers who served on the Arctic convoys.

............Roger

[j.sabourn]

Roger it goes against the grain of a lot of us that such a man should gain any reconition for his so called services to the MN. However as said in an earlier post re. politicians he will probably be one of the ones having statues erected to them in the future. We the present living members of the past MN however know the truth about this man. I cant think of anyone apart from our previous leaders of the government less worthy of such. Always was and still is a W....r. Cheers John Sabourn

[happy daze john in oz]

Roger, he could well be Lionised just let him loose in the London Zoo ,in the right enclosure of course.

[Lionel Tebbutt]

John - " Lionised" Not sure I like That--- Lionel Tebbutt

[Captain Kong]

Is he waking up at last?
Brian

[John Gill]

As a tourist waiter with Cunard early sixties, i sailed with John Prescott on either the Sylvania or ivernia and remembered him as a very militant member of the nus. I think he was our shop steward as well. As to the lionisation of this man and the possibility of a statue being erected in his 'honour', perhaps a suitable location might be underneath the anchored Bar Lightship at the entrance to Liverpool Bay. I'm sure the weight would ensure lasting stability to the vessel for a long time to come. As to remembering the heroes of ww2, and the role played in maintaining this country's survival, there is a statue at the Pier Head in Liverpool of Johnny Walker who, as some of you will be aware was a commander in the RN and was instrumental during the time of the convoys of protecting the merchant fleets sailing to and from Liverpool and other western ports. His efforts ensured that this country survived the terror of the Atlantic uboats. I think he sank a great many of the German fleet, and thanks to him the lifeline to the uk was maintained. Unfortunately, due to the long hours he spent protecting his convoys and the stress involved he didn't survive the war, he died in 1944 in hospital aged 48.
gilly
History Net: Where History Comes Alive - World & US History Online is worth a look.