loggings

[Captain Kong]

Hi Kenneth,
Charles was a `Greeter` at a few clubs, he met THE THREE DEGREES, Bruce Forsyth, Al Martino and many other celebs, A lot of them came up from London for his Funeral, he was quite well known, and not just for the Cameo Murders. Over 400 at his funeral.
He always to his dying day denied ever meeting or knowing George Kelly before they were both in Walton on Remand.
The Police said he was a coward was easily lead and had to do what Kelly told him.
Charles was a bigger man than Kelly, He was a Boxing Champion at the age of 16 and was the Royal Navy Boxing Champion. He served at Sea throughout the Second world War, Charles was a big tough man. He fought Randolph Turpin and beat him, Randolph went on to be World Champion. So that proves what the Police had said was Wrong.
I used to go for a drink with him down to the Queens or the Jolly Miller on Queens Drive and sit at home with him while he told me all about his arrest and trials. I know his two sons and his second wife and I also knew Tina his daughter from his first marriage, She died tragically in Birkenhead. She was a Captain in the TA and the Theater Nurse at Liverpool Royal Hospital working with my son who was a Doctor there.
He told me several things which I think are personal and private so I cant say them on here.
He said he always denied any connection with Kelly and the Murders and was totally innocent.
At the time of the murders he actually won a Rhumba competion in a dance club with his wife.
Lots of witnesses..
At his second trial he was found Guilty and he was told by Balmer you will hang with Kelly if you do not sign the confession, if you do I will see that you only get ten years, He asked his Dad what should he do, His Dad said sign it at least you will still be alive. He signed it and that put the seal on Kelly`s fate and he was hung. He always regretted doing that.
I sailed with his Dad on the `GEORGIC` in 1955 while Charles was still in Wakefield Prison and with his brother Eddie on the `Empress of England.` in 1956, So I also had the story from their point of view.
I still keep in touch with his wife, we send Christmas cards and the odd phone call.
It was a very tragic and sad story of innocent lives ruined.
Unfortunately Charles had died before we cleared his name and the book had come out.
He collapsed and died in ASDA supermarket in Norris Green on 18 April 1997.
Cheers
Brian.

[happy daze john in oz]

Fourty lashes with the cat of nine tails, John.
.
A taste of the Lash never hurt anyone , John........[ Bligh ]

Well you go first Brian nad then you can tell me what it is like.

[leratty]

Capt. Kong there are some truly terrific books on police corruption of that time. Those in Aus even into the 90's in Melbourne & Brisbane, so the police there were in many ways no different than their British counterparts I suggest maybe even worse?
There is one who was a Sydney (Kings X) copper he retired as top cop at Kings X, he was also a famous Rugby League player for Newtown when it was one of the big teams. His name was Bumper Farrell, there is a book on him called just that 'Bumper Farrell' by Larry Writer (no joke with the last name) he comes across as a typical copper of the era. I'm not so sure he was a people say so squeaky clean though when he retired he had bugger all money & others had hotels (pubs) commercial property etc one Norman Allen was notorious. His, Bumper Farrell's rugby league career was brought into disrepute regarding biting the ear off, maybe not off but severely of another player which he denied though all knew it was him. Wound up as a security man for The Packer family who used to be the Aus richest family until last son got the Co & yep you guessed it. Anyway a sad end for Mr. Farrell.
The book is a good read as it portrays Sydney in the 50-60-70 & 80's. The Brisbane police were unreal even a police commissioner who was knighted got slung in jail & lost his knighthood too... The Victorian ones were almost as bad look them up on the net as can not think of the names off hand, very interesting as were the Melbourne gang wars up until just recently. Even a TV show on them the Moran's (all the men of that family get shot one by one) again fascinating.
In Hong Kong we knew a couple of very senior officers who told us of the goings on there in the 50-60's up until just before the hand over etc. A couple of those who were kicked out are still there, like so many there who have no where else to go sadly. One is a used car dealer just like Arthur Daley, actually quite a nice bloke & if you get him talking about it he will make your hair curl. Sadly drink has got him, another who wound up with Interpol is just a hoot. He retired early on the transfer as they say. Man has he got some stories to tell always amusingly told but scary too. A few of those are retired back in Blighty living off their swag (: Richard

[Gordon Turnbull]

My first logging was a 16 year old on the Windsor. Far too much Cape Brandy in the Navvie's Den. 52p for 2 hours it was. Still have the pay slip at home.

VNC on the Welly Star for skinning out in Oz.

First trip back after Oz was on the Exmoor, already mentioned by J.Sabourn. I was 18 but the Old Man refused to give me any beer as I was still a boy rating, company rules apparently. One of the stewards was younger than me and he was allowed it. Anyway, told the skipper first port I was off on the bevvy. Turned out to be Masawa. Ashore with the other steward the first afternoon in, never came back. Next day, Old Man calls me up and tells me I did what I said I would now go and find my mate who had still not returned. Up the road, found him, never went back. Next day, verbal warning and told to go and get my mate (he was still in the same whorehouse). Never came back and we both got carried on board by the Cape Verde crew. Next day, written warning. Poor Joe, 3 days loss of wages, 3 days fine, me, written warning. I should say that the Skipper's niece had been a classmate and "very good" friend of mine at school

[happy daze john in oz]

So I am not the only one to feel the wrath of the skipper. Loging on the Windsor was almost a pass time for some.

[robpage]

Now let me guess , was that a certain Captain Lloyd

[happy daze john in oz]

Our old mater logger?????
But he was not the only one, my first logging was with Annie Oakley, then Patey, and Sowden when staff captain. Not sure why he did it but he did see me that day.