passports

[eric fisher]

My Disc Book No. R262245 issued in Dec. '42 is still with me. My BSID card I downloaded from the Archives last year. These and Vaccination certs., Movement cards of all my wartime ships are with me. Notice that fingerprints are deleted from the archive records... is that forunate? All those downloads are a result of my studies of those archivists on these sites and I can never say how much I appreciate those efforts. The files I collected will go to my family of course. I also have 10 photos of 11 ships sailed on, some several voyages. The campaign medals I have are; Atlantic Star, North Africa Star and Clasp, Burma Star, Defence and Victory Star, Merchant Navy Service Medal and the M.N. Seafarers Veteran Badge.

I am a member of the M.N. Association and The Royal Canadian Legion. Was going to attend celebrations in 'Pool this May but health now has poked it's ugly face in the plans. Hope to follow it all on here, meantime I will make do with Single Malt, Cigars and my youngish girlfriend on my 12th floor balcony in summer. Regards, Eric Fisher (Old Salty)

P.S. Some may notice a DR if you look at my Disc Book in the archives. Was a bit naughty in Japan!! But goes on cleanly to 1956.
Cheers

[j.sabourn]

Maybe I have put this in a previous post but at present having a quick look cant find. In 67/68 was on a run from Montreal down to West Indies and back, the voyage each time doing most of the Islands on the way down. Puerto Rico being one of the ports and having US immigration at that time, was always problems with not having a passport on a foreign flag vessel. So attempted to get one in Port of Spain Trinidad at the High Commissioners Office. As we returned there every 6 weeks was told could pick up next visit. On return was called to office and the little upstart of a secretay wanted to know why the ship was not in Discharge Book, told him was a British Book and frowned upon going on Foreign flag vessels at that time. Told he wanted ship in book, told him it wasnt going in book, said he wasnt going to give me passport. Missed his nose and got him in the eye, maybe one of the regretable things I mentioned, but have a clear conscience about. Chucked out of office. Complained to my MP and got a letter back from 12 Downing street saying the reason passport was not issued was that they thought in Trinidad That I could have been one of the great train robbers. Almost sure I have posted this before in different words. If have no doubt someone will erase. Cheers John Sabourn

[Roger Dyer]

John S.........your #32 refers.

Sorry, mate, still not convinced. Anyway, what did you do with your share of the money? There's still a lot missing, as you well
know.

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

[j.sabourn]

Roger now have 2 passports, both legal so didnt cost too much. No one ever hears of Biggs these days after giving himself up a few years ago, is he still alive? Must have cost him plenty paying off all the immigration and other officials. Beleive he also stayed some time in Australia, hope he didnt have to pay super tax. Cheers John Sabourn.

[Keith Tindell]

Hi John,
Yes Biggs came back of his own free will, was arrested and went to jail, he was released on compassionate grounds, as was very sick. He is still alive in a care home. As Roger says, what did you do with the money!!!? regards KT

[j.sabourn]

Rate of exchange no good at moment only getting about 1.50 to the pound. Also plays havoc with the old age pension from uk. Having to cut a couple of cases a beer out every week because of. Never really followed up on who they caught, is there any still on the loose, not counting me of course as you wishfully think. Cheers John sabourn.

[Colin Pook]

never had a passport, or an i.d. card, only my discharge book. No problems joining or leaving a ship till we, (the crew) left the Esso Guildford anchored off Cadiz to go ashore and be flown home. Having got ashore, we were met by the agent who told us that our flight had been cancelled, and that we were to find ourselves a hotel for the night, (it was now around midnight). To cut a long story short, we all founf a bed for the night, and were rounded up by the agent in the morning. A coach took us to La Linea?? at the border crossing with Gibraltar, and thats where the problem started. None of us had our Dis a books, or passports or even a i.d. card, and in no uncertain terms were the authorities going to allow us through the gates to Gib. We sat in the coach for several hours with an armed guard posted at the door of the coach, and we couldn't even get off for a 'jimmy riddle'. Eventually the British Vice Consulate chappy arrived, and after listening to our tale of woe allowed us to cross into Gib. There we were informed we would be put on a scheduled flight to London on a Viscount, but once we had been given tickets, the plane Captain said he had only a few seats vacant. We all stated that we would stick together, spend a night in a hotel in Gib and wait for a chartered flight the next morning. We arrived at Luton airport around 1800 after making three fuelling stops at Madrid, Bordeaux, and Deauville??. We were met at Luton by one of Esso's marine bosses who took us to London to be paid off and for him to explain how we came to be literally stranded in a foreign country with no identification and only an idiot agent to look after us. Mind, the hotels we stayed in, with a few drinkies for good measure probably cost Esso a fortune, but the expenses were never queried, and then to cap it all, as it was by then too late for most of the boys to travel home, we were all invited to stay over night at the National Hotel in Russel Square.. AAH, those were the days!!!!