Possibly of Interest from Brenda Shackelton

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Vernon

002.jpgBit of a problem with the names because the Daily Mail was the only site that named the Veterans and then they didn’t mention all of them . This is the best that I can do.
All served in the Atlantic. 7 Veterans.
There were no Arctic Veterans at all.
There were a few other Merchant men from later eras but not the War.
There are video links which could be quite useful. I am able to view the video but no sound because the Computer is not hooked up to the speaker. You would probably get more information from that. Google ‘ Launch of Royal Mail stamps’.

Group picture;- left to right. DEREK INGS 88; DONALD STADDON 88; STANLEY MAYES 88; SID HUNT 89; LESLIE TAYLOR 88; Couldn’t identify this person on the right. Sorry. The oldest Veteran was Capt. Gwillyn Willliams 98 ! I think he had served with Cunard. He is not on the Group picture which was taken at the end.
Self with the ONLY Merchant Navy stamp !
Self with Donald Staddon of the Athelsultan. She was sunk in September 1942~ at night. There were 10 survivors from a crew of 60. Donald was helping to launch a lifeboat when a massive wave swept him from the deck and smashed the port lifeboat. Donald swam towards a light and got onto a life raft. The remainder of the crew were on another raft. They were picked up after about 2 hours by a Canadian ship, HMCS Weyburn and HMS Nasturtium and landed at Londonderry. The Master was Capt. James Donovan ( my Uncle Jim). He was awarded the O.B.E and the Lloyds medal for Bravery at Sea. Citation below:-
CAPTAIN JAMES DOMINIC DONOVAN – Uncle Jim



Awarded Lloyds Medal for Bravery at Sea after sinking of ‘Athelsultan’ 22 September 1942

( Jim was aged 52 – so no Spring Chicken )

Citation from Lloyd’s List & Shipping Gazette, Thursday, February 3 1944


Captain James Dominic Donovan, Master

The ship, sailing in convoy, was torpedoed. Owing to the rapid sinking and heavy seas only one boat could be swung out. When this boat was almost waterborne it capsized and the occupants were thrown into the water. A number of them, and some of the crew who had jumped into the sea, were able to reach rafts and were later rescued. Captain Donovan showed fine courage and coolness in this sudden emergency. He did all he could to get the crew away and then returned to the bridge, which was being swept by heavy seas, to search for two men who were missing. He was washed from the lower bridge on to the gangway, and on reaching the forecastle he persuaded a seaman to jump overboard. At this moment the ship sank, and after being in the water for nearly two hours the master was picked up.

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It was very difficult to talk to the Veterans, because they kept being moved about ~ no chairs provided, which was pretty awful, I thought.
I did manage to talk to Donald Staddon and had a very happy chat. He is a very keen stamp collector.
I was disappointed in the War stamps,which I thought were going to represent the MERCHANT Navy. In fact, 2 stamps showed Royal Navy ships and a third depicted a Merchant ship passing a RN signaller who appears to be sending the message ’ Cancel’ So out of the 4 stamps Donald and I did our best to show something of the MNavy ships !
Royal Mail hoisted flags of the main 1st Class stamps
Final picture of the Cutty Sark

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[Stuart Henderson]

Thanks Brenda and Vernon for the info on Cutty Sark meeting & new stamp issue. I had tried to get information on this from several sources all unsuccassfully. Had submitted a few stories myself but not of the war I didnt go to sea till 1947
Stuart

[Captain Kong]

Hi Brenda,
Thanks for the stories of Heroism, Brenda, of the men there and your Uncle Jim.
I was also invited to attend but the time and expense just for the Hour was just not worth it.
For what it was, the Royal Mail didnt put on a good show.
I did write a letter of criticism to Miki but no answer.
Thanks again
cheers
Brian

[Keith at Tregenna]

I have spent much time on this, regret could not make Cutty Sark and sad to hear the event launch was not as expected. but next week is the actual ROYAL MAIL GROUP: Celebrate the Work 0f the Merchant Navy, on board HQS Wellington. Sorry been off line and not able to update. K.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Thanks Brenda and Vernon for the info on Cutty Sark meeting & new stamp issue. I had tried to get information on this from several sources all unsuccassfully. Had submitted a few stories myself but not of the war I didnt go to sea till 1947
Stuart

Merchant Navy Stamps Set:

LINK: http://shop.royalmail.com/merchant-n...vt/sk020130560

K.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Keith
Glad to see you back online,thought you had jumped Ship??
Hope things are sorted now!
Cheers
Doc

[Keith at Tregenna]

Taking time out - Has Hopefully shown me a new dawn: Her indoors not overley happy want's to know who this dawn person is ?

[Lou Barron]

Sure glad your back

[eric fisher]

Hi Keith, Glad to see you back. Missed your posts Regards, Eric

[Keith at Tregenna]

Hi Keith, Glad to see you back. Missed your posts Regards, Eric

Thanks Eric.

I will be taking a bit of a back seat here on in, but will try to help our where pos.

A fair few years ago, I noticed at my local PO that they had a new set of armed forces uniforms stamps and began enquiries into our MN Stamp of Approval. It has taken some time and I was one if the first to know more. After ensuring they would occur passed all on to the National MN Association.

Personally pleased that it has happened but pos should have aided with the design ?

Much changed since last year, 2013 was originally meant to be the Year of the Convoy and apart from myself and my local press all became BOAC 70.

In reality the Arctic and Atlantic were combined operations and can see why they went that way. I will be at the HQS Wellington: Royal Mail - Celebrate the work of the Merchant Navy do next week and will have more info then.

What ever occurs I will pass on what I learn.

K.