Guilty or not?

[happy daze john in oz]

Sailing from Southampton over a number of years one gets to hear a number of stories. One that comes to mind is of a magistrate in the Southampton courts.
The story goes that his daughter was potted by a Merchant Seaman and as a result he took a total dislike to all Merchant Seamen. The story goes that if one came before him in court he would show no mercy and hand out maximum sentences to them.
Is this just a story, or is there any truth in it?,

[John Gill]

Sailing from Southampton over a number of years one gets to hear a number of stories. One that comes to mind is of a magistrate in the Southampton courts.
The story goes that his daughter was potted by a Merchant Seaman and as a result he took a total dislike to all Merchant Seamen. The story goes that if one came before him in court he would show no mercy and hand out maximum sentences to them.
Is this just a story, or is there any truth in it?,

Not guilty m'lud- hardly touched her- and what was she doing in the Juniper Berry anyway?

[alf corbyn]

hi lads. don't know about the Southampton magistrate, but there was a similar story about Lady Aster, MP for Plymouth and I believe, the first female MP. it was said that a merchant seaman either got her daughter up the duff (lovely expression) or gave her a social disease. it was said that she had a large notice on her gate. No dogs or merchant seamen allowed.

[j.sabourn]

Alf the story goes she also wanted all seafarers to wear a black arm band so people knew who they were. One of the versions I heard also was that some jolly jack had given her daughter a social disease. Cheers John Sabourn

[j.sabourn]

Ref. entry into Canada in 1968. The managers a London Company, sent me to 3 doctors, the first a GP in the East End of London, the second a chest specialist in Harley street, and the third a pox doctor round the corner in Jermyan Street. The GP was just a rough old place and wanted to know how much I drank and smoked. The Harley and round the corner were where the toffs go, met by a manservant in both places. The third place went into there was a young female of the sloan ranger type sitting there weeping, she must of had bad news, who knows maybe her surname was Aster. Emigrating to Australia in 1991 had to go through the same procedures only this time had to pay for the services privately as did not come under the NHI. Why is it that nowadays anyone can enter the uk without such check ups as other countries enforce. However I do have serious doubts about Oz with all the illegals entering, it wont be long before TB and other diseases start to rear their ugly head, especially Aids as belief Africa a large percentage of the populance now have. How morals and health checks vary in different parts of the world. Should come under Health and Safety I reckon. Cheers John Sabourn

[Chris Allman]

During the war a ship was allowed one tin of condensed milk per week. Lady Astor thought that it was too much, and tried to get it reduced to one every ten days, but was unsuccessful. Also I seem to remember she proposed that merchant seamen should wear a yellow armband to identify themselves as potential carriers of venereal disease and should pay to go to sea rather than be paid. Glad we impressed her so much

[Captain Kong]

In Liverpool in the 50s was a Stipendary Magistrate, Mr McFarland, He hated Seamen,, many rumours that his daughter/relative had been broached by a Seafaring man
.Expect no mercy from him.
I fell asleep on the steps of a pub in Church Street while waiting for the barmaid to finish cleaning up inside. Pubs shut at 10pm in those days.
I awoke in between two very large PCs and marched down to the Bridewell where they gave a a lovely bed to sleep on. next morning a line of us one at a time went infront of Mr Mc Farlane, Each one was fined ten shillings for being drunk and refusing fight. My turn, Name, occupation Seaman, Fined £5, I said WHAT!. He, You want to make it Ten? take him away. I was lead away by a constable. Why £5 when everyone else was ten bob. the Pc said You were a Seaman, he hates Seamen, should have told him you were an unemployed labourer it would only have cost you ten bob.
Cheers
Brian.

[Captain Kong]

During the war a ship was allowed one tin of condensed milk per week. Lady Astor thought that it was too much, and tried to get it reduced to one every ten days, but was unsuccessful. Also I seem to remember she proposed that merchant seamen should wear a yellow armband to identify themselves as potential carriers of venereal disease and should pay to go to sea rather than be paid. Glad we impressed her so much Chis.
.
She once told Churchill he was drunk,
He said, You are ugly, but I will be sober in the morning.
That shut her up.
Brian

[cappy]

remember me granda coming home from sea and my nan saying stand at the window and go out when you see him get off the bus but if the german prisoners of war come marching up the st hide till they have gone....my granda always managed to bring a large tin of ships jam home much to my delight......ps perhaps that astor woman had a night on the tiles and copped a packet from some merchant seaman regards cappy

[Bob Hollis]

I think she wanted all servicemen to wear a yellow armband on their return to UK. I remember a folk group really slated her in one of their songs but cannot rember their name.
Words I remember are.
We landed at Salerno, a holiday with pay,
The Germans brought their bands out
To cheer us on our way.
Chorous......
Dear Lady Astor we think you know a lot
Standin' on your platform spoutin Tommyrot
You're England's glory and her pride,
We think your mouth's too fuckin' wide
And that's from your D Day dodgers
In sunny Italeeee