I know thta badge

[happy daze john in oz]

I have two hats, a leather squashi for the winter months and an Acubra for the summer.
On the front of both there is an MN lapel badge.
Many people have asked me what it is and when I explain many still looked a little lost.


Sunday up in Daylesford, a country town in the centre of Victoria where every Sunday there is a market, bit like a trash and treasure with food both fresh and take away.
Good crowd as it was a good day, sunny and no wind.


There is a guy who has a stall with a variety of cheap jewelry and he has been there on and off for a few years.
This Sunday the boss stopped to take a look at what he had.

I was somewhat taken aback when he said,
'I know that badge, it is Merchant Navy one'

He then went on to tell me his story, sad but with something of a happy end.


Born in Bristol he father had been an AB by his description of his duties and had been at sea for a few years when the war broke out.
The guy telling me the story had been born in 1941 but at the age of just one year old his father went down with his ship.
He told me all the recollection he has of him is a photo.

After the war his mother remarried and in the mid 50's came out as 10 pound poms.

He spoke of his resentment of what occurred, robbing him of his father and I felt very sorry for him.
We chatted for a few minutes more and it became obvious he knew a fair bit about the MN, that made me feel good as not too many do.

Had I not had the badge on my hat we would never have spoken no doubt.
I left feeling very good, recognition for the badge and what it stands for.

[j.sabourn]

John on my recent visit to Aberdeen and after the service for the 30th anniversary of the PA, we were standing waiting for our taxi to return. Another bloke and his wife was standing waiting for transport also. He was wearing a MN badge so I got on talking to him. Turns out he knew of me as was an associate of my ex boss of the Silver Pit. Said they spoke a lot together and often wondered where I got to. The bloke with the badge was an ex master out of Andrew Weirs, and at the time. Of. The disaster had been on the Claymore in some sort of capacity as regarding safety. However our time was limited and can’t remember his name , only remember he said. He was 83. However. If hadn’t been for the badge would have been ships passing in the night. Cheers JWS

[Doc Vernon]

A nice Encounter there John ,that sort of thing just makes ones day!
Cheers

[j.sabourn]

Ref to Osheadenis. Believe you said you were on the Claymore at the time. I am almost sure he said the Claymore if it wasn’t then it was the Tartan. He would of been about 53 at the time of the incident. He must have thought the same as me he should of been there as must have known some who didn’t make it. Another middle aged lady we sat with on a park bench said she went every year for the ceremony. She wouldn’t say anything apart from she knew someone on the PA, she looked very familiar though. Very smart and would say in her late 40s. Or early 50s. Offered us a lift back to hotel but had a taxi booked. There would have been hundreds there each with their own reasons for being there. Cheers JWS.

[Denis O'Shea]

John I was on the Brent Delta at the time. Rgds Denis

[j.sabourn]

Dennis Sorry getting mixed up with another bloke was talking to in another hotel just outside of Aberdeen. Said he was on the Claymore as well. and another one who was on the Tharos. They both used the hotel bar as their local as were locals themselves, they hardly passed the time of day with each other. Usd to have a drink with them both at different. times of the day.. the Brent was way north of the Piper. I was trying to work out how long I was on the Silver Pit and was a.total of 13 days one of my shorter spells on any vessel. Regards JS

[Denis O'Shea]

John join the club of SENIOR MOMENTS which we all have from time, This getting on in years is a pain in the ass. Rgds Denis