The Forgotten Service...still forgotten.

[happy daze john in oz]

Just in this e-mail from a great mate of mine in UK.
We sailed together with UCL and he was best man at my wife's wedding some 50 years ago.

Could not find the other postings on this so put it here.



just a quick news flash because I served on board the Empire Orwell and went to the suez crisis carrying troops from various regiments also the same to Korea doing the same we have been award a Merchant Navy Veterans War Medal what a surprise .Will write more later
Mick

[Stan Carter]

It's right good to hear from you Den. But as the way things are going these days, what more can you expect from these people.... How's the smoke problem out there.... Is there any rain in the forecast.
regards, stan

[John Arton]

H.D. in Oz
Your mate was best man at your wife's wedding 50 years ago.
Does that mean your wife is a bigamist or were you having a senior moment when you were typing that post. LOL ��
Rgds
J.A.

[Captain Kong]

When I was trying to get Boltonistan to fly the RED ENSIGN on top of the Town Hall,
I was in the Town Hall visiting various departments, to find out who was responsible for the flags, every Department asked the same question,

WHAT IS A MERCHANT NAVY. ??? those are the exact words used.
Brian

[Red Lead Ted]

This is the very reason why this forum has to be archived once we are all gone then the Merchant Navy will become a quiz question, Looking for a way to use up a bit of my time at the moment obviously cant move very far for a few weeks, Some of you may remember a post of mine a few years ago asking for stories of Merchant Seamans time spent in Liverpool which appeared in one of the local rags. I still have that persons email address I will email tonight and get an update on where the tales are now and what become of them. When I think back to my youth and the fact that my old mans had 7 brothers and family on my wife's side it was a way of life every Liverpudlian new where all Merchant Seaman, In all different departments I think I owe it to them Regards Terry.

[Chris Isaac]

Amid all the complaints that we are a forgotten service I am tickled to note that nobody here has noticed or remarked that yesterday was "Emergency Services Day" commemorating those brave people who run towards danger for our protection.
Perhaps sometimes we should not be so self obsessed with the Merchant Navy and remember and be grateful for the actions of others.

[Dennis McGuckin]

It's right good to hear from you Den. But as the way things are going these days, what more can you expect from these people.... How's the smoke problem out there.... Is there any rain in the forecast.
regards, stan

Morning Stan, Had our first rainfall yesterday in ages.
We had fires on the Island so had smoke for several days.
Nothing like the poor folk in the Interior though.
Hope you are well.
Den.

[happy daze john in oz]

H.D. in Oz
Your mate was best man at your wife's wedding 50 years ago.
Does that mean your wife is a bigamist or were you having a senior moment when you were typing that post. LOL ��
Rgds
J.A.

This keyboard at times gets a bit dyslexic, but my mate was one of the best I know,
Went to sa as a 16 year old and is about 6 or 7 years older than me.
Great to see that along with others he has been recognized for his part in the two conflicts.

[robpage]

We do a lot of not forgetting here , but away from these places , the four MN sites that I am aware of , not only is the MN forgotten , it is not even remembered or thought of , the Kenyan beans are flown in , the winter tomatoes are from a poly tunnel, or trucked via the tunnel from Holland or Spain , Merchant seafarers on cruise ships are Eastern European or Asian , ferry crews the same ,container ships are Maersk . We are no longer the 4th Service , we are just dusty old memories , wouldn't it be good if we all got an enamel Red Ensign as a lapel badge , but when do we wear a jacket , you could have done 30 years at sea post 1946 , avoided all war zones and RN attachment and you are not a veteran , we are possibly the last who will remember The Merchant Navy , Sad but true . That is what makes the work by guys like Ivan so important , because they are intent on keeping the memory alive , what about a letter from everyone next June to our own Town Halls to ask them tofly the flag

[Fouro]

Re # 19.
Excellent post Rob.

Regards from,
Fouro.