Jumping ship

[Ivan Cloherty]

[QUOTE=J Gowers;375332]I thought during the times on National Service when you got called up it was two years in the forces or if you opted for the MN you did five years. I served my apprenticeships as a mechanical fitter 1969-74 and a few of the journeymen had been in the Merchant Navy and they told me they did five years in the Merchant Navy as an option to National Service. I never knew if this was true or they were just telling stories.[/QUOTE

It was eight years in the MN, but if you joined at 16 that only brought you to 24, Nat Service finished at 26, so you could still be liable to be called up. If you left at 26 you went onto a reserve list until 36 in case of conflict. Sailed with a lot of people who joined the MN to avoid Nat Service, a lot of them hated it, as the sea wasn't for them, your bunk never stopped moving just because you knocked off work, a lot of them couldn't handle a 14 day stormy crossing, too bad, you'd signed 24 month Articles of Agreement before sailing, if you were lucky it could only be a 3 month trip, and with a bit of money in your pocket, and the threat of NS if you overstayed your leave, a lot went back for more misery. Most of us liked it, some didn't

[j.sabourn]

My wife’s cousin was called up for the RAF lasted 2 weeks , took sick and pensioned out , still think he gets a small pension. JS

[j.sabourn]

#29... your bros is not called Davey Jones is he ( no pun intended) as know one here who was a Ships Leckie.. ? JS
Apart from his nickname of Locker .

[Bill Morrison]

#25. JohnS You did asked about George Henderson before and I sent you a P.M. You may have missed it. I only knew Bill Henderson he was like a ships runner for Seaforth, an ex-seaman who was badly injured when caught by a mooring rope between the bits and given a shore job by the company. I have asked around and even Irene Milne could not help.
Bill

[j.sabourn]

#35 Thanks Bill remembered after I sent had already done so. Remember Bill Henderson , also that ex mate who lost a leg stowing rig chain in the lockers at sea. Wonder what happened to them when SML closed shop, unless they kept them on for their fleet of trucks. JS.

[happy daze john in oz]

I did my four year apprenticeship.Got my call up papers.Passed the physical*and went to be allocated to a branch of the Service.I asked for the Royal Navy.In military*fashion*I was told to join the Tank Regiment.I complained and said that I had a chance to go into the Merchant Navy.With that he said. Well we can't all be solders, off you go.Still can't believe my luck.

Den, if the truth be told the Army had already heard of your baking skills and considered that there were enough of the enemy to fight without you assisting. LOL

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Ivan.
I had done 8 years when I got my call up papers, all I can say is the Army must have been badly off at the time.
Des

[Doc Vernon]

My wife’s cousin was called up for the RAF lasted 2 weeks , took sick and pensioned out , still think he gets a small pension. JS

Doubt it JS One had to have at least 2 Years of full time Service for any type of Qualification of that sort!
Most signed up for the Max of 12 Years at my time , as the Pay was better.
You could Buy yourself out after a time as well.
Cheers

Even if he Bombed out for Sickness Two Weeks would certainly not be enough for that ??
I stand corrected!

https://www.raf.mod.uk/serving-famil...rces-pensions/

[j.sabourn]

I think he was shot by someone cleaning his rifle in the billet. Luckily it was a blank but he still got a bad discharge from the firearm mostly of paper I believe. So was invalided out .hence the pension . Sounds like a bad discharge doesn’t it ? Wonder if the paper Machie off the blank was readable ha ! JS

[happy daze john in oz]

Well the other day the postman came up to our front door
He said I got a letter John like you never saw before
And when I tore it open the blood in my veins turned cold
It was my call up papers I was 18 years old.
I nearly died on the floor because at fighting I am not so hot
And my dear old lady nearly fainted on the spot
But my dad said he was proud to think that his own son
Was going to fight the enemy of the nation


Jeremy Taylor 1962