AMSA in a different Vogue.

[j.sabourn]

Not the Australian Maritime Safety Authority but the Allied Merchant Seamens Association of W.A. As to a follow on to a post about the M.N.A.
Objects of the Association comes under a description of 33 items e.g. part of an item of Item 2 part .2 reads...
To foster co-operation among members to establish Advisory Committees for the purpose of persuing every avenue possible towards the Federal Government to recognise that the war time merchant seamen were in fact as much a fighting service as were the other 3 services and in fact are entitled to seek full recognition such as full repatriation benefits, rights, entitlements and priviliges enjoyed by the other 3 services................
Just one small item on a much broader Agenda.
JS

[j.sabourn]

Ref. To the above attended a meeting today of the above and picked up a glossy 56 page magazine type book of photographs and certain people of naval lineage from 1911 to present day . The magazine refers to RAN history and on glancing though it various info. If contained on certain personages , the following names do not cover the whole book as have nor scrutinised it close enough, but will list the ones have noticed in case it may be one who someone is looking for.....
Vice Admiral Sir William Creswell KBE
Able Seaman Jack Jarman
2/0 Marion Stevens
1/O Sheila McClemens
Capt. Hector “ Hec” Waller
Petty Officer Ray Parkin
commander Robert Rankin
Leading seaman Ron Taylor
Petty Officer Andrew ( Andy) Nation
Warrant officer John “Jack” Aaron O.A.M.
Rear Admiral Mark Campbell A.M.
Leading seaman Kaylin Coleman
Warrant officer Deb Butterworth OAM
I emphasise these are RAN persons past and present and have all a short story attached , and they cover 1911 rto the present day.
The magazine is called the Independence . Anyone not aware of the RAN it would be a good basic learning level to start at , as explains a glossary of naval terms similar to what most merchant seamen already or should know.
Cheers JS...

In the inside cover of this book is ref. To ordinary seaman Edward “Teddy “ Sheehan who was posthumously awarded the VC. On the 1 Dec. 2020 for the most conspicuous gallantry and pre-eminent act of valour in the presence of the enemy during a Japanese aerial attack on HMAS Armidale in the Timor sea on the 1 December 1942 ........
A long time in coming but better late than never I suppose a picture of him and his family covers the story and action , he was the youngest of 14 children. And was 18 at the time of his death.
JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

John.
One of the biggest disgraces in Australian Naval and Govt History, the story of Teddy Sheehan was known for years, yet successive Govts refused to recognise his bravery, as for the Navy he was after all only an ordinary seaman.
But I see that the PM flew to Japan with other polies for the funeral of the Jap Premier Arby, who made regular pilgrimages to the memorials to the senior Jap leaders of the last war.
Des

[j.sabourn]

To complete the citation then Des , as see there was a post about him in 2020 it think the full citation was missing....Teddy was one of the most junior ranked members of the Armidales company when it came under attack during the Second World War . As the ship began to sink , Teddy helped to free a lferaft before ignoring orders to abandon ship and strapping himself into the ships anti-aircraft gun. He shot down one aircraft and damaged two others , distracting the Japanese from firing on his shipmates in the water. Teddy continued to fire as the ship Armidale sank sacrificing his life to safe others.
After his death , Teddy’s family cherished his last letter to his mother, Mary in which he wrote . “ I don’t think you need to be frightened of any of us coming back as I don’t think I”ll ever get there .. well Mum must say Cheerio and best wishes for the present , from your loving son Ted” as said he was 18.
JS

[happy daze john in oz]

A terrible way to treat a genuine hero by the gov.
It took years of lobbying to get his actions recognized, but better late then never.

[j.sabourn]

For those looking for info. Of the war in the Mediterranean the following is just gossip and of little use to their searches. But in 1942 the RAN the following ships which I believe were destroyers were engaged in this theatre of the war. They were the Vampire, Voyager, Vendetta, and Waterhen. These aging ships which had all seen service in the first WW were mocked in Nazi propoganda who named them the ‘ Scrap Iron Flotilla ‘, the Australians adopted this name as a badge of Pride. JS

[j.sabourn]

Did you know...There is a long history of cats living in warships They would catch mice and rats, protecting the food supply of the ship. Far from home , sailors often found comfort in taking care of the cats, and many became unofficial mascots of the ships , cats today are not found on RAN ships.
HMAS Perth was Home to a kitten called Red Lead , she was named after a pot of red lead she knocked over, leaving red paw prints behind . In the days leading to the sinking of the Perth , Red Lead attempted to leave the ship three times . This was seen as a bad omen by the crew.Red Leads legacy can be seen on HMAS Perth 3 which was commissioned in 2006 . Red paw prints lead to the bridge and there is a cat flap on the door to the wardroom.
JS

[Bill Morrison]

#7. John. Cats on board ships. I found this photo while tiding up my late Uncles effects, now he was a farmer so it must have come from some other family member. It is not to clear but the cat is perched on the end of the gun barrel.
Bill.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

HMS Amethyst had a cat aboard when it was trapped up the Yanksea River, when Chairman Moa was retaking China, became very famous and If I remember correctly got a medal.
Des

[j.sabourn]

#8 That’s a very dated photo Bill , can tell straight away by the black caps. The Amethyst as well was about 1950 , don’t know if cats are allowed in the British Navy today ? this book where all these little anecdotes come from is the RAN. Des if I remember correctly it was never stated which side fired on the Amethyst whether communist or national forces. Obviously the western press would blame Mao though .Chiang Kai Shek although just an old warlord was the darling of the west. However re uniform caps believe both navies wear the white covers all year round now. Cheers JS