Army Dodgers

[j.sabourn]

You could have joined the Palestine Police in 1948 Des, think they have been a long time disbanded now. JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John.
I think they were the first of the the UN type police force now called the UN peace keepers. I often wonder why they where never deployed to keep the peace in the Middle EastDEs

[j.sabourn]

They didn’t have too much effect and gave preference or so it appeared at the time to the arabs. Every thing that Israel has today has , had to be fought for. Israel is an oasis in the middle of the desert today. Still a battle Like David and Goliath and surrounded by Phillistines . The USA taking the part of the Good Samaritan. All history as we know it. JS
Thought when I read your post you had misspelt peace in the middle Eastenders thought maybe had been watching too much tv. Cheers JS
#14 He looks out of this world to me , and he’s younger than me which makes him a youngster to you Des, we must have lead a good life , never leaving bad smells behind ? Or at least untraceable aromas . JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Well John, Biden does look a bit like a very old god, I was thinking of sending him a white stick.
But forget that, how did your tests go with the Doc, hope everything turned out well.
Des

[j.sabourn]

Still got to go it’s this Friday, last Friday or the one before was the 13th. Just as well. JS

[Noel Kelly]

Noel I think I replied to your email about Gateshead and my wife who recognised some of the names you mentioned but apologies if I didn’t , her memory health is not 100% at moment, neither is mine come to that. Living in Gateshead you would probably have got your exemption card from the Mercantile Marine Offices on the Newcastle Quayside ? Later in 1957 on completion of my indentures I used to go out with a girl who worked there who lived in Wallsend , Irene Lumsden wouldn’t happen to know her would you ? JS.

Aye you did reply to my email, and na, knew a lot of Irenes but not from Wallsend. Incidently, a street mate of mine was called up at 18 and was posted to Korea with the Shropshire Light Infantry, he's still there!!MVC-006S.jpg

[Noel Kelly]

#4. Vernon I believe but not 100% sure , but if you pushed to do your National Service in the RN you had to sign up for 3 years or some figure longer than 2 years ? Hugh once again would more than likely be more certain of that one. It wouldn’t have bothered me having to do as I was stopped from joining the RN in any case at 15 as my father wouldn’t sign the papers. Thought he was doing me a good turn, but in retrospect could have come out at 42 and do exactly what I did in any case assisted by a naval pension . JS

Funnily enough JS, I attempted to join the Royal Navy as a Boy-Seaman when I left school at 15 and a half but parental permission was NO NO NO! Anyway, half way through my apprenticeship my mind changed from Royal to Merchant.

[happy daze john in oz]

There were many in the 60's who joined the BMN for a number of reasons.

Some claimed to escape from the possibility of conscription.
It was said at the time one of the reasons for so many Gay's at sea then was for that reason and to escape the possibility of being arrested for crimes of homosexuality.

[j.sabourn]

#17. Great minds think alike Noel. You’re not any relation to the other Kelly on site are you , nearly got the two mixed up. Don’t have a twin called Jack then ? Who may speak with an Aussie accent . Cheers JS

[Ivan Cloherty]

There were many in the 60's who joined the BMN for a number of reasons.

Some claimed to escape from the possibility of conscription.
It was said at the time one of the reasons for so many Gay's at sea then was for that reason and to escape the possibility of being arrested for crimes of homosexuality.

John under the Merchant Shipping Act it was a criminal offence to be an homosexual in the MN, in fact the MN was the last to cancel homosexuality as a criminal offence. If the Act had ever been seriously enforced then there would not have been very many BMN passenger liners sailing the seven seas