Red duster

[j.sabourn]

#10 Noel I spent 4 years with a Naval Party. On the swing I was on and also the other crew don’t think there were any naval reservists in the MN half of the crew , but the other half were serving RN officers and crew. We flew the blue Ensign by special permission and design of the Admiralty. It wasn’t the RMAS flag which was I believe an anchor on its side, but something else on its fly, just cant remember but may have been a Bruce Anchor which would have been more appropriate. For those who don’t know RMAS =Royal Maritime Auxillary Service , Naval Party’s are something different. Cheers JS
The ship itself was civilian and the MN crew came under that discipiline , the naval crew came under their own discipline through their Own naval officers. However for comparison it was like having the Charterers on board 24 hours a day. JS.
One might also compare a Naval Party back to the times of Nelson, where most ships of the line had their own Sailing master and Merchant Seamen grabbed ashore coming out of the pub by a press gang to work the ship ??? !!! Best job I ever had, pity about the money. JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John.
I was only on one blue ensign job a RFA Wave boat, but I was pressed ganged into a few rust buckets having joined the pool in Swansea;
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Des, press ganged, did you get your shilling from the crown?????

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John.
Better than that 30 quid a month,and all the salt water you could swallow across the North Atlantic at no extra charge. whaow.
Des