What motivated you all to join the Merchant Navy.

[j.sabourn]

Two jobs I missed out on Ivan , but were more due to domestic and family reasons. In 1966 when saw the way the shipping industry was heading applied for a job advertised for an Instructor / lecturer at the College of Fisheries in St. John’s Newfoundland . However the in laws did theirs darnest to put us off using their grandchildren as an excuse for putting off, I knew I was on the short list as the family doctor who I gave as a referee told me he had been approached by the Colleges principle. However the wife and her family parents stepped in and tried their darnest to put me off by using their grandchildren as an excuse. For us disappearing to Canada.At the same time had applied to Cable and wireless for a position and the reply came back I was too old at 29 as the cut of age was 28.I immediately wrote back I didn’t need seatime which I assumed was the reason for the 28 cut off age , as I had all my certificates.
This was all during the seaman’s strike as was preparing for the obvious as was the Polly’s minds were working. John Kilgour of London were acting as Agents for Saguenay Terminals an offered me a job and getting short of money accepted and off to Halifax in the maritimes I went . Arriving in that fair city was a letter waiting for me from cable and Wireless saying in my case they would wave the age restriction and what were my preferences at what station in the world would I like the posting ? Too late was the cry , I had already accepted a years contract with my present employer at the time. Everything it seems if your a seagoing member of society seems to revolve around money when have family responsibility’s . It’s the way the cookie crumbles. Cheers JS.

[Des Jenkins]

Hi John.
A you know at sea there are ill winds and good winds, the same I suppose in life. If you had taken the Cable and wireless job who knows where you would be today.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Working for the Post Office maybe?

But while we had the chance, we were lucky there was a BMN at that time, there is no reason why more could not join the armed forces.
Most countries need more and there is the possibility of more outbreaks around the globe.

It would give them a good start to life, teach them discipline which many badly need, and help the country.

[Des Jenkins]

Ah: John think of how many didn't come back from ther last war and the subsequent wars, most for a politicians gratification.
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

But Des, the polis are smart.
Many are older men who start the war then send the young mento fight it.

[Ian cooling]

I left school at 15 and went to work in Alexanders tailors and my boss was a Irish guy named Patrick Synott and he was in the MN during the but told loads of stories about his travels and it sounded exciting so at 16 I went to the Vindi

sailed out of Middlesborough pool until mid 60s then joined the oil industry on seismic ships which was my introduction to working for Americans stayed in the oil industry until 2016 then retired

really enjoyed my time in the MN its a shame the way it all went

[Des Jenkins]

Hi an
I sailed out of Middlesbrough on the Est coast while waiting t emigrate to NZ, One of Cory;s and a little coastal tanker.
My sister married a bloke from there so I was staying with her. That was in 56, was in the Vindi in 49.
Des

[Chris Thompson]

I left school at 16 to serve my apprenticeship, at interview I was asked "are you going to sea when you come out of your time"? Had never given it a thought!fast forward 4 years and listening to countless adventures and experiences of other blokes Silver line advertised for J/Es, and off I went, reckon at 23 must have been the youngest 3/E in the company, sadly(in one way) I only lasted another 2 years! Got married new wife didn't like it. Though within a few years the fleet had reduced to almost zero.

[Des Jenkins]

Hi Chris
At least you can say you savored a little of the best that life could offer.
Des

[Peter Thomson]

Getting sacked from school.