What was yours?

[Roger Dyer]

In 1958 on Port Line's 'Port Huon', we were sliding our way through a turquoise, glass-like, sea in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, bound for the tiny, one-jetty, port of Opua. Closed as a port during the early years of WWII it had recently been re-opened. As the first ship to return there for more than 17 years, Federal Steam's 'Sussex' had arrived a week or two earlier and had been greeted with great fanfare. During the intervening period, one of Shaw-Savill's had beaten us for second place honours, but there was still enough local good-will left over to ensure that our time there was memorable. In 2006 I returned to Opua (no longer a port) and the Bay of Islands whilst on holiday with friends from Spain ( he an ex-MN pal from the 60's and she a Kiwi lass who hadn't been back to N.Z. since 1958). Little had changed. Certainly tourism had left it's indelible mark, but the inherent beauty of the place was something that even time could never erase.

A less pleasant memory from the early 60's occurred about 7.30am one morning when, as an A.B. on G.S.N.C.'s pleasure 'boat' 'Royal Sovereign', having just tied-up at Tower Pier in the Thames, at London, I watched as the Met. River Police recovered the body of a partly-clothed male from the river and laid it out on the decking of the pier. I was mindful that in one hour we were expected to embark 2000 happy-clappers bound for Southend and Margate. Nevertheless, I was transfixed. Close-up it was the first deceased person I'd ever seen. The body, like grey marble, undignified, lay there having recently departed a world that no longer cared. I recall being impressed by the matter-of-fact, seemingly emotionless way the police went about their business. Little did I know then, that years later on the other side of the world I would, like them, carry out the same unpleasant tasks that police work entails. For those that may wonder, I can tell you now that most 'coppers' when faced with the mayhem and horror they are called upon to confront and 'deal with', have the very same feelings of abhorrence most sane people experience. The difference lies in their familiarity with such happenings and a sense of duty which, in the face of public expectation, overwhelms any personal feeling. Perhaps, the next time, for whatever reason, you feel disposed towards venting your spleen against Police, you might consider that most of them do a thankless, essential job, knowing their reputation will always be besmirched by a minority who use their office for personal gain.


................Roger

[Captain Kong]

They certainly do have to sort out some really nasty, revolting sights.My Dad was a Policeman for a few years and my father in law was also a Police Inspctor all his working life. They didnt talk much about it , but it was there.
Cheers
Brian.

[Ivan Cloherty]

In 1958 . Perhaps, the next time, for whatever reason, you feel disposed towards venting your spleen against Police, you might consider that most of them do a thankless, essential job, knowing their reputation will always be besmirched by a minority who use their office for personal gain.


................Roger

Cannot recall ever venting any spleen against Her Majesty's Constabulary and I'm sure that the majority of our citizens feel the same and admire them for a difficult and sometimes thankless task, though it may not seem like it at times. Like all professions there are the few that will tarnish the image of the majority but most sensible people can sort out the wheat from the chaffe and respect the majority for choosing their calling. Lets face it the hooligans and such that we see on TV etc are a 'Minority' and will always remain so. I think the reality programmes shown on various police forces around the world, whether they be in UK, America, Australia, New Zealand etc have shown a lot of distressing situations the police have to face and made the public more aware of the unpleasant facets of life faced by these men and the compassion that can be shown at times.

Relax safe in the knowledge Roger that the majority of citizens are appreciative of the services rendered, although reading some newspapers it may not seem so. But newspapers like 'bad' stories, they sell more newspapers.

[Richard Quartermaine]

And so often, after all the stress, time and effort that has been applied to investigation and capture they are let down by the system.
Richard

[Lou Barron]

Getting a month in the Dunedin Jail for ship Desertion when we went in front of the court with my two mates (younger then me )then some guy who was representing the shipping company read out the charges the judge said to my two mates i will give you one years probation so thought good we will be back in the pub when we get out then the judge looked at me and read out my name i will give you one months jail why i don't know but it might have been when we was asked the reason for jumping the ship i said it was a hell ship but anyhow my mates use to come and visit me on visiting days and gave me a hard time telling all the booze parties and the women they met

[John Arton]

24 hrs in jail in Tampico with around 50 others crammed into one cell. Drug dealing/taking/gay pride...you name it, it was going on.
Not something I would recommend to anyone
rgds
JA

[Gulliver]

24 hrs in jail in Tampico with around 50 others crammed into one cell. Drug dealing/taking/gay pride...you name it, it was going on.
Not something I would recommend to anyone
rgds
JA

Oh dear,John......and I used to think you were such a real rough,tough jolly jack.rofl.gif

I am so disappointed though that you deign to lump together in one sentence those glamorous ,loyal,gentle ,amusing 'shipboard ladies' with those dirty,vile drug dealing filth....


All the Best...... matey.
Bar Girl G.gif

[Stuart Henderson]

On the Cunard cargo ships running regularly to NYC part of my job as P/CS was entertaining port officials and I got a good allpwance from the company. Among these were the crews of the NYPD police boats who over my fifteen years became old and good friends. Early on during a bulls--t session it was brought up about suicides jumping off the NY bridges and I queried their numbers/ Next morning there was a banging on my door very early on. Come on Stu they said ,not fully dressed,washed and hungover (normal in thise days ) and led me down on the pier and along to the police boat. Boarded took me aft to show me two bodies tied and floating alongside and in serious stages of decomposition................ Just the thing to start the day....
Stuart

[John Arton]

O230 night rounds Empress of Canada
Butchers flat...dam they have left the freezer door open again
Went to close it only to be confronted by a corpse done up in mutton cloth that we were transporting back to the U.K. for burial.
Scared the shite out of me and the Master at Arms who by the way was an ex. prison warder who had spent time guarding Myra Hindley whilst she was awaiting trial. The most evil person he ever met was how he described her. Prison guards were only allowed to guard her for 14 days before been rotated with guards from another prison. He said that whenever he was in her presence it was like a cold chill descended upon the room and seasoned detectives were quite literally being sick after interviewing her as they played the tapes they made as she and her partner (Brady) tortured the children they murdered. Apparently she showed no flicker of emotion whatsoever throughout questioning and trial.
rgds
JA

[Stuart Henderson]

Hi John,
Your post reminds me of another story. On a Cunard cargo boat again mid sixties en route Newark NJ. I did medical on ship and halfway across Atlantic was called out after midnight when an engine room rating failed to turn to on watch. The guy he was due to relieve had gone to call him and found him shivering and shaking. Unfortunately he had suffered a heart attack and passed away, he was over sixty I recall. Anyway we had to store him in the fridge being summertime.. There was a lot of mutterings from the crew but unfortunately no alternative. The Company contacted his elderly mother in S Wales and she said she would like him back. The company decided to send him back via the old Queen Mary which was still operational. I had to accompany the body. What a performance, didnt die in US,no post mortem, crossing a State line, New Jersey-New York State,. Anyway finally sent him home to his family RIP
Stuart