My crazy life

[Alex Dunbar]

Hello all. Just found this site! I was at the Royal Merchant Navy School, both Bexhill and Bearwood 1949-1955.Then in NZSC 1955-1958 Rangitata, Paparoa, Ruahine. In1956 left NZSC for a while and went to Argentina on Duquesne (Furness Holder). Saw remains of Graf Spee in River Plate. Jumped ship in Wellington from Paparoa in jan 1957. got deported & came back working on Ruahine. Then served a couple of months in coasters. Joined Army 1957 Royal Corps of Signals) & served 25 Yrs.Finished as WO. I then worked in Saudi Arabia for a few years. Now work for SSAFA as a volunteer. I have had and have a great life!!.

[Mike Hall]

welcome to the site,
we have been here quite a while.
find yourself a beer from the galley,and pull up a chair.
we are all here to help you
mike

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Alex
Would just like to give you a warm Welcome to this very good Merchant Navy site!
Here you will find lots of info,a good Crew and with luck also find a few old Shipmates!
So sit back grab a Tinny,relax and just enjoy the trip!
Hope we will have you here for a long time! Have a happy stay!
A site truly worthy of the British Merchant Navy!
Cheers

If you would like to join in and have your Full name R Number included then Please join the Crew List and leave full details on the Registration Form.

This form can be found at the following Link for your convience!

http://www.merchant-navy.net/forum/m...?do=form&fid=1

Thank you
Vernon (castleman)

[Lou Barron]

hi alex fancy jumping ship and geting sent backyou missed living in a great country if you had jumped before 1948 you would have been able to stay but on the other hand you might have done the right thing i jumped ship in1947 it was to me the best thing i did i still have a lot of contact with england but i have a great life here regards lou barron

[happy daze john in oz]

Well Alex you sure missed out by not staying here. I did one trip on the Paparoa back in 64, some voyage, nearest to hell I have evr been. If it could go wrong it did go wrong. Aden to Melbourne on two pints of fresh water per man per day and only two cans of beer per day. To make matters worse we had similar on the way back until wee took desalinated water on in Piareus, think they forgot to take the salt out of the water. Just about all of the 52 crew ended up with stomach problems.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Alex.
first welcome to this very good site, I have been away for a few months, and will be back shortly.
But one thing, are you the person I'm thinking of . I went on the NZ coast in 57, joined the Kurau in Wellington. Are you the TALL Scots- Alex who used to be vocal at the union meetings, I remember an Alex who along with myself gave the little union rep in LYTTELTOWN a serve over foriegn ships running cargo around the coast.
CHEERS Des.
Ps a few names for you Johny Holmes, Snowy Allen, Check out the Union Company on this site for more.

[Ron Hamilton]

Hi Alex, Welcome to an interesting site, I too jumped ship in N.Z. in '51 during a protracted strike but was picked up &after the mandatory month in jail was reinstated on our ship ,the Australia Star ,which hadn't budged ! I tried every means to return to N.Z. & after an exciting 18yrs managed to sneak back in with a wife &2 nippers & havent looked back , I think you missed out there but nevertheless you too had an interesting life too with no obvious regrets ,what more could one wish for ! Ron

[Lou Barron]

hi to you guys jim brady liverpool kindly sent me a dvd the THE BOX THAT CHANGED BRITAIN if any of you guys would like to have it let me know your address and i will post it to you the first one in gets it first then he could send it on it very interesting regards lou barron

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