My first post

[Joseph Caruana]

Hello, dear seafarers of the red and blue dusters!
My father sailed under the blue duster for 38 years, unfortunately, he passed away on the 12th day of the new millennium. Though months and years rolled by I can never forget him. His name was Lawrence Caruana and served on many RFA ships most notably on RFA TIDEFLOW, TIDESURGE, and TIDE AUSTRAL, no forgetting his beloved RFA OLNA. He also sailed on a couple of WAVE class tankers and alos th eold Rangers class. Naturally the port of call was Valletta, Malta. Are there any guys out there know him or sailed with him?
I never worked on ships but I have salt in my viens since most of my family earned their living sailing the globe. I also married into a maritime loving family. My wife's father was a Petty Officer in the RN and after ending service saioled under the blue duster as well as two of her siblings.

Regards,

Joseph Caruana

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Joseph
Thank you for your first Post,and a nice one at that!
Yes salt in the Veins is something that many have ,some not by the sea itself but like you with Family that were at sea.
Hope you will enjoy it here with us and there is a lot to read and go through,but don't take any notice of some of the silly Posts ,we are Seaman and get carried away at times!
Just for interest sake was your dear Dad from Newport or Malta ??
Cheers

[Lewis McColl]

Welcome Joseph, enjoy the forum , some good banter on here.

[Joseph Caruana]

Thanks for your welcome and rest assured that I know how seamen function. For your question about my dad's dad nationality, he was from Malta.

Regards,
PS: photo showing my father while serving onboard RFA TideFlow circa 1974 as a pumpman.
Joseph Caruanapumpman.jpg

[Ron B Manderson]

Welcome to the site Joseph.
Very welcome so sit and enjoy
Ron the batcave

[Red Lead Ted]

Welcome aboard Jo, Sit back and enjoy the trip Terry.

[Doc Vernon]

Thank you Joseph
I asked as I am not sure if you have his Seamans Pouch or CRS10 Documents!
This I think then would be him

	R413197 CARUANA L 08/02/1930 MALTA

Cheers

Seamans Pouch

R413197 CARUANA L 08/02/1930 MALTA | The National Archives

If you want his CRS10 I can look the link up as well.

[Joseph Caruana]

Unfortunately, I don't know what is the Seaman's pouch but I do have his Certificate of Discharge book numberR255659 and his first entry is as a follows:

RFA Cherry Leaf Engagement: Alexandria - 18-11-41/ Discharge: Malta 8.3.43/ Rating: Greaser

His last entry is:
RFA Tidesurge: Engagement: Mombasa 28-12-74/ Discharge: Mombasa
8-6-75/ Rating D/G

Regards,

Joseph Caruana