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The Bosun's Dittybox
A miscellany of odd bits of news and links which might be of interest to Members of the T.S.V.A.
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Pictures of the Vindi.
Whilst there are many postcard pictures of the Vindi available on EBay or the Francis Frith site, that of film footage of her online is very rare. One such example can be seen on this YouTube clip which was taken from an old Super 8 home movie of her.
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TSVA Membership Subs
A reminder to all
TSVA Members who read this page, that 1st Feb. saw the start
of a new year for your Annual
Membership Subscriptions, unless you have already taken out a Life
Membership.
Unless our database has recorded the receipt of your
subscription by the time the address labels are printed for
the March edition of the Vindi News, you will not be
receiving a copy.
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Subscriptions
remain the same as last year's.
£5
for UK Members,
£6
for those living in Europe
£8
for individual Overseas Members, (but £4 if you are paying
though and Overseas Branch.)
All Subscription
to be paid in £ Stg and sent to:-
The Griffiths Partnership 7 Rose Hill, Lovedean, WATERLOOVILLE, Hants. PO8 4NP Cheques to made out to TSVA please. Always quote your TSVA Membership No. which is on your Membership Card, but is also printed on the address label of the envelope in which your Vindi News is sent to you. Direct Debit Mandates are available, on request ---------------------------- |
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The Seven Area Branch
Ken Long, Secretary of the Branch, has sent me this account of a trip on the English Canals, hosted by member Max Dawe.
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The Voyage of the Vindi Boy. On 29th June the narrow boat “Vindi Boy” sailed from Saul on the Sharpness canal. The voyage took 14 members of the Severn Area Branch of the Vindicatrix Association in various stages through to Llangollen in Wales. The crews were split into threes and fours joining at various points on the route .Max Dawe the owner and skipper of the Vindi Boy acted as chief cook, skills advisor and mentor throughout the trip. (not bad for a“catering boy”)!! The trip took the crews from the Sharpness canal through Gloucester up the River Severn to Tewkesbury. The boat then joined the River Avon. At Stratford they joined the Stratford on Avon canal to Kings Norton, and on to the Worcester – Birmingham canal. Through the centre of Birmingham on to the Shropshire Union canal, then the Llangollen Canal and over the amazing Pontcysllte aqueduct. The voyage took just over 4 weeks and finished at Whixall Marina, Shropshire. All enjoyed the company, food and evenings spent in local pubs. Also the full English breakfasts supplied by the skipper.
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Merchant Navy Day at Tower Hill
This year's service at Tower Hill was held on Sunday 4th Sept. when we specially remembered all those who lost their lives on the Arctic Convoys of WW2. This service was, as usual, organised by the Merchant Navy Association .
There is also a Sky London bike ride event going on at the same time, for which there were some road closures and disruptions as the Circle Line London Underground trains were not stopping at Tower Hill station on the day.
Click on THIS LINK to see all the organised chaos which was going on, on the south side of the Memorial, while we remembered our fallen at the Memorial, here. LINK
TSVA Member, Maurice Hoadley has kindly sent me a clip of the parade which he shot, which has now joined the two of mine on You Tube. CLICK HERE to view.
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A News Release from the National Archives on 7th Sept '11, will be of interest to all those who, like me, are actively engaged in searching for old Merchant Navy records. You can access it by clicking on THIS LINK
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Sharpness Reunion 2011
For Vindiboys who have never had the chance of attending a TSVA Reunion at Sharpness, I am posting these four very short videos which can be viewed on You Tube.
Also from the Reunion, Colin Rodgers has kindly sent me a disc of all the year group photos which were taken during 'tea and tabnabs' at St. Andrew's Church on Saturday afternoon. There were no boys from the years '41, '43' or '46 but I have all the rest including the war years group of '39 - '45. I can email a copy to anyone who wants theirs if you contact me by clicking on THIS LINK, but don't forget to tell me which year's one it is you want. They can alsao be viewed online by clicking on THIS LINK.
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Sharpness Reunion 2012
10th, 11th, 12th August
Yes, I know that we are still getting over this year's, but with the scarcity of berths, it's never too early to secure one for next year if yours isn't on a 'See you next year' basis. The B & B where I'm staying has two double rooms available for next year, so if you are interested, contact me A deposit will be required to secure your booking.
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Arctic Convoy Exhibition at the
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
The National Maritime Museum are
going to have an exhibition on the Arctic Convoys in their micro gallery at the
National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. The exhibition is due to open in late
October and they would really like to be able to welcome some veterans of the
convoys to take part in an event to mark their exhibition.
A selection of photographs of the convoys from our archives will be the main
feature of the exhibition, with pictures of the ships at sea and of Merchant
Navy and navy crews. There will be some objects too including boat models, a
coat and medals. Through these images the exhibition will introduce the
background to the Convoys, show the conditions endured and the bravery of the
men who served on the Convoys.
They would like to organise an event in November in which veterans come to
the gallery perhaps giving short talks to the public about their
experiences. They don’t have a definite date yet but it would be in November -
Saturday the 19th of November is a possible date (to be confirmed).
They would like to hear from anyone who might be interested in coming and
taking part in this event.
They would also hope to welcome veterans to the gallery as visitors too.
The exhibition (which will be free) will be on for at least 4 months.
They can be contacted for further information on 020 8312 8613, please don’t
hesitate to contact Flora Bain with any questions. The e-mail address of the
NMM is enquiries@mna.org.uk
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An update from Terry Smith of our Bedfordshire Branch " I have just taken delivery of some very nice BP tanker lapel badges. They represent the original BP house flag that was introduced in 1955 - replacing the previous British Tanker Company flag - and which following a switch during the corporate era from the late1960s until relatively recently is still in use today. They are priced at £5.80 including p+p, although for those attending the reunion they will be available for £5.00. As always I shall make a donation to the TSVA from the proceeds" |
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Sharpness Railway
The group hoping in re-establishing a rail link between Sharpness to Berkeley and beyond, (Vindi News March 2010), failed in their bid to win a grant from the Big Lottery Fund's Village SOS scheme, but all is not yet lost. If any of us live long enough, we may yet be able to take a ride on the Sharpness Flyer
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| A LIFE
IN POETRY AND VERSE ( With a little help from my friends)
by Colin D. Rodgers. The first print sold out at the end of February and the second and final print of this limited edition should be ready for sale by the middle of June 2011, any copies left will be sold at Sharpness in August. Price
£12-50 plus postage (prices on request). Books signed on request.
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Home Movies of the Vindi on YouTube
I am indebted to TSVA Member Jeff Glasser, for pointing me in the direction of these two clips, taken from old Super 8 cine film which have been posted online. Not of the highest print quality, but a link to the past for us all.
To the Vindiboys of Christchurch, NZ
On behalf of the T.S.V.A. we hope all Vindiboys and their families are safe and unscathed after the recent Christchurch earthquake. We would like you all to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you after what must have been a terrifying experience. Please let us know when possible how you all are.
Jim Somerville
Chairman.
Anyone who wishes to support the local population in Christchurch in what must be very difficult times, can do so by sending a donation to the British Red Cross Appeal
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Two news items of Vindi Memorabilia
For the boat or caravan owners amongst our Membership, we now have a TSVA pennant and particularly for TSVA Branches, we now have available our own house flag, which was flown for the first time at this year's reunion.
The prices are, for the pennant £12 and for the 'yard and a half' sized house flag, £130.
P & P prices available on request, which will be subject to the numbers ordered at one time. These will only be stocked 'as required' so if you are interested in obtaining either please email you requirements via this link
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The Squad Photos page
For some time, I have been hampered from adding new content to the Squad Photos page due to our site limit of 15Meg, but now I'm pleased to announce that extra web space has now been given to us by the generosity one of our Members. The page now contains more previously unpublished photos of either whole squads or just of small groups of 'mates' and there are now one or two back scans of photos where those appearing in the photo have signed their names. You can find the page by clicking on this link
You will find that the expanded version of the page no longer contains links to e-mail addresses. This is because it has proved impossible task of trying to keep up with changes of server which many members have made, and also some of those who sent me photos have since 'crossed the bar'.
Who were this Squad?
At the Sharpness Reunion this year, I took copies of two Squad Photos lurking in the hidden depths of my PC of which I knew nothing. One member attending was able to identify one of them as being of his Squad but the other one still remains a mystery, all I can tell you is they were obviously a bunch of Catering lads.
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An interesting bit ot Vindi Memorabillia
Also at this years Reunion, I was given a copy of the Vindi 'Thou shalt not' rules, as posted in the huts. This copy was 'liberated' from one of the huts, long after the camp had been closed and the site fallen into disuse, (or so the lad told me). Click on this link to read all the rules and regulation under which we were bound, and did our best to ignore. ____________________________
Three new information pages have now been added by the National Archives for finding historic Merchant Navy Records. You can find links to them on this Archives page of the site.
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A Record Copying Service from the National Archives
Starting from the 19th April 2009, the National Archives are changing the system by which you can order copies of records from them, but you will have to give them the exact File No. to copy. The records in BT372 which are filed by your Discharge Book No. are easy enough, as they are a unique reference, but they only contain forms, ID Cards and old mug shot photos and such like. Trip Records are in section BT382 which are filed in loose-leaf folders in alphabetical-by-surname order, which only list the first and last surname in each file. There is an added complication to this, as part way through the series, the surnames having reached the Z's, they reset back to the A's again.
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I'm happy to suggest a File Nos. to anybody who wishes to use this changed ordering service which you can read about by clicking on this link It remains to be seen how this arrangement works out but I will probably carry on making regular visits to Kew, as it will work out more economical for those who ask me to obtain copies for them.
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Merchant Navy Service Records
As regular readers of this site will be aware, (and others who have who have found their way to it, either by accident of have been directed to it by others). I do a fair amount of work in obtaining copies of Merchant Seamen's Service Records from the National Archives at Kew.
For those who have an interest in the subject and live in striking distance of Kew, can I draw you attention to this item on the National Archives website, listing their upcoming lectures?.
The Seamen's Strike of 1966
For those who were sailing at the time and have memories of the Seamen's Strike in 1966, you might be interested to read a discourse on the subject by George Foulser I've found on the net. You can find it by clicking on this link
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British Pathe film of the Union Castle Line
I am indebted to Chris Bond of the Sussex Branch for sending me a link to a Union Castle line company film, mostly featuring the Windsor Castle. It goes back to an age when passenger ships had a 'man at the wheel' and didn't look just like an offshore block of flats. To view the clip, click on This Link There is also links on the Pathe page to some of the Transvaal Castle, as well. Union Castle hands, Enjoy!!
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Seafarers Benefits Advice & Information Helpline
I have been contacted by the above organisation to, ask if I could bring to the attention of our readers the services they offer to seafarers past and present. This service is operated by the Greenwich Branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau. To view their site. click on this link
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TSVA Memorabilia
Any Member who wishes to order any of our TSVA Memorabilia can now request a copy of an order form and a montage picture of the items we have available, by clicking on this link
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Shipping Companies Houseflag Lapel Badges
Blue Star Line.
N.Z.S.Co.
Union-Castle.
Royal Mail Line.
Houlder Brothers.
Elder-Dempster
Pacific Steam Navigation Company
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The National Archives, Kew
The latest set or records at the National Archives to be digitised and placed online are those of the Ship Movement Cards of WW2. Click on the link for further details.
In my experience of having had access to them at Kew, this should be a worth-while project as the pages are closely strung together with a treasury tag, in bundles over 4" thick which prove to be very unwieldy to open and almost impossible to copy.
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"In
1939 the Admiralty issued an instruction to the Board of Trade
stating that masters of merchant vessels were not to enter
destinations or ports of call on the ships’ logs or the crew lists
and agreements, for reasons of security. However, it was still
important to know and record the movements of merchant vessels and
to this end the series of cards within
BT 389 |
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BBC West "A Day Out", circa 1978
I've come across this link to a BBC regional programme, featuring a trip along the Sharpness canal which features a half hour video clip which will open in 'Real' player by default. It can be made to go full screen by right-clicking on the video and selecting the 'Zoom' option. Sadly, the Vindi didn't get a mention, but you may enjoy running it, just for 'old times sake'.
To read the write-up to this programme, click on this link
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"Watching the ships go by"
One of our members has sent me this link to an interesting site on which you can trace the passage of ships around the UK waters. Give it a try, but it can be a bit addictive.
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The Merchant Seaman's War Memorial Society, Alford, Surrey
I have been asked by Trevor Goacher, of the Society, to make readers of this page aware that the 'Springbok' website has now had a revamp and the new version can be found by clicking on this link, where you will be able to read of the services that they can offer former Merchant Seamen and Women.
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Dave Partridge's "The Grey Sailor"
Those members who attended the Saturday Church Service at the Reunion this year, will have heard Dave read out his poem "The Grey Sailor". If anyone would like to receive a download of it, please click on this link.
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I have received a request by the Merchant Navy Memorial site, to draw the attention of readers of this page to their site. this can be accessed by clicking on this link
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Merchant Seman's Records at the National Archive, Kew
Many who read this site, will be aware that I often obtain copies of MN Service Records from the National Archive, in particular from sections BT372, where all the loose forms and documents concerning their time at sea, are kept, and also in section BT382, where there are duplicate entries from their Discharge Books, listing all the ships on which they sailed.
On the Friday 25th April '08 I was perturbed to receive a courtesy phone call from the head of the Copying Dept. at Kew, telling me that, as from that day, 'hands on' access to files in those two categories has been blocked to visitors to Kew, but they will provide you with copies, after they have obscured finger prints on the old four-panel Seaman's ID Cards and also Nat. Insurance Nos. wherever they appear in either BT372 or BT382 files. The exception to this is by visiting Kew to produce documentary proof that the records you are requesting are you own, or can prove to their satisfaction that the named seaman has died, or was born more that 100 years ago.
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Merchant Navy Pensions
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The National Arboretum
The National Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire, has recently been in the news, with the dedication of the Armed Services Memorial, in memory of all those who have been killed in conflicts since the end of WW2. Located in another part of this 60 hectares site, is where the men and women of the Merchant Navy killed in WW2 are remembered by the planting a wood of some 2,536 oak trees, representing the number of British flagged merchant vessels lost to enemy action during World War II.
To read more about the National Arboretum, visit their website, via this link
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The last sea-going voyage of the Vindi- June 1939
Members will have read in a previous edition of the Vindi News of my discovery of the Crew Agreement at the National Archive, Kew. Anyone who visits the National Archive and who has a Reader's Ticket, can examine the document for themselves and also two previous ones for voyages as the 'Arranmore', commencing in 1901, (the one when she was shipwrecked at Port Elisabeth), and also the one commencing in 1907, at the end of which she paid off in Hamburg and passed to German owners. The relevant files Nos. can be traced by entering in her Official No. of 102634 on the Catalogue Search Engine of The National Archives website. I plan to bring my copies of all three Crew Agreements to the Reunion should anyone wish to look at them and I also have a download available for Members of pages 1, 3 and 4 of June '39 trip.
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Before they were famous
Three Vindiboys who became better known in later years in the field of entertainment
Colyer K. Vindi '45 CateringYou can hear Ken Colyer playing, in the company of Chris Barber , Monty Sunshine and Lonnie Donnigan in this clip on You Tube and also this filmed interview with Ken by the now late George Melly
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Vindi '57/'58 DeckYou can see a clip with Gareth Hunt in a typical car chase sequence, with Joanna Lumley and Patrick McNee from the New Avengers TV series
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Vindi '60/'61 Catering__
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"The People's War" Archive on the BBC Website
My thanks to Jamie Letford, a Vindiboy of '49, for drawing my attention to this Archive on the website of the BBC . There is a particular section of 10 pages, concerning those shipmates of ours who served in the Merchant Navy during WW2. It's worth a visit to the site, just to refresh our memories. The People's War Website on the BBC.
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"Sea Breezes" Magazine
My thanks to Bob Andrews for sending me a copy of an article about the Vindi, which appeared in "Sea Breezes" about the time the time she was closed. If anyone would like to have a copy of it, contact me by this e-mail link. My thanks also to "Sea Breezes" for granting me permission to re-publish.
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FSN Ship Plans
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Seafarers Benefits Advice Helpline
Can I draw the attention of readers of this page to this service operated by the Greenwich Citizens Advice Bureaux Ltd (GCAB) and funded entirely by the Seamen's Hospital Society. Further information on the services they offer can be gained by visiting their website http://www.seabal.org.uk/
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Mrs. Drysdale
Those who have received their copies of the July edition of the Vindi News will be aware that "Mrs. D" has been undergoing a course of 'cosmetic surgery'. This was undertaken on two visits to her, by a yacht restorer/woodcarver, together with Roy, acting as his 'mate'. If you have time to spare whilst at the Reunion this year, be sure to pay her a visit in the Reception Area of the Waterways Museum in Gloucester Docks.
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British Pensioners in Austrailia
I have been asked to post a notice re the campaign in Australia, to again have their UK Pensions index-linked. Although not a wholly Vindi or MN matter it will concern a lot of former seamen who now live in Austrailia. You can read more on this attached Word Document or by visiting the BPiA website
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"Sent Home" from the Vindi
My thanks to Jim Richmond in Tasmania, and to Norman Brice in the UK for forwarding it on to me, this piece which previously would have appeared on the 'A Vindiboy writes' page. It concerns the obscure reason as to why a Vindiboy might be sent home. Rather than showing it in full on this page, I'm attaching it as a 'Word Document''
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Collecting Dole Money at the Vindi
On the subject of collecting 'Dole Money' during our time at the Vindi, I also can remember the two table system performed in the recreation hut at the camp. During my stay as a 'Deckie' in 1949, my Kit Account records that I added £4:14:0 to my £5 Deposit, and after the deduction of £6:8:8 for my kit, I paid off with the princely sum of £3:5:4. I think that any Dole Money was dependant on how much you had contributed in 'stamps' on your card during any employment you had, prior to joining the Vindi. Leaving school at 14 and joining the Vindi when I was turned 17, I had three years of contributions. School leaving age was raised from 14 to 15 in 1947, and from 15 to 16 in 1972.
In 1936, the school leaving age was raised from 14 to 15, (to be implemented in Sept. '39), but this was postponed on the outbreak of WW2. It wasn't finally raised until 1947, and raised again to 16, in 1972.
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For those who wish to trace the names of their family members who were lost, there is a search engine engine on the website of the
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which also carries the names of Merchant Seamen. Click on their logo to take you there.
Medal entitlement for WW2 Merchant Seamen
Anyone wishing to search for a record of who was listed for entitlement to a WW2 medal while serving in the Merchant Navy should visit this page of the National Archive site at Kew. Searching is free, but they do charge £3.50 for an online download of the record. After having obtained a download, you will find the key to understanding the abbreviations used on it by visiting this page .
It is doubtful if these records will show the entitlement to the recently announced Arctic Star, for all those who sailed on the convoys to Russia. I would suggest that you make direct contact with the:-
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Registry of Shipping and Seamen |
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----------------------------------------------- Shell Tankers A site for all those who sailed with 'Joe Shell' is http://www.helderline.nl Just enter the name of the ones on which you sailed, to see if there are any photos or if other crew members listed have sailed at the same time as you. --------------------------------------
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