The End

This passenger ship of the Blue Star Line had its moments, not long out of New Zealand the engine broke down and we drifted on the sea for a few hours. Then we were off again. Our cabin being the cheapest was way down deep below the water line. One of the propeller shafts driving a propeller ran under our cabin had a faulty bearing on every revolution there was a bang under our cabin floor. The ship after dropping us off at Southampton it was going for repairs in Rotterdam dry docks.


Every passenger got an invitation to dine with the captain at his table, except for George and I we did not have the required suit and collar and tie. George said “better people than the captain had refused to eat with him.” I thought back to head waiter in Rangoon. Still the food was good and we had scrumptious freshly baked bread every day.

One day we were sailing in a flat calm sea under clear blue sky, George and I went for our lunch just before lunch was served, ship began to slowly heel over. Our table had 16 settings eight on each side all the plates’ knives, forks, spoons cups and decorations started to slide down to the end of the table. Our gallant table steward tried to save them with his out stretched arms, he was like a dam all the place settings piling up on his chest and started spilling over his shoulders on to the floor, when sea water started coming through the open portholes. He took fright and ran off leaving everything to crash on the floor. Just then the ship slowly righted it’s self. Lunch was delayed until the devastation was cleared. Our table cheered the valiant attempt our stewed made to save the table settings. After this the table cloth was dampened with water in case the same thing happened again. The rest of the cruse was uneventful except I won 150$ USA playing bingo. It was getting cold up on the deck as we crossed the Atlantic and got nearer Southampton.

The off loading of the passengers luggage was chaotic everyone’s luggage was in a pile. Luckily George and I only had our rucksacks as we headed for emigration when the emigration officer looked in our passports he said “you have been in a lot of places. We did not have washing machines or electric appliance or books customs just passed us through. We got the train to Glasgow. When George got home after an absence of two years his father said “George will you go and get a tin of paint and paint the doors” My mum said “you are back”

So our oddity has come to a close. I did not keep a diary so no dates I have many photos when I have time I will include some of them in this blog. George met a lovely Glasgow lady when in Australia called Ina and they got married in Glasgow after a few happy years together, Ina died from lung cancer shortly before George they both did like a fag. Billy when we left him going into Israel is still here in Glasgow, we exchange Christmas cards and he came to my wedding reception held in Glasgow. When the war started he wanted to fight with the Israeli army. However he was sent to a kibosh far away from the frontline. After working with Glasgow City Council for 30 years I retired and married at the grand age of 65 to a wonderful Indian lady called Ruby

I dedicate this blog to the memory of George Lawrence.