Merchant Navy

Æthelberht’s RFA Christmas

27th December 2018 Æthelberht 0

I know there’s plenty of former Pusser types on GP, and even a few who have sailed under the red duster. They’ll all be familiar with the Christmas routines for their respective outfits. I thought [more…]

The Right Way To Put Out A Fire (Finally)

4th December 2018 Æthelberht 0

In March 2013 I was appointed to RFA Fort Austin. Within NATO she is classified as an AFSH, that’s to say a combat stores ship with the necessary facilities on board to embark a helicopter. [more…]

A Sacrifice of Three

2nd December 2018 Jwp 0

Robert Ryan was my great uncle. This fading photograph is the only one we have of him. He gave his life for King and Country when he died on 7th November 1942. He was 20 [more…]

MV Tor Bay HMS Southampton collision, September 3rd 1988

28th November 2018 Going Postal 0

Tor Bay was in collision with HMS Southampton whilst being escorted through the Straits of Hormuz during the Iran/Iraq war. During the Iran/Iraq war, British and allied vessels proceeding through the Straits of Hormuz were [more…]

Still Not The Right Way To Put Out A Fire

20th November 2018 Æthelberht 0

You may remember some months back I related a story of my first fire exercise sailing under the Red Duster. I was somewhat unimpressed having come from a different seafaring outfit where these things were [more…]

The Wrong Way to Put Out a Fire

8th June 2018 Æthelberht 0

When I left the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2015 I joined a shipping company operating out of Barrow-in-Furness. It was a very small outfit which specialised in carrying nuclear cargo between Europe, the US and [more…]

Poppies: Ballad of a Tin Man

12th November 2017 Going Postal 1,413

‘But poppies are extraordinary flowers. They bloom in their millions every year, not only in the soil, but also on lapels, hats & car bumpers.’ Nicholas J. Saunders. ‘I need to buy another one, sweetheart. [more…]

It’s time to take a couple of minutes for quiet contemplation

12th November 2017 Going Postal 784

Dedicated to all the men & women of the British Armed Services, especially those killed in the line of duty since WW1 and the countless numbers injured and disabled defending our country and way of [more…]