MY OLD SHIPMATE

Deck Boys

By Tony Baitup

Jacky Driver and I were deck boys on the SS Brighton for the Spithead Revue 1953. I got into a spot of bother when entering the lines and was ordered by the Chief Officer Mr English, to lower the Ensign on entering and raising when leaving lines.
Not me, I got carried away, as one of the seamen, Doug Holland, told me I had to raise the ensign in acknowlegemnt of each naval vessel, and the ensign was up and down like a fiddler's elbow!
Mr English bawled me out and had me on the bridge for the remainder.