Until I can reply more fully, add an article just mailed to a local news media in hope they print, may explain some. Keith.
Will let you know.
Barry and the Vale has a great friend in Captain Joe Earl of BristolJoe whom has penned many a nautical verse or two over the years, has come to the aid of the local Barry Merchant Navy Association branch on many occassions.
Joe himself recently was awarded the Merchant Navy Medal for hs service and his pen amongst many other works.
Much of his tribute work features Barry and has locally been presented to both mayors and the town and Vale Councils over the years and forms part of the Merchant Navy walls at both Barry and the Vale Council offices.
These include: The PADDLE STEAMER `BARRY", BARRY SEAMEN and BARRY DOCK - LOADING COAL. They were always intended for the people of Barry and will be hopefully featured later during the Year of the Convoy 2013.
His poem: A STAMP OF APPROVAL: has helped Barry branch and the MNA National among others pursue a set of post office MN stamps that are due to be launched in September of this year, the Year of the Convoy and will feature the virtual climax and turning point of the Battle of the Atlantic that in which many men from the Vale served.
Joe's stamp of approval certainly swayed much with Stanley Gibbons the world wide leader in philately and a £50 pound check from them for an article of the same title, kick started the now completed, with all praise to local company Hall's Memorials, the renovation / refurbishment of the shared grave of Barrian - world famous then Captain Cecil Foster master of the of the SS. Trevessa. The world promised not to forget, but until of late, nearly did.
Cecil of East View terrace , Barry was received by the King of the day at Buckingham palace, loved by his wife Minnie and immortalised in another poem for Barry by Capt. Joe, a further tribute to Cecil and all lost from Trevessa is planned for later this year. Lost out of conflict one of our own Cecil along with many will never be commemorated.
Many from the area though were heroes in conflict may not have been commemorated as to the award criteria, but we should remember them.
Asked again to assist, Joe has penned: TELL THE CHILDREN: (For the Year of the Convoy).
The Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war. Never for one moment could we forget that everything happening elsewhere, on land, at sea or in the air depended ultimately on its outcome. TELL THE CHILDREN: A Special breed of men my friend - a special breed of men.,
I'm talking of the convoys and remember once again,
Seventy years have passed proving what we owe,
Our debt is all the greater from all those years ago.
Our Mariners endured, intrepid and low paid,
With stubborn sense of purpose carried on their trade,
Still they served our country sailing there and back,
Hauling vital cargoes in times that looked so black.
These doughty Merchant Seamen knew their cruel fate,
If struck by cunning sea-wolves lurking there in wait,
If they lived to tell their story and strived to stay afloat,
They struggled on with hardships aboard an open boat.
Life goes on of course, we age and youngsters grow,
Ask them about the convoys find out what they know,
Show them our Red Duster, explain our island race,
Shed light upon the Nelson touch and put the seaman’s case.
Spell out the wartime rations and shortage of supplies,
Clarify the fight they had risking of their lives,
Tell them of the oceans and lifelines to supply,
Our Children have their freedom and should know the reason why.
"Worst journey": Between 1941 and 1945, the Arctic convoys transported more than 4 miillion tonnes of supplies to the Soviet Union. More than 100 ships were lost with 3,000 sailors losing their lives.
Winston Churchill said the arctic convoy mission was "the most dangerous journey in the world" Capt. J.Earl M.N.M. Bristol M.N.Ass.. Nov. 2013
The Year of the Convoy 2013 this year is a major anniversary year :
Including:The 70th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic (BOA 70).
(This will be a major National event in 2013 with Liverpool at its focus )
We have full permission from Joe for publication in tribute and remembrance. LINK: joesverse.simplesite.com/160596387K.
