Vic

Sorry; I’m not going to ask you anything about fishing! My son has introdiced me to your impressive Website, which brings back memories. I and all my class-mates were evacuated to Brighton on September 4th. 1939 from Bermondsey in Central London. Well-considered as Bermondsey became the most heavily-bombed area in England during the Blitz of WW2. Surrey Docks was the first British target completely fire-bombed on the first night of the Blitz and, being the biggest timber port in the World, it burned brightly for 42 consecutive nights. I was 13 when we went down to Brighton, we were all re-evacuated to Chersey in Surrey after the Dunkirk Retreat. At 14 I was a messenger boy through the Blitz working for Cable & Wireless. I went to Sea when I was 16, signing on the Admiralty Cable Ships. Whilst there I got sent to India as A.B. to join the Cable Ship H.M.S. Bulan, my oppo was an ordinary seaman named Vic Fisher, Yes VIC FISHER! After it was all over we stayed good mates, I met his Mum and Dad and stayed with them at Dagenham. We both married our respective sweethearts, neither of us attended the other’s weddings because of our Merchant Ship movements. I came ashore on getting married, whereas Vic stayed at Sea, studying with a special scholarship I had introduced him to with the Royal Society of Arts, and he kept right through to his Master’s or even his Extra Master’s ticket. I know he stayed with the old Palm Line as I’ve received confirmation from someone who served under him, on W.W.W. I was A.B. with the Port Line. We (Mum & Dad and 3 kids) emigrated to N.Z. 50 years ago and I have never been able to find Vic! I am coming up to 83, Vic must be 81/82, so you are a sort of last resort. Whatever, Yea or Nay Many days of great fishing for you and your loved ones. Best Regards, Eric Tate.

Vic