VESTEY GROUP SHIPPING ASSOCIATION

President Mr. R.J.H.Vestey

Secretary: Captain C.I.MacKillop

16th.V.G.S.A. Reunion Meeting

Blue Star Line’s Centenary Year 1911 - 2011

LIVERPOOL

The 16th. Annual Reunion Luncheon was held at the “Liverpool Marina & Harbourside Club” at

Noon on Tuesday 5th. of April 2011

David Habgood thanked Tom Jones for standing in for Ian MacKillop and he said that he was sure

that all would send their best wishes to Ian both during the period of his treatment and for a full

recovery thereafter and hoped that he would be fit enough to attend the London function in

October.

David reported that the position for the Western United Group Pension Scheme continued to be

encouraging and discussions were taking place with the actuary to formalise the three year scheme

valuation where the figures showed an increase in asset value from £411 million at the end of

December 2009 to £436 million in December 2010. After taking into account increased liabilities

including the good news for pensioners that life expectancy of members continued to improve

although this increases the liabilities for the scheme the surplus of assets over liabilities at the end of

2010 was £11 million.

The Trustees who had made a number of changes in the scheme assets over the last twelve months

were now in close discussions with the actuary and the sponsoring employer as to moves that may

be made over the longer term to reduce the risk exposure of the fund.

David introduced Carolyn Langdon and Carole Veal from the Pensions management team and said

that they would be pleased to answer any questions from scheme members.

69 members attended

MEMBERS ATTENDING: Mrs. F.Adam, Mrs. M.Askew, Mr. D.W.Atkinson, Mrs. A.V.Atkinson,

Capt. R.Bilton, Mrs. D.Bilton, Mrs. G.Barber, Mr. M.Barber, Mr. R.Berry, Mrs. B.Berry,

Capt. A.J.Brown, Mrs. L.M.Brown, Mr. M.E. Brown, Mrs. J.Brown, Capt. A.Braund, Mr.D.A.Burke,

Capt. T.Burleton, Mrs. T.Burleton, Mr. D.Cairney, Mr. L.Clarke, Mr. M.Croft, Capt. T.Crookall,

Mrs. S.Crookall, Capt. P.H.Daniel, Mr. D.F.Darrah, Mr. K.Gosling, Mr. R. Dutton, Mr. K.L.Elliot,

Mr. D.J.C.Habgood, Capt. T.H.L.Jones, Mrs. E.D.Jones, Capt. A.W.Kinghorn, Mr. B.G.Knights,

Mrs. A.Knights, Mr.P.Lunt, Mrs. Lunt, Mr. R.McCormack, Mrs. A.McCormack, Mr. G.Mann,

Capt. P.Mathews, Mrs. L.Mathews, Mr. P.Moore, Capt R.G.Murch, Mrs. E.J.Murch, Mr. C.O’Hara,

Capt. H.N.Owen, Mrs. Owen, Mr. D.C.Plummer, Mr. K.Plummer, Mr. D.Reid, Mrs. M.Reid,

Mr. C.W.H.Roe, Mr. M.Santi, Mrs. G.Santi, Mr. C. Stansfield, Mr. G.Thompson, Mrs. B.Thompson,

Mr. D.Tipping, Mrs. H.Tipping, Mr. K.J.Wardle, Mrs. S.J.Wardle, Mr. R.J.Webb, Capt. J.Wilkinson,

Mr. B.J.Wilson, Mrs. N.Wilson, Capt. R.A.Young.

W.U.G.P.F.

Pensions Department : Carolyn Langdon and Carole Veal

Late Cancellations: Capt. R.H.R.Jones, Mr. & Mrs. J.Taylor, Mr. & Mrs.F.A.Baker, Mr. D.A.Hume, Mr. & Mrs. M.MacKenzie.

Apologies received: The following sent their best wishes to past friends and colleagues: Mrs. M.Bunnagar, Mr.A.Baird, Capt. I.C.MacKintosh, Mr. P.E.Molyneux, Mr. W.F.Jenkins, Capt. W.A.Sparks, Mrs. V.J.Green, Mr. R.Jenkinson, Capt. J.F.Rowe, Mr. J.Roby, Mr. G.E.Gunner, Mr. P.Wareham, Mr. J.Payne, Capt. W.A.Wilson, Mr. R.Bushell, Mr. M.Towers, Mrs. J.Walters, Mr. W.J.Turner.

New Members: Dr.G.A.Wilson Ship’s Doctor m.v.”Newcastle Star” 1968

OBITUARIES & DEATHS. Mr. J.I.Davis Jan 2011. Mr.J.Spinks, January. Captain J.R.Howarth,

30th.April 2011. Captain N.G.F. Liddle 11h.June 2011.

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Donations We are most grateful to the following members who have kindly sent donations:

Capt. T.Crookall, Capt. I.C.MacKintosh, Mr. P.Wareham, Capt. R.H.R.Jones

FUNDS: At the time of writing, the Association’s bank balance stands at £ 2,125.61 in credit.

Again our thanks to all those who have made donations.

NEWSLETTER ARTICLES

Many thanks to Michael Mace for the following article:

VGSA Storey

I was a member of management from the mid 1960’s until I was seconded to Stockholm with

the start of Johnson Scanstar in 1972. I resigned from the company in 1981 at the tender age of 46.

As the junior member, I served within a changing mix of Rae, Wortley, Payne, Hazlitt, Benbow

and Mattingly. When Rae retired, Jim Payne took over the lead. Rodney Hazlitt came into the

number one position when Jim Payne took early retirement in 1979. I was by then closing in on my

time with JSS in Stockholm.

Our management wing was modest by current standards but then we had the added stimulus of a

twice weekly personal visit from the chairman. He was not known for any extravagance and it even

used to be said that Edmund, his late son, only received a new tube of toothpaste when the old one

had been squeezed quite flat. One day, Rae was not around as RAV’s lunching companion. There was

only me. I started to drool at the thought of the drink and better than normal lunch but then came

the royal command; “Mace, the sausages are good”

From my viewpoint, the company seemed a happy and proud one. General staff were not paid more

than any other comparable company but the esprit de corps was high. It helped that many saw their

chairman quite often as he strode through the general office to speak to at least one departmental

manager before ascending the economy model lift to the Gods above . The same lift once to my

knowledge dropped all floors with a much loved and respected cashier aboard; albeit unharmed.

The management group was able but it had its rough edges. I wonder haow many outside its inner

circle knew that two of its members would never speak to each other. What would the people guru

Gary Withers have made of that one?

The sea-going staff was another world. The company had always had a good name. It also was as

proud as punch of its famous funnel. Its leading officers would be treated with respect when they

put in their regular appearances. We, the management group, also held meetings aboard vessels as

often as schedules allowed. Like any company, there were the obvious leading characters who made

sure they knew which side their bread was buttered. All sea-going staff will recall haw first father but

even more so later son chairman put responsible port and vessel staff on the fast forward alert as

they tried to keep up the famous ship all but snakes and ladders tours.

It never hurt us in Blue Star that we were very much the favourite or hobby child of Ronald Vestey.

He was an amazing man. War and the downside of the coin had left him to steer the then vast

private empire through many difficult years. His way to take massive decisions could be

unimaginable. One day, in my office, I was asked what we should do about the future of the NPC

service. We agreed there were three possibilities. First, withdraw from the trade. Second, convert

certain conventional ships for the carriage of a limited number of containers. Third, order up to four

new 800 teu vessels. The chairman carefully noted the three choices and, I seem to recall, also a tick

against number three – all on a used envelope! Our two future partners undertook long and

detailed studies before reaching their decisions. Yes, Ronald Arthur Vestey was an autocrat. And he

had his preferred employees, which I concede never did me any harm! But he still did an

extraordinary good job in keeping the family empire functioning even if not as a total success story.

His son would later be at the helm in far worse weather and the sad consequences are all too well

known.

Part of company management often involves insuring that oversees offices are doing their job and

inter communications are as good as they should be. Some of us travelled better than others. Rae

was probably not a happy traveller. His relatively low air mileage further embarrassed him one

night. He was dead tired but a bit hungry..”Oh”, he said to the room service in some American hotel

“Please just bring me two beef sandwiches”..all who know the great USA will appreciate his

astonishment when the service arrived. Jim Payne, on the other hand, seemed able to combine an

intensively heavy workload with a zest for life which always added to the local bonhomie. He found a

way to circumnavigate the globe, attend various meetings, enjoy some good dinners but only go to

bed some 36 hours later when he was back in England. “It’s OK, if you don’t stop” he once

counselled me. I loved travel but would get jet-lagged and once I thought I was at Los Angeles

airport but it was only Montreal. In my early management days, we were still entitled to first class

travel on really long trips. The food and drink were delicious but, understandably, cost-cutting later

put paid to that for all but the supremo.

How did I come to join this great but not large shipping company? Well, as a privileged public school

boy, I was disenchanted with their London appointments office. I followed a brief appearance

there with a far more useful meeting at the Ministry of Labour’s London Appointments’ Office.

There I was offered and accepted two interviews. The first was a small competitor of Unilever’s

United Africa. Aged 21 and in 1956, I was offered 1,000 pounds plus board, car etc; to be based

almost immediately at various West African locations. My job would then be to find out from the

local market places what cosmetics were preferred by the locals. The second was with Union

International. The starting salary was 375 pounds and naturally there was no car let alone other

fringe benefits. I stayed with the Group for 25 years before taking a management position in Mexico

City followed later by a Conference chairmanship in Rotterdam.

All my London management time was spent under Donald Wortley. He was a charming man. He

may never have been made to be a leading company director but he was nevertheless much

respected. He also admittedly enjoyed his lunches as, honestly did the rest of us. But, on least one

occasion, I caught him napping a little later in the afternoon. Whether he saw or heard me close his

door quietly will never be known. Luckily I was not his chairman but RAV also had a lovely sense of

humour. That was tested some years earlier when I was his run-around boy in West Smithfield. He

had arrived earlier than normal and his mail was not ready. “You are early, sir” said I aged 22

without batting an eyelid. “When you are ready” came the reply with a flicker of a smile.

Naturally, the company had its secretary. Sidney Hunt was one hell of a character but as bright as a

button. He could also tell a good story. One related to a group of nuns descending the ladder of a

Calmedia vessel at Teneriffe. Dramatically, one overshot the end of the gangway and landed in the

harbour. Then, said the secretary with his terrible stutter: “She just bbbb....o...bbbed up and down

in the water”.

Late in my time with Blue Star, Edmund ascended the throne. He was quite different to his father

and I wonder how much happiness or fulfilment he obtained from the incredibly tough assignment

left to him as well as two other family members.... But there is one story that I can vouch for and

that was because he and I were the only ones to endure it. We were returning to London from

Stockholm after one of several high-powered meetings before JSS was finally launched. We were

travelling by BA or BEA and, not too surprisingly, in their first class. “No” says new big boss”You have

dinner and I will just have a glass of champagne as I will dine in London with my wife”. Oh yes? Yes

indeed, I drank and dined well; it being first class. Somewhat later, we were told London was closed

due to snow. We would land in Paris...”What should we do?” asked a somewhat anxious but also out

of his depth multimillionaire. “No problem” answers a slightly inebriated and therefore less

respectful minor Vest. “We will take the Golden Arrow”. Again Oh yes? There was no Golden Arrow.

Minor under Vest meantime goes off to find food as big white chief is very hungry. “Be careful sir

before throwing non-too-fresh baguette out of window” “You might hit someone”. Later, we share

boss’s miniature bottle of whisky and wish one another a very good night? Next morning, we had

stopped but seemingly in the middle of nowhere. I am asked where we are. I had no idea. Finally, I

found we were stuck between Calais and Bologne as Dover was closed by ice. “Mace”. “Yes Sir”

“Could you fax my wife where we are”. Me, “I don’t think the nearby signal man has any fax.” Then

the train moves off and we arrive in Bologne and board the Folkstone-bound ferry. “Should we go on

deck or to the restaurant?” asks big boss. “I think the restaurant.” I reply as he is starving despite

both of us eyeing the sea movement with some trepidation. Some minutes later, seated next to a

youngster eating lots of chips, I am asked; “mace, would he mind if I pinched a few”. It’s OK sir as

ours is just arriving.” And duly, a day late Mr. Big Boss arrives in London. We quickly went our

separate ways. “Good morning. Mace:” “Good morning, sir”. I have often since wondered how he

described that trip to his wife. He was normally not the easiest or jolliest of people but I respected

his way of handling what must have been a new and shocking experience for him.

So, I have no regrets that I spent more than half my working life with Blue Star. I also thank my late

colleague and friend Rodney Hazlitt for suggesting I join VGSA. One day, very bald and somewhat

older, I intend to join one of the regular get-togethers. Until then, my best wishes to all who may

still just remember me. We were intelligent enough to work for a fine company. I assure you that

the once required bowler hat has long since been buried. Michael Mace.

Blue Star Line Centenary Year 1911 - 2011

With the London Naval Club reunion luncheon scheduled for noon on Tuesday the 11th.October it

will be the last opportunity for marking the “Blue Star Line” Centenary year, 1911 – 2011, and a few

suggestions were bandied about. Obviously nothing as grand as the Sydney celebrations but as their

reunions are held every two or three years and lasting over two or three days ours are lunches held

twice a year so have to be fairly low key . With that in mind the suggestion was to commission a

centenary cake that could be the centrepiece for a group photo at the luncheon and as it is the Naval

Club, any members who still have (and can still get into!) their uniforms in any variation (No.8’s, 10’s

square rig, battledress,mess kit etc. and can be changed into at the Club) will enhance the occasion.

Many thanks to Captain Peter Hutchinson for sending me the photographs of an “Arandora Star”

powder compact that David Hulme managed to obtain, thank you David and our best wishes to you.

Many thanks to Captain Sandy Kinghorn for the following............

“Sad to relate my old shipmate Norman Liddle departed this life on June 11th. after a short illness at

his home in Yamba, NSW. Norman was a cadet in the “Imperial Star” when I was third mate there in

1957. When Sam Bartram the 4th. mate transferred to Austasia Line in Sydney, Norman was

promoted in his place and we have been pals ever since.

Captain N.G.F.Liddle, Blue Star Line 1954 – 1959

Norman, from Oban where his parents owned and ran a guest house, joined Blue Star Line as a cadet

from the “Worcester” . His favourite ship as cadet was the “Hobart Star” whose forecastle bell he

kept brilliantly polished throughout his time in her. As fourth mate in “Imperial Star” the ship was

loading frozen beef in Gladstone, Queensland, in 1957 when the cadets and other junior officers

took the motor lifeboat for a trip round the harbour one Saturday afternoon. Mooring the boat on

the beach they spent several hours being entertained by the local young ladies to find when they

returned to the boat that she had been left high and dry by the receding tide and the ship was due

to sail at six p.m.! When summoned to help, Norman immediately took charge of the situation,

found two suitable driftwood logs along the beach and showed his team how to use them as rollers

to get the boat back in the water. Captain L. Evans was pleased to see them back – at ten minutes to

sailing time!

Marrying Del, a NSW Farmer’s daughter, he moved to Australia, joining Australia’s

National Line, but wanted to sit his master’s ticket in Glasgow. How to get there? Well “South

Africa Star”, Captain Giles Aldridge with yours truly as mate just happened to be in Melbourne in

1964 and Norman came home as an AB. Sailing and working as an AB with typical British crew he

found an interesting experience, returning to Australia National Line as a Master Mariner. I next met

him in Sydney in the beautiful passenger liner “Empress of Australia”. Eventually he became an

Australian Great Barrier Reef Pilot, specialising in helicopter transfer work.

We frequently met over a few beers round the Australian coast aboard his ship or mine and after our

respective retirements, last met in the UK during their holiday over here.

For over fifty years Norman was a splendid shipmate and friend and will since his death on June

11th.2011, be sorely missed.

Captain Sandy Kinghorn

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For all those ex Conway cadets I thought I would enclose the following article about one of your

illustrious old boy’s.

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Many thanks to Edmond Owen-Humphreys R.A. for the following article and

photographs......Another place I went to was the Returned Service Men’s Club in Armadale where

they have a display of merchant ships, from them I was informed that all the Blue Star Line ships that

were lost sailing or damaged have a memorial to each ship down Fremantle way with all the ships

names and personnel lost on it, as yet I have not seen it but when our weather improves I will go

down and take some pictures of it, might be of interest as it takes a long distance bus, 40 minute

train ride then about an hour’s walk to get there! .......The article I found on my computer written

when the person in question died, I met her plus a couple of other nurses at a Australian Army

parade in Karrakata, Army base, the nurses were in full uniform though no longer serving and they

asked if they could march with us, as there were only four of us ex Marine Section they did, after

which I obtained her story and some snaps, re Empire Star, thought it might be of interest. PS These

photos are not good copies, they were bad to start with and the more I tried to copy them the worse

they seemed to get; I do have many old photos of BSL and L&H etc., around 800 of them, most

people who donated them are now deceased, which I took or others took they were not on the

internet which I am not either, + a few crew members pictures of 50 years ago, a few are quite rare –

the fitting out of Arandora and Andalucia Star in the Norway evacuation. Many BSL ships in Cape

Town from A boats to Auckland Star 1, just painted grey when war started, and numerous others,

some are bad pictures from Kodak Box others quite good some also taken by the Cape Town

photographer who used to take every ship who berthed there; these are being catalogued by the

Museum there as he took thousands of pictures since he was a boy and died 50 years ago, it is a

mammoth undertaking, some I believe were taken on glass negatives, if interested in any particular

ship you are quite welcome to any I have.

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DESPATCHING OF NEWSLETTERS & MEMBERSHIP LISTS.

Newsletters and Membership Lists are dispatched electronically to members with e-mail addresses.

Members not on the internet will continue to receive the newsletter via ordinary mail.

The secretary should be notified if members with e-mail addresses do not receive the

correspondence or experience difficulty in downloading the information.

REPORTING OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS, CONTACT NUMBERS AND OCCURANCES.

Members are requested to advise the secretary of their change of address, change of e-mail

address and contact numbers.

Information on the death of a member is usually received via the Pensions Department, however if a

member learns of the passing of a fellow member, please forward this information to the Secretary

as soon as possible.

BLUE STAR LINE WEBSITE.

Members who have electronic mail and are not aware of the existence of the above website should

contact the following address: bluestarline.org

This excellent site is the creation of ex Blue Star Line Chief Engineer Mr. Fraser Darrah. The site,

although named Blue Star Line contains the history of Blue Star Line and Associated Companies.

VESTEY GROUP SHIPPING MEMORABILIA:

BOOKS:

1 X Lamport & Holt by P.M.Heaton £6.00 each + p/p

2 x Blue Star Line at War by Taffrail £6.00 each + p/p

Spare copies of Gangway are available on request for a small donation plus post and packaging.

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Mr. Edmond Owen-Humphreys has made a DVD featuring hundreds of photographs of Blue Star

Ships And can be purchased by writing to him at his address : 10; Jessel Court, Westminster, 6061

Western Australia.

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The 17th. V.G.S.A. Reunion Luncheon will be held at “The Naval Club” 38; Hill Street, Mayfair,

London Scheduled for Noon on Tuesday 11th. October 2011. Cost will be held at £28.50 p/p.

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In a lighter vein: “Go to Father” she said, when I asked her to wed

but she knew that I knew that her Father was dead

and she knew that I knew what a life he had led,

so she knew that I knew what she meant when she said:

“Go To Father!”