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For moving across the ocean to defend our queen and country, it would
be a loss to just about all of us on board, upper and lowerdeck. For we
were about to lose our overseas allowance, they said it had something to
do with us moving back into a commonwealth country. To some it may not have
seemed a lot at the time, but I was going home to get married, and every
penny counted.
On arrival in Simonstown it looked just like any other
dockyard, well so it seemed at that time. We were now in the land of the
long haired cats and Elephants, and a table on top of a mountain too. I
still had a day of my punishment to go, so it meant an extra watch for me,
not that I was worried, one of the other killicks could go ashore. Anyway
my first impression ashore didn't impress me all that much. I was no sooner
ashore than I saw this old black fella being belted with a baton by one
of the local constabulary. This was my first taste of how things were to
be for the black folks down there. It came under the rule , Slegs Blanks
only. Something that took a lot of getting used to, seeing as we had just
come from a country where colour was no hindrance, and where we mixed with
all races. Still that was their way of life, and we were not about to change
it.
Ships Company at Cape Town South Africa
One thing we did change when we were there was the Naffi, or the wet
canteen. It was decided when we were there, that the South African Navy
was to take over control of most of the dockyard, and this included the
Canteen. Boy did we have a great time getting rid of all the stock before
they did take over. Can you imagine how many tickets we bought in dozens
of raffles for six bottles of champers, at tuppence a ticket or some silly
sum? Yes the lads made short work of that stock they had there.