MANCHESTER DOCKS

The 'official' car . . . . . .

'In the late 1950's we had a Vauxhall Velox for rummage purpose which was provided to patrol the dock areas. One enthusiastic CPO on detachment relief noticed that at night, on occasions, the mileage showed the car had not been used. My subsequent duties for that and other nights was to put sufficient mileage on the car and ensure getting the fish an chips.' - Allan Shaw

The 2 minute warning

'The timber wharf, from memory, was open to the public. We did an early morning rummage of the arrivals from the previous night. As an innocent 20 year old, I knocked on a cabin door but found the crew member otherwise engaged. Fortunately the PO was next door , he just knocked again and shouted "2 minutes" and 2 minutes later the "lady" appeared. The "lady" in question, thanked me for my courtesy, and noticing my untarnished single stripe on my uniform sleeve, she offered me her calling card. As she was obviously an "officers lady" I declined the offer. On entering the cabin, the crew member was very Swedish and spoke little English. My schoolboy French and German were of no use. I imagine he was bemoaning the fact that he had paid in advance and presumably he didn't think he'd got his moneys worth!' Needless to say he didn't thank me for my courtesy.' - Allan Shaw