- Contributed byÌý
- J_Dockrill
- People in story:Ìý
- John Dockrill, Uncle Ernie Naylor
- Location of story:Ìý
- Tilbury, Essex & Russia
- Background to story:Ìý
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:Ìý
- A8851971
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 26 January 2006
An uncle of mine was in the merchant navy before the First World War — going out of Tilbury on the P+O and Orient boats. He was called up in WW1 by the Essex Regiment and his name was Ernie Naylor. He went to Flanders, Belgium. He was in one field and one of his brothers was in the next field. The younger brother had his leg blown off and was brought home. Ernie was brought home and put back into the Navy. When the war was over he went back on the P+O and Orient Ships.
During the Second World War he spent two years on the Manx run to Russia. They would go on the decks to knock the ice off to stop the boats capsizing.
He was then at 60 plus years and was given a soft job of going to the USA to bring over boats. His last job was to bring over special tugs. Soon after that they retired him.
There were three brothers in the Navy and on the other side there were two in the Navy and one in the air force.
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