Keith Gladwell
Bosun's Mate / British Merchant Navy

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Jan 1948 - April 1948 : I got my initial training on the TS VINDICATRIX.

My first ship was the MATAROA of Shaw-Saville Lines, on the England to Australia / New Zealand run. I then sailed on various tramps and tankers.

In 1950 I sailed on one Liberty, the ARGENTINE TRANSPORT (ex SAMTYNE).

May 1953 : While homeward bound from Australia, I was working aloft and fell 35' to the deck and only suffered a broken foot.

Then spent the next seven month ashore at home, when I met my wife-to-be, and got married in 1955. Now we have two daughters, Julie and Susan, and one grand-daughter, Louise.

I finished my sea time as Bosun's Mate on the Union-Castle liner, SS BRAEMAR CASTLE on the South Africa / East Africa run, and came ashore in 1967.

I first heard of the SS JOHN W BROWN through the Vindcatrix Association, and have been coming over since 1996 to sail and work on her.