SHIPMATES: British seamen in a friendly but cynical fashion describe themselves not as crew members or shipmates but as Board of Trade Compulsory Companions.

That said, the bad eggs thrown together by circumstance were few and far between. From the sailing day, the ship’s crew, who were strangers to each other a day earlier, despite coming from all parts of the British Isles, became firm friends. 

I imagine much the same can be said of many other services. People, especially men, often found themselves in the unlikeliest company and had to make the best of things. It is a great way of forming one’s worldview. Togetherness isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

It is interesting how attitudes changed so radically in such a short time. Those of a certain age will identify the humour of so many children sharing a bed that when one turned, they all had to turn.

For a child to have his or her own bed in the 1950s and 1960s was practically undreamed of. The only concession we boys had was that we were not obliged to share a bed with our sisters. The thought would have horrified us mites.

Although it didn’t often happen, it wasn’t a big deal to kip down with a mate if circumstances left one no choice.

Those who watched the movie, Boats, Trains and Planes starring Tom Hanks, will have been in tucks as it occurred to him and his hapless travelling companion that sharing a motel bed was a matter of little choice.

I will never forget the expression on my teenage sons’ faces when I suggested they share a hotel bed when we were motoring through Europe. Both looked at me like I was something they had scraped off the bottom of their shoe.

The only compulsory companions we are likely to share company with these days are travellers sitting next to us when on an airliner. I and 200 other ‘sardines’ were facing a 7.5-hour flight to Washington D.C on an aircraft that to me looked no bigger than a Spitfire or Hurricane fighter with windows in its fuselage.

A polite smile and a greeting from the person in the adjacent seat are the least we can expect. The lady occupying the window seat resolutely stared out of the window (at what) throughout the journey; not a smile or simple hello passed her lips. Perhaps she had personal problems.

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I groaned when, on the return journey, I found myself in the middle seat of the central aisle of four seats. On my left was a gargantuan American whose blubber spilt over onto my lap.

Thankfully, I had to my right a couple of bright and breezy English teenagers who rollicked with good humour to lighten up the wearisome miles.

Throughout an adventurous life, I have bunked down in the unlikeliest places and chanced upon the oddest of travellers.

Happily, there have been no bad experiences; just different ones. As Shakespeare surmised, the world is a stage and we all play a part on it. Yes, it is all part of life’s rich tapestry, Will. ~ Michael Walsh. STORIES YOU HAVE TO SHARE.

THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL, ex-Liverpool seaman Michael Walsh, Bestseller: 70 stories and over 100 pictures. A first-hand account of the British ships, seafarers, adventures and misadventures (1955 – 1975). A tribute to the ships and seamen of the then-largest merchant marine in history. CLICK PIC FOR BOOK DETAILS.  https://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-walsh-and-nadiya-burlikova/the-leaving-of-liverpool/paperback/product-v89mgrp.html?q=&page=1&pageSize=4

BRITANNIC WAIVES THE RULES Michael Walsh The last White Star Liner (1845-1960). In 68 lavishly illustrated stories the company’s last deckboy vividly recalls shipboard life. The liner’s colourful characters and jaw-dropping incidents both on board and in New York’s notorious Hell’s Kitchen. A unique collector’s item.LINK TO BOOK https://tinyurl.com/42zns8n2