Quote from Daily Telegraph 7th January in obituary about actor Frederick Treves:-
“After the Nautical College, Pangbourne, Freddie joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 17. While serving in a convoy seeking to relieve Malta, he was one of the few survivors when his frieghterWaimarama, which was carrying high explosives and aviation fuel, was sunk on August 13 1942. Treves saved the life of Radio Officer John Jackson, and was awarded the BEM.”
As Treves was born in 1925 he was only 17 years old when he saved John Jackson. I wonder if John Jackson is still alive today?
David Barlow
Members may be interested to note that on http://www.shipsnostalgia.com you can view a video concerning the famous Pedestal convoy during which Freddie Treeves rescued John Jackson.
The link should take you to section 7 on which Treeves talks of Waimarama blowing up. See also section 8. Very moving stuff.
http://shipsnostalgia.tv/action/viewvideo/1721/Pedestal_Convoy_7/