HMTS Monarch. Voyage to The Antipodes. Guam/Madang. January 1967. Vintage 60's Super 8 cine film.

Recently uncovered Super 8 film from the archive of George Graham

Merchant Navy Captain

These films offer a rare glimpse into life at sea in the 1960's.

This reel of film is labelled:
H.M.T.S. Monarch
Voyage to The Antipodes
Guam/Madang 2nd Lay
January 1967

'Born in 1938, George was the son of a merchant seaman. When his wife died, the day after his first child was born, George's father went back to sea, and placed his infant son in the care of his sister, Madge. Raised on Tyneside, George was fascinated by the shipyards. When he expressed his wish to go to sea, his father enrolled him in TNTC (Thames Nautical Training College) and presented him with a sextant he had bought from a Thames pilot.

During two memorable Worcester years, George was twice middleweight boxing champion and a winner of Houlder's Oars with Mizzen Division. His colours in both sports were presented by Earl Mountbatten in 1955.

On leaving, George joined Shaw, Savill and Albion, and served part of his apprenticeship on board Southern Cross.

After time as fourth officer in Doric, he moved to Bowaters until he took his master's in 1966.

Then he sailed in Post Office cable ships and Townsend Car Ferries, until 1990.

A keen small boat sailor, George sailed out of Ramsgate and Eastbourne, racing around the Goodwin Sands, in the Round The Island race and venturing to France and Turkey in more leisurely manner.

George Graham died on January 6th, 2023, having declared that his precious sextant, a reminder of his father's love, be sold to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.'

Obituary article from:
The Dog Watch
Association of Old Worcesters

With thanks to Joy and Lesley for giving me permission to publish these wonderful films.