Reminiscences of Arthur Douglas Addams about his life
Audio Player:
Date(s): late 20th century
Creator(s): Addams, Arthur Douglas
Scope & Content: Tracks 1 & 2: Arthur talks about home leave during the Second World War, staying with sister; voyage on Shell Mex's the 'Empire MacMahon' which had been converted to an aircraft carrier; stories of the shows they staged on-board; celebrating D-Day with Jimmy Robertson playing the organ in the street; transferring to the catering staff of Shell Mex; the Red Ensign Club in London and meeting singer Rita Williams who encouraged him to pursue his career in musical performance; audition with Metronome Music Corporation in London; home leave when he told Barbara they could get engaged after the war; voyage on Shell Mex's the 'Adula' as steward to Captain Dove who had been a prisoner on the 'Graf Spey'; return home at the end of the war in 1945; resigning from the Post Office (Mr Templeton the new postmaster) and joining the merchant navy as a civilian steward with Shell Mex on the 'Naticiana' [?]; Captain Speakman, Harry Osborne and Jimmy Gill; anecdote about finding Manx beer in the Congo; 'Rum and Coca Cola' (the Andrews Sisters), which Arthur heard in Aruba; return to Birkenhead and being fined by Customs for not declaring a watch which left him with insufficient money to return home on leave, so he stayed with the ship in dry dock and was then promoted to Second Steward on the next trip.
Administration / Biographical History: Arthur Douglas Addams (1920-2011) was born on 22 February 1920 in Douglas.
Language: eng
Extent: 1 hr. 35 min. 16 sec.
Item name: cassette tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 2019-0110/9
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH