16 years old, still in the sea school uniform,and posing for the Discharge Book ‘mugshot’ prior to entry into the Merchant Navy. Ready to join the first Bank Line ship , the ‘ Forthbank’. Cardiff to Trinidad. 
M.V. Inchanga – one of two so called ‘white ships; running between Calcutta and Durban. Apprentice in her from 1951 to 1952. Can still recall the spice smells on the deck, coming up from below.
The ‘Ernebank’ in drydock in 1953. Apprentice in her on a round the world memorable voyage taking in Cuba,USA, Japan, Nrew Guinea, and back home viaSuez lasting 8 months.
M.V. Westbank 1953. Joined her for a trip home from Durban to Middlesborough with manganese ore. She had just been dragged off the beach after grounding on an island – Juan De Nova, in the Indian Ocean, and had temporary iron beams welded on the outside.
Stern view of the 1930’s Irisbank loading grain in Australia.Third Mate on her for 2 years and twice around the world before paying off in the Gambia and flying home one summers night in 1957
Southbank 1961 –Apprentice, self as Mate, and third Mate, posing in the alleyway when alongside Harmony Wharf in New Orleans 1961
Irisbank 1956 – Engineers and Mates plus Electrician and an apprentice at ‘ Smoko’
The deck crew and the Chief Officer of the Southbank homeward bound in 1961
The Kelvinbank breaking up at Ocean Island approx 1 year after she grounded
The ‘ Duke of Lancaster’ in cruising mode 1964
A Bank Line Liberty ship
Last piece of the Southbank on the beach at Washington Island, 700 miles south of Hawaii