I was at the Vindi' in 1958 (deck). I remember one of the ship's officers, who being from Liverpool, always gave precedence to cadets hailing from the city. For instance there were two breakfast sittings and naturally starving there was stiff competition among the cadets to get first breakfast.
This officer would stand at the top of the gangway and make it clear that any Scousers in the queue would eat first. Not surprisingly we Liverpudlians took full advantage of it but on reaching the officer barring the doorway into the ship's hull you had to identify which part of Liverpool you came from.
At the time I lived in Waterloo, which was a bit of a grey area and so one couldn't be certain of qualifying as a Scouser. So I used to say Knowsley Road (Bootle) where I had lived earlier.
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You couldn't fool this officer: He would ask you to name several roads close to where you said you lived. In my case, Linacre Lane, Hornby Boulevard (boulevard! It does sound posh): the North Park, etc. As far as I am aware no one but true Scousers wheedled their way into first sitting.
Sir! I hope there is a special place in heaven for you - especially for kicking the arse of that Brummie back down the gangway. Sir!
PS Would the little ******* who got a kick out of thumping the breakfast table causing the f****** maggots to drop on our knees own up?
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