War is Hell

Our operations manager in London before and after WWII was a chap named Ted C. who had a colorful career.  He first apprenticed to the predecessor of USLines circa 1929 in the East End office formerly occupied by the White Star Line (TITANIC). Even at that late date the crewmen's widows dressed in black would appear there seeking some compensation. During WWII Ted was in charge of a stevedore port battalion in support of General Bernard Montgomery in the north African port of Alexandria, Egypt.
All American cargo ships then were being operated by the U.S.Maritime Commission. It was circa 1942 and a USLines ship was sitting at anchor waiting her turn to be unloaded. The general had a habit of visiting these ships at random to keep everyone on their toes. He always wore a beret and was a stickler for spit and polish performance. This day he came alongside our ship with his entourage of officers and was brought on board. Our captain was ashore and the mate was in his bunk in his underwear coping with the heat with only a porthole for air. The mate roused from bed, grabbed a bottle of scotch and offered his guests a drink. "Monty" did not drink or smoke and he declined which meant that every Major, Captain, and Leftenant in his group also had to decline tho their tongues were hanging out. War is hell! After the war and back in England Ted's task was to set up a program to move several thousand British War Brides to America. This involved housing accommodations for the women and their offspring and we had several sailings from the Southampton port circa 1946.
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