United Grand Lodge
of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons
of England


 
Province of
South Wales Eastern Division

Book
Review

 


Britain's Merchant Mariners -
unsung heroes of World War 2

In the years immediately before his death at the age of 84 on 30 March 2005, Cardiff Freemason Vernon Upton completed a superbly documented book, "Upon their Lawful Occasions", telling the story of the harrowing and epic struggle of the British merchant fleet during World War Two (1939-45). Vernon was awarded the George Medal and the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea in 1943 following his experiences.

This is a superb work of reference. Two other South Wales Masons helped with the book.

Malcolm Thompson, who was Provincial Grand Secretary for South Wales, Eastern Division between 1967 and 1990, gave an account of his experiences when his ship the Empire Hope was sunk in the huge losses sustained by Malta convoy Pedestal.

Captain Pierre Payne allowed his daily log to be reproduced when he commanded the 37 survivors of British Chivalry, adrift for 37 days after being sunk by a Japanese submarine, in which 20 crew died - some in the torpedo attack and others in the subsequent murderous machine gun attack on the open lifeboats.

It is sad indeed that all three of these very brave men died within the space of a year quite soon after the book was published. Vernon was 84, Malcolm 81 and Pierre 90 when they died. In another way, it is fortunate that their incredible experiences were recorded in this book and did not die with them.

Vernon's wish was always that proceeds from the sale of his book should be donated to this Province's 2010 Festival in aid of the Freemasons' Grand Charity. The book is still available from Vale Books - Telephone +44(0)29 2076 6062) for £14.99. £5 from the sale of each book dispatched to a Masonic reader will reach the Freemasons' Grand Charity.