[Norm Cromie (RIP)]

Gary:
Here is a little information on Pier 21. To the best of my knowledge as it has been a long time since 1939.
I was a private soldier with the 48th Highlanders; we boarded a ship destined for England on December 17th 1939 called the Reina del Pacifico. Captained by a seaman named Ridyard. We pulled out into the bay, sat there for 3 days waiting for movement orders. Below deck the bags of ballast was named South American Flour. When we arrived in England the Captain informed us it was dynamite. So we sat in the harbor with close to 800 men who could smoke on deck and below during daytime hours. This sure was a possible re-enactment of the 1917 explosion disaster. We finally sighted the shore of Ireland on the night of the 28th, safely. Might I add that the rough North Sea in winter only added to my seasickness that took place from the first moment we moved out into the Bay and lasted until I saw the lights of the shoreline? One of the tragedies of the trip was the ship chef serving mutton and for some reason the rough seas, the smell of the engines and serving mutton made suicide seem like a welcome relief. I believe our crew were Aussies for which I have never forgiven them for this cruel torture. No offence to Tony, Keith or you other down under but every time my wife throws mutton in a pan I instinctively head for a rail. I believe Gary there must be Naval records of all WW2 departures from this historic Pier 21. By the way here is a photo of my Xmas Day menu served at sea.