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Ron grew up within the Hessle Road fishing community where his brother and brothers-in-law were all fishermen. It seemed only natural for him to pursue a fishing career. He first stepped aboard ship at the age of thirteen on a 'pleasuring' trip during the school holidays. Although he was sea-sick for more than half the time and vowed never to set foot aboard a trawler again, nevertheless as soon as he left school he started his life at sea as a cook's assistant before becoming a 'deckie learner' in the early 1950s.

In this picture Ron is third from right with his shipmates. Ron was twenty years oldΜύ and recalls those times with fondness. Fishermen would work hard and when they returned home with pockets bulging with cash would play hard too. Working up through the ranks Ron eventually became a skipper. Although he rose more slowly to the position as strict medical guidelines, which were later relaxed, prevented him from progressing his career for a time.

His years in the fishing industry weren't without incident. He was at sea during the three 'cod wars' in which Britain was in dispute over fishing rights with Iceland. He says the last cod war was the most difficult. Tensions were raised when Icelandic craft would try to sabotage fishing by damaging fishing equipment, which could have had disastrous effects on the safety of the crews. Ships would also be nudged and what was already a dangerous industry became even more so.

As time wore on it became apparent to Ron that the fishing industry was in decline. Fish stocks were dwindling and oil prices were rising dramatically which was making the operation of trawlers no longer profitable. So, the ships were gradually being sold off and work became scarce and the gaps between trips longer. He left the industry and was offered a job teaching in Hull. Although having no experience of teaching he was taken on due to his expansive knowledge of the subject.

After a short time he was offered a job in Saudi Arabia which would take him away from his home and family for long periods in the year. However, the salary on offer was significantly higher than what he was receiving and so went to work abroad for 15 years. He and another ex-skipper from Hull, Mason Redfearn worked in the Gulf at one of the major oil terminals for Saudi Aram Corp.

They worked for a marine academy and the company trained Saudi nationals to operate ships servicing the offshore installations and the ships involved in the oil industry. Ron was in the area during the outbreak of the first Gulf War and saw Exocet missiles flying overhead, one of which hit one of the ships of the company's fleet with the loss of life.

The Pacific Rapier in the Gulf

These days Ron is the treasurer of the fishermen's organisation STAND. One of the major projects STAND is involved with is raising money for a permanent memorial in the St. Andrew's Dock area to the trawlermen who lost their lives at sea.

An ambitious plan to raise Β£100,000 was put in place some time ago and that target has almost been met. If an agreement can be made with the owners of the St. Andrew's Dock an anonymous donor has said he will give another Β£10,000 to aid their cause. The organisation is hopeful that in discussion with the people of Hull and all interested parties, a fitting tribute will be put in place.

Ron says fundraising efforts have been bolstered by the hard work and dedication of many people with connections to the local community. In particular, he paid tribute to Eva Suddaby, the wife of a deceased skipper. Eva has quietly worked to support the
activities of the STAND committee in no short measure.