First Class Waiter

 

Geoffrey LeMarquand, Queen Mary waiter, tells his story of life aboard the great liner:

Geoffrey LeMarquand on board the Queen Mary in November 1957.

Working on board
a luxury liner

I joined the Cunard Liner, R.M.S. Queen Mary on the 28th of May, 1957 as a Commis Waiter for the First Class Restaurant, signing on at £14.15/- per month.

My initial impression of her was, what a size, but once aboard, I soon got to know my way around. My first job was to find my cabin which was at the end of the working alleyway, portside bow. I soon found it on D-Deck—a 10-berth cabin with 2 portholes. I chose the top bunk, oriented fore and aft. In rough weather you soon knew about it when she would heavily pitch and roll.

 

Geoff LeMarquand on board the QM in 1957 We had many famous passengers who would travel on the Queen Mary and I was lucky enough to meet many of them during the course of my work.

I was also on board when she went to the assistance of the U.S.S. Somersworth. At the time, I was working in the First Class restaurant. Dinner was being served and the injured came aboard the QM via the gunport doors on the starboard side, right alongside the restaurant doors. From there, they were taken down to the hospital and attended by the medical staff. Later, we met up with another U.S. ship where all the injured were transferred.

I was also on board as part of the standby crew when she was fitted with stabilizers. This took about ten weeks to complete after which we went to the Bay of Biscay in search of rough weather. However, on this occasion, the Bay was calm and I believe we ended up off Ireland before we found rough weather to put the stabilizers to their test.

Although wages were low at the time, some extra money could be earned from the usual tips from the passengers.

Geoffrey LeMarquand prepares to serve a meal to Queen Mary passengers in First Class. Photograph taken in 1957.

 

Geoff LeMarquand on board the Queen Mary in November, 1957.
Geoffrey LeMarquand on the fo'c's'le, November 1957.

 

On later voyages, I was at the stern on several occasions when it was possible to see the outer propeller come out of the sea when she rolled in rough weather.

Quite a few times when she rolled, she took some time to come back but I never worried about this. You can't work at sea if you're anxious about this!

The interior decor had to be seen to be believed. This was a liner built with so much to offer the passengers in levels of comfort. Unless you have been aboard, it would be difficult to describe this, the eighth wonder of the world.

I still have mementos which remind me of my time on this fine ship. There was a saying at the time, that if you worked on the Queen Mary, you were one step in front of the rest. Although I have sailed on several other liners, for me, she was the best.

Photo taken on LeMarquand's 1995 visit to the ship.

LeMarquand returned to the Mary in April, 1995 and had his photo taken
in the same pose and location as when he worked on board.

Gala Dinner in Southampton, May 25, 1996
Diamond Anniversary of the Queen Mary's Maiden Voyage held in Southampton on May 25, 1996. Former engineers, crew, entertainers and celebrities were in attendance. Pictured above is HRH Prince Michael of Kent and Geoff LeMarquand in his First Class Commis Waiter's uniform. The Mayor of Southampton, Sir John Brown (Queen Mary architect), Rosemary Squires (1950s singer) and many others, were present.
Geoff LeMarquand Journal

Visit in 1995
Geoff and Danuta LeMarquand in the Promenade Cafe of the Queen Mary in 1995.

Geoff LeMarquand as an off-duty crew member
Geoff and fellow crew members of the Queen Mary enjoying extra-mural activities.

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