Returning on November 20, 1957 (voyage number 12), I signed on as Assistant Purser's Steward at £30.10/- per month. My cabin was up in the bows on D-Deck—a 10-berth room with two port holes. I chose the top bunk with a port-to-starboard orientation.

My job then was to look after the pursers, call them in the morning, get the tables ready within the restaurant, serve breakfast, clean their cabins and serve lunch. There was usually some time off before returning to the restaurant to serve dinner. Following dinner clean-up, my work was finished for the day.

When we were in New York, I did not have as much time off as on previous voyages. The Pursers were still aboard and I was required to look after them.

By this time of year, the weather on the Atlantic crossings began to get rough; the ship rolled and pitched for the entire voyage. Some passengers stayed in their cabins and the restaurant was half empty.

The Hudson in New York froze, making the Moran Tugs work harder. They had first to break up the ice then get the Queen Mary into Pier 90. While we were berthed in New York for two days, the Queen Mary was well and truly frozen in. The tugs broke up this ice before attempting to tow the Queen Mary into the Hudson. Once we were out and the ship was under way, the Queen Mary soon pushed her way through the ice. I paid off this time after 1 voyage on the December 6, 1957 with the total earnings for 16 days at £18.14/-; (after deductions, £13.6-).

I rejoined the Queen Mary again on March 29, 1958 for voyage number 14. As Assistant Steward, my compensation was £30.10/- per month. I served again in the Cabin Class restaurant and slept in an 8-berth, E-Deck cabin forward in a top bunk positioned fore and aft.

This time I only did one and a half voyages, paying off in New York on April 7, 1959 with £11.75/- and joined the Cunard liner, Mauretania. I left the Mauretania one year later in New York on March 17, 1959 and signed on the Cunard liner, Queen Elizabeth (which was not a patch on the Queen Mary).

On October 6, 1959, I rejoined the Queen Mary for voyage number 23 as Assistant Pantryman. The pay was £34.5/- per month. My cabin was a 10-berth, E-Deck midships accommodation and I chose a port-to-starboard top bunk.

The pantry was in the galley on the portside and had a scupper just outside. If the lid was not closed properly, the sea water would rush up into the galley when she dipped and rolled in rough weather. With two of us in this pantry, it was our job to prepare all the cold food and salads—a job which I enjoyed. We had this well under control and were never under pressure.

After 4 voyages, I paid off on December 1, 1959 with £111.18/- (with the intention of joining the Cunard liner, Caronia, for her world cruise).