Do not cry at our grave
We are not there
We did not die.

We got inside the 3 mile limit, the German planes came over. We were told by the bridge not to fire under any circumstances. Two ships that had come to the 3 mile limit had opened fire and had exploded after being hit. I think one was the Port Chalmers (incorrect, more likely the Glenorchy). We knew we were in for it. We were challenged by the Vichy French gun boat to keep out of their waters. We informed them That we had several injured people on board and would like to put them ashore to be treated and also interned. They gave us 24 hours and then we had to go. The question was brought up and the discussed among the Merchant Navy personnel what would happen to us if we went ashore. There were several people there when the discussion was going on. Army and Navy personnel. Somebody reported to the commander that we were talking mutiny on board. All Merchant navy off duty to report forward of the bridge; I was one of them, we did not know what it was for but soon found out. The commander told us what he had heard and we tried to explain the problem about internment for M.N. personel: he would not listen. He turned to the gunners aboard that he would count to ten and we had to clear the decks. I don?t think he had got to two and everybody disappeared. We spoke to the gunners afterwards and asked if they would have opened fire. They answered yes, we obey the last command. I then realised why I was in the merchant Navy and could have a mind of my own. This made the dailys at home before we got there; so much for a discussion. Of course they painted us black, no more trusting service people. Anything we talked about now was in guarded tongue. In the darkness of the 15th or 16th we sailed into the unknown not knowing what was out there;(B.S. Brisbane Star)