Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

(See "Blockade Runner Ramses")

Hi Mac, 

I hope things are going well with you. It has been a while for me, but I have been very busy lately. 

Helene Mende sent me a few addresses of merchant seamen who were on Ramses with her father-in-law. I have contacted one who has been living in London since the early 50’s. His name is Günther Freund and he was good friends with Helene’s father-in-law. I sent Günther copies of your article and gave him your website address.

Another name she gave me was:

Lou Bohmer in Bayswater, Melbourne

I looked in the phonebook but could not find that exact name. Do you think you could help out getting in contact with him or his family?

Günther Freund said he arrived in the Far East on “Quito” and did not board Ramses till about 10 days before she sailed. 

Ref: Paul Gilbert whose father was on the Ramses in WW2 – Could you please give me his email address? Perhaps I could help him get copies of his father’s service records. Also, it would be nice to get some pictures of merchant seamen for the Kriegsmarine blockade runners article.

Best regards,
Ward

Ward,

Thank you for your interesting message, Have been busy with AHOY as usual and other Naval activities, we are to mount a large Exhibition at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance over October/November to commemorate the 60th. Anniversary of VE and VJ days ending the European and Pacific wars.

Denise and I have been invited by the USS Missouri Association in Honolulu to be present on board the US Battleship Missouri on the 2nd. of September next to celebrate the 60th. Anniversary of signing the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on the 2nd. of September 1945, I was in Japan then in HMAS Shropshire, so we are looking forward to attending that historic event.

I am pleased that Helen has been able to help with some extra names of Ramses crew members. Lou Bohmer is listed in our latest Melbourne phone Directory, when I tried it there was no answer.

Will try again and let you know the result.

Always good to hear from you.

Regards,
Mac.

Ward,
 
I have just spoken to the Ramses survivor you mentioned, Lou Bohmer, who is living in Melbourne. 
He is now 84, and stayed in Australia after WW2, after being a POW at the camp in Tatura Victoria, and married here, his wife has died and he has recently moved into a Nursing Home where the phone number I sent you today is located. He may have some photographs of Ramses crew members, and asked me to call some time in the future as he was indisposed today.

One more discovered from the incident of November 1942, amazing really.

Regards,
Mac.

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