Search the LJMU website

All pages Staff pages Student pages

  1. Derek Bailey interview – Elder Dempster

    Derek Bailey joined Elder Dempster Lines in 1957. In his interview, Derek recalls what it was like living on a ship with a wife and children at home. Derek also speaks about Elder Dempster Lines’ latter years.

  2. David Anson interview – Elder Dempster

    As Second Engineer at Elder Dempster Lines, David was responsible for: the care and maintenance of machinery, the power generation, the pumping system, the refrigeration and other electrical items. Listen to David's interview.

  3. Brian McManus interview – Elder Dempster

    Brian McManus joined Elder Dempster Lines as a second officer and made his way up the ranks to master. Find out more about Brian's experiences onboard the ships by listening to his interview.

  5. Elder Dempster Lines

    Elder Dempster Lines was one of the UK’s largest shipping companies. As part of the Homeward Bound project, we’ve spoken to a number of Elder Dempster’s former employees and passengers, recording their ‘real’ stories and experiences. You can listen to their Elder Dempster stories here.

  6. Barry Groombridge interview – Elder Dempster

    Barry Groombridge joined Elder Dempster Lines aged 16. Barry’s first voyage was from London to the United States, via West Africa. The voyage lasted nine months. Listen to Barry’s interview to hear about the Christmas he spent with nuns in Madeira and what life was like as a purser at Elder Dempster Lines.

  7. Barry Fowler interview – Elder Dempster

    Barry Fowler joined King Edward the Seventh Nautical College, London in May 1952. Barry spent four years as an apprentice and eventually rose to the position of captain at Elder Dempster Lines.

  8. Graham Austin interview – Elder Dempster

    As a Printer for Elder Dempster Lines, Graham Austin sometimes worked 18-hours a day and was responsible for printing the menus, programme of events and stationery for the ship’s various departments. Listen to Graham's interview.

  9. Ken Birch

    Ken Birch was a Managing Director for Elder Dempster Lines. Ken had a family history of seafaring and had experience of the sea as a child after he and his family relocated to Southport because of the bombings in WWII. LIsten to Ken's interview.