Extract from Corvette Magazine  October 1995

I haven't come across anything about the Geraldton except the following dit which may bring a smile to your face. Erika

The saga of the six suit - sent in by Bob Byme ex Geraldton - flashback to 1943

Very few dits have surfaced from Geraldton in past years and I believe this one regarding a six suit bears relating. 

The late Seaman Alan McIntosh, affectionately known to the crew as Stuka because he was a powerfully built chap, strong as an ox and the quickest of all to his station at the depth charge throwers and racks when the rattlers sounded. Invariably on the way he would whack his head on the top of the doorway from the mess deck. However, as this would stop the average man, Stuka would continue to his station as though nothing had happened. He was a man who could hold his drink as many of his run-ashore mates would testify excepts for on occasion whilst in Alexandria harbour.
 
Stuka had purchased a six suit from someone aboard for the going rate of £5 Sterling and resplendent in this for the first time, went ashore in Alex by way of liberty boat as Geraldton was in midstream.  After a few hours drinking John Collins, it was time to head for the pick up point, leave being to 2300 hours. 

A large heap of gravel had been deposited on the wharf leaving a space of 12-18 inches to the waters edge through which to walk. Feeling the effects of the drinking binge, Stuka misread the space in the dark and stepped into the drink which was an oily mess due to the overworked port 1943. 
 
The sight of his six suit can be imagined, but next day and the next, Stuka set about bringing the suit back to respectability with liberal use of hod sudsy water and heaps of elbow grease. The transformation was amazing and he decided to give it on more scrub and moved to the bathroom where the final rinse might be more easily handled.
 
Having achieved the impossible and in his moment of triumph slung the suit over the rail dividing the shower cubicle from the wash basins which just happened to have been painted black that very morning and was still wet. 
 
Without another word that could appear in print, one six suit was deposited into Alexandria harbour through a porthole. Thereafter Stuka settled permanently for khaki dress, shorts and shirt. It would be a very brave or very foolish man who would bring up the subject of six suits in his presence thereafter. 

​