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- Jim Swift, Cartoonist Extraordinaire
- Jim Swift
Jim Swift
- By Robby G
- Published 09/15/2008
- Jim Swift, Cartoonist Extraordinaire
- Unrated
I was lucky enough to have served on a ship with Jim Swift. We were on the minesweeper, HMS Maryton, in Singapore. There was never a dull moment when “Swifty” was about. He was one of the funniest men that I have ever met.
Jim was the Coxswain on “Maryton” and I was his right handman, being the “Tanky”. Besides being coxswain Jim also had the honour of being the ships doctor, this position being bestowed on all sweeper coxswains.
His medical chest was stowed, in the main passageway, just outside the galley. I suspect the positioning of this, was cos the chef was more liable to chop his hand off, than a seaman losing a limb on the sweepdeck., the mind boggles.
I recall one occasion, when Jims medical expertise was called for. On this fateful morning Jim summoned me to his cabin. On arrival, I found him, with a spotty faced, green, Sub Lieutenant.
The subby was standing with his trousers around his ankles. “Ah! Tanky, just the man” said Jim, “leap down aft to the store and get me a brand new set of anti *flash gear”.
Not wishing to hang around with a subby with his nix around his ankles, I leapt down aft at a rate of knots, just in case I missed anything!
On my return, the subby was still in the same stance, albeit a little red
in the face. “Right” said Jim, standing to attention with his arms outstretched to the front. “Put the hood and gloves on me” He gave a little wink as I carried out his command.
By now, I had to ask the question. “ Wots going on then, Jim” ? Jim replied, “It’s this prat, he’s got the biggest boil in the world, between the cheeks of his arse, and I’ve gotta lance it!”
Not being able to contain my self anymore, I immediately withdrew myself from his office, creased up with laughter. The thought of the subby bent over Jim’s desk, and Jim wearing anti flash, peering up the subby’s arse, was too much.
I am happy to conclude, that the operation was a great success and “spotty subby” suffered no after effects, except probably his pride. I was not present at a later date when the ONE stitch was removed!!!!
Sadly Jim died some 15 years ago, after an accident at home. I met him on a regular basis and was with him just a few days before his accident.
RIP “Swifty” lots of happy memories.
Follow this link for a taste of Jims cartoon skills.
Thanks to Jims daughter for allowing the re-publishing of his work.
Anti Flash:-
*Anti-flash clothing is used to protect personnel from high temperatures resulting from the use of explosive weapons and from burns caused by fire. The clothing consists of the following two items:
1. Anti-flash hood
2. Anti-flash gloves
Jim was the Coxswain on “Maryton” and I was his right handman, being the “Tanky”. Besides being coxswain Jim also had the honour of being the ships doctor, this position being bestowed on all sweeper coxswains.
His medical chest was stowed, in the main passageway, just outside the galley. I suspect the positioning of this, was cos the chef was more liable to chop his hand off, than a seaman losing a limb on the sweepdeck., the mind boggles.
I recall one occasion, when Jims medical expertise was called for. On this fateful morning Jim summoned me to his cabin. On arrival, I found him, with a spotty faced, green, Sub Lieutenant.
The subby was standing with his trousers around his ankles. “Ah! Tanky, just the man” said Jim, “leap down aft to the store and get me a brand new set of anti *flash gear”.
Not wishing to hang around with a subby with his nix around his ankles, I leapt down aft at a rate of knots, just in case I missed anything!
On my return, the subby was still in the same stance, albeit a little redBy now, I had to ask the question. “ Wots going on then, Jim” ? Jim replied, “It’s this prat, he’s got the biggest boil in the world, between the cheeks of his arse, and I’ve gotta lance it!”
Not being able to contain my self anymore, I immediately withdrew myself from his office, creased up with laughter. The thought of the subby bent over Jim’s desk, and Jim wearing anti flash, peering up the subby’s arse, was too much.
I am happy to conclude, that the operation was a great success and “spotty subby” suffered no after effects, except probably his pride. I was not present at a later date when the ONE stitch was removed!!!!
Sadly Jim died some 15 years ago, after an accident at home. I met him on a regular basis and was with him just a few days before his accident.
RIP “Swifty” lots of happy memories.
Follow this link for a taste of Jims cartoon skills.
Thanks to Jims daughter for allowing the re-publishing of his work.
Anti Flash:-
*Anti-flash clothing is used to protect personnel from high temperatures resulting from the use of explosive weapons and from burns caused by fire. The clothing consists of the following two items:
1. Anti-flash hood
2. Anti-flash gloves