
One of Nautilus International's longest-serving members, Frank Le Messurier, has died on his home island of Guernsey.
Frank joined the Union in 1944, having started his Merchant Navy career during the Second World War. He was awarded the Atlantic and Pacific Stars by the UK government for his war service.
After the war, Frank studied and rose up through the ranks, gaining his master's certificate in 1954. His first command was not to come until 1974, however, when he became captain of the Nigerian National Shipping Line vessel Oranyan.
Frank also spent many years on ferries plying their trade between English Channel ports in England, France, Belgium and the Channel Islands. As a native speaker of Guernsey French, he was involved in the revival of the language on the island.
He was married to his youthful sweetheart Edith until her death in 2009 and is survived by his daughter Pamela, nephew Nick and many other family members.
Frank was well known to the Telegraph team as a contributor of material on Merchant Navy remembrance services, and he will be missed by all.
Sarah Robinson
More letters
Warm QM2 welcome for Cunard war veteran
Knowing that we would be marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day this year, I was honoured recently to meet a Merchant Navy veteran of the Second World War.
New addition to Hull historic trail celebrates maritime education
On 27 March 2025 at 12 noon, the Old Boys of the Hull Trinity House School Association and the Hull Trinity House Brethren held a ceremony to celebrate the work of Hull Trinity House School over more than two centuries.
Same old story on seafarer safety
I was watching a recent programme on BBC1, Why Bridges Collapse, about the MV Dali container vessel hitting the bridge at Baltimore. The part where they were taking the bridge's trusses off the bow of the vessel I found quite illuminating.