Putting the record straight

Many of you will have read the piece reported today in The Daily Telegraph about the plight of Sheila Doone. It is a story close to my heart and with which I am probably more familiar than anyone.
It will be reported again in other newspapers, and broadcast by other media, so it is important that I correct an important mistake made by Max Gold, solicitor for some of you. Unfortunately Mr Gold did not check his facts, which originally came from me, before he went ahead with speaking to the newspapers and broadcasting on BBC Radio on behalf of Sheila Doone.
He says that in 1978, when the alleged sighting of John Doone occurred, a ship in Port Elizabeth harbour was discovered to have a radio operator called John Doone. Not so.
When I originally reported the alleged sighting of John Doone I gathered information about a ship which was in the harbour. A seaman from that ship was treated in the hospital in Port Elizabeth and there appears to be a direct connection between that ship and the man who was sighted in The Red Lion Hotel, Port Elizabeth, by Mr Alan Waterworth. I have evidence to prove that.
I have further documentary evidence from a shipping company which says that a man called John Doone worked for them until a time long after then. That shipping company is connected with the ship which was in harbour at the time.
ALL the information on which Mr Gold based his research came originally from me and other sources. I do not have a problem with him or his associates using that information. But it is surely vital for The Gaul Families that the facts of their case, and all to do with it, are presented properly and factually to all sources. In this case it was not and could be most prejudicial to their case at the end of the day. I know that this is not the only case where information diligently researched by media sources has been misrepresented and put before the Press and media, and other parties, as being the authoritative source.
Our search for the truth is vital. It is vital that the facts are adhered to by all, and attributed to those who discovered them in the first place.
Graham Smith

The way forward...by Karl Davis

I was one of the few people who had the honour of welcoming our men back home when they returned to British shores aboard Seisranger. One thing in particular that struck me as we watched the undertakers carry them down the gangplank was just how long a journey these people, our people had travelled, and how long the journey is upon which
we must now embark if we are to ever find out the complete truth about what actually caused Gaul to end up lying at the bottom of the Barents Sea, along with our fathers, brothers, uncles, and sons.
I accept that for some of the families, this is a welcome opportunity to gain some closure on what has been a torrid affair that has ruined countless lives. I wish those people well, and I also wish them the very best of luck for the future. But for the rest of the families, families like mine, this is merely the beginning of the next stage of the story. Whilst standing on Waterloo Quay in Aberdeen, I was asked what my immediate thoughts were.
I replied that I believed this to be "Just the beginning of a new chapter in the saga" I also stated that we as families had, in my opinion been "misled and disregarded for far too long, and that the investigation had thrown up more questions than it had answers, and that we would not stop until we found those answers" Those comments, although personal, do reflect the sentiments of a number of people, and for those of us who plan to fight on, who need to fight on, this is simply another step towards our ultimate destination.
I never had the pleasure of knowing my uncle, Sidney Broom. All I know is that he went away to sea to earn an honest living for his family, and himself, and he never returned.
Despite this, I do not feel that I would be doing my family justice if I were to simply walk away now that we have proof that at least six souls perished on board Gaul that fateful day. I also believe that my mother holds the mysterious death of her brother in much the same regard.
I attended the quayside in Aberdeen along with my mother, Lynne Flay, and Ken Collier. Also in attendance was Sandra Chisholm. All three of these people did each and every family member, along with each and every crew member proud by way of their display of dignity on such an emotional, and awe inspiring occasion. Despite being party to such an emotionally draining occasion, we must sum up the strength to carry on the fight, and never stop striving to achieve our communal goal of justice and dignity for our men.
Yours
Karl Davis, (Nephew of Sidney Broom, 2nd Mate)