
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
Seafarers overlooked on VJ Day 80
The UK government's 80th anniversary commemorations of VJ Day seem to have left out the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy seafarers who played such an important part in the Pacific theatre of war.
Catch up with old Clan Line colleagues
The annual Clan Line reunion will take place this year at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool on Wednesday 1 October 2025.
The latest consequence of shortsighted policy-making
Having read the article about UK defence on your website, I thought it was spot on about needing to secure the future of the Merchant Navy if the government wants a defence capability.