In 1991 my life took a rather dramatic turn.
My Dad’s job moved us from the quiet suburban life of Stratford Upon Avon, to a small island in the middle of nowhere the South Atlantic, the island of St Helena.
For those who don’t know this is the Island that Napolean was finally exiled to and he died there, though his body was later repatriated to France.
I was twelve years old when we set sail for the island and during the voyage I made great friends with another young expat girl called Lucy. We were pretty much the only children on the boat and we remained great friends during our stay on the island. She was from London. The posh bit. One of my lasting memories is the day we played in my garden, turned over a rock and found an ENORMOUS gecko staring back at us.
We screamed our heads off. But we loved it. Everything was new, and exciting, and perhaps dangerous. This thing looked like a mini dragon!
However, this post is not really about a gecko, but goodness, generosity and guile.
You see Napolean could never escape this island. But someone did. And we met him weekly.
Willem Merk was the Dutch Captain of a passing ship that was stopped by the St Helenian authorities and raided for drugs, which they found. A huge amount of cannabis. Interestingly this plant can also be found growing at the roadside in many areas of St Helena. He was imprisoned on the island, tried and sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment during our stay there.
Willem Merk was also a catholic.
He attended our church on Sunday, all the while hand-cuffed to his guard. But after church we would all go next door into the priest’s living quarters, have tea and the priest would plead on his behalf to allow him to have his coffee and a cigarette un-cuffed. Some guards would relent, others wouldn’t. But he seemed a nice, amiable man.
Then, after the sentencing, he stopped attending mass. He was on hunger strike. The priest did his best but he could not get him to eat. So eventually he sent in the master-persuader, my Mum.
She used to visit him in the prison regularly, talk to him, listen to him, and eventually he began to eat again.
He also resumed other activities. Swimming in the local pool on a Wednesday was a regular activity for some of the prisoners.
Now it is rumoured that he was previously unable to swim and learnt how to there, on a Wednesday, watched by his guards, but goodness knows if it is true.
What is true is that one day, and I have no idea how, and HONESTLY nor does my Mum as we were long gone from the island by then, he escaped. And he swam. To a waiting yacht, landed in Brazil, appealed to the Dutch embassy and was repatriated to Holland as a free man.
We read about this later in the Daily Mail. Rightly or wrongly, this story always makes me smile.
Wow what a story. Thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome. Though to be honest I was saving it up for H is for Helena. What will H be? *Panics*
Crikey. I can’t believe i haven’t ever heard that one yet!! Not a bit surprised that your Mum had it in her to do that tho. Big love. x
Had I not told you that one? Really? It may have been after our letter writing period ended. I miss that! Will write you one soon. And send stickers! X
You’ve totally given me a heart attack. G is tomorrow isn’t it? *runs around flapping arms in panic*
Such a good story though, should be a film. x
Thanks honey. Yep, may have limited time to post tomorrow so done early, you’re ok!
Bonkers story.
Bonkers but true.
Brilliant story. I am totally thinking Steve McQueen in Papillon.
Mahahaha. He didn’t look much like Steve McQueen. More like Captain Birdseye.
Fascinating story! It sounds so magical the way you tell it.
I used to be doctor on the island and loved it and follow its story. Your encounter with Willem Merk was fascinating. I also liked your other pieces and have suggested to my wife who publishes kids books that she looks at your work. She runs Star Bright Books, which I think is Starbrightbooks.com. Many thanks, Ian Shine
Oh wonderful, when were you there? It is such a beautiful island. I would love to go back one day.
Above Steve McQueen comment is hilarious …. In Holland his nickname was Kapitein Igloo … because of his full grey beard which resembles the seaman on Igloo frozen fish products. In any event I am thrilled to read your blog about Merk. While you were at anchor there you must have seen the Merk drug trawler “Frontier” – as it was the only 100+ vessel there for over four years. Does your family (by any chance) have any photographs of this period in St.Helena.? I am particularly looking for pictures of Jamestown including the Frontier. Thank you very much … .Allard Stamm
Hi Allard and thank you for commenting. I am sure we have many photos somewhere. I will ask my folks and if you leave me your e-mail would be happy to send some over.
allard stamm email: sxm2buf@gmail.com
I would be so happy with any pics your family can provide and I have a newspaper clipping for you about the escape which you must also tell me how to send. I do not understand how to send you stuff via this blog.
No worries Allard, I have your e-mail so will ask my folks to bring me some oils next time I see them and scan them for you. Will send via email. If you could drop me a comment reminder here August 1st I am less likely to forget!!! Put it in your calendar 🙂
JB .. you asked me for a reminder about August and discussing St Helena, Merk, pictures … etc with your parents. Any insight or anecdote or pic would be amazing. Thank you so much Allard Stamm sxm2buf@gmail.com
JB .. my apologies…. I am so blogging illiterate that it took me six weeks to realize that you had answered my comment. I think the “notify by email” went into another folder. In any event I am Dutch and I have a partner from the Museum of St.Helena working with me to on get the Merk story written. If you can send me any photos at all of your time there that would be helpful. If I want to use one I would get back to you about that.
Please tell your Mom … that on his first escape attempt he fainted and luckily managed to get back in the jail without attracting attention. According to Merk… it was this episode that made him work on strengthening his body and delayed his intended escape.
I have the Daily Mail article in PDF …do you want a copy ? Everything else is still in Dutch.
Can you beg your Mom on my behalf as to whether she remembers any more conversations she had worth him. Anything at all is wonderful. Thank you so much ….
Did Ian Shine ever answer you as to what period he was there? If it was during the Merk time 1990 – 1994 could you ask him if I can write him? From my end on your blog I do not see that he answered you.
I am sorry for carrying on like this.
Respectfully
Allard Stamm
Hello JB.. I know it is holidays and all.. but you did ask me to remind you at the beginning of August about asking your Mother about any further info or anecdotes, pictures .. anything at all to do with Captain Merk. Thank you so much ..
What a great story! Stumbled across this post as I am from St Helena and have just been telling the tale of the Frontier and Cap’n Merk’s escape to some friends over dinner. Sounds like we are around the same age – I wonder if we had ever met whilst you were on St Helena. Small world eh!
How amazing! I was at Longwood school briefly. Must have been about 11 so 1990ish?
How bizarre! I’m from Longwood so went to Longwood/Harford School as well around that time, all the expat kids I knew lived at a place called Piccolo Hill. (Wasn’t expecting a reply to my comment so thanks for that as well) 😁
Yep I lived on Piccollo Hill. First bungalow on the right!
Emma do you remember the (terrible) production of The Little Mermaid at Longwood Primary? I was the (terrible) Little Mermaid!