John Utley

Post date: Jan 05, 2014 11:6:2 PM

We have been contacted by Mark Utley who has family connections with Blue Funnel Line, Ocean and OCL.  Mark (son of Mike Utley who worked for OCL at the Birmingham Containerbase) has passed on the sad news that his uncle, John Utley, has recently passed away.  Mark is hoping to make contact with former colleagues of John, and is looking for any recollections that they may have from their  time working with him.

Mark's message: 

"My uncle's career was spent with The Ocean Steam Ship company and it was in the early 1960s that he 

became a departmental head of the FEFC working out of India Buildings in Liverpool. John died 

peacefully on 30th December 2013 and will be fondly remembered by his close family and friends. 

My uncle is mentioned in the book "The Blue Funnel Legend" (A History of the Ocean Steamship Company 

1865 - 1973).  The actual passage in the book reads as follows:

"In the early 1960s came a new generation of departmental heads, among who may 

be mentioned H.W Garton (Inward freight), H.R Disley (Outward freight) and J.T Utley 

(Conference)."

I had only recently started getting to grips with the whole of our family history - (we were originally a shipbuilding

family in Liverpool - Utley brothers (latterly Utley and Roby)) but I didn't know enough of John's input into freight 

shipping before he died as he spent most of his time in the Far East travelling in his working years.

My father Mike Utley (now retired) brought our family to Birmingham as he was himself with OCL working out 

of Perry Barr Containerbase - we moved here in the early 1970s.  

Whilst I know a lot about my father's career I know little of John's experiences and I am hoping somebody 

out there may remember him - or can send this to somebody who does.  I would be grateful for any feedback

that you may have and that I can share at his funeral.

With many thanks.

Mark Utley

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Mark by email, markutley@ymail.com