George Robb was the barman at the Criterion Hotel during the 1960s. I remember George would always be friendly to the DE(R) sailors who stopped in at the pub. The Criterion, like all pubs in those days, would
close the doors at 6 PM, however that didn't stop the suds from flowing. During the daytime hours George would serve the beer and also make sure the sailors had some lunch. Usually, there was some type of free
food available to the customers, and George would always bring some over to the sailors. The "Cri" also had a "ladies lounge" which was generally reserved for the women who were hotel guests, or visiting the
hotel for dinner.
George sent me some cards and letters, even after I left the Navy. I lost contact with him in 1968, and never heard from him again. George was very involved with the Otago Sea Cadet
Corps, he sent me a number of articles about Training Ship Waireka, and the Corps. I once wrote a letter to the Sea Cadets command in Port Chalmers seeking information about George, but never received a reply.
I'm sure a lot of things change in 37 years. (I've come to learn that George passed away on Sept. 1, 1977.
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