“Grimsby for Fish”; a poem by Wilhelm Raman 1929.

This poem comes from a ledger of poetry, musings and drawings by Wilhelm (“William”‘) Raman (1886-1957). The book dates from 1928 to 1955. William, a Dutchman who spent his youth near Newry, Northern Ireland, was works manager at The British Fish Curing Co. Ltd., Pyewipe, Grimsby.

Grimsby for Fish Grimsby is a little town, on the North Sea Coast Is the the biggest fishing port, a truly proudly boast A sturdy set of fishermen, the finest in the land The best build trawlers in the world, good skippers in command They go and catch the finest fish, the cheapest food to buy And every buyer should insist, upon the brand G.Y.

Chorus Eat more fish, Grimsby’s fish It’s good for the health, it’s food for brain To every place it can be sent by train The slogan surely should be this Eat more – buy more – Grimsby fish

In weather fine, in weather rough, our men they do not care They go to sea, brave elements, don’t know the meaning of fear In every corner of the world, where fish is to be got You sure to find a Grimsby man amongst the fishing lot To teach and learn in foreign lands the way to catch the fish Return again to Grimsby Town, to have his only wish

AND Eat more fish, Grimsby’s fish It’s good for the health, it’s food for brain To every place it can be sent by train The slogan surely should be this EAT more – BUY more – GRIMSBY fish

Wilhelm (“William”) Raman 8th February 1929 © Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum

Note: Wilhelm (“William”) Raman lived at: 65 Daubney Street, New Cleethorpes “Cheapside House”, Cheapside, Waltham “Manor House”, Cheapside, Waltham “Lucarne”, Cheapside, Waltham

Note: Wilhelm (“William”) Raman’s mother died in The Hague, Holland on 3rd June 1930 at 3:45pm.