Captain Shiv Banerjee, Justice of the Peace
This is Shiv Banerjee – the Captain at the wheel of his ship – on the long voyage that led from his birth in Kailish Ghosh Lane in Dhaka, East Bengal in 1945, to the Toynbee Hall in Commercial St, Spitalfields where he resides today. In fact, the accommodation block at the rear of Toynbee Hall has so many staircases opening onto galleries with lines of neat front doors stretching in every direction, that it does have a certain nautical aspect to it, and on the upper terrace where Shiv has his flat there is even a metal rail just like that on a ship – except, when you peer over, you discover Gunthorpe St below rather than the roaring ocean.
We met at the introduction of Muktha, waiter at Herb & Spice, from where it was a short hop down Commercial St to the Toynbee Hall, and as I walked through the courtyards with Shiv, other residents nodded and waved in respectful acknowledgement, enforcing my feeling that I was accompanying the Captain of the vessel. So when I entered his quarters, it was no surprise to discover a model ship in the living room of his modest yet comfortably furnished flat. We had arrived at the chosen location for Captain Banerjee to tell me about his extraordinary journey.
I was born in Kailash Ghosh Lane in Dhaka, and when I was two months old I was brought to New Delhi, where I lived in the government houses at Lake Square, designed by Edwin Lutyens. I’d never seen the sea when I applied to be a cadet, but I wanted to go to different places. I applied for the exam in 1962 and didn’t get selected for interview – about fifty-five thousand people applied for seventy-five places and they only interviewed one hundred and twenty. But I didn’t give up and I studied civil engineering for a year before I was accepted on the Dufferin, the British Navy’s cadet ship for Indians, Burmese, Ceylonese and Singaporeans. It was a lonely life but I learnt to like it because I had never known anything better. I was sixteen years old and earning beyond what anyone in my family had ever earned before and the uniform was very attractive to women too. I became an officer at twenty-one and when I went back to Lake Square and got out from the taxi, everyone would come and say, “Here is the hero!” Everyone was very proud of me and I was very proud of myself.
In 1966, I visited Liverpool. It was wonderful. I thought, “All the white people will be there and all the important people will be there too.” Going ashore was exciting, I had my first fish & chips and went out and saw the sights. At the Seaman’s Club, “Top of the Pops” was on the television and I saw The Beatles. Everything excited me, nothing was depressing or bad. I came from a poor background and everything was free on board ship and I had money to spend on shore. It was one of the most exciting times in my life.
Then, in 1972, I came to London to study for my Master’s Ticket, so I could captain a ship – because if you had it from London, you were “Made in England” and you could work anywhere in the world. At Heathrow, I was asked a lot of questions and the official wasn’t very polite. “Have you got enough money?” he asked me. “I’ve got five thousand pounds in cash.” I said. Then I took a taxi to Lancaster Gate and it was very expensive and I was pick-pocketed seventy-five pounds in the street on the first day. So I moved down to stay at the Queen Victoria’s Seamen’s Rest in the East India Dock Rd and went to study at the School of Navigation at Tower Hill.
A priest in New Zealand once told me the Toynbee Hall in Commercial St was the place to stay, so I went to find out more. They interviewed me and said I could stay for free for two nights and see how we got on. We all used to eat together then, it was very communal. I loved it. I said, “I’ll stay here.” And it was where I met my wife who was a teacher at Christ Church School. This woman asked, “Can you teach me Bengali?” and I fell in love with her and didn’t pass my exam. We moved in together to a flat in Sunley House, Toynbee Hall at £12.50 per week, including heating, maintenance and service charge. Finally, in 1977, I passed my Captain’s Exam and I told my wife, “I’ll take you to sea.” She said, “Either you stay here with me, or I change the locks on the door and get a new man.” So I gave up my sea career, but I said, “Let’s decide a few things. You are white and I am black. Our children will not know if they are black or white, so we will not have children.” Next day, I went and had a vasectomy done and then I took her to sea for a year before we settled here. I came on land but I had no job.
I became a volunteer for a year and a half working at the Attlee Adventure Playground off Brick Lane, and then Donald Chesworth, Warden of Toynbee Hall, said, “I’ll raise the money to pay you.” In those days, the staff was entirely white. I went off to sea for six months to earn some money and he sent a cable to say I was offered the job of “Volunteer Co-ordinator and Education Outreach Officer” and I became the first black worker to be employed by Toynbee Hall. I launched an out of hours project for old people – if something went wrong at night, we would come and see to it – and I also worked with mentally and physically handicapped children. Toynbee Hall became my home, I decided it was my job to keep it neat and clean, although no-one had given me that job. I was a proud person to keep this place clean.
Then I joined the Inner London Education Authority as a Social Worker, but as I still did not have any qualification on land, I did a research diploma at the City Lit on barriers to education for Bangladeshi children. Next I worked in the Homeless Families’ Team, there were so many children out of school because their families were being housed in hotels. I negotiated with teachers to get them places in schools and I set up a homeless families’ project in a church hall in Finsbury Park. Until then, the only entertainment for these people was making babies, sex and sex and sex, education was not in it.
But I was getting tired, and John Profumo CBE and Chairman of Toynbee Hall took me under his wing and took me to the Reform Club where I met the good and the great. And in 1984, he called me and said, “Do you want to be a magistrate?” I said, “I am not legally qualified, I only know about ship captain’s law.” but Lord Ponsonby, C.E.O. of British Home Stores and a retired Brigadier said, “Put me down as your referee.” They asked me to apply and I got it. I was the first Bengali speaking Justice of the Peace.
I consider language to be the basis of everything – knowledge of English language, both spoken and written. And I always felt that, for an individual, if they are to stay in this country, they had to know the language. In the past, people always said “Yes” to everything, because they were not able to express their needs. I started to teach English to blind people and encouraged the families in the Finsbury Park Homeless Families’ Project to learn English together, because I still feel strongly that lack of education is the main barrier to progress.
Shiv’s voyage was guided by an instinctive moral compass, granting him a natural authority today, even though he refrains from asserting his status. Somehow, he discovered a sympathetic crossover from his life on board ship with its respectfully structured society to the civilian world – equally employing his organisational skills and sense of humanity too.
With quiet courtesy and dressing in undemonstrative formal clothes, Shiv has devoted himself to a life of usefulness. It is rare to meet someone as open as Shiv, a shrewd man with a clear conscience, who can speak without subtext and use plain words to tell you exactly what he means. Never cynical nor flippant, Captain Shiv Banerjee, Justice of the Peace, has an open-hearted vocation to serve his people.
On the left is Shiv, aged seventeen years old, pictured here on board the Training Ship Dufferin with fellow marines Hardev Singh Boparai and Yashpal Das, in August 1963, after the oath ceremony.
Indian Mercantile Marine Training Ship, Dufferin – “There’ll always be a Dufferin upon the Indian Sea, Wherever flies the Merchant Flag there also we will be.”
Shiv’s Master’s Ticket that qualifies him to Captain a ship.
Captain Shiv Banerjee, Justice of the Peace, Toynbee Hall, Spitalfields
A lovely, lovely portrait of a man who has clearly contributed a great deal to all around him.
Great account of an interesting man, well done! Thought you might be interested in reading the following cutting from the London Gazette on Spittle-Fields lighting, 1691. Plus ca change…..!
beautiful, love the glimpse of the reformed profumo’s coat tail. fascinating.
Superb—-unfolds the journey of a person who holds a special place in our life with his warmth & love. He is a lovely source of joy. I am motivated by his contribution to social issues/ cause.
Dear Gentle Author,
Thank you for posting this profile of an amazing personality whom I know personally and I look at him as an angel. His dedication to serve his people with humanity has made him extraordinary. Positive attitude of love, faith and hope itself is the secret of his bubbling energy. He once expressed one day he wants to teach the underprivileged students with sign language. Truly, his life is like a craftman’s tapestry, which no one can escape without having a glimpse.
What an interesting story which gives us a glimpse of the struggles, hard work, and achievements of this extraordinary gentleman. Keep up the good work Mr. Banerjee you are a true inspiration to many people like us.
This fascinating story urges me to believe that if I go confidently in the direction of my dreams I can live the life I have imagined.
It gives me immense pleasure to have Mr Shiv banerjee as my dear uncle.He is a true inspiration for everyone around us.His life journey teaches us one thing that material pleasure is not everything, there is something beyond that…
I felt like I was reading the brief of a an adventure novel about a young man who came from “rags” and turned to “a hero”….uncle you have made us proud and I am definitely going to show this to my friends!
A well written account of the life of Captain Shiv Banerjee JP who has inspired my own life.
He is a true friend and I well remember that first day he entered Woodberry Down Primary School as the new Social Worker for Homeless Families. His enormous enthusiasm, let alone his charm and laughing eyes , and his ability to inspire others, made his work powerful. He had vision and determination in helping so many Bangladeshi families.
Nice to see the ‘fasciniting of life’ of Mr Banerjee. It is really very interesting to see a young seamen travelling from India to UK! wish him a happy life.
Kashem
Wonderful pictures, and a story which gives a true glimpse of an inspiring colleague, someone I learned so much from when we worked together for Islington Adult Education Institute and later at City and Islington College. Shiv is a fun person, one of my favourite people, who charms everyone into helping him with his continuous and intensive philanthropic activities. I absolutely agree with Deepti above that Shiv’s life is like craftsman’s tapestry!
I am very pleased to see photos of Shiv and read this article, whom I know for many years. I am very lucky that I met him, when I am in difficulties and suffering from any problem he always try and help me to overcome the difficulties, its great to write about him. I run a small Olders’ People Project near Spitalfield and he visits us there often, all of the users love him very much for his cheerful and full of lif attitude and as he is a very supportive man, most of the people always approach him for any assistance. God bless him.
I have known Shiv for a very long time, he has helped and guided me and my wife through some difficult times. Shiv has helped many people. Shiv is like a mobile rescue centre he comes to their aid/rescue. Shiv is a very caring person. Shiv is a unique person.
We are all lucky to have met him. Shiv is a very special person in all our lives and plays an important role in our lifes. God bless him.
I felt like I was reading the back cover of an adventure novel about a man’s journey from “rags” to “hero”…..shiv uncle you have made us proud and I am definitely going to show this to my friends!
It gives me immense pleasure to have Mr Shiv banerjee as my dear uncle.He is a true inspiration for everyone around us.His life journey teaches us one thing that material pleasure is not everything, there is something beyond that…
I am childhood friend of Mr Shiv Banerjee.I knew all about his successes and failures till he went for dufferin. The stories thereafter , which were unknown to us( as reported in the article), are tantalizing and impressive. In school, he was always a back-bencher. His success later in the life, leapfrogging one after another hurdles, should be lessons for many aspirants from the developing and black nations. However, I don’t agree with his apartheid inflicted philosophy for not having children.It is contradictory to his benevolent charater towards the downtrodden
Shiv Banerjee, my jethu has sure sailed through the highs and lows in life..
Well done and keep it up!
I am glad that i got a friend like Shiv. He knows how to inspire young people. I agree with Mujib above that “Shiv is like a mobile rescue centre he comes to their aid/rescue. Shiv is a very caring person. Shiv is a unique person.”
Although Shiv is my ex-husband he is also my dear friend. This article brought back memories of our early days together and of our life in Spitalfields before it became a fashionable area.
Shiv is a remarkable man; gregarious and exotic (Well it was the 1970’s!), he was the most flamboyant person at Toynbee Hall. Although our marriage didn’t last, the 15 years we spent together were unforgettable. I learnt about new countries and cultures but most of all about the generosity of one man. Shiv tirelessly works to make a difference in people’s lives,whether young or old, in the flat above or abroad. He quite simply loves people, and in return we all love him. Well done Shiv, keep it up.
First of all I feel quite privileged that Shiv has chosen to place this picture in this article. I am the one in the middle. I have known Shiv Ranjan since 1963 when we both joined the trainingship Dufferin. Being just a handful of cadets from Delhi we have become good friends since then. Knowing the humble background of my friend I am really proud of all his achievements, which anyone be proud of. Well done Shiv, you a great person and I always knew that you would soar to such heights in life. It is an honour to know you as a good friend.
I remember you to be a person who has been always ready to help others.
I yet to meet a person who thinks otherwise about him.
Keep it Up Shiv Ranjan! God bless you…
Shivda it siply wonderful.I only regret to know all these details so late. Let u always be urself like all these. With best of luck,
nandita ,Delhi, India
My words can never profusely acknowledge the excellent effort put in by the Gentle Author to accumulate the accomplishments of a man who like his work is Magnanimous….
Captain Shiv Banerjee, Justice of the Peace is a Great Man
I don’t need to divulge into how he has improvised and enhanced lives of millions, it is a well known fact. He has been an inspiration to many and will be to many more in future.
He believes everyone has got the potential to succeed and shine in this world. He’s acts as a catalyst of happiness and radiates lots of positivity and optimism
He’s one hell of a stubborn bugger who won’t give up until and unless you start believing in yourself and reach your goal….
Shiv, as i call him lovingly is a Debonair and an out and out Lady’s Man.. No woman, irrespective of age, can resist his charm or his captivating personality !!!
From his dedication towards women’s welfare to his witty and raunchy sense of humour everything about him will enrapture you and all your finer senses !!!!
I will always be thankful to god for his presence in my life and I wish him all the very best !!!
Xoxoxoxox !!!!
Shiv Banerjee, Captain in the Merchant Navy, Justice of peace, Mental Health Act Manager, Principal of a Private College, voluntary worker to change the quality of life in others, There are so many designations of this man to the outside world for his multifaceted activities. But to me he is my dearest friend, mentor and an angel to the family.. I came to know him in 1990 during my posting in London. Our normal friendly relationship grew over the years and he became a family member, philosopher and guide and what not. Unless one gets the opportunity to come close to him one will not get the feelings of his golden heart and the sacrifices he makes to improve others lives,. Very few people know that he spends almost what he earns for the benefit of others and to improve their quality of life. I think that perhaps for this reason, he did not want to have any children of his own (I do not believe in what he said to the author about not having children) because that would restrict his activities for the benefit of needy people and their children. I convey my heartfelt thanks to the author for writing such an article on his activities. Shiv is a good person loved by many in different parts of the world for whom he has been the catalyst to improve their lives.
I just don’t get it ! What’s ‘vasectomy’ got to do anything with his accomplishments or anybody else ? Are you sure he has no other surgeries that could be categorised under his
accomplishments or deemed important that the whole world should know ?
Shiv is a very popular public figure, no doubt about it, but like most of us, he is also entitled to have a private life ; and we all need to respect that.
Shiv Banerjee is ”Inspiration of Life”. He goes out of his way to help people.
Simply to me —He is the representative of God.
Wish him a very best and healthy life. We are all really proud of you.
This is a lovely account of a very interesting man. We knew him at City & Islington College as a wonderful, outgoing, enthusiastic teacher and coordinator. He would always go the extra mile for colleagues and students. The phrases “gentle” and “plain speaking” from the account ring particularly true. I am sure he will never stop working for the benefit of others and always in a genuinely cheerful way
Best wishes, Shiv
To speak without subtext and to be honest to a fault. To be neither flippant nor cynical.Full marks to the Gentle Author for being insightfully spot on – for how many of us could have docked at all the shores he has and still retain the childlike enthusiasm that Mr. Banerjee does for everything new that the world has to offer?
But you do it Mr. Banerjee, each and every time.
If the value of life were to be summed in the number of lives that were touched , yours is what I’d like mine to look like. Here’s to many more years of inspiring others dear sir!
Mr. shiv banerjee is really a wonder person. there is always something to learn from him.
He is always full of life, no matter what. I’ve heard of so many great personality , but I’ve seen a person alive who knows how to get the best out of every second of his life and I feel proud to have a mentor like him. long live Shiv, we need u.
We have known Shiv Banerjee for many years. He is a wonderful friend, always ready to help and fun to be with. We have travelled to India with him twice and he has made the trips enjoyable and memorable, with visits to his family and trips to unforgettable places. He always treats everyone in India, and elsewhere, as his equal and would invite the rickshaw drivers in India to eat with us – much to their surprise.
We know that Shiv has many charitable interests in the Indian sub-continent which he supports with passion and generosity, He is totally committed to helping others, both in this country and abroad, and he is a very kind and compassionate person, as well as a dear friend.
We are very pleased that his achievements have been recognised in this article, and that the story of his life at sea will soon be available to visitors to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. He richly deserves this recognition, and we’d like to say ‘Well done, Shiv!’
dear friend – you used to keep a file (maybe you still do) entitled “Good Boy Shiv” with records of a few of your many accomplishments – judging by this article, you should certainly have had many more in there! Shiv, there’s one thing you can’t really ‘put’ in that file – you have always had that best of all human gifts – true generosity. I have never known there be anything you wouldn’t do for someone and you have done so much for so many with no expectation of return. It is interesting to read of your life and those people – Donald, Profumo etc. who had the foresight to make sure that you were the right man in the right place at the right time. And we are all very grateful to be able to call you “friend”.
Most interesting and there is so much more to tell. Thank you very much My Lord!
Reading the blog & what I personally know of, it would be always too little to describe my feelings by words.But still thats the least I can do for a person I regard more than my Uncle.Uncle its been a pleasure on my part to know you & I feel extremely proud to be associated with a person with such an amazing inspiring life story which in itself sets us examples to be..
I used to live I Lake Square, New Delhi at the same time(60s) when Shiv Ranjan(Chhotoo we used to call him) was there. In fact We started our sea career training about the same time . He went into the Deck side and I opted for Engineering side. And we used to meet quite often on the week ends when he used to get shore leave he used to come to my hostel.
It was so good to read about Shiv after all these years. He was always a very lively bloke. Good job, Shiv. Keep up the good job , my buddy.
Shiv uncle you look great and very young…..
I also stayed in lake square. 43 Lake Square to be exact from 1954 to 1970 when I joined Indian Navy. Would love to hear from anyone else from that part of New Delhi. That was a lovely place. Lot of friends, lots of football, cricket etc.
Mr Banerjee is, an outstanding human being. I was lucky enough to have met him several times in Toynebee Hall. I haven’t seen him in years and would love to catch up. The last time I saw him was when I was thirteen. I once stayed at his house one weekend and he and his wife were such generous hosts. So sad to hear the marriage didn’t last. Even if I don’t see him again I really hope he is happy.
Hello Sir,
Do you remember the Dufferein anthem?
we are on the road!
And can Iplease have it.
amrish
Hello, Dr. Vashist. I lived in 55 Lake Square 1959 ~ 1964. It certainly was such a wonderful place to grow up. Vast open spaces all around and open skies visible all the the time with single story housing of that era. Now one can hardly see a patch of sky fro ground level. And these buggers have replacedit all that with such atrocious looking housing schemes all over the place.
These days I an living in East of Kailash. Are you still in Delhi , doctor??
Would love to hear from you. Just to reminisce about old times 🙂
Thank you gentle Author for introducing me to Shiv. One of the things I like so much about him is the way he doesn’t just moan, as so many of us do, he gets on and *does* something about it. That is what makes a proper captain, and it is a lesson to everyone..
CAPT. SHIV BANERJEE, THE NICEST MAN I KNOW!
I had the good fortune to be Shiv’s batch mate on the Dufferin. We were all young men then.
35 years later many of us have discovered each other through our Dufferin website and it is, indeed, a privilege to renew our friendship with Shiv.
My family simply adores him and we have spent vacations together. Shiv has always made us feel very welcome. His great sense of humor, his genuine concern for others truly makes him a “Man of Real Class” and a thorough Gentleman.
Surinder Chadha,
T.S. Dufferin 1963 – 1965
Well nice reading about an ex-Dufferin Cadet. I missed him on the Dufferin as I am from the 1959-61 Batch. I was there when Capt MFSC Harvey was the Capt. Superintendent, others were, Capt Kershaw, Capt. I.Singh Capt Kothurkar and Capt. J.Tucker. Nice to know about you. I came upon your website as I was looking for the venue where ex-Dufferin Cadets are meeting this year. I lost touch over the last few years. But I was almost a regular to attend the get together after the Wimbledon finals. If you happen to know do let me know.
More later
Sutikshan Malhotra
No.: 1632
It is wonderful to see the progress – or otherwise – that camera technology has made over the years. What has this to do with Capt. Shiv Banerjee? Everything. Let me elaborate.
Observe the first photograph, taken years ago, with an old-fashioned film camera. Compare it to the most recent one, right at the bottom of the write-up, taken with a digital camera. Now let us subject them to rigorous scientific enquiry.
Notice the difference? Conclusion: Modern cameras seem to be unable to capture the image of the subject’s head of hair. This same phenomenon has been observed repeatedly with many of my friends from way back when.
Way back, when we were mere teenagers, and the Training Ship DUFFERIN turned us into men – in spite of our best efforts to resist such a drastic change. All kidding aside, Shiv is a wonderful person, a great friend, and a mentor who gives of himself unstintingly to strangers.
I recently had the opportunity to spend some meaningful time with Capt. Banerjee, and I am ecstatic that the author of this article took the time to relate to the world what a wonderful man he is.
Shiv was my mentor who recruited me for the ESOL teaching post at City &Islington college in 1996. We have been friends since then. He has always come up with a practical solution to any of my problems. I admire his energy, positive outlook and contribution to the good of our society.
Ahoy, Captain Shiv Banerjee!
Marie
Fascinating Shiv. And very impressive.
Dear Capt Banerjee,
I came across this site recently and was astonished to see the old pictures of T.S”Dufferin”.
The photo of Boparai,Das and you brought back memories of good old Dufferin days. I was
Starboard Main Top and my number was 2034. Capt Boparai was also in Starboard Main Top.
I was your junior.
I salute your achievements with respect. God Bless You.
With Sincerest Best Wishes,
Dhanaji Kenjle
Missed this narrative the first time around. An exceptional story, well told.
I rember Capt. Shiv Banerjee ( I didnt know his first name “Shiv ). He was a very plesant and friendly person. I got on well with him. His achievements are great and I wish him the best in the future
Ranjith Munidasa
Shiv is one of my greatest inspirations of life .
He is someone with whom I love to pass my time.he has taught me a lot of magic tricks which many magicians also wouldn’t know.Love you stay healthy.
I am truly glad to find a monitor like Shiv. The support, positive energy and practical knowledge I have received from him within a short time which was beyond my expectation. You have no idea what have you done so far for me. Thanking you and bless you.
It was a true honour to see you and interview you at our school. I hope you do achieve your dream of being a dentist!
Mr. Shiv Banerjee……what a man! A person full of warmth and love, always a source of joy, true source of inspiration. Despite being so successful in life, it is his humility and informal ways that touches the heart. Having a great sense of humour, he always can lift the spirits of all around him. It has been a matter of honour, privilege and pride to have known Shiv.
I convey my thanks to the author for posting this article on Mr. Shiv Banerjee, though I would like to state that no matter how much one writes about this wonderful person, it will always be short of words.
I wish Mr. Banerjee all the very best in his endeavors of making the world a better place to live in
Mr Shiv was one of the most amazing man I have ever met in my life. He was here in Bhutan with his wife and a friend who spent few days of his holidays. Such a great personality who have achieved the height of success. I am so glad i met him. Bhutan is a Himalayan country and it was interesting to read this website and know about his life at sea. Thank you for being with us.
A delightful article about a wonderful man! Thank goodness Shiv Banerjee came to stay – his community is all the richer for it.
Wonderful person i am appreciate with you and i am soo happy to meet you
You are great person uncle
It was a surprise to found this pic with my dad Hardev Boparai on google. It’s nice to see the people with who he was at the training ship. I have the pic’s at home. It’s so sad to tell my dad died last october 2020. It was hard for him he couldn’t do the work anymore he loved the most, the sea was his life and he told me so much about it.
Greets Shama
I read the article with great interest and found Siv Banerjee is a talented person. He is endowed with many skills and when I met him in Hyderabad, India I am charmed as he looks like a down-to-earth and a decent man. Wishing him a long and healthy life.
So nice to read a glowing account of Bano (Shiv)‘a life and work in the East end of London. Takes me back to the happy times I resided in Toynbee hall and Bano treated me like a little sister, as did Dawn didi. I wish them both well.
(Would be nice to have contact details – please pass on my email address to them)
Thank you
He’s a live wikipedia with an example of humble and generous person I’ve ever meet.