Description
Object description
British seaman served aboard HMS Belfast during Korean War, 1950-1952; served aboard HMS Bramble in GB coastal waters, 1952-1954
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Waltham Cross and Bridgewater, 1930-1948: family; move to Bridgewater, 1943-1945; German bombing of family home, c1942; education and hobbies; membership of army cadet force in Bridgewater; parent's employment; employment on leaving school. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Navy in GB, 1948-1949: reasons for enlistment as stoker in Royal Navy, 6/1948; reception at HMS Royal Arthur; pattern of basic training; use of NAFFI; recreational activities and leave; drafting to HMS Raleigh for fire fighting and damage control training.
REEL 2 Continues: continuation training aboard HMS Newfoundland; period in Chatham Barracks; drafting to HMS Manxman for mothballing, 1949. Aspects of period as stoker aboard HMS Belfast in Far East, 1949-1950: drafting to HMS Belfast in Saigon, 1949; initial impressions of ship; reception on arrival; memories of gunnery officer 'Dolly' Gray.
REEL 3 Continues: Sunday divisions; regulation of discipline aboard ship; detention cell; rum ration; 'make and mend'; naval traditions; deck hockey. Recollections of operations as stoker aboard HMS Belfast during Korean War, 1950-1952: outbreak of war, 1950; casualties on board ship; work with landing craft; leave in Japan; attachment to HMS Sheffield and HMS Jamaica when HMS Belfast returned to GB, 1950; return of HMS Belfast to Far East, 1950; censoring of correspondence.
REEL 4 Continues: return to GB aboard Empress of Australia; changes on return to GB. Period as stoker aboard HMS Bramble in GB coastal waters, 1952-1954: drafting to minesweeper; messing arrangements; job working with engines; ship's receiving freedom of Brussels; arrest for hitting German policeman in Hamburg. Demobilisation procedure, 1955. Attitude to having served aboard HMS Belfast.