Description
Object description
Photocopy of ts memoir (223pp written in 1988) describing his service as a deck officer in the Merchant Navy from mid 1941 to August 1945 (but with scarcely any dates given) containing some fictional elements (highlighted as such and the reality summarised in accompanying notes) but overall giving an excellent impression of life, customs and practises in the Merchant Navy, with particular stress on political thought (especially a 'secret' discussion group in Bone, Tunisia in mid-1944), industrial relations (including unrest over attending Lord Halifax's launch of a ship in America, the lamentable conditions on board certain vessels and the dropping of war bonuses in May 1945), the psychological effects of being exposed to enemy attacks, sinkings (especially MV WIDESTONE), conditions in America, Canada and Malta and relations with Masters, owners and the Royal Navy. He served on the following freighters/tankers: KINGSBOROUGH (North Sea) and KINGSLAND (Atlantic), KENTUCKY (Malta convoys), BAXTERGATE and PENHALL (North Atlantic), EMPIRE HARBOUR (Mediterranean) and KIMBLE HARLOW (cross Channel). Also: original receipt for the guns removed from KENTUCKY.
Content description
Photocopy of ts memoir (223pp written in 1988) describing his service as a deck officer in the Merchant Navy from mid 1941 to August 1945 (but with scarcely any dates given) containing some fictional elements (highlighted as such and the reality summarised in accompanying notes) but overall giving an excellent impression of life, customs and practises in the Merchant Navy, with particular stress on political thought (especially a 'secret' discussion group in Bone, Tunisia in mid-1944), industrial relations (including unrest over attending Lord Halifax's launch of a ship in America, the lamentable conditions on board certain vessels and the dropping of war bonuses in May 1945), the psychological effects of being exposed to enemy attacks, sinkings (especially MV WIDESTONE), conditions in America, Canada and Malta and relations with Masters, owners and the Royal Navy. He served on the following freighters/tankers: KINGSBOROUGH (North Sea) and KINGSLAND (Atlantic), KENTUCKY (Malta convoys), BAXTERGATE and PENHALL (North Atlantic), EMPIRE HARBOUR (Mediterranean) and KIMBLE HARLOW (cross Channel). Also: original receipt for the guns removed from KENTUCKY.
History note
Cataloguer PHR
History note
Catalogue date 1988-07