Description
Object description
Wordprocessed memoir (64pp) written in the 1990s and with accompanying historical notes (18pp) prepared by his nephew, describing how, as an apprentice Thames lighterman, he was conscripted and undertook his basic naval training in HMS ROYAL ARTHUR at Skegness (October - December 1939) and then covering his service as an ordinary seaman in the blockship HMS PACIFICO based on Sheerness (January - May 1940), in the RN Barracks, Chatham during the first months of the Blitz (summer - November 1940), on the troopship LYCAON for passage, via South Africa, to the Far East (November 1940 - February 1941) and in the cruiser HMS DAUNTLESS based on Singapore, including her serious collision with the cruiser HMS EMERALD, until her return to the United Kingdom (February 1941 - February 1942), his successful completion of an anti-aircraft course in Lancashire (spring 1942), his service, with his brother, as an anti-aircraft gunnery rating in the cruiser HMS SHEFFIELD, including ferrying American troops to the Mediterranean and supporting the Operation Torch landings in North Africa, escorting convoys to North Russia and participation in the Battle of the Barents Sea, sweeps in the Bay of Biscay and supporting the Salerno landings (July 1942 - November 1943), attendance on another anti-aircraft gunnery course (early 1944), service as a leading seaman in the destroyer HMS WALKER, initially based on Milford Haven for escorting convoys to and from Normandy, then on Glasgow for Arctic convoy escort duties and finally on escort work in the Irish Sea (May 1944 - (?) May 1945) and his service ashore in Glasgow until his demobilisation in November 1945. The memoir, which is written in a colloquial and engaging style, also includes some useful descriptions of life on the lower deck, the technicalities associated with his duties as a rating and his activities when ashore on leave.
Content description
Wordprocessed memoir (64pp) written in the 1990s and with accompanying historical notes (18pp) prepared by his nephew, describing how, as an apprentice Thames lighterman, he was conscripted and undertook his basic naval training in HMS ROYAL ARTHUR at Skegness (October - December 1939) and then covering his service as an ordinary seaman in the blockship HMS PACIFICO based on Sheerness (January - May 1940), in the RN Barracks, Chatham during the first months of the Blitz (summer - November 1940), on the troopship LYCAON for passage, via South Africa, to the Far East (November 1940 - February 1941) and in the cruiser HMS DAUNTLESS based on Singapore, including her serious collision with the cruiser HMS EMERALD, until her return to the United Kingdom (February 1941 - February 1942), his successful completion of an anti-aircraft course in Lancashire (spring 1942), his service, with his brother, as an anti-aircraft gunnery rating in the cruiser HMS SHEFFIELD, including ferrying American troops to the Mediterranean and supporting the Operation Torch landings in North Africa, escorting convoys to North Russia and participation in the Battle of the Barents Sea, sweeps in the Bay of Biscay and supporting the Salerno landings (July 1942 - November 1943), attendance on another anti-aircraft gunnery course (early 1944), service as a leading seaman in the destroyer HMS WALKER, initially based on Milford Haven for escorting convoys to and from Normandy, then on Glasgow for Arctic convoy escort duties and finally on escort work in the Irish Sea (May 1944 - (?) May 1945) and his service ashore in Glasgow until his demobilisation in November 1945. The memoir, which is written in a colloquial and engaging style, also includes some useful descriptions of life on the lower deck, the technicalities associated with his duties as a rating and his activities when ashore on leave.
History note
Cataloguer RWAS
History note
Catalogue date 2005-01