Description
Object description
British seaman served as Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) gunner aboard SS Induna during Convoy PQ 13 in Arctic, 3/1942 including sinking, 30/3/1942; served aboard SS Fort McMurray in Arctic, 1944
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Bradford, GB, 1922-1941: family; education; employment; membership of Sea Cadets. Aspects of training as Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) gunner at HMS Glendower, Pwllheli and HMS Wellersley, Liverpool in GB, 1941-1942: opinion of suitability of initial training; discipline; gunnery training at HMS Wellersley; role of Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) gunners; reception and kitting out at HMS Glendower; gas training; religious instruction at HMS Wellersley; German Air Force raids on Liverpool; Sunday divisions; physical training; embarkation leave. Recollections of operations as Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) gunner aboard SS Induna in GB coastal waters, 2/1942-3/1942: move to Glasgow; reception at Royal Navy Headquarters at St Enoch's Hotel, Glasgow.
REEL 2 Continues: ashore in Glasgow; accommodation at HMS Carrick, Glasgow; slinging his hammock; reporting sick; joining SS Induna at Greenock, 13/2/1942; reaction to learning destination of ship; accommodation on board; night ashore in Glasgow; watch system operated; sailing from Greenock to Loch Ewe; firing of ship's anti-aircraft guns; dispute over pin up girl and attitude towards shore staff; sight of German reconnaissance aircraft over Loch Ewe; cargo carried.
REEL 3 Continues: composition of Arctic clothing; knitted clothing provided by civilians; first experience of depth charging; arrival in Iceland, 3/1942; chance he had to leave the ship in Loch Ewe prior to sailing for Iceland; catching fish off Iceland; discomfort of performing ablutions on board. Aspects of period as Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) gunner aboard SS Induna during Convoy PQ 13 in Arctic, 3/1942: sailing of convoy from Reykjavik, Iceland, 20/3/1942; effect of alarm over German battleship Tirpitz; learning flag signals; discomforts of convoy duties in Arctic; narrow escape on losing footing on deck; running into storm; hit on German Air Force reconnaissance aircraft; watching for 'growlers'; sight of wreckage.
REEL 4 Continues: arrival of HMS Trinidad; under bombing attack from German Air Force Junkers Ju 88; firing at Junkers Ju 88; fate of three whalers during convoy; fatigue during convoy; trapping of ship in ice; further details of discomforts of convoy duties; demand of captain for high speed to escape ice; amount of clothing worn; loss of tow on whaler HMS Siljar; running for Murmansk, Soviet Union. Recollections of sinking of SS Induna and period in lifeboat, 3/1942: torpedoing of ship by German submarine U-376, 30/3/1942; disposal of secret documents; abandoning ship and taking to lifeboats.
REEL 5 Continues: condition of crew in lifeboat; rowing away from sinking ship; sight of ship sinking; surfacing of German submarine U-376; conditions in lifeboat; loss of alcoholic spirits on board; use of sea anchor; decision to steer south east; refusal of some of crew to row; freezing of water supplies and rations; state of burnt crewman; performing natural functions; failure of warship to spot lifeboat; failure to rig sail.
REEL 6 Continues: drinking own urine; icing of boat; near loss of baler; chipping ice from boat; failure to capture seabird; rescue by Soviet boats; saluting Soviet flag; conditions of survivors on boat. Recollections of period of hospitalisation in Murmansk, Soviet Union, 1942: transfer to hospital in school; resting in hospital; death of survivors; treatment by Soviets; administration of enemas; impossibility of washing in cold water.
REEL 7 Continues: fate of other ships in convoy; rations available; administration of anaesthetics; prior recollections of taking fish liver oil during convoy; arrangements for his return to GB; amputations without anaesthetics; visit by senior Soviet officials. Aspects of return to GB, 1942: return to GB aboard HMS Liverpool; physical after effects of period in lifeboat; reception of survivors in Scotland; allocation of survivors leave; medical treatment in London.
REEL 8 Continues: story of return to family home in Bradford; reaction of family to his return; accusation that he was malingering by naval doctor. Recollections of operations as Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) gunner aboard SS Fort McMurray during Convoy JW 57 in Arctic, 20/2/1944-28/2/1944: background to joining ship, 1/1944; offer to him to avoid further trip to Soviet Union; character of convoy escort; engine trouble with ship; torpedoing of HMS Mahratta, 25/2/1944; contrast between 1944 and 1942 convoys; narrow escape from mine going into Murmansk, Soviet Union; discharging in Archangel, Soviet Union, 2/1944; attitude towards German submarine crews.