Description
Object description
British seaman served aboard HMS Spartan in GB coastal waters and Mediterranean, 8/1943-1/1944, including sinking off Anzio, 29/1/1944; served aboard HMS Aurora, 15th Cruiser Sqdn in Mediterranean, 1944
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Tumble, GB, 1925-1942: family; education; father's service in Merchant Navy; employment; sporting and recreational activities; problems of being released from Reserved Occupation; reasons for joining Royal Navy, 1942. Recollections of period of training at HMS Raleigh, Torpoint 1943: character of basic training; restrictions on recruits movement; uniform and dress codes; accommodation; opinion of instructors.
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of rations and messing arrangements; rum ration; use of cinema; use of tobacco; rates of pay; attitude to naval lifestyle; sporting activities including boxing tournament; opinion of naval discipline and punishments; role as quartermaster; shore leave and regulations for recruits; recreational activities; relations with civilian population; opinion of war reports; nature of daily duties; clearing up bomb damage in Plymouth; drill exercises; involvement in harbour defence.
REEL 3 Continues: Recollections of period as seaman aboard HMS Spartan in GB coastal waters, 8/1943-12/1943: training exercises; firing practise on range; attitude to training; role as messenger; organisation of crew; memories of fellow crewmen; discipline on ship; conformity to naval traditions; use of naval terminology and slang expressions; nicknames; comradeship; command structure; reasons for presence of Royal Marines on board and opinion of Royal Marines Band.
REEL 4 Continues: stories about fellow crewmen while on convoy duty; identifying marks and flags on ship; joining cruiser, 8/1943; maintenance duties prior to going to sea; opinion and description of cruiser and it's armaments; no cameras allowed on ship; superstitions; routine duties and daily tasks; damage to HMS Spartan's propellers caused by running over submerged landing vehicle.
REEL 5 Continues: Recollections of operations as seaman aboard HMS Spartan in Mediterranean 12/1943-1/1944: speed trials and effects of guns firing; sings song about painting the ship; punishments; navigational errors; fellow crewmen; Christmas 25/12/1943 celebrations and entertainment; situation at Anzio, Italy, 1/1944; living conditions on board; opinion of accommodation and rations.
REEL 6 Continues: storage of kit; opinion of rations; health of crew; weather conditions; inspections; repairing uniform; laundry facilities; haircuts; religious services; Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) canteen; recreational and educational activities including listening to radio; communication with family and question of censorship; periods of leave; effects of prolonged gunfire on crew; religious beliefs.
REEL 7 Continues: sense of pride in ship; naval discipline and effect on crew; opinion of officers; treatment of young ratings; opinion of military and political leaders; attitude towards Americans; opinion of Chaplain Frank Wright; attitude towards conscientious objectors and profiteers. Recollections of the sinking of HMS Spartan off Anzio, 29/1/1944; conditions during German Air Force attack; death of close friend; effects of German Air Force Hs 292 Glider Bomb hitting ship and casualties; treatment of wounded; escape from the sinking ship.
REEL 8 Continues: emergency training procedures and equipment; opinion of officers' during attack and sinking; sinking of ship and rescue operation; time spent on rescue ship and recuperation in Naples, Italy and Malta; opinion of treatment received; inquiry into sinking including criticism of Captain Patrick McLaughlin; opinion of competency of officers aboard HMS Spartan. Aspects of operations as seaman aboard HMS Aurora, 15th Cruiser Sqdn in Mediterranean, 1944: drafting to HMS Aurora.
REEL 9 Continues: nature of operations in Mediterranean 1944; visit by actor Kenneth More; nature of operations in Aegean Sea, 9/1944; later experiences aboard Landing Ship Tanks in Mediterranean and GB Coastal waters including incident of bow door falling off Landing Ship Tank; promotion and final rank attained; celebrating VE Day, 8/5/1945 and VJ Day, 15/8/1945. Reflections on service in Second World War: demobilisation and return to civilian life and attempts to join Territorial Army, 1946; attitude towards wartime service; post-war reunion of HMS Spartan survivors.