Description
Object description
British seaman served aboard HMS Spartan in GB coastal waters and Mediterranean, 1943-1944 including sinking in Mediterranean, off Anzio, Italy, 29/1/1944; served aboard HMS Aurora, 15th Cruiser Sqdn in Mediterranean, 1944-1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Forest of Dean, GB, 1924-1942: family; education; recreational activities; employment; memories of declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; death of mother. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Navy at HMS Raleigh and HMS Drake in GB, 1942-1943: reasons for joining Royal Navy; later memories of sinking HMS Spartan off Anzio, Italy, 29/1/1944; gunnery courses and training; opinion of instructors.
REEL 2 Continues: issue of uniform and equipment; opinion of rations; marching and drilling; punishment received for returning late from leave; opinion of accommodation; daily routine; marching to Royal Marine Band; maintaining uniform and kit; learning to tie knots; emergency training; attitude to naval life and discipline; promotions; recreational activities; type of guns used and gunnery practise. Recollections of period as seaman aboard HMS Spartan in GB coastal waters, 8/1943-12/1943; accidental shooting down of American aircraft; training on tugs; opinion of ship.
REEL 3 Continues: opinion of accommodation for officers and men; noise from propellers; method of aiming and firing guns; chain of command; duties in Chief Petty Officer's mess; description of working with Ordnance QF 2 Pounder Anti-Aircraft Gun; period of leave with girlfriend; launch delayed due to mechanical problem; working up trials and gunnery practise; later damage to propeller off Anzio, Italy; daily routine; memories of fellow crew members including problem of alcoholism; naval slang; opinion of officers and Captain Patrick McLaughlin; incident of nearly being washed overboard and punishment.
REEL 4 Continues: opinion of Commander Geoffrey Ambrose; religious services; protective clothing worn; description of messing and sleeping arrangements; opinion of rations; washing facilities; problem of sexual advances by older crewmen; amusing story about ship's cat; recreational activities including hypnotist; communication with family and effects of war; censorship; aspects of convoy duty; memories of Gibraltar.
REEL 5 Continues: repainting of ship. Recollections of operation aboard HMS Spartan in Mediterranean, 1/1944: sight of Mount Vesuvius erupting, Italy; shore leave and going to opera; bombardment of Italian coast; sight of Hs 293 Glider Bomb approaching ship; opinion of ship being anchored and United States Navy Admiral in command of naval element of landings at Anzio, Italy; role of ship in supporting landings at Anzio, Italy; weather conditions; action stations and movements at night; morale of crew; religious beliefs; daily routine in period prior to sinking.
REEL 6 Continues: Recollections of sinking of HMS Spartan in Mediterranean off Anzio, Italy, 29/1/1944: sight of gun exploding; sight of Hs 293 Glider Bomb approaching and effects of it hitting ship; casualties; personal reaction to explosion; opinion of emergency procedures and role of officers; damage to hearing caused by explosion; fear of torpedoes exploding; escape from ship; rescue operations; voyage to Algiers, French Algeria and removal to rest camp; reaction to sight of clothing and personal effects of deceased crewmen; attitude of crewmen to not being sent back to GB; opinion of whether ship could have been saved.
REEL 7 Continues: reflection of ship's contribution to war effort; new methods introduced to deal with German Air Force glider bombs as a result of sinking. Aspects of operations as seaman aboard HMS Aurora, 15th Cruiser Sqdn in Mediterranean, 1944-1945: drafting to cruiser; comparison of HMS Aurora and HMS Spartan; meeting with actor Kenneth More; taking of German prisoners of war in Greek Islands; fighting between political factions in Greece; memories of Christmas in Salonika, Greece, 25/12/1944; memories of VE and VJ Days, 1945; demobilisation and return to civilian life and employment; reflections on period of service with Royal Navy.