Interview with Edwin Arthur Drew

British artificer served aboard HMT Hosanna and HMT Thomsons in GB coastal waters and English Channel, 9/1939-7/1940; engineer officer served aboard HMS Norfolk in Atlantic, 1940-1941; served aboard HMS Cornwall in South Atlantic and Indian Ocean, 1941-1942 including sinking in Indian Ocean, 5/4/1942; served aboard HMS Bermuda in Arctic, Mediterranean and North Atlantic, 7/1942-8/1944

REEL 1 Background in Parkstone and New Malden, GB, 1917-1939: family; education; reasons for joining Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 1937; call-up for service with Royal Navy, 9/1939. Recollections of operations as artificer aboard HMT Hosanna in GB coastal waters and English Channel, 1939-1940: basing on drifter in Dover; character of crew; anti-magnetic work using skids; menace of German mines in The Downs off Dover. Recollections of operations as engineering officer with HMT Thompson in GB coastal waters and English Channel, 1940: minesweeping operations during Dunkirk Evacuation, 5/1940-6/1940; German Air Force attacks; reasons for applying for a commission. Aspects of operations as engineering officer with HMS Norfolk in North and South Atlantic and Mediterranean, 1940-1941: commissioning and appointment to ship, 8/1940- 9/1940; escorting HMS Formidable to Mediterranean, 2/1941. REEL 2 Continues: leaving ship at Simonstown, South Africa, 2/1941. Recollections of operations as engineering officer aboard HMS Cornwall in South Atlantic and Indian Ocean, 2/1941-4/1942: opinion of County Class cruisers; transfer to ship in Simonstown, South Africa; watch keeping duties; history of ship, 1939-1941; attitude to being ashore in Simonstown, South Africa; reasons why South Africans gave support to troopships; memories of dog 'Able Seaman Nuisance' in Simonstown, South Africa; use of Durban, South Africa as base for operations; vocal performances of Perla Siedle White, 'The Lady in White' at Durban; convoy work in Indian Ocean; sinking of German auxiliary cruiser Pinquin (HSK-5) in Indian Ocean, 8/5/1941 REEL 3 Continues: danger of collision with HMT Queen Mary and HMT Queen Elizabeth at Aden, Aden Protectorate; reaction to news of Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 7/12/1941; move to Colombo, Ceylon, 3/1942. Recollections of sinking of HMS Cornwall, Force A in Indian Ocean, 5/4/1942: experiences in after engine-room during sinking; escape to upper deck; officer's rescue of fifty pounds in cash; abandoning ship and immersion in oil; narrow escape from ship's screw; attempts to keep afloat; treading on large fish; taking charge of Carley Float; sight of imaginary lights during night. REEL 4 Continues: conditions in water; amusing story of fellow engineers life-long agony about losing fifty pound note; use of tinned fruit; reaction to arrival of Royal Navy; problems of rescue process; reaction of survivors to practice shoot; taking of survivors to Addu Atoll in Maldives. Aspects of voyages from Ceylon to GB via South Africa, 1942: conditions on board HMS Revenge; transfer to HMT Mendoza at Mombasa, Kenya; Polish troops aboard HMT Mendoza; ashore in Durban and Cape Town, South Africa; voyage aboard HMT Bergensfjord from South Africa to GB; entertainment by Polish choir; personal morale during voyage; problems relating to his eleven month old son; lack of counselling for survivors. Recollections of operations as officer aboard HMS Bermuda in Arctic, Mediterranean and North Atlantic, 7/1942-8/1944: joining cruiser, 7/1942; character of ship; convoy duties in Arctic. REEL 5 Continues: memories of Admiral Robert Burnett during action aimed to sink Scharnhorst, 3/1943 ; transport of American officers and currency to Gibraltar, 11/1942; attachment to Force H in Mediterranean; attachment to anti-submarine flotilla in Bay of Biscay, summer 1943; lack of contact with German forces during Arctic convoys; danger of ships capsizing from icing; shore duties at HMNB Rosyth after leaving ship, 8/1944. Reflections on service with Royal Navy in Second World War: attitude to having served in Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; reasons for HMS Bermuda being his happiest ship; question of rank of RNVR (E) officers during Second World War.