Description
Object description
British boy seaman and seaman served aboard HMS Euryalus. Mediterranean Fleet in Mediterranean, 1941-1944; served on shore duties in GB, Netherlands and Germany, 1944-1947; served aboard HMS Belfast during Korean War, 1950-1951
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Middlesborough, GB, 1924-1939: family; education; details of stepfather's military service; home circumstances; nasal problems. Aspects of enlistment and training as boy seaman with Royal Navy, 1938-1941: enlistment with Royal Navy, 1939; character of training on Isle of Man, 1939-1940; terms of service; care of kit; journey from Newcastle upon Tyne to Isle of Man.
REEL 2 Continues: arrival at HMS St George, Douglas, Isle of Man, 1939; failure of recruits from Southern Ireland to return from Christmas leave, 12/1939; presence of internees in Isle of Man, 1940; exercises with British Army; use of cold showers; method of making extra money; baiting of Petty Officer 'Jack' Frost; his attitude to discipline; promotion to Boy First Class; move to Borstal, 1/1941; missing draft to HMS Gloucester, 1941. Aspects of period as seaman aboard HMS Euryalus in GB coastal waters, 1941: drafting to ship at HMNB Chatham.
REEL 3 Continues: ashore at Flotta Island, Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands; drowning of drunken sailors at Flotta Island, Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, 1941; danger from practice torpedo in Scapa Flow. Recollections of operations as boy seaman aboard HMS Euryalus, Mediterranean Fleet in Mediterranean, 1941-1943: role as anti-aircraft guard ship during Malta convoy, 9/1941; boy seaman duties on board; use of anti-aircraft gun directors; action stations on Giro Rate Unit; problems of firing anti-aircraft guns; inserting portholes at Simonstown, South Africa, 10/1941; German submarine tactics in Mediterranean; memories of sinking of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Valiant in Alexandria Harbour, Egypt, 19/12/1941; character of Malta convoys, 1941-1942; contact with Italian Fleet in eastern Mediterranean near Malta; role of ship during Second Battle of Sirte, 22/3/1942 including damage sustained.
REEL 4 Continues: lack of fighter protection in Mediterranean; patrols in Straits of Messina, Italy, 8/1943; role of ship during landings at Salerno, Italy, 9/1943; hospitalisation and convalescence for dysentery in North Africa; determination to rejoin ship at Bizerte, Tunisia; period as member of skeleton crew on River Clyde, GB; reasons why HMS Euryalus was a happy ship. Recollections of shore duties with Royal Navy in GB, Netherland and Germany, 1944-1945: story of meeting future wife in Dagenham, GB, 1944; membership of advance party to Enschede; equipment issued; work taking bodies from bombed buildings in Enschede; German sniping at Enschede.
REEL 5 Continues: move into Germany; first night spent in cemetery in Germany; race relations in United States Army, 1945. Recollections of shore duties with Royal Navy in Hamburg, 1945-1947: move to Hamburg; role of naval party in running Hamburg Docks; foraging for rations; enforcing curfew; recreational activities; role of military policemen of Corps of Military Police; contact with British agent at Reichshof Hotel; guarding coal stores, 1945-1946; use of Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAFFI) stores; difference between British and German attitudes barrack security; trials of German naval personnel; handling of Jewish civilians trying to migrate to Palestine; relations with German civilians.
REEL 6 Continues: fights between Royal Navy personnel and Royal Air Force Police; injury he received in fight with German youths; memories of biggest Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) in the world and St Patrick's Day celebrations, 17/3/1946; curing of 'drinker's rash', 1947. Aspects of period as seaman on board HMS Superb, Home Fleet in GB coastal waters, 1948-1949: drafting to cruiser; job as cabin-hand to Captain Alan Scott-Moncrieff; behaviour of Captain Alan Scott-Moncrieff; how Captain Alan Scott-Moncrieff helped him with compassionate leave and housing. Recollections of operations as seaman aboard HMS Belfast during Korean War, 1950-1952: drafting to cruiser, 1950; reasons why ship was sent to Korean waters and why it was an unhappy ship; presence of National Servicemen on board; Chinese artillery hits received on ship and casualties amongst laundrymen; comparison between Royal Navy and United States Navy method of bombardment.
REEL 7 Continues: employment of strippers in Sasebo, Japan; issue of warrants; amusing story of destructive consequences of performance of stripper Rose in Sasebo, Japan; accommodation on board ship; general and canteen messing. Reflections on service with Royal Navy, 1939-1954: bugs on board HMS Euryalus; presence of cockroaches and rats in ships; health of seamen at sea; character of rations; discipline in Royal Navy; question of why leading seaman is worst job in Royal Navy; ambition to join Fleet Air Arm; value of anti-aircraft ratings during Second World War; attitude towards the master-at-arms; seaman relaxation's ashore in Plymouth, Chatham and Portsmouth; description of term 'pier-head jump'; attitude toward officer on board HMS Superb.
REEL 8 Continues: memories of Aggie Weston clubs; attitude to having served in Royal Navy; return to civilian life, 1954.