Interview with Harold Fine

British radar operator served aboard HMS Calder, 4th Escort Group in North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Western Approaches, 11/1943-8/1945

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Cricklewood, GB, 1923-1941: family background and social circumstances as non-orthodox Jews; education; sporting activities; question of approach of war; evacuation to Northampton, 9/1939-11/1939, including change in evacuation billets, education arrangements and giving up education and return to London; employment as runner with officers' outfitters, 11/1939-9/1941; effects of German Air Force raids. Aspects of enlistment with Royal Navy in GB, 1941: rejection on volunteering for Fleet Air Arm due to eyesight; reasons for selecting Royal Navy; call-up and journey to Skegness, 9/1941. Recollections of training as wireless telegraphist at HMS Royal Arthur, Skegness, GB, 9/1941-11/1941: kitting out and uniform. REEL 2 Continues: inoculations; accommodation in chalets; rations; physical training; route marches; drill; rifle drill; daily routine on No 11 punishment fatigues after being caught smoking and gambling; problems learning Morse Code and consequent transfer to train as radar operator; rowing training in swimming baths. Recollections of training as radar operator at HMS Valkyrie, Douglas Head, Isle of Man, 12/1941-1/1942: training in operation of Radar Directional Finding (RDF) sets; billets; amusing story illustrating character of Sub-Lieutenant John Pertwee. Aspects of training as radar operator aboard HMS Pollux in GB coastal waters, 2/1942-12/1942: character of ship as ex-Russian icebreaker; scrubbing rust off ladders; seasickness; case of anti-Semitism and consequent fight; relations with other seaman. REEL 3 Continues: convoy duty; role of Radar Directional Finding (RDF) set. Aspects of period as radar operator on draft at Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, GB, 12/1942-1/1943: home port system; barrack accommodation; visits to London and Southsea; duty watch; question of inspections; practice of lightening uniform collars; method of folding trousers; rations; reaction to draft to HMS Asbury in United States of America. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Andes from Gourock, GB to Halifax, Canada, 2/1943: train journey to Gourock, GB; story of avoiding fight; conditions during voyage aboard HMT Andes; reaction to possibility of shore leave; train journey to Asbury Park, United States of America. Recollections of period as seaman at HMT Asbury at Asbury Park, United States of America, 2/1943-3/1943: accommodation; story of escorting deserter on train to military prison in Montreal, Canada. REEL 4 Continues: nature of rations; hospitality of American civilians and clubs; radar course on SL Set at Virginia Beach; continued disputes on American Civil War amongst American service personnel; relations with United States Navy personnel; visit to New York. Recollections of period standing by HMS Calder at Boston, United States of America, 3/1943-7/1943: converted warehouse; story of gift of ice cream; story of sleeping with American woman and hospitalisation after subsequent fight with United States Navy seaman; collection from hospital by naval shore patrol. REEL 5 Continues: initial impressions of HMS Calder; commissioning ceremony, 15/7/1943; control centre beneath bridge; duties as navigator's yeoman assisting navigation officer Sub-Lieutenant Christopher Eason; opinion of various officers; radar personnel; secrecy and security arrangements for radar equipment in harbour; dock canteen; radar set trials; degaussing procedure at Charleston Navy Yard; rolling and seasickness caused by bad weather during voyage to Bermuda. Recollections of period as seaman aboard HMS Calder at Bermuda, 8/1943-9/1943: abandon ship exercise; story of coincidental meeting and dinner with former school teacher serving as military attache at Governor's House. REEL 6 Continues: subsequent death of former teacher; nature of working up exercises; story of painting ship; accident due to arrival of hurricane winds and treatment for cracked ribs; nature of HMS Malabar at St George's Harbour; visits ashore; equipment in control station; messdeck and bunk beds; decking; problems with cafeteria messing; question of use of laundry; cleaning hammocks; latrines and washing facilities; galley; rations; detailed review of ship layout and associated personnel including petty officers' mess and No 2 Mess. REEL 7 Continues: detailed review of ship layout and associated personnel including No 2(a) Mess, No 3 Mess, pantry, wardroom mess and cabins, stokers' messdeck and through deck arrangement; question of welded construction and 'dry' nature of ship. REEL 8 Continues: voyage as escort to HMS Victorious and convoy from Bermuda to Liverpool, GB, 9/1943. Aspects of period of refitting aboard HMS Calder at Pollock Dock, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 9/1943: change in messing arrangements and role of cook of mess; removal of water fountain. Recollections of operations as radar operator aboard HMS Calder, 4th Destroyer Escort Group in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Mediterranean, 11/1943-8/1945: composition of 4th Escort Group; story of picking up radar echo on port side of German submarine, firing star shell and attack with depth charges in Bay of Biscay; watch system routine and action station duties in radar office; method of operating radar set and reporting procedure using voice pipe to bridge; use of plotting table; method of keeping station against particular convoy ship; congratulations received from Captain Frederic Walker; German Air Force Heinkel He 177 air attack using glider bomb; question of fatigue; rations; story of saving rum ration top sell in local pub in Belfast, Northern Ireland. REEL 9 Continues: drinking habits; visits to dance halls in Belfast, Northern Ireland; shore patrols; leave in London, GB including difficult journey, jumping off train at Cricklewood Railway Station, recreational activities, nearly missing train, sexual encounter on train and narrow escape from catching venereal disease; nature of routine during convoy escort duties in Mediterranean; ukkers and cribbage games; escorting fast troopships; arrangements in selling naval soap on black market in Naples, Italy. REEL 10 Continues: shore leave in Naples, Italy including visits to historical sites, initial necessity of carrying arms, war damage, drinking in canteens and minimal contact with Italian civilians; account of sinking German submarine U-1051 in Irish Sea, 26/1/1945 including identifying submarine using depth gauge, attack with Hedgehog, surfacing of submarine, opening fire with guns and reaction to HMS Aylmer ramming and sinking submarine; question of reinforced bows; story of sinking German submarine U-774 in North Atlantic, 8/4/1945; effects of rolling in bad weather; nature of anti-submarine sweeps and question of use of Ultra intelligence; opinion of acting captain Lieutenant James Davidson and captain Lieutenant Commander Edward Playne; role as ship's postman and navigator's yeoman; receiving news of D-Day, 6/6/1944; VE Day celebrations in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 8/5/1945, including breaking into pub, climbing Queen Victoria's Statue at Belfast City Hall and subsequent arrest. REEL 11 Continues: arrest and release next day, 9/5/1945; refitting as landing craft control ship for invasion of Japan at Pollock Dock, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 5/1945-8/1945; VJ Day, 15/8/1945; leaving ship, 8/1945; subsequent return of ship to United States of America. Recollections of period on shore duties with Royal Navy in GB, 8/1945-4/1946: period spent at Royal Naval Barracks, HMS Pembroke, Chatham, 8/1945-11/1945; attending leading seaman radar course at HMS Valkyrie, Douglas Head, Isle of Man and HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB, 11/1945-12/1945: re-organisation of radar operator ranks; story of problems taking drill session; British radar sets and radar plotting; move to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton; radio telephony training; question of qualifying as chief petty officer and decision to reject promotion to avoid extension of service; prior drafting in error to HMS Bellona, 11/1945; second period in Royal Naval Barracks, HMS Pembroke, Chatham, 12/1945-4/1946, including Christmas leave and clerical duties; demobilisation and disposal of friend's uniform, 4/1946. Post-war life and career: return to work as salesman with officers' outfitters and background to leaving; question of joining Royal Army Ordnance Corps with prospect of early commission. REEL 12 Continues: decision not to join Royal Army Ordnance Corps; marriage and employment in jewellery business; effects of war service. Recollections of role in forming HMS Calder Association and Captain Class Frigate Association in GB, 1995-2001: initial impetus; methods of contacting old shipmates including Signaller Frank Williamson and Commander Christopher Eason; arrangements with Dave Lingard for 4th Escort Group reunion; organisation of Captain Class Frigate Association reunions, 2000-2002.