Interview with James Edwards

British radar operator served aboard HMS Chesterfield, Escort Group B7 in North Atlantic, 1/1942-11/1942; served aboard HMS Burges, 4th Escort Group in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic, English Channel and Mediterranean, 8/1943-5/1945

REEL 1 Background in Homerton and Hackney, London and Ilford, GB, 1922-1941: family circumstances; education; declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; evacuation to Wisbech and Upwell, 9/1939-11/1939, including accommodation, half-time shared school, absence of homesickness and return to Ilford; work as clerk allocating torch batteries at General Electric Company; German Air Force raids; sharing neighbour's air raid shelter; journey to work; blackout; rationing; role as volunteer fire station messenger; call-up, 29/9/1941. Recollections of enlistment and training at HMS Ganges, Shotley, 9/1941-11/1941: call-up for service with Royal Navy, 29/9/1941; journey from Ilford to Shotley; reception; kitting out; hutted accommodation; rations. REEL 2 Continues: physical training; drill; rifle training; seamanship training; gunnery training on 6 Inch Naval Gun; climbing masthead; canteen; smoking pipe; kit inspections; discipline; relations with instructors, recruits and officers; parades; background to volunteering for radar training. Recollections of training as radar operator at HMS Valkyrie, Douglas Head, Isle of man, 12/1941: presence of Sub-Lieutenant John Pertwee; effectiveness of lectures; operation of 271 Type Radar set and aerial; practical experience at sea; secrecy. REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period in Naval Barracks, HMS Victory, Portsmouth, GB, 12/1941-1/1942: duties cleaning latrines; barrack lifestyle; visits to Portsmouth. Recollections of period as radar operator aboard HMS Chesterfield, Escort Group B7 in North Atlantic, 1/1942-11/1942: character of destroyer and it's poor seagoing qualities; radar direction finding training; location of radar direction finding sets; reception on arrival; messdeck; cooks of mess and messing system; status as radar operator; story of acquiring nickname 'Bungy'; blackening mast stays; story of successful attempt to repair radar direction finding; watch system worked; reporting radar contacts to bridge; nature of convoy escort duties in North Atlantic including meeting convoy, seasickness, composition of escort, convoy discipline, story of being seasick and effects of changing zig zag course. REEL 4 Continues: nature of convoy escort duties in North Atlantic including routine, action stations on radar direction finding set, personal morale, afternoon rests, destinations and return convoys; stern deck latrines and effects of heavy seas; endemic problems with ship's engines and propellers and consequent extra leave during refits; crew morale; promotion to able seaman; period in Naval Barracks, HMS Victory, Portsmouth, 11/1942-1/1943. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Empress of Scotland from GB to Halifax, Canada, 1/1941: false torpedo alarm; conditions on board; damaging hip; journey to New York, United States of America. Aspects of period as radar operator at HMS Asbury, Asbury Park, United States of America, 1/1943-5/1943: conditions of service in hotel accommodation; recreational activities and American hospitality; minimal duties. REEL 5 Continues: leave; attending course on American manufactured radar sets and planned position indicator at Norfolk. Aspects of period standing-by HMS Burges at Boston Naval Yard, United States of America, 5/1943-7/1943: messdeck including bunk beds and engine noise; initial minimal duties; shore leave and hospitality of American civilians; opinion of various officers including captain Lieutenant Commander Harold Hill and Lieutenant Ian Bamford. Aspects of working up trials at Bermuda, 7/1943: use of SL and SC Radar sets; abandon ship exercise; relations with lower deck and petty officers; crew morale; visits ashore. Aspects of convoy escort duties aboard HMS Burges from Argentia, Newfoundland to Belfast, Northern Ireland in North Atlantic, 7/1943-8/1943: prior death of sailor in road accident and auction of belongings; ship's rolling. Recollections of operations as radar operator aboard HMS Burges, 4th Escort Group in GB coastal waters, English Channel, North Atlantic and Mediterranean, 8/1943-5/1945: refit; relations with civilians in Belfast, Northern Ireland; clerical duties running ship's office. REEL 6 Continues: nature of North Atlantic and Mediterranean convoys; dangers in operating Hedgehog Mortar; visits ashore at Naples, Italy; status as only leading seaman and story taking charge of whaler during man overboard exercise; role as 'captain of parade'; anti-submarine sweeps; story of being picked up from whaler without ship stopping; taking wheel on bridge; interest in navigation; ship's severe rolling; anti-submarine sweeps; first news of D-Day, 6/6/1945; sweeps with in English Channel; story of torpedoing of HMS Capel and HMS Affleck in English Channel, 26/12/1944; story of narrow escape from collision with United States Merchant Marine oil tanker; story of captain using depth charge for fishing; routine nature of operations. REEL 7 Continues: sinking of U-1063 off Stark Point in English Channel, 15/4/1945; memories of VE Day, 8/5/1945; question of cause of accidental flooding of engine room at Greenock, 8/6/1945; repairs; cricket activities; opinion of captain Lieutenant Clifford Cornelius; reductions to crew; voyage escorting landing craft across South Atlantic to New York, United States of America, 12/1945-1/1946 including minor collision with destroyer at Gibraltar, efforts to assist civilians in Canary Islands and question of black market activities; handing over ship at Brooklyn Navy Yard, United States of America; wardroom party. REEL 8 Continues: shore leave in New York, United States of America; assisting in ship's office during return voyage aboard HMT Queen Elizabeth, 2/1946; demobilisation, 5/1946 including prior dental treatment and 'demob' suits, Post-war life and career: return to work as clerk at General Electric Company; evening classes; securing work at film laboratories; question of effects of war service; membership of HMS Burges Association.