Interview with Gordon Mellish Patterson

British seaman served aboard HMS Vanquisher, 10th Escort Group in North Atlantic, 1941-1942; officer served aboard HMS Calder, 4th Escort Group in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Mediterranean, 1943-1945

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Ilford and Edinburgh, GB, 1917-1940: murder of father whilst serving with Royal Navy, 1917; social circumstances on move to Edinburgh; education; training as chartered accountant, 1935-1939; minimal German Air Force raids on Edinburgh. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Navy at HMS Raleigh, Torpoint, GB, 10/1940-1/1941: call-up for service with Royal Navy, 10/1940; question of selection and loss of place as CW officer cadet; seamanship training; drill; relations with fellow recruits and instructors. Aspects of period as seaman on shore duties at Lyness, Hoy, Orkney Islands, 1/1941-10/1941: role establishing defensive positions; shortage of rifles and issue of clubs; wet weather conditions; application for sea service.; story of officers playing bridge; train journey to Devonport. Aspect of operations as seaman aboard HMS Vanquisher, 10th Escort Group in North Atlantic, 10/1941-10/1942: state of destroyer; minimal washing facilities; wet conditions below decks; watch system; lookout duties; action stations on pom-pom; cleaning and painting duties; seagoing capabilities of ship and effects of storms; convoy escort role and question of lack of contacts with German submarines; pay; recreational activities at Lyness, Hoy, Orkney Islands and Halifax, Canada; visits to St John's, Newfoundland. Aspects of training as officer cadet at HMS King Alfred III, Lancing and HMS King Alfred II, Hove, 10/1942-1/1943: organisation of courses. REEL 2 Continues: seamanship; relations with instructors; course in behaviour expected of officers at Royal Naval College, Greenwich; naval tradition; asdic course. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Navy on shore duties in United States of America, 1/1943-2/1943: voyage aboard HMT Andes from to New York, 1/1943; accommodation in Barbizon Hotel, New York, 2/1943. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Navy at HMS Malabar, Bermuda, 3/1943-9/1943: role in pool of replacement officers; accommodation; anti-submarine training; trip on United States Navy submarine; short attachment to HMS Blackwood. Recollections of operations as officer aboard HMS Calder, 4th Escort Group in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Mediterranean, 9/1943-10/1945: nature of cabins and bunks on board; question of all welded construction; rolling characteristics of ship; question of seasickness; training for certificate as officer of watch; clothes; opinion of Lieutenant Commander Arthur White and his loss of nerve in glider bomb attack, 10/1943; opinion of First Lieutenant James Davidson, Navigation Officer Lieutenant Christopher Eason, Midshipman John Huckle and Gunnery Officer Lieutenant Gibson; nature of officers' wardroom and drinking habits; food; opinion of Engineering Officer Sydney Leach. REEL 3 Continues: escorting HMS Victorious back to GB, 9/1943; party at Reykjavik, Iceland; basing of frigate at Pollock Dock, Belfast, Northern Ireland; action stations supervising depth charges on quarterdeck; visits ashore to Belfast, Northern Ireland; inexperience of crew during operations in Bay of Biscay, 11/1943; opinion of Commander Evelyn Chavasse; effects of fatigue; reputation of Captain Fredric Walker; nature of role escorting duties with convoys through Mediterranean to Naples, Italy, 12/1943-10/1944; increasing confidence and competence of crew; naval regatta, 14/10/1944; visits to opera at Naples; relations with Italians; opinion of Lieutenant Commander Edward Playne; opinion of BL 3 Inch Naval Gun armament, gunnery control system, Bofors 20mm Gun and Hedgehog Mortar; role as gunnery officer; change to hunter/killer anti-submarine role around Northern Scotland and Ireland; bad weather conditions; story of relief at cancellation of orders to lead submarine boarding party following HMS Hesperus ramming and sinking of German submarine U-1051 in Irish Sea, 26/1/1945; opinion of Lieutenant Adams; sinking of German submarine U-774 off Cape Clear Island, Ireland, 8/4/1945; opinion of Lieutenant Commander Edward Playne; personal morale; opinion of Lieutenant McBride Swayne. REEL 4 Continues: VE Day, 8/5/1945; refit for service in Far East; crew attitude to dockyard personnel; voyage from GB to United States of America, 10/1945; story of arrangements to dispose of excess wardroom drinks on handing over ship at Brooklyn Naval Yard, New York, United States of America; return voyage aboard HMT Queen Elizabeth from New York, United States of America to GB, 11/1945; period of leave prior to demobilisation, 3/1946. Post-war life and employment: return to chartered accountancy; story illustrating effects of war service; membership of HMS Calder Association.