Interview with Philip Cookson

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Description

Object description

British midshipman served aboard HMS Belfast in Far East and off North and South Korea, 1950-1951; officer served aboard HMS Comus in Far East and off North and South Korea, 1951; various appointments as officer with Submarine Service, Royal Navy in in GB, Portugal, Mediterranean and Far East, 1953-1973

Content description

REEL 1 Background in Clifton, Bristol and Bude, GB, 1931-1944: family; education in Bristol and Bude. Aspects of enlistment and training as cadet at Dartmouth Naval College at Eaton Hall and Dartmouth, GB, 1944-1949: decision to join Royal Navy; pattern of naval training at Eaton Hall; character of discipline; officer's rounds and inspections; use of recreational time; return to Dartmouth for final terms; period on training cruiser HMS Devonshire; accommodation and messing arrangements on board; origins of cadets; shore leave and recreational activities; appointment to HMS Belfast and voyage on troopship from GB to Singapore, Federation of Malaya. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations as midshipman aboard HMS Belfast in Far East and off North and South Korea, 1950-1951: accommodation in HMS Terror as ship refitted in Singapore, Federation of Malaya; initial impressions of ship; use of hammock boy; reception in gun room; duties as midshipman; messing arrangements; mess bills; organisation of midshipmen in gun room; adjusting to life on board; memories of Captain Aubrey St Clair-Ford and degree of contact with him; reasons why HMS Belfast was a happy ship; rum ration and 'make and mend'; reaction to outbreak of Korean War, 6/1950; joining United States Navy task force and shore bombardment of eastern shore of North Korea; role during shore bombardment; later story of being shelled by North Korean People's Army forces aboard destroyer HMS Comus. REEL 3 Continues: shore bombardment for landings at Inchon, South Korea, 19/9/1950; rapid return to Korean waters after People's Republic of China's intervention in war; action stations and role of ship in supporting land forces; duties when not at action stations; lack of disciplinary problems; contact with family. Aspects of operations as officer aboard HMS Comus in Far East and off North and South Korea, 1951: leaving HMS Belfast and appointment to HMS Comus; memories of Captain John Parker; conditions on board; duties on board; return to GB; opinion of training as sub-lieutenant in GB on return from service in Korean War, 1952-1953. Recollections of period as officer with Submarine Service in GB, Portugal, Mediterranean and Far East, 1953-1973: background to choosing Submarine Service; period of training at HMS Dolphin, Gosport, 1953. REEL 4 Continues: role as fourth hand aboard submarine HMS Sea Devil in Mediterranean 1953-1955; living conditions; duties and watch system; role of submarine's officers; passing commanding officer's course on return to GB; service aboard submarines HMS Explorer, HMS Serene and HMS Sea Devil during 1950s: type of fuel used on board submarine HMS Explorer; types of torpedoes used; loss of friend to Mk VIII Torpedo; taking command of submarine HMS Seraph, late 1950s; submarine's wartime career; character of captain's quarters on board; appointment to command minesweeper HMS Bronington in GB coastal waters. REEL 5 Continues: drafting to 2nd Submarine Sqdn; commanding HMS Oberon during Indonesian Confrontation; staff duties in Republic of Singapore; commanding Submarine School at HMS Dolphin, Gosport, 1969-1970; role as Head of Intelligence with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Portugal, 1971-1973; living conditions on board submarines; role of chef on submarines; clothing worn; water supply; memories of Captain Sandy Woodward on board HMS Valiant; dealing with waste; lack of alcohol in ward rooms; discipline on submarines; traditions on board submarines; background to leaving Royal Navy, 1973 and obtaining civilian employment. REEL 6 Continues: Aspects of period as officer with Royal Navy of Oman in Oman, 1970s-1980s: character of gunboats; research into design of new fast patrol boats; briefing Very Important Persons (VIPs); life in Oman; story of obtaining steward; story of obtaining civilian employment on return from Oman; attitude towards Royal Navy training.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production), 1945-1989 (content), 1945-1989 (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
White, Jo (Recorder)
Cookson, Philip (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 2003-04-30
Dimensions: whole: Duration 180, Number Of Items 6
Catalogue number: 25053

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Interview with Philip Cookson

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