Muller, Henry Norman (Oral history)

British boy seaman and seaman served aboard HMS Suffolk in GB coastal waters, Atlantic, Arctic and Indian Ocean, 1940-1945; served as electrician aboard submarines HMS Ambush and HMS Sentinel in GB coastal waters, 1946-1948

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1923-1939: family; employment. Enlistment and training as boy seaman at HMS Ganges, 1939-1940: reasons for enlistment; issue of kit; disciplinary action for smoking; shore leave; move to HMS St George, Isle of Man; drafting to overspill barracks at Chatham. Recollections of operations as boy seaman and able seaman aboard HMS Suffolk in GB coastal waters, Atlantic and Arctic, 1940-1942: initial impressions of ship; use of hammock; watch system; action station in port forward director; weather and living conditions in Arctic; beer ration ashore; story of having his first shave; recreational activities including rat catching; discipline aboard; contact with family; messing arrangements. REEL 2 Continues: patrolling Denmark Straits after Bismarck broke into Atlantic; initial contact with Bismarck and Prinz Eugen; trailing Bismarck; reaction to sight of HMS Hood exploding; story of rescuing of jinxed Bismarck's ship cat by HMS Cossack. Period as seaman aboard HMS Suffolk in Indian Ocean, 1943-1945: convoy escort duties; shortage of water; licensing laws in Australia; rum ration; story of death of twin brothers from imbibing of rum on their birthday; marriage to wife prior to drafting to Far East; splicing the main brace on VE Day; return to GB, c8/1945; question of homosexuality in Royal Navy. REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period as electrician aboard submarine HMS Ambush in Atlantic and Arctic, 1946-1948: drafting to Submarine Service at HMS Dolphin; trip to Arctic; living conditions on board; practical joke carried during daily ablutions; visits to Germany. Period as leading electrician aboard submarine HMS Sentinel, 1948: character of submarine; problems using toilet in stoker's mess; smell of kerosene aboard; discipline; attitude to serving aboard submarines; story of becoming chef for the day. Story of trip around Africa aboard HMS Acran, c1956. Attitude to leaving Royal Navy. Civilian career on leaving Royal Navy. Sings bawdy naval song and performance in sod's operas.