Interview with Henry Norman Muller

British boy seaman and seaman served aboard HMS Suffolk, 1st, 4th and 5th Cruiser Sqdns in GB coastal waters, North and South 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. Aspects of enlistment and training as boy seaman at HMS Ganges, Shotley, 1939-1940: reasons for enlistment; issue of kit; disciplinary action for smoking; shore leave; move to HMS St George, Douglas, Isle of Man; drafting to overspill barracks at HMS Pembroke, Chatham. Recollections of operations as boy seaman and able seaman aboard HMS Suffolk, 1st Cruiser Sqdn in GB coastal waters, North 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 Strait after German battleship Bismarck broke into North Atlantic, 5/1941; initial contact with German battleship Bismarck and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen; trailing German battleship Bismarck; reaction to sight of HMS Hood exploding in North Atlantic, 24/5/1941; story of rescuing of jinxed German battleship Bismarck's ship cat by HMS Cossack. Aspects of operations as seaman aboard HMS Suffolk, 4th and 5th Cruiser Sqdns in Indian Ocean, 7/1943-8/1945: convoy escort duties in Indian Ocean; 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, 8/5/1945; return to GB, 8/1945; question of homosexuality in Royal Navy. REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period as electrician aboard submarine HMS Ambush in North Atlantic and Arctic, 1946-1948: drafting to Submarine Service at HMS Dolphin, Gosport; trip to Arctic; living conditions on board; practical joke carried during daily ablutions; visits to Germany. Aspects of period as leading electrician aboard submarine HMS Sentinel in GB coastal waters, 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. Reflections on service with Royal Navy: story of voyage around African coast, 1956; attitude to leaving Royal Navy; civilian employment on leaving Royal Navy; sings bawdy naval song and performance in Sod's Operas.