Interview with George Halliday

British seaman served aboard HMS Goodall, Escort Group B6 in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, 6/1944-4/1945, including sinking in Kola Inlet, Soviet Union, 29/4/1945; served aboard HMS Cuckmere and HMS Ajax, Mediterranean Fleet in Mediterranean, 1945-1947

REEL 1 Background in Lambeth, London, GB, 1926-1939: family social circumstances; interruption of education by outbreak of Second World War; work selling newspapers; reaction on declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Recollections of period as civilian in Lambeth, London, GB, 1939-1943: German Air Force raids; training and voluntary duties as firewatcher with Air Raid Precautions; German Air Force low-level daylight air raid; employment as apprentice butcher and baker's boy, 1939-1941; employment as labourer with company filling in bomb craters, 1941-1943; question of rationing; recreational activities including visits to snooker halls; effects of German Air Force raids and assisting in debris clearance; prior membership of Sea Cadets; 1937-1939; story of failed attempt to volunteer for Royal Air Force and recruitment into Royal Navy, 1/1944. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of training at HMS Ganges, Shotley, GB, 2/1944-4/1944: prior kitting out at HMS Royal Arthur, Skegness; hutted accommodation; drill; gunnery training and interest in light anti-aircraft guns; physical training; masthead drill; swimming test; knots and splices; rations; absence of 'spit and polish'; relations with fellow recruits, prospective officer cadets and instructors. REEL 3 Continues: assessment including test in aircraft recognition and eyesight. Aspects of period as seaman on gunnery course at Royal Naval Gunnery School, HMS Wildfire, Sheerness, GB, 4/1944-5/1944: assault course; training on Oerlikon 20mm Cannon; story of getting into trouble swimming in Thames Estuary; qualification as anti-aircraft gunner. Recollections of period as seaman aboard HMS Goodall in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Arctic, 6/1944-4/1945: reception at Gladstone Dock, Liverpool, 6/1944; assignment to starboard Oerlikon 20mm Cannon abaft bridge; messdeck and bunks; question of frigate having American manufactured fittings; relationd with fellow seamen and Leading Seaman Samuel Willcocks; initial seasickness. REEL 4 Continues: initial seasickness and ship's rolling; anti-submarine sweeps ahead of convoys; cruising station including duties on lookout, wheel and standing by waist Oerlikon 20mm Cannon; clothing; resting off watch; canteen messing system; rations; tea; rum ration; letters and parcels; question of cleaning ship and officers' rounds; opinion of various officers including New Zealander Sub-Lieutenant Neil Horspool, Lieutenant Paul Mallett and Lieutenant James Delaway. REEL 5 Continues: opinion of Lieutenant Cyril Lovett, captain Lieutenant Commander Fulton James and Lieutenant James Delaway; crew morale; nature of anti-submarine sweeps and responding to aircraft submarine reports; account of sinking of HMS Bullen in North Atlantic off Cape Wrath, GB, 6/12/1944, including prior submarine sweep, launching whaler to pick up survivors, commencing search for German submarine, sinking of launch by HMS Hesperus, 'creeper' tactics with HMS Loch Insh, depth charge attacks and debris later identified from German submarine U-297; links with HMS Bullen in 19th Escort Group; visits ashore in Liverpool, including story of fight with dock workers in public house, drinking habits, pay and relations with civilians. REEL 6 Continues: recreational activities during home leave. Recollections of operations as seaman aboard HMS Goodall, Escort Group B6 during Convoy JW 66 in Arctic, 4/1945: weather conditions; situation; escorting anti-submarine minelayers; shooting at floating mines; Oerlikon 20mm Cannon ammunition types and method of loading drums; Oerlikon 20mm Cannon target practice and question of accuracy; story of gunner losing Oerlikon 20mm Cannon barrel overboard in harbour at Polyarno, Soviet Union; impressions of Soviet regime during visit ashore. Recollections of torpedoing and sinking of HMS Goodall, Escort Group B6 by German submarine U-286 whilst escorting Convoy RA 66 through Kola Inlet, Soviet Union in Barents Sea, 29/4/1945: submarine warning and anti-submarine sweep by combined escort groups; opening fire on surfaced German submarine U-307; opinion of BL 3 Inch Naval Gun and prior failed attempt to sink derelict merchant ship; effect of torpedo strike by U-286 on portside and detonation of forward BL 3 Inch Naval Gun magazine; being trapped by collapse of Oerlikon 20mm Cannon mounting. REEL 7 Continues: escape from Oerlikon 20mm Cannon mounting; fire; move along main deck to stern; orders from Lieutenant James Delaway to abandon ship; diving overboard and getting into Carley Float; casting off; view of damage to ship whilst paddling away from portside; question of cold conditions; detonation of Oerlikon 20mm Cannon ammunition on ship; being capsized on Carley Float by passing ship; getting back onto Carley Float; burning oil on sea; sighting Soviet Navy motor launch; rescue by second Soviet Navy motor launch; treatment for cold; brief period ashore in Soviet Union; losing consciousness. Aspects of period of hospitalisation and survivor's leave in GB, 5/1945-6/1945: medical evacuation aboard HMS Vindex and hospital ship to GB, 5/1945; hospitalisation in Kingseat Hospital, Newmachar near Aberdeen, 5/1945; nature of injuries; personal morale; question of VE Day celebrations, 8/5/1945; issue of new kit; story of reception on being late back from sick leave; question of treatment of survivors. REEL 8 Continues: period at Royal Naval Barracks HMS Pembroke, Chatham, 6/1945. Aspects of period aboard HMS Cuckmere, Mediterranean Fleet in Mediterranean, 7/1945-1/1946: damaged state of ship; care and maintenance party; duties as bosun; receiving tow from Taranto, Italy to Malta, 12/1945; absence of Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1945; story illustrating duties as coxswain of motorboat. Recollections of period as seaman aboard HMS Ajax, Mediterranean Fleet in Mediterranean, 1946-1947: nature of cruiser; messdeck; relationship with seamen and officers; story of water polo match; action stations on twin Oerlikon 20mm Cannon; movements; crisis over Albanian mining activities in claimed territorial waters and role in covering clearance of minefield in Corfu Channel; towing cut mines away in motorboat; intercepting ships containing Jewish immigrants heading for newly created Israel and story of boarding over crowded ketch; question of attitude to Jewish immigrants; return to GB for demobilisation REEL 9 Aspects of demobilisation in GB, 1947: demobilisation suit; bounty payment; question of resigning as regular with Royal Navy. Post-war life and employment: various jobs; marriage and move to Chippenham; employment in electrical component factory; background to career as full time trade union official and Labour Party Councillor; disability pension granted for hearing loss; background to membership of HMS Bullen Association, Captain Class Frigates Association, North Russian Club and Royal Naval Club, Chippenham, 1992-2002; contacts with German Navy officer from U-286 and visit to their crew reunion; attitude to reconciliation with Germans.