Interview with Henry Carter

British telegraphist served aboard HMS Goodall, Escort Group B6 and 19th Escort Group in North Atlantic and Arctic, 1944-1945, including sinking at the entrance to Kola Inlet, Barents Sea, 29/4/1945

REEL 1 Background in Gravesend and Plumstead, GB, 1924-1943: family and social circumstances; education; declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; duties as messenger with Air Raid Precautions; employment in paper mil and public house; employment with marine engineering firm, including conversion of Thames lighters into invasion barges; air raid shelters; blackout; German Air Force raids; service and training with Machine Gun Section, Headquarters Coy, 16th (Gravesend) Bn Kent Home Guard, 1943. Aspects of enlistment and training as seaman at HMS Royal Arthur, Skegness, GB, 6/1943-7/1943: call-up for service with Royal Navy, 6/1943; aptitude tests; kitting out; importance of punctuality; chalet accommodation; drill and opinion of instructors; method of wearing uniform; absence of seamanship training as telegraphist; relations with fellow recruits. Aspects of training as telegraphist at HMS Scotia, Ayr, GB, 7/1943-9/1943: learning Morse Code and speed tests. REEL 2 Continues: possibility of advanced qualification as telegraphist based on results; codes and cyphers; wireless procedure; use of radio telephony. Aspects of training as telegraphist at HMS Valkyrie, Douglas Head, Isle of Man, 10/1943-1/1944: accommodation; passing out as telegraphist. Aspects of period as telegraphist at Royal Naval Barracks, HMS Pembroke, Chatham, GB, 1/1944-2/1944. Recollections of operations as telegraphist aboard HMS Goodall, Escort Group B6 and 19th Escort Group in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Arctic, 2/1944-4/1945: initial impression of frigate; communications messdeck; question of laundry; watch system worked, including duties and equipment in wireless office. REEL 3 Continues: nature of convoy in North Atlantic, including seasickness, rolling and recreational period ashore in United States Navy base at Argentia, Newfoundland; relationship with Telegraphists Thomas Daniel, Bernard Cobb and Sidney Sivell, Petty Officer Telegraphist George Finlay, Leading Coder Guy Williams, signal officer Lieutenant Robert Whyte, captain Lieutenant Commander James Fulton and Lieutenant James Dallaway; crew morale; general messing system and food; rum ration; cigarette ration and role as 'tobacco baron'; canteen; cleaning messdeck and wireless office; initial action stations in sick bay; rating as telegraphist; rough weather whilst escorting ships to Iceland; visits ashore in Liverpool; leave in London and impact of V1 campaign. REEL 4 Continues: escorting HMS Nelson, 6/1944; anti-submarine patrols in Western Approaches; role of HFDF telegraphists; training at signal school and role on passing as Trained Operator; formation of 19th Escort Group and special relationship with crew of HMS Bullen; sinking of HMS Bullen by German submarine U-775 off Cape Wrath, 6/12/1944; captain Lieutenant Commander James Fulton's radio telephony system; depth charge attacks and success in sinking German submarine U-775 , 6/12/1944; ship's welded construction; convoy to Murmansk, Soviet Union, 4/1945, including prior anti-aircraft practice, detachment to cover minelayers, anchorage and visit ashore at Vaenga; story of coxswain court martialled for being drunk in action with German submarine. Recollections of torpedoing of HMS Goodall, 19th Escort Group by German submarine U-286 at entrance to Kola Inlet, Barents Sea, 29/4/1945: taking up action stations whilst sweeping ahead of convoy in Kola Inlet; position in wireless office flat; sinking of surfaced German submarine U-307; torpedo strike fired from German submarine U-286; period of unconsciousness; fire; recovering consciousness at stern of ship; rescue by corvette HMS Honeysuckle; nature of injuries; period on stretcher and transfer ashore at Vaenga. Aspects of period in Royal Navy Emergency Hospital at Vaenga, Soviet Union, 4/1945-5/1945: story of meeting Signalman Douglas Fenwick. REEL 5 Continues: medical treatment; voyage back to GB. Aspects of hospital in Mearnskirk Hospital, Glasgow, GB, 5/1945-11/1945: lack of medical records; complications in treatment of broken arm; physiotherapy; question of psychological effects; period after hospitalisation on leave and at Royal Naval Barracks, HMS Pembroke, Chatham, 11/1945-2/1946. Aspects of period as telegraphist aboard Motor Launch ML 195 at Cuxhaven, Germany, 3/1946-5/1946: story of difficulties in locating launch; character motor launch ML 195; duties as telegraphist, signalman, officers' steward and spare quartermaster; role escorting former German Navy anti-aircraft ship to Netherlands. Aspects of period as telegraphist with Royal Navy in GB, 6/1946-8/1946: giving wireless demonstrations in 'Victory at Sea' exhibition at Birmingham, 6/1946; demobilisation, 8/1946. Post-war life and employment: question of physical state of arm; accident working in paper mill; work for tyre manufacturer. Recollections of period with Royal Naval Reserve in GB and aboard HMS Triumph in GB coastal waters, North Atlantic and Arctic, 1948-1953: joining Royal Naval Reserve, 1948; reaction to call-up, 6/1952; role as telegraphist aboard HMS Triumph, 7/1952-6/1953; nature of aircraft carrier; messdeck. REEL 6 Continues: duties as telegraphist and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation changes in wireless procedure; discipline; relationship with lower deck personnel; homesickness; role as training aircraft carrier and flying accidents; movements; rough weather during North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Exercise Mainbrace in Arctic; NATEX code system; period at Royal Naval Barracks, HMS Pembroke, Chatham GB, 6/1953-12/1953, including participation in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation simulation exercise using river boats as cruisers and attending signal school; demobilisation, 12/1953. Post-service life and employment: return to work with tyre manufacturers; developing interest in sinking of HMS Goodall; reaction to attending HMS Honeysuckle reunions; question of psychological effects of sinking of HMS Goodall; background to securing disability pension.