Fisk, Jack (Oral history)

British rating served aboard HMS Virginia operating in North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, 1942-1944; served aboard HMS Wellard in Indian Ocean, 1944-1945; served aboard HMS Dranquet, 1945; served aboard HMS Prospect, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Highgate and East Finchley, London, 1923-1942: social circumstances; education work in various jobs, 1937-1939; outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; Anderson shelter; blackout; duties as ARP warden including problem with anti-aircraft shrapnel, checking blackout and acting as runner during raids; effects of parachute mines in Finchley; work as electrical inspector at light engineering factory; 1940-1942; rationing; failed attempt to join RAF and question of reserved occupation status; call up for Royal Navy, 4/1942. Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle and daily routine during training at HMS Collingwood Shore Station, Fareham, 4/1942-7/1942: reception; hut accommodation; vaccinations; kitting out; preparing for kit inspections; food rations; divisions; drill. REEL 2 Continues: seamanship training; PT; gunnery training; anti-aircraft gun training in simulator; weapons training; relationship with recruits; pay and allotment; relationship with instructors; boxing; recreational visits and 'tiddly' suit tailor in Portsmouth; Period with Royal Naval Patrol Service, HMS Europa Shore Station, Lowestoft, 7/1942-9/1942: billets; detachment on minesweeper training at Queensferry. Recollections of period as aboard HMS Virginia in Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, 9/1942-7/1944: joining ship at Birkenhead; former status as private yacht; action stations on depth charges; sea trials; nature of Atlantic convoys based at Londonderry, Northern Ireland including picking up survivors, question of seasickness, and effects on ship of rough weather; nature of messdeck; action station alarms. REEL 3 Continues: canteen messing system, role of cook of mess and food; water supply; watch system; lookout duties and taking wheel on bridge; role checking depth charges; cleaning ship; U-boat alarms and depth charge attacks; case of theft; crew morale and opinion of Lieutenant Commander Dobson; relationship with officers and petty officers; visits ashore at Londonderry and fights with US sailors; cancellation of move to Bermuda station after oil fire; move to Milford Haven, 5/1943; effects of rough weather while escorting motor launches to Gibraltar; convoy duty in Mediterranean, 5/1943; escorting convoy to Simonstown, 6/1943; nature of convoys into Indian Ocean based at various South African ports, 6/1943-6/1945; case of picking up survivors; story of escorting Italian submarine to Aden and story of getting drunk during visit aboard. REEL 4 Continues: story of emergency appendectomy and re-cooperation leave. Period aboard HMS Wellard based in South Africa, 11/1944-5/1945: convoy role in Indian Ocean; rum ration; stories of leave ashore and relationship with South African civilians. Voyage back to GB, 5/1945. Period aboard French tug Dranquet based at Anstruther, 1945: role picking up torpedoes; fishing; story of returning ship to Cherbourg, France. Period aboard HMS Prospect in North Sea, 12/1945-3/1946: opinion of captain; minesweeping role; escort of German ships filled with gas bombs to be scuttled in Kattegat; damage to ship and being towed into harbour. Demobilisation, 6/1946. Post-war career: return to work at light engineering factory; acclimatisation to civilian lifestyle; membership of Royal Naval Association, Royal Naval Patrol Group Association and British Legion.