Description
Object description
British seaman served aboard HMS Paladin in GB coastal waters and Mediterranean, 1941-1942; served aboard HMS Woolwich in Mediterranean, 1942- 1943; trained as officer at HMS Good Hope in South Africa, 1943-1944; officer commanded HMS Z 78 in Mediterranean, 1944; served aboard HMS Denbigh Castle in GB coastal waters and Arctic, 1944-1945 including sinking 2/1945; served aboard HMS Hedingham Castle in GB coastal waters and Atlantic, 1945-1946
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1922-1941: family; parent's military service in First and Second World War; employment on leaving school, 1938; education; father's employment; Scouting activities; anticipation of coming war, 1939; milk round in London; work as messenger with Air Raid Precautions. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Navy in GB, 1941: reasons for joining Royal Navy; role as class leader; incident of incendiary bombs; pattern of training at HMS Collingwood; splicing ropes. Aspects of operations as seaman aboard HMS Paladin in GB coastal waters and Mediterranean, 1941-1942: joining ship on River Clyde; working up trials.
REEL 2 Continues: layout of ship; rations; ships' officers; atmosphere on board; prevalence of VD amongst married seamen; duties as quartermaster; off duty activities in Alexandria, Egypt. Aspects of operations as seaman aboard HMS Woolwich in Mediterranean, 1942-1943: bombing of HMS Woolwich, 11/1942; duties on board. Aspects of period aboard HMS Paladin in Mediterranean, 1942: convoy work to Malta; voyage from GB to Mediterranean; Axis attacks on ship; degree of damage to ship; reaction to bombing of ship; behaviour of First Lieutenant towards seamen on watch.
REEL 3 Continues: leaving ship after period of hospitalisation, 8/1942. Aspects of period as seaman aboard HMS Woolwich in Mediterranean, 1942-1943: joining ship, 8/1942; atmosphere aboard ship; quarters on aboard. Aspects of officer training at HMS Good Hope in South Africa, 1943-1944: pattern of training; duration of course; return to GB, 1944; discussion of tenants of his cottage; situation for parents; public morale and mood. Aspects of operations as officer with HMS Denbigh Castle in GB coastal waters and Arctic, 1944-1945: appointment to ship; equipping of ship with Squid mortar; working up trials with 'Monkey' Stephenson; attempt of Junkers Ju 88 to torpedo ship on Arctic convoy.
REEL 4 Continues: torpedoing of ship in Kola Inlet, 13/2/1945; abandoning ship and sinking; relations with Russians during war and post war periods; return to GB aboard HMS Nairana, 2/1945; duties as gunnery and quarterdeck officer; ship's crew; survivors leave. Aspects of operations as officer aboard HMS Hedingham Castle in GB coastal waters, 1945-1946: appointment to ship, 1/3/1945; story illustrating flexibility of navy; working up trials; joining CASE as experimental ship; Asdic trails; end of war; duties on board.
REEL 5 Continues: air sea rescue duties in Atlantic; testing cold weather clothing. Reflections of service with Royal Navy in Second World War: weather conditions in Arctic; reaction to Japanese surrender; attitude towards Germans; question of German workmanship; attitude towards Italians; contrast between German and Italian tactics; duties as correspondence officer aboard HMS Hedingham Castle; adoption of ships by towns.
REEL 6 Continues: survey work aboard HMS Hedingham Castle; demobilisation from HMS Oxford Castle; paying off of HMS Hedingham Castle; demobilisation process and return to civilian life. Aspects of period commanding HMS Z 78 in Mediterranean, 1944: origins of landing craft; story of taking landing craft from Alexandria, Egypt to Naples, Italy; story of contracting jaundice. Attitude to service in Royal Navy.
REEL 7 Continues: Attitude to Second World War.