Description
Object description
British cadet with Royal Naval College at Eaton Hall, GB, 1/1946- 3/1946; midshipman served with Royal Naval Engineering College, Keyham, GB, 1947-1950; engineering officer served aboard HMS Belfast in Far East and during Korean War, 1950-1952; served with Royal New Zealand Navy in Auckland, New Zealand, 1952-1954; served aboard HMS Duchess in GB coastal waters and Mediterranean, 1954-1957
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Arbuthknot, GB, 1928-1946: family; education; memories of Second World War; victory celebrations, 1945. Aspects of period as cadet with Royal Naval College at Eaton Hall, GB, 1/1946-3/1946: entry requirements; preference for engineer training; status as special entry cadet; initial impressions of naval life; description of Eaton Hall; adjusting to naval life; uniform worn; standard of education; opinion of general training; recreational activities; rations.
REEL 2 Continues: degree to which post-war austerity affected cadets; playing bagpipes; attitude of naval officers towards rank; role of officers in Royal Navy in looking after men under them; standards required by officers. Aspects of period as midshipman at Royal Engineering College at Keyham, GB, 1946-1950: applying for flying training; balance between practical and academic work; engineer training; work aboard HMS Illustrious in floating dock; sea time aboard destroyer HMS Saint James; aid received from The McRoberts Reply organisation. Recollections of operations as engineering officer aboard HMS Belfast in Far East and during Korean War, 1950-1952: duties; ship's company.
REEL 3 Continues: attitude to appointment to ship; voyage from GB to Far East aboard HMT Devonshire; lack of surprise on arrival on ship; rum ration; placing ship on war footing; accommodation; role of ship; attitude towards participation in Korean conflict; effects of being in typhoon; in action; presence of 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders personnel on board; leave and church services; inspecting ships in Singapore harbour for potential sabotage.
REEL 4 Continues: accuracy of HMS Belfast's guns; returning American personnel in whaler during poor weather; security on board; experience of senior ratings; chain of command; memories of captain and senior officers; emphasis on personal hygiene; crew recreation and training; details of running of family farm; contact with family; use of ether in cold weather; leaving HMS Belfast.
REEL 5 Continues: work as friend during court martial of Scottish stokers; ashore in Japan; attending reception in Tokyo; conditions in Japan; visits to Korea; saving of man overboard. Aspects of period as engineering officer with Royal New Zealand Navy in Auckland, New Zealand, 1952-1954: reasons for wanting posting to New Zealand; character of Royal New Zealand Navy; return to GB, 1954; opinion of supervision of contracts in shipyards in Glasgow on return, 1954. Aspects of period as engineering officer with HMS Duchess in GB coastal waters and Mediterranean, 1955-1957: character of ship; leaving Royal Navy as senior engineer.
REEL 6 Continues: choice of Merchant Navy on leaving Royal Navy. Reflections on period with Royal Navy, 1946-1957: attitude to having served with Royal Navy; relations between officers and other ranks; importance of training during action; role of Royal Navy during Korean War.