Description
Object description
British torpedoman served aboard Survey Motor Launch 5 (SML5) based in Lowestoft, GB, 1948; served aboard HMS Triumph in Mediterranean and Far East, 1948-1950; served as leading torpedoman aboard HMS Birmingham in Far East, 1952-1954
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of background in Stepney, Becontree and Dagenham, London, 1929-1947: family background including father's military service, 1914-1926; attacks of pneumonia and diphtheria, ca 1937; move to Becontree, 1937; education; reactions to outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; prior issue of gas masks; Anderson shelter; move to Dagenham, ca 1940; evacuation of father as Shell employee to Richmond, 9/1939; decision not to be evacuated; part-time education; food and clothes rationing; awareness of black market; effects of German air raids; playing on bomb sites and truanting; evacuation to temporary accommodation during false alarm of delayed action bomb; view of aerial battles; story of Home Guard shooting Polish parachutist; casualties; draft dodgers; attitude to war; V1 and V2 attacks; VE Day celebrations, 8/5/1945; work as apprentice mechanics for car dealer, 1943-1944.
REEL 2 Continues: work as labourer on building repairs, 1944-1945; work as plasterer working on war damaged buildings, 1945-1947; question of joining Merchant Navy; background to joining Royal Navy as regular, 1947, including tests, interview, medical and father's reaction; working on fairground. Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle and daily routine at HMS Raleigh Shore Station, Torpoint, 3/1947-6/1947: reception and first meal; tests; drill; kitting out; hut accommodation; seamanship training; drill; relationship with instructors and recruits; importance of cleanliness; preparing for kit inspections; PT including assault course; hammocks; leave; recreational visits to Plymouth and drinking habits. Period training aboard HMS Nelson at Portland, 6/1947-8/1947: first impressions; question of No 11 punishment and complaints from public.
REEL 3 Continues: messdeck; seamanship training. Period at Torpedo Training School, HMS Vernon, Portsmouth and HMS Osprey Shore Station, Portland, ca 9/1947-10/1947: syllabus and introduction of asdic; torpedo training; mining and minesweeping; organisation of training and specialisations; demolition training; attending course in gun drill at Gunnery School, St Mary's Barracks, Chatham, ca 10/1947; choice of specialisation in torpedo and asdic; conditions of service; continuation training; necessity for study; asdic cabinet simulator; exercises with submarines; asdic range and effectiveness against submarines; fault finding in torpedoes; passing out as torpedoman 3rd class. Recollections of period aboard Survey Motor Launch 5 (SML5) and mother ship HMS Sharpshooter, 5/948-12/1948: reactions to posting; difficulties prior to joining launch at Lowestoft; role carrying out surveys for admiralty maps; crew and nature of launch; conditions; duties on echo-sounder taking sea depths; story of running aground; acting as cook and food; interest in overseas posting.
REEL 4 Continues: story of going AWOL on leave to secure overseas posting and subsequent interview with captain; relationship with National Servicemen. Period in Pembroke Barracks, Chatham, 12/1947-4/1948: increased discipline; choice of Chatham as Home Port; reaction to posting. Recollections of period as able-torpedoman aboard HMS Triumph, 4/1948-12/1950: joining ship at Sheerness; messdeck; duties on paravannes and demolitions party; working up trials with aircraft; action station as loader on Bofors gun including mock attacks and question of effect on hearing as asdic rating; cruising station duties in wheelhouse on wheel and telegraph; watch system; cleaning duties; general messing, role of cook of mess and food; laundry and washing clothes; sports and recreations; relationship with ratings; leading hands, petty officers and officers; crew morale; working up exercises in Mediterranean; news of role reinforcing Far East Fleet at Hong Kong and lack of secrecy; visit ashore at Malta and drinking habits; passing through Suez Canal.
REEL 5 Continues: joining Far East Fleet; situation in China; effects of typhoon; visits ashore at Singapore and Hong Kong; fleet exercises and putting out paravannes; cruise around Japan; relationship with Japanese civilians and question of atrocities carried out by Australian troops, 1945; rumours and news of outbreak of Korean War, 27/6/1950; joining US Fleet at Okinawa and replenishing stores, 7/1950; launching air strike on Korea, 7/1950, including question of Korean retaliation, action station on Bofors gun, fighter cover and results of air strike; subsequent air strike missions with destroyer escort; cold conditions and special uniform; entertainment and concert parties; troops carried aboard ship; cases of British aircraft shot down of attacked by US aircraft; story of action stations whilst taking shower caused by US ships firing on US aircraft; anti-flash protective gear; rumours of US aircraft bombing British troops; reaction to news of return to GB to pay off, 9/1950; voyage back to GB, 10/1950-11/1950; leaving ship, 12/1950. Period at HMS Pembroke Barracks, Chatham, 12/1950-5/1951: attending course to qualify as able torpedoman 2nd Class; seamanship training prior to qualification as leading hand.
REEL 6 Continues: barrack guard escort duties. Recollections of period as leading torpedoman aboard HMS Birmingham, 5/1952-4/1954: first impressions on joining ship at Portsmouth; torpedoman messdeck and role as leading torpedoman; lack of asdic duties; duties on torpedoes including routine maintenance and action station on bridge torpedo control; relationship with torpedo instructor and officer; story of final shore leave being stopped; voyage out to Far East; patrols and shore bombardments off Korea; daily routine; enjoyment of lifestyle; decision to delay marriage until leaving RN; question of remaining in RN and possible promotion to petty officer; crew morale; opinion of officers. Voyage aboard Lancashire back to GB, 4/1954: role as rum bosun and issue of rum ration; passing through customs; story of getting drunk and send off on leaving HMS Birmingham.
REEL 7 Continues: leave; demobilisation, 8/1954. Post-service career: initial work as labourer; career working in car industry; period with Royal Fleet Reserve and call up to HMS Vernon Torpedo School, Portsmouth, 1955; question of acclimatisation to civilian lifestyle; membership of Korean War Veterans' Assoc; question of value of naval service.
