Bowler, Arthur Ledley Albert (Oral history)

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Sound: © IWM (32070)

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
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Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
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Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
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Sound: © IWM (32070)

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

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Embed this sound recording for online use under the IWM Non-Commercial Licence
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Sound: © IWM (32070)

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

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Description

Object description

British seaman trained with Royal Navy at HMS Collingwood in GB, 1942; served with HMS Cormorant II in Gibraltar, 1942-1943; served aboard HMS Venomous in Mediterranean, 1943; trained on gunnery course at HMS Excellent, Whale Island in GB, 1943-1944; served aboard HMS Howe in Pacific, 1944-1945

Content description

REEL 1 Background in Oxford, GB, 1923-1942: story of hospitalisation; childhood; father's employment; education; reasons for joining of Royal Navy; outbreak of Second World War, 3/9/1939; employment. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Navy at HMS Collingwood in GB, 1942: pattern of training; uniform; haircut; adjusting to naval life; evening activities including watches; voyage to Gibraltar including story of getting lost on ship. Aspects of period as seaman with HMS Cormorant II, Gibraltar, 1942-1943: posting to Royal Naval air station; character of Gibraltar; story of getting drunk and subsequent illness; duties; lectures; discipline; issue of lime juice; rum ration; story of rum drunk on twenty first birthday; Ceremony of the Keys. REEL 2 Continues: reason for decision to join Royal Navy. Recollections of operations as seaman aboard HMS Venomous in Mediterranean, 1943: drafting to destroyer; initial impressions of ship; sleeping arrangements; washing facilities; messing arrangements; washing facilities; accommodation; seasickness; state of sea prior to Sicily landings; character of ship; memories of crew including officer known as 'Mad Jack'; convoy escort duties; duties and action station; action against submarines; watching for threats; visits to Algiers, Algeria; clothing worn aboard ship; cleaning of kit and mess deck; period in Alexandria, Egypt; participation in Operation Husky, the landings in Sicily, Italy 7/1943; return to GB via Gibraltar, 8/1943. REEL 3 Continues: further details of participation in Operation Husky,the landings in Sicily, Italy 7/1943. Aspects of gunnery course at HMS Excellent, Whale Island in GB, 1943-1944: leave on return to GB; story of marriage; mail including use of special envelopes; details of gunnery course discipline; accommodation; character of HMS Excellent; sentry duties. Recollections of operations as seaman aboard HMS Howe in Far East and Pacific, 1944-1945: character of battleship; voyage through Suez Canal; crossing the line ceremony; role in Far East; periods in Australia including Christmas 1944; maintenance of guns; crew; contrast to life aboard HMS Venomous; rations; periods at sea; card game played; washing facilities; Kamikaze attacks off Okinawa, Japan. REEL 4 Continues: role of ship during Okinawa invasion, 4/1945; heariing news of end of Second World War during visit to Durban, South Africa; visit from Lord Louis Mountbatten; return to GB; demobilisation; attitude towards service with Royal Navy; return to civilian life.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Creator: IWM (Production Company)
Fitzgerald, Cathy (Recorder)
Bowler, Arthur Ledley Albert (Interviewee/Speaker)
Dimensions: whole: Duration 105, Number Of Items 4
Catalogue number: 32070

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Bowler, Arthur Ledley Albert

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