Interview with Martin Reed

Career with P&O shipping line (from 1961), receiving his Master’s Certificate from the Board of Trade in 1971; reaching rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve; various amphibious warfare exercises and training courses; attachment to the United States Pacific Fleet on board USS FOX (1979); as Chief Officer of SS CANBERRA and the ship's tactical role in the Falklands War (1982).

REEL 1: Born 30/8/1943, Portsdown Hill Navy Nursing Home; family background, mother a nurse, father Chief Petty Officer Royal Navy; parents divorced; one older brother; impressions of mother; life in temporary post-war housing; brother’s background, retrained as a vicar; observation of bomb damage in Portsmouth area; loss of family home and possessions through bomb damage, billeted with Admiral RC Davenport RN; details of father’s RN war service, including loss of HMS Hood; [08:30] reasons for parents’ divorce, mother’s lesbian relationship; family finance; mother’s reaction to loss of romantic partner; memories of life at Portsmouth Grammar School; memories of corporal punishment, mother’s reaction; description of journey to school, subsequent move to flat local to school; joining Portsmouth Cathedral Choir; disappointing O-level results; family religious tradition, difficulties brought about by divorce; personal perspective on religious faith; ability in rifle shooting at school; membership of Combined Cadet Force, early interest in armaments; possibility of sponsorship through Honourable Artillery Company; choice of training with Merchant Navy; mother’s reaction to career choice, her encouragement; memories of school-teachers; reference to history teacher Peter Jameson. REEL 2 continues: joining School of Navigation, Warsash; description of disciplinary regime at the school; application process, entrance requirements; description of training school; duration of course; influence of father’s RN background; description of life at training school; high fallout rate of post-graduate cadets; description of Warsash School of Navigation; reaction of local population; practical nature of course; physical demands of training; daily routine at Warsash training school; description of navigation tuition; memories of tutors; description of training facilities at Warsash including radar and sea-going facilities; late adoption of radar technology by Merchant Marine; memories of instructors; sea-going training; early interest in navigation; ambition to get to sea; risks during training; contact with local community; memories of formality of annual social dance; description of cadet uniforms; memories of graduation parade, mother’s reaction; employment prospects on graduation; procedure for application to shipping companies; joining RN Reserve; motivation for choice of P&O; [24:36 recording paused due to ambient noise; ambient noise audible on recording]; procedure for apprenticeship with P&O; nature of indenture, including financial commitment; details of pay levels during 3-year apprenticeship. REEL 3 continues: daily routine at School of Navigation, Warsash; weekend shore leave; signals training and protocols; reflections on life at Warsash; contrasts with Royal Navy; description of outward bound course, Eskdale (1960); posting to P&O tanker division, SS Malwa; description of ship; explanation of signal ‘LEFO’, ‘Lands End for orders’; nature of role as ship’s cadet; memories of navigating Euphrates; sea-going training; operational difficulties arising from restructuring of P&O company. REEL 4 continues: reads report of outward bound course; tanker operating procedures; risks of oil tanker operations; gas monitoring using ‘Explosimeter’ instrument; memories of Chief Officer Harry Long; managing personal fear; attaining 2nd Mates Certificate of Competency; description of oral examination; difficulties during early days of radar use; reapplying to join P&O company; posting to SS Chusan passenger liner; nature of role, changes to pay and conditions; conditions at sea; contact with home and family; career structure within P&O company; priority status of Royal Mail ships; contact with passengers; nature of role of 4th officer; technical description of automatic steering system; responsibilities of role; error correction of course; trust placed in junior officers; sense of pride in role; reputation of company in foreign ports. REEL 5 continues: motivation to join Royal Naval Reserve (RNR); passed as Midshipman by Admiralty Board, description of examination process; close relationship between P&O and Royal Navy ships; description of RNR training at HMS Excellent, Whale Island; contrasts and similarities in Royal Navy and Merchant Marine protocols and procedures; training in NBCD (nuclear, biological, chemical defence); aviation course at RNAS Yeovilton; discussion around conditions of the Official Secrets Act; service onboard HMS Eskimo; attitude of regular RN personnel towards RNR officers; reasons for not pursuing a Royal Navy career; dormant appointment as Convoy Commander, RNR. REEL 6 continues: career progression as Junior 4th Officer in P&O Passenger and Cargo Division; role of 4th Officer as Medical Officer; anecdote of managing medical emergency onboard SS Somali; use of ‘International Medical Rome’ service via wireless telegraphy; discussion around international regulations during medical emergencies at sea; multi-skilled role and expectations of 4th Officer; role of company agents during inspection of bonded stores and customs clearance at foreign ports; [16:50 recording interrupted by cleaning staff; 17:15 recording resumes]; reputation of P&O company in foreign ports; routes of navigation; difficulties of maintaining personal relationships while at sea; standards of hospitality at seamen’s missions; social activities during shore leave; description of accommodation onboard P&O ships; coping with varying climate during long voyages; description of uniforms and officers’ insignia; forms of address amongst officers and crew. REEL 7 continues: attaining Mates Certificate of Competency; descriptions of SS Cathay and SS Chitral; memories of Captain Fred Woolley; introduction of ‘Strath’ series of high-speed cargo vessels to P&O fleet; technical description of ‘Active Flume Stabilisation’ anti-roll system; ineffectiveness of system during sea-trials; career progression to 3rd Officer; change in nature of role; increased level of contact with passengers; memories of Port of London; further career progression; anecdote of Captain Nowell playing golf onboard ship; becoming engaged to fellow company employee; P&O policy regarding management of married couples on staff; appointment to Navigator, SS Chitral; introduction of ‘fly-cruising’ operation based in Naples; nature of role as Navigator; satisfaction in the role; weather reporting via 24-hour radio telegraphy watch; routine solar and stellar navigation sighting; appointment to Navigator, SS Canberra; nature of role; description of seasonal world cruise operations. REEL 8 continues: further description of world cruise; social role of officers, contact with passengers for duration of cruise; description of SS Canberra; risks of sea voyage; assisting vessels in distress; role of designated ‘on-scene commander’ (OSC) ship; routine of life-boat drill amongst passengers and crew; posting to MV Orcades; difficulties with fresh water stores; RNR attachment to USS Fox, US Pacific Fleet; security protocols onboard surrounding nuclear weapons; nature of role at USS Fox; contrasts with duties on passengers ships. REEL 9 continues: construction and sea-trials of MV Spirit-of-London; technical description of vessel; technical description of bridge operations; nature of role during ship build; discussion surrounding manoeuvrability of vessel; explanation of term ‘scantlings’; description of wine cabinet design in officers’ cabins; description of navigating the Panama Canal; description of MV Oriana; changing complexion of crew, difficulties of discipline; difficulties of internal maintenance of P&O vessels; clarification of career path to date; return to duty on board SS Canberra; involvement of P&O ships and staff in US television production ‘The Love Boat’; personal reservations on returning to SS Canberra; memories of RNR tactical course (1981)[details restricted]; contact with other NATO personnel. REEL 10 continues: situation of SS Canberra on 1/4/1982, cruising in Mediterranean, putting in at Naples; [01:50] anecdote of crew visit to the Vatican; private audience with Pope John Paul II; receiving company signal changing plan and requesting ETA for Gibraltar; captain informs heads of departments of SS Canberra being taken up from trade for military service; embarkation of military advance party at Gibraltar, including Mike ‘Sammy’ Bradford (staff captain), Bob Ward (RM), Surgeon Commander Rick Jolly (RN); planning accommodation for 2000 troops expected onboard SS Canberra; question of replenishment of suitable stores; need for secrecy surrounding embarkation of Royal Marines at Gibraltar; keeping passengers “in the dark”; liaison with Ministry of Defence via company signals; requirement for enhanced radio communications onboard Canberra; call for volunteer crew; plans to convert ship for aircraft operations; memories of 1st Radio Officer John Morrison; discussion with Purser Maurice Rudderham of carrying hospital ship livery; rejection of idea; mustering crew to call for volunteers; reasons for rejection of foreign nationals amongst volunteer crew; promotion of Leading Seaman Jim O’Sullivan to Boatswain to supervise incoming replacement crew; official position of National Union of Seamen (NUS) regarding foreign crew; temporary accommodation of foreign crew at HMS Dryad; disembarkation of passengers on reaching Southampton (7/4/1982); company signals regarding materials for anticipated burials at sea; role of SS Canberra as Primary Casualty Receiving Ship (PCRS). REEL 11 continues: Reasons for two-year delay in resuming oral history interview; reflections on effects Covid-19 pandemic; reiteration of receiving restricted P&O company signal with orders to make for Gibraltar; role as Chief Officer, responsible for the fabric of the ship; staff organisation of SS Canberra; Royal Navy role in entry to Port of Gibraltar; taking on advance party, including Rick Jolly and Bob Ward; initial meeting on the bridge; planning with Major Ward and the Deputy Purser, role of Purser Maurice Rudderham; discussion around conversion of ship, including flight decks and refuelling system; need for secrecy amongst ship’s officers; Rick Jolly’s role in planning for Canberra’s role as Primary Casualty Receiving Ship (PCRS); concerns over suitability of the ship in battle zone; sailing to Southampton; increase in signal traffic; technical details of conversion of swimming pool to accommodate flight deck; taking of ‘piano wire’ measurements of the ship in advance of refit; question of secrecy and radio signals security; reference to Fleet Manager John Turner; standard disembarkation of 1,680 passengers at Southampton, 7/4/1982; passenger reaction to news of Task Force plan; embarkation of military personnel, commencement of work by Vosper-Thornycroft; extent of P&O volunteer civilian crew; uncertainty over reassignment of peacetime roles amongst P&O crew; role of Phil Pickford, a fellow RNR member of P&O crew; question of retaining female crew; character of Captain Dennis Scott-Masson, his pride at Canberra’s role in the Task Force, experience as RNR officer; relationship between Captain and Chief Officer; relationship of roles on board; [20:55] nature of Mike Bradford (Deputy Captain), Phil Pickford (1st Officer); character of Maurice Rudderham (Purser); question of carrying hospital ship Red Cross livery, rejected due to Geneva Convention clauses; challenges faced by Radio Officer John Morrison, question of compatibility between military and merchant marine radio systems and frequencies, need for cryptography; sending of company signals under Royal Navy control; accommodating RN radio officers in women assistant purser’s cabins, radio office became known as ‘WAP’s Alley’; extensive use of Radio Telex for company signals. REEL 12 continues: character of Chief Engineer Arthur Bowness; reasons for promotion of Safety Leading Hand Jim O’Sullivan to Boatswain, working with Fred McKeeman; nature of role of Bob Ward (RM); reads contents of signal (received 6/4/1982) giving resume of service conditions; lack of experience and knowledge of ships being taken up from trade; explanation of chain-of-command on board following STUFT order; official role of Capt. Chris Burne (RN) as Charterer’s Representative; role of Col Tom Seccombe (RM) as Embarked Force Commander; usefulness of P&O officers’ RNR experience; refitting of ship at Southampton Dock; need for additional life rafts; question of sufficient life-saving equipment in view of passenger numbers; question of stores capacity; plans for replenishment-at-sea (RAS), range of SS Canberra under peacetime conditions, approx. 1,200 miles; burning of fuel at ’20 feet per gallon’; character of SS Canberra following refit; question of suitability of SS Canberra in combat role; concerns over increased draft due to overloading, Lloyds insurers stipulations prior to sailing to comply with issue of certificate; lack of charts for Falklands Islands waters; slipping moorings at Southampton at 20:30 local time 9/4/1982; description of departure, emotional messages sent home by P&O crew, Band of 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment played on wharf; reaction of local population on land; anticipation of role on voyage; previous experience in combat zone; family reaction to departure; question of contact with home; course and speed from Southampton on 9/4/1982, slowing to 18 knots to join cargo ferry P&O ELK to Freetown; explanation of conditions to fly the Blue Ensign; role of Vosper-Thornycroft workers on board until Freetown; risk of effects of deck-ice on stability (‘GM’) of ship, reads Lloyds Register engineering report, threshold to withdraw from Task Force. Reel 13 continues: bunkering at Freetown, 17/4/1982, with Elk ferry; restrictions on going ashore; UK High Commissioner on board; taking on stores; surrounded by local vessels, difficulties of troops buying uncertified goods; question of political awareness of government of Sierra Leone; impressions of Freetown port; unescorted by RN at this time; Vosper-Thornycroft workers put ashore; sailing for Ascension at midnight at 22 knots; crossing the line (18/4/1982) without incident or celebration; no change in mood on entering South Atlantic; still no knowledge of plan; start of ‘darken ship’ procedure, method and materials used; difficulties of safety on board darkened ship, precautions taken; routine of church service on Sundays at sea, presence of three military padres, Cpt Scott-Masson reading the lesson, military band played; spectacle of the Royal Marines ‘Beating Retreat’ on flight deck at sunset, Elk joins at starboard; description of Elk ferry, combat refit en route; character of Cpt. John Morton, Commander Andrew Ritchie (RN); anecdote of acquisition of ship’s parrot at Freetown; installation of two 40mm Bofors guns to Elk; structural modifications to Elk, including fitting flight-deck at sea; possible cause of submarine alerts; putting in at Ascension (20/4/1982), initial impressions of Pyramid Point, Georgetown; origins of Wideawake aerodrome; replenishment of RSL vessels, random nature of stores, use of Mexeflote craft and helicopters; role of Tim Yarker in validating Canberra’s forward flight deck for helicopter operations; planning, drill, and method for disembarkation of troops; proceeding to night sea sector as anti-submarine precaution, risk of Argentine special forces landing at Ascension airfield; knowledge of RAF Vulcan force at Ascension; no shore-leave for ship’s crew at Ascension; joining training exercise ashore with 40 Commando; question of United States’ political support for Task Force, witnessing American refuelling of RAF Vulcan aircraft at Ascension; balancing stability of overloaded ship; role of 1st Officer Phil Pickford as Stability Officer; loading of ‘first line’ ammunition, safety protocols governing stowage of ammunition, temporary shoring-up of decks with damage control materials to improve load capacity; methods for ballasting of vessel. REEL 14 continues: technical description of replenishment-at-sea (RAS) off Ascension with RFA tanker Plumleaf (A78); method of bridge-to-bridge secure telephone communication; two further RAS operations before reaching Falklands; risks of fuel RAS; difficulties of helicopter flights during RAS operation, liaison between P&O and RN officers; contact with the Fleet, HMS Antelope, Ardent, Heckler, Intrepid, SS Uganda; receiving fleet comms and news; hearing of action against ARA General Belgrano (C4), reflections amongst crew on receiving news, fear of reprisal, realisation that active service would now be inevitable; organisation and activities of Royal Marines on board; nature of exercises during voyage; reflections on the loss of HMS Sheffield; discussion of radar operation failings on HMS Sheffield, briefings on lessons learned from enemy action; nature of SS Canberra’s defence, necessity of emergency drills; technical assessment of effects of possible Exocet attack on the ship with Peter Mayner; mounting of General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) on the bridge wings, deck mounting Blowpipe systems for ship’s defence; replacement of ammunition with tracer rounds; difficulties in assessing change of mood amongst crew following loss of HMS Sheffield; reference to later written testimony by P&O Steward by AL Johansen, discussion of depression amongst crew; relations with, management of on-board press corps; objections by Cpt Scott-Masson towards press reports by Max Hastings (London Evening Standard); character of Jeremy Hands (ITN), “Alistair McGowan” [presumably Alistair McQueen, Daily Mirror], Charles Lawrence (Daily Telegraph), John Shirley (Sunday Times), Kim Sabido (IRN), Robert Fox (BBC); method of sending news despatches via Marisat system, Royal Navy censorship; difficulties of sending radio news voice reports. REEL 15 continues: defensive measures against air attack; reliance on Royal Navy for defence; emergency drills on a daily basis; mood amongst P&O crew; two crew members leave at Ascension, all other volunteers continue on voyage south; question of fear and apprehension amongst crew; weather conditions south of Ascension; lack of foul-weather kit; supply at Ascension of Arctic clothing dating from the Korean War period; good relationship between P&O crew and military passengers; mustering exercise for lifeboat drill; atmosphere in social situations, dining rooms etc; maintaining high standards of catering, producing high-energy meals for troops, irony of supply of Argentinian corned beef; complaint about food standards by journalist Max Hastings, character and attitude of Hastings, dispute over allocation of cabin; captain’s displeasure at Hasting’s published articles; security risks arising from press reports about Task Force operations; revealing technical details of failure of enemy bomb fuses, details of troop movements at Goose Green; question of source of information; reaction to false reports of loss of SS Canberra, effects on family members at home, quotation of Argentine press report of ship on fire; reaction of mother on hearing the rumour, welfare support by HMS Vernon chaplain in Portsmouth; P&O publication of weekly news briefing for families; BBC World Service listenership amongst crew; religious life, Sunday church services, presence of four military chaplains; personal beliefs, described as a “resting Christian”; admiration for military chaplains; character of Rev David Cooper, padre 2 Para; adoption of anti-submarine precautions in South Atlantic, technical description of zig-zag manoeuvres, difficulties of navigation without use of radar; imposition of EMCON (radio silence, including radar); risks during darkened ship condition with lack of navigation lights; risk of ice fields. REEL 16 continues: drills and exercises prior to entering the TEZ; using sand to model the Falklands landscape for battle plans, lack of maps; inter-unit sports day event on deck; 10 thousand metre race in which P&O third laundryman Abi Frank [phon] was placed 3rd; RV with amphibious warfare group HMS Fearless, Intrepid, Argonaut, MV Norland, MS Europic Ferry, SS Atlantic Conveyor, RFA Tidepool; observation of Russian air force surveillance flights; mail delivery by RAF Hercules; method of sending mail home with accurate news; flagship role of HMS Fearless, commanded by Commodore Michael Clapp; red alert due to sub-surface contact, possible sighting of periscope; memories of civil Argentine aviation observation over Ascension; method for holding daily briefings, helicopter delivery of orders; hearing Argentine declaration that any British ship in South Atlantic was liable to attack; decision to cross-deck 40 Commando to HMS Fearless (19/5/1982); technical description of ‘jackstay’ transfer of personnel and equipment, difficulties of duration of operation; change in method with improvement in weather conditions, technical description of cross-decking via LCU landing craft; risks during cross-decking, single instance of man-overboard; entering TEZ (20/5/1982), full alert status; receiving orders for Operation Sutton, operational briefing, assessment of risks on entering San Carols Water; HMS Alacrity (F174) to transit Falklands sound for mine-sweeping; question of anchorage at San Carlos; entering Falkland Sound and anchoring off Fanning Head at midnight; risk of enemy activity on land, SAS action to counter; defensive role of HMS Antrim, HMS Brilliant at entrance to Falkland Sound; question of visibility and vulnerability of SS Canberra, rejection of use of camouflage. REEL 17 continues: dropping anchor while HMS Antrim shelled Fannin Head, covering anchor noise; diversionary attack taking place at Goose Green; opportunity for sleep between anchorages; in company with HMS Plymouth, Fearless, Ardent, Broadsword, Yarmouth; defensive role of HMS Plymouth; risk of mines, air attack; surprise element of landing at San Carlos; weather conditions for landing at 0605z; risk due to little cloud cover; first Red Alert at 0850z, attack by Argentine Aermacchi fighter jet, missing HMS Argonaut, targeting Canberra which responded with ‘coning’ tracer fire from GPMGs, making Canberra first ship in the fleet to open fire; nine air attacks during the day; firing of Blowpipe missiles from Canberra; command role of HMS Antrim, sailing port side carrying UXB; attacks on HMS Ardent and Antrim; use of bridge-to-bridge VHF radio communication with amphibious group; start of disembarkation of troops from 1100z; attacks stop suddenly at noon; accidental damage to cabin bulkhead from Blowpipe missile backfire; description of landings of 42 Commando via LCU and LCVP landing craft, helicopter operations; memories of noise of anti-aircraft fire; reflections on loss of Foxtrot-4 LCU later in campaign; difficulties over loss of HMS Ardent, taking on survivors, 22 fatalities; memories of Alan West, Andrew Gordon Lennox. REEL 18 continues: SS Canberra’s role as Primary Casualty Receiving Ship (PCRS); liaison with Regimental Aid Posts, receiving casualties via boat and aircraft; role of RFA Sir Galahad as dressing station; field surgical team on board MV Norland; method for transporting casualties within ship; receiving first casualty from HMS Antrim, Terry Bullingham (Fleet Air Arm), details of his medical care; description of Argentine casualties, their fear of being shot when taking prisoner; extent of medical facilities on board SS Canberra; extent of casualties received on 21/5/1982; details of medical team on board; receiving signal to leave Falkland Sound, originating from Cabinet Office, London; disembarkation of Rick Jolly and his team; unloading of remaining stores in short order; character of medical crew, Asst Surgeon Susie West, Snr Surgeon Peter Mayner, nursing sisters Rosie Urwin, Angela Devine; reflection on extent of wounds; improvisation of traction mechanism to treat wounded Argentine POW, his survival through emergency surgery. REEL 19 continues: memories of Terry Bullingham, his care and enduring friendship; reflections on the experience of the Falklands War and its aftermath; question of personal fear; challenge to personal ethics when under attack; performing burials at sea, 22/5/1982; enduring feelings of guilt at sleeping through the burial service; weighing anchor to make for ‘Logistics and Loitering Area’ (LOLA), later designated ‘Tug Replenishment and Loitering Area’ (TRALA); RV with RFA Resource, cross-decking of stores; plotting course for South Georgia, 25/5/1982; hearing of loss of SS Atlantic Conveyor; opinion that merchant vessels were by then used as decoys, reading Sandy Woodward’s report including the phrase ‘chaff Sierra’ thought to designate merchant ships as expendable. REEL 20 continues: reflections on D-Day, Operation Sutton; role of RN officer Chris Burne during combat operations; adapting to defensive behaviour; question of ship’s defence following disembarkation of military personnel; training P&O crew members in air defence; mood of crew when safely outside combat zone; transferring remaining stores and personnel to other vessels HMS Leeds Castle, RFA Resource, MS Europic Ferry, MV Norland; signal traffic conveying loss of HMS Coventry and SS Atlantic Conveyor; on board de-briefing discussing lessons learned following the losses; changes in practice; assessment of SS Canberra’s survivability under attack compared to a RN vessel; description of RN training exercise simulating enemy attack; reference to HMS Belfast; orders to proceed with MV Norland to Grytviken, South Georgia (25/5/1982); spotting abandoned life raft in water; late arrival of QEII at RV, signalling between the two ships regarding ice flows; entering Cumberland Bay, observation of trawlers converted to minesweeping; opinion of role of HMS Endurance; crossdocking 5th Brigade with RMAS Typhoon; attitude and inefficiency of QEII operations; orders to return to San Carlos; question of method for lifeboat operations on return to AOA (Amphibious Operations Area), expectation of attack, sense of “luck running out”; concern over tactical information revealed in BBC World Service broadcasts; onshore hospitality of M-company 42 Commando at Shackleton House; impressions of Grytviken; making maximum speed to San Carlos, difficulties of weather; hearing BBC broadcast describing the Canberra as “politically expendable”. REEL 21 continues: reads letter from Lt.Cdr Muxworthy to Fleet Supply Officer regarding attitude of QEII officers regarding refusal to replenish stores; return navigation to San Carlos; sandbagging machine gun positions on Canberra by Welsh and Scots Guards; reflection and personal attitude to return to combat area; joining Carrier Battle Group with HMS Hermes and escorts; explanation of air raid warnings red, yellow and white; moving crew to decks above torpedo line; anchoring off Fanning Head for a second time (0600, 2/6/1982); possible reason for, and risk of, shallow anchorage; favourable weather conditions for landing operation; use of Canberra’s boats for troop landings; difficulties of VHF radio communication with the ship from land; encounter with 40 Commando, low morale of unit due to enemy attack leading to loss of personnel; MR’s personal commitment to return and ensure dignified burial of Marine McAndrews (Stephen Graham); description of memorial wood in Port Stanley; contrast of Guards landing with suitcases compare to Paras and Marines with kit; opinion that troops recently performing public duties might not be on a war footing; character of Brig Tony Wilson; slow pace of disembarkation of Guards; offloading and departure 3/6/1982, sailing with 620 souls and few stores; fuel RAS with RFA Olna, difficulties of navigation exercise during refuelling operation; method for RAS during darkness; pleasing aesthetic aspect of situation due to use of battery lights. REEL 22 continues: en route to TRALA (Tug Repair and Logistics/Loitering Area), receiving signal (5/6/1982) from Commadore Mike Clapp thanking the ship’s company; evening concert given by the Band of the Royal Marines in the William Fawcett Room, SS Canberra; reaction on hearing inaccurate BBC report that the QEII had landed 5th Brigade troops on the Falklands, reads Captain’s reflection on the report; reaction to loss of HMS Plymouth; report of Argentine C-130 aircraft attack on tanker; discussion of loss of Sir Galahad and Tristram; mail drop via RAF helicopter, including letters from school children (reads); receiving an outstanding invoice from P&O company accounts office; reads from Muxworthy’s assessment of the situation; motivation to repatriate troops; hearing BBC news report of QEII’s triumphant welcome home; attack on HMS Glamorgan; despatch of Amphibious Group newsletter distributed via Helicopter Delivery System (HDS); receiving news of progress of war; hearing check-fire signal on HF radio net; orders to proceed to San Carlos with all despatch to embark POWs; reads flash/secret signal timed 1417Z (14/5/1982) advising ceasefire and rules of engagement on land, assessment of threats at sea; conveying news to crew; description of sailing at maximum speed in poor weather; dropping anchor at San Carlos for a third time; use of two anchors due to heavy seas; Purser’s decision to strip cabins of mattresses prior to receiving 4000 POWs; explanation of Royal Navy ‘giggle session’ planning accommodation and processing of POWs; Captain’s dispute senior officers; arrangements to comply with terms of Geneva Convention. REEL 23 continues: discussion of ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) rules concerning prisoners-of-war; use of Spanish speaking P&O crew in identity checks, support of Welsh Guards; risk of POWs still holding weapons; embarking prisoners at Port Stanley, Port William; mine escort by HMS Andromeda, risk due to Canberra’s wide beam; impressions of Port Stanley; weather conditions; crew augmented by 3Para; sight of hospital ship SS Uganda; condition of POWs; attitude of elite officers; difficulties of odour of prisoners; arrangements for feeding POWs; question of meeting nutrition conditions for POWs set by the Geneva Convention; ICRC liaison officer Hugo Berchtold boarding at Port William; role of Lt Col Andrew Keeling (RM), Welsh Guards commanding officer; question of ability to abandon ship, if necessary, with 5,400 souls on board; insufficient stock of life-jackets, under capacity of life boats and rafts; question of prioritising boat loading in event of an emergency; emotional effects on professional pride in unprecedented situation; continued threat of war at sea, in spite of surrender on land; planning to repatriate POWs; Letter of Cartel issued by Argentina, brokered by Government of Brazil, granting free and safe passage of Canberra, and Norland; reference to P&O document governing passage of POWs; description of embarkation process at Port William, issuing of side-arms to P&O boat crews; post-battle environment at Port William; effects of wind-burn exposure; precaution of confiscating POW’s boot laces; disposal of blankets as health precaution; use of luggage tags to identify prisoners, deck allocation; no resistance by POWs, impressions of defeated men. REEL 24 continues: signals between Canberra and Commander Task Group describing movements and operations; pressure for use of Marisat facility by press corps; reads signal of congratulations to Task Force from Chiefs-of-Staff via Northwood, distribution of signal to crew; receiving orders for Puerto Madryn (18/6/1982); suitability of the deep water port; entering Argentine territorial waters at 1006Z (19/6/1982), escorted by Argentine type-42 destroyer Santisima Trinidad (D2); flying company and Argentine national flag as courtesy; impressions of Port Madryn; enquiry by Argentine Brig-Gen Gariay concerning reported damage to SS Canberra, conducted on tour of ship by Chris Burne; description of disembarkation operation; reads ICRC certificate detailing repatriation of POWs and ‘reserved persons’; discovering messages of thanks on board, secreted by Argentine POWs; use of Patagonian Welsh interpreter; reflections on condition of wounded prisoners; leaving Argentinian territorial waters at 2048Z, escorted to 12-mile territorial limit; prospect of a second POW repatriation which proved unnecessary; day-long clean-up operation of ship en-route to Port William; signal to stand by to embark British troops; need to prevent inter-service rivalry on return home by use of different ships; on board fights between different regiments; extent of passenger complement on return voyage; reference to text of instrument of surrender; setting course for home (25/6/1982), question of destination port, mood on board. REEL 25 continues: reaction on sailing home, relief from risk; signal to proceed to Plymouth, motivation to make for home port of Southampton; decision to disobey order and proceed to Southampton; successful landing of Chinook helicopter on SS Canberra as drill ahead of disembarkation; signal requesting replenishment at Ascension; reflection of youth of British troops; average age of P&O crew; anecdote of Indian-Somali crew member who had seen underage service in Burma (Chindits); reopening of waterside doors improving movement on board; improvements in catering; end of darken ship regulations, disposal of blackout material; damage to ship’s fabric; deterioration of promenade deck due to physical training of troops; rescheduling for Southampton dry dock; overtaking Elk during voyage, exchange of gun-salutes; replenishment of beer, but not vegetables; reads welcome home signal from C-in-C; passing HMS Brilliant and receiving salute; explanation of “sod’s opera”; Land oh! at 1520Z (10/7/1982); boarding by company officials; RAF Nimrod fly-past; description and reflection on homecoming; dispute with Cpt Scott-Masson over arrangements for press corps; role of the Band of the Royal Marines, commissioning of the ‘Canberra’ and ‘San Carlos’ marches; description of scene onshore; arrangements for embarking Cmdt Gen Stewart Pringle (RM) (injured in IRA bomb attack (17/10/1981); meeting HRH Prince of Wales; first sight of family members on the wharf, taking them on board; MR stays on board overnight; family reaction when reunited; press interest on return home; writing one-page voyage report; awarding of the South Atlantic Medal; question of government compensation to P&O; reads extract from letter to General Council of British Shipping (GCBS) from C-in-C Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse; contact with local press (Bucks Free Press), opinion of coverage of loss of Simon Compton, REEL 26 continues: reads final message from Commadore Mike Clapp thanking the ‘Great White Whale’ for her service; etymology of phrase ‘Great White Whale’, coined by Jeremy Hands (ITN); reflection on emotional effects of war service; adjusting to post-war life; motivation for enlisting in Royal Navy Reserve while pursuing a merchant marine career.