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I was 14 year old when war started, living at Mafeking Road, Penylan, Cardiff, (other roads named after the Boer War sites such as Ladysmith!). The day after war broke out a reconnaissance German aircraft flew over the city. I was at Howard Gardens High School until I was 16 years old in 1941.

We experienced many air raid warnings and bombings (mainly in the docks area). We had an unexploded bomb in our street and an incendiary bomb in our loft which came through the ceiling and made a terrible mess. We were evacuated to a friend’s house and watched planes dropping land mines, one of which landed in the junior school playground. Our school was hit by a cluster of incendiary bombs and gutted except for out 6th Form block. We had very little education after that!

In 1941 I joined the National Provincial Bank and worked there until my call-up in 1943. In the meantime I worked part-time in the Auxiliary Fire Service. I joined the navy at HMS Royal Arthur (formerly Butlins) at Skegness and with a number of others I travelled to HMS Cabbala at Leigh (near Warrington) where I trained to be a coder. During my time there we celebrated Trafalgar Day (1943) with a Broadcast Concert organised by Barney Coleham with Will Fyffe singing — I was in the choir. From there to Devonport (Home Base) D/JX610419. I went by train to Glasgow (via Crewe) to join HMS Hant in Govan’s Shipyard — paint still wet. Trials in the Clyde and working up to Tobermory where we spent Christmas. Residents treated some of us to a venison dinner. We escorted a submarine to Stornaway before going on escort duties, for a while escorting the Liverpool to Larne ferry. Then to join convoy escorts in the Atlantic. No sight of land for three months. Pick up west bound convoy and then half way meet and escort an east bound convoy.

Captain Walker in the ‘Starling’ found and sunk a number of U-boats. To Milford Haven before D-Day when we arrived at Spithead to escort troopships across the Channel. Avoided confrontation with German E-boats! Watched bombers going out in formation. After V.E. Day we were sent to join the British Pacific Fleet train but while in Colombo Harbour the Japanese surrender was announced. Deviated to Hong Kong and put on anti-piracy patrols. Trips to Darwin and back as escort for Dock and M.F.V., visited Amoy on China mainland and Formosa. Sent to Rabaul (New Britain) to pick up 30 Japanese and take them to HMS Glory where Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted their surrender.

Diverted to Brisbane for refit and enjoyed leave in Sydney. After refit returned to Hong Kong where I awaited Demob instructions. On board HMS Manxman for journey home via Malta (specially greeted as ship had helped to relieve them earlier on). To Devonport where I was given work in cookhouse before De-mob in July 1946.

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