大象传媒

TRUE ANNECDOTE. My Uncle Josh (sadly now gone) was a crew member on an escort on the Murmansk convoy's. His story is as follows.

The first trip; he and one of his shipmates made a pact, that if they survived the sea, the cold and enemy action, they would celebrate by getting drunk and finding a woman in Murmansk. After fierce storms ice, and several sorties after submarines what was left of the convoy made it to Murmansk.

Thanking their maker for safe arrival etc, they were further surprised by being alloted shore leave. They were ordered not to talk to, or use sign language to communicate with any Russian military personell etc. Fraternization with civilian persons was strictly limited. Seeking advice as to the whereabouts of a bar and brothel near to the dock, they asked their CPO's advice. "Can't tell you boys" said he "Never been ashore here at all. But I do know that the guard on duty at the gate speaks English, you can ask him." Off they went, down the gang plank and along they quay to the gates. As they appoached the gates my uncle remembered that were not allowed to speak to the guard. His mate suggested that they write a note and ask the guard the pressing question. After showing papers to the guard my uncle slipped him the pencil written note. "Where is the brothel?" The guard took the paper in to his hut for further inspection. My uncle and his pal's eyes lit up when the guard proceeded to scribble something on the other side of the note. Taking the piece of paper back and smiling broadly at the guard my uncle slipped the note in to his tunic. Outside of the dock gates and around the corner they slipped into a doorway and proceeded to read the note. It was in 'Russian' (which neither could not read). They did eventuallay satisfy their needs that night (no thanks to the note) and made another three trips there and back. Several years before he died my uncle (having kept his tunic) took it out one day with other 'memorabilia' and found that note.

Intrigued, he took the note to the local British Legion, where he knew a retired army captain spoke and 'read' Russian. After telling the captain his story he handed him the now browned and crumpled note. My uncle, not able to wait until the captain's now 'apoplectic' state abated pressed him for a reply. "Well he said what is it?" The captain looked at him and the note and then said, "What did you say?"

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