大象传媒

Ernest L.Hannam

Ex Petty Officer Joseph Reuben Hannam
P/KX 94143 RN

In responce to your request on World War 2, I enclose a poem extract from my story I am at present
writing on my experiences in the Royal Navy from 1938 to 1950 , when I returned to civillian lifeafter
twelve years of service , the last four as a Stoker Petty Officer

Among the ships I served include HMS Nelson 31st May 1939 to 14th May 1940 after sailing from the naval base
at Loch Ewe NW Scotland.havind hit enemy magnetic mines after previously leaving Scapa Flow after HMS Royal
Oak was torpedoed.
After survivors leave I was drafted to a new Hunt class Destroyer HMS Berkeley on 28th May 1940 commissioned
at Liverpool docks where we were dispatched to France to carry out the evacuation of personnel at Bordeaux after
a number of trips along the then hostile river Gironde transfering the various personnel to the Cruiser HMS Arethusa
at anchor off the coast beyond the river.after the evacuation we were engaged inthe channel convoys from Portsmouth
through the straits of Dover and up the east coast of England plus north sea patrols, and she finished her life at the
Dieppe raid where she was bombed and had to be sunk with our torpeados from HMS Albrighton , and where 15 of
our crew died.As a survivor I was picked up by HMS Bleasdale and with other Canadians and other survivors returned
to Newhaven.
In 1941 on the 5th January t 1540hrs I witnessed the Oxford plane of Amy Johnson crashing in the Thames estuary
before going on watch in the engine room of HMS Berkeley.After survisors leave I was drafted into combined operation
services and after training was despatched to Brookland Navy yard to man LCI landing craft built in Brookland USA.
Under Louis Mount Battern we sailed in a convoy of 72 landingcraft to Bermuda for beach training and the across the
Atlantic and to the mediterreanian to North Africa in March 1943.I was aboard LCI 313 in charge of the engine room
staff as a Ldg stoker with another colleague Ldg stoker Trafford and four other engine room staff , We carried out the
invaision of Scicily.and Italy after which I was transfered to LCI 272 in 1944 to carry out the invaision of Elba
The advanced force was 12 LCI craft each carrying 200 French Morrocan troops , on ly 4 craft came off the beeches
and we were hit by two 88mm shels an trench mortars which killed 45 soldiers ,but miraculously none of our 16 crew
were injured.Retiring to the island of Bastia we removed the dead and injured and after hosing the ship, our crew were
sent to the Island of Iscia for two weeks while the ship was patched up for us to return
I was returned home in late 1944 to complete my petty officers course.Finishing the end of the war at Portsmouth.
In 1946 I commissioned a new Sloop HMS Acteon to sail to Simonstown in South Africa for three years of my
remaining four, after which I was retired back to civillian life.


Ernest L.Hannam

Ex Petty Officer Joseph Reuben Hannam
P/KX 94143 RN
Poem. A Life For Joe (The commission) Page 1. ------------------------

The Royal navy was for me in nineteen thirty eight
Under age for my enlistment, I simply could not wait
There was once to me a brother , who died before my birth
At the early age of three months old, he had little time on earth

I approached my loving parents, to assume my brothers name
At first their doubt, then heartbreak too, at my wanton Naval aim
A new identity in my person, my new name being Joe
The exisiting name of Ernest, the Royal Navy will not know

As I took the train to Portsmouth, fate seemed to take a hand
In a dream I saw a picture of my future life, to understand
Inside my frame the strangest feeling I felt began to grow
A loving warm affection for the brother I did not know

My future in the Navy was now twelve years ahead
I was about to bring a life to a brother who was dead
To myself I said , this is no dream
A new life for Joe was my future scheme

It felt so natural to me ,with a feeling inside
For my new happy relation I burned with pride
Another person was now in my frame
Introduced to me just by name

No conversations , no visions seen
I felt I was knowing Joe as he could have been
A young man in this life and brother to me
Looking over my shoulder while I am at sea

At Portsmouth my first port of call
Into Naval Barracks I walked tall
To my billet with a kit of blue
I emerge a Royal sailor new

Efficient training on the Barrack square Page 2.
Nautical notes to write and declare
Weeks of study to work and play
Completion of exams on the final day

Learning the knowledge of knots and sailing too
Getting to know the briny blue
Impatiently I await the coming trip
For my first appointment to a Naval ship

At a call to muster I heard my name
Joe Hannam for you a draft to fame
Laying moored in the Solent in battle grey
She鈥檚 a future home for you to stay

A battleship with history name
HMS Nelson of Lord Admiral fame
It was hard to believe what I had just heard
Inside me excitement beyond belief just stirred

I had no idea what lay ahead for Joe and me
Or to the magnificent site we were about to see
From the Navy yard to the liberty boat
Excitement brought dryness to my throat

From the quay I could see her in the stream
Moored between two hugh buoy鈥檚 at low steam
A magnificent British Building feat
Bow to stern a massive seven hundred and ten feet

Her nine sixteen inch guns in turrets three
A vision of power for all to see
A white ensign fluttering at her stern
Brought afeeling of pride to Joe and Ern

For we were just one , Joe and me
With our new life ahead in the Royal Navy
Never to forget this day in time
Our first commission afloat January fourteenth 1939
From our liberty ship we were soon transferred Page 3.
To the gangway steps where this voice was heard
鈥淧ay attention listen and hear鈥�,
This followed the Bo鈥檚uns pipe shrill and clear

Bring forth your hammock and kit bag too
At attention on the quarter deck in your Navy blue
Place aside your hammock and kit bag
Commission鈥檚 begun, salute the white Ensign flag.

E.L.Hannam

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