大象传媒

I was in the fleet arm during the Second World War and was on board the Ark Royal when we were torpedoed.

I was in the upper hanger waiting for aircraft to be struck down from the flight deck. There was a sudden terrific noise, which I first thought was a depth charge had fallen off a landing aircraft. However it soon became apparent something more had occurred as the ship started to list and I soon realised that the ship had been hit.

One of my first thoughts was to make sure that my life jacket could be inflated and then remembered all of the various things in my locker, which I had bought to take home eventually. It was not to be and the only thing I took from my locker was my bankbook.

It was not long before we all were told that we must abandon ship and I made my way with everyone who was not required to stay on board to the weather deck and gradually towards the stern where the Destroyer Legion made fast while in turn we jumped on to hammocks laid on the deck to safety. Eventually after circling the stricken carrier for some time we were taken into harbour in Gibraltar and spent the night on board the carrier Argus expecting in the morning to be taken back on board the Ark Royal.

It was hard to believe that our ship had during the night sunk. It was a ship of which we were so proud and would never be forgotten.

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