大象传媒

I was called up on the 23rd October 1941 to Buxton for six weeks training. We were based in the old hospital there. I was then moved to Mablethorpe for four weeks then to Newcastle for two weeks and then to Edinburgh, Craigentinny and Portobello. Then I went on a working party erecting Nissan huts on Inchkeith Island off the coast of Scotland off the Firth & Forth. My previous experience as a bricklayer being put to use. I met a lad with an army uniform on that had a badge on that I did not recognise, so I asked him what it was for and he said it was for the Maritime Royal Artillery I asked how he had got in and he said you have to volunteer for it. I went back to my commanding officer and asked for permission to volunteer which was duly granted.

I joined the Maritime Royal Artillery as a gunner on August 28 1943. It was a government secret that nobody knew our merchant ships were armed for quite a long time during the war.

I did my training at Musselburgh and was in the second regiment. Then I went on the Aquitania, a four funnel ship at Gourock and we sailed to Halifax Nova Scotia on 2nd November 1943 to pick up a tanker the San Ambrosia. I was on Bofor guns. We travelled back to the Clyde on the 24th November to join up with other convoys to head for Russia refuelling at sea until we reached Murmansk. I was on the ship for six weeks we were not allowed off ship, even though we were iced in whilst at Murmansk. I did not enjoy Christmas 1943 stuck on that boat. We were there when the Scharnhorst a German battleship was sunk. They sent my mother a telegram to say I was alright because our families had not heard from us for so long. Our job was to deliver ammunition to the forces serving abroad. The ships were D.E.M.S. (Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships)

On 30th January 1944 we set sail for home to the Clyde then on to Belfast.

I went home on leave on the 17th May 1944 and then on the 6th June we invaded France and I was called back on the 11th of June to take equipment over on a liberty ship. The SS Samark. We then went on to Naples on the SS Samsona and then on to North Africa, Bombay,Colombo,Durban_South Africa and then back home to Liverpool.

During that time I was on leave in London and got into a fight, so me and my mate missed our ship. We had to go down to Shoeburyness to board. The Captain wasn't going to let us on board but when he saw what a mess we were in he said we'd had enough punishment, so changed his mind.
We sailed for India and in Bombay I had some new front teeth (to replace the ones I lost in the fight). They were made in a couple of hours and I may say they were the best teeth of all those I have had since.

We then went back to America where our ship was in dry dock for repairs. This time was used for training purposes and whilst we were there we were given tickets to go to Maddison Square Gardens to see Roy Rogers and Trigger. We also went to an army and navy club where we were made to feel very welcome and were given wonderful food and drink.

We went onto South America to Buenos Aires, which I did not think much of.

When the war finished the Maritime was disbanded and I was finished at Southport. I was worried that I was going to be sent to Japan but instead I was sent to a prisoner of war camp in Egypt looking after prisoners. I did not smoke but had cigarette rations. A German soldier who did wood carvings made a pair of bookends for me in exchange for my cigarettes. I have still got them on my mantlepiece today. Then finally I was demobbed in 1946.

We have a reunion every year at different places We are the Maritime Royal Artillery Old Comrades Association. Any information you can get from Mr J.R. Stevens. 24 Belmont Ave, Billingham, Tees-side.TS22 5HF
E-mail gunner jack@msn.com

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