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This story was told to Bob Reeves and added by Roz Carr at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Open Centre with the kind permission of Mr A Stevenson.

Arthur ‘Stivvy’ Stevenson was born in Hull on 13th July, 1925. He worked on water boats prior to joining the Royal Navy as a stoker.
As the age of only 17 years he joined the Royal Navy and after initial training he was posted to Landing Craft and Landing Ships. His initial duties were in the home waters around the United Kingdom until D-Day, 6th June 1944 when, during the Normandy Landings, his craft was sunk. He then joined HMLST199 which carried HMLCT 2487 and was in convoy from Plymouth to Calcutta Docks. For many months following he was active in landing troops along the Burmese coastline, until August, 1945. During this time, as Akyab Island, he was amongst a probable 1,000 audience which watched a show put on by ENSA on an airport runway. This starred George Formby and a Yorkshire comedian, whose name Arthur has unfortunately forgotten. Fifteen to twenty minutes into the performance the Japanese straffed the runway. Hundreds of personnel had a very lucky escape.
Arthur was at Ramree Island when news of VJ was announced. However, this did not mean he was to be repatriated immediately. Indeed, by virtue of a clerical error, he was sent to join the Carrier HMS Collosus, which he found out was on route to Australia! Arthur was a little bemused when he had asked the crew members where the ship was bound for to be told ‘Oz’. After stating his case firmly he was eventually sent ashore to barracks and then drafted to HMS Berwick, a county class cruiser. However, two days later signals were received to return to England and he finally arrived home in April, 1946. On being demobbed Arthur took up employment as a fitter/turner and then joined the Fire Service.
Arthur is now a widower who lives in north Hull and is an active member of many associations. He is the Chairman of the Royal Naval Association, Hull Branch and a member of the LSand LC Association, Burma Star Association and the Normandy Veterans Association. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, France and Germany Star, Burma Star, Civil Defence Medal and the War Medal.

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