大象传媒

HMS Volage arrived back at Trincomalee mid July, after the ship had a three month refit at Durban, South Africa. (An opportunity for Admiralty ship to be overhauled completely, old paint chipped off and repainted with cheap labour).

Having sailed thousands of miles in the Arctic and the Indian Ocean, the ship had suffered through endurance and duty requiring maintenance, plus war damage repairs as so many naval ships.

The white peoples of South Africa had welcomed the ships company, bringing them back to healthy, mentally and physically with good food and their hospitality.

Trinco as we had left it was busy as usual, with many ships in the harbour, supply boat plus ships boats going to and fro. Quartermasters on gangways calling out to boats coming near ship, 鈥淲HAT SHIP!!鈥� Boat skipper would reply, if calling name of ship boat was from (quarter master would alert Officer of watch if a senior Officer wished to come aboard), or the boat skipper would call back 鈥淧ASSING鈥�.

Soon news came aboard the 26th Flotilla had engaged, ships Saumarez, Vigilant, Virago, Verulam, Venus, with the sinking of Japanese heavy cruiser Haguro on May 16 at 0100 hrs in Malacca Straits. Torpedoing Japanese with STAR attack, element of surprise and luck was with them, sustaining only two casualties. As the 26th is our flotilla, we considered a touch of guilt not being there, but as time went by in war your survival to live till the war ends is paramount to you, but also willing to do your duty until that day comes, you hope it鈥檚 the other ship that cops it.

Settling in to routine keeping Volage shipshape forenoons, still very hot during the day, it was possible to fry an egg on the iron decks.

Being off shore in harbour there was always a cool breeze with the port holes open, the nights with no mosquitoes, off shore there was no need for mossy nets. Darken ship at night, so hot and sticky below decks with port holes and dead lights shut. Hammocks were too hot, so sleeping with just a towel put down on the mess deck table, benches, forms, or on the upper deck with the least amount of clothing.

Back to dehydrated veg, still a tea urn always swinging by cord from deck head (ceiling). Monopoly, Uckers (Bingo), Crown and Anchor gambling pursuit (though a naval ban). A three badge A.B. Stanley run ours, he was Captain Durlachur鈥檚 servant, the board was stowed away for duty Officers evening rounds and retrieved later. Books were passed around to read. Some would write home almost every day, especially the married matloes, or just listening to the radio S.E.A.C. South East Asia Command, two way family favourites鈥� records. Jean Metcalfe in the Colombo and Cliff Michelmore in London. (Who married and lived over the Isle of Wight after the war). A cheer would echo in the mess deck if a mate had a request played.

Us AA Anti aircraft gunners went ashore for a live ammunition shoot by lorry to a bay, a motor boat towing a target up and down the coast to shoot at; it was good to get away from the ship for a little while.

First opportunity with carriers to sea, photo reconnaissance for coming zipper operation to land on Malaya down to Singapore and back to Trinco.

Elections in the UK for Parliament with war over in Europe, talked about on the mess deck (myself not 21, not eligible). One of our killicks (Leading Seamen) a sea lawyer by choice and an ardent Labour supporter, had lots to shout about, few took notice.

August 6 heard on radio about atom bomb on Japan, August 8 second bomb. Great news the Japs were ready to surrender. August 15 to be V.J. Day our war out here over at last. Bad news Jap General Singapore Tiger says his army will fight on. (Groans).

August 15 dawned, order from S.E.A.C. splice the main brace. Extra tot of rum in the evening, Admiralty does not trust Jack two rums together midday. Our war over at last. A few duties that morning, Bo鈥檚un mate piping around the ship at 11.45am 鈥淐ooks to the Galley, clear up decks, up spirits鈥�, a chorus of shipmates cry out 鈥淪tand fast the Holy Ghost鈥�. Up spirits would mean for rum Bo鈥檚un from each mess to go down aft where Duty Officer would preside the issuing of rum, together with P.O. Coxain.

In the afternoon and evening not an officer to be seen, so hosepipes out and woh betide any small boat near our ship, officer or not in the boats would be drenched. I had the first dog watch on gangway, 4 o鈥檆lock to 6 o鈥檆lock 鈥� 16.00 to 18.00 hrs, as Quartermaster. I went around the mess decks piping up spirits. 15.45 hrs, my relief took over my duties on time, going to number one mess just in time for 鈥淪plice the main brace鈥�, we all had our tot in cups all cheering and singing 鈥淪he鈥檒l be coming around the mountain when she comes, plus Roll on my Doz, roll on my doz, whether be Pompey, Chatham or Guzz鈥�, (For time servicing sailors doing twelve years service 鈥渄oz鈥�, 鈥淕uzz鈥� i.e. Devonport) and more songs.

Order for sailing on the 22nd of August, destroyers out first (thought the war was over), could see at for exercise action stations, closed up at guns etc. The battleship HMS Nelson flying the flag of Vice Admiral Walker plus carriers, cruisers, frigates, standing down to cruising stations. Our Captain spoke to us on Volage over the tannoy, we are part of a fleet to execute operation zipper going to the relief of Penang, Port Swettnam, Singapore. We shall operate on a war footing until we know the intentions of our previous enemy.

The fleet working its way down through the Andaman Isles, carriers鈥� aircraft scouting ahead throughout our passage south. On approaching Great Nicobar isle, we on Volage were ordered into a natural harbour to anchor, joining our chummy ship Vigilant, a couple of frigates, M.L.s motor launches and their mother ship on the morning of August 23rd.

Through the afternoon a report that two unidentified aircraft coming our way, Bo鈥檚uns pipes could be heard on all ships. 鈥淪pecial seamen to your stations; foc鈥檚le, action stations鈥�. One moment a peaceful scene, next a flurry of ships up anchor and proceeding to sea. A false alarm, back to our anchorage and a tranquil setting. (Could have been a devastating attack on sitting ducks).

August 26th we had rejoined the rest of the fleet sailing to Penang, ahead was a suspected mine field, so through the night (our luck), Volage ordered to station ahead of HMS Nelson; clear lower deck forward. Which meant us on forward lower deck had to mess, rest and sleep elsewhere. Destroyers once again indispensable.

Daylight, luckily no minefield, Volage ordered ahead of fleet to meet a Jap gun boat. Made contact (I have a picture of meeting) and proceeded to escort the gun boat to HMS Nelson for delivery of minefield maps leading to Penang.

Shortly our motor boat was launched, proceeded to battleship to bring back Vice Admiral Hooky Walker who was to take passage on Volage to Penang. Myself off duty down in forward mess room, when a signalman asking for A.B Mills, that鈥檚 me, Captain wants you on the bridge; report to yeoman of signals. I was taken to Commander Durlacer who said to me 鈥淭he Admiral wishes to review the fleet; I want you to pipe the side, carry on yeoman鈥�.

On placing me high up on a platform and stating procedure of fleet review, the rest of the fleet now steamed a line ahead; Nelson, carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates. HMS Volage now with the Admiral aboard had become senior ship and proceeded on a reverse course, passing down the line of ships.

We now being the senior ship meant each ship in turn had to pipe 鈥淭he Still鈥�, first with crews lining the ships side standing to attention. Myself piped 鈥淭he Still鈥�, our crew standing to attention, Officers saluting. At my discretion as on the point of passing the stern on each ship, would pipe 鈥淐arry On鈥�, on board Volage crew then stand at ease. Each ship as we passed in turn would pipe 鈥淐arry On鈥� and also crews standing at ease.

So down the line of Ships, same procedure each piped first, myself reciprocating as before, with Admiral Walker taking the salute. Afterwards down in the mess I was ribbed for making messmates, bringing them to attention so many times. I have written a separate piece of the incident.

That evening the fleet proceeded to Penang. I had to go up to B gun deck; Admiral Walker was pacing up and down on the gun deck. Myself having carried out my duty must not speak first to any Officer. I climbed down the gangway and noticed the Admiral did have a metal hook on one arm.

Lofty John Mills
For the next chapter in John's story please go to: A8888485

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