大象传媒

Continued from part 1 鈥� Article A8483952
The ships radio operator was a pal of mine, he was also from the South, and his name was Len Snead. We were both called the 鈥渃ockneys鈥�. We had already met his girlfriend Doris and spent time together in Princess Street, Edinburgh at the ice cream parlours.
Len and I came back down south by train to Kings Cross. Len lived at the Angel in Islington and said that I had better come home and meet mum. We went round to his local first and Len got very drunk and was ill. He said he would be better when he had eaten. We went to a coffee shop almost opposite his home. He was right he was ok after eating; however I felt a bit dicey. Len鈥檚 mum had ordered a piece of haddock for us both and tore into him 鈥渇ancy getting the boy in that sort of state, you had better get him home鈥�, she said.
So off we went to get the tube back to Morden and got the bus to Wrythe Lane, by this time I was feeling a lot better. After meeting my parents we felt ok and decided to go for another drink. Len got drunk again.
When we arrived back to our respective homes we had both received a telegram recalling us back from leave. We met up at Kings cross and got the train to Edinburgh. Our ship was moored off Grantham, or so we thought. In fact it had set off for Dundee. We went to the base to find out how we could catch up with our boat. The guardroom was deserted, apart from one rating that told us to go up to the canteen because the drinks were on the ward room (i.e. the officers). On arriving the only drink that was available was Guinness. After drinking 6 bottles of Guinness each we went back to the guard room asking what we should do. We were told that they could not accommodate us, so we decided to sleep in the cells with the doors open. Half way through the night the guards changed. When I got up I found the door was locked, it took Len lots of persuading with the new guards to let us out of the cells.
Finally we were given a travel warrant to get us to Dundee to join our ship. On arriving at Ambrose the Captain called out 鈥淎re you from Redwood? Please come aboard鈥�. Our ship had already sailed with only half the crew. We finally caught up with the Redwood and transferred over in a small boat in our number one鈥檚. On boarding I was told to go directly to the helm, after drinking so much over the last few nights we both felt very rough and tired.
On entering the Norwegian fjords I was relieved off the helm and went below for some sleep. We had a Norwegian pilot to help us navigate the fjord. It had only seemed a short when suddenly there was a big crash. I jumped out of my bunk not sure whether I should put on some clothes my lifejacket or what to do. Apparently we had rammed a Norwegian whaler boat, which had been ahead of us; fortunately there had been very little damage to both boats.
As we entered Bergen fjord we were surprised to see lots of small boats come out to greet us waving and cheering. We stood on the deck aghast. Suddenly big Jack鈥檚 voice bellowed out 鈥淒on鈥檛 just stand there like dummies wave back to them鈥�. As we tied up alongside the Norwegian鈥檚 were coming aboard greeting us and offering us their local drink, which they all seemed to be carrying in small bottles.
The celebrating went on far into the night, the next morning the whole crew were nursing a heavy hangover.
Later that same morning several of us ventured ashore, including myself. We were greeted again and again by locals carrying bottles of the local drink.
The front page of the newspaper read 鈥淭he Norfolk come with 1,000 men鈥�. The cruiser, Norfolk had just anchored off Bergen that morning. Suddenly there was a lot of activity going on around the U boat pens. Apparently some Germans were trying to slip three U boats out into the fjord to scuttle them. An armed British boarding party went to investigate and prevented the U boats from being taken by the Germans.
We were able to get a close look at the subs; with closed in conning towers and fitted with snorkels, they were able to remain underwater without resurfacing for up to 20 days. It was our next task to take the crew from the U boats down the fjord to a prison camp.
Looking back at it now, it seems ridiculous that we had 60 German U boat crew on the foredeck of the Redwood. There were 18 of us, including officers, 6 of us guarding the German crew at all times.
Not being able to speak German you could still interpret from the crew鈥檚 gestures and body language that they also found the situation peculiar. Big Jack had told us not to load our rifles, however, we should keep a clip handy.
There was always a comedian on every ship, including the Germans. There was a small chap who was always mimicking his officer behind their back. The officers seemed to take it all in good heart and were walking around their crew, talking and offering cigarettes.
Suddenly one of the guards on the bridge dropped his ammunition clip over the top of the guardrail onto the fore deck. The German joker picked it up and offered it to the nearest guard standing in the gangway. Just as my fellow crewmate reached out to take it the German snatched it back. This happened several time to great laughter and applause from the German prisoners.
The U boat offers could tell that we were heading northwards, believing that they were being taken to the UK, when in fact they were being taken to an island north of Bergen.
Eventually we came alongside the jetty on the island. The prisoners were reluctant to disembark, however Big Jack managed to persuade them, telling them that there would be somebody along soon with more vessels.
It was a relief to see the last of the prisoners. That evening Len and I went ashore. We were soon befriended by a couple of girls who were talking to Russian prisoners. The girls spoke very good English and a smattering of Russian, which enabled us to speak to the Russians.
One of the prisoners was having a good laugh at one of his colleagues. When we asked why he was so happy he said that he was like one of our country folk, knowing very little of the outside world. Apparently this Russian prisoner had travelled 5 days via ox cart to get to the nearest railway station and a further two more days by rail so that he could join the Russian army. He had never seen a train before, or a ship, aeroplane, or flush toilet!
Someone on the square started playing a balalaika and accordion. Without anyone organising it a large square was formed by people and they all started to dance to the music. A Russian woman soldier grabbed me and danced me across the square. When I reached the other side someone else grabbed hold of me and danced me back. I passed Len going the opposite way. We were both dancing, whether we wanted to or not. This went on well into the night, although it never seemed to get completely dark.
Next day we were out in the fjords supervising the Germans sweeping the mines they had laid; we carried out a check sweep afterwards. The whole crew were issued with 2 bottles of German wine, chocolates and sweets, courtesy of the German stores. We seemed to be partying every night.
All good things must come to an end; we left Bergen to clear mines to the north. Our next stop was Trondheim.
As we travelled north to Trondheim, I couldn鈥檛 help but remember how we had tried to give this coastline a wide berth two years earlier (whilst escorting the convoys), especially around Tromso and the North Cape.
We were on our way to Murmansk and Archangel. Although Archangel was a longer journey, we felt a little safer sailing south after rounding the North Cape and into the White Sea. It also seemed not so cold.

A wartime marriage
Mission completed at Trondheim we arrived back in the UK. I had been corresponding with the pretty WAAF that I had met at the Empress Ballroom in Dundee; we had become very attracted to each other. As luck would have it we were both due some leave.
Zena was serving at a Lancaster bomber base at RAF Wicombey in Lincolnshire and was able to get her leave to coincide with mine. We arranged to meet at Lincoln station.
I caught the train from Edinburgh to Kings Cross, having to change at Grantham. Unfortunately upon arriving at Grantham I found that I had missed my connecting train to Lincoln.
I eventually made it to Lincoln on the last train. As the train pulled in I scanned the station in the dim light searching for Zena. I could not see her anywhere. I decided to cross the bridge to the other platform. Holding my small attach茅 case in one hand and steaming bag in the other, I set off across the bridge. Smoke and steam was belching from the train engine under the bridge. As the steam cleared I saw Zena coming towards me, from the other direction. We both dropped what we were carrying and rushed towards each other, hugging and kissing. I hadn鈥檛 noticed the WAAF walking behind me; the poor girl tripped over my discarded bags. With no trains to London until the morning we had to spend our time on the station.
Eventually we arrived home, 47 Thornton Road, Carshalton, where Zena was to meet my parents for the first time. Mum and Dad were pleasantly surprised by us; Zena hitting it off with them straight away.
We decided after the first couple of days together that we would like to get married and so set about finding out how to obtain a special licence.
The WVS (Woman鈥檚 Voluntary Service) helped us out a great deal. They informed us that service girls could borrow wedding dresses for the occasion.
The very next day a chauffer driven car (arranged by the WVS) pulled up outside my parent鈥檚 house and we were whisked off to Eton Square in London. The car pulled up outside a large mansion house.
The chauffer rang the doorbell; Barbara Cartland answered the door! She dismissed the chauffer and asked us in. As we entered the hallway I noted the marble floor and beautiful central staircase.
She led us through a door to the side of the staircase. The room had been stripped clear of all furniture, including carpet. There was a small coffee table and 2 chairs, which looked out of place in the room. After asking me to sit down she led Zena into an adjoining room. She left the door slightly ajar. After a short while Barbara Cartland returned to the room, carrying a silver tea tray. On it were 2 cups, milk and a plate of biscuits. She placed the tray on the table and sat on the remaining seat. As she poured the tea she asked me a series of questions, 鈥渉ow we met鈥�, 鈥渨here we had been鈥�, 鈥渨hat we had been doing during the war?鈥� She was a genuine and charming person to talk to.
A new woman interrupted us; she said to Barbara 鈥淚 think we鈥檝e found the perfect dress鈥�. To which Barbara replied, 鈥淚鈥檒l have a look鈥�. She returned from the room excited saying, 鈥測ou have a lovely bride鈥�.she looks beautiful, you鈥檒l just have to believe me, as it will be unlucky for you to see her before the wedding day.鈥�
Zena came out of the room carrying a large cardboard box, smiling.
Barbara Cartland escorted us to the door, kissed Zena鈥檚 cheek and shook my hand and wished us both the best of luck.
There was no chauffer to drive us home; instead we had to get the underground back to Morden then onto Carshalton.
Meanwhile Mum had arranged with the girl living opposite, Doris Hobley, a former auxiliary nurse, to make the wedding cake, which she did in record time.
We were to be married at St Peter鈥檚, Bishopsford Road, Carshalton. On the night before the wedding I went next door to sleep, ensuring that I would not see Zena until the wedding day.
I made my way to church with Les Gibson, my best man. It was very cold and trying to snow. Eventually the bride arrived and we were married. All this happened within 4 days. We both applied for an extension of leave on compassionate grounds, which was granted.

Since leaving HMS Redwood I had been made up to a leading seaman.
After returning from our compassionate leave I was drafted to a LL minesweeper No.10 81, as the new coxswain, normally the rank of a petty officer. Not being in a square rig myself I had to assume the title of acting torpedo coxswain. Where the torpedo came into it I never found out.
I served the last of my few months of the war on this vessel, till my demob, or class A release from Naval service at HMS Pembroke on 20th June 1946.
Zena and I had a wonderful and happy life together. Sadly she died 4 years ago. Last December (2005) would have been our diamond-wedding anniversary. We had many years of happiness together, 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. A family I can be truly proud of.
The elder grandson being a sergeant in the Royal Artillery. Two Doctors and a corporate Management Consultant. The youngest grandson a computer graphic designer.
My great granddaughter calls me Pop. I am truly blessed.

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