大象传媒

H.M.S. Volage with Admiral Walker on board had the honour of being the first ship into Penang. Earlier in the morning A and Y gun crews mustered on the foc鈥檚le, waving tin hats, issued with a rifle apiece. Two Petty Officers each with a Lanchester sten gun were briefed by Chief Gunnery Instructor to be a shore party, to be taken by ships motor boat plus whaler over to Butterworth on the main land, following the ceremony of Japanese local forces surrender.

Naval personnel throughout history have landed ashore manning guns or acting as infantry in war or peace time. Gunboat diplomacy, be it seaman, stockers, cooks or Officer Stewards alike, could be called upon to make up a shore party.

Closing to Penang, Volage leading (at action stations) plus two Dutch cross channel ferries, Princess Emma and Beatrice with 500 Royal Marines aboard.

We could see, those of us on bofor gun deck, the waterfront and fishing village with a multitude of local inhabitants watching the British ships slowly edging closer to Penang jetty, not cheering.

Local Malay stevedores took our heaving lines and made our mallia ropes fast to bollards, plus the Dutch assault ships. The Royal Marines swarmed ashore on to the dockside, forming a square facing inwards, table and chairs plus a portable flagstaff followed.

Admiral Walker stepped ashore from Volage accompanied by our Captain Commander Durlachar, leading Naval and Royal Marine delegation to the table. Out of a dockside shed a Japanese Senior Officer and staff to opposite side of the table saluting and then seated and the signing of the documents of surrender. The Union Jack was hoisted and the Royal Marines marching off to all parts of the island to complete the take over of Penang.

Volage ships company had had a ringside view of the ceremony, another memory to this day. Being dismissed from action stations, we watched A and Y gun crews go away in a motor boat plus whaler, eighteen in number plus motor boat crew of three to Butterworth main land, a ships Officer in charge.

We the ships crew requested to go on the dockside, granted. Dockside only to stretch our legs, some of us rummaged the sheds and the Jap patrol boat, Kenny Roberts found an old Jap flag (he still has it today), myself I have a set of Jap ear plugs for gunnery as on issue, something we never had issued so am deaf today from guns.

That evening the shore party came back on board from Butterworth, said they had marched up and down Butterworth streets just making their presence known with rifles at the ready. They had met one group of a hundred and fifty Japanese soldiers, a bit apprehensive at first, but no trouble, got some smiles from locals.

Admiral Walker left to board his flagship H.M.S. Nelson to lead the way to Singapore with his fleet cruiser London and assault ships to Port Sweettenham.

A A gun crews were detailed to guard around the clock, sentry duty on gangway and on the quarterdeck in case of local pirates. Myself on quarterdeck at daybreak (morning watch), could see about half a dozen bodies floating, Chinese in origin, men with their arms tied behind their backs and a stick thrust through their arms.

Having reported it, many of the ships company came to have a look. A three badge AB stated that the culprits must have been killed before entering the water, bodies would sink if drowned to come up days later, but floated immediately if killed beforehand. We considered felons could either be Jap collaborators or some old scores being settled.

There is to be a Victory Parade through Penang streets by British forces, Royal Marines Band, Marines with rifles, plus Naval detachments from Naval Fleet anchored of shore. Our ships company had to be dressed in rig of the day, white shorts, white t-shirt plus white caps, with no arms to be part of the parade. Once again A A gun crews were closed up on anti aircraft guns, in case a sneak Japanese pilot wished to intervene on the proceedings.

The Naval Parade formed up on dockside, Officers leading each detachment. Lucky us, we had a ringside seat again, of the march off this time (I have photo of the parade leaving dockside). Our mates told us that the dignitaries took the salute at the Town Hall. It seemed the whole town of local people lined the streets to watch the parade; we were informed by shipmates afterwards.

The Naval Fleet sailed away leaving Volage as wireless ship, to await the British army to set up radio equipment.

Liberty men was piped with a new day, Eric, Jock, Ginger and myself passed muster for going ashore. Just outside the dock stands a clock tower plus a statue of Captain Light founder of Penang.

While walking we overtook a Chinese man pushing his bicycle with a puncture in his back wheel, he could speak English and produced a puncture kit when asked. So we upturned the bike, quickly repaired the puncture and Jock pumped up the tire. The rider insisted we go back to his house for tea.

We were introduced to his wife and two young daughters, we had to sit on the floor (us awkwardly) around a small legged table. Tea was handed out to us in a bowl, very sweet and weak, one tea leaf swimming around. The householder said he was a clerk in local government, glad Japanese were gone.

I was asked when I thought Lux soap would be plentiful again. I gave an evasive answer, I hadn鈥檛 a clue when. We took our leave, interesting Colonial Government building in Penang. Too early for highlights for Jack yet, so back to the ship.

Sept 9th a frigate H.M.I.S. Krisna berthed alongside Volage for a day, manned by Indian sailors. As it was a festive day for them, ten of our ships crew were invited to mid day meal, which I for one accepted. My first curry, as it was very hot we had to keep asking for water, which amused the Indian crew immensely.

Sept 10th Indian ship departed. Myself standing guard on the quarter deck for the forenoon watch, I watched a Sunderland flying boat land in the bay and our motor boat called away. As it approached with passengers aboard, I was called to the ships starboard side ladder (gangway to shore being port side). I was told to stand to attention as guests came aboard.

To my amazement Lord Louis Mountbatten accompanied by General Bill Slim reached the upper deck, both saluting in reply to the Officer of the watch, who immediately took them to our Captain鈥檚 cabin. The buzz soon went around our ship who our guests were.

A couple of hours later the pipe, all hands muster on the foc鈥檚le rang throughout the ship. Having mustered there our Captain led Lord Louis to meet us.

We were stood at ease, his speech to us opened with that he felt it good to be on a destroyer again (H.M.S. Kelly sunk under him and crew in the Mediterranean), and congratulating us on our deeds in the East Indies fleet etc.

Louis and Bill Slim escorted by our Captain Durlachur they made their way to Butterworth Aerodrome, our Captain watching our guests fly off to Singapore for final surrender of Japanese in the East Indies.

Lord Louis Mountbatten C in C of East Indies, General Bill Slim C in C of 14th Army in Burma, Commander Durlachur was signals Officer to Admiral Cunningham C in C Mediterranean, to Lord Louis Mountbatten combined operations initial opps organisation leading to D Day June 1944.

Run ashore was good in Penang as we were the only ship in port. Dance hall open up, some beer, bought books of tickets for local dancing partners. We visited a Buddhist Temple of the Snakes, alive everywhere, we had to take our shoes off. Disappointed funicular railway to top of Penang Hill not working.

H.M.S. Venus acting as mail ship from Trinco was a welcome sight. Guard sentry only on gangway now.

Make and mend this afternoon, most of the crew asleep. A boson pipe sounds loud throughout the ships mess decks. ALL HANDS SCATTER ASHORE. Without a blink, acting as one knowing danger must be imminent. Coming out of last steel door to iron deck and making our way to the gangway, looking aft we could see that a large sea mine was being slowly washed between dockside jetty and our stern, with menacing spikes that could blow our ship to kingdom come.

P.O. telling us to get as far away as possible without going out of the docks. The motor boats crew had been called out and the boat already in the water. Leading Seaman Donaldson, Stoker Charlie Howells, A.B Taffy Guy brought the motor boat stern first up to the deadly mine and arresting it with boat hook through the ring on the mine, knowing all the time (but too busy to think) one false move meant goodbye to everybody.

Towing the mine gingerly away from the ship, some way out a motor launch took over the tow, moving further out to sea, releasing it and blowing it up safely. Many deeds stay unmentioned in the services then.

After a week or two of our stay in Penang, the British Army became apparent, so at the local dance hall we had competition and could not monopolise the dance tickets, much to our disappointment.

Alternative entertainment to see at night, Chinese Opera Group, setting a stage in the square the travelling troop of actors and dancers and the leading lady a young man. Cymbals and drums clanking and crashing out loud and echoing through the darkened streets. The singing in high voices, positive remonstrative acting. Theme good against evil, love and passion. Chinese, Malays, and Jack Tar placing coins in a hat at the end of the show.

On another evening in the square, as evening fell, the food stalls would be cleared away, us lads getting a taste of Chinese food now. Another group of travellers set up stage for shadow drama plays. Cymbals and drums as previous troop. A screen is set up and an electric light behind, grotesque wooden figures on poles operated off side of the state. As before, good over evil, most entertaining.

A month alongside the jetty at Penang, we considered that our mooring rope must have become permanently attached, but orders for sailing came for us to depart.

It seemed unbelievable, the first time Volage put to sea with no gun crews closed up, or for exercise, action stations on leaving the harbour. Only radar, bridge and wheelhouse parties manned through the night. All others of the crew, ALL NIGHT IN. Sleeping. HEAVEN.

Destination Stewards Sound, Trincomalee.

Lofty John Mills

Buzz (news) 2005

6/7th correct maybe, Japanese General who signed surrender at Penang was wearing a British Decoration on his tunic. When as a journeys Officer, awarded decoration, as we were allies 1914/18 conflict.

For the next chapter in John's story please go to: A8888205

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