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This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Roger Marsh of the ‘Action Desk — Sheffield’ Team on behalf of Philip E. Marshall, and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

A Slice of Autobiography (1939 to 1946) — Part 6

By
Philip E. Marshall

I vaguely remember that we did some steaming trials, before the ship tied up in the main harbour for a few days' preparation before setting off across the Pacific. Then, for a second time, I found myself mysteriously very ill. On this occasion the reason was so obvious that I began at last to understand words like asthma and allergy. Portland Bill had been moored alongside the giant hoppers, which were pouring the summer grain into the holds of ships for transport overseas. The air was thick with dust and pollen. I became so short of breath that once more I was rushed off a ship and into hospital. Again there was no treatment that I can remember. Today we have steroid drugs; in 1945 no progress had apparently been made since my childhood. I was just put to bed and left. The nurses were nothing like so attentive as those in the Royal Naval Hospital, Seaforth, and I did not want to be abandoned this time. So, a few days later, my fellow Subs. laid on transport, I discharged myself from hospital and arrived back on board just before the ship sailed. Everyone welcomed me warmly, even - the rival groups, and the Captain generously offered to excuse me from watch-keeping duties. I was wiser now, though, and insisted on getting onto the Bridge for my four-hourly stints. In a very short time the Pacific sea air affected a natural cure. If I had thought about it, I might have become an early expert in the field of atmospheric pollution, and its effects on people.

We called at Esquimault, a small Canadian Base; at Hawaii, free from tourism on Waikiki beach, and still with memories of the attack on Pearl Harbour; at Guam, where we were not allowed outside the naval base because there were still Japanese soldiers lurking in the jungle; and finally we reached Singapore. I had carried out my sea duties, and also edited a light-hearted ship's newspaper suggested by someone to improve the "atmosphere". We had celebrated passing the Equator with a rough ceremony conducted by King Neptune and his minions, in a large canvas bath. As one "crossing the line" for the first time, and watching the treatment meted out to some, I was calculating how long I could hold my breath under water, but I was whisked out, and to the other side, in double quick time. Perhaps good humour was beginning to assert itself.

Portland Bill was anchored near the Causeway, on the opposite side of the island from the town and harbour of Singapore. Nearby was the wreck of a Japanese cruiser, blown up by very bold midget submarines a few months earlier. On the quayside were Japanese prisoners, unloading redundant ammunition. They would stop work, and bow deeply as we stepped ashore from the boat, but we did not feel "honoured"; stories of how our own prisoners of war had been treated were beginning to circulate. We now had time for swimming at the waterfall, and pool of Khota Tinghi among the lush vegetation on the Malayan peninsula; outings in the motorboat to explore little rivers, and call at Malayan villages; an occasional drive to Singapore town, just recovering from the Japanese occupation.

We should have been enjoying our "holiday", but the future was too unsure, and most minds were occupied with thoughts of going home. Education Officers came on board to advise us on careers, and pamphlets were distributed, with tempting offers. Australia would be pleased to offer free passages, University education, and a post in government or teaching; they were very short of quality manpower. The peacetime Royal Navy had openings for a very few, select, R.N.V.R. Officers; one of our group actually applied, to the surprise of the rest of us, but I did not hear the result. My Bank Manager was prepared to welcome me back, after five years. Finally, direct from home, came a newspaper cutting outlining a scheme under which serving officers were offered five years at University, all fees paid, if they would become teachers, for "Britain needs male teachers". That was the one my mother fancied for me, and the one I applied for.

A troopship carried me back, across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, completing my round-the-world tour. I was demobilised officially in September 1946, though I was in fact sent on leave, with a civilian suit, in May, and told that I would not be expected back except "in emergency". The navy's loss was Manchester University's gain.

POST-SCRIPT
H.M.S. Londonderry was sold for scrap in 1948.

H.M.S. Whimbrel was sold to the Egyptian Navy, in 1949, and re-named El Marek Farouk.

H.M.S. Rockingham, the ex-U.S.S. Swasey, was sunk off Aberdeen, on September 27, 1944

H.M.S. Inman was returned to the U.S. Navy in 1946.

H.M.S. Portland Bill was sold to the Stag line in 1951, and re-named S.S. Zinnia.

TIME TABLE
1939 September 3rd. Britain declares war on Germany. Marshall family living in Hartshill, near Stoke-on-Trent. December, Graf Spee sunk.

1940 Summer: I leave school, aged sixteen. Join Lloyd's Bank, Newcastle-under-Lyme, June; Dunkirk evacuation. France capitulates.

1941 Spring: I volunteer under the "Y" Scheme, for the Royal Navy. November 5th, called up, aged 18 years and 4 days. Sent for Training to H.M.S. Raleigh, Torpoint, Cornwall. December: Pearl Harbour, U.S.A. at war, Repulse and Prince of Wales sunk.

1942 January to September, Ordinary Seaman in H.M.S. Londonderry. Battle of the Atlantic intensifies against German U-boats and bombers: November, Allies invade North Africa. 8th Army advances from Egypt: November 13th: Commissioned as Midshipman R.N.V.R., after Officer Training in H.M.S. King Alfred, Worthing, Sussex.

1943 From December 30th (1942) to 26th October, Midshipman in H.M.S. Whimbrel. March: Heaviest convoy losses of the war, but Navy is now assembling Frigate Support Groups, and building small Aircraft Carriers. May: 9 U-boats sunk, 7 damaged. Tide turns in Atlantic battle. August: Allies invade Sicily. September: Italy surrenders. November: In Royal Naval Hospital, Seaforth, Liverpool. December 7th (until June 7th 1944) Sub-lieutenant in H.M.S. Rockingham

1944 June, Allies invade France. June 16th (to July 28th 1945) Sub-lieutenant in H.M.S. Inman Nov. 1st: 21st birthday

1945 May 7th Germany surrenders. July 31 to October 10th. On books of H.M.S. Pembroke, for antisubmarine course, but was left on leave. My family now in Blackpool. August: Atom bombs dropped, Japan surrenders. Oct. :Sent to Vancouver, Canada, to join H.M.S. Portland Bill

1946 March 1st. Automatic promotion to Lieutenant R.N.V.R. March Crossed the Pacific to Singapore; “Crossing the Line”. April Homeward bound in Troopship. May (official date September). Demobilised. October Under-graduate at Manchester University.

Pr-BR

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