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In April, 1944 I was instructed to report to the sub commissioners of the London Trinity House at Southampton, for pilotage duties in the Solent. Later I was followed by Lt. Commander Lazenby who had served as an Admiralty pilot in Freetown. On arrival at Southampton I met other officers from the Bristol Channel Ports who were to perform the same duties as myself.
We reported to the Sub-commissioners who informed us of their requirements. Pilots who were to be granted a temporary licence were required to make themselves familiar with the whole area. To know the navigational hazards and various courses to be steered, the set drift and strength of the tidal stream and the general conditions in the ports of Southampton, Portsmouth and Cowes, I.O.W.
By making a number of trips with an established pilot over the whole district and by jotting down notes we were able to pass the required examination. The Sub commissioners were two elderly retired men of the sea.
In a formal dignified manner and with little questioning they found each and everyone qualified to pilot ships of any tonnage and were granted a temporary licence. I was appointed to the Inward Services and promptly took up residence on the Isle of Wight, where any person form the mainland was known as an ‘Ovenor’.
When large convoys were expected extra pilots were sent by car to Sea View. During the last 12 days of May I piloted 12 ships, which told of things to come! One was the Admiralty tug ‘Marauda’, towing a colossal cable reel which measured some 60ft. in diameter and gloated at a draft of 27 feet. This was part of the PLUTO support ‘pipe line under the ocean’. ‘Marauda’ towed the cable reel slowly to Southampton water and moored to a buoy off Netley in readiness for the invasion. Its function was to be laid across the channel and through it would be pumped oil to Normandy.
June brought a considerable influx of shipping, convoys arrived in quick succession and in consequence closer liaison with the Naval Control service was quickly arranged. The build up to the invasion proceeded rapidly until just before D Day almost every berth had a ship anchored in it, leaving only a narrow navigable channel from East to West. I cannot recall ever seeing so many merchant ships anchored in such close formation. The British, American, Dutch and other allies, all congregated together to wage war against a common foe.
With such a huge amount of shipping concentrated in this area every one was astonished that no heavy air attacks were delivered by the enemy. There were some isolated raids and fights in the air however. During the dark hours searchlight beams probed the night sky and bursting shells gave a sinister display. However, little damage was done to the shipping.
On 6th June, D Day, the weather was not kind — a fresh Northerly wind blew but this did not stop the operation. I watched the proceedings from the Pilot Cutter — there appeared to be an endless line of ships steaming southwards. It was a most impressive sight, yet I cannot recall ever thinking in terms of who would or who would not return from the battle.
Large Atlantic convoys arrived bringing American Troops and their equipment and stores, all in turn to sail to Normandy. Hospital ships were routed independently and during the month of June 40 pilots worked at top pressure and averaged 43 ships per man for the month. We took snatches of sleep when and where we would, having most of our meals on board the ships. The American food was particularly plentiful and good!
As the pressure of work eased we were able to relax somewhat and I was a little bit more of my wife and daughter, who had arrived on the I.O.W. at the start of August. A short spell off duty gave me the opportunity to visit the beauty spots and places of interest. The place which attracted me greatly was Calbourne, which had thatched cottages and old fashioned streets with a stream and its own ‘sheep dip’.
For the first 6 months of 1945 the shipping in and out of the Solent gradually eased off and the average number of ships handled per pilot reduced to around 22. My 14 months with the Isle of Wight pilot service saw me handling 382 ships, from small coaster to 27,000 ton liners.
Early in July my service in this area came to an end. I reverted to naval rank and pay. Travelled north to my home in Hull, where I spend my two months demobilisation leave. It was not a difficult matter to rehabilitate myself as it had been after the lst World War as I had a wife, child and a home and a secure job…..All of which could be termed as a ‘Good Anchor’.

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