大象传媒

I joined HMS "Nith" in February 1944 at Govan. The ship had been converted from an A/S Escort to a Brigade H/Q ship in preparation for the Normandy invasion, I had been drafted from Chatham Barracks along with the rest of the crew to join the ship. On arrival, I stepped aboard and the first person I saw was Charley Mann. How glad I was to meet him again. Charley was a PO ERA and I had first met him about 1941/42 when he was serving on HMS "Nigeria". The ship was undergoing repairs at Tyne Dock, South Shields.
The next few months was spent in preparation for Normandy Landings which took place 6th June 1944. I have memories of that time, the day that followed a sleepless night watching and guiding the Landing Craft over a choppy sea. The landings were successful. The daytime weather was calm and I had a clear view of the French beaches and terrain. The odd enemy shell burst on the sea with a big splash. Most of the noise emanated from Arromanches or the Carne Area. All was going well with the landings in this sector until the night of 23/24 June when the ship was attacked by a very secret unit of the German Air Force. I learned that there were two planes. A JU88 was released by another plane moving in tandem, the JU88 carried the bomb ( A Pilotless Plane ). There followed a huge explosion. The ship developed a serious list, there was loss of power and fire control. I remember the sense of panic, and the odd one or two sailors jumping overboard: I especially remember my shipmates and their burial at sea.
The ship was towed to the Isle of Wight for major repairs and then returned to the Eastern Flank. On passing the Light House at the Isle of Wight the Captain signaled his condolences to the Light House Keeper who was the father of the CPO ERA aboared the ship.
The lack of activity in the sector was a result of the progress made by our troops ashore. Shore leave was granted and this meant that we could have a walk along the beach but no further.
A road ran parellel to the beach and the Army was very busy resurecting and repairing Telegraph poles. It was about this time that I saw a Midgit Submarine. It was tetherd to the aft of the ship and you could see the dead German pilot lying flat and facing the fore of the ship.

We were informed that we were to prepare for the voyage to the Far East. It was necessary to have further repair work which was carried out at Glasgow by Barclay Curl & Company. This meant that we spent both X/Mas and New Year there. We received wonderful hospitality and it was sad to leave. We discovered rats aboard. The weather had been intensley cold and the warmth of the ship had attracted them. The number increased to become unpleasant. The remedy was to obtain some cats. They did a wonderful job.
In due time we set sail for Bombay, our future base. We arrived in March 1945. I left two of my mates behind. Both Charley Mann and Chief Steward Aaron Wright had received other postings. We reached Bombay by way of Gibralter, Port Said and Aden.

On reaching Bombay we undertook preparations for the Rangoon landings. Rangoon was held by the Japanese and regarded as a key position. On the 4th May, we assembled with other craft and ships and then moved down river and made the landings. All went well. The RAF had made a heavy Bombing previous to the landings and the Japanese had fled. After a short while we were on the way back to Bombay to receive the good news of three weeks leave.

After the leave we were on our way to Bombay calling at Cochin. It was impeccable timing as VJ Day was declared. Celebrations all round and Splicing of the Maine Brace. We put to for Colombo. It was here that I had the opportunity one afternoon shore leave to telephone a friend of my father, Jim Cowie His wife answered the call and informed me that he was away on business but made a note of my name etc. We were due to sail the next day in the afternoon. At mid morning a barge appeared alongside the ship had requested permission to board. It was Jim, and I was permitted to see him. It was a memorable occasion. Jim worked for the Walker Shipyard.
We proceeded to port Swettenham, Dickson and Rangoon. On the 29th September we set out for Singapor then to Bangkok to which we had transported the Navel Headquarter Staff. There followed another visit to Singapor 20th December then to Saigon for X/Mas. Our main duty became the transfer of troops. We took the Indian troops who became the relief for the Australians stationed in both Borneo and Sarawak. Other British troops were brought back to Singapor for onward passage to the UK.
New Years Eve 1945 we spent at Jeselton and that night the ships concert party presented their show. It was a great success. Visitors were received from other boats and a great time was had by all. John Caveney was instrumental in the organisation of this event. I was one of the Minstrals.
We received news on 1st February to return home. Leaving Macasa we went to Singapor and then to Bombay where we were confronted with the Royal Indian Navy in Mutiny. It was an unusual situation. One difficulty was that the crew was due to be paid. So it was decided that I should be sent ashore under armed guard to collect the cash. It was intimidating marching along amidst a rebellious crowd- shades of "High Noon"- but we managed to get the cash and return unharmed. The Mutiny came to an end shortly afterwards.

The 28th March 1946 saw us back home where I last saw HMS "Nith" at Harwich. When I Look back I consider that it was a happy crew and I was fortunate to have been a member.
The Nith Association has been in existence for a number of years holding annual meetings etc. The late Les Gentry was the principal administrator. Due to diminishing numbers it is uncertain about the future of the Association.

Walter Frederick Perry.

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