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15 October 2014
WW2 - People's War

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Lancashire to Washington DC part 4

by fredramsbottom

Contributed byÌý
fredramsbottom
People in story:Ìý
Fred and Joyce Ramsbottom
Location of story:Ìý
Navy
Background to story:Ìý
Royal Navy
Article ID:Ìý
A4075346
Contributed on:Ìý
16 May 2005

1941
23rd Sept.
Arrived naval yard Philadelphia mid-day

25th Sept.
Shore leave 4.30 with Ron Ongett (R.D.F.)
Went to Casey’s Club, Paradise Club and dance hall

27th Sept.
Hitchhiked to New York went to Diamond Jim’s Bar, Jack Dempsey’s Bar and
Café Monta Rosa

28th Sept.
Manhattan Hotel from 7.00 am to 2.00 p.m.
Rothalls Cafe and had English breakfast, no charge. Burlesque show afternoon then
Café Monta Rosa

29th Sept.
Back to Philadelphia at 7.59.9 a.m.

16th Oct.
Transferred to Washington, British Admiralty Maintenance & Supply
Representative’s Signal Distributing Office
My new ship was Saker II, Brooklyn Barracks
Accommodation Guest House on 16th Street
Little did I realise that I was about to start a period of 3 years of life equivalent to that
in civvy street

25th Dec.
Guest of a dear elderly lady and daughter (nurse) at the Walter Reed Hospital, U.S.
Medical Centre, Washington

1942
25th Mar
Promoted to Leading Coder

April
Due to rejoin ‘Manchester’ on completion of refit, but accepted invite to stay in
Washington. Visit to Philadelphia for kit-bag and hammock.
31st July
Admiralty Office Note withdrawing veto on passages for wives of Naval Officers and
Civil staff appointed in U.S.A. and offering limited number of passages.
Notwithstanding the fact that my rank of Ldg. Coder hardly qualified, application
submitted and approved by the hierarchy.

27th Aug.
Surprise telegram from Joyce ‘Coming. Enquire meet me Washington’.
Panic stations, must find accommodation, very scarce, success eventually with one to
share with owner.
In touch with two of our Lieutenants whose wives were with Joyce on the Bayano
Aware of convoy numbers. Worrying days. In 1942 the loss of allied merchant
ships was the heaviest of the whole war, 1664 ships. The convoy of some 40 ships
which included the Bayano did not make it unscathed

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