大象传媒

This item is posted by me on behalf of my father, Harry Smith [C/MX 82944]. It took place in 1942 during the time Harry was a Sick Berth Attendant stationed at HMS Shrapnel, a shore establishment in Isleworth Middlesex.

HMS Shrapnel was formally the Fraser Nash car firm London Road, Isleworth. The Royal Navy took over the workshops and showrooms, with the motor mechanics becoming civilian instructors. This enabled Able Seamen to become qualified motor mechanics for work on gun boats and torpedo boats.

There was no accommodation at HMS Shrapnel and the entire ships company, including regulating and medical staff, were billeted out in and around Isleworth and Hounslow. Consequently, everyone did office hours; being off duty from 1700 hours until 0800 hours, Mondays to Fridays, from 1200 hours Saturdays and all day Sundays. With such regular periods off duty it did not take long for some of the boys to learn that they could fit in a casual job too. This was quite acceptable to the authorities although the Ministry of Works rule was that workers must be paid after every shift.

When he heard that there was work going on at the Brentford Brewery which included FREE Beer a certain Scots lad, David Yule, thought that he would have a go at this. But after the third evening he was told to report to the office because a complaint had been made against him. Upon reporting he was warned about the government rule that he MUST collect his wages after every shift. To which he replied, "Do I get money for this job as well?"

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