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Some experiences of Kenneth Weeden.During the evacuation of Singapore, I served on the "SS Stratheden". After picking up women and families, it was our aim to take them to Australia. This was accomplished with no problems, although our concern was the Jap Navy which was active in China Sea, Java Straits etc. At this time, they sank the "Repulse" and "Prince of Wales".

I also served on "SS Strathallan" Our first trip soon after the landings in North Africa was to Algiers with no problems for us, but heavy air raids on Algiers. The second trip was to Oran when we were full with American WACS and Nurses. Also on board was Margaret Bourke-White, the official Time magazine photographer and Kay Sullivan, Eisenhauer's beautiful chauffeur. A member of the crew was the Hon.David Herbert of the Pembroke family of Wilton House near Salisbury. He was a grand chap, as 3rd Radio Officer he was quite junior in rank, but extremely popular.

We were sunk on December 21st 1942 at 02.00. The passengers were wonderful and so disciplined and all of the women were correctly dressed in warm clothing, with bags etc all in order. They assisted in propelling the lifeboats by the Flemming Gear. (A push-pull lever attached to the prop. shaft). On pulling away from the Strathallan, it was seen that she was on fire internally and the grey paint was peeling off, to show a lot of pre-war white hull and yellow funnel. We were landed at Mers el Kalir and no one was interested in us as crew, being "civilians"! We could not buy anything at the shops because we had no "Invasion Money". David Herbert thought this was "not on" and went to sort it out. What a difference, we were soon issued with notes to get toilet items etc. We boarded CPR's "Duchess of York" for our return to Liverpool and a little survivor's leave. My next ship was the Cunard White Star "Mauretania".

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