大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Allan Price on behalf of Arthur Toon and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

As an airman during WW2 along with a few thousand other service men I was aboard troopship Dutchess of Richmond. We sailed from Gourock on the Firth of Clyde, our destination unknown. During the darkness and in complete silence we were joined by other service ships including Royal Navy Men at War.

A few days into our journey the Dutchess, now refered to as Drunken Dutchess, was unable to keep up with the others, finally we came to rest. As the convoy carried on we were not completely alone, a Naval Destroyer had been left as our guardian Angel against possible enemy attack, efforts failed to get us mobile again.

The following day, over the ships loud-hailer, Captain announced we had to wait for equipment from the UK. A shout of "they've forgotten the sails" rang out!

The troops were instructed on proceedures to be taken if we became a target. A day or so later we were informed of possible U-Boat attack. Marines appeared and took up defence of the ship. We were assembled on open deck, waiting I imagined for the order "abandon ship". An order came for us to go below five decks to an empty mess deck.

Probably a couple of thousand of us were crammed in and were standing shoulder to shoulder. It was half light, all port holes closed and hatches battened down. It was apparent enemy aircraft had joined the battle, as we listened to gunfire and felt the effects of depth charges, every man became silent, an infectious fear spread among us. A trumpet rang out. During a pause in the music a gravel voice shouted "everybody dance", many cheered as guys grabbed guys to dance. Although it was too crowded to move. I learned the musician was Nat Gonella, Britain's famous Jazz band of the thirties and forties. That day he prevented many skid marks on many service men's undergarments - thnaks Nat.

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