大象传媒

I joined the Navy to see the sea, and what did I see? I saw the sea.

I am a native of Woolacombe and was educated at Woolacombe Primary School and up to the age of 15 had never been out if Devon

Never the less I applied to join The Royal Navy, passing the education exam at Exeter and later my physical at Bristol. Only 2 out of a total of 50 hopefuls passed!

I was sent immediately for training to H.M.S Ganges at Shotley near Ipswich. An intensive 18-month period followed and I was passed out as a wireless operator. I was then drafted to H.M.S. Furious an Aircraft Carrier operating in the home fleet serving in Destroyers during the Spanish war evacuating bombed out families from Barcelona to Gibraltar then to the Palestine trouble spots escorting food convoys for the army.

War broke out while I was serving in Alexandria, and I was then sent to Malta to serve on their Commander in Chief, S Staff.

I preferred however being at sea so applied for a transfer to destroyers and was sent to H.M.S Wrestler, a first world war destroyer serving all through the north African landings and Malta convoys. Later in 1943, I returned home to join the coastal forces operating in motor gunboats and motor torpedo boats.

While serving in M.G.B 326 we were attached to special forces operating in various commando raids and secret missions. Which brings me to Christmas Day in 1943. we were suddenly called to operate a secret operation to the coast of Normandy with a group of scientists to obtain samples of the beach, arriving late at night and to leave before dawn.

On our arrival the scientists and I paddled ashore in an inflatable dinghy with a walkie 鈥� talkie for communication. Whilst on shore 326 was alerted and left us on the beach. We spent most of Christmas night listening to Jerry singing Christmas carols! A remark was passed amongst us 鈥渨hat a day for D Day鈥� little realising D Day was not all that far away. Jerry celebrated very well that night.

I was never more relieved to hear my skippers voice on the walkie 鈥� talkie informing us to make our way back to the boat.

On our return to Gosport on Boxing day we were given shore leave, and as I had previously been invited to Christmas dinner, I went to keep my date although 24 hours late! The lady of the house had kept my dinner, I had originally given her 6 threepenny pieces to put in the pudding, imagine my surprise when all 6 turned up in my slice! I have these pieces today plus a few more given by my mother in law for luck.

Acoustic mines off Arromanches sank M.G.B 326 on June 27th 1944 during the D Day landings. We had a leading role in taking the first group of commandos into arromanches.

We sustained no loss of life on that trip.

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