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It was about February 1941 and I was approaching 19 years of age when I decided to volunteer for the RAF (VR). After training and about mid-December 1941 a small group of us received two bits of news, (a) we could have Xmas at home on two weeks leave and (B) it was embarkation leave.

During my time in the RAF the journey out to India proved to be quite an experience. Initially we were sent to West Kirby, which is on the Wirral peninsula, for a few days. Here we were kitted out, had a pay parade, plus a range of inoculations. Confined to camp during this period, until the lorries arrived, then it was through the Mersey Tunnel to Liverpool. Our troopship was the ‘Duchess of Bedford’. This may seem strange but until the photograph was obtained I never had an overall view of the ship. Lorries drew up to what was a ‘steel wall’. In that wall was a large hole into which we disappeared. We were not there to waste time or to sightsee. We left Liverpool early in January 1942, and sailed north for a while. Unlike what you see on films and TV we had cast off with a few waves from dockworkers. There was a slight delay of a day or two to form up. The convoy sailed into the North Atlantic at the maximum speed of the slowest ship. Subject to weather, some Merchant ships had their small barrage balloons up and for some days a German ‘spotter’ aircraft kept watch on us. The‘Duchess’ was a 20,000 — ton ship, designed to carry about 1,570 passengers. It was rumoured that there was some 4,000 RAF personnel on board.

The decks below had been gutted and tables with benches alongside had been installed. Obviously these were fixed to the floor. The tables could seat 16 men and just as each deck had a letter, the tables each had a number. In the adjoining central area, hammocks were stored on racks above, together with kitbag, side packs and personal items. The hammocks, slung close together, proved to be quite comfortable, although you had to sleep on your back. Some men preferred to sleep in any spare space around the tables and benches. For meals, two men on a rota system would go to the galley and served in turn by table number, would bring back containers of food which they distributed as fairly as possible. Each man had his own mug, mess tin and ‘irons’ (Knife, fork, spoon). Rough weather at meal times was rather unhelpful. Across the deck were toilets, showers and washbasins. Due to the numbers on board fresh water had to be conserved so seawater was used and even with the special soap a residue of salt was always left. There was a small shop selling various items such as cigarettes etc. I bought a small packet of biscuits for 3d (1p) only to discover the words ‘Free Sample’ on the base of the packet. Near the shop, on an open area of deck space there were three or four metal buckets of fresh water with limes floating in them for our consumption and probably to offset the lack of fruit and vegetables.

Obviously, the ship could never stop, even for a ‘Man Overboard’ situation, and after dark no lights whatsoever could be shown outside, not even a cigarette. Below deck it was important to avoid noise, in particular metallic noise, as noise travels well through water. Lifebelts of the cork block type were issued, but some of us managed to ‘exchange’ these for the kapok type which were useful as cushions or pillows. We did have two lifeboat drills but given the ratio or personnel to boats it was thought that should the need arise appropriate action could be taken. To help keep us occupied we did attend a few lectures on health etc. but this was impossible to organise on a routine basis. When possible we went on deck but otherwise time was spent below deck where a lot of card games were played.

The convoy did lose some ships to German U boats but partial retribution took place when later in 1942 the ‘Duchess of Bedford’ sank a U boat. Days went past until one morning we found ourselves alone and heading for Freetown, on the West coast of Africa, in order to obtain supplies. Shore leave was not granted. It was so hot and humid that some of us slept whenever possible on the main deck rather than below. In the warmer weather, we left Freetown going south to Cape Town, where moored to a pier, we stopped for some days. Once again, shore leave was not granted. I recall two memories. The first being the grey and sinister appearance of the sea around the Cape of Good Hope, and the second being the magnificent entrance to Cape Town harbour with a view of Table Mountain. Before leaving England tropical kit had been issued which brought rumours of Singapore being a likely destination. However we learnt later that the Japanese, unexpectedly, had taken Singapore about mid — February 1942.

From Cape Town we sailed around to Durban on the East Coast of Africa. Tens of thousands of troops who passed through Durban know of the ‘Lady in White’. An impressive lady of stature, dressed completely in white and with a strong soprano voice, visited the ships and from the pier sang the songs the troops wanted to hear. We now left the ‘Duchess of Bedford’ for a transit camp equipped with bell tents. Each tent held about eight men who slept in a circle with their feet towards the central pole. No mattress’s, just a rubber ground sheet. We awoke one morning to find a snake in the tent, which caused a minor panic and a mad rush for the exit. The snake also tried to get out but did not survive. Was it dangerous, who knows, it ended up dead. I have some happy memories of Durban where we spent about three to four weeks awaiting orders. Apartheid was strictly enforced. We had freedom of movement to explore and were made welcome by everyone. This might have been partly due to the fact that the Japanese has sunk an Australian troopship, which resulted in many bodies being washed ashore on the Durban beaches, only a few weeks earlier. I do know that one, (and also a few more) made decisions that South Africa was an excellent country and having obtained local support brought their service in the RAF to an end by going AWOL on a permanent basis. Soon it was time to move and embark on our next ship. Unfortunately I cannot recall the name of this ship. Sailing north from Durban by ourselves, we heard a Tannoy announcement that a Japanese submarine was following us but with it having to remain submerged during the day it could not match our speed. After another day or two we were told a British warship, in the Madagascar area, was coming to give us some cover. We continued to sail north and for whatever reason stopped at Mambasa, East Africa. Once again we spent two or three days here, where in groups shore leave was granted. I think that the surrounding walking distance area was such that it left little or no impression. Leaving Mombasa it was only a matter of a ‘comfortable’ journey across the Indian Ocean to Bombay, India. I think it was this period that we saw a lot of sea life and in particular, the flying fish.

There is much to be said for the clear skies of a warm tropical night and the opportunity to see the shooting stars. We dis-embarked at Bombay and once again moved into another tented Transit Camp. It was here that a bed, a ‘charpoy’ was provided. It had four wooden legs, plus four wood sidepieces laced with rope to sleep on and was quite comfortable. We were soon on our way again and embarked on our third and nameless ship. About two dozen of us joined this small, ancient Indian coastal vessel, fortunately only for a few days. Specific memories: cockroaches by the thousand. In a hammock it is necessary to lie flat and look above. We watched the cockroaches march along the beams above. If asleep we did not open our mouths! My own experience was a ‘crunch’ when eating porridge, or whatever, for breakfast. ‘Food’ left a lot to be desired. When it came to changing course the Captain told us that the vessel would be broadside on to the waves and likely to take on some water. It did! I am reasonably sure that the latrine, more or less similar to a small hut, was situated towards the bow, portside, but instead of being on deck was actually over the side of the vessel. There was some virtue in it being in this position from a disposal point of view. This vessel, you will notice the omission of the word ship, was the final of our journey to India.

JOURNEY HOME.
The years passed and the war with Japan ended by the American use of two atom bombs, in mid August 1945. It was not until November that we sailed from Bombay after embarking on the ‘Queen of Bermuda’ for our journey home. The tannoy announced that (a) the ship had quadruple engines but only three were in working order, (b) the Suez Canal had been sufficiently cleared of wrecks and sunken ships for us to go through and (c) every effort would be made to get us home for Christmas. The journey was then across the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea, on to the Canal and through to Port Said where we stopped for a while. The canal was very interesting with its channels and lakes. The ship moved very slowly, which was normal, and in places, on the starboard side, we could see the wreckage of partially sunken ships still waiting clearance. On the port side (left) there were places where the ship was only a few feet from the side of the canal. Very close to it was a roadway, and then equally close was the railway line.

Moving into the Mediterranean we met poor weather so our khaki clothing went overboard as we changed back into blue uniforms. It was passing the Rock of Gibralter that we began to realise that we were nearly home. It was winter; the Atlantic was at its worst with a strong westerly gale, as we sailed across the Bay of Biscay. Some main deck space was roped off and available to us. The waves, to us, broadside on were awesome and seemed to tower above the ship. This was a sight to remember, but too cold to stay very long on deck. Another day or two and we were back in |Liverpool, where apart from two or three weeks, we had left four years earlier. I think it was the 20th December 1945 when we moored at the dockside for a welcome from quite a few people. Custom officers did not come on board. The next two days were busy. We left the ship for a quayside warehouse to have kit replaced, or missing items replaced so as to bring everything up to standard. A pay parade was held on board ship. I think our leave was for four weeks and apart from money we needed a pass and a travel warrant. The final day, 23rd December, saw lorries brought onto the quayside to take us to Liverpool Station. About six platforms were occupied with troop trains, each with a main city destination. Mine was for Edinburgh via Leeds, York and Newcastle. I left the train with goodbyes and good wishes from those still left, walked along to the bus station (with kit bag) and very shortly arrived home. My parents knew by a letter earlier that I was hoping to be home for Christmas, but there was no way I could communicate the time or even the day. Whilst overseas service was completed, I still had several more months of service to do.

My final year commenced on the 21st January 1946. This was spent in Scotland until demobilisation in August of that year.

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