大象传媒

CHAPTER 5 HOMEWARD BOUND

It was on 1st.March, 1943, exactly 9 months after we arrived, that we sailed from Murmansk for home, in convoy RA53.

The weather was fine and clear, and we fully expected to get a visit from 'Jerry', but no, our voyage began quietly, and remained so for the next four days. Then the sparks began to fly, and more. We had just finished our breakfasts on the 5th.March when the alarm bells sounded. Hurrying up on deck, well wrapped up as it was bitterly cold, we saw our old friend 'the Northern Bus'. Now what was to happen?

After a two hour wait up popped a submarine dead in front of the centre of the convoy, sailing, with just the periscope showing, down between two lines of ships. He fired and hit the second ship in the port line, and then the third in the starboard line. He then continued across the convoy, and, when clear, dived. Then a destroyer came over and dropped two depth charges. I think it can be said that he was most certainly sunk. At any rate we heard nothing further.

Three hours later we saw, well ahead of the convoy, on the port side, 12 Junkers 88's.They got a hot reception on what was their final visit as far as I was concerned. They dropped many bombs, and at least two mines, but never made a hit. A terrific barrage was put up, which made them drop their 'eggs' carelessly.

Shortly after they had gone we noticed that the wind was stronger, and later the sea became rough. That was what I had been praying for. Although it was very uncomfortable, this continuous rolling, it was much better than being pestered by submarines and bombers. This weather lasted until we were in sight off Iceland, but several ships had gone astray in the storm. Flying boats went out and rounded some up, and to the six of us that had stuck together, twelve more were added, and the eighteen of us made our way to Scotland.

Of course this heavy weather had kept the submarines down, but had made our progress very slow.

It was interesting to note the days 'runs'. The first full days steaming showed 179 miles, the second 167, the third 205, the fourth 115, the fifth 53, the sixth 188, the seventh 175, the eighth 140, the ninth 144, the tenth 193, the eleventh 189, and the last day 163 miles.

I went on deck just before midnight on the 18th.March, Saturday, and very soon saw, right ahead, the Butt of Lewis .I could hardly believe it to be true, and don鈥檛 think that I slept much that night. I looked out early next morning to see land on both sides. To think that this was really Scotland. It took some believing, but just after dinner we were anchoring in Loch Ewe.

We passengers had fully expected to leave the ship here and travel home by train, but no, another disappointment. We had to make the passage round to the Firth of Forth. I did not look forward to those two extra days, as at sea anything could happen. After two days at anchor we sailed away around the north of Scotland, through the Pentland Firth, and eventually got to Methil at 8a.m. on 18th.March, 1943. After waiting there for the pilot we crossed over to dock at Leith, where another disappointment awaited us.

Nobody knew that we were coming. We had no British money. Fancy arriving in your own country, and nobody to help you to get railway warrants for your journey home!

However we had to get money, so the Chief Officer went and begged money from the agents of the ship that we travelled home in. after a phone call through to our agents in London, they said that they had not expected us, but consented to the agents in Leith giving us warrants. Meanwhile the Second Officer and I had managed to borrow a pound note from the Third Engineer. That all went in getting two taxis to get all of our gear to Waverley Street station. About 4.15 we all met there, and travelled home together on the 5.20p.m. train.

I eventually arrived into my own home at 9.45p.m. ,tired, weary, and very thankful to be home.

I could hardly believe that it was true. I had reached home after a very nasty experience.

Next morning Maurice rang me from West Hartlepool, and our pay-off was finally arranged for Saturday morning. I travelled through to West Hartlepool on Saturday,19th.March,1943,to sign off the articles of the 'Empire Elgar'.

R.M.KILBY

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