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We were positioned at a distance of one thousand yards from the leading Merchant ship in the first column of a convoy; we therefore sailed away from it for a distance of three thousand yards, then changed direction again and veered back again to within a thousand yards of it. This manoeuvre was repeated continually, and in view of the fact that during darkness there were no lights to be seen anywhere. The RDF operator was the only person who could inform the officer on watch when to change course, and at the same time also inform him of any other ships falling out of position, so that the appropriate action could be taken. Convoys had to keep their correct position and all travel at the same speed, which was the speed of the slowest ship in the convoy. On this particular convoy that was five knots (just over five miles per hour).

Having now taken up my position on watch along with my assistant, the RDF mechanic, I began the task of rotating the RDF aerials by turning the control knob with my right hand, my left hand on the control knob, my left ear pressed against the ear and mouth piece, this was the means of communication with the officer on watch who was on the bridge. About half way through the watch, there was a knock on the cabin door, turning out the cabin lights before we opened the door, I saw it was one of the seaman there, who passed into my assistant and I two mugs of drink, known in the Navy as ‘KYE’. This was drink made from solid bars of drinking chocolate cut up into fine pieces, then mixed with condensed milk and brown sugar, the mixture was placed on the galley stove and heated until it was piping hot, before being distributed to all those on watch. It was a drink that I came to like; it provided a heat on those cold nights and was something to look forward to during the watch. However on this particular night the very smell of it made me vomit, and I dashed out of the cabin to the rails of the ship to be sick, while in this most compromising situation. I received a tap on the shoulder from one of the bridge watchmen, telling me to report immediately to the officer on watch.

After being sick I made my way to the bridge and reported to sub lieutenant Blesley who was a man in his early twenties and this was the first occasion that I had met him. He then demanded to know why I had left my post without notifying him and obtaining permission. I tried to explain that I felt ill and was in the process of being sick to which he replied. “That is no excuse for what you have done, do you realise that your action could have had disastrous results for all on board this ship and even the convoy itself. Under no circumstances will you ever leave your post without permission, if you feel sick in future bring a bucket on watch with you and be sick in that. However in view of the fact that this is your first trip I will take no further action in this matter, I hope you have learned your lesson. Now get back on watch and give me a detailed report of our distance from the leading ship in the column, also see if you can locate the distance we are away from the nearest escort to our rear, which should be H.M.S. Campion. Needless to say I was pleased when that first convoy watch was over and was able to return to my hammock for four hours rest, before being required to resume watch again. This time I made sure I took a bucket with me for emergencies. Perhaps the officer on watch was right in his action, I realised afterwards that I could have been put on the captains report for leaving my post, which probably would have meant a severe reprimand at least.

` After the first few days at sea I gradually began to feel back to normal and took a much greater interest in what was going on. It appeared to me that those smart naval personnel who had looked so good when in harbour now appeared to look so different. They were no longer in uniform, but were dressed in convoy rig. This meant that men could now wear what they wished, in the main they were more or less dressed the same i.e. navy blue dungarees, woollen jumpers, balaclavas and dufflecoats. It was also very noticeable that men appeared to be older and scruffier in appearance, no doubt this was due to the fact that men had discontinued shaving for the voyage, their minds were now taken up with other more important things than their appearance.

To read chapter one of this story please go to A6753035.

This story was submitted to the People's War website by a volunteer of the Stoke CSV Action Desk on behalf of John Derrick Hill and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

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