大象传媒

H.M.S. PRINCESS ASTRID. 1942 TO 1944.

I was called up on 5th Jan. 1942, and reported to London Rd. School Nottingham. Travelled to H.M.S. Ganges at Ipswich by train with about 15 other men, changed at Grantham and Peterborough, and was put in a mess called the Annex with 60 other men, and that day 300 men joined H.M.S. Ganges.
6-1-1942. Had a vaccination and a very short Haircut, which I had to pay 6d for. Did Foot Drill on Parade Ground , when not doing joining routine. I remember I was surprised at the outdoor toilets, with no doors on, and old fashioned wooden seats with a hole in, which was automatically flushed from one end.
7-1. Issued with two Uniforms.
8-1. Was paid 10/-. Food not bad, but not much of it.
15-1. My RN number is C/JX 318670. Received Gas Mask and was paid 14/-.
6-2. Week end leave to 2230 on 9th, went home.
18-2 Issued with Hammocks.
2-3 Gunnery Exam. 84 per cent. and came 5th out of 40.
3-3. Seamanship Exam. 460 marks out of 600. Came 5th.
6-3 Left for Chatham
7-3. Had Medical Exam, and did joining routine.
11-3. 7 days leave at home. At Chatham we fell in for work every day, and the worst job of all was coaling ship, which I caught one day. Many of the regular sailors dodged this work, by keeping out of the way of the MPs. At this time all ratings slept at night in the underground tunnels, in hammocks, very close together, with air being blown through ducting, which I found too noisy to sleep, and also the BO from others was very smelly. There were not enough toilets in the barracks, and one had to queue to finally get in. I have had a recurring dream about this ever since, and still have them.
26-3. Had draft to H.M.S. Princess Astrid, had medical and left at 1600.
27-3. Arrived Davenport RNB, H.M.S. Drake. at 0700 and did joining routine, including medical.
29-3. Left Davenport at 1200, after doing leaving routine and medical.
30-3. Arrived Greenock at 1500. was put in Shore base H.M.S. Orlando. Was gangway messenger for a few days.
4-4. Moved to H.M.S. Garrick, a Prison Ship. Three of us contracted Scabies and were treated to a paint brush dose of ointment all over, the orderly delighted in putting plenty round our backsides. We had all clothes sterilised.
7-4. Left Greenock for Glasgow and waited on the dockside for H.M.S. Princess Astrid to arrive. I then found out she was a Landing Craft Carrier. LSI. An Ex Belgium cross channel passenger ship. Built by S.A. John Cockerill. 3,500 tons. (2,900 before conversion.) 347 ft long. 46 ft Beam. Draught 21 ft. Speed 20 Knots. Armament. Two 12 Pounder Guns. Two Pom Pom, Six Oerlikon. and Four Twin Lewis Guns.
8-4. Cigarettes on board are Churchman's 7d, Player's etc. 6d, and Woodbines 4 1/2d. for 20. Have one tot of neat Rum every day. Regarding the Rum, it was issued on deck and after every mess had collected their share, the Officer of the Day and Chief PO, had their tot. The rest was poured down the scuppers. The Stokers below, were all merchant seamen, ( Paid Merchant Seaman Pay) and they had tapped into the drain to catch the surplus every day.
9-4. I fell in for work, and because I had my overalls stolen at Chatham, and fell in, in Uniform. Because of this the 1st. Lieutenant made me a Bosun's Mate.
10-4. Was paid 26/- and put in the Watch keeper's Mess. C6. Allowed ashore every other day.
27-4. Moved to Greenock, and worked the Ships Telegraph on entering and leaving harbour.
28-4. Alongside Oiler for Oil, and later exercised Action Stations.
29-4. Left Greenock with sister ship, Princess Charlotte and Emma. A rough journey through the Irish Sea
1-5. Arrived Southampton 1200. Alongside Jetty.
2-5. Ashore on night leave.
4-5. Moved to Anchorage. Air Raid by German Bombers on Cowes, I of Wight during night.
I did not know until 1997 that the number of Civilians killed during this time was over 90.
5-5. Moved to anchorage off Ryde.
8-5. Air raid during night and went to action stations as German bombers passed over. The Landing Craft on exercises all day.
9-5. Left Ryde and arrived Portland at 1945.
10-5. Left Portland at 0800, and arrived Cowes 1100. Left Cowes 1700 and anchored at Ryde 1800.
12-5. The Captain Lt Com. Forrest left Ship.
14-5. Soldiers came aboard for exercises and left next day.
16-5. A Tank Landing Craft hit us in the Bows, and we moved into Portsmouth to have the hole repaired.
18-5. Moved into Dry Dock.
20-5. 7 days leave.
19-5. Other half of Ships Company on leave.
5-6. Pay 30/- = Two weeks. New Captain, Lt. Com. Hall came aboard.
10-6. Moved out of Dry Dock.
11-6. Left Portsmouth 0730. Arrived Yarmouth I of White 1200. Picked up nearly 300 Canadian Troops. 1030. Lower Deck Cleared and Captain spoke of exercises ahead.. 1715. Started large scale exercises, over 100 ships taking part in mock landings further down the coast to West of Portland.
12-6. Action Stations 0245. LCA's left ship with troops. 0315, secure Action Stations. Moved to Portland for rest of night. LCA's return to ship with Troops at 1430, and Troops left later.
13-6. Back to Cowes at 0900, and left for Dartmouth 1030.
14-6. 0715 Arrived Dartmouth alongside the river and woods, and spent rest of the time here disguising the ship with large canvas screens. Putting them up and down as practice. The weather was perfect, we were in shirt sleeves on watch at night. Went sailing up the river to Dittisham with PO Stringfellow a few times, teaching me how to sail, and called at a pub there for cider.
20-6 Left Dartmouth at 2015, and moved to Cowes.
21-6. Big security moves on ship. No boats allowed to come and no mail to come or to be taken off. Air raid on Southampton during night and we fire at enemy planes.
22-6. Moved to Yarmouth and picked up same troops and returned to Cowes. 1915 Left for exercises as last time.
23-6. 0130 Action Stations. 0215 Dropped Troops and moved to Portland for rest of day. 1030 LCA's return with troops. Moved to Yarmouth, dropped troops, and then on to anchorage at Cowes.
27-6. Week end leave.
30-6. Security on ship again.
1-7. Moved to Yarmouth and picked up Canadian Soldiers again.
2-7. Moved to Cowes. Lower Deck cleared. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are ready to do a landing at Dieppe in France. 1500 troops to take part in the raid including paratroops, with the help of Fighter Command.
3-7. Lord Louis Mountbatten came aboard to speak to all. Weather not suitable today, and raid postponed. Put Ships disguise up every night ready to move off, and take it down the next morning. All in full view of Cowes.
6-7. LCA's away for trial run, troops on rout march.
7-7. 0645. We were dive bombed by three German Bombers. One bomb hit us and one bomb hit the Princess Charlotte. The other plane with Cannon Fire, damaged our Bridgework. The Bomb entered one side of the Ship, near the edge of the deck. Glanced up and after passing through seven partitions of quarter inch steel and an LCA, exploded in the water the other side of us. Leaving its Finns marked 1000 behind. Two soldiers died of burns as it passed between them. One of our officers had shrapnel in his backside while on the bridge. I know his name was George, but I didn't realise until recently that he was George Bennion, the First LT. Raid cancelled and we have to go into Portsmouth for repairs. 1200 Troops left ship. Left Yarmouth and anchored at Cowes. According to the story the bomb that entered the Princess Charlotte went through from top to bottom meeting a sailor on some stairs., killing him, and passing through without exploding. I have an article from the Daily Express reporter A.B.Austin, regarding the incident.
From Short Sea Long War, by John de S. Winser.
On Jul 7th 1942, The Princess Josephine Charlotte was at anchor in the Solent, following the bad weather cancellation of the operation Rutter Dieppe Raid. Enemy aircraft appeared suddenly a bomb struck the stern of the ship on her starboard side. Passed through, exited on her port side and exploded some 50ft away. I its track it left compartments wrecked, her tunnel flooded and damage to her engine room and electrical equipment, all of which resulted in her being inoperative four four months.
11-7. Moved to Portsmouth for repairs. Week end leave.
12-7., Other half of Ship's company on seven days leave.
21-7. Seven days leave. Took Len Wheeler, a Newfoundland sailor home with me. Len was from St Johns, and had been a fisherman on the Grand Banks. On leave we went our separate ways, and one night I had been with friends and had a few drinks, so I got in, locked up and went to bed. At 2 AM Len was throwing stones up at my window with no result, so he put a ladder up to it and tapped on the window, which I didn't hear. We had an electric cable from the corner of the window to a greenhouse, and Len touched it and got a shock. He sat on the outside toilet and went to sleep, for what seemed like hours, only to wake up when the Church clock struck four, so he decided to knock on the door, and my Dad let him in. They then woke me, and told me all about it. I think Len's action station was on a Bofor Gun, but when cruising he was a Lookout. We were in the Med when he reported land on the Starboard Bow, and no one else could see it, even through glasses. The Navigator came to the chartroom and the land was Pantaleria, 40 miles away. Len only had to look at a girl, and she thought she was in love with him. Another Newfoundland sailor was AB Seaward, a tough looking and friendly man, covered in long hairs all over his body, and needed a shave twice a day. About 1990 I sent a letter to the daily paper in St Johns, trying to trace Len, but with no result.
27-7 Derby bombed pretty heavily.
1-8 Other half of Ship's company on week end leave.
6-8 Moved to Cowes Roads for speed trials, and back to Portsmouth to Anchorage.
8-8. Moved to jetty and out of harbour to anchor.
9-8. Came back into harbour and then out on W/T trials. Very black night. Ran into a minefield and had 14 near misses with other ships.
10-8. Alongside Jetty in Portsmouth.
15-8. Other half of Ship's company on week end leave.
18-8. As a very great surprise we find we are going on the Dieppe raid. 1700, Canadian Troops came aboard. Moved out of harbour at 2000, and from the people waving to us it seems as if they all know where we are going. We fly the Red Ensign. until out of harbour, and have part of the disguise up until outside, when it was pushed overboard. Very dark night. 1500 men taking part. 65 Squadrons of Fighters and 151 Squadrons of Bombers.
19-8. 0100, Action Stations. 0300 LCA's left ship with troops and ship moved back to Portsmouth. Sound of heavy bombing in distance. Arrived at Portsmouth 0900. LCA's are to make their own way back to Newhaven.
20-8. Over night HMS Calpe tied up behind us. They had brought wounded back and early the next morning the decks were red with blood, which they were washing off. LCA's have had a rough time on the landing, we have news of three of them sunk and two officers, twelve ratings missing. We later found some were taken prisoner. Rest of LCA crews came back to ship. All the Canadian Soldiers we took were killed or taken prisoner, but one army officer, who was picked up out of the sea with an injured leg.. German planes followed the LCA's and ships back to England, bombing them heavily. Went ashore in evening and on returning by boat during a heavy raid, one could hear the shrapnel dropping into the harbour.
22-8. Week end leave.
23-8. Other half of Ship's company on leave for 48 hours. It was about this time that I was on the First watch, 8 to Midnight, when the Liberty boat returned and a big Stoker had insulted an officer on the way back. He was drunk, and the Officer of the Watch ordered him to be taken to the Starboard Cell. I had to pass the order on to the PO of the Watch, which I did in one of the corridors. I passed the message, and the Stoker picked me up by the front of my uniform, and was just going to punch me with his other fist, when the six men detailed to arrest him, held him down, and took him to the Cell. While on watch the next morning I pacified him by taking him Egg and Bacon, which us watch keepers sneaked into the Galley to cook, before anyone was awake.
31-8. LCA's back.
2-9 Moved outside harbour.
3-9. 0530. Left Portsmouth in rough weather.
4-9. Dawn Action Stations. 1930. Arrived Greenock, rough in harbour.
6-9. 5 LCA's and all LCA crews left ship. One of them came from Arnold, Notts., but I cannot remember his name. He was a butcher before joining up. We later found out they were to be on their way to North Africa. 1430. Left Greenock.
7-9. 1000. Arrived Liverpool and after leaving 3 LCA's there, we left.
8-9. Dawn Action Stations.. 1200. Arrived Davenport. to oil and stayed the night.
9-9 0730. Left Davenport. Arrived Portsmouth 1930.
11-9. 0730. Left Portsmouth. Very calm sea.
12-9. I took Ship's wheel for ten minutes while on watch. Arrived Greenock at 0700. On this journey we were using eight tons of oil an hour. Ship badly in need of engine repairs.
13-9. Alongside Oiler for oil.
14-9. Moved into Gearlock, just off Greenock harbour and anchored. LCA Crews came aboard for accommodation.
3-10 7 days leave.
12-10. 0700. Left Greenock for Invararay. Picked up 2 LCA's and brought them back to Greenock for 1700. Tied up to Buoy.
13-10. Other watch on 7 days leave.
15-10. Gale blowing in harbour. No shore leave.
19-10. Alongside Oiler for oil and back to buoy.
21-10 Letters taking 10 days from home.
22-10. Put request in to be made AB.
29-10 Saw Captain for permission to go through exams for AB.
2-11. Passed Signal exam.
3-11 Passed Log, Lead & Line Exam.
4-11. Moved alongside in Greenock. While visiting here, I can always remember the delicious dried egg omelettes the ladies in the NAAFI made.
6-11. Other watch on week end leave. Ship shut down engines, and Ship with no steam.
11-11. Passed Knots & Splices and Boat work exam.
12-11. Week end leave.
20-11 Allowed ashore twice a week.
24-11 Passed Navigation exam and put request in to be made Able Seaman.
30-11. Was made Quartermaster today. To steer the ship at sea, and keep watch in harbour. Went to Oiler at 1700.
1-12. On Speed Trials,. Took the wheel for the first time as Quartermaster during forenoon.
4-12. Saw Captain and was rated Able Seaman. Pay goes up 1/- a day. Went to Oiler for oil..
5-12. Moved to Invararay for 1330. Are to stay here for few weeks. Grim place, just two pubs and one canteen. We have 200 passengers aboard, LCA crews for accommodation.
21-12. Moved to Greenock for oil at 0900. 7 days leave over Christmas. Ship went back to Invarary.
28-12. Arrived back from leave at Invararay at 1615.
29-12. Other watch on leave for 6 days.

1-1-1943. Had Christmas dinner aboard .Turkey, Roast Beef and Christmas Pudding. Free bottle of beer and 20 Cigarettes.
7-1 To Greenock for oil and returned to Invararay the next day. It was during this time that I first came across Homosexuals. Two sailor's were caught in a house doorway, one a leading seaman, both with pants down, and were not allowed to return to the ship. We never saw them again.
11-1. Had Gas drill aboard, and the next day went ashore to a Gas Chamber to test our Gas Masks.
25-1. To Greenock for oil.
26-1. Back to Invararay, and on arriving there the ship turned sharply and overturned our whaler, on trying to tie up to a buoy. The crew managed to jump to safety.
27-1. On respirators for 20 minutes. today.
29-1. Exercised Action Stations.
4-2. Exercised Action Stations. Very rough in Loch.
6-2. 0130. Starboard Cable gave way during 90 MPH Gale. With not enough Steam on Ship. 0140, Standing by on Telegraphs until 0800. 0230, Port Cable gave way, when steam was up. 0400, On watch, steering ship up and down the loch, by magnetic compass until 0800. when we managed to secure to a buoy again.
7-2. Divisions and Church, and after church an account of the Dieppe raid was read out. Passengers left ship.
9-2. To Greenock for oil, and back to Invararay the next day.
12-2. Left for Greenock and arrived at 1730.
13-2. 8 LCA and Crews joined ship. Very stormy and difficult in hoisting boats.
14-2. Oiled and left for Loch Gilp at 0130. Arriving there at 0530. Landing Ship Carriers here are Glengile, Largs, Ulster Monarch and Keria.
17-2. Moved on Exercises. 1330 dropped LCA's, and picked them up again. Moved back to anchor in Loch Gilp by 1615.
18-2. Exercise bombing by planes. Action Stations at 1730, 2030 and 2230.
19-2. Same as yesterday.
20-2. Moved to Roseneath alongside jetty.
22-2. Went to oil in Greenock harbour and to Invarary for 6 LCA's.
23-2. Left Invararay at 0700. My first sea trip on the wheel. 1215, Shot off all guns for exercise. 1930 Exercised Action Stations.
24-2. 0700. Exercised Action Stations. 1400 Arrived Dartmouth, Dropped off the 6 LCA's, and picked up 6 more. 1500 Alongside Oiler. 2035. Left Oiler to leave harbour, and going down the river we were going from side to side. I was on the Telegraphs on leaving harbour, and PO Stringfelow was on the wheel, when the ship's propellers were caught by the wires of the boom. Two and a half turns of one and a half inch cable around the Starboard , and six fathoms of two and a half inch wire around the Port Propeller. Orders to alter the engine speed both ahead and reverse were coming down the voice pipe every few seconds, from both the Captain, and a supposed expert who knew the river. The ships stern waving from side to side. I was ordered by PO Stringfellow, the Chief Quartermaster, to note down the time of every order. We were tied up there for more than a day and no ships could enter or leave the harbour. Divers had to cut the ship free. There was an enquiry some weeks later.
26-2. 0500. Left Dartmouth. 0930, arrived Plymouth. Divers went down to examine Propellers. Got shore leave.
27-2. 0930. Left Plymouth. 1930, Exercised Action Stations.
28-2. 0730, Exercised Action Stations. 1700 Alongside Oiler in Greenock. 2000, Tied to buoy.
1-3. Divers down to clear Port Propeller.
2-3. Divers down again. 1800 Propeller clear.
3-3. 0915, Left Greenock. 1100 Anchored at Rothesay.
4-3. Ashore in Rothesay, very nice place, and one of the only places in the country to have lots of spirits at the back of the bar in the pub.
7-3. Divisions and Church. Royal Scots Fusilier's came aboard and exercised walking to the LCA's blindfold.
9-3. Very Stormy.
10-3. Moved to other side of island. ( Kyles of Bute) to Kames. Had security lecture. The Pub here was open all day.
12-3. Left Kames and went to Greenock alongside Oiler, and to a buoy.
13-3. Left Greenock and anchored at Kames. We are here for special exercises with LC Tanks. They all have secret guns etc. and are to be tried out on mock landings. The guns later proved to be rockets.
14-3.` Troops came aboard to practice getting into LCA's, and left right away.. LCA flotilla joined ship for few weeks.
17-3. Troops came aboard at 1700. 1930 We moved on exercises. Action stations for one hour. 1830 dropped Troops and to anchorage at 2000.
18-3. Picked Troops up at 0100, and at 0630 Dropped Troops. LCV's used as Landing Craft. No water on board. 1745, Left for Greenock for water.
19-3. Went to Oiler at 0700. 1245 Arrived at Kames. 1300, Troops came aboard and 2145, left for exercises. 2300, Exercised action stations, dropped Troops. 2330, Fired all Guns. 2430, Secured Action Stations.
20-3. 0130, Anchored at Kames. 0345, Troops brought back to ship by LCV's, and left at 0700 on LCT.
21-3. Picked up Troops. 2100 Left on Exercises. 2230 Fired guns with Troops on board. 2430, Anchored at Kames.
22-3. 0630, Troops left on LCT.
23-3. Moved to Greenock for oil.
24-3. Moved to Rothesay.
25-3. Moved to Kames. It was about this time that the Chief Signal man, who had a cabin under the bridge, came out one evening and shouts " Aye Knocker, when are we getting under way." We had been under way an hour, and with the Captain being on the Bridge, and the Chief being drunk, it wasn't long before he was off the ship for good.
26-3. 2145, Left for exercises after picking Troops up. 2330, Anchored near beach, dropped Troops. Too dark to move back to anchorage.
27-3. 1530, Anchored at Kames. 2030, Moved on exercises after picking Troops up.
28-3. 0000, Dropped Troops and moved back to Kames. Rough Weather.
31-3. LCT's on exercises.
1-4. Moved to Greenock for Oil. All the moves for oil, included water, as the Ship couldn't make its own.
2-4. Moved to anchorage at Rothesay.
3-4. Moved to Kames. 1900, Troops came aboard. 2100 Left on exercises, dropped Troops, and anchored at Kames.
4-4. 1730, Picked up Troops. 2115, Left on exercises. Fired all guns. 2230 Dropped Troops.
5-4. 0130. Anchored at Kames. Leave Chits brought round to Messes.
6-4 Very rough today. Yacht "Sister Anne" anchored near us with Lord Mountbatten and two Generals aboard.
7-4. 0100, LCT's on exercises. "Sister Ann" left. About this time an Aircraft Carrier sunk in the Clyde by a mine.
9-4. On exercises as other nights.
10-4. Moved to Greenock and oiled. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going to London round the North coast.
11-4. 0810. Left Greenock.
12-4. 1020, Passed John O Groats. 2100, Under Forth Bridge. 2130, Anchored in Rosyth, oiled and watered.
13-4. 1840, Left Rosyth.
14-4. 0930, Passed entrance to Humber. 1100, Passing Yarmouth. 1730, Arrived Shearness. 2350, Action Stations, Enemy planes overhead.
15-4. 0130, Secured Action Stations. In bed all day with Flu. 1245, Left Shearness. 1400, Arrived Albert Docks in London.
17-4. Other Watch on 14 days leave. I had Week end leave, and being on Watch when the Liberty Boat went, left about half an hour after. The two Dock Police were cursing the other watch, as they were knee deep in packets of cigarettes, trying to get them in a cupboard, after they had said it was alright to tip them.
19-4. Port Watch leave extended to 17 days. Ship looks as if it being refitted for hot climate.
30-4. 72 hr Weekend leave.
5-5. 19 days leave. Took Newfoundland sailor, Len Wheeler home with me.
26-5. Went home for 32 hours.
28-5. Other watch on week end leave.
31-5. Went home for 48 hours.
3-6. Left Albert Dock. Trued Compass during day. Left Thames 2100.
4-6. Arrived Cowes 1200. Moved alongside at Southampton.
5-6. Mountbatten came aboard to inspect Ships Company. Said we were to take part in all the Landings to come.
7-6. Had Gas Mask tested.. LCA Crews join ship for good. Including Harry Kirkby who joined up same day as me from Nottingham.
8-6. Did Parovane trials off Cowes, after leaving Southampton at 1300. Practised Action Stations twice during night. Picked up and dropped LCA's three times for exercise.
9-6. Moved alongside at Southampton.
10-6. 0600, Left Southampton with HMS Prince Leopold and Princess Charlotte. Foggy in forenoon. Arrived Falmouth 2130.
17-6. 0900, Moved to anchorage. 1315, Exercised Action Stations and Abandon Ship Stations. All Ships company left ship in LCA's and Carley floats.
18-6. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going to Gibraltar, with Oiler, cargo vessel, 4 Fleet Mine sweepers, Prince Charles, Princess Charlotte, Prince Leopold. 2100 Left Falmouth. Average speed during journey = 11 Knots., except while oiling. Highest temperature of week Shade 78, Sea 60, Night 61.
20-6. Stormy today, with big swell on sea.
21-6. Average speed today 6 Knots. 1200, Oiled at sea. 1630, Finished oiling. Sunny day. Leopold and Charlotte oiled.
22-6. Charles oiled. Speed in forenoon = 6 Knots. Rest of day 11 Knots.
23-6. Issued with Tropical Kit.= Two shorts and flannels. Bought white cap, and long socks. Very hot.
24-6. 0200, Arrived Gibraltar alongside Oiler. 1045, Went to anchorage. Covered Approx. 1254 miles on journey. 1900, Left Gib.
25-6. 2300, Arrived Oran, alongside Battleship HMS Howe. Water rationing on board. Covered 250 miles on journey.
26-6. 1700, Went to anchorage. Highest temperature of week = Shade 93, sea 69, Night 78.
27-6. Bathing over the Ships side, every day in harbour.
28-6. 1530, 240 US Naval Ratings came aboard for passage.. 1630, Left Oran. in company of US Transports, with Leopold and Charlotte. During the night the Us ratings had Diarrhoea, through eating fresh fruit and were queuing at the toilets. When on watch the next morning, I found on deck, a coil of toilet at least one and a half inches thick that would have filled a two gallon bucket.
29-6. 0830, Arrived Algiers. Covered 240 Miles on journey. 1800, Left Algiers in convoy of US Transports with Charlotte and 6 US Destroyer escorts.
30-6. Arrived Bizerta, Anchored outside harbour. Covered 342 miles on journey..
1-7. 1100, Went to anchorage in Lake Bizerta. 1800, US Naval Ratings left ship.
2-7. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going on an operation on Italian soil. Taking US Rangers with us.
3-7. Highest temperature of week. Shade 91, Sea 80, Night 81.
4-7. 0900 Crossed lake to Ferryville. LCA's on exercises nearly all day. On Engine room Telegraphs nearly 3 hours in afternoon. 2230 US Rangers Embarked.
5-7. 0030, LCA's on exercise until 0330.. Troops exercised Boat Routine.
6-7. Air raid on Bizerta at 0330. Every ship in harbour opened fire. Over 200 Ships, all firing together.
7-7. Rough see and strong wind today. 1030, Moved outside lake. Troops exercised boat routine. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are to attack Sicily. 300,000 Troops taking part. 200 times larger than the Dieppe raid.
8-7' 0430, Left Bizerta. 1100, Passed Cape Bon.
9-7. Going a round about way to Sicily. Over 200 ships to go into our beach, all US but Princess Charlotte and us. 2240 Action Stations.
10-7. 0100, Anchored 3 miles from Lacata, and 3 miles from beach. 0150, Rangers left ship. No sign of opposition from enemy up to now. 0400. 6 LCA's return, 2 left stranded on beach. 0600, Left Lacata. Dive bombed, no damage , fired AA Guns at enemy aircraft. 1930, Arrived Bizerta and oiled. Highest Temperature of week. Shade 102, Sun 114, Sea 83.
11-7. 0530, Left Oiler and anchored. Bizerta to Lacata 491 miles. Lacata to Bizerta 230 miles.
12-7. Our two boats left at Lacata are OK. Charlotte lost 3 boats.
13-7. A Million men in Sicily now.
14-7. Picked 70 US Medical Troops up. o930 Left Bizerta with convoy of 30 LST.s and LCI's.
15-7. 1300 Arrived Lacata. Anchored about a quarter of mile from town. US troops landed. LCA's sent away to try to recover the 2 LCA's and were successful. 193 miles covered on journey. 1700, Left Lacata.
16-7. 0800, Passed Pantellaria.. 1900, Arrived Bizerta and anchored outside harbour. 205 miles covered on journey.
17-7. Oiled. Highest temperature of week, = Shade 99, Sea 79, Night, 82.
20-7. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are now under British command. 1700, Left Bizerta for Malta with Charlotte.
21-7. 1115 Arrived Valetta and anchored outside harbour.. 267 miles covered on journey.
22-7. Oiled and watered. Water very brackish.
23-7. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going to Tripoli, with Charlotte, Prince Albert and Ulster Monarch. 1700 Left Valetta.
24-7. 0900, Arrived Tripoli, anchored outside harbour. 1200, Into harbour to oil and anchored. 198 miles covered on journey.
25-7. Went ashore in Tripoli 1330 to 2000. Mostly Italians ashore. Everything very dear here, but lots of Ice Cream and Fruit.. Highest temperature of week. Shade 104, Sea 80, Night 81. I think it was about this time that two of the Stokers got drunk ashore on Veno, and had to have injections from the Doctor, because it had poisoned them.
26-7. Ship being painted by every one of the crew but officers and PO's. Engines not running for few days. Diesel engine broke down, and no lights on ship from 1215 to 2100.
27-7. Can now say in our letters home that we are in the Med, and have been to Malta and Sicily.
29-7. Ashore in Tripoli 1330 to 2100. Pictures on board at 2000. Engines going again.
30-7. Prince Albert and Ulster Monarch left Tripoli. 11000 261 men of the 6th Queens Regiment came aboard. 1420, Troops exercised boat routine, and again at 1800 and 2130.
31-7. 0400. Troops exercised boat routine and left at 0700. 1200 more men of the 6th Queens came aboard. and exercised boat routine. Highest temperature of week = Shade 110, Sea 81, Night 89. On British Military Money now, with Lire as small change.
1-8. 0700, Troops left. 1200, more came aboard and exercised boat routine.
2-8. 0700, Troops left. Had first letter from home since leaving England.
7-8. Highest temperature of week. = shade 87, Sea, 82, Night 82.
8-8 Went to sick bay with poisoned foot. Received 14 letters.
12-8. LCA Flotilla left ship for few days. 1400, Oiled and left Tripoli with two LCA's on Davits. Prince Albert and Royal Ulsterman with us.
14-8. 1030. Royal Ulsterman left us. 1245 Arrived Dijelli. Picked up 4 LCA's and two Flotillas. 1330 Left Dijelli alone. 1200, arrived Algiers., alongside Oiler. Covered 731 miles. Highest temperature of week, = Shade 88, Sea 82, night 85. Dropped two LCA's.
15-8. Dropped 4 LCA's and Flotillas. 0610, Left Oiler and went alongside jetty near HMS Howe and King George 5th. Stored Ship in forenoon., and took on stores for Charlotte and Ulster Monarch. There was a continual stream of lorries running up to the ship. 1310, Left Algiers. 2105 Saw Total Eclipse. 2300 Prince Albert joined us.
16-8. 0220, Enemy plane dropped torpedo a few yards in front of ship, and it exploded on shore. 0230, Action Stations. 0300 Secure Action Stations. 1730 Passed Charlotte and Ulster Monarch going other way.
17-8. 1400, Arrived Tripoli. Covered 634 miles on journey. Stores for other ships left on Oiler. 1800, Left Tripoli with Prince Albert.
18-8. 1245, Passed Cape Bon. 1445, Arrived Bizerta. 1545 Moved into Lake and anchored. 2310. Action Stations. Large Air Raid on Bizerta, which is a town completely in ruins. More Anti Aircraft fire than last time. Six enemy planes shot down. Ulster Monarch bombed off Cape Bon and set on fire, but everything OK. 0100. Secured Action Stations. 343 Miles covered on journey.
20-8. Went ashore to concert of Bob Hope and Frances Langford in open air. Just six British and the rest US. Highest temperature of week = Shade 98, Sea, 80, Night, 85.
22-8 Water Gala held on ship.
23-8. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going to Sicily. 0600, Went to Oiling Jetty near HMS Vindictive. 1415, Left Bizerta. 1900, Arrived Tunis. Distance covered 75 miles.
24-8. 0630, Left Tunis with SS. Marigold who has 700 Troops on board, and Destroyer HMS Faulkner.

25-8. 0945, Arrived Augusta, Sicily. Distance covered 316 miles. Can see Mount Etna in distance. Anchored near HMS Orion and Prince Leopold. 1640, Dive bombed by enemy planes. Two near misses. Planes gone before anyone could open fire. Went sailing in harbour with PO Stringfellow. Saw an old lady in an orchard, and swapped a packet of cigarettes for about 12 rosy apples. Thought we had a bargain, but on trying them, we threw them overboard, as they took all the moisture out of our mouth, because they were cider apples.
26-8. 1110 and 1715, Action Stations, but no enemy planes over harbour. Flotilla preparing to leave ship.
27-8. SS. Duchess of Bedford in harbour. Flotilla left ship with LCA's. 1930, Left Augusta.
28-8. Arrived Sliema, Malta. Distance covered 115 miles. Tied up alongside Prince Charles. Went ashore. Lots of places damaged by bombs here. Highest temperature of week. Shade 91, Sea 84, Night 81. Now on The Government of Malta money, English coppers as small change. Notes from 1/- to 拢1.
30-8. 1930, Moved to Valetta inside Grand Harbour alongside jetty.
31-8. Stored ship.
1-9. Left Valetta with Prince Charles and two Destroyer escorts. 2200, Arrived Augusta. Large invasion fleet of landing craft here. Distance covered 140 miles.
2-9. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We leave Augusta at 0300 tomorrow. We are going to pick our Flotilla up at Torbina after they have landed at Reggio in Italy. This is the invasion of Italy. British and Canadian troops only in landings which were made all along the Toe of Italy. 70,000 Troops in first landing.
3-8. Guns bombarded coast at 0100, before landing. No opposition for troops in first landing. 0300
Left Augusta. 0730, Arrived Torbina near Messina. Action Stations at 0700 until 1030 when LCA's come back. all OK. Left Torbina at 1100. Distance covered 21 miles.
4-8. 1900, Arrived Tripoli. Distance covered 333 miles. Large invasion fleet here. Highest temperature of week, = Shade 87, Sea 80, Night 80.
5-9. Went ashore shopping.
6-9. 0700, Queens Regiment, 270 men came aboard. Captain spoke, we are going to Naples on a landing. 700 fighters there for protection, and large bombardment before landings. 1100, Went outside harbour. 1210 Left Tripoli.
7-9. 2230, Enemy plane dive bombed us but missed. 2240 Action Stations. 0015, Secure action Stations.
8-9. Distance covered to Naples 589 miles. 2000, Action Stations. Bombed by Enemy Planes 2030 and 2300, no hits. At 2100, 10,000 US Airborne Troops should have landed but didn't.
9-9. 0100, Arrived Gulf of Salerno. Enemy Planes dropping bombs, no hits. 0125, Captain announced that the Italians had surrendered, but we are still to carry out landings against the Germans. 0130, LCA's left ship, and met stiff opposition on beach. Enemy planes over head and dropping bombs all the time. None of our planes here. 0700, LCA's returned, one had its Bow blown away by mortar fire. LCS stayed on beach, one seaman brought back to ship with his heel blown off. (I originaly thought he was a Stoker, but was put right by others) His name was 'Red Mankel'. 1000., Left Salerno, Enemy planes still overhead bombing. Two dead and two wounded soldiers aboard. 640 Ships took part. in action.
During the night we made smoke, and as I was on my action station in the after steering cabin on deck, with my Bosun's Mate, we caught the full blast of the acid smoke and had to get out quick. Even before the Jimmy sent someone in to rescue us.
10-9. 0730, Arrived Palermo, Oiled and took off dead and wounded. Distance covered 250 miles. 1300 Left Palermo.
11-9. 1200, Submarine near us. Greek Destroyer dropped depth Charges. 0700, Arrived Valetta after passing two surrendered Italian Battleships. Distance covered 312 miles. Highest temperature of week = Shade 84, Sea, 81, Night 80. During the last 5 days I was able to get no more than two hours sleep at a time, due to action stations and being on sea watch every other two hours. On one visit to Malta and attempting to tie up to a buoy, first of all with a wire hawser, when, after we had just tied up, the ship reversed and a seaman had a narrow escape, as he was in the middle of a coil of wire when it snaked away and threatened to take him with it. He just managed to escape.
12-9. 3 Italian Destroyers came in harbour, and rest of Italian Fleet anchored outside.
14-9. Cruiser Uganda came in damaged by a wireless controlled bomb. 13 men killed.
16-9. Ship having repairs.
17-9. Battleship Warspite came in damaged by two wireless controlled bombs. Highest temperature of week, = shade 86, Sea 80, Night 80.
20-9. Plenty of shore leave. Marine band from Uganda came aboard to play for us.
22-9. Repairs on Ship now finished. Highest temperature of week, = Shade 89, Sea 80, Night 80.

26-9. The Cruiser HMS Penelope tied up alongside us. Our LCA's came back from Salerno. Spoke of very stiff opposition on beach and our troops nearly had to evacuate at one time. Had Photograph of Ships Company taken aboard. = Seamen & Stokers in front of Life Belt. Officers just above Lifebelt. Petty Officers in rear and to sides of Officers. Flotilla Ratings above them. Marines are the crew of an LCS. Cooks, Stewards above them.. Funnel and Guns on the right are Penelope's.
29-9. Ashore in Valetta. General Badoli, (Italian) and Governor of Malta and Admiral Cunningham have talks on board HMS Nelson. Went to concert of Gracie Fields.
2-10. Very heavy rain and Electrical storm today. A sizzling lightening struck some ships masts. First rain since coming out here. Highest temperature of week, = Shade 87, Sea, 80, Night 80.
It was about this time that we had "Hands to Bathe" every day at Noon. One day while we were waiting for the "Pipe",a boat came past with a gorgeous girl aboard, and every one whistled, she pulled up her dress to expose that she was naked. What a cheer.
3-10. Divisions and Harvest Festival aboard.
4-10. HMS Penelope left Malta.
5-10. Royal Scotsman left Malta.
7-10. HMS Calpe came in harbour. Went aboard to see Gordon Hill, one of the men to join same day as I did from Nottingham. 2330 Left Valetta and Malta.
8-10. 0700, Arrived Augusta. Distance covered 82 miles. Shore leave to 50 ratings 1315 to 1630.
9-10. Went sailing with PO Stringfellow, and stepped ashore in Sicily for first time. Swapped Cigarettes for Apples with native, which were terrible, and for Cider, so we had to throw them away. Mount Etna, 36 miles away, can be seen very clearly. Highest temperature of week, = Shade 84, Sea 79, Night 77.
10-10. Prince Charles, Prince Leopold and Princess Charlotte came into Harbour.
11-10. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going home via Malta with Charles, Charlotte and Leopold.
12-10. 0630, Left Augusta with sister ships. 1400 Arrived Malta, tied to buoy in Sliema. Have to wait here while Charles has minor repairs. Distance covered 86 miles.
16-10. Highest temperature of week. Shade 83, Sea 75, Night 75. Pictures on board every night while here.
23-10. 1400, Left Malta with sister ships, after oiling at 0930. 1700, Joined Convoy of 20 Troop Ships. 2 Cruisers and 6 Destroyer escorts, 2 of them Italian. Have to have Cruisers with every convoy now as they have the only protection from Radio Bombs. Highest temperature of week = Shade 86, Sea 73, Night 72.
24-10. Passed very large convoy, 8 miles long.
25-10. Cold today. 1700 Arrived Algiers. Distance covered 640 miles.
26-10. 0615 Inside harbour to Oiler. 0930, Went alongside Stirling Castle a Troop Ship. 150 RAF came aboard us for passage. Went ashore in Algiers. Six of us went into a bar and had six bottles of Champaign between us. We were so drunk we had a job finding the ship which was hidden by the Troop ship. One Quartermaster had been on watch since 1600. Darkie Moore, was too drunk to take his watch at 2000. He put his head in the sink to try to sober up, and I had to pull him out. My watch was Midnight and I managed to wake at 0300.
27-10. 1000, Went to Anchorage outside harbour. 1600, Left Algiers with same convoy. All RAF aboard are recovering from illness and have come from India and Burma.
29-10. Arrived Gibraltar. 0130. Distance covered 450 miles. 0830, Went to Oiler and then alongside Jetty. Shore leave by boat. Bought Bananas to take home.
30-10. Went ashore to see an Uncle. George Gunn. A warrant officer on HMS Cormorant, a Wooden Hulk. He took me back to the ship in an Admirals boat, and I was met by the Captain and Officers who thought the Admiral was on it. Highest temperature of week = Shade 80, Sea 60, Night 60.
2-11. 7 German U Boat prisoners came aboard to be taken to UK. They complained about a smell coming from the place where they were kept prisoner, which was bananas in the next ammunition hold.
3-11. 1500, Left Gibraltar with sister ships., Oiler Brown Ranger and an escort of One Sloop and four Corvette.
4-11. Calm today , rather windy.
5-11. Large Swell today. Charlotte and Charles oiled.
6-11 Oiled at sea, as well as Prince Leopold.
8-11. 0745, Exercised Action Stations. Had concert aboard.
9-11. 0800, Passed Lands End. The Grass was Green. 1200, Arrived Falmouth. One of the RAF played the Bagpipes while we were entering harbour and we could not hear the instructions down the voice pipe, so we hit the jetty with a bang. Distance covered 1446 miles. Lots of letter for all.
11-11. 0800, Left Falmouth, all ships doing full speed. Did practice shoot with AA guns. 1900 Arrived Cowes and anchored.
12-11. 0730, Moved to Southampton, alongside jetty. Port Watch on 72 hours leave.

16-11 72 hours leave. Found that my younger brother Tony had left for North Africa a few days ago.
On the train up to London we had to stand in the corridor, and one AB, Vic Cole had a large stalk of bananas over his shoulder. I had kept a small bunch.
22-11. 0800, Left Southampton. 1230 Arrived Portland. Very rough weather. No Shore leave until 25th.
26-11 1600, Picked up Canadian Troops. 1700, Went outside harbour, ready for exercises at 0530 tomorrow, but exercise cancelled at 2400.
28-11. Valve burst in Engine room. Exercise cancelled for us. Troops left ship.
29-11. 0730, Left Portland. 1130, Arrived Southampton alongside.
30-11. Left Southampton 1345. Arrived Portsmouth 1600.
1-12. De Ammunition ship.
2-12. 14 days leave. Took Len Wheeler home with me. Bloody Cold. We arrived on Trent station in the middle of the night, and had to make our own fire in the waiting room. They were a few wooden notices short when we left.
16-12. Ship in Dry dock.
17-12. Port Watch on leave for 16 days.
24-12. 72 hours leave.
27-12. Ship being fumigated. Only 18 of us living on Tank Landing Craft with no heat. Four hours off and on to guard the gangway of the ship. Very cold.
31-12. Did another 72 hours on gangway when I lost the toss to go on leave.
7-1-1944. Week end leave.
16-1. Ship has steam up ready for moving.
18-1. Should have moved at 0800, but steering gear would not work. Taken by Tugs to Railway jetty.
19-1. Should have moved today but pump in Engine room wouldn't work.
20-1. 0800, Left Portsmouth for trials. Swinging compass in Cowes Roads. 1800 Back to buoy on Portsmouth harbour.
21-1. 0800, Left Portsmouth for RADAR trials. 0600, Anchored in Cowes Roads. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going to the Isle of Sky to train Royal Marines for a landing. He promised leave within 3 months.
22-1. Should have left today but too rough.
24-1. Not too rough today but Prince Charles has a fouled Anchor.
25-1. Very rough today, but steam pipe burst in engine room. 1700, Moved to buoy in Portsmouth harbour.
26-1. 1400, Went alongside Railway jetty.
27-1. Ship has steam up ready for moving.
28-1. Should have left today, but more trouble in engine room.
29-1. 0830. Left jetty and went to buoy. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We left jetty because Norwegian Destroyer is coming alongside with the King of Norway aboard. We are moving on Sunday, going to Western Isles for exercises. Len Wheeler left ship for Newfoundland.
30-1. 0930, Tugs pulled us away from buoy. Ready to leave when Starboard engine and steering gear wouldn't work. It is Sabotage. Steering gear tampered with. Nuts and washers dropped into gear box of engine. Ship sealed until further orders. No one allowed ashore.
31-1. Moved alongside Railway jetty. CID men and Naval intelligence officer aboard all night.
1-2. Still do not know how serious the damage is. Workmen working on it. CID men aboard all night.
2-2. Ship open from 1200. Usual shore leave. Damage not too bad.
3-2. CID men still aboard.
4-2. Board of enquiry in Wardroom today. Captains, Admirals etc. questioning Ships Company. Len Wheeler at my home for 7 days before going to Newfoundland.
5-2. Week end leave.
8-2. Repairs still being done to ship, but nearly finished.
10-2. Ship under sailing orders. Oiled.
11-2. 0900, Left Portsmouth and anchored at Cowes. Practised boat routine at different times of day. 1330, Exercised Action Stations. LCA's away to beach and returned.
12 & 13-2. Practising boat routine.
14-2. 0930, Left Cowes for gunnery trials. Firing at sleeve target from 1130 t0 1230. 1400, LCA's left ship for run up the beach. 1530, Anchored Cowes and LCA's came back.
15-2. Exercised Action Stations and Abandon ship stations. in afternoon. Everyone but the Captain away from ship in the LCA's.
19-2. 1100, Left Cows and went alongside jetty at Southampton. Port watch ready to go on leave for week end, but it is cancelled.
22-2. 1700, 45th Royal Marine Commandos embark. 1800, Left Southampton. 2300, LCA's left ship with Troops, for mock battle with Home Guard ashore. Landing at Poole.
23-2. 0130, LCA's return. Ship cruising around all night. 0900, LCA's go to beach for troops, and return at 0945 when ship leaves Poole. 1300, Anchored at Cowes. 1700, Moved to Spithead for the night with Prince Albert. Eight Landing ships anchored at Cowes now.
24-2. 0400, Moved nearer to shore. LCA's away with troops, and returned without them. 1200, LCA's away for troops. 1300, Left Spithead and anchored at Cowes. 1530, Left Cowes for Southampton, alongside jetty. We are supposed to have been bombed on the landing and are out of the exercise. Prince Albert came alongside to make it look as if she were loading up troops and went off again.
25-2. 1245, Left Southampton and anchored at Cowes. No Shore leave. The moving about is part of the exercise.
26-2. Shore leave today.
27-2. 0900, Commodore Oliver, C in C of J Force inspected Ships Company. 1045, Hole found in Bilge tank, went alongside at Southampton to have tank repaired.
29-2. 0930, Left Southampton. 1000, Dropped LCA's. 1100, Anchored at Cowes and LCA's returned. 2000, LCA's left ship for exercises and returned at 2200. Shore Leave is only to 15 Ratings now, owing to the number of Ships here.
3-3. 0815, Left Cows and did shoot at surface target outside the boom. 1400, Went alongside at Southampton. Mail rather slow at the moment.
6-3. 1015, Left Southampton, and anchored at Cowes.
8-3. 1030, On Gas Respirators for 20 Minutes.
9-3. 0830, Left Cowes for shoot outside boom. 1330, Arrived Cowes, dropped LCA's and anchored
1500, LCA's returned. Big exercise with other ships who are landing after us in Second Front.
11-3. 1900, Left Cowes and went alongside jetty at Southampton. There are lots of Ships and Landing Craft in Cowes Roads now.
13-3. 300 4th Commando embarked. 1400, Left Southampton and anchored at Cowes. Troops practising boat routine.
14-3. Troops exercised boat routine four times today. The finest we have trained.
15-3. A Captain and a Commander came aboard today to watch exercises. 1900. Left Cows. 2210, Exercised Action Stations. 2210, Arrived off Swanage. 2300 Dropped LCA's with troops.
16-3. 0040, LCA's returned. 0100, Secured Action Stations. Cruised around all night. 0700, LCA's left ship. 0800, LCA's back with Troops. 0845, Left Swanage and anchored at Cowes 1045. 1530 Left Cowes for Southampton, alongside jetty. 75 Commando's left ship.
17-3 73 Commando's Embarked.
18-3 Moved to 46 Berth so that crane could take off the ship 15 tons of obsolete gear. 80 Commando's Embarked.
19-3. MV Maid of Orleans is now attached to this ship. Also carries 4th Commando. Carries 6 LCA's. 1300, Left Southampton and Anchored at Cowes. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going to Inverness, up the East Coast, Calling at Grimsby for oil. 1800, Left Cowes and anchored outside Boom. 2300, Left with Maid of Orleans. Commando's keeping watch as well as Ships Company.
20-3. Stopped at Southend for half an hour to pick up further orders. 2000, Anchored in Grimsby Roads.
21-3. Oiled and Watered. 1600 Left Grimsby. Fairly rough, most of the Commando's are sick.
22-3 1600, Anchored in Cromarty Firth near Invergordon. 80 Commando's disembarked for Maid of Orleans. 73 commando's embarked.
23-3. 1000, LCA's left ship with Troops. 1030, LCA's returned. 1800, LCA's picked up Troops. who had been on a rout march.
24-3. 1030, LCA's left ship with Troops 1100, LCA's returned. 1215, LCA's left ship for exercises. 1215, Went alongside jetty at Inverness for oil. Went ashore. 2000, LCA's and Troops returned.
25-3. 0500, LCA's left ship with Troops. 0900, Went back to anchorage. 1800, LCA's returned with Troops. The Commando's are famous for their good fighting during the war. A VC and an MC among them. Captain Porteous and Captain Styles. A sergeant Major who did a raid on France with a chum, and went across without orders and was court marshalled on return. 30 of them landed in Norway and lived in the mountains for three months in 1942.
26-3. 0630, LCA's left ship with Troops. 1000, LCA's returned. 1430, LCA's picked up Troops.
27-3. Rest day for all.
29-3. 0330, Left Cromarty on exercises, with Main of Orleans. HMS Glenurn in charge, MS Empire Battleaxe, Cutlass and Broadsword. The last four carry 18 LCA's each. Exercise cancelled, weather too rough. Arrived Cromarty 1130.
30-3. 0700, Left Cromarty on same exercise. It as near to the real thing as possible. Live ammunition used. Cruiser Berwick and six Destroyers bombarding beach. 1030, Dropped Troops. 1500, LCA's returned and ship moved back to Cromarty. This is the finish of exercises with the 4th Commando. They are going on leave on Monday. Snowed today.
4-4. 1730, Left Cromarty with Maid of Orleans. Turned back after going 50 miles, weather too rough.
5-4. Left Cromarty at 1600. I think this is the time we were escorted by four old American Destroyers, bought on Lend Lease. It was so rough, and the story went that a sailor was washed off the deck of one of them and washed back on again.
6-4. Arrived Grimsby, Oiled and watered.
7-4. Left Grimsby. 2345, Action Stations, while going past Dover. 2315, Secured Action Stations.
8-4. 0800, Anchored at Cowes.
10-4 0700, Left Cowes and went alongside at Southampton. Went ashore.
11-4. Port watch on leave for 10 days.
15-4. Moved to 26 Berth. Hundreds of Tank Landing Craft here.
21-4. Nine days leave.
1-5. Back on ship, and 4th Commando's already aboard. 1600, Left Southampton and anchored at Cowes. Saboteurs aboard again last week, started fire, but it was soon put out.
2-5. 1545, Action Stations, but no planes come over. We were going on exercises tonight, but it was postponed due to rough weather. Hundreds of Ships here now. So many that it appears one could walk to the mainland on them.
3-5. 2130, Left Cowes, headed East. The largest exercise we have ever taken part in. Thousands of Ships and Planes taking part.
4-5. 0215, Action Stations. 0600, Arrived six miles off beach at Little Hampton, dropped LCA's with Troops. 0900, LCA's return to ship, secured Action Stations. 1515, Moved back to Cowes. 5-5. 0630, Left Cowes and went alongside at Southampton for Oil and Water. 1100, Left Southampton and anchored at Cowes. moving about is part of the exercise.
9-5. Captain Jeffries, RN. J Force. Came aboard for exercise tomorrow.
10-5. 0800, Left Cowes to do shoot outside Boom. 1300, Short range guns firing at sleeve target towed by plane. 12 pounders also firing. 1300 to 1445, Exercised Action Stations. 1700, anchored at Cowes.
11-5. Exercised General Drill. Prepared for towing and being towed. Life boats away. Streamed Para Vanes. Put Collision Mats out. 1400, Exercised Action Stations and Damage Control parties.
12-5. More Ships than ever here now.
14-5. Air Raid today. 14 Planes shot down over the South Coast.
15-5. Large Air Raid today. Bombs dropped on Cowes. Action Stations for two and a half hours. Lots of gun fire.
16-5. Left Cowes and went alongside jetty at Southampton.
20-5. Ashore in Southampton.
22-5. Mail situation very bad now. Hardly a letter for weeks. Moved to No 6 Berth alongside Princess Charlotte.
24-5. The King at Cowes and Southampton inspecting Ships.
2-6. D Day, the day the landing will take place on Western Europe, is a matter of days now. The preparations are fantastic, and it seems nothing has been forgotten. Hundreds of Tank Landing Craft all full. All Landing Ships full of Troops and in good working order. Lots of us, known as Landing Ships Infantry, including large Glen Ships and Empire Ships, Pre War Passenger Liners, who carry two or three thousand troops each. Smaller Ships such as ours carrying 300 troops each, will land Troops on the beaches first, with the larger Ferries and all kind of Ships which did short runs to the Continent before the War. The security all over the South Coast is good, no Civilians who do not live here allowed. Service men in the area not to go out of the 20 mile radius. All Troops taking part are confined to Barracks, or Ships. No all night leave for the Navy. Hundreds of Tugs just over from the US are here. Miles of Pontoons, ready to be towed across. Dozens of Concrete and Brick floating Jetties, which are going to be towed across to make an harbour. Large Floating Cranes which travel under their own power, armed with Oerlicon Guns. Motor Launches and Motor Torpedo Boats, by the hundred. Queer Ships that no one can guess what they are to be used for. Pontoons under their own power will take tanks, and all sorts of gangways for landing stores etc.
Around Southampton there are hundreds of thousands of Troops, who can be moved in a few hours with full equipment. Thousands of Tanks, Lorries etc. are lining the roads and filling the fields. It is impossible to get stores down here as all the Store houses are full ready to be taken to Europe.
Planes fly over every day, mostly about 20 at a time, going over, bombing the beaches and returning. We have had two or three Air Raid warnings at night during the past week. German planes trying to take photo's, but all ships possible make smoke, and fire AA guns, as well as shore batteries, manned by the Home Guard and the Army. The air raids are not a bother , apart from us having to get up in the middle of the night, although the smoke gets in ones eyes, and it is sometimes impossible to get below decks for above an hour at a time.

We hear Ships in other Ports are as many as here. Falmouth is a U. N. base, and although smaller, is much the same as this one in the way of Ships etc. Also Portland and New Haven. There are dozens of RN Ships of all types in Portsmouth. Mail is taking 8 days and more to come from north of London. We are not allowed to send telegrams or make private phone calls, and all letter have to go through the Censor on board and ashore.
No 4 Commando came aboard today. Lord Lovat came aboard to speak to them. 1200, Left Southampton and anchored at Spithead in the order we are to move off in.
3-6 It really is a wonderful sight in the Cowes Roads to see all the ships on either side of us ready to go. There are still a few Landing Ship Tanks to be loaded but all will be finished tomorrow. The weather is not quite suitable, but the glass is going up, and we think it should be alright by tomorrow night. Planes have been going over to France in large numbers and we hear they are giving the French coast a two day pounding before the landings. The Royal Navy will be bombarding the Beaches for four hours before the first Troops land, and for one hour after further inland.
Our force consists of one Cruiser and numerous Escort Vessels. In charge of LSI's is HMS Glenurn. Second in command is our ship. Then comes three Empire Ships, Cutlass, Broadsword and Battleaxe. and lastly the Maid of Orleans. As I write this and all yesterday there have been explosions. The coast of France is 80 miles away, and we think it is coming from there. It must be the RAF dropping bombs and it sounds like a continuous rumble.
As yet most of us and the Commando's aboard do not know where we are going to land. All officers do. The Troops have maps but no names of places on them. They all have French money and do not expect to be in France more than eight days. All our Flotilla of LCA's have their cases packed in case they don't come back, and have to take a small bag with them containing change of underwear etc., in case they are away for a few days. Every preparation has been made to abandon ship as quickly as possible, even down to the money in the Canteen which is to go to a hospital in London if we are sunk.
The Commando's carry a large pack weighing from 80 to 120 pounds. One has a pack heavier than himself, and another a pack plus a fold up Motor Scooter, which weighs 90 pounds, is 3/4 HP and does 15 MPH.
At 1900 today a Motor Launch came right up to the Ship and passed down the Starboard side about four yards away. I was on watch and the upper deck was deserted as it was meal time. Winston Churchill., the Prime Minister stood up and gave the V sign, smiling all over his face with the usual cigar in his mouth. He seemed to be having as look at all ships.
At 2000, it looks as if all Tank Landing Craft are loaded, and in line ready to go. Tugs have been coming out of Southampton all day and going to the front of the line which is out of sight. There will be hundreds of Ships before us, such as Mine sweepers, Motor Launches etc. Although our Troops will be the first Infantry on the beaches.
4-6. It is fairly rough today, too rough for Landing Craft on the beaches. Tonight according to the story, we should have moved and the Second Front started tomorrow. The Troops were to have a compulsory sleep this afternoon, but it was cancelled at the last minute.
The 大象传媒 says targets were raided by our aircraft in the Bologne area. Everyone is given a printed message from Dwight Eisenhower.
5-6. 0640. Into Southampton for Oil and Water. The place is nearly empty of Ships. 1230, Went to same anchorage. at Spithead. Landing Craft have been moving out all day. 1630, Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going to land on the French Coast. Our convoy with an escort of one Cruiser and six Destroyers is going to the left hand flank of all the beaches. The LCA's leave the Ship at 0610 tomorrow and touch down on the beach at 0750. We are to wait for LCA's to return to the Ship. There are Shore Batteries on the beach, 9'2" guns mostly, but there are some 15". It is the job of the 4th Commando to take the beach and destroy the shore batteries. 200 Bombers to bomb our beach before landings. 10,000 planes used in the operation tomorrow. Six tenths of Landing is British, the rest American. 4,000 Ships of Allied Navies taking part on first landing. A bombardment of our beach by Battleships Warspite and Ramelles, Five Cruisers and a number of Destroyers, as well as Landing Craft Flack, fitted with two 4-7" guns and 800 Rockets. As long as we get the Troops ashore nothing else matters. If we are hit before the Troops leave we have to try to get them into the LCA's to carry out the landing. On no account is any Ship or Landing Craft to stop to pick up survivors on the way in to land. Loss of life does not count as long as we get the Troops to the beach. There will be US Coast Guard Cutters there specially to pick up survivors.
After the Captain spoke , a talk was given to the 4th Commando's by Col Dawson. First of all amphibious tanks go up the beach, then the RE's to clear a way through the mines. Then the Commando's take the beach and shore batteries and hold them, or blow them up. Some of the Commando's to advance across the river to meet up with Paratroops, which will be landed at Midnight. From then on no more instructions, and they have all day to join up with the Paratroops.
Captain speaks again over loud speakers. We are going for sure now. To the Bay de la Seine, landing the Commando's south of the River Seine and North of Courseulles.
At 2100 we weighed anchor and proceeded with HMS Glen Urn, MV's Empire Broadsword, Cutlass and Battleaxe. Maid of Orleans. Escorted by five Destroyers and one Cruiser. In one Convoy. Just one small part of the a gigantic Landing.
2140, Passed through Spithead Boom and proceeded at 15 knots, passing LST's towing pontoons and all kinds of landing craft. Hundreds of planes overhead heading for the beaches.
The Commando's are in high spirits and are all for getting at the enemy. We have 60 Royal engineers aboard now, who ere to be taken to the beach in landing craft who will join us at our anchorage.
2200, Ships Company to General Action Stations.
6 June. D Day.
From Midnight to 0200, Nothing to report.
0200. Passing through Minefield which has been swept clear by our Mine sweepers. Buoys are placed either side of a swept channel six hundred feet wide, which we must keep to. There are ten more channels for other convoys.
0500. Anchored, Troops told to prepare to land.
0515. Norwegian Destroyer Svenner, moving in about 50 yards from us has hit a mine or been Torpedoed amidships. One great column of smoke goes up and she breaks in two. Starting to go under amidships, within 30 seconds, forming a V with her fore and after ends.. In five minutes she has touched the sea bed, and the two halves are sticking up out of the sea about twenty feet. Rafts have been dropped and survivors are on them, cannot see many. A US Coastguard Cutter is racing to pick men up. I could see men jumping into the sea from the upturned bows. The Empire ships have sent one lot of LCA's to the beach. The US Cutter has picked up
survivors of the Destroyer and is going alongside Empire Broadsword. It is rough in the sea, so the Broadsword has lowered a life boat down to the Cutter, where the survivors transfer and are hoisted up. I count 15 men getting out of the lifeboat. Is this all out of the 250 men a Destroyer carries.
0610. Dropped LCA's with Troops. The sea is very rough, much too rough for a comfortable journey on the LCA's. A few RAF fighter planes overhead, but not many.
0630. Ships inshore laying smoke screens. LCI's coming alongside to take off Royal Engineers, are having a difficult time getting alongside, and have made three large dents in our side.
0645. HMS Warspite bombarding beach, and batteries on shore firing at her. She is getting enemy shells very close and is moving out of the way.
0700. Monitor HMS Roberts firing at shore batteries, and has silenced them. Battleships and Cruisers have stopped bombarding. Lots of planes overhead now. we can hear them over the clouds.
0720. First Troops land on the beach, and more noise than ever on shore. Landing Craft Flack with rockets opening up on beach.
0750. Out LCA's should be touching down now. Lots of noise from that direction.
0800. Aircraft laying smoke on beach.
0815. 4th Commando directing fire from Battleships and Cruisers, which do not fire so often now. Destroyer Svenner is about three feet above the water.
0830. Lots of LCT's moving in now to drop tanks and motors. Empire Broardsword has two LCA's back already.
0900. Destroyer dropping Depth Charges in distance, has contacted a submarine.
0930. Warspite, Ramelles and Robert firing as fast as they can, and getting replies from shore. Long range shore batteries are getting close to them and us.
1000. No 1 LCA coming alongside, very difficult to hoist with the sea being so rough. Tried the Starboard side, but had to move to Port side and managed to get hooked on the second attempt. One of the seamen knocked unconscious ( AB Robert Field) with a block from the davit, and taken to sick bay on a stretcher. Maid of Orleans has five boats back.
1030. LCA No 2 Coming alongside with hole in stern six inches in diameter. One of the crew has been in the sea, and comes back with no pants on.
1035. Crewe of No 4 and 6 LCA's brought back in Landing Craft Mobile. Both boats sunk.
1045. No 3 and 7 LCA's return and are hoisted with difficulty. Reported No 5 sunk and have crew on board No. 7. No 3 have crew of No 8. So we have lost four LCA's, but all crews safe aboard. Battleships still bombarding beach.
1115. A LCT coming alongside us with her ramp blown away. One dead and two wounded taken from it. The dead man has no head and stomach. His brother is on the same ship and saw him blown up, but he is coming on here as we shall bury the dead at sea. Reports from the LST say that it is hell on shore, but landings going OK. Battleships still bombarding.

9th Jan 2002. From Commonweath War Graves Commision.
Casualty= Able Seaman Lawrence Batty, C/SR 8475. Served with H.M.L.C.T. 898 Royal Navy.
Died: 6 June 1944. Age 25, Son of Thomas & Charlotte Batty. Commemorated Chatham Naval Memorial. Kent. 75,1.
The Memorial overlooks the town of Chatham and is approached by a steep path
from the Town Hall Gardens.
As a result of constant vandalism at the Memorial, the Commonwealth War
Graves Commission has had to arrange for it to be regularly patrolled and
public access limited to the period from 08.30 to 17.00.
Should for any reason the Memorial be closed during the stated hours, please
telephone the Guard Room at Brompton Barracks on 01634 822442 who will
arrange for the gates to be opened.
Any inconvenience to visitors is greatly regretted.
A copy of the Memorial Register is kept in the Naval Chapel of Brompton
Garrison Church and may be consulted there.
1130. LCT is secured to us with wire, but it has parted and we have had to use more wire to tie her up again. She is bouncing up and down a lot.
1145. The large Landing Ship Tanks are coming in now, and are being shelled from the shore.
The shells are bursting very close to us and are shaking the ship. May be shelling us as they are getting nearer to us than the LST's. The LCT we took in tow is moving away from us and is going to try to make it back to England, but is shipping water all the time. Not many planes overhead now.
1150. Pulled up anchor ready to move. All Ships ready to go back. Still being shelled. Out of this force of six ships over two thirds of their LCA's are missing. Maid of Orleans has lost 1 out of 6. Empire Broadsword, 11 out of 18. Empire Battleaxe 8 out of 16. Empire Cutlass 8 out of 18. Glenurn 18 out of 24.
1215. Air raid warning RED. Battleships and Cruisers have been quiet for a time. None of our planes over. No enemy planes over. We are not to fire at enemy planes, but leave them to the RAF.
1245. Less noise from the beach.
1315. Started to move away and back to Cowes Roads. Lots of explosions from shore, but very quiet here. Battleships etc. about five miles away from beach. LST's still going in.
1350. Going along French coast, shore batteries firing at us, and shells still close. Making smoke. HMS Rodney, one Cruiser and two Destroyers escorting us. Ten Coast Guard Cutters travelling with us.
1410. Shore batteries quiet. Stopped making smoke. Sea still very rough, but lovely clear sky. Cold out of the Sun.
1445. A few planes still going in. LST's still passing us on the way to the beach.
1600. Secured Action Stations. Cannot see any more ships apart from this convoy.
2000. Near to Spithead boom. LST's moving out with Pontoons in tow.
2030. Through boom. Lots of LST's moving out now. Hundreds of Transport Planes and Gliders going over. Have counted over 200, but they are still going past and look as if they will be for a time. A wonderful sight. A long line of them two or three deep as far as the eye can see.
2040. Issued with Post Cards to send home instead of a letter. They have priority over all mail.
2115. Anchored in Cowes Roads.
7th June. I have an cutting of an article of Opinion from the Express of June 7th. , and also one from The Fleet written by the Master at Arms, A.C. Armstrong about D. Day, dated January 1945.
Can now give information about the Landing from the LCA crews. The 4 LCA's were sunk by mortar fire. and there were lots of mines in their way which they were lucky to miss. The mines were on the sea bed, but had a floating top to them. When the top was hit the mine exploded with enough force to blow up a Tank Landing Craft. The four LCA's sank very slowly, and some of them were nearly back to the ship when they went down. Harry Kirkby who lives on Hyson Green, Nottingham, was Coxwain of No. 5 LCA, and he was half a mile from the ship when it went down. He was up to the waist in water before he gave up, and can hardly walk now because of bruises on his legs, and hip, which he doesn't know how he received. He told me later that while in the sick bay, at the side of him, they were picking bits of shrapnel out of the brother of Able Seaman Lawrence Batty. Petty Officer Flattery( Who won the DSM on the Destroyer Worcester and was Mentioned in Despatches at Salerno, for dashing up the beach with a revolver and shooting Germans) told his Crew to Abandon the LCA, and tried to save it by bailing water out, but couldn't manage it and it sank underneath him.
We have reports that the 4th Commando have reached their first objective, by capturing the shore batteries by 1030, and have reached what was left of the Paratroops. They had all day to reach the Paratroops, but crossed a river and managed it before Noon. The Paratroops objective was to keep two bridges intact and they managed that.
Yesterday we picked up an SOS from the Hospital Ship Dinard. She had struck a mine and went down not long after. Today the Hospital Ship St Julian came in being towed from astern and well under the water at Cowes.
Last night and this morning other LSI's came in and they all seem to have lost more LCA's than our flotilla. Princess Charlotte 7 out of 8, and one man killed. MV Victoria lost 5 out of 6. HMS Prince Henry ( Canadian) lost 5 out of 8, and HMS Prince David ( Canadian all 8, with 43 casualties.
HMS Prince Albert didn't go on D Day, but was to have made a landing this morning with Royal Marine Commando's, which were to take the heavy batteries near Le Havre. When they got there the Navy had already put them out of action, so they landed the Troops on the same beach as ours. They couldn't get near the beach for sunken LCA's and LCT's. Hundreds of dead in the water.
The Captain spoke tonight, and said we were to do raids up the coast. He had volunteered along with the Captains of our sister ships. If not that, we are to transport Troops to the beaches.
8-6. Weather not too good. Most of the LSI's will be working what they call "Turn About" which will be ferrying Troops to France. Not many Ships seem to have been lost. Glenurn and Glengile went across loaded with 200 Troops each.
9-6 Most other ships doing a Turn About routine.
10-6. Maid of Orleans taking 1000 Black Watch to Normandy.
11-6 Captain spoke to Ships Company. Still doesn't know what we are going to do. Went ashore in Cowes.
12-6. 0530, Left Cowes with Prince Albert and MV Isle of Thanet. 1030, Anchored outside harbour at New Haven. 2200 Went alongside for oil.
13-6. 0900, 541 R E's, Royal Core of Signals and R A's came aboard. 1500, Anchored outside harbour.
14-6. 0300, Left New Haven. 0830m, Action Stations. 1130, Anchored half a mile from beach in Caen area. 1200, Secured Action Stations. Disembarked Troops in LCA's and two LCI's.
Reports from LCA crews coming back from beach say the beach is clear of Landing Craft, but there are lots of damaged Tanks. Have counted 450 Flying Fortress heavy bombers going over and can hear a constant rumble of bombs dropping. Hundreds of ships off the beach unloading all kinds of
vehicles and stores. Battleships and Cruisers still bombarding North of us. 1730, Left Caen area. 1800, Action Stations while going through minefield. 2100, Secured Action Stations.
15-6 0100, Anchored at Cowes. Oiled later in day.
16-6. 0500, Left Cowes with Prince Bedouin. 0900, Anchored outside harbour at New Haven. 2130, Went alongside jetty.
17-6. 565 Troops of different regiments came aboard. 2200, Anchored outside harbour.
18-6. 0300, Left New Haven. 0800, Action Stations while passing through minefield. 1130 Arrived Caen area. Secured Action Stations. 1600, disembarked Troops. 1800, Left Caen area. Saw HMS Rodney hit mine. No damage and casualties. Lots of ships being mined now. 2000, Action Stations 2130, Secured Action Stations.
19-6. 0200, Anchored at Cowes. LCT came in today with stern hanging off, hit by mine. Very rough on beaches today.
20-6 MS Glenroy came in being towed, hit by mine. LST came in hit by bombs or shells. LST's coming back from France full up as it is too rough to land.
21-6. 0745. Left for Southampton, alongside jetty. Oiler came alongside. Gave us 150 tons of Diesel oil instead of Crude. Had to have it pumped out again. Embarked 331 RASC and Misc. Troops. 1800, Anchored at Haslar, Oiled. 2015, Left Haslar.
22-6. 0200, Anchored at Spithead outside boom after hitting Tanker head on. 0400, Left Spithead with Prince Albert and five other LSI's. 1330 Anchored near Trouville. Cruisers still bombarding Le Harve. Too rough to land Troops, moved to Caen area. Disembarked Troops. Cruisers here bombarding Caen. Flying Fortress Bombers dropping bombs in distance. Smoke miles high. Embarked RN Beach Parties. and 4 War Correspondents to take back to England.
23-6 Three air raids during night. Lots of bombs and mines being dropped by enemy planes. Very heavy AA fire sent up by ships here. 0900, Left Caen area with Prince Albert and two other LSI's. 1500, Arrived Cowes, disembarked passengers.
25-6. Divisions and Church. Air Raid on Southampton by V1 Rocket Bombers at 2030, which lasted all night.
26-6. 1200, Left Cowes and anchored off Yarmouth with Prince David, Prince Albert, Princess Charlotte and prince Leopold. No Shore leave.
27-6. Very rough sea today.
29-6. Boat races held between ships here. We came second on points of all races.
1-7. 0600, Left Yarmouth. 0730, Oiled and watered at Haslar. 1500, Anchored at Yarmouth. 2000, Very good Concert on board, done by Ships Company.
2-7. Divisions and Church. Shore Leave from 1000 to 2200. Dropped on beach to make our way to nearest place. Put request in to Captain for RADAR course.
4-7. 0900, Left Yarmouth. 1100, Alongside at Southampton. Embarked 498 US Troops.. 1630, Left Southampton, anchored outside boom near Yarmouth. Ships in company going to France are, Prince Henry, Prince David, Princess Charlotte, Ulster Monarch, Llangibby Castle and Mecklanburgh.
5-7. 0400, Left Yarmouth. 1000, Trawler about 200 yards away hit mine and was under in 39 seconds. Three survivors. 1300, Anchored Cherbourg area. 2100, US Merchant Ship near us hit mine. 1930, Left Cherbourg area after disembarking Troops. We had dozens of boxes of goodies on board for the US Troops, far better than we would ever get.
6-7. 0430, Anchored off Cowes. Heard that Empire Broadsword is sunk by a mine.
7-7. Saw Captain re RADAR Course. Recommendation forwarded. to RNB.
8-7. Germans are dropping a new kind of mine which cannot be swept up as they are on the sae bed. and come up when a ship passes over them. Have to do a very slow speed or a fast speed to be safe from them. Pressure of ships on the sea bed brings them up.
9-7. Divisions and Church. 1530, Left Cowes and went alongside at Southampton. Oiled and watered. 2000 Picked up 500 US Troops. 2130, Left Southampton. 2345, Anchored outside boom at Yarmouth.
10-7. 0400, Left Yarmouth with Duke of Wellington, Ben Mc Cree, Lairds Isle, Empire Lanie, Canterbury. 1600, Arrived Cherbourg area. Disembarked Troops.
11-7. Moved to Caen area. 1300 left Normandy. 2300, Anchored at Cowes.
13-7. 0930, Left Cowes and went alongside at Southampton. Picked up 532 RE's, RASC and Canadians. 1300, Left Southampton and anchored at Cowes. 2100, Left Cowes and anchored at Spithead.
14-7. 0400, Left Spithead with three Destroyer escorts., No other ships. 1300, Arrived Caen area with the Destroyers doing full speed. Disembarked Troops. 1600, Left Caen area. with one Destroyer escort, doing full speed. 2330, Arrived Cowes and anchored.
14-7. Shore Leave from 1300 to 1630 tomorrow, Sunday. Slept at Red Shield Club, London. V1 Rockets on London.
17-7. Very foggy in forenoon. 1845, Left Cowes and went alongside at Southampton. Embarked 498 US 9th Army Air Force. 2300, Left Southampton and anchored at Yarmouth.
18-7 0400, Left Yarmouth. 1000, Passed Cherbourg. Anchored just off Harbour made by sunken jetties and Merchant Ships. ( Mulberry) 14 LSI's on journey with us. 2300, Lots of gun fire in distance. We anchored near wreck of Empire Broadsword, marked with a green buoy and a red flag.
19-7. 1000, Left Cherbourg area with the same ships. very foggy most of the way. 2200, Anchored at Cowes.
20-7. 0900, Left Cowes and went alongside at Southampton Embarked 287 RAMC and 120 Naval Commando's, going back to France after 7 days leave. 1430, Left Southampton and anchored at Spithead.
21-7. 0400, Left Spithead. 1300, Arrived Caen area. and went inside the British built Mulberry Harbour. Fine piece of work. Sunken ships all round the concrete jetties. Disembarked Troops. 1700, Left harbour and anchored outside.
22-7. Two Air Raids during night. 0500, Air raid and attack by one man torpedoes. Destroyer dropping depth charges. 0630, Left Caen area with Ulster Monarch and Lady of Man, two Sloops and one Corvette escort.. Ulster Monarch is a Mail Ship now. 1600, Anchored off Cowes. 23-7. 0700, Left Cowes. 1000, Anchored at Portland. oiled and watered. Embarked 576 US Infantry. All were wounded on the first few days of invasion and are fit again.
24-7 0100, Left Portland with Prince Leopold and Empire Gauntlet. 0400, Joined four more ships off Isle of White. 0700, Passed Cherbourg. 1400 Anchored Cherbourg area. disembarked Troops. Embarked Two Commodores and Staff.
23-7. Enemy aircraft over twice during night. Lots of Anti Aircraft Fire. During the forenoon hundreds of planes over going to bomb front lines. Reports on Radio say 3000. 1000, Left Cherbourg area with Prince Leopold, Empire Gauntlet, Brigadier, Lady of Man, and Invicta. 2115, anchored at Cowes.
29-7. HMS Prince Leopold hit mine at 0710 on the way to Cherbourg area. was being towed back when she sank. 17 Killed, 6 Seriously wounded, 7 Slightly wounded. Shore Leave over week end.
2-8. 1300, Left Cowes and went alongside at Southampton. Embarked 473 US Dark Troops with White MP's. 1800. Left Southampton and anchored off Yarmouth.
3-8. 0400, Left Yarmouth with Queen Emma, Princess Charlotte, Biarrity, Lady of Man, Princess Maud and Troopship Cheshire. 1700, Anchored Cherbourg area. Foggy all day. Sea too rough to take off Troops.
4-8 Quiet night. 0630, Disembarked Troops. 0930, Left Cherbourg with Princess Charlotte and Princess Maud. Making good speed. Beat Charlotte in a race just before getting into harbour. 1900, Anchored in Cowes Roads. Does not seem to have been many ships going over to France this week.
6-8. Went bathing from LCA on beach.
8-8. 1200 Left Cowes and went alongside Town Jetty at Southampton. Embarked 467 US Dark Troops with White MP's. 1930, Left Southampton and anchored at Yarmouth.
9-8. 0330, Left Yarmouth with Queen Emma, Empire Rapier and Viking. 0800, Passed Cherbourg very close. 1300, Anchored Cherbourg area. Disembarked Troops. 1600, left beach and anchored at outgoing anchorage.
10-8. 1100, Left Cherbourg area with same ships. 2015, Anchored at Cowes.
12-8. Week end leave.
14 8. ENSA concert aboard.
15-8. Landing made on the South of France today.
16-8. Bathing on beach from LCA.
17-8. 1115, Left Cowes and went alongside at Southampton. Embarked 415 Canadian Infantry, Oiled and Watered. 1830, Left Southampton and anchored at Spithead.
18-8. 0400, Left Spithead. 1300, Anchored just off British Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches. Disembarked Troops. Ships in company were Ulster Monarch, Monaway, Isle of Thanet, Lairds Isle, and Princess Maud. With us in charge. 1800, Left Arromanches with same ships.
19-8. 0330, Anchored at Cowes. Told to pack my kit.
20-8. Left HMS Princess Astrid at 0830. Finished up not on a RADAR course but a Torpedo course.

Extract from a book called 鈥淥ur Wartime Days鈥� by Squadron Leader Beryl E. Escott.
The first contingent to go to work in Europe after D-Day had arrived. We became known as the 鈥楩ighting Forty-Five鈥�, says Jean Brown. Handpicked, we were told at Kirby鈥攖he cream of the cream of the WAAF ambassadresses for our country- 2 officers, 4 NCOs and 45 airwomen!
We were due to go of Friday 15 September 1944 by Dakota aircraft, but these were frozen for use in the Arnhem landings, so we were sent by sea on Monday 18 September 1944 instead.
1After Southampton and Spithead we were put in the hold of a Landing Ship Infantry, which was actually the Belgian cross-channel steamer The Princess Astrid. What a night we spent! It was not the enemy we were afraid of, but the cockroaches, which milled around the stairs like Piccadilly Circus. What a relief it was when morning came and we went up on deck. We were in a big convoy, balloons flying, the sea a magnificent blue and white鈥� What a sight.

I understand that later on the Princess Astrid sank when going alongside in Belgium.
Later on. 21st June 1949.
Dover -bound boat sinks near Dunkirk. 5 Missing, 15 Injured. Express Staff reporter = Dunkirk.
The cross Channel Steamer Princess Astrid, with 176 returning British holiday makers on board, struck a mine and sank four miles off Dunkirk this evening, What an unfortunate end. I have a copy of the article.
What can I say about Princess Astrid, and the crew. A happy ship and I made lots of friends. I don't think I was sorry to leave at the time, but it was better than the Destroyer HMS Vigilant I finished up on. The man who stood out to me was PO Stringfellow, Chief Quartermaster, who taught me to make the best of life, which helped me in Civilian Life. He encouraged me to go in for Leading Hand, but I dipped on Power of Command and didn't pass. I found most of the officers alright, but they were like children when they had had a skinfull of drink which they could get plenty of. The Jimmy Lt. Bennion, was sarcastic and supercilious, but where would we have been without him.
Whoever reads this will agree that we were lucky, but on reflection it may have been because of the organisation.
I hope anyone finds this effort interesting. Lots of it boring, but it could be useful to someone, and may join up a few friends. What ever, it will make people think.

Stan Hough, The Coach House, 8 Orchard St,. Kimberley, Nottingham. NG16 2LN.
0115- 8756839

Copyright 1999.

Sent to
Harry Kirkby, AB. 7 Furgus Close, Clifton, Notts. = 500th Flotilla. Now at 46 Chads Way, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 8SN, North Wales.
Harry signed up for short service after the war, plus 5 years reserve, and was recalled for the Korean War.

From Roy Jones, 9 Kiln Lane, Lea, Sinton, Nr Malvern, Works. WR13 5HH. = 500th Flotilla.
As the years go by my memory gets worse and worse. ( As all of us) But one thing I remember is our serial number. Mine was C/JX 318684. Fred was '6 and Harry was '8 and yours was '70. One thing you may have forgotten is the name of the ships blacksmith, Len Berwick. I know that because one day he was on the upper deck, cutting Hair, and when we got chatting, we found out that he lived only a quarter of a mile away from me. So when the war was over I used to see him a lot. He worked at Stourport Power Station. Unfortunately he died about 20 years ago.

From A.J.Jones, (Fred) AB C/JX318686. 13 Briton Rd, Stoke, Coventry CV2 4LF. = 500th Flotilla.
You said we had leave on 21st, April 1944.. I went on that leave and I had to call at the Vicar's house to say I was home on leave because I was getting married the next day, being Saturday. We have been married 54 Years on 22nd April 1998.
You said when our boats came back after the Salerno landing a stoker had his heel blown off. It was my seaman on my boat, LCA 1036, I was Coxswain. The CO was Lt Commander Murrey. When we took the U.S. Rangers to Sicily and my seaman named Mankel cadged a pair of brown boots off one of the Yanks, and swore the big boots saved him from having his foot blown off. I lost my hearing on that raid with the blast from a near miss. I went with Mankel to Biglia Hospital in Malta when we got back from Salerno, and he never came back to the ship, after I returned.
You mentioned the Swimming Gala we had when we dropped 2 boats, one either end with ropes to make a pool. The Captain said all winners would get two bottles of beer. I did pretty well and all went off well. They announced on the Tannoy someone had stolen a large piece of beef from the Pussers store, and no more beer would be issued until they found out where it had gone. ( Never found)
By the way we were called 500th Assault Flotilla after we all left Astrid. and we were sent up to Scotland for more training.
Petty Officer Flattery was CO of Harry Kirkby's boat. We called him "Horse" His voice was just like a horse, but I must say he was a very good PO.

Alan Thomason, AB. C/JX410199. Aug. 1943 to 10th April 1945. 7 Greenways, Leigh, Lancs. WN7 1JG.
I joined the ship in Malta, after being sent out there to join a destroyer HMS Farndale in Algiers, but it had left there. Things I remember were going across to France on D Day. A boat something like a Tug Boat a mile or two away, must have hit a mine, it blew up & when the smoke cleared, we couldn't see anything of it. Further when we were at anchor off the French coast, I remember seeing an American bomber land on top of a crest on shore & blew up. Later whilst still at our gun positions I saw either the Rodney or Nelson hit something on it's port stern which hardly seemed to bother it. Alan has sent me two photo's of the burial at sea on the way back from D Day.

Reg. F. Hodgson, AB, 10th Flotilla, D/JX316872. Lowridge, Knowl Hill Common, Reading, RG10 9YD. 10th Flotilla.
I was a member of the 10th Flotilla operating on the Astrid under the command of Lt. Com. Chunky Hewitt RNVR during 1942. After recovering from the bombing we sailed to the Clyde where we were transferred to The Duchess of Bedford where we formed a larger flotilla the 60th L.C.A.

Vic Booth, Signalman. C/JX232763. Jan. 1942 to April 1945. 34 Barrymore Rd., Weaverham, Northwich, Cheshire. CW8 3LT.

Charlie Hide, L/Sea S.T. March 1943 to April 1944. 15 Worcester Close, Minster. Shearness, Kent. ME12 3NP.

Bob (Ginger) Cleaver, Signalman, C/JX309377. 1942 to 1945. 95 Callowbrook Ln., Rubery, Rednal, Nr Birmingham, West Midlands. B45 9HP.
I wonder if any of the other Signalmen have seen your offer. Bill Burrows, C/JX 309376. Victor Booth, Knocker White, Ldg Sig., Sparks,= Harold Gill, Bob Cook, Tosh. Enclosed 3 photo's of the burial at sea on D. Day. and one of me aged 65 in Malta. 1987.

C. B. (Charles) Harris. 4 Malthouse Court, Bishops Hull, Taunton, Somerset. TA1 5HN. 10th Flotilla.
Charles tells me over the phone that he thinks there are 8 of his flotilla left, who are in touch. He says "I joined the Astrid at the end of 1941 somewhere in London, St Catherine's Dock?. I was responsible for the Armament of the LCA's and LCS(m). On becoming an AB after Dieppe, I was made Coxswain." He gave me four more addresses.

F.J.Plater, Stoker. 1943-1944. 500 Flotilla. 4 Nyamda Court, Croydon, Victoria, 3136, Australia.
I joined Astrid at Falmouth in June 1943. I was at Dieppe with 2nd Flotilla LCP's. I have to point out that the bloke who had his heel shot off at Salerno was not a stoker. I was stoker on LCA 1098 ( The Flotilla leaders craft). The crippled bloke was my old mate 'Red' Mankel. I helped him to sick bay while the dead soldiers were being seen to. Red wrote to me from his home in Hull, telling me that there was a silver plate where he'd once had a heel. A.B. Willy Harper ( he of the cracked scalp on D Day.. which I didn't know about until now) was also a good friend. I was involved in the landings at Licata, across the Messina Strait, Salerno and Normandy. I was one of the burial party that committed to the deep L/Seaman Batty.. The cruelly shattered LCT casualty. Some names I remember. All LCA Crews. Stokers: Jackie Williams, London. Curly Whalley, Midlands. L/Seamen. Bob Tarrant, London. Dinger Bell, Liverpool. Wally West, London. Seamen. Don Hardman, Whitehaven. Johnny Howard, London. Sammy Hall, Lancashire. Patterson, London. Harper, Nr Walsall. Mankel, Hull. Tony Marco, London. Jimmy Hoyland (Captain of the Heads), Yorkshire. Lt Commander Hall, RNR. Lt Commander Murray, RNVR. PO Flattery. I have John's copyright version of the landing at Salerno, free to crew members.

Frank Scrivener, AB, 1944. 4 Green Lane, Eythorne, Nr Dover, Kent. CP15 4DD.
I joined the Astrid in April 1944, and left in late November. The Normandy landings will never be forgotten. my duties were on the port lookout. The ship headed into the Channel, the sea was whipped up by the gusty winds. as far as the eye could see there were hundreds of vessels of all types. I focused my binoculars on the mighty Battleship "Warspite, rolling in rough conditions. The Commando's and Royal Engineers that left the ship were very brave man, as were the LCA crews.
I do remember the LST that came alongside in the early afternoon. The craft had received a direct hit at the beach. A Petty Officer from our ship, jumped onto her deck, and collected up the body remains, using ships canvas. I noticed an LCA from another Flotilla being hauled up the side of a large LSI. As the craft lifted out of the water, I and other crew members, could only watch in shock and horror the sight of a body swinging in mid air, his arms were entangled in the after steering gear of the small LCA. The memory has remained with me to this day.

Alasdair F. Ferguson, LT. 10th Flotilla. Cliff Edge, 58 Elm Avenue, Lilliput, Poole, Dorset, BH14 8EF.
I served in the Astrid from March 1941 to September 1942. Some of my main recollections are. were.
Witnessing Cowes being bombed and feeling unable to help.. Commander Forest drinking so much that the officers, including myself, reported him to his seniors with a request that he should be removed. Later that year, I met him in Glasgow, and, to hide my embarrassment, I offered him a drink. He replied:
" Certainly not ! I do not associate with people who drink !". Being anchored off Egypt point, Astrid was hit by the Tank Landing Craft. Our Captain ordered the Boatswain to report on the damage. He returned with a beaming smile to tell the Captain " Sir ! Two weeks leave each watch.. The visit by Lord Louis Mountbatten who inspired us all. Being bombed whilst we were anchored off Yarmouth. My cabin was on the port side. I can recall seeing the bomb, which missed the cabin by about ten feet, disappearing and falling into the sea. We were all very lucky to survive. The Dieppe raid in which so many Canadians lost their lives. The 19th of August 1942 was the blackest day in my life.

Ernest L. Curtis, L. Stoker. 10th Flotilla. ? 52 Godwin House, Oxford Rd., London. NW6 5SJ.

Charles F. Angliss, E.R.A.3. 10th Flotilla ? 75 Trinity Avenue, Bush Hill Park, Enfield, Middx. EN1 1HT. I left HMS Tomentor together with George Fox, Stoker, and Laurence Middleton, Wireman, to join the Princess Astrid at Falmouth where she was being converted to an LCA Carrier. The officer we had to report to was then Sub- Lieut. RNVR Alasdair Ferguson. The four of us were together until after D Day.

Leonard Stedman, 10th Flotilla, 8 Catesby House, Frampton Park Est., Well St., London. E9 7LN.

George Fox, Stoker, 10th Flotilla. 8 James St., Arnold Notts. I delivered the details to him by hand.

L. Middleton, (Mick) Wireman. 10th Flotilla. Post Office Wennington, Nr. Lancaster, Lancs. I joined the Astrid from Quebec, Invararay, after surviving the sinking of HMS Prince Philip, sister ship to the Prince Albert. The Astrid was the best ship I served on, a happy ship, which is self explanatory to all aspects of life aboard ship.

T.N.Whyte, Lt. 17 Brownhill Crescent, Rothley, Leicester. LE7 7LA. I joined the Princess Astrid in Cromarty, March 1944, after a short period in "Prince Charles". Leaving her after paying her off in Southampton shortly before V.E.Day. I was the sole (and slightly forlorn) remaining officer and member of the former ship's company. George Bennion died on 7th July 1994, and I was privileged to give the address at his funeral. Incidentally I still have Astrid's crest which hung in the wardroom, which I gave to George Bennion after the war.

Harry C. Carter, L/S RADAR. 28 Spencer Close, Hucclecote, Gloucester. GA3 3EA. My brother & I ran the Tombola with PO Flattery, and also looked after the Ship's Library. The following names I remember. F. Beresford. W. Pleasant, S/Torp. J. Green, S/Torp. B. Francis, S/Torp. J Bateman, S/Torp L. Berwick, Blacksmith. B. Good, Steward. A. Ping Yeu, Steward. A. Hunter, Radar. W. Walker, Radar. C. Thorn, Radar. W. Thorn, Radar. A. Harris, Sick Bay A. G. Lane, Sick Bay A. Ginger Cleaver. Lt Tomsett I also remember for his playing of the piano at church services, more like a fox trot than a hymn. Whilst anchored at the Isle of White we challenged the Canadian Ships, Prince David/Henry Henry to a whale crews race. We gave them a good trancing twice. The time we sailed into Ostend harbour and the rousing welcome we had from the Belgians. Bottles of wine galore, apparently Princess Astrid was their favourite Queen. Our last get together before paying off was a Dance at Chantry Hall, Southampton 5-4-45. I still have one of the tickets.

K. Carter, A.B. RADAR Canada.

Bill Kenny, Stoker P.O. 68 Wharf Rd., Wroughton, Wilts. SN4 9LJ. I served on the P.A. from July 1941 until she was de-commissioned in 1945, so I well remember being bombed off Yarmouth, and the incident of fouling the boom in Dartmouth. I think at the time Lt. Com. Hall was Captain, and I think the Pilot must have been responsible for the foul up. regarding the sabotage to the steering gear box, we never did get an answer to the enquiry, but they made a thorough investigation of our past histories and subsequently two of the stokers were sent off the ship. One of whom was heard to say on the pervious night in the liberty boat " Don't worry, she won't be leaving tomorrow." After you had left the ship we did a couple of trips to Ostend where we had to wait for high tide to get in and out of the harbour, as Jerry had sunk a ship in the entrance. The only thing worth mentioning after that was when we were taking troops to Calais, and on entering harbour we swung and hit the groyne, making a sizeable hole in the Astrid, so we soon had the engineers stores and the evaporator flat flooded. Never the less the troops were quickly landed and the pumps working hard. We were there for about three weeks during which time we were patched up, and we limped back for de- commissioning. We were sent on leave when I tied the knot, but was recalled from Honeymoon, and sent out to Ceylon to the Aircraft Carrier H.M.S Khedive. Before this I spent two days in the shore base at Trincomalee, H.M.S. Highflyer, where I literary bumped in to Lt Com. Hall, who had been given the job of 1st. Lt. Always the officer and gentleman. See Memory

Kenneth H. Cox. 44 Gatch Rd., Barton Seagrave, Kettering, Northants. NN15 6NQ
I served on the Princess Astrid from Mid June 1944 to April 1945. We were returning from Ostend after taking soldiers back to Europe after leave, and were heading for Tilbury. i was on watch on the bridge, and spotted this big Merchant Ship heading our way and reported it, we were going to drop anchor at the time. The ship came closer and I reported it again. Still no one took any notice, and it came closer and closer. I screamed at the officer to take notice but no response. It was too late then, when my next report was to tell them that it was crashing into us, and it did. Straight through the Flour Store into our mess deck at the rear end. There was one very lucky man in the flour store( Having 40 winks). He came out without a scratch covered in flour. The ship was paid off then. This happened about six weeks after the other accident this time off Calais. We were heading into the harbour with 2/300 troops, and it was very stormy. At the entrance there were two concrete piers, and as we passed the wind caught our rear end and we smashed into them. Making a very large hole below the water line. ( I think this happened because the Skipper liked a few tots).
We headed straight for the Quay side at full speed, and managed to get along side. With heavy pumps and sand bags we managed to keep afloat, and the diver then repaired us with wooden planks. We docked at Avonmouth for major repairs, and while there my two mates and I went on to a barge, and on it were large bags of peanuts. We managed to get one of the sacks, and all the men in our mess enjoyed them.

Ken also sent me the following poem, by ? Makinley ? from Liverpool.

D. Day, June 6th. 1944.
We leave Southampton Ten- past - nine, No, we're not going up the line Nor on a petty "U" boat hunt, It's "D" Day now, the "Second Front" From LCT's to "Men of War" To give old Jerry just what for. We head for France to beach our troops On either side the deadly Sloops. But near as France may seem to be, It's all tough going there by sea, Ahead lie dangers by the score, "U" boats, Minefields, and guns galore. Of opposition there is none, Is this a trick of the dirty Hun? "Boom"... "Destroyer Mined and sunk" But we'll get through, you dirty skunk. But well ahead to calm our fear, The "Sweepers" sweep the minefields clear, The biggest job that's ere been done, They clear our path to meet the Hun. Both engines stop, we're there at last, The "Men O War" begin to blast With fifteen inch they spray the shore, and to their mark the shells all soar. Our boats are lowered to the ramp, And right inside the troops all cramp, with every man a volunteer, The "Fourth Commando" know no fear. Our own fighting Flotilla, all good men, Think nothing of the Nazi den. The boats are down., they're under way, These lads make history-- This great Day. "Boom" a shell lands dead astern, His batteries open up ashore, The Rodney answers it with ten, The Warspites salvoes answer too Old Gerry's chances are but few.
Our boats have reached the beach by now, The Sloops all cause an awful row, A machine gun answers them ashore And Nine Commando's drop or more. The Colonel slips and strikes a boat, but like a good ship he is still afloat. A little dazed he leads his men, To worse than Hell, A Nazi den. They charge like demons, fight like mad, The Hun this day is very sad. Our Troops are through, they're on the way, These lads will get there come what may. The "Flotilla" have their troubles too, But these lades are tough, loyal and true. Of eight boats there were but four But the crews are safe, so why be sore? They head right back now to the ship, With the sea at it's worse, they had a rough trip, But still they make it safe and sound With their Troops by this time Victory bound. The boats are hoisted, "All is well" But the Hun still tries to make it hell. "Boom" a shell lands pretty close, "Boom" Nearly a dose. But now at last we get up steam, While right behind us shells still scream, We make for home and leave the Hun, With a memory of a job well done. "GOD SAVE THE PRINCESS ASTRID"

Vince Byatt, 8 Mess, 54 Buckmaster Ave., Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffs. ST5 3AN.

Mick OConnors. 650 Hertage Lane, Bradenton, Florida, 34209. U.S.A.

R. Law CJX378404. 22 Wilkinson House, Todmorden, Lancs. OL14 8HY.

Bruce Moule, 10th Flotilla. 36 Peabody Cottages, Rosendale Road, Hearn Hill, London. SE24 9DW.

Leslie H. Skeates, 10th Flotilla. 132 Ramsgate Road, Margate, Kent. CT9 4BH.

Victor J.J. Lonnon. (Hutch) Sub Lt.10th Flotilla. 11 Crossbush Road, Felpham, Bognor Regis, Sussex. PO22 7AN. Vic was the assistant Gunnery officer on the ship, and also in command of one of the landing craft. When his boat landed on the beach at Dieppe, he had to get a rifle to four Canadian soldiers to force them off the boat. Someone had jammed a grenade rifle in the hinge of the ramp, and so the boat could not move backwards or forwards. He was wounded and captured, and had 30 operations in a British manned German hospital, after the staff were all captured. He appeared before a Swiss board, after a year, and he was repatriated.

Harold Mankel. AB. 500th Flotilla. 9 Broad Lane Close,Cannon Gate, Cottingham. HU16 4DE.
When I first joined up it was at H.M.S. Raliegh, Devonport. I was a fit lad then, and enjoyed every minute of the training. I joined the Princess Astrid at Greenock and do believe they were short of a good lad, and sent for me. Before we sailed from Dartmouth for the Med. the Earl Mountbatten came aboard and gave the ships company a speech. we had a decent crossing to North Africa, apart from a U boat scare. When we were sailing back from shore leave in Tripoli, my mate Johnny lost his water melon overboard, and was about to dive in after it until I held him back, after drinking Veno all night he was very drunk. When we got back on board an argument broke out with a couple of lads in the flotilla and one of the lads from Newcastle had just heard that his wife wanted a divorce, and was taking it out of everybody. A fight developed but it was soon over and they shook hands the next day. The lad from Newcastle wrote to me after I was invalided out, and apologised for the trouble. One think I do remember. Commander Murray asked us to assemble on deck before each of the three landings and said if any one wasn't happy about going on the landing, they had to see him in his cabin. Out of the three landings there were only two lads who were not happy about taking part. One of them I can see to this day was a big strapping lad and always had plenty to shout about whilst the going was good, but when it came to the crunch he bottled out. The lad who volunteered to take his place was only half his size, but there is an old saying that good stuff come in little parcels. I believe the lad who didn't fancy going was from London and was put ashore in Malta with another one who didn't go to Salerno.
Harold tells me that on D Day, he was cleaning windows with his father, after being invalided out.

Ernie Brason, AB. (Geordie). 16 Chasedale Crescent, Cowpen Estate, Blyth, Northumberland. NE24 5LW. On Twin Oerlikons. My diary is called a Mediterranean Cruise. I remember Sicily, Bizerta. Salerno, The Toe of Italy. The lads on the barges brought loads of lemons. Went ashore to La Carta, and we drank vino like it was beer. Waiting for the liberty boat to take us back to the ship, a mate of mine dived in to have a swim. I told the officer he was full on vino, and if he wants a swim he should have one. When I got back to Malta, it was Off Caps for me, stoppage of leave and rum. I didn't suffer a shortage of rum, as my mates saw to that. The swimmer was called Yank, he was Canadian. I remember Bizerta and the air raid and seeing Bob Hope and Frances Langford. I remember being marched to a theatre in Tripoli for a lecture, and back on board we had to strip off as we were covered in bugs. I remember the German U Boat men they wrote a letter to the Captain thanking him for treating them so well. The Captain told the crew not to give them cigarettes, because the Germans didn't give our prisoners any, but the U Boat men got them from us. I remember the 2 blokes sent off at Inverary. We had another 2 after that, who reported themselves, both Homo's. After "D" Day we did about 20 runs to and from France, and we brought the 6th airborne back. We took Tank men to Ostend, when Germans made the push, and there were army boys from my town in them. The one's I recognise from the Ships Photo taken in Malta, are, Danny Gough. AB Butcher. Bert Hancock, PO Liverpool. Harry Toomey, AB, Whitehaven. Ginger Warburton, AB St Annes. Eddie Wade, AB, S.E.London. Billy Cook, AB, S.E.London. Mc Cloud, Leading Hand, Stornaway. Joe Roberts AB, Manchester. Chamberland. Harry Ruddy, AB. Sheffield. Soapy Watson, 3 Badge AB. Middleshore. Pony Moore, AB. There were 2 Moore's. Bugs Wheeler, New Foundland. Chick Henderson, AB, Pennycuick. Ginger Morton shot his hand showing the gun wasn't loaded.. Clary, Gunners Mate, Middlesborough. Taffy Tanner, Electricians Mate. When I was given leave it was often too fat to travel home, and I used to go up to London with Eddie wade to stay with his family who made me feel very welcome.

Brian Guy. 49 Bell St., Swanage, Dorset. BH19 2RY. of 246 Field Company Royal Engineers, 8th Brigade, Third Infantry Division. 鈥淢ontie鈥檚 Ironsides鈥� I sailed to Normandy on the Astrid from Newhaven all those years ago, I bunked down on the deck and when I came back from grabbing a cup of tea, I found a soldier being violently sea sick over my kit. As it happened it didn鈥檛 matter much, it got a thorough washing in the sea anyway. I was wounded in Normandy and again very severely in Holland, flown back to England and spent a considerable time in hospital.

Robert Field. AB. P/JX 324030 500th Flotilla. Sussex.

Article from The Fleet, January, 1945.
D.Day.
'One of the Belgian Class.'

By the "Master"
Master at Arms A.C.Armstrong.
One evening before D. Day I was lounging on the upper deck of my ship, wondering how long it would be before the invasion, when a fast motor launch came past, and in it was our Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, having a look at the Invasion Fleet. I don't think more than half a dozen men saw him, he just streaked by, giving the V-sign as he passed. " Won't be long now" I thought. the weather was not suitable for invading the French coast, but we had the boys (Commandos), in the ship, all waiting for the word "Go". With them was a French Captain whom I shall always remember for his pleasant word and constant smile, and who was well liked by all-- a French Captain in our Commando who was going to touch down on his own soil and itching to get going. He asked me if the weather would delay us, and I told him I did not know where we were going to make the landing or what the weather would be like at the landing place. The French Officer was keen to have a crack at the Hun !
Then one night our Captain spoke to us over our radio.
"Well men" he said, "tomorrow morning we are going to invade France, or to open the Second Front, if you like it that way"
The atmosphere was electric ! Tomorrow we would invade !
Late at night we sailed into the Channel for our destination. The minesweepers at this time were sweeping channels for us to pass through, and laying the buoys with lights on, so there might be no mistake.

I was wondering all the time what might happen ! Would air cover be there, would we be attacked by E -boats ? Would we run into a minefield ? did the Hun know we were coming ? I wondered about these and a thousand other things, but what stood out in my mind most of all was what my wife would think of it all when she heard the news on the radio. she has, of course, since told me.
There we were, heading for that hostile coast, not travelling fast, just taking things easy, Commandos down between the decks and getting a good sleep in, so that they would be fighting fit for the early morning. The sweepers were doing their job fine, another buoy with a small pin light on it, and we were going through the swept channel, and still nothing happened. What mental strain for all, with nerves keyed to concert pitch ! Still, sailors can always find time to one another, even when the situation is serious. The weather was still very unsettled, and I have never sworn so much about the elements before. But on and on we went, nearer and nearer to our destination, quiet as mice.
"I wonder if Jerry knows we are coming Chief" ? I asked.
"Can't understand it", was the reply.
Still no hostile aircraft, no guns firing, quiet, oh so quiet !
Oh this awful weather ! I thought. If it would only ease up a bit.
The Commandos were having breakfast, the meal before they go into action. Their R.S.M. gave me some English money to post to his bank. and told me he wouldn't need that for a little while. I wished him the best of luck. Then our First Lieutenant passed the order, "Troops, man your boats!" and out came Commandos in single file to their boats. Slowly, slowly we crept on, as a cat stalking a bird, then down went the anchor. Gosh ! why does that cable make so much noise when it runs out ? We soon knew. a destroyer had been torpedoed and was breaking up fast. "Who is she ?" someone asked. I saw they were getting the boats away, that a small boat was standing by, and felt relieved that there were survivors. She was now in halves. Our ship's company will never forget the sight.
Our eight boats have gone to touch down on the French coast with our Commandos. I hope the boats will return. everyone is still keyed up, the weather is still bad, and around us are ships of all shapes and sizes. In the distance we hear a familiar rumble. Ah, out rocket L.C.T.'s are doing their stuff, paving the way for the touch-down. Rumble, rumble, rumble ! The fireworks had started and the Hun was getting the biggest surprise of his life. Boom ! boom ! went the Battleship. crash ! went the Cruiser. Yes things were certainly warming up. Air-raid warning Red was reported by the First lieutenant. the guns' crews were all alert on the short range weapons. How many planes would Jerry send over ? Had he been saving his planes for D-Day ? Smack ! A shell dropped near the ship. The coastal batteries were having a pop at the Battleship. Boom ! boom ! went the big guns. Wouldn't like to be on the business-end of those shells inshore !
"The boats, the boats ! They're coming back !" somebody shouted.
Wet to be sure, in the distance was the first of the few.
"Who's the coxswain ?" I queried. "Ah yes, that's fine !"
I was checking the boat's crew by my operational list. Yes they were all there.
"Can't hoist the boat in this weather, at anchor, sir," yelled the bosun, "must have some kind of lee. Blast the weather, it always favours the -----Huns."
"Right !" shouted the Captain. "I'll get the ship underway and make a lee. "
" Aye, Aye, sir !" said the Bosun in reply.
"Here's another boat," cried the boys. Oh yes, number two was returning, big waves were sweeping over her, but still she plodded on, as a child returning home for comfort. All hands were eager to assist the L.C.A. and their gallant crews.
"Hallo ! more than one crew in this boat," I thought, on making a check. Yes, I was right, some of our boats were high and dry on the beach. Swish ! Gosh ! that shell passed overhead mighty close, in a hurry. Wouldn't like to meet it halfway. Still, it hadn't got my name on it, or I shouldn't be writing this article. Boom ! boom ! went the Battleship. Yes, she was giving them the works, good and proper.
" Lost my camera, Master," said the Subby to me, "Twelve good pictures in it."
"That all you lost, sir ?" I said.
"Well, the boat's lost as well," he said.
So the small things in life do count, you see. There's a young Sub-Lieutenant, just returning from a hazardous job, worrying over his camera, and the film in it. What's this coming to the ship ? An T.C.T. had a spot of bother, and the weather was making things most difficult. After a struggle the L.C.T. was secured alongside, when we discovered that a mortar bomb had landed--plonk !-- right in the bow. Down in her hold jumps our young medical officer, with a couple of men to assist him. Three casualties, one beyond hope, and two other young sailors, one seriously wounded. Oh yes, these young boys had just done a man- size job, they had been right in the thick of it, and deserve great credit. don't let us forget the young H.O. (Hostilities Only) ratings, they can give the young Huns plenty to think about. damn the weather ! There were some L.C.I. trying to get alongside but just couldn't make it. She must have casualties aboard, but her skipper couldn't risk coming close, for fear of smashing his ship.
Let us glance in the Sick Bay, where the Medical Officer is working on the most serious casualty. Blood transfusion is necessary. There is "Whispering Grass" doing his stuff. "Whispering Grass" is the nickname for our Sickberth Petty Officer. (hope he doesn't mind me mentioning it)
Time passes, and we are pulling away from France. Battleships, Cruisers and destroyers, are all letting Jerry have it good and proper, all types of craft are approaching the beaches and disembarking their cargoes. Tanks, guns, assault troops, etc.
We hear a big bang.
"What's that? says Buffer. ( Chief Bosuns Mate)
"Not quite sure" I Replied.
"Better investigate" said the Buffer.
I did, and returned to the troop deck.
"What was it?" asked the Buffer, cutting op some canvas.
"Not quite sure", I said, "but there are some big splashes on the port bow.
"Hm, Hm, I'll have a look," said the Buffer
On his return he told me that the coastal guns from Le-Halve were having a go at us. I took a poor view of that, as they were doing some very good shooting, and there's just that feeling during the shooting that makes you turn your back towards the place the shells were coming from. In spite of all the sailor has his joke. Which reminds me of a previous operation we were on, when Jerry planes were dropping bombs around us, said one ordinary seaman to the other, "That Jerry plane couldn't hit us for toffee!" But I wasn't so sure about that, nor were some of the others who dived for cover on the deck. What say you, Mr Smith, and Mr G.B. (Safety First)
Today as I write I would like to know if Captain Paul Lorraine, the smiling Commando Officer, is still well and happy.
So to England and home and beauty. The ship of the Belgian Class returned with her complete crew, who sent their little field postcards to mothers, wives, and sisters, etc. to inform them that everything was fine and dandy.
In Memory.
J. Stockton, PO Sick Berth. 1941 to 1943. Died after July 1994.

Len Berwick, Blacksmith.

M.A. Higham, LT. 1943 to 1944. In charge of 500 Flotilla. Mentioned in Dispatches D. Day Died Oct. 1994, aged 84.

George Bennion. R.N.V.R. First LT. Died 7th July 1994. Promoted to Lt Cdr, before leaving Astrid.
The pants he was wearing when wounded on the ship, were framed and hung in his home after the war.

R. Tompsett. LT. R.N.V.R. Third Officer. died 1996, aged 75. Wrote a nine page talk on the Princess Astrid in 1977. I have a copy. The start of chapter one = In the early 1930's it was generally agreed that Princess Astrid of Norway was the most beautiful woman in the world. Even the glamour girls of Hollywood, then at the height of their power and influence, agreed with that verdict. When she married Prince Leopold of the Belgians, who was himself a particularly handsome and popular young man, it was felt that a most charming and romantic match had been made. A few years later, in 1934, Leopold's father, King Albert, fell down a cliff when climbing in the Ardennes mountains and was killed instantly. Thus a note of tragedy began the fatal reign of King Leopold 111. princess Astrid, now Queen, exercised, through her devastating physical beauty and her equally overwhelming beauty of character, an extraordinary power over everybody. People actually swooned with emotion if she spoke to them and wept with joy as she passed by. You may smile at that, but I say it quite seriously as a fact and also ask you to remember that the Belgians are a hard- headed business race normally affected only by making or losing money. In 1938, I think it was, King Leopold while driving his powerful Mercedes on holiday in Switzerland failed to negotiate a bend and hit a tree at 80 m.p.h. The queen was killed instantly but the King suffered only a period of severe concussion. Now I consider that accident may have affected the history of the world. As a result of the shock of killing his beloved Queen and of the concussion he received, the King lost all interest in his work as a monarch with very extensive royal powers, and a disastrous chain of events followed: the Germans invaded Belgium in 1940, King Leopold ordered his country to surrender almost immediately, the British army was disastrously forced to evacuate Europe through Dunkirk and France fell. Thus came about the need for an Invasion and the remarkable story of June 6th 1944. But that is not by any means the only connection between 'D Day' and the Princess Astrid. One paragraph = I was foc'sle officer in charge of the sharp end, the vital end whether entering or leaving harbour. Both German submarines and the brothel in Dock Rd. depended on my sobriety and sense more than they knew. I had to learn to manipulate two most awkward anchors weighing half a ton each, and many fathoms of heavy cable which stopped them from being irretrievably lost, if you were lucky, by pulling them up.
Chunky Hewitt.
Lt Com Hall.

Tom Moore AB. Quartermaster. Died Aged 62 in 1981. Tom was a good friend to me, and in 1946, while we were on demob leave, I visited him and his wife, in Deptford, with my then fianc茅, Maisie. They had a flat, and while Tom's wife and Maisie, who had both been in the forces, slept in the bed, Tom & myself slept on the floor. His wife was expecting her second child.

Leslie Skeates. 10th Flotilla. Sadly died on 8th October 1998. I was notified by his daughter Doreen, that he was a quiet man, and spoke very little of his war time experiences.

Robert Henry (Tommy) Bradley. AB. JX 205466. 10th Flotilla. LCA Coxon. Died 1975, aged 68.
Served on the PA, December 1940 to April 1941 & May 1941 to August 1943.

Jim Stringfellow, Petty Officer, Quartermaster. J/114686. Passed away 12 March 1993.
In April 2002 I saw that a Lady was researching 鈥淪tringfellow鈥� in the Guild of One Name Studies.
I e-mailed her and made a request that if she ever came across a Petty Officer Stringfellow, would she let me know. She turned out to be his niece, and put me in touch with his son Jim. Son Jim sent me a newspaper page with the following article.
LETTERS KEPT MARRIAGE ON CREST OF A WAVE.
A steady stream of letters between elite sailor Jim Stringfellow and his wife Vi helped to safeguard their love, which has lasted for more than 60 years. The couple from Elm Avenue, Chatham, who are now celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary, wrote at least twice a week to one another when Jim was away at sea during 25 years in the Royal Navy.
Jim, now 81, first met Vi when they lived opposite each other as small children. Although he joined the Navy when he was 15, Jim stayed in constant touch with her through letters. He had to sail half way round the world from China to marry Vi, now 82, at St. Mary鈥檚 Church, Walthamstow. Five years after having their daughter, Joan, the couple moved to Chatham in 1938 and Jim served during the war in the Combined Operations elite squad.
He was involved in the Dieppe and Dunkirk landings and was only stopped from invading Japan when the country surrendered. Meanwhile, Vi worked as a cook for the Royal Marines in Chatham before giving birth to their son James.
Vi said there is quite a severe bond between us. We were in similar circumstances. The letter kept us going, but due to censorship Jim was not allowed to say where he was, He was a war hero, a survivor and my right hand man, In our marriage, we both wear the trousers.
After the war, Jim, stayed in the Navy and served with the Home Fleet training sailors aboard H.M.S.Anson. He learned ventriloquism during this time and appeared in 1948 at the Royal Command Performance for The Queen Mother.
After becoming a professional entertainer, Jim retired in 1970 and worked as a home help to the sick and elderly in the area. The couple who have lived in the same Chatham home for 53 years, have three grandchildren. Jim explained the secret of a happy marriage: 鈥淎ppreciate what your wife does in the home. Share your troubles and be tolerant鈥�

Jim was born, James Henry, on 31st March 1910. Registered at Walthamstow, West Ham.
He joined H.M.S. Ganges as a boy 2nd Class on 11 August 1925. H.M.S. Iron Duke from 26 August 1926 to 18 April 1927. H.M.S. Ramilliss 19th Apr 1927 to 9-September 1929. Signed on for 12 years 31 March 1928. Made Ordinary Seaman 31 March 1928. AB 31 July 1929. H.M.S. Various shore bases from 10 September 1929 to 11 August 1930. H.M.S. Lanai 11 (Sepoy) from 12 August 1930 to 27 November 1931. H.M.S. Cambrian (Ark Royal) 26 February to 18 Oct 1932. H.M.S. Effingham (Frobisher) 25 October 1932 to 14 November 1932. H.M.S. Frobisher 15th Nov 1932 to 11 Jan 1935. H.M.S. Arethuisa 21 May 1935 to 2 November 1937. H.M.S. Cardiff (Curlew) 13 January 1938 to 30 June 1938. H.M.S. Calcutter (Curlew) 1 July 1938 to 12 Aug 1938. H.M.S. Southampton 2 September 1938 to 16 January 1939. H.M.S. Princess Astrid 17 January 1941 to 10 April 1945. Made Acting Leading Seaman 4 August 1941. Leading Seaman Permanent 11 March 1944. Acting Petty Officer 2 February 1942. Temporary Petty Officer 2 February 1943. H.M.S. Beauly Firth 11 June 1945 to 3 August 1946. Made Permanent Petty Officer 22 November 1945. Petty Officer Quartermaster 14 December 1946. H.M.S. Vengeance 18 February 1947 to 21 August 1947. H.M.S. Anson 22 August 1947 t0 22 March 1949. H.M.S. Albacore (Ausonia) 31 March 1949 t0 1 June 1949. H.M.S. Savage (Ausonia) 2 June 1949 to 30 March 1950. Pensioned 27 April 1950 No. 29058.
Mentioned in Despatches 1 January 1945. (A.FO 239/45)
31 March 1943 received the Long Service and General Service Medals with Gratuity.
3 September 1943 Four war service Chevrons.
On 7 November 1949 he was paid the magnificent sum of 拢6-6-0s. Naval Prise Fund.

Bill Kenny, Stoker P.O. 68 Wharf Rd., Wroughton, Wilts. SN4 9LJ. Died November 2000, age 80.

From RAILWAY & OTHER STEAMERS.
T.S.S. Princess Astrid, Prince Leopold, Prince Charles, Princes Josephine Charlotte. These four sister -ships differed in looks from all their predecessors, having considerable top hamper, which gave them an extraordinary appearance when seen approaching head on. For the first time in many years the two funnels had plain tops without any type of cowl. The uniform buff colour was relieved by giving them black tops. The machinery consisted of twin sets of triple expansion single reduction geared turbines giving over 23 knots at full power. the tonnage of these steamers marked a big step forward, being just over 3,000 whereas that of earlier ships had not exceeded 1,800.
All four vessels rendered valuable war service as infantry assault craft or armed auxiliary transports. Prince Leopold became a landing ship infantry, small, and was torpedoed on 29th July, 1944, after which she capsized and sank in the English Channel. Princess Astrid was lost by striking a mine of Dunkirk on 22nd June, 1949. Princess Josephine Charlotte was sold for scrapping as also was Prince Charles, last survivor of the four, after a period in the reserve.

From NAVY NEWS D. DAY SUPPLEMENT.
Sword Beach Assault Forces. S1- HQ ship HMS Locust. 23 LST's including HM LST Bachaquero, 26 LCT's. 32 LC(L)s S2- HQ ship HMS Dacres. 34 LCI's 32 LC(L)s. S3- HQ ship HMS Goathland. HMS Glenearn. SS Empire Battleaxe. SS Empire Broadsword. SS Empire Cutlass. 43 LST's 9 LC(L)s J4 (part)- SS Maid of Orleans. SS Princess Astrid.

SECRET. Enemy Air Attack on H.M.S. Princess Astrid.
To Commander in Chief, Portsmouth. Forwarded. (Sgd). R.E.Hyde Smith, Captain R. N. Chief Staff Officer, for Rear admiral Combined Operations.
Cowes July 1942.
From: The Commanding Officer, H.M.S. Princess Astrid. 7th July 1942. To Rear Admiral Combined Operations, Osbourne Court, Cowes.
Enemy Air Attack on H.M.S. Princess Astrid, rendered in accordance with C.A.F.C. 595/41, Section 1V, Paragraph 2.
(1) Date, Position, Course and Speed. Weather, sea and cloud condition. Date. 7th July 1942.. Position. Yarmouth, Isle of White. Course and Speed.. At Anchor. Weather. Visibility Good, Wind S.W. Force 4. Sea. Slight. Cloud Condition. Cloud base low, probably less than 2,000 feet.
(2) Brief account of the circumstances of the attack, including the form of attack employed and the number of enemy aircraft attacking.
The attack commenced at 0615 on 7th July, 1942 with 2 single Radial engined aircraft, believed to be F.W. 190, simultaneously dropping one bomb 100 feet short on the starboard beam, cannon and machine gun fire.
A second later another bomb struck the ship on C deck, starboard side, abreast the after stokehold ricocheting through the superstructure, passing upwards through the uptake at the base of the after funnel and through the after forced draft fan intake. It then passed through the starboard side of an A. L C. hoisted in the second set of davits on the port side. It then went into the water and exploded.
There are a considerable number of machine gun bullet and cannon shell holes on the superstructure but all are of a superficial nature. The armament around the starboard Oelikon guns diverted the cannon shells without being pierced and only shows slight dents. The plastic armour of the wheel house withstood the cannon shell with only slight damage. The splinter mats in vicinity of compass platform were peppered with machine gun fire, bullets of which appeared to be about '303 size.
The ship's side is perforated in several places by machine gun bullets above the water line and several hits were scored on the funnel by cannon shell.
H.M.S. Princes Josephine Charlotte was attacked at the same time and the attack was made by 3, probable 4 aircraft.
The attacking aircraft were observed to have one large conspicuous bomb rack below the fuselage.
(3) Number of bombs released =2. Approximate height of release = Not more than 200 feet. Size of Bombs = 500 kilograms. Distances of Misses. = Bomb dropped short on Starboard beam missed by 100 feet. One direct hit, which ricocheted through the superstructure and exploded in water. Nature of bomb fuse = Unknown.
(4) Avoiding action taken by ship = Ship at anchor and no avoiding action was possible.
(5) Gunfire used.= 1. Pom Pom, 1, Oerlikon - Short bursts each, no hits obtained
(6) Damage to Ship. A preliminary examination by Engineer Officer, Raiding Force, the Ship's Engineer Officer shows damage in vicinity of after funnel to be as follows:-
Fire main and sanitary pipe line in starboard alleyway are broken, and fresh water pipe slightly damaged, Oil pressure pipe to starboard main circulating pump damaged.
Forced draught fan inlets and after funnel casing damaged from starboard to port. after stokehold is open to uptakes.
After funnel and after waste steam pipe perforated
Several perforations in ship's side.
Steering engine telemotor piping flattened in starboard alleyway.
The electrical damage as surveyed by the ship's Electrician as follows:-
Boiler room lighting feeds severed Alleyway lighting feeds severed. Gyro Compass, Wiring to after repeater severed. Sound power phones, Wiring between phones severed. (3 in number) After starboard forced draught fan motor space, Lighting wire destroyed. Blue lighting (police lights) feeds severed. Armoured and lead sheathing on cables in starboard alleyway damaged and supporting clips and plates for four yards require renual. Coils for sound power phones starboard side damaged. D.G. "M" Coil, Cable damaged outside Captains cabin. Resistance needs inspection.
(7)Any other points of interest. The following became casualties and particulars have been forwarded to the Admiralty in accordance with admiralty Fleet Order 2710/41, paragraph 3. ( Letter dated 7th July, 1942, No. 275/1.
Royal Navy. Bennion George. Tempy. Lieutenant, R.N.V.R. Nature of injuries:- Shrapnel wounds right shoulder and back of right thigh.
Army. (born for exercise and training) Howe, F. Private, 11th Canadian Field ambulance, Official Number: A.27180. Nature of Injuries:- 3rd and 4th degree burns, both upper and lower legs and right hand and forearm.
Ellis, C.J. Private, Royal Regiment of Canada, official Number B. 67244. Nature of injuries :- Burns both upper and lower legs and head..
(Sgd.) C. E. Hall Lieut. Commander, R.N.R. in Command.

From Short Sea: Long War, by John de S. Winser.
TRANSPORT.
Operation Aerial/The evacuations from NW France. Prinses Astrid maintained the Ostend-England commercial passenger link between Sep. 20 and 25 1939 and again from Jan. 24 to Mar. 3 1940, using Folkestone as the UK terminal. She escaped from Belgium to arrive at Southampton on May 18 and on Jun. 12 left for a return crossing to St Malo to bring back 1,556 troops. They landed on Jun. 15 and one week later the ship embarked evacuees at Guernsey for passage to Weymouth.
BRITISH LANDING CRAFT SHIP.
On Sep 30 the ship left Southampton for Falmouth to implement a decision that she should be converted for assault ship duty in the same way as Prince Charles. On Mar 26 1941 she was commissioned HMS Prinses Astrid, it being stated that this, and not the anglicised, spelling of the title was the correct one. The ship was sent to Invararay in June and became part of the fleet on stand-by for the planned Operation Thruster landings in the Azores, should Gibraltar fall into German hands. In preparation for this, she was due to take part in exercises in Scapa in August but was withdrawn when repairs were needed as a result firstly of electrical faults, then of an Aug. 27 collision with the tanker San Arcadio and finally of difficulty with her fresh water tanks. She was finally able to arrive in Invararay on Sep 20, where she was urgently awaited to provide accommodation for Combined Operations training classes.
Operation Jubilee/The raid on Dieppe.
After a collision with a tank landing ship on May 16 1942, Prinses Astrid was repaired in time for exercises prior to the Operation Rutter raid on Dieppe planned for July. Owing to unsuitable weather conditions, the raid was cancelled but the ship was still in the Solent at o615 on Jul 7 when a bomb hit C Deck abreast the after stokehold. Instead of exploding immediately, it ricocheted through the superstructure, then through air intakes and a landing craft, before finally exploding in the water. This remarkable escape meant that relatively few repairs were needed to make the ship ready for Operation Jubilee. For this, she left Portsmouth at 2024 on Aug. 18 as part of Group 3 for Blue Beach at Dieppe, lowered her craft with their Canadian troops at 0258 next day and returned to the Solent: two of her craft were lost in the operation.
Mediterranean service: Operations Husky and Avalanche/Landings in Sicily and at Salerno.
In February 1943 Prinses Astrid called at Dartmouth to embark new landing craft and on leaving, fouled the boom: only the prompt arrival of tugs saved her from disaster and, as it was, all the blades of her starboard propeller were damaged and a wire was wrapped around her port one. On Jun. 10 the ship left Falmouth for Gibraltar and the North African ports of Oran, Algiers, Bizerta and finally Philippeville, which she reached on Jul 7. three days later, on Operation Husky, she landed US rangers in Joss Attack Force S for the Sep 9 landings in Salerno. On Oct. 27 the ship left Algiers for the UK and was made available as a submarine target ship for up to four weeks in January 1944: her starboard turbine was however put out of action by sabotage.
Operation Neptune/The landings in Normandy. On Jun.5 the vessel left the Solent as part of Assault Convoy S7 and was off Sword beach-head at 0542 next day to land her troops. Thereafter, she crossed with reinforcements for Eastern and Western Task Force areas, loading at both Newhaven and Southampton. It was off Southampton that on Oct. 18 her whaler and davits were wrecked in collision with a dredger and barge. She experienced further problems on Nov. 28, when a fire broke out in her galley whilst she was at Avonmouth. She returned to the Solent and made a Calais-Southampton crossing on Dec. 26, prior to being moved to the Tilbury-Ostend forces duty service, where she made am auspicious start on Jan 1 1945 by damaging her starboard side in collision with Seapool off Gravesend. By Jan. 17 she had been transferred to the Harwich-Calais leave service and continued to cover this until a Feb 12 collision with the Calais peirhead: an 8ft x 4ft hole brought water flooding into her ratings鈥� mess deck.
TRANSPORT.
The need for repairs following the Feb 12 accident prevented the ship from standing-by as planned for Operation Nestegg(the liberation of the Channel Islands) and St Helier was allocated as replacement. Prinses Astrid was still listed as a spare vessel for the operation but a shortage of personnel resulted in her being paid off on Apr 10. It had been decided to man her with a Belgian civilian crew, but arrangements for this delayed her restoration for trooping service until Jul 2, on which date she reached Dover to start operating to Ostend for the rest of the year under the Belgian flag. She was then needed on trooping service to Calais from Dover until early February 1946, when she went to Antwerp for a refit to post-war commercial sailings.

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