- Contributed by听
- NextNewZealand
- People in story:听
- James McManus R.N.
- Location of story:听
- Worldwide
- Background to story:听
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:听
- A2268975
- Contributed on:听
- 06 February 2004
He joined at Rosyth Scotland, age 19 years and was sent for training to Portsmouth Barracks, then on to Devonshire Barracks prior to joining the 2nd Submarine Flotilla, parent ship The Lucia, for two and a half years.
Part of the Home Fleet, the Flotilla consisted of H boats, L boats then named submarines Pandora and Proteus. It was while serving on the Lucia that during a particularly turbulent voyage in rolling seas, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, he skidded down the hatchway carrying a large platter for the meals in the mess, and a can on each little finger containing peas in one and rice pudding in the other. He slid under the table, banging his head on the sturdy steel legs as he went. His mess mates were not amused!
His next ship was cruiser HMS Norfolk, Flagship of the East Indies Fleet and based in Trincomalee, Ceylon (now called Sri Lanka) for a tour of duty lasting two and a half years.
When it was time for HMS Norfolk to return home for a refit her crew where overjoyed but it was short-lived because at Port Said (or Alexandria)they where ordered to swap ships with cruiser HMS Devonshire. Gang planks were placed fore and aft and as one crew left, the other crew joined the ship, and in dismay they watched as the Norfolk sailed for Devonport dockyard.
On the 3rd of September 1939 war was declared and he was sent on the P and O (Pacific and Orient) Liner Arcadia to take army families from India back home to England.
The Fleet Air Arm at Worthy Down, Hampshire was the next step as Squadron 760 was being formed, with Blackburn Roc's and Skewers. From here he was sent to Eastleigh, near Southampton, then on to Yeovilton, Somerset which was newly opened to join Squadron 759. It was during this time he was promoted to Petty Officer.
In 1941 he met Ruth Turner a W.R.N. based at Yeovilton making silk parachutes as she was a trained sewing machinist from Birmingham. Her Petty Officer was Archie Pickard and she was billeted in Sparkford Rectory.
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