大象传媒

We left HMS Mayina shore base in Ceylon to join a minesweeper MMS 108 in October 1943 at Mandapam Island. Two thirds of the island was taken up with a large hospital and out buildings, already prepared for a new offensive in Burma and Malaya. After about a month we joined BMYS 2008 and headed for Akayab Island where we were put to work sweeping in shore and in the river mouths.

We were later moved to BMYS 2203 and were ordered to the Nicobar Islands, a group of islands with the largest natural shelter for small ships. When we approached the island we saw that all the vegetation, tress and bushes etc, had been flattened and there was no sign of life or movement. And yet we clearly heard a Jap voice telling us of our movement, the number of ships, and activities. For example, they told us that HMS Nelson was out of range at sea awaiting our rejoining them. This voice was drowned out by a naval officer playing the bagpipes. I guess that we all still smile every time we hear 鈥淥ver the sea to Skye鈥�, it was the only tune he knew.

We also met up with the RIN sloop The Baracuda, being one of the first active ships we had seen close up for some time. On leaving the Nicobar Islands, we had a quick paint job, painting the sweeper鈥檚 hull black with white top. The reason was very hush hush, but became clear later.

We came across an Australian merchant supply ship, and with a bit of bargaining and swapping of souvenirs, we ended up with our first fresh vegetables; it was like being at the Ritz for a couple of days after our dehydrated food.

We arrived at Penang, and immediately noticed the wooden piers owned by Chinese and Malay families. We were there to pick up a Jap officer and NCO to show us where the minefields were ready for landing the troops etc for the surrender of Penang and Port Sweetenham. We took the officer out to HMS Nelson and back, and that was the reason for our paint job.

In Port Sweetenham we discovered a Jap fishing boat was being used by the Jap Army Police. The crew was handed over to HMS Nelson before we joined back up with the Royal Indian Sloop Baracuda, and headed to Singapore for the surrender.

The main highlights of Singapore were the release of POW鈥檚 from Chanci jail as well as the surrender of arms by the Jap prison staff. On September 12th 1945, the surrender ceremony took place with Lord Louis Mountbatten and senior Japanese Officers.

Going round the island to our Navy base we passed a sunken Jap cruiser and then found a bomb in our sweep.

In March 1946, we were in Bangkok, and had been given a problem sweep, which meant that we had to carry out the sweep in reverse, letting the river current carry our magnetic hoses ahead of us. It took a few days for us to complete the sweep. At the end we received the freedom of the city with a visit to the Royal Palace of the Boy King of Siam, and had the famous dance of hands performed for our benefit.

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