大象传媒

My Father enlisted in the British Army, attached to the Royal Artillery in July 1940.
He spent 282 days in 'Home Service' as they called it. Then on the 24th April 1941, he volunteered for overseas service in the MRA - 'The Maratime Royal Artillery', as an 'Anti-Aircraft Gunner' - a Special Unit set up, to protect the Merchant Ships from attack by Submarines and Aircraft.
I did ask him why he volunteered for this MRA and his answer was, "I just wanted to travel more"
This was a very dangerous mission, as I'm sure you can well imagine. He was torpedoed twice and spent some time in the sea.
He was in the famous 'Russian Convoys', where he suffered frostbite - and the heal on his left foot, became like an egg, which he carried with him for the rest of his life.
I've seen a Film of the Russian Convoys and the conditions they lived under was so severe, the ships were covered with ice!
He travelled many places as a soldier, but he was more like a sailor, spending so much time onboard Ships.
He travelled to Capetown South Africa and many African Ports - also he travelled to New York and walked down Broadway one night, on his leave from the ship.
He was on a few ships during his travels, but the only one I remember, was the 'SS John Holt'.
On the 21st November 1945 he left the MRA after 3 years 285 days overseas.
On the 31st of August 1950, he rejoined to go to Korea, but after 82 days, he was 'Medically Discharged' after they found the frostbite he had on the heal of his foot.
He finally came out on the 20th of November 1950 after 11 years, 364 days service - Seven years and 177 days of these was in the Colours and 4 years 187 days in the Reserve.
He was awarded 5 Medals...The 1939/45 Star...The Africa Star...The Pacific Star...The Atlantic Star...and the Italy Star.
Unfortunately, the medals got lost when we were children and were never replaced.

Yours Sincerely

Melvyn T Phillips.

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