´óÏó´«Ã½

L/SIG W.L.MCKENNA - C/SSX 31207

AUGUST 1939 — DECEMBER 1946

WULLIE’S WAR

Prior to the outbreak of war, I was apprentice Iron Moulder with Glenfield and Kennedy and in1938 joined the T.A. with 79th (Lowland) field artillery doing weekend camps and annual 14 day camps. We trained on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After camp at Wales I applied to join the Navy going to Glasgow and passing maths and English and medical tests and was detailed to join HMS Pembroke (Chatham Barracks) where after further tests, I signed on 23 August 1938 for 12 years (7 active and 5 as R.N. Reserve training to be a signalman. Not only was I trained on signals but seamanship and gunnery, this tool until the May 1940.

Sunday 26 May — I was one of the 150 seamen and 12 officers despatched on HMS Wolfhound to Dunkirk to organise and oversee the evacuation of British Forces trapped there. After initially spending 1 ½ days at the BEAC I was detailed to the Mole where for the next 8 days helped to control the safe conduct of troops whilst walking to the craft as they came alongside. This went on until the Monday/Tuesday 3rd June when we (what was left of us) were told to make our own way to England (not Britain). I was fortunate that I managed to board destroyed (think it was Worcester) which sailed at 11.50pm and was probably the last destroyer to leave. Arrived back in Dover and given food, wash and camp bed as I don’t know when or where I last slept. Food was iron rations and what we could scrounge.

Back to Chatham and that was it.

2 August 1940 — I joined the Dutch Navy destroyer Z8 as liaison and was with it until September 1941.

October/November 1941 — Drafted to HMS Electra again a destroyer working with the fleet out of Scapa Flow. I took ill with appendix and had it removed on Hospital Ship Amariopora and after returning from sick leave, the Electra had left for the fat east and I returned to Chatham.

7 February 1942 — 13 May 1943 — I was at HMS Wildfire then back to Chatham till June 1943.

June 1943 — HMS Ambrose (shore depot in Staten Island) for onward transit to mobile in Alabama to join HMS Pursuer which was escort carrier. I was with here until November 1945 in which time we did Atlantic, Russian, Med and African convoys. Attacked and disabled the Tirpitz, covered Normandy landing then covered invasion of Southern France then convoys to South Africa and on out to the Far East, Trinkamalee. Did patrols off Burma and Singapore before going to Port Sweetham for surrender to Japanese.

Brought Air Wing from Rangoon to Madras (along with ex prisoners) on 18 November 1945. Pursuer returned home whilst I joined HMS Mayina Shore base at Trinca. Then on 3 December 1945 joined French Aircraft carrier operating out of Saigon until May 1946.

Retuned to UK, Chatham Barracks on 23 June 1946 then joined HMS Marmion (minesweeper) on 28 August 1946 till October 1946, then back to Chatham where I was discharged on 10 December 1946 and transferred to R.F.R. for the 5 years.

There are stories and memories for each episode I took part in.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.