大象传媒

May I record the story told to me by my Dad PO> Henry Walker of how NELSON'S flagship THE VICTORY was saved from destruction for future generations by his team of FIRE-FIGHTERS during the night of 10th March 1941 when Portsmouth received a very heavy bombing raid and the whole DOCKYARD was devastated by fire & Incendiary Bombs,after the sudden & brutal attack.My father P.O.Henry Walker PMX78919 was in charge of a Fire-Fighting Team and related the story to me in a letter (which I still hold dear & value)it goes as follows;- Did Mam tell you about Sunday night,NELSON's old Victory there,her wooden walls towering high above the dockside,sparks showering down upon her,my pump only a few yards off her,our suction pipe down in the water...BUT we stopped the blaze from reaching her,we were playing 2 hoses on the fire, and every now and again we turned them on to her,saving her from destruction and with very little damage.I managed to salvage some pieces of wood from the old ship, which I will bring home for you on my next leave. He continues.....We are in the Country now, reminding me of you going out on your bike to Egremont.It is much safer here, because if there is a bomb there would only be soft earth flying about,no big buildings & high walls, they are the biggest danger along with FIRE>I do hope you are happy at school,I also am at school learning about Maths & and Navigation.The Boson is just coming around piping on his whistle "Hands Darken Ship"you see everything is just like on board.Well dear, no more news for now,remember me to MAM and the boys Fondest Love from your Dad wholoves you very much.......He continued to write to me,advising,caring sending presents & even money for me to have my first perm on leaving SCHOOL.It was only 1 year after this event in Portsmouth Docks, that my Dad was reported missing aboard H>M>Aircraft Carrier HERMES which was then serving with the American Fleet in the Indian Ocean and was dive-bombed by JAPANESE Aircraft on the 9th April 1942 10 miles off the coast of Trincomalee (Ceylon)wich is now called Sri-Lanka. I was then 15 years old and had just began my first office job.I was sitting having my breakfast,listening to the 8am news bulletin with my mother when the 大象传媒 news reader announced that news was just coming in that THE HERMES was under heavy attack 10 miles off the coast of Ceylon -but that more news would follow.I remember that morning so well, it was an awful time for my dear mother & my 2 brothers. ...but I went to work with a heavy heart & tears, but with the words of my brave mother ringing in my ears, "Now dont you worry you know your dad's a great swimmer & 10 miles is nothing to him,he will be safe I'm sure. "We knew her words to be true having watched him swim out to the piers of WHITEHAVEN (OUR HOME)which is near the Solway Firth. We would visit the beach each week-end and he taught me to swim,saying Dont Ever be afraid of the water...just respect the SEA. It was 8 weeks before we heard from the War Office that my Dad had been officially reported missing presumed drowned at sea. Of course in the meantime my mother had sort help trying to get news of him from various sources,a family friend writing to the War Office and a brother of my Dad's living in London visiting the different Departments of War,as well as approaching the Red-Cross in London,to seek news,but all to no avail. There was no counsielling in those days, everyone just had to wait which was very hard, the only outside help was given by the Vicar & the Curate of our local Church.As we lived so near to the sea, this was a constant reminder of our sadness. We lived in hope that somewhere,somehow my Dad was safe and would return to us after the war.My dear Mother continually taking us to ST JAMES Church - never giving up on her faith & prayers. He was just 37years old & she died in 1987 aged 84 years with his name on her lips. I and my younger brother are now the only ones left to remember my Dad however I still have the pieces of wood from the VICTORY that he brought to me inscribed with the date of that terrible night.There is not a day goes by when I dont remember my parents and thank the Lord for Whom I am,and what I have become because of the sacrifice of all those young Men & Women of that era & before.I now live in Leicester having moved from the Lake-District in 1973 I attend the Mayflower Church - as well as Rememberance Services,proud of my Country and all it stands for, but also thinking had it not been for the brave actions of all those young people I NOT ONLY would not be here, but also the OLD VICTORY might also have been NO MORE.

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