大象传媒

H.M.S. VIGILANT. 1945
I left H.M.S. Princes Astrid in August 1944, to take a RADAR Course in Chatham Barracks, and was detailed to a Torpedo Course. I found this very interesting, and passed out at 80% in November. The best thing about returning to RNB was not sleeping down the tunnels, and able to live in a mess.
We had our own mess for the school, No 14 hut, which was a few hundred yards away, and four times every day we marched behind a Royal Marine band to get to lessons. I only saw one black sailor while in the Navy, and he was on the same course, he came from Liverpool, and of course we called him Darkie. I remember the Physical Training lessons, conducted by a professional boxer. (Tommy Farr?) He had about six assistants who stood between us to see that we didn't slack. There is nothing like a sailor for trying to dodge things. We were not aloud to stand watching WRNS drilling on the parade ground, and every time we crossed the parade ground it was at the double.
I joined H.M.S. Vigilant in Chatham dockyard on December 22. 1944, and was put in number 3 mess. A Destroyer, pendant Number R93. Displacement about 2000 Tons. Ships Company = 250. Armament, 4 x 4 ' 7" Guns, 4 Twin Bofors, 4 Twin Oelikon and 8 Torpedo Tubes.
The ship is on "Canteen Messing", which means each mess preparing it's own food, to be taken to the Galley for cooking. The Leading Seaman of the mess details two men daily, to be cooks and cleaners for 24 hours, also specified what food to prepared for the day. I remember him as a regular sailor, and very friendly. I am afraid at my age, I cannot remember names.
24 Dec. Week end leave to 26th. I had also spent the last two Christmas's at home.
26 Dec. Arrived ship at 0845, and left again on 7 days leave at 1300.
My pay during the last year was 拢186-6-0 and I saved 拢58-8-6 of it.

2 Jan. 1945. Arrived ship at 2400.
3 Jan. Have to work on the Torpedo section from now on, and I am in the Blue watch. My Action Stations on the after Torpedo Tubes. Spent the day loading the torpedo tubes. Torpedo men are also responsible for the depth Charges and the ships electric's. Evening leave, and slept at the Union Jack Club in London. The girt to become my wife, Maisie Goodwin, was stationed in the WAAF at Radlett, Herts. Hence the trips to London.
4 Jan. Put warheads on Torpedoes. Evening leave and slept at the Union Jack Club.
5 Jan. Doing routine checks and fuelling torpedoes. Evening leave etc.
Jan. 6. 0900, Left Chatham. Oiled and swung compasses at Shearness. Tied up alongside the Destroyer Cattistock for the night. Issued with tropical kit. Two shirts, two shorts, and white shoes. Bought white cap and long socks.
7 Jan. 0900 Left Shearness. Exercised action stations. Ship in three watches, Red, White, Blue. Do four hour watch and eight off. Charged Torpedoes with air.
8 Jan. 1100, Arrived Milford Haven, Wales. Went ashore and it poured with rain Distance covered on journey 400 miles.
9 Jan. 1100, Left Milford Haven and United Kingdom. 1215, Joined convoy of Landing Ship Infantry. Prince Albert, and 2 Empire ships, with one Destroyer which joined later.
10 Jan. Exercised action stations. Sea not too rough, but ship rolling quite a bit.
11 Jan. Sunny day, but rough during night.
12 Jan. Ship tosses about a lot. Exercised action stations. Every time we go on watch we have depth charge drill.
13 Jan. Calm today. 1600 Arrived Gibraltar. Distance covered on journey, 1200 miles. Got ready to go ashore, but leave was cancelled owing to no boats to take us. Went alongside Destroyer, which was alongside an Oiler.
14 Jan. Storm blew up during night. 0100, Next ship broke away from Oiler and we drifted with it, but then cast off from it. Lower deck cleared. Steamed around harbour and finally tied up alongside another Oiler. Had to board it, and tie up. Both ships were moving so much that our side was damaged on the forecastle. Turned in to hammocks again but at 0300 had to get up, lash up our hammocks and put them in between the two ships to stop them banging together, especially the masts. My hammock was lost, and didn't get any more sleep, but fortunately I had taken my spare hammock out and saved it. I finished up with a spare one which I still have. 1300, Moved from Oiler to Destroyer Pens. Had hammocks and beds brought aboard, and received one hammock, bed and bed cover. 1600, Left Gibraltar with Aircraft Carrier " Formidable" and Destroyer "Saumarez", who is in charge of our flotilla. Exercised action stations. Very warm at night and sea calm. Speed 25 to 28 knots.
Jan. 15. Received signal not to pass Oran, so we turned back and arrived off Oran at 1200. Cruising up and down until 1845. Did torpedo run on carrier and carried on with journey.
Jan. 16. Streamed fog buoy, and air craft from carrier dive bombed it for practice. Saumarez went away and did torpedo run on Carrier, with us supposed to defend the Carrier. 2100 Left Carrier for oil at Malta doing 30 knots. Distance covered on journey 1600 miles.
Jan. 17. 0900, Arrived Malta, in Valetta harbour and oiled. 1300 Left Malta. 1600 Joined Carrier again. 1830, Exercised action stations. very rough sea, waves over the decks every few minutes.
Jan. 18. Formidable flying planes all afternoon.
1830, Exercised action stations until 2000.
Jan. 19. Aircraft from Formidable fired torpedoes at both Destroyers, and we stood by to pick them up, but the two fired at us were sunk.
Jan. 20. Should have arrived at Alexandria at 0900. But Carrier cannot get in for 24 hours owing to rough weather, so she carried on flying of aircraft all day and night. 1400, Exercised action stations. Did shoot at sleeve target towed by aircraft. 1630, Exercised action stations and did a practice shoot with 4 ' 7" guns. I was detailed to catch the shells coming up from the magazine, and not being used to it, I let one shell drop on to another, with my finger in between. After I had got rid of the shell, I stood there and someone said my finger was bleeding, which I couldn't feel. I went to the sick bay with a cut about half an inch deep, and had it bandaged with no stitches. I still have the scar.
Jan. 21. Went after crashed plane from Formidable, 40 miles away, doing top speed of 38 knots. Sighted parachute in water, sent boat away and the pilot was hanging underneath chute. He was brought aboard cut to bits. We buried him at sea on the way back. When we reached the Carrier another plane crashed on her deck, and burst into flames, going into the sea. 1630 Arrived Alexandria. Distance covered on journey 2000 miles. Went alongside Oiler, oiled and then to buoy. Pay 拢1-1-0.
Jan. 22. Painting tubes during day. Leave to two watches from 1600 to 0700. Fruit aboard for first time. Very hot. My finger stopped bleeding. Sent signal to a friend, Cicil Burley, the postman on H.M.S. Woodcock, and he came aboard to see me.
Jan. 23. Painting torpedo tubes during day. Went ashore. Not a bad place, lots of fruit, sweets etc. Slept at Fleet Club. Played Tombola. Now deal in Paistres for money. 100 for 20/6d. Bought handbag for Maisie. Thinking back it was a cheap piece of rubbish.
Jan. 24. Painting tubes during day. Received first letters from home, which were rather quicker that I had thought. Started Bank Account on board, with 10/- in. Captain spoke to ships company. We are going to join the East Indies Fleet, and will most likely be with it for two and a half years.
Jan. 25. Hot in the Sun, but cold wind blowing. Dress ashore is No 2s, (Blue Suit) white caps and shirts. My finger doesn't hurt so much now, and I can do more with it. Having it dressed every two days.
Jan. 26. Leave until 2230. Ship under sailing orders.
Jan. 27. Left Alexandria with Saumarez. Hunted Submarine for exercise. 1400. Joined Formidable and did shoot at surface target towed by an Italian destroyer. Carried on at 25 knots. 2000, Arrived off Port Said and cruised round all night. Distance covered on journey 250 miles.
Jan. 28. 0630. Passed through Port Said and on through Suez Canal. Very hot today, and it is nice passing through here. Saw Pyramid's in the distance. 1600, Arrived Port Suez, and anchored and oiled. Came through ahead of Formidable who will anchor in the Bitter Lakes during the night.
Jan. 29. 1000, Formidable came in. 1100, Left Port Suez. Very hot today. No one allowed on the upper deck without a shirt on.
Jan. 30. Very hot today, sea calm, nice cool wind. Temperature, 90 % in the shade, and the sea 84 %. Carrier flying aircraft all day. 1845, Exercised action stations. Put clocks on one hour, making it three hours above GMT.
Jan. 31. 1130, Dropped Depth Charges in a pattern of 10 for exercise, lots of dead fish came up. Carrier flying planes all day. 1845, Exercised action stations.
Feb. 1. Blew up rough during night and rough all day. 1630, Arrived Aden and oiled. Distance covered on journey, 1200 miles. Slept on upper deck for first time. What a barren place this is, not a tree or anything green. Natives wearing overcoats.
Feb. 2. 0900, Left Aden. Formidable flying aircraft. Picked up two ratings from Formidable who were ill and took them back to Aden. Joined her and Saumarez and carried on with journey. Pay 拢2. Bought white cap & shoes 12/-. Put clocks on one hour at 2330.
Feb. 3. Carrier flying off aircraft during day. Warm in the Sun, but cool wind blowing. Still on three watches, but no gun crews closed up. These are called relaxed cruising watches. Port holes open in the mess, so it is not too hot. Not forgetting that the ship is rigged for Arctic cruising, and has not been altered. 1900, Exercised action stations. Ship soon runs out of fresh vegetables and meat, so we live on tinned meat, with dehydrated vegetables. Every time we open a tin of veg, it smells terrible, especially cabbage and onions. Potatoes are like thick crisps, and can be laid out to with water to cook, and are not too bad. About this time, one of the steaming lights on the end of the yardarm had blown, and I went up the mast with the Leading seaman Electrician to change it. We both had a go at getting to the light, and although the sea was calm, the ship was swaying too much. Standing with our feet on a rope, we never made it.
Feb. 4. Church on the Quarter deck, everyone wearing what they like. We are allowed to sun ourselves with shirt off for three quarters of an hour in the afternoon, and the time was increased day by day. 1900, Exercised action stations. Put clocks on one hour making it five hours above GMT.
Feb. 5. Very hot in sun today, but a cool wind. I remember going up to a gun deck, the red haired medical orderly was lying starkers, sunbathing, and he was very red all over. I thought then that he would never get brown with that complexion. 1700, Oiled from Formidable at sea. 2000, Exercised action stations.
Feb. 6. Formidable flying off aircraft during day. Put clocks on one hour.
Feb. 7. Formidable flying off aircraft during day. Put clocks on half an hour making it six and a half hours above GMT.
Feb. 8. 1600, Arrived Colombo, Ceylon. Distance covered on journey, 3000 miles. Oiled. Had lots of letters from home, before the ship had been in half an hour.
Feb. 9. Lots of fruit here. Pineapples, Coconuts, Limes, Bananas and Oranges. We also have Lime Juice every day. 1600. Left Colombo with Saumarez.
Feb. 10. Did submarine detection trials with Submarine all day. I had to throw a mills bomb overboard from the bridge, when we were over it, to signal a hit. 1630, Arrived Trincomalee, Ceylon.. Distance covered 150 miles. This place is to be our base while we are in the East Indies Fleet. Lovely scenery , but only a very small village ashore. One street of shops about half a mile from where we land. Buildings are mostly of bamboo and grass. Large canteen near where we land which shows a picture three or four nights a week. One canteen up the road a little way. Lots of fruit, things in shops very dear. Little in the way of entertainment. Large sports field, so quite a bit of sport. A bathing beach which has nets so far out to stop sharks from getting in. Now deal in Rupees and they will be used on board as pay, and in the ships canteen, from now on. One Rupee is worth 1/6d. 100 Cents to a Rupee. Smallest change is five cents in a note or coins. Notes or coins up to one Rupee, and any higher in notes.
Feb. 11. Divisions and Church. Ship now in Tropical Routine, which means getting up at 0545, working from 0600 to 0700, 0810 to 1200 in the week. Will have bathing over the ships side every day in harbour here from now on, while ever there is not a shark flag flying. Everyone in the nude. Water quite warm.
Feb. 12. 0800, Left Trincomalee. Did shoot at surface and aircraft targets outside harbour. Exercised oiling at sea from Fleet Oiler. 1630, Arrived Trinco, oiled and tied up to buoy. Distance covered 100 miles.
Feb. 13. 0730, Left Trinco as escort to a Utility Carrier and a Cruiser with three Destroyers and two Frigates. Exercises all day. Three Submarines on the exercise. Two Destroyers doing shoot. 2000, Arrived back at Trinco and oiled. Distance covered 100 miles.
Feb. 14. Left Trinco on exercises with one Destroyer, Utility Carrier and two Frigates. 1900, Back at Trinco alongside Oiler.
Feb. 15. Moved to buoy. Doing fortnightly routines on torpedoes. Pictures on board.
Feb. 16. Should have been paid today, but it is going to be monthly from now on. No help with money of course, so we have to manage for two weeks.
Feb. 18. Divisions and Church. During one of these services the back two rows were fully occupied by ratings, and we were ordered by the Padre to take the front two rows. This put me off church for the rest of my life. Captain "D" ( Destroyers) 26th Flotilla came aboard to inspect ships company and make a speech. Said this was the cleanest ship in the flotilla, and is trying to get the flotilla into the Pacific Fleet, to a better base.
Feb. 19. 1300. Left Trinco as escort to Utility Carrier while she flew aircraft. All the time the carrier is flying off planes, we are behind it to pick up survivors if any crash. 1800, Back at Trinco and oiled. Distance covered 50 miles. Ships company are now in four watches in harbour, which means a duty night every fourth night, and shore leave every other night. Not many went ashore.
Feb. 20. 1000, Left Trinco as escort to Utility Carrier. 1100, Oiled from Carrier as an exercise. 1700, Tied up to buoy in Trinco.
Feb. 21. Cyclone warning today. Rained during night and all day.
Feb. 22. Sunny and hot today. George Formby and his wife Beryl came aboard for two hours. Went all over ship and spoke to nearly everyone, and had quite a few photo's taken with ships company. Invited us all to a concert that evening, which we were unable to attend, and couldn't tell him. He looked down my Bib & Brace overalls, and said "What have you got down there." He asked what we had eaten for dinner and the Leading Electrician said "Kippers and Custard. This Leading Electrician was on his ninth ship, all the others being sunk, including H.M.S. Kelly. Guessing,-- he didn't weigh much above eight stones. 1700, Left Trinco on our first operation out here, with Cruiser H.M.S. Kenya. Two Utility Carriers, H.M.S. Ameer and Empress. Three Frigates, H.M.S. Spey, Swail & Trent. Two sister destroyers, H.M.S. Vollage and Virago. For reconnaissance in the Strait's of Malacca. Planes from Carriers to take photo's of Jap occupied territory. We just got outside the harbour when we had engine trouble, and went back in alongside Oiler. With the trouble repaired we left again at 2115, and joined other ships. Speed for journey about 15 knots.
FROM WAR WITH JAPAN Vol 6.
On the 21st February, force 68 consisting of the Rotherham(Captain 11th destroyer flotilla), Roebuck, Rapid and Rocket sailed from Trincomalee to carry out the first sweep. The force was off the Andamans on the 24th. from 1310 to 1315 that day the Roebuck and Rapid bombarded the radar station on the Great Coco Island, but the bombardment had to be discontinued on the approach of apparently hostile aircraft. The whole force later returns to Great Coco Island and all ships carried out a bombardment between 1405 and 1450.
Feb. 23. 1900, Exercised action stations. While out here I conducted a correspondence course, along with a few more men, on Mathematics, with a professor from a collage. We were supervised by an officer, and one day the men who were doing the course in the whole Fleet, all had exams at the same time, whether at sea or not. We were at sea, and took the exams in an officers cabin well below decks. It was rough, and the noise of the waves were very off putting. None of us passed the exam, but the lessons came in very valuable in later life when I was in engineering.
Feb. 24. 0930, Oiled from Kenya. Rained hard just as we finished oiling. 1845. Exercised action and abandon ship stations. Carry lifebelts from now on. 2330. Put clocks on one hour.
Feb. 25. Had action stations three times today. Once because plane was sighted which later turned out to be friendly. Once because the alarm bells rang due to an earth on the circuit, and once because a plane was sighted which turned out to be a balloon. 1815, Exercised action stations.
On the 25th force 68 went into Akyab which had been captured by us at the beginning of January. sailing again on the 27th February it operated inshore between Tavoy Island and Heansey Basin during the night of the 1st and 2nd March, destroying 3 sailing coasters; and on the 3rd bombarded Port Blair, returning to Trincomalee next day.
Feb. 26. Passed between Nicobar Islands during the night which are occupied by Japs. We cruise around them all day about 150 miles from land. Aircraft taking off all day to take photographs. Exercised action stations at 0645 and 1845. At 1700 a plane crashed on to the deck of the Carrier and went into the sea with the pilot in the cockpit. Destroyer Vollage went right over the spot where the plane vanished and the force of her propellers brought the pilot to the surface just astern of her. We picked him out of the sea by boat, and all he had was a broken arm. Afterwards we transferred him by stretcher and rope to the Carrier. 2330, Action stations. Fleet of Jap aircraft 20 miles away, but they passed us by.
Feb. 27. Still cruising up and down the Strait's of Malacca. Planes taking off all day to take photo's.
Dusk and dawn action stations. Saw Captain for the award of a first good conduct badge with pay from 5th January. Means a 1/9d a day rise, and there is also a 1/- a day Jap campaign money and 6d a day equatorial money. Will now wear a gold stripe on best suit, and a red one on ordinary suit.
Feb. 28. Still cruising about Malacca Strait's with planes taking photo's. Pay 拢4-4-0. Exercised dawn & dusk action stations.
March 1 0300 Action stations while we move through Nicobar islands. Dawn raid on harbour installations by our planes. 0830, Air raid warning red. Jap planes near. Fighters from Carriers fetch down one Jap bomber. 0900, Secure action stations. 1030, Action stations, Air raid warning red. Three Jap fighters 18 miles away. Planes from Carriers take off and fetch one down. 1150, Secure action stations. 1300, One Jap fighter 10 miles away, two planes take off from Carrier and fetch it down.
March 2 Met Oiler at 0700 and oiled at sea. Other ships oil after us. Out of range of enemy planes. All ships escort Oiler part way back to Ceylon, and then turn round for Western Sumatra. 1915 Exercised action stations.
March 3 Travelling at slow speed all day. Dusk action stations. Carriers only put two planes up. Very hot today.
March 4 0630, Dawn action stations. Now about ten miles off Western Sumatra. Can easily see land. Planes take off to take photo's, and we start journey back. No sign of enemy. 1930, Dusk action stations.
March 5 Out of danger area. Put clocks back one hour at 1830. Had lecture on torpedo tube control.
March 6 Doing full speed trials and torpedo runs. 2030 to 2230, Exercised action stations for full speed torpedo runs with Destroyers on other ships. When a Destroyer is doing full speed it shakes, and the sea from the Quarter-deck is about 15 feet above ones head.
March 7 0900, Arrived alongside our Depot Ship while here, H.M.S. Woolwich, in Trinco. Had lots of letters. Distance covered on journey 4680 miles.
March 8 Having boiler clean and painting ship. Routine torpedo check today.
March 9 One third of ships company go to a rest camp for five days.
March 10 Have pictures every night here, on this ship and the Woolwich. Lots of tins of fruit in the canteen. Also milk chocolate. 95 degrees in the mess at noon with all portholes open.
March 11 Church on board, with Padre taking the service. Raining all day.
March 12 Some letters coming through in six days. One of our Stokers, Stoker Judges, drowned on bathing beach ashore. I understood this was from a shark by the net. Mourners sent from the ship to the funeral. Funeral was a farce, no transport and the grave was too small. Complaint sent in by the Captain. Ships company collected 拢60 for his widow.
March 13 Sent parcel of handbag and tea home today. Won 15/- on tombola.
March 14 Increased allotment home to 40/- per week, 33/- to go into the bank.
March 15 Went to Oiler at 0900. 1500, Left Trinco, and did anti aircraft shoot at target towed by aircraft. 2100 to 0100, Exercised action stations. Did escort to Battleship H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth in exercise battle against Battleship H.M.S. Renown.
March 16 Very hot today. Fired two torpedoes for practice. Picked them up , and spent the rest of the day cleaning them. Did practice bombardment. 1700, Arrived Trinco. Distance covered 120 miles.
March 17 95 degrees in mess at noon. Writing letters makes the paper wet from sweat.
March 18 Divisions and Church. Nice service by the Padre. 1300, Went alongside Oiler, Oiled. 1500, Left Trinco, doing 22 knots all the way to Akyab.
March 19 Sea nice and calm. H.M.S. Vollage and Rapid, two Destroyers have been bombed off Burma coast, and also shelled from shore. Both of them hit. 26 casualties.
A further bombardment of Port Blair was carried out on the 19th by the Saumarez, Volage and Rapid, comprising Force 70. The force had sailed from Trincomalee on the 14th, passing through the Ten Degree Channel on the 15th - 16th, and sweeping towards Penang, but without result. Sigli in Sumatra was bombarded on the 17th. Two days later, the destroyers entered Stewart Sound on the south-east coast of North Andaman Island. there they found and destroyed a junk but came under fire from a gun, reported to be 6 inch or larger. The Rapid was hit and stopped. the Saumarez towed the ship clear, covered by the fire from the Volage. This ship too, was hit, losing three men. On board the Rapid, casualties were heavy, one officer and ten ratings being killed and a further two officers and 21 men wounded. The Force went into Akyab on the 20th March so that the ship might be temporarily repaired, but she had to be sent to Simonstown for permanent repairs.
March 20 1500, Arrived Akyab, Burma. No lights on here at night, as we are not far from the front line. Distance covered on journey 1050 miles. Stoker Judges kit auctioned off to get money for his widow. It made 拢130, with half of his kit still left, as a lot of it was put back. Cloudy but warm today.
March 21 Lecture by Signals officer of Saumarez on the raid off the Burma coast by Saumarez, Vollage and Rapid. Vollage hit four times, and rapid hit five, by 8" shells.
March 22 Lecture on damage control. Exercised damage control. We are waiting here to go on an operation.
March 23 Exercised damage control. No leave here, but boat for swimming on the beach goes every day.
March 24 Alongside Oiler for oil. 90 degrees in mess at noon.
March 25 0530, Left Akyab with Saumarez, Vollage and Virago. Down Burma coast looking for enemy shipping. Passing through Andaman Sea during night.. 1800. Ships company at defence stations.
March 26 Calm sea, clear sky. 1030, Sighted enemy surface craft. Action Stations, and a few seconds later, engaged enemy at long range with 4 ' 7" Guns.
1045, Enemy ships can now be distinguished as two merchant ships and two Frigates. We are concentrating fire at the merchant ships. Frigates seen to make away at about 16 knots.
1130, Withdrew from merchant ships, while four Catalina Flying Boats attack one and sink it. One Flying boat came down into the sea caught in the blast of it's own bombs.
1150, Flying Boats withdraw and the four destroyers attack the other merchant ship at close range with 4 ' 7" and Bofors guns. We set it on fire with 4 ' 7" guns. Vollage and Saumarez stayed to finish it off. Saumarez later picked up aircraft survivors. Our dinners were down the Galley, and were lost when all went on the deck, with the violent ships movements. So later we had corned beef and hard tack biscuits.
1230, Vigilant and Virago started after the two frigates and engaged them at long range with 4 ' 7" guns, getting closer all the time. Frigates fire back with 4" guns but we are out of their range. After getting closer in we open up with Bofors guns and get near misses from Frigates. The other two destroyers come up and we surround the enemy, shelling them all the time. It is a good piece of manoeuvrability on the Japs part, and none of our shells are hitting them as they twist and turn. Vigilant goes in with a torpedo run on one Frigate, while Saumarez and Vollage keep out of the way. Virago keeping near us, and we fire all eight torpedoes. Two hits on one Frigate which goes down at once, with all guns firing as long as possible. A figure is seen to be strapped to the mast of it. After training our tubes fore and aft a 4" shell from the other frigate hit our Bofors ammunition locker and went right through, and three partitions of steel to explode in the catwalk over the after tubes. Parts of the shell hitting the tubes, with a big gash in one tube, and a piece of shrapnel in the platform where I had wound the tubes back. Then comes a hail of small fire which rattles along our decks. Virago went in to torpedo the Frigate and missed with all eight. Dropped away to allow Vigilant to go in at short range. We opened up with all guns, even the Lewis, our decks being swept with enemy fire all the time. Range gets too close for our 4 ' 7" guns. finally the Frigate blew up and went down in a few moments firing her guns until the last possible moment. The action lasted until 1630. We fired 950 4 ' 7" shells, eight torpedoes, and an uncountable number of the others.
1730, Saumarez and Vigilant go back to the site of the sunken merchant ships. We pick up two Jap soldiers and two Chinese girls, one Filipino girl who spoke a little English. There were a lot of men and women in the sea alive. Lots of dead women and children, and cats and dogs. One dog standing on a piece of wood. 1800, Vollage and Virago came up after picking up Jap sailors from the Frigates and we all moved off leaving men and women in the water. I understand we moved away because a Jap fleet was getting near, but I remember someone on the forecastle shouting up to the Captain, calling him a bastard for leaving women in the sea. 1930, Secured action stations and went into two watch defence stations until 0800 the next morning, then into three watch cruising stations.
Reconstituted with the Saumarez(Captain M. L. Power, Captain D.26) Volage, Virago and Vigilant, Force 70 sailed from Akyab on the 25th March for a further sweep. Entering the Andaman sea by Preparis North Channel the Force had radar contact with a target at 21,000 yards and at 1046 Z-6 1/2 on the 26th sighted a Japanese convoy of two naval auxiliaries escorted by two submarine chasers in position 10 degrees 36' N., 94 degrees 56'E. in the middle of the Andaman sea. They were no doubt engaged on an evacuation operation. Mindful that a British destroyer had once been stopped by a lucky shot from a short range weapon fired by an inferior antagonist, Captain Power made the decision to fight outside the range of the Japanese short range weapons. At 1059 1/2 the Saumarez opened fire taking as a target the smaller of the two auxiliaries, the Teshio Maru, range 14,000 yards. The remaining destroyers closed the Saumarez and opened fire as they came within range. The Japanese escorts , submarine chasers 34 and 65, paid no attention to their convoy, but kept away, making occasional smoke for their own protection. The Virago fired four torpedoes at the larger auxiliary the Risui Maru, at a range of 2,000 yards; all four missed. The Volage also fired four torpedoes; these too. all missed. By 1129 the enemy ships appeared unharmed and all the destroyers were low on ammunition, except the Virago which was late in getting into action; and Captain D.26 called on two Liberator aircraft to sink the enemy. One Liberator was armed only with depth charges, but the other sank the Risui with bombs. In making the attack this Liberator hit the ship's mainmast and crashed. Two survivors were rescued. The Volage eventually sank the Teshio Maryu with gunfire. The Vigilant fired eight torpedoes at one of the escorts; and one torpedo hit and sank the target. The other escort was sunk by gunfire. In all, 18 torpedoes and 3,160 rounds of 4-7" ammunition were expanded in this unsatisfactory action. (Minute by the Director of Tactical and Staff Duties, Navy Staff) Our ships sustained only superficial damage. Prisoners taken comprised five officers, 45 men and seven women. None of the enemy ships was able to get off a distress message.
March 27 Heading towards Trinco at 25 knots. I am put on guard of the prisoners. One of the soldiers is a typical Jap, who doesn't touch food until he is hungry. The other doesn't seem to worry. The Chinese girls were worn out and sick when they came aboard, but they are cheerful enough today, aged about 16 and 14. The Filipino girl is aged about 30. Two men are on guard over them, six in three watches, sit in the doorway. The girls are to be taken up for an airing twice a day. The men being kept in the mess, not allowed to talk or go near each other. One Jap looks after the girls very well, but the other just sits and stares. In conversation with the Filipino girl, she said the Japs had bought her. There were 103 women on the ship she was on, and each had been bought by a Jap soldier. Some of the women were English, and only three were Jap. The ships were going to the Andaman Isles from Penang with stores, estimated to be six months supply.
March 28 1700, Arrived Trinco and went alongside Woolwich for repairs after oiling. Heard some of the experiences of the other ships. The Saumarez has 30 women aboard, some English. The Vollage had none, and the Virago six Jap sailors. The Virago ships company said the Japs fired revolvers at them from the sea, cut their own throats and fired revolvers at men in a boat, which was dropped to pick up survivors. One Jap was attempting to bang a small shell on their ships side, and he was shot. (In the diary I kept, I entered this here, but I can see the incident very clearly as if it were on the Vigilant)
One of the Japs on the Virago hung himself in the toilet on arrival in Trinco. We were nearly out of oil on getting back and rolling quite badly. Distance covered on journey 2120 miles. 1900, Prisoners taken off by soldiers.
March 29 Had two torpedoes from Vollage aboard, and six warheads from Woolwich.
March 30 Had six torpedoes from Woolwich. Having damaged tube repaired. Worked all day on torpedoes
March 31 Worked all day on torpedoes.. Pay, 拢4-16-0. My 22nd birthday.
April 1 Had to change seven torpedoes with other Destroyer because we have the wrong kind. Worked all day until midnight, changing them. The damaged tube now repaired.
April 2. 0750, Left Trinco. Did shoot at shore targets. 1900 Arrived Trinco. Distance covered 100 miles.
April 3. Fired torpedo from damaged tube and pulled it aboard again. Worked on torpedo alone in afternoon and finished at 1800.
April 4. 0700, Left Trinco. Did anti aircraft shoot with 4 ' 7" guns, and light AA guns in forenoon. Did practice bombardment in afternoon and anti submarine trials with submarine in the evening. 2400 arrived Trinco. Distance covered 150 miles.
April 5. Received silver cigarette case from Maisie. Which I still have. She paid 拢10 for it, and that is what it is worth today.
April 6 Have at last finished getting ready all torpedoes, which are all ready to go. Won 18/- at tombola.
April 7 Painting torpedo tubes.
April 8 Painting tubes in afternoon. Captain left ship for hospital. 1st. Lieut. taking over while he is gone.. Wants everyone to give him full support in the next operation. 1600, Left Trinco with Battleships H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth and French Riechlieur. Cruisers H.M.S. London and Cumberland. Utility Carriers H.M.S. Empress and Attack. Four 26th flotilla Destroyers, Saumarez, Virago, Venus, and Veralum. Heading for North West coast of Sumatra to bombard and take photographs.
April 9. Speed 15 knots. Very hot today. Practised Anti Aircraft firing. Put clocks on one hour.
April 10. 0700, Carriers flying aircraft, practice dive bombing all ships. Lost three planes in landing. Catapult on one Carrier not working. Flight deck on the other damaged and no good for flying off. Carriers dropped behind.
April 11. Destroyers Virago and Venus dropped behind to come up slowly with Carriers. Battleships and Cruisers went in to bombard Sebang, North Sumatra. 0500, Action stations. Went into bay, 3 miles across, 18 miles deep, with Saumarez and Verulam, to look for shipping in an anchorage. No shipping there, so we bombarded railway sheds, bridge and piers, for an hour, then came out. Took us three hours from entering to coming out of the bay. Everything very quiet and no sign of opposition from the enemy. All country around the bay is heavily wooded, with a Light House at entrance. 0800, Secured action stations. 0900, Joined fleet. Reports from Carrier, they have sunk one merchant ship 120 miles to the north. On joining the fleet we were chased by Jap planes, but the planes from the carriers drove them off, shooting down one Jap fighter. 0900 to 1100, Action stations. 1245, Action stations, 12 enemy planes 100 miles away, coming in to attack us. Our planes took of to intercept them, but Japs made repeated attempts to get through. Two Jap planes drop bombs, and one bomb missed our stern by 50 feet. Japs driven away and no ships hit. 1630, Secured action stations. Travelling away from Sumatra all day. Cloudy and raining in showers all day.
April 12. 1100, Action stations, surface warning. Turned out to be Oiler and two frigate escorts. All ships oil today. Queen Elizabeth oiling from 1230 to 1800.
Between the 9th and 11th the Force carried out an anti-shipping sweep off the Burma coast, between the Moulmien River and Mergui, sinking several sailing craft. Liberators of 222 group early on the 11th sank the net tender Agata Maru and her escort Submarine Chaser 7, north-east of the Nicobar Islands in position 9 degrees 00'N. 93 degrees 40' E; and that afternoon Force 62 picked up 62 Japanese and 6 Sumatran boys in Japanese uniform, survivors of these two ships.
April 13. Queen Elizabeth oiling from 0700 to 1100. Proceeded South East at 20 knots. Crossed Equator at 1700, No crossing line ceremony, only plenty of ducking by most of ships company, to most of ships company, in a canvas bath on the quarter-deck.
April 14. 0700, Thirty miles from Western Sumatra. Planes fly off to take photo's. 0900, Exercise action stations while planes come back. 1000, Enemy planes 20 miles away intercepted by our fighters. Action stations until 1030, and again from 1040 to 1115. Planes from Carriers taking off for rest or the day. 1615, Action stations, one enemy plane eleven miles away and 25 fifty miles away. Went away when our planes went after them. Cannot understand why they don't come in to attack. 1700, Secured action stations We were crossing the Equator on and off all day.. Then headed North again.
April 15 Planes taking off all day, and enemy aircraft at a distance all day, making several attempts to come in. Action stations when within 20 miles from 1130 to 1215, 1300 to 1400, and 1645 to 1710. Two bombs dropped near us. One enemy bomber fetched down by our aircraft.
April 16. Passed through channel six miles wide during the night and went out the same way. In sight of land all day, which is about 10 to 15 miles away. Aircraft from Carriers bombed airfield shooting up three Jap planes. No enemy planes over today. Destroyers Virago and Venus went between Sumatra and Islands at 1000 to look for shipping, and sank six Junks. Aircraft from Carriers shot down one fighter over land.
April 17 Heading West all night. Met Oiler and oiled at 0930. Also all other Destroyers. 1200, Started for Trinco. Raining most of the day. Saw water spout in distance, reaching from sea to sky.
April 18. Showery today. We towed a target for Carriers and Battleships to fire at, with secondary armament. Did high speed trials with other Destroyers.
April 19 Raining very hard all night and day. Exercised battle encounter against Riechlieur, with Queen Elizabeth and others. Put clocks back one hour. Did anti aircraft shoot at 1930.
April 20 1000, Arrived back at Trinco, oiled and went to buoy. Distance covered on journey 3870 miles. Had lots of letters from home.
April 21. Ship being stored for two days.
April 23 Left Trinco after oiling. Dive bombing exercises as soon as we were out of harbour. Exercised action stations for an hour. Ships in convoy = Cruisers Phoebe and Royalist. Aircraft Carriers, Khedive, Stalker, Hunter and Emperor. Destroyers Venus and Virago. Destination unknown.
April 24 Speed 15 knots. Aircraft flying off all day. 1900 Exercised action stations. Going to Akyab.
April 25 Aircraft flying off all day. Night encounter for two hours with other ships.
April 26 0900, Arrived Akyab, distance covered 1050 miles. Oiled. Picked up passengers, RN officers and men. 1400, Left Akyab. 1730 Arrived Ramri Isles. distance 40 miles. Oiled and went to anchorage. We are in a bay, hemmed in by islands and anchored among hundreds of ships, landing craft, etc. Looks as if it is preparation for a big landing.
April 27 More Landing Craft coming in. Beach on one side used as an Air Strip.
On 27th April Force 62 (the Roebuck wearing the Broad Pennant of Commodore A.L. Poland, Commodore D, with the Racehorse and Redoubt) sailed from Trincomalee, and on the evening of the 29th established a patrol in the Gulf of Mataban with the object of intercepting small craft between Rangoon and the Tenasserim coast. In the early hours of the 30th the force destroyed ten small craft which were proceeding from Rangoon to Moulmein carrying about 750 Japanese troops. These refused to be saved and were left at sea.
April 28 Most of the LSI's loaded up. Action of 26th March mentioned on the Radio in detail. No names of ships.
April 29 Moved to outer anchorage. All ships loaded up.
April 30 0600, Left Ramri isles for a Landing at Rangoon in Burma. All ships moving out. We are to escort Carriers, Empire, Hunter, Stalker, Khedive, with Cruiser Royalist in command. Destroyers Saumarez, Venus and Virago. I started new job on ship = High Power Electric's.
May 1 Speed 12 knots. Weather slightly rough. Pay 拢1-10-0.
May 2 Fairly rough today. Landing Craft etc., landed South of Rangoon with no opposition. We are in the mouth of Irrawady River about 30 miles from land. River very muddy. Operating aircraft all day. Everything very quiet here, no enemy aircraft about. Distance covered on journey 960 miles.
May 3 Cruising off beachhead. Weather too rough for flying. Left Force with signals for Akyab at 25 knots. Cyclone warning. Weather rough, but sea not too bad.
May 4 1230, Arrived Akyab, oiled. Distance covered on journey 550 miles. 1400 Left Akyab. 1730, Arrived Ramri isles. Distance 40 miles. Picked up one bag of mail. One letter from home. 1800, Left Ramri Isles. Speed 23 knots.
May 5 1400, Arrived Rangoon and received orders from H.M.S. Largs. 1500, Left Rangoon Area. Speed 23 knots. Distance covered to Rangoon 510 miles.. Raining all night. Have to sleep in mess, otherwise when fine we sleep on upper deck, on canvas fold up beds. One night the Captain broadcast a turn of Hard to Starboard, but being asleep, no one heard it and I finished up saturated when the sea came over and took my plimsolls. One day the ship went hard to Starboard, and all the messes had scoops out of the port holes to catch the wind, to make them cooler. The stokers below our mess, scooped up a lot of the sea, before closing the portholes.
May 6 0800, Joined up with same Carrier force off Andaman Isles. Distance covered 400 miles. planes had just been out on operation, sunk two Junks and bombed air field, with RADAR Station. Headed for Trinco. Speed 16 knots. Raining off and on all day.
May 7 Speed 16 knots. Raining in showers all day.
May 8 Victory in Europe day. Heard news at 0130 while on duty. Free iced drinks in the canteen. Everyone seems fed up at not being home today.
May 9 1100, Arrived Trinco, oiled. Distance covered on journey 1070 miles. Spliced the Main brace, which means everyone over 20 has a tot of rum. Three pints of beer when we go ashore this week instead of one.
May 10 Storing ship all night 0700 Left Trinco with most of the ships based there. Battleships, Queen Elizabeth and Riechlieur, Cruisers Cumberland, Royalist and Dutch Cruiser Von Tromp. Destroyers, Saumarez, Verago, Venus, Verulam. Two Tribal class and one P class Destroyers. Aircraft Carriers, Sharn, Emperor, Stalker and Khedive. Divided into two forces. Carriers with Royalist, "P" and Tribal Destroyers. Other force with 26th Flotilla.
May 11 Rather hot today. Tribal destroyer Eskimo sent ahead as decoy. Reports of Jap Cruiser in Andaman sea. Think that is what we are going after.
May 12 Passing between Sumatra and Great Nicobar Island. With Riechlieur and Cumberland, with 26th Flotilla Destroyers. Other ships well behind. liberators of RAF on reconnaissance. Two of our Submarines here too.
May 13 Destroyers and Cruisers oiling from Carriers all day. 2400 Went to two watch defence stations.
The Force sailed on the afternoon of the 10th for the Ten Degree Channel to attack the Japanese force reported to be sailing from Singapore that day. A Japanese army reconnaissance aircraft sighted come of the units next day, west of the Nicobars; and the enemy ships consequently turned back towards Penang. O the 12th the Statesman and Subtle sighted them in Malacca Strait retiring south-eastward. admiral walker appreciated that if he could avoid being sighted again by Japanese aircraft the enemy might make a second attempt to sortie, according he steered for a position about 20 miles south-east of Achin Head, Sumatra, ordering the oiling force to rendezvous with him for refuelling. He asked that all the available ships at Trincomalee should be sent to reinforce him.
May 14. 0400, Action stations. In to the Andaman Sea to look for Jap Cruiser and four Jap Destroyers reported by Liberator bomber. 26th Flotilla Destroyers 12 miles ahead of other ships. Couldn't find Japs. 0700, Joined rest of Fleet. Secured Action stations. In two watches until 1030, then to three. Evaporator pump in engine room broken down. One of two pumps which changes sea water into fresh when running engines. Water to wash with stopped until it is mended. Only tea water allowed. Have to wash when it rains, so most of ships company bathing on upper deck when it rains, which is only in short showers. Twice I lathered up with soap when it stopped, and I had to have a sea shower. No meat on board from now on. All ships heading West.
Meanwhile, the Haguro and Kamikase had left One Fathom Bank in Malacca Strait on the 14th May. At 1050 next day, in position 6 degrees 55'N. 96 degrees 50'E. about 15 miles from the south-eastward of the scene of the attack on Force 2, an Avenger of the Shah, operating from the Emperor, sighted them. At the time, the enemy ships were steering south-eastward at high speed. a strike of three Avengers which had been flown off from the Emperor at 1335 made an unsupported bombing attack on the two ships at 1500, causing slight damage to the Haguro from near misses. After the attack the enemy turned to an easterly course
At 0237 that morning Admiral Walker had detached the 26th Flotilla to intercept the second of the two Japanese Forces. When the news of the sighting of the enemy heavy cruiser was received the flotilla was diverted to the more important target and proceeded at high speed to intercept. The destroyers were organised in two divisions, The Saumarez, Verulam and Vigilant constituting the 51st Division, and the Venus and Virago the 52nd. Captain Power formed the flotilla on a line of bearing 020 degrees, the 52nd Division spread 5 miles apart to port while the 51st was kept in open order to starboard to avoid closing within radar range of the coast of Sumatra.
Course 90 degrees at 27 knots speed was maintained with the intention of gaining a position between the enemy and his base. As the afternoon wore on aircraft reports by carrier-based and R.A.F. aircraft of the position of the Japanese ships differed considerably, and it remained uncertain whether contact would be made in daylight or after dark. No enemy aircraft came out from the Sumatra or Malayan airfields to attempt to interfere and support their two supply forces. At 1300, when the position of the enemy was approximately known Captain Power altered course to 110 degrees and brought the flotilla into line abreast. By 1900 it was estimated that the enemy was still 75 miles top the north-westward and in the expectation that the Japanese would maintain a course of about 140 degrees at 20 knots, the flotilla was spread four miles apart on a line of bearing 295 degrees- 115 degrees in the sequence from west to east.:Venus,Virago, Saumarez,Verulam, Vigilant. The enemy maintained a steady course. at 2245 the Venus obtained a radar contact bearing 145 degrees, 34 miles, a range so great that there were doubts to its authenticity. By 2322 the behaviour of the echo showed it to be a surface target. At 0003 on the 16th the Saumarez gained radar contact bearing 010 degrees, 14 miles and Captain Power formed the flotilla into a star formation and ordered the destroyers to attack at 0100.
The destroyers were closing in to attack when at 0054 the largest echo reversed course abruptly, followed shortly afterwards by the smaller. This led the enemy towards the Venus which was cruising at maximum speed to reach her attack position. the Venus, taken at a disadvantage by the enemy's manoeuvre, failed to fire torpedoes, the torpedo firing officer being unable to see the target which passed on an opposite course less than a mile distant. The Haguro turned back to the south-westward to comb the tracks of the torpedoes which she supposed the Venus had fired and in so doing headed almost directly towards the Saumarez. Captain D.26 had already signalled that he was unable to attack at the time given.( An extemely silly signal to make. D26) He now found himself in a favourable position, except that the torpedo tubes were trained to starboard and angled left, and he had first to deal with the Kamikaze which was close to starboard.
Captain Power had to alter course violently to starboard to pass close under the destroyers stern, at the same time engaging her with main and close range armament, first in radar and then in visual fire, at point blank range, as she crossed from starboard to port and close down the port side. Meanwhile, the cruiser, though hampered by surplus supplies stacked on deck, had simultaneously opened fire on Saumarez with her 8" and 5" batteries illuminating very effectively with her star shell. At 0108 the Saumarez was hit by a 5 inch shell in the boiler room, and almost simultaneously by a 8 inch shell on the port side of the forecastle and a hit on top of the funnel. Speed at once fell of and the wheel was put over to bring the sights to bear before the ship stopped, a full outfit of 8 inch torpedoes being fired at 0113 at a range of 2,000 yards from broad on the beam of the cruiser.. Meanwhile all communication between bridge, steering and engine room in Saumarez was temporarily severed. About a minute or two later the Verulam on the port bow of the Haguro made an unmolested attack. The situation was now somewhat confused. The Saumarez withdrew to the north-east to examine damage, further than Captain Power had intended, because the telegraphs had been inadvertently left as "full". and communications inside the ship took a few minutes to restore. Captain Power still attempted to continue to exercise control of operations. The Haguro altered course drastically but at each manoeuvre found herself confronted with a destroyer. These continued their attacks, a high measure of synchronisation in firing torpedoes being obtained be two pairs of destroyers: Saumarez 0113--Verulam 0114-0115; Venus 0125--Virago 0127. At 0200 the Haguro, overwhelmed, sank in position 5 degrees 0'N., 90 degrees 30' E. about 45 miles south-west of Penang. The Kamikaze received only slight damage from shellfire. She ran for Penang, but later returned to rescue the survivors of the Haguro. As enemy airfields were within easy range Captain Power, whose ship was found not to be badly hit, quitted the scene and concentrated with the fleet north of Sumatra. His ships had steamed 330 miles at 27 knots since they were detached by Admiral Walker on the previous day. 'The sinking of the Haguro,' wrote Admiral Mountbatten, himself a former destroyer captain, in his report to the Chiefs of Staff, ' is an outstanding example of a night attack by destroyers'; but Captain Power was very dissatisfied with his own conduct in it.
May 15 0800, About to oil from Oiler which joined the Fleet last night, when we received warning that a Jap Cruiser of the Nati Class, 10,000 Tons, with an escort of two Destroyers and Frigates, was moving through the Andaman Sea and down the Malacca Strait's, in the direction of Penang at 16 knots. The five V Destroyers of our flotilla headed after them at 27 knots. Saumarez, Venus, Virago, Verulam, and Vigilant. I understand Captain "D" volunteered.
1000, Action Stations. Sea very calm.
1300, Enemy 100 miles away, being bombed by planes from Aircraft Carrier Shar. Three planes and no hits observed on enemy.
1600, Enemy 60 miles away, If we don't reach them by midnight, we will have to turn back because we will not have enough oil to last us until we reach the Fleet.
1800, Passed through quite a lot of wreckage which looks as if a ship has gone down recently, a merchant ship by the look of the amount of wood in the wreckage. No enemy planes about. Vigilant has led the other Destroyers all day, and we are now in line ahead, five miles between each ship, which makes it so that we cannot see the last three.
2335, Echo from RADAR. went to investigate but nothing there . Another echo, 16 miles away. It is the Cruiser and escort. V Destroyers converge on target.
May 16 0100, Began to attack. All ships firing Star Shell Flares to light up the enemy. Cruiser unaware of our presence until now. Saumarez going in to fire torpedoes. Other destroyers surround Cruiser. Saumarez fired torpedoes and a second later is hit by a salvo of 8" shells from the Cruiser. One hit in number one boiler room, one hit in Wheel house lobby, and one hit on top of the funnel. Three hits on Cruiser with Saumarez torpedoes. Venus and Veralum attack, and hits observed on Cruiser with Torpedoes, and a Jap Destroyer explodes with a big flash, sinking at once. Virago attacks and scores two hits with torpedoes. Then Vigilant fires torpedoes, but torpedo officer left it too late despite repeated attempts to tell him he was going past the target, by the operators of the torpedo tubes. One hit claimed, then Vigilant goes in close and fires 4 ' 7" guns, hits nearly every time, and Cruiser nearly down. One shell must have hit the magazine as she blew up, turned over and sank. Her small guns firing until the last minute. None hit us, although plenty of shrapnel coming down. Other Jap ships have gone away. Not enough oil left to chase them. Saumarez orders stop for ten minutes to pick up survivors of the Cruiser, but enemy planes over head bombed her as soon as she put searchlights on, with no hits. No survivors picked up and we leave at once.
It was over in 40 minutes. Our position was thirty miles from Penang and two hundred from Singapore. We are the first surface vessels to came as far down the Malacca Strait's of the Allied Fleet since 1942. Casualties on the Saumarez are two killed, and four badly wounded.
0800, Secured Action Stations after 22 hours of it.
0900, Enemy aircraft about, Action stations for half an hour, when Carrier planes drove enemy off. Two watch defence stations until 1230.
1100, Joined Fleet, which has an additional Cruiser, H.M.S. Nigeria. Action stations, enemy aircraft over fleet, and one shot down with gun fire.
1215, Secured Action stations.
1530, Action stations, enemy aircraft nine miles away. Driven off by Carrier planes. Speed after joining Fleet, 15 knots. Ammunition used = 50 rounds of 4 ' 7", and some Bofors and Oerlikon.
1615 Secured action stations. 1830 Action stations. Enemy aircraft heading toward us. Planes from Carriers took off but had to land again almost at once owing to dusk.. One enemy plane over the Fleet. All ships open fire. Virago dive bombed and shrapnel bomb exploded over her decks. All the after repair party on deck, not expecting the plane, and heavy casualties reported.
2200, Virago casualties = 4 killed, 12 seriously wounded, and 30 slightly wounded.
May 17 1400, Met Oiler, All Destroyers oiled and at 1800 left Fleet for Trinco at 18 knots. Japs say on the wireless that they have won a great naval victory near Singapore.
May 18 Sea slightly rough today. Sun hot, and no rain. B.B.C. announce that the Japs say that there were two of our Cruisers and three Destroyers to sink their Cruiser.

May 19. B.B.C. Announce the action with the names of the ships. 0630, Arrived Trinco, Oiled, Distance covered on journey 3340 miles. Took eight new torpedoes aboard. Admiral Powell, C in C of East Indies Fleet came aboard to speak to ships company. Congratulated us on the sinking of the Cruiser. Said we were the first ships to go so far down the Malacca strait's since 1942, when Singapore was captured, and it was one of the largest naval victories of the war out here, the first Destroyers to sink an enemy cruiser, especially of the heaviest type. He then read out congratulations from the First Sea Lord, Sir Andrew Cunningham, and the Supreme Commander of South East Asia, Lord Louis Mountbatten. Every ship in the harbour here cheered us when we came in this morning.
May 20 Moved to Anchorage. Put warheads on torpedoes.
May 21 Action mentioned on the B.B.C. in detail.
May 24 Preparing for sea.. Very hot today. 1400 Left Trinco at 20 knots.
May 25 Going to Bombay for minor repairs, and boiler clean With submarine detection gear to be repaired.
May 26 Was paid back pay for good conduct badge etc. 拢15. Very hot today.
May 27 0800, Arrived Bombay alongside jetty. Went ashore, bought presents. Things cheap here. Plenty of food. Not a bad place after being at Trinco. Distance covered on journey 1200 miles. We have a dock pass to get out of dockyard. I suppose it is the same today, when we were followed by half a dozen boys, wanting to clean our shoes, and being very persistant, one trying as I was walking. Money nearly the same as Ceylon, except the small change in Anna's. 16 Anna's to a Rupee. We went into a corner Cafe, and ordered Egg and Chicken, and got four eggs, Tomatoes with the Chicken for 1/6d. One of the shoe cleaners still outside.
May 29 Went to rest camp for 48 hours. Not too bad, and we are under canvas. We can do what we want to, and quite a lot of entertainment.
May 30 Played Tombola in the canteen. Went to Bombay and pictures.
May 31 1500, Back on board from the rest camp.
June 1. Sent parcels home. Ship went in to dry dock.
June 2 Having two twin Oelikons taken away and two Bofors guns in their place. Two more Bofors guns on the upper deck.
June 4 Sent telegram home for 拢5.
June 5 Went swimming in open air pool at Beach Candy, and to Minden Fleet Club for tea. Queued an hour for half a pint of beer, which wasn't worth it.
June 9 Lots to eat here, usually have four eggs, chips, toast, tomatoes, and tea for 2/-.
June 12 Left docks. Did shoot with new Bofors guns, and only one boiler room in working order.
June 13 No night leave because it is too rough. Repairs to boilers being done by our own Stokers.
June 14 Moved alongside by tugs. We just had enough steam to pull anchor up.
June 15 Went ashore to flicks. I am surprised at the number of natives asleep on the streets at night.
June 18. 1800, Left Bombay. Speed 18 knots. Sea fairly rough. Ship rolling badly with extra weight of guns.
June 21 1300, arrived Trinco. Distance covered 1200 miles. Five letters from home, with news-papers.
June 22 Took 30 depth charges off upper deck to counteract the weight of the guns, so now we only have eleven depth charges ready to use.
June 24 Church on board. Padre off H.M.S. Woolwich took the service. 1530, Oiled.
June 25 Left Trinco for the day. Did AA. shoot with all guns and anti submarine trials.
June 26 0200, Returned to Trinco alongside Oiler. distance covered 160 miles. 1200, Out for the day again. Did surface shoot and De-Gausing trials. 1800, Oiled, and went to buoy in Trinco. Distance covered 70 miles.
June 27 Went ashore in Trinco for first time since coming here. Saw flicks in the canteen.
June 30. Pay 拢3-15-0.
July 1 Divisions and church. Inspected at divisions by Commodore Destroyers. 1900, Went alongside H.M.S. Eskimo to oil from Oiler the other side.
July 2 0700, Left Trinco with Cruiser H.M.S. Nigeria, Utility Aircraft Carriers, Emperor and Ameer. Destroyers Robuck and Eskimo. Also eight Mine sweepers which just keep in sight of us.
July 3 Speed 10 knots. Fairly rough.
July 4 Cloudy today. Oiled from Carrier Ameer at 0800.
July 5 Action stations. Air craft took off to bomb Car Nicobar Island. Three planes crash. Nigeria and Roebuck do bombardment, but can find no targets. Think it is just to see if Japs will give the positions away. We keep within 20 miles of land all day.
July 6 0500, Action stations. Bombarded beach from range of 200 yards. No replies to our fire. Mine sweepers sweeping mines near beach. Mines going up at intervals. Keep within 10 miles of land all day. No enemy opposition. 0800, Secured Action stations.
The minesweepers operated off Car Nichobar daily from 5th to 10th July inclusive, returning to Ceylon on the 14th. A total of 167 moored mines were swept, all to the eastward of the island. To cover the activities of the mine-sweepers, the Nigeria and destroyers bombarded gun positions and targets of opportunity on the island, while Hellcats carried out a series of strikes, during which radar stations were put out if action and all craft seen in the area rendered unseaworthy. The only enemy action was accurate anti-aircraft fire. Four of our aircraft were shot down, but all pilots were rescued inshore, one by a walrus aircraft flown off from the Emperor and the remainder by destroyers at which the enemy directed ineffective machine gun fire.

July 7 0510, Action stations. No opposition from the enemy all day. 0630, Secured Action stations. Mine sweepers sweeping for mines all day, with lots of mines exploding. We are the escort to the Mine sweepers until 1600, about five to ten miles from the beach. We have to keep a sharp look out for mines and dodge them. I think we are trying to give the Japs an idea of a landing in the near future. Raining all day. B.B.C. announce that the Jap radio has given out that there are 14 Warships and two Carriers off Car Nicobar. There are actually 13 Warships.
July 8 0510, Action stations while moving to the beach again after keeping a few miles off all night. 0630, Secured Action stations. One of our planes crashed near beach, and the pilot baled out into the sea. Three tanks on the beach looking for the pilot. Nigeria bombarded them. A Walrus air craft from a Carrier picked up the pilot. 1600, We went in to bombard the beach and some buildings. Fired ten salvoes, but the visibility too bad to see if we had hit anything, and had to give up. 1900, just before dusk all ships laid smoke screen, also planes dropped smoke flares. Think it is just to make the Japs do something.
July 9 Oiled from Ameer. Action stations same as yesterday. Planes sighted Landing craft of Japs leaving Malacca jetty and dive bombed them. Sweepers still sweeping mines and Nigeria bombarding. All Landing craft sunk.
July 10 0530 Action stations until 0630. Sweepers finishing off, and returning to Trinco with Nigeria and Eskimo. 1300, Left Car Nicobar at 16 knots, with Carriers and Robuck. Up to now on the operation two pilots and seven planes have been lost. One of the pilots is probably a prisoner.
July 11 0600, Arrived of Northern tip of Sumatra. Planes bombed airfield, and one shot down by Japs. Another baled out into the sea and we picked him up, quite alright. Action stations from 0530 to 0900. Left Sumatra at 0900.
July 12 Travelling back to Trinco at 18 knots. Rough today.
July 13 1200 Arrived Trinco. Distance covered on journey 2624 miles. Had lots of mail.
July 14 Beer ration ashore increased to two pints a week and an extra two pints for over four days at sea.
July 15. Went ashore with tickets for six pints of beer, two extra for V.E.Day. We had to spent them before 8 PM, and the whole of the Canteen was lined up with long trestle tables, and as everyone had six pints, they were covered in bottles. After a while everyone was roaring drunk, some worse that others. No one in charge of the Canteen, after 8 PM. I remember a sailor swinging on the stage curtains, and ripping them right across. Another pulled the leads out of the noisy speakers, by standing on another's back, which were high up. Glasses were flying through the air when I left. The natives made these glasses out of bottles by putting a red hot wire around them and dropping them in water. The beer was from Canada, and had been in powder form and was very potent. One friend lost his hat in some grass at the side of the path to the Canteen and went over to fetch it, and on returning had a few leaches on his legs. Up to groups 15 leave Ceylon for demob. H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth goes back to United Kingdom and H.M.S. Nelson takes over as flagship of the Fleet.
July 17 `0700, Left Trinco for the day to escort Carrier Shar, while she flew off aircraft for exercise. 1800 In harbour again. Distance covered 100 miles.
July 18 0700, Went to Anchorage just outside harbour to adjust RADAR sets and came in again at 1800.
July 19 1800, Left Trinco for night flying exercises with Carrier Shar. Not enough wind to fly off planes, so we cruised round and went into harbour again at 0800 next day. Distance covered 100 miles.
July 22 Divisions. Put request in to change ships with a torpedo-man on Depot Ship H.M.S. Ausonia whose notice, wishing to change ships, was on our notice board. With AB Andrews I dropped a big clanger, as over all it kept us out there three months longer than if we had stayed on the Vigilant.
July 23 0700, Left Trinco on exercise with Destroyer H.M.S. Roebuck. Did dive bombing attack exercises and torpedo runs. Roebuck fired two torpedoes at us. Did 4 ' 7" shoot. 2300, Back into Trinco. Distance covered 200 miles.
July 24 Went alongside H.M.S. Woolwich for Boiler Clean.
July 25 Forty men go up to rest camp in Central Ceylon. We can get ice cream on the Woolwich at 1/6d a cup.
July 27 Went ashore to Flicks in the Canteen.
July 31 Men returning from rest camp. Painted our mess in the afternoon. Pay 拢4-16-0.
Aug. 1 0700, Outside harbour for anti submarine exercises. 1800, In harbour again. Saw 1st Lieut. for request to change ship.
Aug. 2 Saw Captain for request to change ship with a torpedo man off H.M.S. Ausonia, and the request was granted if his papers are of good conduct.
Aug. 6 Outside harbour for Air Sea rescue while a Carrier flew off aircraft. 1400, In again. Distance covered 70 miles.
Aug. 8 0700, Outside harbour for Air Sea rescue with Carrier. Picked up three pilots from crashed plane. 1300, High and low angle 4 ' 7" gun shoot. 1700, In harbour again. Distance covered 100 miles.
Aug. 9 Preparing for sea. Letters from home after an eight day delay.
Aug. 10 1600, Left Trinco with Carriers Shar, Emperor, Empress, and Khedive. Cruiser Royalist. Destroyers, Tarter, Verulam and Penn. Going to do mine sweep down Malacca Strait's. On the radio the US had dropped a new bomb on Japan.
Aug. 11 Travelling East at 10 knots. 1900, News on the Radio that the Japs were ready to surrender. I was on duty but heard the cheers from the ships company, before being told.
Aug. 12 Oiled from Carrier. Doing slow speed, waiting for further orders. A young stoker on the Khedive, carrying part of a boat engin up to a boat, fell off a ladder into the sea, and was lost, even after an extensive search.
Aug. 13 1400, Started back to Trinco at 10 knots.
Aug. 14 Sea rough.
Aug. 15 V.J.Day. What a relief to have the war ended at last. 1000, Arrived back at Trinco. Distance covered 1120 miles. Oiled and took on board all the stores we could possibly carry. No leave. All ships in harbour firing rockets as soon as it was dark. Sirens going and as much noise as possible being made. Spliced the Main brace. 2200, Left Trinco. Not a very good V.J. day for us. All ships firing rockets etc. as we go out of harbour. Wonderful sight.
Aug. 16. 0100, Caught up with a convoy of eight BYMS, very small mine sweepers, and Destroyer Verulam. Ships company now in four watches, which means four hours on duty and twelve hours off. Working every forenoon of course.
Aug. 17 0600, One BYMS broke down and we stayed behind to tow it, and after numerous tries managed it by 1400. While at rest we could see lots of sharks in a clear sea, and officers tried to shoot them with no luck. The butcher dropped a large joint of meat tied to a line overboard and the sharks took it. It was so clear we could see the pilot fish with every shark.
Aug. 18 1000, Caught up with other ships, and carry on doing five knots. We have a new Captain, who seems to be better than the old one.
Aug. 19 1100, Slipped tow of BYMS. Passed between Great Nicobar and Sumatra during early morning.. Ship still as alert as usual in case of enemy attack.
Aug. 20 0700, Met up with other ships. Battleship Nelson, three Cruisers, Four Carriers, five Destroyers, Sloops and other ships. 1700, Entered bay in Great Nicobar Isle. Oiler and two depot Ships there. Also 20 Motor Launches. 1800, Up anchor, and patrolled off the bay all night. Distance covered on journey here 1084 miles.
Aug. 21 Went to Fleet Oiler and oiled during afternoon. 1800, Anchored in Bay.
Aug. 22 Ship still in cruising watches while at anchor. 1400, Air raid warning Red, Enemy 60 miles away, but didn't come near.
Aug. 23 We are just waiting for Japs to surrender in Burma and Malaya, and we are anchored about 100 yards from the shore, which is heavily wooded. According to reports there are Japs on the other side of the Island. Two tribes of natives, one supposed to be cannibal. Motor launches have picked some of them up while fishing and questioned them. Two natives tried to get near to us in a canoe, but were shooed off. Motor Launches patrol all day of beach, and a Destroyer at night about five miles from shore. Ships in the Bay now are :- Two Depot ships, 25 Motor Launches, nine small Mine sweepers. One Landing ship Tank. Two landing ship Infantry, = Queen Emma and Princess Beatrix. (What a work of art it must have been to get these two cross channel ships as far as this) One Indian Sloop. Destroyers Tarter, Petard, Penn, Paladin, Vollage and an R Destroyer. Ships with the Fleet off the island are Battleship Nelson. Cruisers Nigeria and Ceylon with one other. Carriers, Shar, Emperor, Empress, and Ameer. One Oiler. Destroyer Verulam and two Hunt class Destroyers, one is H.M.S. Calpe. Saumarez who has just finished repairs is bringing mail from Ceylon and arriving tomorrow, and will take ours back. This is the first time we have seen the Vollage since she was damaged in March. No sign of Venus or Virago yet. Numerous Air Raid Yellows today. 1900, Left Bay to patrol all night until 0600. Tarter with us. Distance 100 miles.
Aug. 24 H.M.S. Saumarez took off mail. 1500 Surprised trip back to Trinco with Cruiser Nigeria and destroyer Rocket at 22 knots.
Aug. 25 Raining most of the day. Going to Trinco for stores.
Aug. 26 0700, Arrived Trinco. Distance covered 880 miles. Stored ship. Every available space taken up. Enough to last us three months. We usually have enough for three weeks. Had letter from my brother in India.
Aug. 27 Pay 50 Rupees. 33-15-0.
Aug. 28. Lots of other ships going out today. Details of what this ship has done since her Commission posted on the notice board. Commissioned in August 1943. Crossed Arctic Circle 20 times. August
1943 to August 1944 = 17 times, August to December 1944 = 3 times. Mileage 1943 to August 1944 = 59, 107. Lowest temperature = 20 % below. Days refitting = 55, Oct. and Nov. 1944. Crossed Equator 8 times in 1945. Mileage August 1944 to August 1945 = 50,292. Mileage from January 1945 = 47,000. Highest temperature, 1945 = 98%. Most miles in one day, chasing Cruiser = 581. Most miles in 24 hours, chasing Cruiser 630. Days at sea August 1944 to August 1945 = 191. Boiler Cleans August 1944 to August 1945 = 60 days. Days in harbour August 1944 to August 1945 = 59. Longest period at sea, 1945 = 16 days. Longest at sea with less than a 24 hour break 1945 = 20 days. Mileage 7502. Highest mileage, month of May 1945 = 8518. Most days at sea in one month, February 1945 = 25.
Aug. 31. 1100, Left Trinco at 12 knots with Cruiser H.M.S. Sussex. 1900, Speed increased to 25 knots. Captain spoke to Ships Company. We are going to Singapore, stopping off at Sebang first. We will arrive in Singapore 24 hours before the main landing force.
Sept. 2 18 knots from 2100 last night. Sussex had an engine defect so we had to slow down. 1700, Arrived Penang, alongside Oiler just outside harbour. Distance covered 1200 miles.
Sept. 3 0630, Part of Fleet outside harbour started moving in. 0700, Left Penang, passed convoy of troop ships. 0900, Passed convoy of Landing Craft all heading for Singapore. Speed 23 knots until 2000. Then 18 knots. 2200, Passed through lots of mine sweepers. 1900 to 2230, All hands off mess decks while passing through mine field.

Sept. 4 0600, Action Stations. Left Sussex to take orders to troop ships we had passed. 1200, Delivered orders and headed for Singapore. Passing close to coast all day. Fire burning at one point was still burning strongly as it was when we passed last night, coming down here. Lots of Sailing ships about, fishing, and plenty of small islands. 2230, Anchored 30 miles from Singapore. Distance covered 790 miles.
Sept. 5 Troopships coming in and anchoring near us all night and the forenoon. The LSI's going alongside Troop ships and taking off troops. About 30 LSI's and 10 Motor Launches form up and at 1100 we picked up anchor and led the way. Two Frigates, Troop Ships and Merchant Ships follow after. Just outside Singapore harbour the Sussex was seen to be moving in, and we were met by two Jap Mine sweepers flying black flags. 1300. Went to Action stations. A News Reel was taken of us from the Sussex as we went in. Anchored while landing craft go into inner harbour. Secured Action stations. I always remember the colourful dresses of about 30 women waving to us from a jetty. We were the third ship to enter the harbour.
Sept. 6 No watches to keep. Landing party of about 50 of the ships company left ship to board Jap ships in harbour. Search for arms and check food etc. Saw film Christmas Holiday on board.
Sept. 7 Landing party off again. More ships coming in to harbour now.
Sept. 8 Went on landing party. Boarded five ships, and we were taken to them in Motor Launches. Very dirty living quarters on the Jap ships, and very little food. Japs were very quiet and didn't try to hide anything. I lifted the lid off what turned out to be a barrel of rice, and it was covered an inch deep in black beetles.
Sept. 9 Moved to naval dockyard, alongside Jetty. Two sunken Jap Cruisers and two Jap Destroyers here. Dockyard deserted, and we had a good walk round it. One seaman managed to start a Motor Cycle and I think he ran messages. I was impressed with the very large damaged lathes and machinery, which the Japs had never used. One store was full of Osram lamps. Another small store was full of micrometers, but only one was in Thou's. I managed to get a Megga, which was Japanese and never worked. We had a New Zealand AB aboard in the ships company, called Kiwi of course, and he left the ship around this time to go home for demob. The Gratuity Pay he expected was as much as one of the British Admirals.
Sept. 10 Parties of the ships company supervising the loading of three Jap ships in the dockyard. The Japs are to be allowed three months supply of food and as much building material as they can get on. The ships will take 25000 Jap sailors to an island and leave them there for twelve months.
Sept. 11 Ships company have to search the Jap sailors before they board the ships, and most of the ships company are employed in searching and guarding them. Each Jap is allowed to take two blankets, two pairs of boots or shoes, change of uniform and underwear. All other gear is taken from them and left in a large heap on the floor of the large building they were searched in. Then it is either burned or taken back to the ship with us. When each days search is finished the floor is knee deep in clothes and all sorts of things, some valuable. One of the Petty Officers has given his-self a collection of 63 watches on the first day, by tapping his wrist at the entrance. A group of the prisoners are brought back every night to burn the clothing. The Japs have been trading in Japanese Malayan Dollars, which are now useless, and there are thousands about. I still have some.
Sept. 12. Ships company searching 3000 to 4000 Japs every day now until they have got through the 25000. Search party and guards go off at 0500, and other seamen left on board guard the Jap ships at different times. I was on guard on the Vigilant's gangplank, when an Army Sergeant marched up and asked for food, as he was from Changi camp. He came from Peashill Road in Nottingham. He was told to bring other POW's to the ship.
Sept. 13 Lots of British and Australian prisoners on board today, and every day for a few days. They haven't much to wear, are very thin indeed, and have had a terrible time. We are giving them their first solid food they have had for years, and some of them cannot take it and are sick. The stories they told are terrible, and even to this day I wouldn't buy a Japanese car, although I think we were forced into the Videos, when we couldn't get others. We now have Chinese messmen while we are here, like it used to be in the Navy pre-war.
Sept. 15 Ex Prisoners helping the ships company to search the Japs today, and showing them how it should be done.
Sept. 16. Went across to the search hut for the first time. Searched about 20 Japs. Did a two hour guard on one of the Jap merchant ships. Had to check everything that went aboard.
Sept. 17 Did three hour watch on Jap ship of about 7000 tons. 9000 of the Jap sailors aboard, hadn't enough room to lie down so many had to sleep sitting up. I though how daft it was to guard lots of Japs with one rifle and a few rounds of ammunition. Jap officers passing all bow as they pass. I have to leave the Vigilant for the Ausonia, a depot repair ship when we get back to Trinco.
Sept. 17 Went on search party in afternoon. Had lots of clothing etc., and I have 83 fountain pens up to now.
Sept. 20 Last search of Japs today. Some of ships company still doing guard duty. Mail from home. The parcels I posted in Bombay arrived home on September 1st.
Sept. 21 Ceremonial party ashore in forenoon to take over the Naval barracks from the Japs. Chinese messmen left the ship. They were very good workers. The one who looked after our mess, had escaped to an island near, because he had attended a British school, and his fellow pupils who hadn't escaped had been killed. He told us many tales of torture by the Japs.
Sept. 22 1500, Left the naval harbour. Ship has had the use of two cars, two lorries, a bus, one motor cycle, and fifty bicycle's while we have been there. The electrician in charge had dressed the ship overall with lights from the dockyard store. We also had food, which in the end gave us some money back from the mess bill. 1830, Arrived alongside Oiler in main ( Kepple) harbour. Oiled
Sept. 23 0600, Went to anchorage. Divisions and church.
Sept. 24 Cleaning ship ready for painting. Film on board = Mark Twain.
Sept. 25 Painting ship with enamel paint from the dockyard.
Sept. 26 Leave until 2230 for one watch.
Sept. 30 13 men of Demob groups up to 28 left ship today for H.M.S. Nelson, who is ready to go home.
Oct. 1 Getting ready for sea in forenoon. 1500 Left Singapore. I had no chance of getting ashore.
Oct. 2 18 knots to Port Swettenham, Malaya. Arrived 1100. Distance covered 240 miles. 1130, Left. Calm sea today.
Oct. 3 1230 Arrived Sebang. Oiled from Cruiser Nigeria. 17 knots to Trinco after leaving at 1400. Distance covered on last journey 400 miles. Ship received signal regarding demob today, which says up to 45 groups will be out by June.
Oct. 4 Sea slightly rough today. Pay = 拢3-15-0.
Oct. 5 1800, Arrived Trinco, oiled. Lots of letters. Distance covered on journey 930 miles.
Oct. 6 Moved to buoy. Ship now has lights all over the upper deck at night.
Oct. 7 Divisions and Church. Distance covered on Vigilant since Dec. 22nd 1944= 41,724 miles.
Oct. 8 Packing kit and preparing for draft to H.M.S. Ausonia, Fleet Repair Ship. 1800, Left Vigilant.
Ausonia is a converted Passenger Liner, which can do repairs to ships of any kind, and is extensively equipped with all up to date tools and machinery. 600 in the ships company. In my previous story about H.M.S. Princess Astrid, I said she was a happy ship, and I made many friends. What can I say about the Vigilant ? = A working ship, and many adventures crammed into 10 months. I made many friends, but I apologise, due to age, I cannot remember many names, and realise I ought to have noted them. Whatever, the experience stood me in good stead in later life.
Oct. 9 First news of new ship seem good. Played Tombola and won 22/-, so perhaps that was the cause.
Oct. 10 Started watch keeping on the main electrical switchboard. Four hours on and off for 24 hours, then 24 hours off. Switch board is in the engine room, so I now get 1/6d a day extra. The job was to keep the two generator dials even on the board, which was very boring at night, I woke up once, after dozing, with one of the generators very low, and was lucky to rectify it before anyone found out.
Oct. 11 Have to work during forenoon when not on watch, and painted a crane today. Went aboard Vigilant for mail, but none there. Played Tombola.
Oct. 12 During the last few days I have been selling Jap clothing and pens, watches etc., and have made 拢31-12-0.
Oct. 15 Went ashore in Trinco. Had a good look around the village. Bought two Ebony Elephants. Had my palm read by an old native. None of it came true.
Oct. 18 Sent boots and shoes home. Was shown around ship, and learned to drive the crane. Ship seems very free and easy as regards dress, and it was a great change from the Vigilant.
Oct. 29. Went to pictures on board. They have two films a week, on the open upper deck.
Oct. 31 Pay 拢3-15-0.
Nov. 1 Went ashore to the canteen. Ration of beer is three pints a week now, but not worth drinking.
Nov. 2 Spent afternoon in the Reading room on the ship. Every kind of book here in a very good library.
Nov. 6 Went aboard Vigilant. All her higher demob group numbers getting a draft for out here.
Nov. 8. Groups up to 33 in the Seaman branch leave Ausonia today.
Nov. 12. Pictures on board. Saw Nottingham Council House on the news.
Nov. 15 Mail getting here pretty regular now.
Nov. 21 H.M.S. Woolwich, depot ship, went to Colombo for repairs. We are now the only depot ship here.
Nov. 23. I have been trying to get leave since joining the ship, but they cannot send any torpedo men, owing to the unexpected work now that we are the only repair ship here.
Nov. 25. Quite a lot of rain here now. On the Ausonia, I remember the Cockroaches, which were on every ship I was on, and one day, two natives came to our mess, with masks on, and sprayed it with a new thing called DDT. We swept the roaches up by the dustpan full.
Nov. 26 Destroyer Cavalier alongside for repairs.
Nov. 29 Pay 拢5-10-0. Put 拢4 in bank on board. Went to ENSA concert on the next ship.
Dec. 3 Sent home ebony elephants, cigars and sweets, tea etc.
Dec. 7 Heard that most of the Vigilant ship's company have had to leave her for other ships or shore base, so after all, I may have been one of them. Mail getting here in about seven days.
Dec. 13. Christmas greetings from home. Sent box of tea to future Mother in Law.
Dec. 14. New Captain on this ship now.
Dec. 17 Official news that group 46, will be out by May 6th next year.
Dec. 24 Decorated the mess with flags and lights for Christmas.
Dec. 25 Divisions and Church. Very poor day. Food good but not much of it.
Dec. 26. Captain spoke to ships company in an effort to get them to sign on full time. Some hopes.
Weather over Christmas very good. No rain, and clear skies. Temperature about 85%, with a nice breeze blowing.
Dec. 28 Went to concert done by some of the ships company. I was always amazed at the filthy songs, some of the men could remember.
Dec. 29 Quarterly settlement pay 拢8-12-6.
December 31st. 1945. The best day of all. My name on the list for draft to England on the 3rd January. Certainly a very great surprise.
Pay received during year. = 拢174. Saved 拢73-9-0 of it. Went down in weight from 11 stone 2 lb, to 9 stone 13 lb, due to the heat. I was Six Foot one inch tall, so fancy the others calling me Lofty. I didn't regain the weight until 1960, when I stopped smoking. I only stopped then because my Father died from it.
1946. Jan. 1 Last watch on Ausonia during the forenoon. Preparing for draft, although there is no relief torpedo man on board for me. Groups 38 to 44 Seamen branch on the same draft. Went to flicks on board.
Jan. 2 Packing kit. I had a large Japanese case full. A kit bag full of tools, and another smaller bag.
Jan. 3 Did draft routine. 1600, Left Ausonia, and took train to Colombo. Not a very good journey. Train like a pig sty, with seats of wood. My youngest brother, Geoff, called up for the Army.
Jan. 4 0630, Arrived Colombo. 0830, Arrived H.M.S. Mayina, Royal Naval Barracks and did joining routine. Terrible place. Food is the worst I have had. We live in huts of grass and leaves.
Jan. 5. It seems a long time since I caught the train from Nottingham to H.M.S. Ganges four years ago today.
Jan. 6 Divisions and Church. Duty Watch. Did night duty in Galley. Went to a very good concert.
Jan. 7 Went to an ENSA concert.
Jan. 8 Played Tombola.
Jan. 10 Draft. Left Mayina at 0900. Joined H.M.S. Bulolo at 1200 in harbour. She was a Landing Communication ship.
Jan. 11. Most aboard the ship are passengers, but as I was one of the first on, I was made Ships Company, and had to work as a seaman. Forecastle Division. 1st, Port Watch. The first ship I have been on that has Evening Quarters, and is run to a strict routine.
Jan. 12 0900, Left Colombo. Speed 12 knots. Sunny, and temperature 90% in the shade. On the way home.!! I was on the telegraph in the wheel house, when the helmsman asked the officer on watch if I could take the wheel. The officer on the watch turned out to be Lt. Com. George Bennison, who was 1st Lt on H.M.S. Princess Astrid, on his way home, so we got the permission.
Jan. 14 Keeping watch in wheel house as helmsman.
Jan. 15 Arrived Bombay. Washing paintwork in forenoon. Went ashore. Bought watch for Maisie, which never really worked. I remember the corner shop I bought it from, with at least 20 men fitting watches together on a long bench. Distance covered 840 miles.
Jan. 16 Painting ship in forenoon.
Jan. 17. Scrubbing decks in forenoon. Went ashore to pictures. 0700, Went alongside, took 320 passengers aboard.
Jan. 18 1000, Left jetty and anchored in harbour. 1800, Left Bombay. Speed 12 knots.
Jan. 19 Feeling unwell with stomach ache. Went to sick bay and saw doctor. Was given a tonic. Put clock back one hour.
Jan. 20 Divisions and church. Put clocks back one hour.
Jan. 22 Very hot today. 100% in the shade. Clocks put back half an hour.
Jan. 23 Sea still calm. Hot again.
Jan. 24. 0600, Arrived Aden. Took off despatches and stores. Distance covered 1600 miles. 1200, Left Aden at full speed of 13 knots.
Jan. 25 Reported to Doctor with stomach ache. Have to remain in the sick bay for a few days to have a complete rest. I remember the doctor said I could have an ulcer, but not to do anything about it until I was out of the Navy, as it might hold demob up. All the medical's I had in the Navy, he was the first one to ask me if I could pull my foreskin back, and made sure I did it. On leaving the Navy I reported to my doctor, who couldn't find anything wrong, but in 1947 I had some Ice Cream, which set off a terrific pain in my stomach. A lady doctor, gave me an injection, after I had brought blood up, and I have never had a problem since.
Jan. 26 Feel alright now, but still have to keep in bed. Put clocks back one hour.
Jan. 27 Out of sick bay and working as usual today. The reader must understand, that all my time in the Navy, I had never worked as a seaman before this, apart from a few days in barracks.
Jan. 28 Very cold today. temperature 64%. Wearing blue suits for the first time. 1200, Arrived Port Tufic, anchored for two hours and then carried on up the Suez Canal to anchor in the Bitter Lakes at 1800. Distance covered on journey 1348 miles. Pay = 拢6.
Jan. 29 We were going to move up the canal early in the morning, but a native fishing boat, (Flucca)was sunk in the canal and had to be moved. The first time the canal has been blocked for six years. Cold today.
Jan. 30 0800, Moved up canal. 1530, Tied up at buoy in Port Said. Duty Port watch, stored ship.
Jan. 31. Pictures on board, "Hollywood Canteen" Leave until midnight, but didn't go. Sun shining today but still cold.
Feb. 1 0900, Left Port Said at 12 knots. Strong wind blowing and sea rough. very rough in evening.
Feb. 2 Clocks back one hour.
Feb. 3 Divisions and Church. Not so rough today, warm in the sun.
Feb. 4 Very calm today. 1300, Arrived Malta. Distance covered 1100 miles. Went ashore until 2330.
Feb. 5 Staying here an extra day. Things very dear ashore. Clothing rationed and on coupons. Beer 1/6d a pint.
Feb. 6 1800, Left Malta at 13 knots. Very rough, seas breaking over the bridge, but the ship doesn't roll too much. During the night the sea ripped a roll of wire cable with the drum, weighing a ton, from the deck, pulling 12" bolts with it, and carried it over a large boat in the well deck, without touching the boat.
Feb. 7 1300, Passed Cape Bon. Filled in form for special foreign service leave.
Feb. 8 Not too rough today. Bought black cap, 3/2d, because we have orders to wear them from Gibraltar onwards.
Feb. 9 Clear sky. Had demob medical examination, not a very good one. Passed A1.
Feb. 10 0900, Arrived Gibraltar. Anchored. Went ashore. Most shops closed. Bought nuts and went to pictures. Distance covered 1000 miles.
Feb. 11 1800, Left Gibraltar. Surprisingly warm night.
Feb. 12 Sun shining all day. Very calm sea. Made customs declaration form out. Clocks put back one hour bringing us to GMT.
Feb. 13 Sea calm. A little colder. Sun shining all day.
Feb. 14. Was a little rough during the night, but calm today.. Pay. 拢3.
Feb. 15 Foggy and cold. A real English welcome. 0900, Anchored off Isle of Wight. 1300, Moved and anchored in Cowes Roads. Distance covered 1000 miles. Distance covered by me since leaving England in January 1945. = Approx. 48, 782 miles. Customs aboard., checking on passengers duty.
Feb. 16 Passengers left ship. A great day. Leave from 1330 to 1200 Monday 18th. I got to the dock gate which stood back, and waited until one of the sailors in front was called in the hut, and then did a quick move out of the gate. My case was so heavy, I couldn't grip it for more then a few minutes, and I nearly collapsed with it outside. Fortunately there were men with barrows wanting to help to the station, so I took advantage of it. I had a pack on my back, plus a kit bag and case. I didn't think I had anything to declare, but it would have delayed me, and I would have missed the train. Caught 1430 train from Portsmouth. Had a taxi across London and caught the 1758 from St Pancras. Arrived Nottingham 2050. Rang Maisie and she came to meet me at 2155. She came home with me for the night.
Feb. 17 Gave Maisie an Engagement ring, Watch and Bracelet. Caught 2325 train back to Portsmouth
and arrived there at 1100 on the 18th. Other watch on board went on 44 hours leave. One friend had blind boils all over his back, and the doctor gave him an injection of a new drug, Penicillin, telling him he wouldn't be able to go on leave because of the boils. On the 20th he was better, and went on leave.
Feb. 19 Long leave chits came round, and I go on the first leave
Feb. 20 14 Days leave from 1100. Pay 拢7.
After leave I was put in charge of the Bosons Store, and after various leave's we moved to Roseneath in Scotland on 27th March. After some requests to speed up my demob, I left the ship on April 27th, and was demobbed from Chatham on 2nd May. received clothing to the value of 拢27. Consisting of Suit, Raincoat, Two Shirts, Shoes, Tie, Hat, Cuff Links and Studs.
On 28th June I received War Gratuity & Post War Credit of 拢66-8-6d, for serving 1631 days, from a thankful government. Later on with six medals. The poorest paid, of all nations, and still the poorest paid as pensioners.
During that time I wrote 1520 letters home. Travelled about 75,000 Miles.