The Russian Convoys

Transcript

This document is a snapshot of content from a discontinued BBC website, originally published between 2002-2011. It has been made available for archival & research purposes only. Please see the foot of this document for Archive Terms of Use. 14 May 2012 Accessibility help Text only BBC Homepage Wales Home The Russian Convoys more from this section Last updated: 25 September 2009 World War Two Aran Morris from Borth joined the Royal Navy at the start of WW2. He took part in Dunkirk and D-Day but spent BBC Local most of his time with the Mid Wales Russian Convoys, protecting Things to do the cargo ships carrying People & Places supplies across Arctic seas. Mr Nature & Outdoors Morris was awarded the MBE in the 2008 New Year's Honours History List. Religion & Ethics Mr Morris died, aged 90, on 13 September 2009: Arts & Culture Music TV & Radio Local BBC Sites News Sport Weather Travel Neighbouring Sites North East Wales More about Aran Morris by BBC News... Aran Morris from Borth: "I started my naval career when the war broke out. I had a choice of three services - the army, the air force and the navy and I thought the air force wasn't my thing, I thought the army was too dangerous so I joined the navy. North West Wales My first trip believe it or not was to Dunkirk in a motor boat to get the BEF forces off the beaches. It was a little motor South West Wales boat called the Barnum Nostrum. I said to the chap who was driving it that I was glad to see all our planes up in the sky. Related BBC Sites He turned to me and said: Wales South East Wales Cymru Canolbarth   "Not one of those planes is ours - they're Germans! So get out the ackack!" We had three rifles and it was like trying to shoot ducks three rifles against the might of the German airforce. We made it to the other side and we picked up about 12 chaps. It's so long ago, but I can remember visually, in my own mind, what it was like. It was my first trip to sea and across the beaches of Dunkirk, there was a hell of a pall of black smoke and I thought 'God, are we going over there...' I was 19 or 20 years old and I thought by goodness, if this is the war, well look out - I'll be in the back and they'll be cheering the chaps in the front. But it didn't work out like that at all. Looking back on it now, it seems like a great big story - but it was absolutely true. We had three days survivors leave when we came back so I went home for three days and then got back to barracks again after three days and was drafted out to the Indian ocean. To get there, we had to go to Scotland and join the Queen Mary, the big liner. We took passage there to Cape Town. On the way there, we had a gale. I thought the Queen Mary would never shift but she did and I was seasick for four days. Eventually we got to Cape Town and went by train from there to Durban, across the mighty Karoo desert. It took us a couple or three days to get there. We drank the canteen dry A Childhood Prank A London Lass ATA in Action Action in El Alamein Air Raid Fear Battle of Arakan, Burma David's Dunkirk Exchanging Eggs From Anfield to Capel Bangor From Kent to Cardigan From Scapa Flow to Singapore Land Army Llandod's Loudspeaker Van Llwyndafydd Days Mulberry Harbours No Glory in War Nursing in the East Paraffin Cakes Passage From India Rations and the Blackout Spoils of War Stars in Battledress Student Days The Battle of Kohima The Fire Warden The Paratrooper The Russian Convoys Training in Aberystwyth Wartime Memories from Hay Wartime Romance on the train. From Durban, we went to Mombassa by boat. All they cooked on board that thing was curry - and I've never liked curry since. It was curry for breakfast, dinner, tea and supper. We saw a bit of action in the Indian Ocean. We steamed into Mogadishu (Italian Somalia) but got out rather smartly. We got back down to Mombassa again and by that time, about 18 months had gone and we were given a draft chit to come back to England again." Read Aran's memories of the Russian Convoys: "I've been to hell and back and I know what it's like..." your comments Lynne Gough My father Charles Kimpton was on the Oribi, he passed away many years ago, I was born after the war, and never knew much about what my dad endured during the war, if anyone knew him, I'd love to hear your story. Wed Apr 14 13:30:43 2010 dan robinson, preston my grandad served on hms zealous his name was henry turner and worked in torpedo room would love to hear from anyone who knows him , many thanks. Fri Apr 9 10:18:46 2010 Anita Smith My late father Jack Howard served on the Orobi.would love to hear from anyone who may have known him Sat Feb 27 12:32:45 2010 gotzs I feel very proud and salute all of them for their bravery Tue Aug 18 16:37:46 2009 Kieron Hoare Have traced the date that HMS Mahratta and few other ships were in the center pages of the Sunday Pictorail, can't wait to get a copy and read about these ships..They were also on the Convoy Runs Wed May 13 13:26:29 2009 Ian Snell from Okehampton, Devon My Grandfather Edward (Ted) Dart served on the Oribi in the Arcic Convoy's, does anyone have any memories, photo's etc of him. He died when I was just one year old so I never knew him but his widow (my Nan)still lives and it would be great if we had more info. Tue May 12 16:58:54 2009 John Marshall from Exeter Ontario Canada My father Walter marshall was a stoker aboard the Mahratta.My mother never spoke of the ordeal and therefore I never got the history of the ship or the crew...Too bad for me! A piece of history has passed me by. Sun Mar 29 18:06:56 2009 Francis McLennan Bushey My Cousin James McIlravie was only 18 when he lost his life inthe sinking of the Mahratta. Wonder if any survivor remembers this young Kirkcaldy ladddie. Fri Dec 12 11:11:58 2008 Jenny Byrne from Cheshire My uncle Thomas Byrne Died on the HMS Mahratta did anyone know him? I would love to hear more about him.Thanks Jenny Tue Aug 26 09:16:27 2008 Jennifer Jones My uncle Samuel lost his life on this day as did many of his friends. His name - JONES, Samuel E, Ordinary Seaman, D/JX 649439, MPK. I'd like to hear from anyone that cares about the brave that gave so much for us. Fri Jun 27 09:07:16 2008 Karen Treharne from Clydebank Scotland, now in Can My uncle Hugh Starkey died on the Mahratta in 1944, and I hoped that if there were any survivors left today, if they knew him. He was from Clydebank, and died when he was 21. I found the website on HMS Mharatta by Peter Hoare, to be most helpful. Wed May 28 15:43:01 2008 Kieron Hoare. South Wales Nick Bates please contact me through my web pages HMS Mahratta on yahoo, the one on top.Me and Catherine Smith might me able to help. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Sun Apr 20 19:36:12 2008 Kieron Hoare, South Wales Catherine Smith. please contact me through my web page. search HMS Mahratta . will find me on top. Fri Apr 18 14:51:56 2008 Catherine Smith, South Wales My father lost his life when the HMS Mahratta went down. His name was Donald Mc Ewan, I have found one of the survivors who I keep in touch with. His name is Jack Humble and I see that Nick Bates would like to get in touch with him. Please help me get in touch with Mr. Bates and anyone who knew my father Thu Apr 17 15:51:36 2008 Chris from Wednesbury I love to hear stories from sailors . At the age of 16 i so longed to join the navy i love ships and the sea but my dad got me an apprentiship building buses . Please let me hear more from the men or women nowadays of their adventures around the world . My son is 14 and i would love to see him to join the navy you only live once. Tue Apr 15 14:01:29 2008 Jack Syson from Harrogate I was a young 19 year old C.W.candidate(a fancy title for an officer cadet) onboard H.M.S Obedient G24 escorting a convoy to Russia when I saw - at a distanceH.M.S. Maharatta on fire and obviouslygoing to sink - by the time we reached her the ship had sunk. I do not think manyseamen would survive those cold waters.My best wishes to those of you who did survive and have not yet gone to heaven.Jack Wed Apr 9 10:02:06 2008 Johnny Hammond from Southport I joined the NAAFI in 1941 when I was 14 to get away from my father. I felt Hitler was the lesser of the two evils. at 16 I joined the RN and two weeks later joined HMS Devonshire. based in Scapa Flow I was in the home fleet action in the sinking of the tirpitz. 1944 I was aboard the destroyer HMS Oribi G66 (se email address)on russian convoys. Horrendous. wounded at 17 1/2 I was in hospital to the week before VEday. I was posted to the far east, but by that time the Japanese were getting ready to quit... my time aboard Oribi, terrifying as it was, were the best days of my life. I came from demob, punched my dad on the chin and life became a bowl of cheries. I'm 79 and a happy man. Tue Mar 20 09:35:41 2007 Tina Mann My beloved Grandfather William (Jock) Brackenridge a Stoker was a survivor on the HMS Mahratta when it sunk. I am wanting to keep his memory alive as he past some time ago. Does anyone remember this Scotsman! Thu Jan 18 16:10:08 2007 Nick Bates, Highland I would like to get in touch with Jack Humble re the sinking of HMS Mahrtta can any body help with that? Sun Jan 7 20:06:03 2007 Kieron Hoare Any family members of HMS Mahratta should search the web site for HMS Mahratta G23. Loads of information about the crew and ship. Thu Dec 21 09:53:46 2006 Marie Pankhurst, Ilford, Essex My grandfather, Lieutenant (E) J W McCullagh DSC RN went down on HMS Mahratta on 25.2.44. I would be so grateful to know if anybody out there knew him or remembers him as all I have is a photo and a few anecdotes from family members (cousins etc). Thank you. Tue Dec 19 09:36:56 2006 Nina Wheeler Cornwall I am looking on behalf of my mother in law for any relatives of Edward James Parpworth who went down with the Mahratta she was a young war widow as Ted was only 20 years old when he died and he came originally from Twickenham Mon Nov 20 10:09:10 2006 Edwin Astin, Bradford, Yorkshire I am writing this on behalf of my father Edwin Astin who joined the navy in 1942 when he was 17. He was on the Mahratta when it sunk in 1944. He is now almost 82 and is in poor health. Mon Nov 13 10:06:42 2006 Jack Humble from Co.Durham I was on the Hms Mahratta when it sank February 1944. I'm 80 years old now. I was 18 then, I think it is a long shot because I saw a lot of my friends die but I'm looking for any other survivors. Fri Oct 13 10:13:48 2006 daverto bonjo from telford have you got a son called Mr Morris who used to be a school teacher at Borth? Mon May 22 15:15:20 2006 14 May 2012 Accessibility help Text only BBC Homepage Wales Home BBC Local Mid Wales Things to do People & Places Nature & Outdoors History Religion & Ethics Arts & Culture Music TV & Radio Local BBC Sites News Sport Weather The Russian Convoys more from this section Last updated: 22 February 2006 World War Two Read more about the war memories of Aran Morris from Borth. Here, he recalls the years he spent on the Russian Convoys, protecting cargo ships carrying supplies across Arctic seas. Aran Morris from Borth in Ceredigion: "In 1941, I was sent up to Scotland to Scapa Flow to join the 'Onslaught', a destroyer, and I thought, well, this is fine, I love the sea anyway, and I thought nobody would ever catch us in the 'Onslaught' because we moved so fast. We could do about 40 knots - and that's going some! Then we were called to join the Russian Convoys, guarding the cargo ships which were taking supplies to the Russians. Travel The only thing I can say about the Russian convoys is that I don't seem to be frightened any more of my religion because I've been to hell and back and I know what it's like. People North West Wales have to go up there to know what it's like. When you start South East Wales talking about it and describing conditions, they say - 'he's South West Wales shooting one hell of a line' you know, but that's not true. It's all absolutely gospel true. Neighbouring Sites North East Wales Related BBC Sites Wales Cymru Canolbarth   It used to get so cold on board ship. The temperature would fall to about minus 30 degrees and it used to freeze everything up - even the oil supplying the galley fire. We had two chefs who cooked for us. With the ship movement as well - rolling and climbing over 30 ft waves - it was impossible to cook so the only hot thing we were able to have were tins of soup. We'd open up 6 or 12 tins and put them in a bucket and take them down to the boiler room and put the steam jet on them, just like Antoniazzi (an Italian café in Aberystwyth.). It was the only way of getting anything warm. The thirteenth of September (1942) I think it was, there were about 40 ships in the convey and we had the biggest hiding we ever got up there. We lost a quarter of the convoy in about 15 minutes in air attacks and submarine attacks. They were torpedoeing about 80 at a time. There was no hope in hell we could do anything about it. The Germans were flying so low, you could literally see the fellow driving the aeroplane. Of course, the guns in the escort were all depressing and so the shots were coming quite near you as well. As I said, we lost quarter of the convoy in 15 minutes and that really is terrible to see - ships going down, especially with chaps in the water as well which is just on freezing. You just had to watch them drown. There was no way of picking them all up. We picked about three or four up but that was about all. They had ropes around their shoulders and they couldn't sort of move their arms and grab the pole. It really was pathetic, A Childhood Prank A London Lass ATA in Action Action in El Alamein Air Raid Fear Battle of Arakan, Burma David's Dunkirk Exchanging Eggs From Anfield to Capel Bangor From Kent to Cardigan From Scapa Flow to Singapore Land Army Llandod's Loudspeaker Van Llwyndafydd Days Mulberry Harbours No Glory in War Nursing in the East Paraffin Cakes Passage From India Rations and the Blackout Spoils of War Stars in Battledress Student Days The Battle of Kohima The Fire Warden The Paratrooper The Russian Convoys Training in Aberystwyth Wartime Memories from Hay Wartime Romance it really was. Oh dear, when I think of it sometimes, it's a bit disturbing but there we are, I get on with it... We saw one called the Mary Luckenbach. She was a huge tanker carrying petrol and ammunition to Russia and she was torpedoed. There was a bloody big bang and a big pall of smoke. There wasn't anything left of her. It was something you can't forget. I was a fatalist. I thought, if anything hits us, I hope to God it hits right where I am. There were eight of us destroyers in the flotilla, all beginning with 'O'. The fellow who led us was on the Onslow. We were also involved in the Battle of the North Cape, again protecting a convoy. The fellow who led us and who was in command of the 17th flotilla we were in, Captain Sir Richard Sherbrooke, was awarded the VC - and of course, you don't get the VC for nowt, do you? He was on the bridge and he lost an eye. He was a brave bloke. You like to read about these brave chaps but you don't think it's going to happen to you. The combined mileage of the flotilla during the Russian Convoys was over a million miles. We went through tremendous seas. You'd be going up, climbing up and you'd get half over the top and then you'd crash down into the wave, into the trough all the time. The biggest waves were about 30-40ft high. From Scappa Flow, we'd go to Iceland where we'd top up with oil, on to Bear Island, then the North Cape and round the corner to Murmansk. In the winter time, it would be dark all the time. In the summer, you could read Beano at 2 o'clock in the morning - it was light all the time. In the winter, we had to come down further south because of the ice cap. We had to hug the North Cape where the Germans were but in the summer time the ice cap would go back so we had more mileage and more room to turn the corner and get into Murmansk. I was on the Russian convoys nearly to the end of the war. When we had a couple of days boiler clean or whatever they used to call it, I used to come back to Borth and you wouldn't know there was a war on. It was that quiet and peaceful. Even the blackout wasn't strictly adhered to. As long as the lights were off on the road where the fella used to walk up and down, all the lights were on in the back, in the back yard." Back to Part 1 of Aran's war memories... your comments stevenraymond bunce from walsall west midlands my nans brother an irishman from salthill county galway was killed in action on the hms onslow 31st of december 1943 during the battle of the barent sea when onslow came under fire from the german ship hipper if any of you have any information regardin able seaman matthew keane please email me as im trying to make a tribute to him for my nan. god bless all here and many thanks. Mon Apr 5 21:00:05 2010 Eric Evans, Fleet I did my time at Polyarnoe and at the TX nearly backing on to the ice rink, our pay was doubled and our leave was also doubled when we came home. I have made some friends out there and i have been back several times with my wife, we have laid a wreath at the cementry. Wed Mar 24 14:56:25 2010 Vicki Garner from London This is for Rob Fordyce from South Africa. My Great Uncle, Robert Barratt also survived the HMS Somali, he was a Gunner so his hearing was shot. He was also in the Arctic Convoys. Sadly he has died now, but in 2006 I was sent some information from another relative of an HMS Somali survivor. I could pass this on if you like. Wed Mar 24 13:16:11 2010 Vicki Garner from London This is for Rob Fordyce from South Africa. My Great Uncle, Robert Barratt also survived the HMS Somali, he was a Gunner so his hearing was shot. He was also in the Arctic Convoys. Sadly he has died now, but in 2006 I was sent some information from another relative of an HMS Somali survivor. I could pass this on if you like. Wed Mar 24 10:04:50 2010 Ian Snell, Devon My Grandad served in the Arctic Convoys onboard HMS Oribi, unfortunately he died when I was just two years old so I would love to know more and if anyone has any photographs with him in it would be great.His name was Edward (Ted) Dart. Wed Feb 10 13:44:16 2010 Roger Julien Just just found your site which mentions HMS Onslow!!I have been doing family history & recall my mother telling me when I was very young how she lost her beloved brother Wilfred Albert Kendall.a petty officer who was killed on the Onslow, it seems the ship had a terrible time of it in January 1943!He was my uncle that died 3 years before I was born!! Regards, Roger Julien ps My mother was Ivy Kendall from Plymouth, Devon Mon Jan 18 09:17:17 2010 Diane Junor from Bury My father, Roy Haworth, was a chief Artificer on the Onslow. He was awarded the DSM for his actions during the battle of Barents Sea. He will not talk about the horrors he and everyone else endured at this time. Like a lot of people I am trying to piece together more about this part of Naval history. If anyone can help I would be grateful.. There is a book by Dudley Pope "73 North" that writes about the Arctic Convoys. It is out of print but second hand copies can be found. Tue Jan 5 10:01:38 2010 Roger Blake from Norfolk My father was Alfred Blake from Norwich in Norfolk. I was only very young when he was killed in action in September 1942. He was serving on HMS Leda as a Petty Officer Stoker on the Russian Convoys. Thanks Aran it was so interesting to read your memories. I have only recently started to look at sites to gain whatever information I can as my knowledge obviously is very limited. Mon Nov 2 08:20:05 2009 Susan Pollard, Dorset My father ronald jones from the rhondda valley, south wales serverd in the russion convoys, although my father would never discuss this in great detail, i do know he serverd on board h.m.s. byard which was a loan lease from america. I am so proud of him and all the many other seamen who also went through those horrendous times for us all. If anyone has the smallest bit of info, or advice where i can get infor i would be really grateful. Mon Aug 31 15:33:43 2009 Marina Harvey. London Has any one information on the PORTSEA which hit a mine and sunk off Ancona in July 1944.Ship was carrying high octane and aircraft lubricating oil. My brother Henry Cremore just 19 died along with 25 crew. Thanks Mon Aug 31 15:32:58 2009 kieron hoare. maesteg Mandy, there is a lot of information on HMS Mahratta. search the net. Thu Jul 30 13:34:09 2009 Mandy Bardwell Lowestoft My Uncle, Robert Hotston, was the Canteen Manager on HMS Mahratta. He was killed when it was attacked by U boat. My father Edward Fitzsimmmons was a stoker (on we think HMS Camellia) who was also on the Russian Convoys. Funnily enough, I have recently found out that my father was also stationed at Lowestoft for part of the war. Thu Jul 23 09:41:31 2009 Isabel Pipe Irvine, Ayrshire my father in law jack pipe was on the russian convoys on h.m.s marnei have lots of pictures of the crew also postcards he sent from all his travels he was english and came from gosport Sun Jun 7 20:35:39 2009 Gordon Clark It is great joy to read these first hand accounts of what went on, these events must never be forgotten. My Grandfather, Captain Gordon Clark, was Master of SS Empire Elgar on Convoy PQ16 returning Convoy was RA59A; Unfortunately he died when I was only 4 so I have no memories of him but reading about the Arctic Convoys inspired me to do 2 websites about his service in WW1 and WW2, so any infoanyone has will be most welcome Tue Apr 14 09:55:32 2009 Peggy Stoker My Husband Don Stoker served on Impulsive. He told me that Impulsive was one of the Russian Convoy Escorts. I have tried to get details on this but so far have not had much luck. I do know that an E Boat was sunk while he was serving on board and I think that was on Convoy Duty. If anybody has more information I will be very grateful to have it. Sun Feb 22 19:29:09 2009 Rob Fordyce from South Africa Hello all. I'm currently looking into my dad's WW2 "escapades" in the Russian Convoys. He served on the HMS Enterprise, HMS Somali and HMS Farndale between 1939 and '43 and went by the name John Fordyce.(DingwallFordyce). Anybody with any info or knowledge of him? Would be good to hear from you. Tue Jan 6 09:46:12 2009 Bill Grier, Livingston To John Place, Pontefract.John, the convoys continued into 1945 even after the war ended. Captian Browning took Onslow and Obdurate on escort for JW67 and arrived in Kola Inlet on 20 May 1945. They left again 3 days later with RA76 the return convoy and the last to to depart from Kola. If he was aboard at that time he certainly was on the 'Russian Run'. Have you applied for the Arctic Emblem? Your father is entitled to one. If you contact the Vavy with his details they'll send you one. it takes a bit of time but it is a beautiful little thing. Google it and see. Thu Dec 11 10:24:49 2008 Marion Stone Kiwi based in Oxford. I too am very proud to say that my father Thomas Ernest Stone served on the 'Empire Pickwick' I had no idea that he was a war hero as he never really talked about the war. I didn't ask either. I am researching his life while I am visiting the UK. This has been a wonderful journey into his humble yet heroic life. He left the UK for New Zealand and never returned to his birth place in Leeds. I now have a lovely collection of his medals. The Arctic Embem being the anticlimax to say the least. I'm reading the book 'Arctic Convoys' by Richard Woodman. Mind boggling! Sat Dec 6 18:14:53 2008 Peter King Salterforth Barnoldswick My uncle Bob (Bob Schofield) served on HMS Impulsive on several Russian convoys, most notably PQ18. The conditions he describes are hardly believable. Icicles in the engine room, next to 3 boilers and 35,000 HP steam tubines. Having to hack ice off decks and rigging. Bob says the only thing that kept him going was the rum ration. I'm ever so proud of my uncle Bob. I would like to say a heart felt thanks to all you seamen who served on the Murmansk run. Fri Dec 5 16:44:51 2008 Peter King Salterforth Barnoldswick My uncle Bob (Bob Schofield) served on HMS Impulsive on several Russian convoys, most notably PQ18. The conditions he describes are hardly believable. Icicles in the engine room, next to 3 boilers and 35,000 HP steam tubines. Having to hack ice off decks and rigging. Bob says the only thing that kept him going was the rum ration. I'm ever so proud of my uncle Bob. I would like to say a heart felt thanks to all you seamen who served on the Murmansk run. Fri Dec 5 16:44:49 2008 John Place, Pontefract. My father Richard Place, served on HMS Onslow in May 1944 as a Temporary Petty Office. Would he have been on the Russian Convoys at that time ? Fri Nov 28 09:46:09 2008 Bill Grier, Livingston To: Chris Timms, Southampton, UKChris, I don't know whether you'll get this or not but as you'll see in the threads below, my father served on HMS Onslow. Over the past few years I've been investigating his time aboard and I've shared many email with your uncle Eric. in fact he sent me many documents and pictures, one of which shows my father. Eric didn't know him but I do wish I'd known he was home, I owe him so much! Sun Oct 26 17:45:17 2008 David Tutton, Santa Pola, Spain I was only four at the time, but I remember when my father was home on leave from H.M.S Gossamer. My mother, brother and I had to go to the infectious disease department in Portsmouth to be treated for scabies. It seemed great fun at the time. But looking back it just shows another side of the hardships that our men went through. Sadly my father was killed on H.M.S. Gossamer when she was bombed In the Kola Inlet in 1942. Tue Oct 14 12:58:13 2008 Chris Timms, Southampton, UK My Uncle Eric Timms was a signalman on the HMS Onslow during his time in the Arctic fleet and he is now visiting the UK for the first time in 40 years since emmigrating to Canada. If anyone knew him or knows someone that knew him it would be great to hear from you. Wed Sep 24 19:23:28 2008 Alan Todd from Tarvin Chester My Father , Frederick Arthur Todd served on HMS Marne and kept a diary of his experiences during the Russian convoy PQ18. In it he describes the sinking of the Mary Luckenbach. A copy of his diary can be seen by going to Google, type in HMS Marne and it is the third article. Mon Jun 30 09:59:05 2008 carolyn jones (nee Ellis) My father, Bob,R.W.Ellis, was on the convoys in HMS .Hazard and later,1943, in Seagull,as lt.-commander. For DDay he was 1st flotilla mine sweepers, and after that operation sweeping the n. sea estuaries in HMS. Lyme Regis. Dad lived a long and healthy life in Liverpool and died aged 96. He had many tales to tell often talking until the early hours. so glad I found this site, it would be good to hear from any crew members who remember him and their shared joys and horrors. Mon May 26 21:19:29 2008 Donald Hart. Baltimore USA My brother, Leslie Hart of Hereford, was a "sparks" on the Onslought thro' a two to three year period as noted and is a member of an old comrades' group from the Onslought. Is Aran in touch with this group? I think many of the lads have died and there is now more emphasis on the "O" group as a whole. Mon May 5 20:16:20 2008 Margaret Lewis from Whitstable, Kent I would love to get in touch with Anne Milton from Ballymena as my father has tried for some time to trace any relatives of his friend 'Ernie' Mather, who went down with the Mahratta. He remembers that Ernie made a wonderful job of repairing his pyjamas when my dad fell asleep with a cigarette in his mouth and burnt the collar. Wed Feb 27 10:08:13 2008 Jacqueline Mead, Walthamstow, London Dear AranMy late father, Albert Bolton was based at Scappa Flow during the war. He was assigned as the ship's assistant cook becoming cook. He would rarely talk about the war. It came to light recently through his brother that dad was on the Murmansk convoys. In going through his paperwork the only document I have found is a statement of Naval Service but it does name the ship he was on. Attached to this statement is a letter from my dad (dated 17 October 1980) addressed to the Naval Medal Office, Bath saying that he had joined the Corps of Commissionaires and asking them t! o forward on his medals to him. Looking through his things, I am not sure whether they were ever received. I would love to find out more than his Statement of Naval Service and if anyone reading this can point me forward to the right direction of finding out more about his ship/service etc I would be very grateful. Thank you. The only other memory he told me of Scappa Flow was his fondness for an Islay whiskey. I think that it what it was called. Mon Feb 25 08:14:01 2008 Alison Webster, Aylesbury It was interesting to read your recollections as my late father (Dennis Webster) served on Russian Convoys also on board the Vindex (see John Crowther's comment). I remember him talking about Rear Admiral McGrigor. Tue Jan 15 13:19:27 2008 Bill Symington from Canberra I am currently reading "The Arctic Convoys 1941-1945" by Richard Woodman, 531p, published 1994 by John Murray (Publishers) Ltd of 50 Albermarle St, London, W1X 4BD. The book appears to be extremely well researched, the author having tracked down many veterans of the merchant and naval services. He has also researched the archives of nations involved including the German. There is a tremendous amount of detailed info about (possibly all) the ships and escorts of all the convoys and various personalities as well as conditions in and around Murmansk and Archangel. The book caught my eye at the local gov 0library the other day and I took it out on spec. I have barely been able to put it down since. It inspired me to google the internet for more info and I came across this site. Hope this helps. Cheers all Tue Dec 18 09:17:04 2007 Kieron, Wales Caroline Gibbs from Cheltenham, Glocs.Contact the Mod Navy Dept.They might give you his history service. Mon Nov 19 08:01:37 2007 Carl Harris from Marple, Stockport Dear Mr Morris, My grandfather Albert Harris served on HMS Onslow and was wounded during The Battle of Barents Sea Convoy JW 51B,losing most of his left leg from shrapnel.I think Grandad was a gunner or involved with the turret,but I am not sure.I am trying to trace further details about this battle and my grandad's involvement.Grandad never talked about it much and when he did I was too young to understand.One thing grandad did talk about was fishing for big silver fish. I would be very grateful for any information you could supply me with. Tue Nov 13 09:12:49 2007 Caroline Gibbs from Cheltenham, Glocs. Please could you ask Aran Morris from Borth if he can remember if HMS Jaguar was involved in the Russian convoy. It was a J class destroyer. We have a relative who served on the Jaguar and we are trying to trace his war service. Thank you very much. Caroline Gibbs Tue Oct 16 13:37:45 2007 Colin McDougall, Germany 13 September, 1942 - that was PQ 18. My Dad (died 2005) was there too - as leading stoker on the Flower Class corvette HMS Bergamot. The battle started September 13 and never stopped till the convoy - what was left of it - reached Russia 10 days later. Must have been Hell! Wed Sep 26 08:17:25 2007 Anne Milton, Ballymena I am really interested in the HMS Marhatta, as my husband's grandfather, was a petty stoke officer. His name was James Stanley Mather, he was onboard the HMS Marhatta when she was hit by the torpedo, unfortunately, he was one of the people who lost their lives onboard, I would be really interested to hear from you if you remember him, as would love to know what he was like as he was only 30years old when he died, so my husband never knew his Grandfather. Thu Jul 19 09:30:44 2007 Bill Grier, Livingston My father served aboard HMS Onslow under Capt Sherbrooke. He died in 1976 and this being the 30th anniversary of his death. I'm trying to collect information on her exploits. My father never spoke too much about what he went through but she does seem to have been a busy ship. Churchill described these men as 'the bravest of the brave. Mon Nov 13 10:07:58 2006 Kieron Hoare, Maesteg, South Wales Great Reading, wife's grandfather died on the Russian Convoys, he served on board HMS Mahratta. Fri Sep 15 09:09:42 2006 Margaret Black, Leeds My late Father served on the Russian convoys, (I believe he was on the Gossamer) my children and myself were interested to read your memories. Mon Jul 3 12:33:47 2006 Joseph Alan Roberts, Fairfax, Virginia,USA Thanks Aran for a first-rate eye-witness account. My dad, Joseph Thomas Roberts, was an Electician's Mate on "Hell's Holocaust" (motto only, I don't know her commissioned name) a U.S. destroyer in the Italian campaign under your illustrious Gen. Montgomery, and shelled and beat Sicily, but you really "went to hell and back" to protect our allies, the Russians, the poor guys! Thanks again. (P.S. I'm the 5th Joseph, the first one was a slubber from Pudsey, N. Yorksh. Riding. Cheers, Aran!) Mon Jun 12 09:10:07 2006 Paul Waring from the Wirral, now living near Aberystwyth My grandfather was on the Duke of York, right through the war and was on board during the Battle of the North Cape. Clement Waring. Tue Feb 14 12:42:58 2006 Chris Watkin from Northwich My father (Walter Watkin - now deceased) served on the HMS Onslow (Leading Stoker). In 1995, I took him to a village in Nottinghamshire which had been the home of Captain Sherbrooke. There in the village Church hung the Battle Flag of the Onslow during this action, together with the story of the battle and reference to Capt Sherbrooke's VC - later he became Sherrif of Nottingham. Sat Jan 7 20:57:19 2006 John Crowther, Aylesbury I was also on Russian Convoys Aran and I enjoyed your story and as you say it was quite true. I was on the Vindex and we sailed with you on some convoys. Sat Sep 17 21:54:05 2005 This site is now closed and cannot accept new comments. Archive Terms of Use This document is made available for archival or reference purposes and should only be used for private (non-commercial) purposes. These pages may contain materials or content which do not belong to the BBC and in particular materials or content which belong to members of the public whose identities may or may not be known. Whilst the BBC had the necessary rights, permissions and clearances to include and publish them as part of the former 'Where I Live' BBC website, the BBC may not have the right to allow users to use, copy or exploit them or to distribute them to others. No such usage is permitted and the BBC cannot process requests for permission to do so. For more information about deleted or discontinued web pages on the BBC, go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/help/web/mothballing/