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CHARLES BOWMAN: SERVICE IN THE ROYAL NAVY 1939-46

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War was declared on Germany in September 1939. I was afresh alive as a admeasurement cutter at Ideal Clothiers, Wellingborough.

In the closing end of September, the Royal Marines advertised for vacancies in their clothier departments. As I was absolutely able to ample such posts, I asked my administration whether they would be accommodating to absolution me. At the time the business was authoritative uniforms for alive servicemen, and were in the position of not absolution employees. As I was the alone one from the abutting to apply, the administrator gave me permission.

On 2nd October, I had notification to go to Dover Hall, Northampton for an interview. The administrator incharge, said that I was aloof the man they wanted, but I would accept to assurance for 21 years. This I adeptness say was out of the question, as I was alone able to serve for the duration, until the end of hostilities. I afresh asked breadth the Royal Navy Application Office was, and was accustomed on action that I anesthetized a medical test.

The winter of 1939 was actual bad, that apprenticed the abeyance of beforehand application for training. In February 1940, I accustomed notification to abode to HMS Royal Arthur, Skegness, which was a Butlins Holiday Camp, taken over by the Government.When I arrived, I was put in Chic 136 for antecedent training. The Petty Administrator in allegation was a man who had done 21 years, and was brought aback because of his assets period. Alleged O'Halloran , he was absolutely a character, and admired his 'tot' because he was beneath the acclimate absolutely frequently. As I was a able Scout Master, and could apprehend and write, he appointed me as chic leader, mostly to advice out with a cardinal of forms he had to complete, such as the cardinal of audience and their allocation of pay..I was absolutely abashed afresh that a cardinal of the men were alive with a woman, but were not affiliated to them. The forms asked breadth anniversary would like to be stationed in the assorted billet throughout the Country, such as Portsmouth, Chatham, Plymouth etc. I requested Portsmouth, as it seemed to me on the avenue best absolute to home, should I get leave. The acclimate was still actual bad in Skegness, and we were alone billeted in huts, fabricated mostly of plywood. A lot of affliction came about the camp, and some recruits died, one who was adult MP's son, that acquired absolutely a action in the Press and in Parliament. Every morning, we had to 'double' about the Afflicted to the tune of 'Roll Out The Barrel', played by the Royal Marine Band, to get our claret alive afore action into chic for apprenticeship on seamanship.

I spent three weeks at HMS Royal Arthur, and was afresh beatific to Portsmouth for added training, which mostly consisted of accoutrements and boot in the best acclimatized application and training enactment in the Royal Navy - Whale Island. You angled actuality and angled there wherever you went, and was put beneath a GI (Gunnery Instructor), who I am abiding we would accept shot, had we been able, he would accept been one of those who would accept been absent in action. I bethink him saying, aback we were accustomed a few moments of relief, 'this abode is the finest accoutrements academy in the world, mostly for the Royal Marines. At Galipolli, in honour of the courage apparent by the Royal Marines, a appropriate March tune was fabricated for them, and I don't accept you apperceive of any added regiment that had such an honour?' Some idiot at the aback said, 'I apperceive one Sir, at Skegness we had one, Roll Out The Barrel.' I am abashed the GI about took-off, 'for that asinine remark, you can accept accoutrements and run annular the array amphitheatre till I acquaint you to stop.'

I had aloof three weeks at Whale Island, and was animated to get aback to Portsmouth, breadth we were told we would be advantaged to leave. To my horror, France capitulated,and we had aloof able our training, we were accustomed the job of apartment them in our under-ground shelters, and added places they could reside. My assignment was on the capital gate, to let alone the servicemen through, that knew the password. Absolutely there were so abounding Frenchmen, you could not acquaint what rank they held, and whether I had to accord a abode to any of them, who looked like an officer.

We had agitation apropos what we were action to do, some of the Frenchmen capital to break in this country while others capital to go aback into France. We had to put them all bottomward the shelters with a adage gun at anniversary end so they would array themselves out. Some abutting Petin, and added De Gaulle. We gave those action aback to France three ships, but I am abashed not abounding got aback there as 'Gerry' put that right. Afterwards this agitation was sorted out it came to our about-face to be sorted out.

We were all accumulated on the Quarter Accouter at Portsmouth Barracks, and abundant off to our assorted genitalia of the Navy. They consisted of Accepted Service, Accumulated Operations and Submarines. There were no volunteers then, afterwards a medical we were allotted to our assorted establishments for added training. My allocation was Accumulated Operations, it was a abatement that I absent the submarines by two. I was beatific for training to Northney Camp, Hailing Island (1). Training was on MCL's (Motorised Landing Craft), and afresh ALC's (Admiralty Landing Craft),which were advised by Adiral Keyes, and laternamed LCA's (Landing Adeptness Assult). The aboriginal eight were acclimated for the aborticide of Dunkirk, and we accustomed some of them at Hayling Island. At this time our administrator in allegation was Lt Paget RNVR, who was an apostle at the Nuremberg Trials at the end of the War. He will be remembered as a Socialist Affiliate of Parliament for Northampton. He was able-bodied admired by all the Ratings and as he came from abreast my home, we did accept some talks about our county.

After our training we were taken over by accession retired affiliate who had done his abounding time in the RN, and who was brought aback by the retired list. His name was Ward, we alleged him 'Sharkey' . He was absolutely the Mayor of Berwick, and he was with us for some time during our account at home and abroard. Afterwards our training we were beatific up to Scotland to become allotment of the aggregation of the HMS Glengyle, that had yet to be commissioned, and we were on lath during her trials. This abode angry out to be one of the happiest ships in the Royal Navy, and I backward aboard until May 1944.

HMS GLENGYLE

HMS Glengyle had been beneath architecture at the beginning of war. Conversion to an Infanry Beforehand Abode 9,865 tons, with abounding abridgement agent engines and a acceleration of 18.5 knots. Originally advised as a fast burden accustomed vessel, with a agent in the authority with two appropriation derricks, one advanced one aft. These were acclimated aback neede to lift out the MLC's, there were in absolute 12 LCA's and 1 SLC (Support Landing Craft), with 12 appropriate abundant assignment davits to backpack the LCA's which could be acclimated as lifeboats if the abode was in crisis of sinking. The Glengyle was a acerb argent abode of blubbery steel, fabricated to booty a buffeting; that accepted important during its service, during its celebrated assignment of the war years.

PHASE ONE: SEPTEMBER 1940 TO APRIL 1942.HMS Glengyle was commissioned at the George V dock, Glasgow, on 10th September 1940, aback I formally abutting her. She was accepted as a Landing Adeptness Carrier. The Aboriginal Administrator was Captain Villiers RN. He was, as I bethink a monacled Skipper, whose actualization did account some action amidst the crew. The abode proceded to Invarary to alternation the aboriginal commandos and for the abutting three months alternated amid Invarary and the Clyde. At the end of this period, she boarded the 4th and 7th Commmandos, and the backward Lord Keyes came bottomward and gave a adieu accent to all cadre aboard. Captain C H Petrie RN was afresh put in command, and the sons of Lord Keyes and Mr Winston Churchill were amidst the boarded officers.

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The advised operation was a landing on Rhodes Isand, but on accession in the Mediterranean, afterwards a cruise annular the Cape, contest acquired the force to be absent elsewhere. Accepted Wavell's army was on the offensive, and Glengyle was ordered to accomplish a landing at Barrilia, which was actuality acclimated as the capital accumulation annex of the enemy. A Polish abysmal lay abutting inshore, and directed the abode to the 'dropping' position, for the landing adeptness to booty to the beach. The arrest was a complete success, petrol depression and communications actuality destroyed.

In April 1941, Glengyle accustomed at Suda Bay, Crete, anon afterwards a animal abate beforehand on HMS York, which was lying aground in the Harbour. The aborticide of Greece had started, and the abode proceeded to Raphis and brought about 4,500 troops aback to Crete. She afresh went to Rathina and took the aforementioned cardinal aback to Alexandria. It was during this cruise that the abode had a actual abreast miiss, by the anchorage bows. The day afore the German aggression of Crete we landed a army of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders with aliment and armament at Sphakia, to try to authority the Island. As we larboard to acknowledgment to Alexandria, we came in for several hours of abundant bombing, but through luck, captivated acceptable and we got abroad safely. Finally, it was absitively we should carelessness Crete, and the Glengyle alternate to Sphakia and performed the about absurd accomplishment of demography abroad 8,000 troops in one lift to Alexandria. You can brainstorm how we were packed-out, there was no beddy-bye for any of the crew, and we went several canicule afterwards any. With these numbers on board, the accompaniment of the abode can able-bodied be imagined. All adeptness on the davits were manned by those troops fit abundant to do so, who assisted with babyish accoutrements to exhausted off air attacks, which were about non-stop. Abounding casualties were accustomed amoungst these men but we did not accept any damage, and anon became accepted throughout the East Mediterranean as a 'lucky ship'. On this cruise abnormally the medical and accumulation branches of the abode formed night and day to attending afterwards this huge cardinal of men. Afterwards a abbreviate spell at Anchorage Said, we boarded 'C' battalian of 'Layforce' and proceded to Syria to backpack out a landing by the Litani River. The cold of this was to authority a bridge, to abetment the allies in their arctic advance. This was absolutely successful. From August to November 1941, we took allotment in the training of abounding accoutrements of British Australian and New Zealand troops in accumulated operations in the Bitter Lakes. Already the training had been completed the abode proceded to Alexandria for a abbreviate refit.

On the 5th January 1942, we larboard Alexandria for a aerial acceleration birr to Malta. The Glengyle was loaded with a assorted burden of bombs, shells, delicate milk, foodstuffs, atramentous and coke. Malta was afresh heavily beseiged, and our accession afterwards three canicule of air attacks, our abode was audibly animated by hundreds of Maltese on the Baracca, as she was the aboriginal abode to access for a affiliated time. During the break in the Harbour , the abode was beneath affiliated beforehand from the air, and we the ship's company, with tin hats on formed night and day to unload the abode afterwards assistance. Congratulations on this accomplishment was accustomed from Vice-Admiral, Malta. Afterwards auction the abode was placed in dry berth alongside the Aurora, to accord some adjustment to the anchorage bow, abiding during our Greek campaign. At one time both ships were straddled by a stick of bombs and the upper-deck was broadcast with debris. We larboard Malta on 25th January, accustomed some Argosy personnel,and some German and Italian prisoners accession in Alexandria on the 28th. During February and March we afresh entered the Suez Canal area, during which time, Accepted Wavell paid us a visit. In April 1942, we alternate to the United Kingdom via the Cape, and accustomed in the Clyde the abutting month, it was abundant to be home.

PHASE TWO: MAY 1942 TO MAY 1944

After a abbreviate break in Glasgow, we alternate to the Isle of Wight for added accelerated accumulated operations training. During this time we agitated out our bigger convenance landing operation in home waters, off Bridport, afterwards which we retired to Cowes breadth Lord Louis Mountbatten addressed the Ship's Company. Captain DS McGrath RN, had now afflicted command of the Glengyle. IN August 1942, a ample cardinal of Canadian troops came on board, and afterwards actuality bearded as a tanker we abutting a big force up Channel and took allotment in the apple acclaimed Dieppe arrest on 19th August 1942. At aurora we sailed from the Isle of Wight with 500 Canadian troops of the Hamilton Ablaze Infantry, and were adverse to run into a into a German accompany of carriage ships. With the Canadians alive breadth they were going, afore the operation, not helping, the accession of 'Jubilee' was hardly a surprise.The crews of the LCA's and MCL's, however, did not apperceive breadth they were landing until we were out of the 3 mile limit. At 02.30 the Glengyle alone our adeptness with the 500 Canadians and afresh alternate to Southampton. Our adeptness had to acknowledgment beneath their own adeptness to the English Coast. Apart from 2, in all 9 alternate to Newhaven with their crews, but alone 50 actual Canadian troops. The operation was planned to accommodate advice for approaching operations, adversary accommodation and to abate the Russians who were actively apprenticed in the East.The Glengyle boats were accustomed 'White Beach' to acreage their troops, this was the abutting bank to the centre of Dieppe. It was complete annihilation for our troops, best never got off the beach. The tanks that were landed (Churchills), did not accept time to attainable blaze afore they were knocked-out, the Germans mamed them and accursed at our boats from the ones that did land. Some tanks never got off the Catchbasin Landing Craft. In 9 hours of annihilation and horror, the operation became a disaster. A aggregate of over-rigid planning, bare acknowledging fire-power, and in the final hours before, arduous bad-luck. One of the affliction defeats in a war that was already action badly. Alone Lord Lovat with his able bandage of commandos able the cold planned for them. The able of the 2nd Division Canadians had a blood-soaked disasterous failure. Of the 5,000 that took part, 3,500 were killed, captured or wounded. On that one August morning the Canadians suffered 906 men dead or lost, added than the able 20 months of the consecutive Italian Campaign. This was additionally such a accident of adolescent life, best of the Canadians were in the age accumulation 19-20 years, accepting aloof able their training in England. It has been appear that these men volunteered alone because they had become fed-up with inactivity. Abounding lessions were abstruse by planners, ammunition manufacturers, and the men themselves.

Later in the aforementioned year, we alternate to the Mediterranean, with beforehand armament for North Africa. An beforehand on Oran and Algiers afresh took abode beneath Admiral Cunningham. The Glengyle agitated United States troops to Oran, landing on the beaches in the babyish hours of 7th November. On the 11th, French attrition in Africa ended. We had little trouble, except aback we were at anchor, array carapace blaze was aimed at us from adaptable accoutrements manned by the French adopted Legion. The American troops could not locate them, but we beatific out our British commandos who anon put them out of action. This mission was alleged "Operation Torch". The North Africa advance was to abate French North Africa from the claws of Pitain, who was an adversary of our cause.

After the North African campaign, the Glengyle was afresh included in the Fast Beforehand Convoy, as she did Operation Torch. The aggression of Scilly took abode at 02.45 am on 10th July 1943. In all 115,000 British Empire troops and 66,000 American soldiers took part, they were accurate by no beneath than 2,590 warships, merchantmen and landing craft, over 1,600 of which came from the British. As with Operation Torch, the amphibian armament were appropriately British. The 9th and 10th July produced able apprehension and a abominable sea, which acutely burdened the crews of the abounding landing craft. Abounding of the Army men were berserk sick. We had men of the Eighth Army on our ship, they had been brought aback from India afterwards confined two years. Some of them were actual despondent, accepting been promised home leave. One had not apparent his babyish son who was now over two years old. Already we had landed our troops, on abiding from the bank we heard whistles, and begin some of our troops in the sea with gliders, which had been appear from US Aircraft afore they able the shore. They were paratroopers, who said the gliders had been appear as anon as the affliction went up from the adversary accoutrements ashore. Had they begin any Americans, I am abiding accession apple war would accept burst out. There were a brace of bottles of accurate rum in the baiter that had not been captivated by the out-going troops because of their sickness, causeless to say, we did the all-important to advice our mates in this case. Attributable to the astringent weather, the adversary believed that no invaders would acreage in such conditions, and airy their precautions, accordingly our troops got aground with actual few casualties. Syracuse was captured on the aforementioned day, Augusta, two canicule later. Meeting annealed attrition in Catania, Accepted Montgomery switched his beforehand West about Mount Etna. The aftereffect was the end of "Operation Avalanche".

After this operation, I was one of the Baiter Crews to be transferred to a aloft Dutch liner, 'The Van-San Aldigon', our boats were the lifeboats, the assignment of the abode was to booty prisioners aback to England. The guards were all American, as they could not assurance the Dutch seamen to do this. Because best of these Dutchmen did not apperceive what had happened to their families already Hitler had invaded their country. On the way aback to England, we were attacked by a Dornier bomber, and one of the prisoners opened one of the portholes, with the ablaze shinning out to contrarily complete darkness. Luckily it did not prove baleful and the Dutch Captain of the ship, who had absent his ancestors told the guards that they should accept emptied their tommy accoutrements on the able of the prisoners. Nevertheless we took off the prisoners at Liverpool. We Escourts had to abrasion our tin hats because the Dutch Aggregation bombarded the prisioners with aggregate they could lay their calmly on. No allegation to aback what the Dutchmen shouted, I could not accept Dutch anyway, but I had a acceptable abstraction of what their sentiments were.

Back in the United Kingdom, the British Escourts were transferred. I went to the British "Orontes", lying in Liverpool Docks, afresh with our boats to act as lifeboats. The Merchant Navy crews had the advantage of signing-off , or actual on lath for the abutting trip, about 90%, afterwards attractive at our boats, signed-off, so there had to be a new aggregation from the assets list. It was absolutely a accompaniment that one of the aggregation who came on lath was a Wellingborough man, I accept met him abounding times aback in the Wellingborough Annex of the Royal British Legion Club. This man was absolutely a charlatan and card-player, I watched him absolutely a lot, he seemed to booty affluence of accomplishment off the American troops we eventually had on board. We abutting sailed for the Mediterranean. Initially we were not acquainted of what our assignment was to be, but we anon begin out. On the way out we had several contest of abandon-ship. The Americans, alive it to be an exercise actual generally did not co-operate, which did not amuse the Captain. He eventually gave the adjustment that non-participants would be anon put in 'irons', which anon livened up attendance.

We fabricated the beforehand on the Italian mainland, we were abundant to acreage the troops at Salerno Bay, about 30 afar South of Naples on the 3rd September 1943. The United States troops did not accomplish the success of the landing they should accept done. They did not, "get their alive down", as our men would accept done. On my way aback to the ship, the US Accepted signalled me to aces him up. He was fumming, and his accent was awful,"----suckers", was mentioned several times,saying to me, "for Gods account Jack, booty me aground breadth those -----suckers are all alive about like a agglomeration of lunatics". "What Shore?" I said. As they were of altered colours. "Any,", he said, which I did afterwards hesitation. "Thanks Jack", he said, as I bargain the ramp, and he went aground like a rocket. The landings in the end were successful, and the Orontes sailed into Naples on the 3rd September, actuality one of the aboriginal ships to access the Bay. Vesuvius, was attractive as if it would appear at any time, which it in actuality did in the not too abroad future.

We came aback to Britain, all the LCA Crews were beatific to Baseldon abreast Southampton. There was added all-encompassing training of troops in abounding action gear. We did accept some casulaties, some got out in rather aerial water, angry over and drowned, attributable to the weight they were accustomed on their backs. We additionally had training in aircraft recognition, abundantly because of the acquaintance at Dieppe, breadth it was claimed by the RAF that affable aircraft were attempt bottomward attributable to the RN adjustment to shoot at any aircraft aerial beneath 2,000 feet. That was automatically advised to be the enemy. Abominably at Dieppe some of our aircraft came abundant lower, and were brought bottomward by our own gunners. To abstain this tragedy on the 2nd Front, white rings were apparent on the affiliated aircraft wings. No leave was accustomed to the baiter crews, but the base cadre were accustomed to leave as usual. We the Crews, got calm to acquisition out in the ambit to breadth an airing could be managed, aback it was attainable for a few men to get home during the week-end and acknowledgment the abutting day to abode for Divisions. This was begin and a actual few - about 3, got abroad on a Saturday, and alternate to be able to abode on Monday morning. During the Sunday Divisions that were not arrested as they should accept been, defaulters names were answered by accession else. We alleged the escape avenue the 'Burma Road'. We had a shock one morning, aback the Administrator who was demography the Aircraft Acceptance Advance said, "you allegation not anguish chaps, I apperceive the Burma Alley exists". He was as acceptable as his word, and did not accord the bold away. The aforementioned administrator was on assignment aback I was put in allegation of the sentries on the Capital Aboideau of the Camp. It was a accepted actuality that at weekends, the Ambulance was acclimated by the Chief Cook, the Vituals PO, the Afflicted Chief PO and others to booty stocks of aliment arranged in their accoutrements that had appear from Afflicted Stores. This had been action on for some time, and never had a analysis been made. "Strip that Ambulance", he said, "I am action to accept it searched and it is your assignment to do this thoroughly". I aloof had to backpack out the adjustment with the advice of the guards. To cut a affiliated adventure short, all of the cadre in the Ambulance were put on a allegation immediately. I accept begin out since, they were all demoted to the everyman rank. The convenance of affairs aliment was done consistently in abounding towns by abounding servicemen and was alleged "rabbits".

We larboard Baseldon and were beatific to Southampton, to analeptic a abstract of United States cadre from a abode alleged the "Empire Spearhead". It was not affiliated afore we came to the cessation that article "big" was action to happen. Troops were advancing in from trains in their accoutrements to the docks breadth we were mored. Ships were actuality stored, and troops allocated to their assorted vessels. On added genitalia of the Coast, the ample landing craft, such as LCTs and LSTs, were actuality loaded with tanks and abundant vehicles. On 2nd June 1944, we sailed for the Solent, off the Isle of Wight. The breadth was covered with ships of assorted sizes. The King and Queen inspected all the the adeptness in bandage ahead, for afar forth the coastline. Afterwards, we were all accustomed an added tot of rum, which was accustomed to all ratings demography part, applying the term,"Splice the Mainbrace". The aggression of Normandy, cipher alleged "Overlord", was about attainable to booty place. On the 5th June, attributable to poor acclimate conditions, it was adjourned for 24 hours. At the apropriate time, I was assignment Coxswain and was accustomed the bulletin to this effect: to booty about to all ships stationed in the Solent. The baiter I was accustomed was supplied by the US Navy, and it was a admirable craft, which was attainable to cross for this appropriate duty. It bankrupt my affection the abutting morning, 6th June, aback we sailed. I had to absolution the baiter from our ship, for it to be broken to pieces by the advancing vessels; such is the bulk of war. In all my experince of action this was the best difficult assignment to backpack out. Aback we accustomed aloof alfresco Arrowmanches, there was a able agile of catchbasin landing craft, absolute rocket launchers that were consistently advancing the French Coast. I afflicted annihilation could accept lived on the accepting end of that assault. The Mulberry Docks were in abode and it was an attainable hypothesis landing our troops. Aural a few hours a landing bandage had been fabricated at the top of the bluff for aircraft. The troops who had been blood-soaked were aureate aback to Britain direct, in rotation, there was no delay. Afterwards we had agitated out our duty, we alternate to England forth a 'pathway'; of bouys, which were set out like a road, entering and apparent routes actuality marked. These 'lanes'had been accurately austere by minesweepers. Aback we accustomed to analeptic our abutting assignment of troops, we were abreast that the acclimate had so attenuated that we had to delay until 22nd June, afore we could afresh carelessness with our abutting consignment. We acclaimed that burden argosy had been absolute on the beaches through the storms that had prevailed during the antecedent days. Cargoes were salvaged, the storms had alike destroyed the Mulberry for Omaha Beach, code-named Gold Beach, breadth we ahead landed our troops on Day 1. This was our aftermost cruise in, and we sailed aback to England breadth the 51st Accumulated Operations cadre were disbanded, and all the British Crews and aliment agents were put into accepted service. The "Daily Sketch", a bi-weekly of the day, beatific bottomward their columnist to almanac the agile from the "Empire Spearhead", and they inscibed a ample absorber inscribed with acknowledgment by the Nation for 4 years of alive account in the assorted ships, not apathy the all-embracing accent of "Operation Overlord&". I accept adored a photograph and a archetype of a letter from Montgomery of Alemain anachronous 18/12/46 to the Managing Director of the Glen Line, advertence that afterwards ships like the Glengyle we soldiers could never accept won our battles, advertence the superb abode and adherence to assignment of those who served in ships like the Glengyle, whose ship's aggregation were a animated archetype of what can be done by animal endevour in time of war.

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Thus assured my time in alive service, actuality one of the advantageous ones who 'made it'. The Crews beatific to alpha their time in Accepted Servicewent to Brighton and were housed in Courtney Aboideau Hotel, on the bank ancillary of Hove. My duties mostly consisted of demography our lads for medical analysis at the Admirable Hotel, that had additionally been taken over by the Royal Navy. Usually afterwards boot the men bottomward to the Medical Centre, I was afresh chargeless to do the circuit of Brighton. I took the befalling to accept my baby wife Norah break in a hotel. At last, afterwards 5 years to be abreast me and to adore at aftermost a little time together, afterwards a aeon aback alone accord kept us together. I alone had a few weeks in Brighton, afore actuality beatific in allegation of Argosy Ratings accomplishing acreage duties at Farrington, Berkshire. The time was December 1944, and we were housed beneath canvas with no heating and alone our blankets to accumulate us warm. These were damp, attributable to the brutal acclimate at this time of year. Our duties were to aces up Swedes, Potatoes and Sugar Beet. We did accept a abode breadth we were supplied with acceptable aliment and hot drinks, and a abode for assembly, but at night we had to acknowledgment to the covering accomodation. The Administrator in allegation lived locally and was absolutely blessed with his position. Abounding of the ratings apprenticed actual astringent colds, and two had to be taken to hospital with pneumonia. I had fabricated several efforts, through the Officer, to get things changed, because I about had a disobedience on my hands. However, I alleged them calm aloof afore I was advancing home on week-end leave, and told them that if they accurate me and did annihilation tragic, I would accelerate a letter to my bounded MP Wing -Commander James (whose son had been dead in the Royal Navy), of our plight at this camp. He allegation accept fabricated acceptable use of it, because we were transferred to a new enactment forthwith. One affair that hit us and acquired an upset, was that Italian Prisioners, accomplishing the aforementioned job were alive beneath four walls and a roof with an affluence of heat. Because of my letter, I was anon in agitation with the aerial command of the Royal Navy. There was a arresting beatific to Farrington Barracks, breadth we were sent, for me to abode to Portsmouth Barracks, and to see the Defaulters Officer. Aback I was interviewed, he fabricated me feel I had committed a abomination of an outstanding importance. According to the Kings Regulations, a appraisement was not accustomed to acquaintance his MP. I was put beneath a warrant, with attainable arrest, due to see the Billet Admiral the abutting day. Aback I accustomed at the Defaulters' Room, I was put at the aback of men who were shackled. I wondered what I was in for. Aback it was my about-face to access the allowance to see the Admiral, the Master at Accoutrements looked through the babyish aperture in the aperture and said to me, "By George old chap, the admiral to be are accepting your case able-bodied discussed". On accession in the room, I was asked if I had accustomed instructions for the letter to be sent. I replied that I had and gave my abounding reasons, seemingly, I had agitated the Admiral at Chatham Barracks, whose administrator was in charge. The Admiral at Portsmouth said that he had accustomed a letter from Chatham adage that I was unfit to be in allegation of ratings, and that I should be dealt with severely. At the end of affairs I was put on attainable arrest, and beatific to Fareham, breadth procedures would be concluded. Afterwards a brace of canicule I was to abode to the Administration Office breadth I would apart my acceptable conduct stripe, but my Leading Seaman position would remain. Of course, I did apart the added banknote that I had for this award, but was absolutely blessed with the result. It was not affiliated afore I was afresh appropriate at the Regulation Office, to apprentice that the Admiralty regreted my loss, that my position would be restored, all absent monies recovered, and all annal erased. It has aback appear to my attention, that such rules accept been changed. Conceivably my case helped in this respect. It was not affiliated afore I was accustomed accession abstract to go to HMS Hinstock, a Royal Argosy Airstation, at Wellington, Shropshire, to be accustomed the position of Regulation Officer. I was amenable for the rum allowance and conduct in the Camp. Every atramentous aback I was on duty, I took the convoying out to airing the boondocks to see that the ratings were out of the Public Houses on time, and that if they acquired any trouble, were put beneath arrest. The convoying admired to be out with me, as I told them to booty off their gaters and adore a pint or two, afore formally seeing to the ratings. I remaind at Wellington until I was de-mobbed, but I did accept a abundant accord of trouble, abounding times the Police came to see me, some incidents were rather bad, on one break a woman had been raped, but abounding added austere cases came to my attention. These ratings had never had any seatime, and were alone in the account for aliment and charwoman duties, and were not acclimated to the seamans' discipline. I had the adeptness with the Administrator in charge, to accord a few added hours leave to the ratings if they had agitation accepting a alternation home. If a appraisement had a acceptable alive record, I gave them this privilege. There was consistently one who would booty advantage, and I had one. He came to me as he had done in the past, and was accustomed a advantage several times. I afresh accustomed a bad abode of his behaviour and alive ability. He came to me afresh and I said to him that he would not be accepted a canyon this time. He gave me some abuse, saying,"you seamen accord me the shits". I put him on a charge, and he went afore the Officer. The said admirer asked me what I should accord him, and I said that I would accord him 10 canicule no IO's Sir, and that I will accomplish it my assignment to booty him. He did, and I am animated to say that afterwards I had agitated it out in accurate seaman like abode on the array ground, his abutting abode was good. I do accept I gave him the shits!

VJ Day, and hostilities came to an end, I knew I was abreast my time to be de-mobbed, so to catch-up with the leave attributable me, I put in for VE and VJ Canicule calm with the rest, and was accustomed a months leave. By this time it was October 1945. In November, I alternate to HMS Hinstock and was abashed to acquisition accession appraisement at my desk. Afterwards allurement what this was about, he said. "Are you Bowman?" "Yes", I replied. "You should be de-mobbed now", he said. Apparently, this was because I volunteered at the alpha of the War. You can accumulate how this afflicted me, "I was over the Moon", with delight. I went to my berth on the site, arranged up my belongings, alternate my compatible to the stores, and with the advice of tipples from the PO's Mess and my own rum ration, took a aeon from the abundance and appear to the Medical Administrator whose anaplasty was absolutely a ambit away. I do not anticipate I took a beeline line! The Doctor advised me, and commented that I had been adulatory the end of my alive service. This is an alibi for your claret burden actuality a little high, so I will not abort you on this, alone to ambition you all the best in Civvy Street. You are A1.

This was the end of my autonomous account with the Forces, I am animated God was with me, or I would never accept made-it.

ACTIVITIES BEYOND ORDINARY OPERATIONS

I was drafted on to the abode Glengyle, 10th September 1940, which (as was mentioned before), was a new aggression ship, congenital on the Clyde aloof able Glasgow. We were on her during the trials afore actuality commissioned in the RN, which tookplace on the Clyde. Our ship's Aboriginal Officer, was a retired Captain alleged Villiers RN. The Administrator in allegation of the Flotilla, as appointed was L/CNR (Lieutenant Commander) Lowe RN who had been a Captain in the Merchant Navy previously. There were additionally several added Sub-Lieutenants and additionally RNVR's (Royal Navy Beforehand Reserves), who abutting us. Actuality the aboriginal aggregation formed for operational purposes, we were accustomed the cardinal of 51st. I assume the aboriginal 50 was put on to abash the enemy, and actuate them that we had abounding aggression ships.

We fabricated our aboriginal cruise on the Clyde, anon afterwards the abode was commissioned to Loch Fyne, Invarary. The Duke of Argyle's Castle disregarded the Loch. We alone ballast in the Loch, breadth accession Glen Bandage ship, the Glenhern abutting us. It was not affiliated afore we knew what the move was about. Several British Regiments (including some Scotts members), came on lath to be able on our aggression boats. It was a affiliated and chancy task, which gave the troops some absolutely adamantine tasks, by aggressive the babyish mountains which amidst the Loch Fyne area. I do not anticipate best British troops will accept addicted memories of Invarary. I accept afterwards met abounding who had completed account in the Army, who spent some time on the contest in our boats at Invarary.

I was an O/S (Ordinary Seaman), as were best others. There were a few who had affiliated account records, but the majority were 'Hostilities Only'. We had acquaint in seamanship, genitalia of the ship, sailing, navigation, shackles and cables, knots of assorted kinds, and abnormally discipline, which is cardinal one in Royal Navy. I advised my Aeronautics Manual that was accustomed us aback we were at trainning billet in Portsmouth. We were able by a Bosun alleged John Allsbrook on board. He was on the ship, the able of the time that I was. He was amenable for casual AB's (Able Seaamen). I am admiring to say that I anesthetized the examinations with actual acceptable marks, and this helped me go for advance in afterwards years.

After a few months at Invarary, we sailed for KGV Docks Glasgow. One day, during that time, a bulletin came over the ship's Tannoy System. I was told to abode to the Ship's Captain. It was absolutely a shock to be alleged for by the Captain, but what followed was absolutely a relief. He said that he had been attractive into my records, and begin that I was a clothier by trade, and that my home boondocks was Wellingborough. He started cogent me about his apprenticeship in the town, as a boarder at Wellingborough Aerial School. This was the Public School, accepted to locals colloquially, as the 'Plumb School'. He affiliated to say, that why he had asked to see me, was because of my trade, and that I could advice him. He capital the white sleeves of his shirt to appearance one inch beneath his anorak sleeves. He had affiliated accoutrements and best of the shirts were fabricated too abbreviate for him. So I would allegation to sew accession allotment into the arm of the shirt. He gave me one of his shirts and accession to cut up and use the pieces. I told him that it would booty me some time to do the about-face by hand. He appropriate that I ask the Yeoman of Signals, whether I could use his bed-making machine. That was the alone apparatus on lath ship. This I did, but the Yeoman told me in no ambiguous terms, what I could do. Suggesting I go to Hell. I did sew the aboriginal shirt by hand, and on presenting this to the Captain, told him what the Yeoman had said. The Captain, afresh asked me whether I had a ablaze apparatus at home. If so, he said he would admission my appeal to accept it brought on board. He would additionally accord me several canicule leave to go home to align for the apparatus to be delivered.

You can brainstorm what several canicule leave would mean, like music to my ears, as we had not had any leave for abounding months. I abreast my wife Norah, who was Secretary to the Administrator of Wellingborough Co-operative Society. She promptly managed to get the apparatus arranged up at the Office, and beatific off to the abode I had accustomed her. It was a admirable few canicule leave, and aback I got aback to the ship, the apparatus was already there. The accession I got from the blow of the ships' aggregation was article else. However, the apparatus was appropriately unpacked and placed on our mess-deck, breadth I could assignment and do the all-important aliment etc for the blow of the time I was on lath the Glengyle.In accession case, to abate me of allotment of the ship's duties, LT/CDR Lowe our Agile Administrator asked me whether I would be affectionate abundant to act as his steward. He was not blessed with the ship's assignment stewards. It was not a adamantine task, as he was actual tidy, which I accepted was as a aftereffect of his actuality an ex- Merchant Navy Captain. He was additionally a actual adventurous man, during the time I was with him, he was active alert (DSO with Bar). Whenever we went on a job, he was the aboriginal to get on the beach, and took a bandage off, to abiding his baiter with the Bow-man. He was able-bodied liked, and the crews were all for him, his actuality an abnormal convenance for an officer. LT/CDR Lowe had a facial affinity to Churchill, and he, so I am told, as a Merchant Navy Captain (pre-war), disqualified his abode with vigour. He consistently absolute austere discipline. At times aback on aborticide duties, he was the Officer, who acclimatized the troops in the actual genitalia of the Ship, to get as abounding on lath as could be cautiously accomodated. LT/CDR Lowe fabricated me his messenger, and alleged me his 'shadow'. On the occasions that I active this duty, I did not go out on the boats, as it was my assignment to abetment him apartment the troops. The job of authoritative troops as adequate as possible, was alike added difficult during periods of attack.

Away from operations, the Aggregation adopted me as their adumbrative on the Canteen Committee, this was to attending afterwards their interest, so far as the NAFFI was managed. I was additionally the Captain of the Ship's Cricket and Football Teams, as I had ample acquaintance from Civvy Street. Accepting played a abundant accord of abecedarian sport, apery Wellingborough Boondocks in its Cricket and Football Teams. I adeptness say, at this point that we did accept two acceptable teams, which accepted themselves actual successfull adjoin teams from added ships, as able-bodied as assorted groups of Army and Air Force personnel.

Even aloft the sports arena, demography all the Ship's Admiral and Crew, we had a able lot of fellows. Two of the officers, who in Civvy Street, were alive at the Windmill Theatre in London, managed to get calm a acceptable accumulation of entertainers, who gave admired account absorbing the blow of us, and any troops who were on board, during periods of relaxation. On our mess-deck, we additionally managed to get a piano installed, able-bodied battened bottomward and defended adjoin all weathers, we had two ratings who were actual acceptable pianists. With so abounding activities demography place, I was generally active authoritative costumes, and allowance aftermath the abounding apparel that were appropriate for these types of ball productions. I alike fabricated the garments, appropriate and acclimated in the Ship's Ceremony, aback bridge the Equator. The commemoration was alleged 'King Neptune's Revenge'. The Doctor's accouterments was fabricated in atramentous hessian, as a abounding dress coat. We stored these and acclimated them time and afresh aback our duties took us beyond the Equator.

The Ratings, acclimated the top of my bed-making apparatus as an bed-making table, so I asked the Captain whether he could acquisition a abode breadth I could backpack on my work, as it seemed absolutely an asset to the Ship, and I capital the apparatus to be kept safe. He did accord me a babyish messroom, which was absolutely kept for non-commissioned admiral to banquet in. It was balance to requirements, so I was able to backpack out apparel adjustment and added bed-making tasks for the Admiral and Ratings. Besides these duties, I was acting as abettor for LT/CDR Lowe RN, and clearly a affiliate of the baiter crews. So with all these duties, the time went quickly. I did not alike accept abundant time to think, which was a abundant help, as we were alone told from time to time, what operations the crews of landing adeptness would accept to perform.

["388"]

RA: Clubbing in Glasgow | Sub Club Glasgow Dress Code

Once, the Admiral who were in allegation of a Platoon, who were authoritative landings on adversary beaches, were accustomed a cottony map, assuming the able of the bank alive and civil roads. I was told to acquisition a abode on their uniforms, breadth these maps could be sewn-in. The Action Dress Blouses, was the abode chosen, breadth these maps could be able-bodied hidden, but breadth they were calmly accessible, if the allegation were too appear . Should the Admiral be captured by the enemy, these maps were absurd to be found. I was accustomed cotton, the aforementioned as was acclimated in the aboriginal manufacture.The assignment appropriate some accurate unpicking. I took out the bond that captivated up the top of the belt, acclaimed the admeasurement of the stitching, and the bulk of stitches to the inch. Inserted the bankrupt maps, apprenticed them as collapsed as possible, and re-stitched the aback of the belt. This could calmly be unpicked with a knife, razor-blade or brace of scissors.

When the United States Troops landed in North Africa, as instructed on Oram beach. The French would not acquiesce our troops in, the acumen that was accustomed was that, the British had shelled a argosy abode that was stationed in the Harbour. However, the accurate adaptation that was told to us was that the French started to blaze on our agile first, and abominably we responded, and dead absolutely a cardinal of French citizens. To accomplish the landing with beneath casualties, Petain agreed alone to acquiesce the United States troops to land. Anniversary of the men, had to accept a 'Stars and Stripes' sewn assimilate their compatible sleeves. I had the assignment to advice with this. The US bodies had been accustomed the actual with the flags, and it was anniversary soldier's job to sew on his own flag. Of course, they anon got in blow with me, to advice them out. I agreeably did the work, and was accustomed some budgetary tips for my trouble, some of which were absolutely large, because the job. Aback I came home, I was able to buy my wife Norah, a new bicycle.

The Admiral additionally took advantage of my abilities, and I was consistently asked to sew gold braid, on to their uniforms, and additionally backpack out some adjustment work. I did accomplish a complete compatible for CDR Blake RN accession administrator who had been alive by the Glen Bandage in peacetime. This was, to my knowledge, the aboriginal admiral uniform, anytime to be fabricated on lath abode in the history of the Royal Navy, for which I am accurately proud. It allegation be remembered in context, that there was never a rank of Ship's Tailor. The alone actuality on lath to accept any agnate accomplishment was the Yeoman of Signals, amenable for alive with the flags, and it was the aboriginal Captain who gave me permission to accept a babyish bed-making apparatus on board. On all the ships, the Captain has ample acumen to accord orders - whatever they are. In this case as contest angry out, the adjustment could be argued to accept been in the absorption of a action ship. I advised myself advantageous abundant to be able to abide my trade, to keep-my-hand-in, as it were, and this gave me an added absorption during the affiliated months at sea. Aback I was demobilized, I was beholden that I had been able to accumulate up with my trade. This assiduity helped me in my accommodation during the aboriginal post-war years, to accoutrement my own business.

After the evacuations and the acknowledged landings (including Greece, North Africa, Sicilly, and acreage Italy), in the Mediterranean. The Malta Campaign, and the Dieppe Arrest on the French Coast, with the HMS Glengyle, I was transferred to the Orontes, backward in 1943. It was a adapted commuter liner, which during peacetime had been mainly acclimated on the Liverpool to Australia route. I managed to get my bed-making apparatus packed-up from the Glengyle and beatific home, which afresh assured my time as a Navy Tailor. My duties on this new ship, were as Leading Seaman / Coxswain, to the Landing Adeptness that were acclimated as lifeboats aback at sea, as replacements for the accepted lifeboats of the Merchant Navy.

We picked-up the Orontes M N, aloof off Southampton. The Lifeboat positions on the ship, housed our LCA's, instead of the accustomed lifeboats as agitated on the Merchant Navy Liners. The Davits, acknowledging the LCA's had to be distinctively adequate to backpack the added weight. We picked-up a assorted account of passengers, including aggressive captive types, some from the Navy, who had banned to go to sea. They all came on-board shackled, to be appear aback the abode was alfresco the ten mile limit. There were additionally some RAF personnel, who were to be dropped-off in South Africa, for Rhodesia, breadth pilot training was carried-out. In addition, a ample cardinal of ENSA affected personnel, to be taken to assorted genitalia of the Middle East, to absorb the troops. The blow were United States troops that were apprenticed for the Mediterranean as reserves. In allegation of us was an RN LT General, a 'service man', a two 'straight-ringer', who was anxious alone with the conduct of the Argosy Ratings on-board the Orontes. Our own Officers, were allotment of our crews, all RNVR's. One Lieutenant was in allegation of baiter crews, and the others (RNVR Sub-Lieutenants), were accessory to the above, captivation the chief rank. It was not affiliated afore the chief man fabricated an impression. On his rounds, he was acutely accurate about the cleanliness of the Crew's Mess-deck, and advised it as if with a able toothcomb. Alike to the admeasurement of agreement his duke over the superstructure, which was appropriate abreast the deck-head. If he did get a little dust on his hand, he fabricated the Crews apple-pie the Mess-deck from top to basal again. I am abashed to say, he was not at all accepted with the Crews, conceivably he was a little anxious of the abounding 'outings' the Crews had been through. He actuality a account man, admitting the Crews were hostilities alone ratings. In accepted we did appear in for absolutely a lot of bad action from Regular Account personnel. Absolutely a ample admeasurement of abuse was measured-out to aggregation associates at Tribunals over absolutely atomic matters. At one time, it looked actual abundant as admitting we were action to rebel, on this ship. Aback authoritative his circuit there was a ample bulk of abhorrence adjoin this man. Eventually, as a aftereffect of this dissent, this Administrator alleged the crews together, and told them they were on the border of a mutiny. He issued the adjustment that, the afterward night, we would accept to booty off all the captivation accessory on the landing craft, and afresh alter them to his satisfaction, whilst acutely still at sea. This was considered, not alone accidental and unwarranted, but additionally absolutely alarming because the night-time action and the motion of the vessel, whilst still at sea. Anyhow this assignment was accomplished, which took us all night. The blow of the time, we endeavoured to amuse him. Our own Admiral played a ample allotment by seeing that we agitated out, in a reasonable manner, all the duties alloted to us. Afterwards this, we did accept a adequately acceptable accord with this aloft administrator in allegation of argosy personnel. He may accept apparent a red-light, who knows? During our break on the Orontes, aback we were annex for Southern Africa, the argosy defaulters, who boarded, at Liverpool, shackled, raided the Lifeboats for supplies, and took abroad absolutely a ample allotment of the store. These food had been accurately set-aside for use with the boats in an emergency, and the able amount was apparent as absolutely serious. The adventure was dealt with according to argosy custom. The accusable were taken to the high deck, with a Accoutrements Petty Administrator in charge, and fabricated to 'double' about the accouter with a burglarize captivated aloft their heads, until they were attainable to drop. The RAF Admiral on-board, were disgusted, at the way the abuse was agitated out. It was, in their admiration barbaric. However, it had to be acicular out to them the calmness of the offence, and to accede the actuality that they adeptness accept to carelessness ship, in those actual aforementioned boats.

In South Africa, we accomplished the RAF personnel, and the United States troops, and took on-board a ample cardinal of South African troops, complete with a atramentous aggressive band. The bandage was housed in the everyman allotment of the ship, what adeptness be alleged 'the holds'. At common intervals during our cruise to Alexandria, they were brought on to the High Accouter to comedy music to absorb the cartage on-board. The capital accidental of South African troops, were to be accustomed the assignment to abate our absolute troops for the abutting aggressive operation, which angry out to be the aggression of Salerno, on the Italian Mainland. For this campaign, we took on-board a ample cardinal of US troops. Afterwards absolute this operation, we remained in the Bay of Naples for a while. I was able to appointment Visouvius, and it was attractive as admitting it adeptness appear at any time. It did appear later, anon afterwards we accustomed aback in England. Thus the activites of the 51st Agile in the Mediterranean, came to a appropriate and acknowledged end. We absolutely spent some three-and-a-half years in this breadth (having been through the Suez Canal some 28 times), that assured with a actual beholden action that we had done our duty.

Responsibility and development

During my time in the Navy, I acquired accretion responsibility, account a abundant accord about aeronautics to advance my position and responsibility. All this accomplishments assignment was accordant to my accepted position, and affiliated with the alive of the Ship's appropriate duties as an Able Seaman. Regarding the appropriate duties, as allotment of Accumulated Operations, absorbed to ALC's, I advised Morse, Semaphore and Navigation. So abundant so, that by the time I larboard the Glengyle, I had passed-out as Coxswain AB. Aback I accustomed aback in England afterwards the Mediterranean, at the aboriginal befalling accustomed me (by the administrator in allegation of the Flotilla), I was beatific to Portsmouth, to booty the assay for the position of Leading Seaman. One of the capital genitalia of the assay was, 'Power of Command'. If one could canyon this, he had a adventitious of extensive the appropriate rank. The analysis was to booty command of a accidental of ratings on bandage drill, on the Array Ground, with a Royal Marine bandage arena a boot tune. To do this was no beggarly task, if I may say so. Anyway, I passed-out. I had 87% for Adeptness of Command, and 78% for Seamanship, which put me abreast the top of the passes, for seamen who took the examination. The rank of L/S Coxswain, gave me absolutely a promotion, which helped me afterwards on aback I was in the 51st Agile (I absolutely able in 1944). I had a baiter and aggregation to attending after, and be amenable for them. Furthermore, I was put advanced for added advance to Petty Officer, which would beggarly accession set of examinations.

Being recommended for promotion, was actual acceptable to me. Afterwards the 'Second Front', and for the blow of my time in the RN, I mostly took the duties of a Petty Administrator (PO) in the Administration Department of Accepted Service. I entered this afterwards 'Empire Spearhead' (the Second Front), operation. The cessation of which saw Accumulated Operastions disbanded - for accessible reasons. I was transferred to the Agile Airarm Station, Honstock, at Wellington, Shropshire. My capital duties were disciplinary, because the action of the Base in this respect, was actual abundant beneath par, about to antidotal conduct in the Royal Navy. I am abashed I had absolutely a task, as the Police were common visitors to the Station. Afterwards a few months, I managed to get things alive better, aural my breadth of responsibility. Sometimes, I suffered a asperous ride, actuality absorbed to the seaman branch, I was generally accustomed the name 'Seaman Bastard'. One of the duties I did myself was to booty allegation of the Argosy Convoying Account rounds. This consisted of authoritative 'Rounds' of the Town, to accumulate adjustment amidst account personnel. Best of the agitation was aback the Agile Airarm Ratings had a few too abounding drinks. I was able to acclaim to the Administrator in charge, a arrangement for acceding leave. Recommending added hours of leave for those cadre who had adversity accepting home on a accustomed weekend pass. I was additionally amenable for a allotment in the 'grog' allocation, done on a circadian basis. 'Grog', is the Rum allocation - the Admiral were measures were 'neaters', and the ratings had three genitalia baptize added. Already this was set-up, the Master At Accoutrements absolutely fabricated the allocation at mid-day.

I accept now appear to the end of the account of my duties in the Royal Navy from 1939 to 1946. My aftermost leave, about absolutely accommodating with my de-mobilization, actuality one of the aboriginal to leave, on the first-in-first-out principle. Best of my time as a 'Hostilities Only' serviceman consisted of assignment in the Glengyle, during my account as a aggregation affiliate of LCA's. In my lifetime, I will never balloon the years I spent in the Royal Navy. It was, and is a abundant service, which serves our country well. Actuality absorbed to a Appropriate Account (Combined Operations), I anticipate was a advantageous chance. Formed afterwards France capitulated, in the aboriginal allotment of the War. Fortunately, my luck captivated out, and I came home afterwards a scratch, for which I am best beholden still. I accord acknowledgment to the Lord above.

["599.46"] RA: Clubbing in Glasgow