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Aged 17, on board H.M.A.S. 'Australia' 12th of October 1939
I joined the Royal Australian Naval College as a 13 year old Cadet Midshipman in January, 1936, and my term was sent to sea in August 1939, as war was impending.
I spent the total war at sea or in the UK doing my Sub Lieutenant's courses.
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As a Sub Lieutenant 1942
I served in our three 8inch cruisers, 'Australia', 'Canberra', and was the Officer of the Watch in her when the Battle of Savo island commenced at 0143 on August 9, 1942, and of course we were sunk that night, and, 'Shropshire', and was in her for the Japanese surrender at Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945.
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HMAS 'Bataan'
Post war, I completed the first combined Torpedo Anti-Submarine Specialist Long course in UK Naval Schools over 1947 and part of 1948. In my specialist capacity I served in the destroyers 'Warramunga' and 'Bataan', at Navy Office, and at the TAS school.
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Aide de Camp - Government House Canberra 1952.
From 1950 to 1953 I was appointed Aide de Camp to His Excellency the Governor General of Australia at Government House Canberra, a quite fascinating time.
Finally, I was Fleet TAS Officer on the staff of the Flag Officer Commanding the Australian Fleet, in the Carrier 'Vengeance'. Hence my Naval interests particularly from the Submarine viewpoint.
I resigned after 20 years in the RAN in 1954.
A more recent photograph.
I now keep myself busy with research and a bit of writing etc. I have recently finished a work on German Armed Merchant Ships of WW2 'Marauders of the Sea' and want to round it off by covering their counterparts of WWI.
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Taking a closer view at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe." |
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