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The Russian ConvoysLast updated: 25 September 2009

Aran Morris from Borthjoined the Royal Navy at thestart of WW2. He took part inDunkirk and D-Day but spentmost of his time with theRussian Convoys, protectingthe cargo ships carryingsupplies across Arctic seas. MrMorris was awarded the MBE in the 2008 New Year's HonoursList.Mr Morris died, aged 90, on 13 September 2009:

More about Aran Morris by BBC News...

Aran Morris from Borth:

"I started my naval career when the war broke out. I had achoice of three services - the army, the air force and thenavy and I thought the air force wasn't my thing, I thoughtthe army was too dangerous so I joined the navy.

My first trip believe it or not was to Dunkirk in a motor boatto get the BEF forces off the beaches. It was a little motorboat called the Barnum Nostrum. I said to the chap who wasdriving it that I was glad to see all our planes up in the sky.He turned to me and said:

"Not one of those planes is ours - they're Germans! So getout 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 12chaps. It's so long ago, but I can remember visually, in myown mind, what it was like. It was my first trip to sea andacross the beaches of Dunkirk, there was a hell of a pall ofblack smoke and I thought 'God, are we going over there...'

I was 19 or 20 years old and I thought by goodness, if this isthe war, well look out - I'll be in the back and they'll becheering the chaps in the front. But it didn't work out likethat at all. Looking back on it now, it seems like a great bigstory - but it was absolutely true.

We had three days survivors leave when we came back so Iwent home for three days and then got back to barracksagain after three days and was drafted out to the Indianocean. To get there, we had to go to Scotland and join theQueen Mary, the big liner. We took passage there to CapeTown. On the way there, we had a gale. I thought the QueenMary would never shift but she did and I was seasick for fourdays.

Eventually we got to Cape Town and went by train from thereto Durban, across the mighty Karoo desert. It took us acouple or three days to get there. We drank the canteen dry

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World War TwoA Childhood PrankA London LassATA in ActionAction in El AlameinAir Raid FearBattle of Arakan, BurmaDavid's DunkirkExchanging EggsFrom Anfield to Capel BangorFrom Kent to CardiganFrom Scapa Flow to SingaporeLand ArmyLlandod's Loudspeaker VanLlwyndafydd DaysMulberry HarboursNo Glory in WarNursing in the EastParaffin CakesPassage From IndiaRations and the BlackoutSpoils of WarStars in BattledressStudent DaysThe Battle of KohimaThe Fire WardenThe ParatrooperThe Russian ConvoysTraining in AberystwythWartime Memories from HayWartime Romance

14 May 2012Accessibility helpText only

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.

on the train.

From Durban, we went to Mombassa by boat. All they cookedon board that thing was curry - and I've never liked currysince. It was curry for breakfast, dinner, tea and supper.

We saw a bit of action in the Indian Ocean. We steamed intoMogadishu (Italian Somalia) but got out rather smartly. Wegot back down to Mombassa again and by that time, about18 months had gone and we were given a draft chit to comeback to England again."

Read Aran's memories of the Russian Convoys: "I'vebeen to hell and back and I know what it's like..."

your comments

Lynne GoughMy father Charles Kimpton was on the Oribi, he passed awaymany years ago, I was born after the war, and never knewmuch about what my dad endured during the war, if anyoneknew him, I'd love to hear your story.Wed Apr 14 13:30:43 2010

dan robinson, prestonmy grandad served on hms zealous his name was henryturner and worked in torpedo room would love to hear fromanyone who knows him , many thanks.Fri Apr 9 10:18:46 2010

Anita SmithMy late father Jack Howard served on the Orobi.would loveto hear from anyone who may have known himSat Feb 27 12:32:45 2010

gotzsI feel very proud and salute all of them for their braveryTue Aug 18 16:37:46 2009

Kieron HoareHave traced the date that HMS Mahratta and few other shipswere in the center pages of the Sunday Pictorail, can't waitto get a copy and read about these ships..They were also onthe Convoy RunsWed May 13 13:26:29 2009

Ian Snell from Okehampton, DevonMy Grandfather Edward (Ted) Dart served on the Oribi inthe Arcic Convoy's, does anyone have any memories,photo's etc of him. He died when I was just one year old soI never knew him but his widow (my Nan)still lives and itwould be great if we had more info.Tue May 12 16:58:54 2009

John Marshall from Exeter Ontario CanadaMy father Walter marshall was a stoker aboard theMahratta.My mother never spoke of the ordeal and thereforeI never got the history of the ship or the crew...Too bad forme! A piece of history has passed me by.Sun Mar 29 18:06:56 2009

Francis McLennan BusheyMy Cousin James McIlravie was only 18 when he lost his lifeinthe sinking of the Mahratta. Wonder if any survivor

remembers this young Kirkcaldy ladddie.Fri Dec 12 11:11:58 2008

Jenny Byrne from CheshireMy uncle Thomas Byrne Died on the HMS Mahratta didanyone know him? I would love to hear more abouthim.Thanks JennyTue Aug 26 09:16:27 2008

Jennifer JonesMy uncle Samuel lost his life on this day as did many of hisfriends. His name - JONES, Samuel E, Ordinary Seaman,D/JX 649439, MPK. I'd like to hear from anyone that caresabout the brave that gave so much for us.Fri Jun 27 09:07:16 2008

Karen Treharne from Clydebank Scotland, now in CanMy uncle Hugh Starkey died on the Mahratta in 1944, and Ihoped that if there were any survivors left today, if theyknew him. He was from Clydebank, and died when he was21. I found the website on HMS Mharatta by Peter Hoare, tobe most helpful.Wed May 28 15:43:01 2008

Kieron Hoare. South WalesNick Bates please contact me through my web pages HMSMahratta on yahoo, the one on top.Me and Catherine Smithmight 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 WalesCatherine 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 WalesMy father lost his life when the HMS Mahratta went down.His name was Donald Mc Ewan, I have found one of thesurvivors who I keep in touch with. His name is JackHumble and I see that Nick Bates would like to get in touchwith him. Please help me get in touch with Mr. Bates andanyone who knew my fatherThu Apr 17 15:51:36 2008

Chris from WednesburyI love to hear stories from sailors . At the age of 16 i solonged to join the navy i love ships and the sea but my dadgot me an apprentiship building buses . Please let me hearmore from the men or women nowadays of their adventuresaround the world . My son is 14 and i would love to see himto join the navy you only live once.Tue Apr 15 14:01:29 2008

Jack Syson from HarrogateI was a young 19 year old C.W.candidate(a fancy title for anofficer cadet) onboard H.M.S Obedient G24 escorting aconvoy to Russia when I saw - at a distanceH.M.S.Maharatta on fire and obviouslygoing to sink - by the timewe reached her the ship had sunk. I do not thinkmanyseamen would survive those cold waters.My bestwishes to those of you who did survive and have not yetgone to heaven.JackWed Apr 9 10:02:06 2008

Johnny Hammond from SouthportI joined the NAAFI in 1941 when I was 14 to get away frommy father. I felt Hitler was the lesser of the two evils. at 16I joined the RN and two weeks later joined HMS Devonshire.based in Scapa Flow I was in the home fleet action in thesinking of the tirpitz. 1944 I was aboard the destroyer HMSOribi G66 (se email address)on russian convoys. Horrendous.wounded at 17 1/2 I was in hospital to the week beforeVEday. I was posted to the far east, but by that time theJapanese were getting ready to quit... my time aboard Oribi,terrifying as it was, were the best days of my life. I camefrom demob, punched my dad on the chin and life became abowl of cheries. I'm 79 and a happy man. Tue Mar 20 09:35:41 2007

Tina MannMy beloved Grandfather William (Jock) Brackenridge a Stokerwas a survivor on the HMS Mahratta when it sunk. I amwanting to keep his memory alive as he past some timeago. Does anyone remember this Scotsman!Thu Jan 18 16:10:08 2007

Nick Bates, HighlandI would like to get in touch with Jack Humble re the sinkingof HMS Mahrtta can any body help with that? Sun Jan 7 20:06:03 2007

Kieron HoareAny family members of HMS Mahratta should search the website for HMS Mahratta G23. Loads of information about thecrew and ship. Thu Dec 21 09:53:46 2006

Marie Pankhurst, Ilford, EssexMy grandfather, Lieutenant (E) J W McCullagh DSC RN wentdown on HMS Mahratta on 25.2.44. I would be so grateful toknow if anybody out there knew him or remembers him asall I have is a photo and a few anecdotes from familymembers (cousins etc). Thank you. Tue Dec 19 09:36:56 2006

Nina Wheeler CornwallI am looking on behalf of my mother in law for any relativesof Edward James Parpworth who went down with theMahratta she was a young war widow as Ted was only 20years old when he died and he came originally fromTwickenhamMon Nov 20 10:09:10 2006

Edwin Astin, Bradford, YorkshireI am writing this on behalf of my father Edwin Astin whojoined the navy in 1942 when he was 17. He was on theMahratta when it sunk in 1944. He is now almost 82 and isin poor health. Mon Nov 13 10:06:42 2006

Jack Humble from Co.DurhamI was on the Hms Mahratta when it sank February 1944. I'm80 years old now. I was 18 then, I think it is a long shotbecause I saw a lot of my friends die but I'm looking for anyother survivors.Fri Oct 13 10:13:48 2006

daverto bonjo from telfordhave you got a son called Mr Morris who used to be a schoolteacher at Borth?Mon May 22 15:15:20 2006

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The Russian ConvoysLast updated: 22 February 2006

Read more about the warmemories of Aran Morrisfrom Borth. Here, he recallsthe years he spent on theRussian Convoys, protectingcargo ships carrying suppliesacross 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, Ilove the sea anyway, and I thought nobody would ever catchus in the 'Onslaught' because we moved so fast. We could doabout 40 knots - and that's going some! Then we were calledto join the Russian Convoys, guarding the cargo ships whichwere taking supplies to the Russians.

The only thing I can say about the Russian convoys is that Idon't seem to be frightened any more of my religion becauseI've been to hell and back and I know what it's like. Peoplehave to go up there to know what it's like. When you starttalking about it and describing conditions, they say - 'he'sshooting one hell of a line' you know, but that's not true. It'sall absolutely gospel true.

It used to get so cold on board ship. The temperature wouldfall to about minus 30 degrees and it used to freezeeverything up - even the oil supplying the galley fire.

We had two chefs who cooked for us. With the shipmovement as well - rolling and climbing over 30 ft waves - itwas impossible to cook so the only hot thing we were able tohave were tins of soup. We'd open up 6 or 12 tins and putthem in a bucket and take them down to the boiler room andput the steam jet on them, just like Antoniazzi (an Italiancafé in Aberystwyth.). It was the only way of gettinganything warm.

The thirteenth of September (1942) I think it was, there wereabout 40 ships in the convey and we had the biggest hidingwe ever got up there. We lost a quarter of the convoy inabout 15 minutes in air attacks and submarine attacks. Theywere torpedoeing about 80 at a time. There was no hope inhell we could do anything about it. The Germans were flyingso low, you could literally see the fellow driving theaeroplane.

Of course, the guns in the escort were all depressing and sothe shots were coming quite near you as well. As I said, welost quarter of the convoy in 15 minutes and that really isterrible to see - ships going down, especially with chaps inthe water as well which is just on freezing. You just had towatch 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 sortof move their arms and grab the pole. It really was pathetic,

more from this section

World War TwoA Childhood PrankA London LassATA in ActionAction in El AlameinAir Raid FearBattle of Arakan, BurmaDavid's DunkirkExchanging EggsFrom Anfield to Capel BangorFrom Kent to CardiganFrom Scapa Flow to SingaporeLand ArmyLlandod's Loudspeaker VanLlwyndafydd DaysMulberry HarboursNo Glory in WarNursing in the EastParaffin CakesPassage From IndiaRations and the BlackoutSpoils of WarStars in BattledressStudent DaysThe Battle of KohimaThe Fire WardenThe ParatrooperThe Russian ConvoysTraining in AberystwythWartime Memories from HayWartime Romance

14 May 2012Accessibility helpText only

it really was. Oh dear, when I think of it sometimes, it's a bitdisturbing but there we are, I get on with it...

We saw one called the Mary Luckenbach. She was a hugetanker carrying petrol and ammunition to Russia and she wastorpedoed. There was a bloody big bang and a big pall ofsmoke. There wasn't anything left of her. It was somethingyou can't forget. I was a fatalist. I thought, if anything hitsus, I hope to God it hits right where I am.

There were eight of us destroyers in the flotilla, all beginningwith 'O'. The fellow who led us was on the Onslow. We werealso involved in the Battle of the North Cape, againprotecting a convoy.

The fellow who led us and who was in command of the 17thflotilla we were in, Captain Sir Richard Sherbrooke, wasawarded the VC - and of course, you don't get the VC fornowt, do you? He was on the bridge and he lost an eye. Hewas a brave bloke. You like to read about these brave chapsbut you don't think it's going to happen to you.

The combined mileage of the flotilla during the RussianConvoys was over a million miles. We went throughtremendous seas. You'd be going up, climbing up and you'dget half over the top and then you'd crash down into thewave, into the trough all the time. The biggest waves wereabout 30-40ft high.

From Scappa Flow, we'd go to Iceland where we'd top upwith oil, on to Bear Island, then the North Cape and roundthe corner to Murmansk. In the winter time, it would be darkall the time. In the summer, you could read Beano at 2o'clock in the morning - it was light all the time.

In the winter, we had to come down further south because ofthe ice cap. We had to hug the North Cape where theGermans were but in the summer time the ice cap would goback so we had more mileage and more room to turn thecorner and get into Murmansk. I was on the Russian convoysnearly to the end of the war.

When we had a couple of days boiler clean or whatever theyused to call it, I used to come back to Borth and youwouldn't know there was a war on. It was that quiet andpeaceful. Even the blackout wasn't strictly adhered to. Aslong as the lights were off on the road where the fella usedto walk up and down, all the lights were on in the back, inthe back yard."

Back to Part 1 of Aran's war memories...

your comments

stevenraymond bunce from walsall west midlandsmy nans brother an irishman from salthill county galwaywas killed in action on the hms onslow 31st of december1943 during the battle of the barent sea when onslow cameunder fire from the german ship hipper if any of you haveany information regardin able seaman matthew keane pleaseemail 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, FleetI did my time at Polyarnoe and at the TX nearly backing onto the ice rink, our pay was doubled and our leave was alsodoubled when we came home. I have made some friendsout 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 LondonThis is for Rob Fordyce from South Africa. My Great Uncle,Robert Barratt also survived the HMS Somali, he was aGunner so his hearing was shot. He was also in the ArcticConvoys. Sadly he has died now, but in 2006 I was sentsome information from another relative of an HMS Somalisurvivor. I could pass this on if you like.Wed Mar 24 13:16:11 2010

Vicki Garner from LondonThis is for Rob Fordyce from South Africa. My Great Uncle,Robert Barratt also survived the HMS Somali, he was aGunner so his hearing was shot. He was also in the ArcticConvoys. Sadly he has died now, but in 2006 I was sentsome information from another relative of an HMS Somalisurvivor. I could pass this on if you like.Wed Mar 24 10:04:50 2010

Ian Snell, DevonMy Grandad served in the Arctic Convoys onboard HMSOribi, unfortunately he died when I was just two years old soI would love to know more and if anyone has anyphotographs with him in it would be great.His name wasEdward (Ted) Dart.Wed Feb 10 13:44:16 2010

Roger JulienJust just found your site which mentions HMS Onslow!!Ihave been doing family history & recall my mother tellingme when I was very young how she lost her beloved brotherWilfred Albert Kendall.a petty officer who was killed on theOnslow, it seems the ship had a terrible time of it in January1943!He was my uncle that died 3 years before I was born!!Regards, Roger Julien ps My mother was Ivy Kendall fromPlymouth, DevonMon Jan 18 09:17:17 2010

Diane Junor from BuryMy father, Roy Haworth, was a chief Artificer on the Onslow.He was awarded the DSM for his actions during the battle ofBarents Sea. He will not talk about the horrors he andeveryone else endured at this time. Like a lot of people I amtrying to piece together more about this part of Navalhistory. If anyone can help I would be grateful.. There is abook by Dudley Pope "73 North" that writes about the ArcticConvoys. It is out of print but second hand copies can befound. Tue Jan 5 10:01:38 2010

Roger Blake from NorfolkMy father was Alfred Blake from Norwich in Norfolk. I wasonly very young when he was killed in action in September1942. He was serving on HMS Leda as a Petty Officer Stokeron the Russian Convoys. Thanks Aran it was so interestingto read your memories. I have only recently started to lookat sites to gain whatever information I can as my knowledgeobviously is very limited. Mon Nov 2 08:20:05 2009

Susan Pollard, DorsetMy father ronald jones from the rhondda valley, south walesserverd in the russion convoys, although my father wouldnever discuss this in great detail, i do know he serverd onboard h.m.s. byard which was a loan lease from america. Iam so proud of him and all the many other seamen whoalso went through those horrendous times for us all. Ifanyone has the smallest bit of info, or advice where i can getinfor i would be really grateful.Mon Aug 31 15:33:43 2009

Marina Harvey. LondonHas any one information on the PORTSEA which hit a mineand sunk off Ancona in July 1944.Ship was carrying highoctane and aircraft lubricating oil. My brother Henry Cremorejust 19 died along with 25 crew. ThanksMon Aug 31 15:32:58 2009

kieron hoare. maestegMandy, there is a lot of information on HMS Mahratta.search the net.Thu Jul 30 13:34:09 2009

Mandy Bardwell LowestoftMy Uncle, Robert Hotston, was the Canteen Manager onHMS Mahratta. He was killed when it was attacked by Uboat. My father Edward Fitzsimmmons was a stoker (on wethink HMS Camellia) who was also on the Russian Convoys.Funnily enough, I have recently found out that my fatherwas also stationed at Lowestoft for part of the war.Thu Jul 23 09:41:31 2009

Isabel Pipe Irvine, Ayrshiremy father in law jack pipe was on the russian convoys onh.m.s marnei have lots of pictures of the crew alsopostcards he sent from all his travels he was english andcame from gosportSun Jun 7 20:35:39 2009

Gordon ClarkIt is great joy to read these first hand accounts of whatwent on, these events must never be forgotten. MyGrandfather, Captain Gordon Clark, was Master of SS EmpireElgar on Convoy PQ16 returning Convoy was RA59A;Unfortunately he died when I was only 4 so I have nomemories of him but reading about the Arctic Convoysinspired me to do 2 websites about his service in WW1 andWW2, so any infoanyone has will be most welcomeTue Apr 14 09:55:32 2009

Peggy StokerMy Husband Don Stoker served on Impulsive. He told methat Impulsive was one of the Russian Convoy Escorts. Ihave tried to get details on this but so far have not hadmuch luck. I do know that an E Boat was sunk while he wasserving on board and I think that was on Convoy Duty. Ifanybody has more information I will be very grateful to haveit. Sun Feb 22 19:29:09 2009

Rob Fordyce from South AfricaHello all. I'm currently looking into my dad's WW2"escapades" in the Russian Convoys. He served on the HMSEnterprise, HMS Somali and HMS Farndale between 1939and '43 and went by the name John Fordyce.(Dingwall-Fordyce). Anybody with any info or knowledge of him?Would be good to hear from you.

Tue Jan 6 09:46:12 2009

Bill Grier, LivingstonTo John Place, Pontefract.John, the convoys continued into1945 even after the war ended. Captian Browning tookOnslow and Obdurate on escort for JW67 and arrived in KolaInlet on 20 May 1945. They left again 3 days later withRA76 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? Yourfather is entitled to one. If you contact the Vavy with hisdetails they'll send you one. it takes a bit of time but it is abeautiful 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 ErnestStone served on the 'Empire Pickwick' I had no idea that hewas a war hero as he never really talked about the war. Ididn't ask either. I am researching his life while I am visitingthe UK. This has been a wonderful journey into his humbleyet heroic life. He left the UK for New Zealand and neverreturned to his birth place in Leeds. I now have a lovelycollection of his medals. The Arctic Embem being theanticlimax to say the least. I'm reading the book 'ArcticConvoys' by Richard Woodman. Mind boggling!Sat Dec 6 18:14:53 2008

Peter King Salterforth BarnoldswickMy uncle Bob (Bob Schofield) served on HMS Impulsive onseveral Russian convoys, most notably PQ18. The conditionshe describes are hardly believable. Icicles in the engineroom, next to 3 boilers and 35,000 HP steam tubines.Having to hack ice off decks and rigging. Bob says the onlything that kept him going was the rum ration. I'm ever soproud of my uncle Bob. I would like to say a heart feltthanks to all you seamen who served on the Murmansk run.Fri Dec 5 16:44:51 2008

Peter King Salterforth BarnoldswickMy uncle Bob (Bob Schofield) served on HMS Impulsive onseveral Russian convoys, most notably PQ18. The conditionshe describes are hardly believable. Icicles in the engineroom, next to 3 boilers and 35,000 HP steam tubines.Having to hack ice off decks and rigging. Bob says the onlything that kept him going was the rum ration. I'm ever soproud of my uncle Bob. I would like to say a heart feltthanks 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 1944as a Temporary Petty Office. Would he have been on theRussian Convoys at that time ?Fri Nov 28 09:46:09 2008

Bill Grier, LivingstonTo: Chris Timms, Southampton, UKChris, I don't knowwhether you'll get this or not but as you'll see in the threadsbelow, my father served on HMS Onslow. Over the past fewyears I've been investigating his time aboard and I'veshared many email with your uncle Eric. in fact he sent memany documents and pictures, one of which shows myfather. Eric didn't know him but I do wish I'd known he washome, I owe him so much!Sun Oct 26 17:45:17 2008

David Tutton, Santa Pola, SpainI was only four at the time, but I remember when my fatherwas home on leave from H.M.S Gossamer. My mother,brother and I had to go to the infectious disease departmentin Portsmouth to be treated for scabies. It seemed great funat the time. But looking back it just shows another side ofthe hardships that our men went through. Sadly my fatherwas killed on H.M.S. Gossamer when she was bombed Inthe Kola Inlet in 1942.Tue Oct 14 12:58:13 2008

Chris Timms, Southampton, UKMy Uncle Eric Timms was a signalman on the HMS Onslowduring his time in the Arctic fleet and he is now visiting theUK for the first time in 40 years since emmigrating toCanada. If anyone knew him or knows someone that knewhim it would be great to hear from you.Wed Sep 24 19:23:28 2008

Alan Todd from Tarvin ChesterMy Father , Frederick Arthur Todd served on HMS Marne andkept a diary of his experiences during the Russian convoyPQ18. In it he describes the sinking of the Mary Luckenbach.A copy of his diary can be seen by going to Google, type inHMS 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 D-Day he was 1st flotilla mine sweepers, and after thatoperation sweeping the n. sea estuaries in HMS. Lyme Regis.Dad lived a long and healthy life in Liverpool and died aged96. He had many tales to tell often talking until the earlyhours. so glad I found this site, it would be good to hearfrom any crew members who remember him and theirshared joys and horrors. Mon May 26 21:19:29 2008

Donald Hart. Baltimore USAMy brother, Leslie Hart of Hereford, was a "sparks" on theOnslought thro' a two to three year period as noted and is amember of an old comrades' group from the Onslought. IsAran in touch with this group? I think many of the lads havedied and there is now more emphasis on the "O" group as awhole.Mon May 5 20:16:20 2008

Margaret Lewis from Whitstable, KentI would love to get in touch with Anne Milton fromBallymena as my father has tried for some time to trace anyrelatives of his friend 'Ernie' Mather, who went down withthe Mahratta. He remembers that Ernie made a wonderfuljob of repairing his pyjamas when my dad fell asleep with acigarette in his mouth and burnt the collar. Wed Feb 27 10:08:13 2008

Jacqueline Mead, Walthamstow, LondonDear AranMy late father, Albert Bolton was based at ScappaFlow during the war. He was assigned as the ship's assistantcook becoming cook. He would rarely talk about the war. Itcame to light recently through his brother that dad was onthe Murmansk convoys. In going through his paperwork theonly document I have found is a statement of Naval Servicebut it does name the ship he was on. Attached to thisstatement 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 loveto find out more than his Statement of Naval Service and ifanyone reading this can point me forward to the rightdirection of finding out more about his ship/service etc Iwould be very grateful. Thank you. The only other memoryhe told me of Scappa Flow was his fondness for an Islaywhiskey. I think that it what it was called.Mon Feb 25 08:14:01 2008

Alison Webster, AylesburyIt was interesting to read your recollections as my latefather (Dennis Webster) served on Russian Convoys also onboard the Vindex (see John Crowther's comment). Iremember him talking about Rear Admiral McGrigor.Tue Jan 15 13:19:27 2008

Bill Symington from CanberraI am currently reading "The Arctic Convoys 1941-1945" byRichard Woodman, 531p, published 1994 by John Murray(Publishers) Ltd of 50 Albermarle St, London, W1X 4BD. Thebook appears to be extremely well researched, the authorhaving tracked down many veterans of the merchant andnaval services. He has also researched the archives ofnations involved including the German. There is atremendous amount of detailed info about (possibly all) theships and escorts of all the convoys and various personalitiesas well as conditions in and around Murmansk andArchangel. The book caught my eye at the local gov 0librarythe other day and I took it out on spec. I have barely beenable to put it down since. It inspired me to google theinternet for more info and I came across this site. Hope thishelps. Cheers allTue Dec 18 09:17:04 2007

Kieron, WalesCaroline Gibbs from Cheltenham, Glocs.Contact the ModNavy 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 HMSOnslow and was wounded during The Battle of Barents SeaConvoy JW 51B,losing most of his left leg from shrapnel.Ithink Grandad was a gunner or involved with the turret,but Iam not sure.I am trying to trace further details about thisbattle and my grandad's involvement.Grandad never talkedabout it much and when he did I was too young tounderstand.One thing grandad did talk about was fishing forbig silver fish. I would be very grateful for any informationyou 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 canremember if HMS Jaguar was involved in the Russianconvoy. It was a J class destroyer. We have a relative whoserved on the Jaguar and we are trying to trace his warservice. Thank you very much. Caroline GibbsTue Oct 16 13:37:45 2007

Colin McDougall, Germany13 September, 1942 - that was PQ 18. My Dad (died 2005)was there too - as leading stoker on the Flower Classcorvette HMS Bergamot. The battle started September 13and 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, BallymenaI am really interested in the HMS Marhatta, as my husband'sgrandfather, was a petty stoke officer. His name was JamesStanley Mather, he was onboard the HMS Marhatta whenshe was hit by the torpedo, unfortunately, he was one of thepeople who lost their lives onboard, I would be reallyinterested to hear from you if you remember him, as wouldlove to know what he was like as he was only 30years oldwhen he died, so my husband never knew his Grandfather.Thu Jul 19 09:30:44 2007

Bill Grier, LivingstonMy father served aboard HMS Onslow under CaptSherbrooke. He died in 1976 and this being the 30thanniversary of his death. I'm trying to collect information onher exploits. My father never spoke too much about what hewent 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 WalesGreat Reading, wife's grandfather died on the RussianConvoys, he served on board HMS Mahratta. Fri Sep 15 09:09:42 2006

Margaret Black, LeedsMy late Father served on the Russian convoys, (I believe hewas on the Gossamer) my children and myself wereinterested to read your memories. Mon Jul 3 12:33:47 2006

Joseph Alan Roberts, Fairfax, Virginia,USAThanks Aran for a first-rate eye-witness account. My dad,Joseph Thomas Roberts, was an Electician's Mate on "Hell'sHolocaust" (motto only, I don't know her commissionedname) a U.S. destroyer in the Italian campaign under yourillustrious Gen. Montgomery, and shelled and beat Sicily, butyou really "went to hell and back" to protect our allies, theRussians, the poor guys! Thanks again. (P.S. I'm the 5thJoseph, 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 nearAberystwythMy grandfather was on the Duke of York, right through thewar and was on board during the Battle of the North Cape.Clement Waring.Tue Feb 14 12:42:58 2006

Chris Watkin from NorthwichMy father (Walter Watkin - now deceased) served on theHMS Onslow (Leading Stoker). In 1995, I took him to avillage in Nottinghamshire which had been the home ofCaptain Sherbrooke. There in the village Church hung theBattle Flag of the Onslow during this action, together withthe story of the battle and reference to Capt Sherbrooke'sVC - later he became Sherrif of Nottingham. Sat Jan 7 20:57:19 2006

John Crowther, AylesburyI was also on Russian Convoys Aran and I enjoyed yourstory and as you say it was quite true. I was on the Vindexand we sailed with you on some convoys.

Sat Sep 17 21:54:05 2005

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