War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (Parts 1 - 3)

Two WWII Veterans Share Details About Common Interests

One Writes From Australia, the Other From Canada

Introduction:

Prior to the 50th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid in August, 1992, correspondence began between two WWII veterans living on opposite hemispheres about five decades after the end of the war. Some of the letters between them fell into my hands a few months ago, I'm certainly glad for that, and details therein have been shared below in three posts. 

The veterans have connections to the Dieppe Raid, the invasion of Sicily and more, including a unique link to my father, a member of RCNVR and Combined Operations from 1941 - 45. If questions arise as you peruse the three entries, please contact me for more information. Links to the entries and my email address are provided below.

Part 1. War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (1)

"...my Flotilla landed 8th Army (aka Monty's) tanks in Howe (sic) the most

Eastern of the landing beaches. We did ship to shore..." Details from a letter

by SFO Cyril Masterman, RANVR, Comb. Ops. Map is from St. Nazaire to

Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War 1941- 1945, Vol. 1, pg. 179

Part 2. War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (2)

Valentine tanks being offloaded from a landing craft (small LCT) during

combined operations training at Inveraray in Scotland, 9 October 1941.

Photo - War Office Photogr. Capt. W.T. Lockeyear, H14592. IWM.

Part 3. War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (3)

Front cover art as found on Combined Operations

by Clayton Marks, London Ontario

I tip my hat to Mr. Steve Marks of London ONT, son of writer Clayton Marks, for sharing the letters with me from Mr. Cyril Masterman of Queensland, Australia.  

Questions or comments related to the letters, LCTs (landing crafts (for) tanks), the blog, the destructive powers of an 80 knot wind, and the Canadian role in Combined Operations can be addressed to the Editor of 1000 Men, 1000 Stories at gordh7700@gmail.com

Please click here to view War Correspondents: News Article from The Hamilton Spectator, July 14, 1943

Unattributed Photos GH

War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (3)

Last Two letters Lt. Cdr. Cyril Masterman, Senior F.O., LCTs

His Experience on High Seas Left a Lasting Impression

Photo Credit - LCT (Mark 5, small) 401, manoeuvering with ramp down.

As found at www.combinedops.com, from Imperial War Museum (IWM)

Introduction:

In two earlier, related posts, we learn about the connection between two members of Combined Operations, one a member of RCNVR, the other a member of RANVR, but both associated with Landing Craft, (for) Tanks (LCTs) that spent a few months time in the Mediterranean Sea during WWII. 

In this post of the same series I will share the final two letters that travelled between the sailors back in the early 1990s prior to significant Navy reunions both were hoping to attend. Navy ties were exchanged along with family news (not all included here), along with plans associated with the reunions, and some details re the Aussie's experience returning to the U.K. after 3 - 4 months in the Med are repeated, making me think, then share a bit about the reasons for repetition of some of the same facts. You can be the judge as well.

As opposed to my past practice of typing up the letters that are written in cursive, I have photographed the paragraphs written by the Aussie (Cyril Masterman) to the Canuck (Clayton Marks). If cursive befuddles your modern mind, write me for a translation @ gordh7700@gmail.com

From Brisbane, 30/7/91, Mr. Masterman's letter begins:

I think Cyril and Clayton initially connected by sharing information about the Dieppe Raid, about those who were involved, what with the 50 Anniversary coming up to be celebrated in August, 1992. The date of a 1991 reunion was upcoming in two months (i.e., Sept. 1991) and Cyril was unable to attend. If the location was Ottawa, my father definitely wanted to attend, and asked me for assistance in getting there from his hometown, Norwich, south of Woodstock, ONT. His own health concerns forced him to cancel the trip.

What would have been on the reunion's agenda? The 49th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid? Perhaps. The 50th Anniversary of the date on which the first two drafts of Canadian sailors, about 100 in all, including my father, volunteered for Combined Operations (while training at HMCS Stadacona in Halifax, Nova Scotia)? Hopefully! I know I'd like to have been there to raise a glass with them!

Of course, the 50th reunion in 1992 would be a much bigger deal, as those who served at Dieppe were remembered (among them those that had been killed, or injured, or taken as prisoners of war, or returned to serve again - though filled with anger or grief or survivors' guilt or relief, perhaps more.

The list of Canadian participants was shared earlier: click here to view the names to be presented to the Mayor of Dieppe in 1992.

The name 'Earl McKenna' mentioned in Cyril's first paragraph (above) does not appear on the 'Mayor's list' nor does it come to mind re to other stories or events that I am familiar with at this time. However, the name of Joe McKenna (RCNVR/Comb. Ops), from PEI, does appear (died during the Dieppe Raid) and more information about that young sailor and his fate can be found here. 

For the 2nd or 3rd time Cyril mentions leaving Gibraltar in early November, 1943 and later facing very strong winds and high seas. I think he repeats the tale, not because he forgets he told the tale in an earlier letter, but because he cannot forget it. "an 80 knot gale." "We lost 2 ships." "a later convoy turned back." "German Destroyers... put to sea (heading toward his destination)." His life and death story resurfaces because it cannot be sunk... in my humble opinion. Your thoughts?

In comparison I read for the first time that "for my sins all the damage I sustained (during WWII, I suspect) was a small piece of German metal I coped (sic copped, i.e., received) at Dieppe...". So, getting injured is a forgettable experience most days, but facing an 80 knot gale is harder to shrug off... again, in my humble opinion.

The letter concludes:

The fourth and final letter from Cyril to Clayton appears below:

Sent from Old Stafford Mail Centre, Australia on September 3, 1991

"If you really care you'll write" (Same is true today : )

Write me for a 'cursive' translation @ gordh7700@gmail.com

Cyril repeats details re the trip aboard LCTs, beginning Nov. 5, 1943. However, I believe the underlined item, in red (above) re "propellor shaft" is new. I would certainly like to read Clayton's responses re his own experiences, especially details re being "in the next convoy." And I have found a modern day mailing address for another Masterman family in the same postal zone in Queensland. So, we'll see what we can find out!

Cyril's letter to Clayton concludes:

"Don't freeze in that cold Winter you have up there."

I liked Cyril's note re the cold winters in Canada. Sure, we have cold winters but we survive by huddling together around the TV while watching NHL hockey. Excellent.

I also liked the line "I find your Newsletters very interesting." Because it made me think, "What Newsletters could he be talking about?" I then recalled that my father's name and address can be found with many other RCNVR/Comb. Ops names and addresses on a 3 or 4 page long "Newsletter Mailing List", somewhere in one of my many files! So, I've got some research to do. Surely somebody kept a file of all the newsletters, but who, and where? (Yes, a name has popped to mind... more details to follow, I hope).

For those interested to know more about the role of Aussies and Canadians in Combined Ops who travelled here and there aboard LCTs, please link to the following:

Landing Craft Tank (5) 2331 - LCT (5) 2331

Photo Credit - US LCT(A) 2008 was the same type of landing craft as the 2331

Please click here to view War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (2)

Unattributed Photos GH

War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (2)

A Senior Flotilla Officer Writes From Australia in 1990

His LCTs Landed at How Sector About 50 Years Earlier

"...my Flotilla landed 8th Army (aka Monty's) tanks in Howe (sic) the most

Eastern of the landing beaches. We did ship to shore..." Details from a letter

by SFO Cyril Masterman, RANVR, Comb. Ops. Map is from St. Nazaire to

Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War 1941- 1945, Vol. 1, pg. 179

Introduction:

In the first of four letters from former SFO Cyril Masterman, Australia, written in the early 1990s to Clayton Marks (former member of RCNVR and C. Ops, i.e., Combined Operations), London, Canada, it seems clear that the basis of their connection was shared experience related to the Dieppe Raid, August 19, 1942. The 50th Anniversary of the raid was forthcoming and they both shared information back and forth about those who had taken part, according to their recollection and lists in their possession. 

In his second letter Cyril shares information about his time in the Mediterranean during the invasions of Sicily, beginning July 10, 1943, and Italy about two months later, beginning September 3. A goodly portion of the two page letter refers to difficulties in getting about 3 dozen LCTs (Landing Craft, Tanks) back to the UK without them sinking to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Cyril's cursive style is a challenge at times so I will share some parts of the letter as is followed by my interpretation. I think I've managed to translate sufficiently well to pass the grade with a 98% success rate.

Note in 1st sentence one more reason for the two sailors to connect

fairly easily, i.e., "your exploits in L.C.T.s," something in common

Cyril writes from Queensland:

I was pleased to receive your letter of April 5th and to hear of your exploits in L.C.T.s.

I was the Senior Flotilla Officer L.C.T.s in the Med. My Flotilla landed 8th Army tanks in Howe (sic), the most Eastern of the landing beaches. We did ship to shore for a few days, then moved up to Augusta. Later we moved to Catania then did the landing across the Straits of Messina at Reggio. Then Vibo Valencia (sic)* (a minor op.). Then Salerno.

(*Vibo Valentia, Italy. Not much has been written or found about this minor operation).

To assist readers with the location of How Beach, one of the Allied "Eastern landing beaches," I share two maps below, the first from the book entitled Combined Operations by Clayton Marks, the second from another volume of stories literally inspired by Clayton's book and called St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War 1941- 1945, Vol. 1.

SFO Masterman supplied Monty's 8th Army at How Beach alongside the 81st

Flotilla of Canadian Landing Craft (LCMs) near Avola (see far right). Page 76

In the map at the top of this entry one can see How Beach is subdivided into 3 sections (Red, Amber and Green) and Red and Amber Beaches now make up part of modern day Gallina. 

However, Masterman was incorrect in his view that How was the "most Eastern of the landing beaches" because just north of How Beach was George Beach, with the Eighth Army being serviced by the 80th Flotilla of Canadian LCMs (Landing Craft , Mechanised). The buzz of many landing crafts and even larger ships would have been hidden from view to some degree by the large peninsula, Punta del Cane (see map below).

"MOST SECRET" Map is from St. Nazaire to Singapore... Vol. 1, pg. 179

Noto and Avola (inside blue circle) are located incorrectly on the above map.

Many sailors lived in two cattle caves, aka 'grottazze' in Italian, for 2 - 3 weeks while unloading LCMs into the first week of August. The caves are difficult to see and impossible to access due to the growth of thorn-covered shrubs and cactus over the last 80 years or so. That being said, the shrubs and cactus did not keep my son and I from swimming last September.

More about GEORGE Sector and sinking of HMHS Talamba found here

Canadian LCMs were unloaded from HMS Empire Charmian at HOW Sector

Photo from D.J. Lewis' book St. Nazaire to Singapore... Vol. 1, pg. 138

Email Editor at gordh7700@gmail.com for more details about the book

A view of GEORGE Sector and Fontane Bianche, partially hidden by the

NE shore line of Punta del Cane (rock was cut away for building material)

Cyril Masterman's correspondence continues:

Being the S.O. I attended a meeting each day on the HQ Ship* where I was told which supply ships were required to be unloaded first then alloted (sic) the L.C.T.s accordingly.

*the HQ Ship (for the SNOL - Senior Naval Officer of Landings) is the Reina

Del Pacifico (Queen of the Pacific). Many ships nearby are U.S. Liberty ships

After a couple of weeks at Salerno* I took 24 L.C.T.s back to Sicily where we prepared for the return to the U.K. We eventually left Gib. (i.e., Gibraltar) on the 5th November, 1943. 

(*Salerno was invaded by Allied forces under the leadership of U.S. Gen. Mark W. Clark beginning on September 9, about a week after the initial invasion of Italy - Operation Baytown - at the toe of the boot beginning September 3, 1943).

Cyril continues:

Most of our crafts' engines were the worse for wear and most days we had 2 or 3 or more L.C.T.s in trouble. Three days from home we received a gale warning from Admiralty. The seas became mountains and the wind registered 80 KTS (knots) at the Scillies weather station. I left Gib. with 36 (LCTs) and arrived at St. Marys, Scilly Isles with 3. One craft was lost, another with two engines out was washed right across the Bay of Biscay and dropped anchor in Spain.

Map of Bay of Biscay and Isles of Scilly found at Pinterest.com

The next group to return to the U.K. were 3 days out when they were advised German destroyers were in their area. So they turned tail and returned to Gib. One of their group had dropped behind with engine trouble and didn't know the group had turned back. He went flat out trying to rejoin his group and arrived in the U.K. on his own. He was a Canadian whom I knew well but I can't recall his name. He was in the 5th Flotilla.

There were no R.N.R. (Royal Navy Reserve) in L.C.T.s but the F.O. (Flotilla Officer) of L.C.I.(L) (i.e., Landing Craft for Infantry, Large) were both R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. (Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve). Strange to say the first L.C.T. Flotillas were commanded by Australians.

I had a close association with the Canadians Tank boys when training for Dieppe (see War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (1)) and had many happy times with them. They taught me to drive a Churchill Tank. 

I found the writings of Lt. Cdr. (Jake) Koyl very interesting and thank you very much for sending them to me. I have taken a copy of the Naval Forces involved in Dieppe and trust you will find them of interest.*

(*Clayton Marks reported about Naval Forces that participated in the Dieppe Raid and perhaps Cyril Masterman provided some of the details - Lists of Naval Forces at Dieppe)

The Dieppe Veterans' Assn. appears to be dead because although I am a Life Member I haven't heard from them for years. I thought I may have at least received their Annual Report.

We Australians on loan to the R.N. were supposed to serve with them for 2 years* but they (R.A.N.) (i.e., Royal Australian Navy) forgot about us. I spent 3 and 1/2 years, others longer.

(*2 years was the duration for many Canadian Navy boys like my father and his mates, i.e. from December 1941 to December 1943. After returning to U.K. barracks after three months in the Mediterranean (July - early October, 1943), they were eventually shipped back to Canada on leave - but many were back in service with RCNVR and Combined Operations by January, 1944 (e.g., my father and many mates were sent to a Combined Operations training school on Vancouver Island until fall, 1945).

I did a short term as Gunnery Officer on the Queen Elizabeth 8 x 8 inch guns trooping New York to the Clyde. I was relieved in New York, joined the Ranee (Aircraft Carrier) in San Fransisco and off loaded in Perth (Aust.) then to our Naval H.Q. in charge of Combined Operations. So ended another of life's experiences. 

PS. Our Sicily problems were (German) Aircraft. We shot down one the first night. When I say 'we' (I refer to) the ships in the anchorage, 12 of us. Reggio and Salerno was the same story. F. W. Fighters (i.e., German Focke Wulf) with 2 x 100 pound bombs.

German Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf Fw 190 as found at silverhawkauthor

 

One scored a direct hit on a heavy ack ack battery just as it left our ramp. One direct hit straight through the side and bottom and didn't explode. We kept the tail fins as a souvenir.

I would sooner face all these than an 80 KT. (knot) Atlantic Gale.

Kindest Regards, Clayton, and thanks again for the mailings.

C.M.

More about War Correspondence will follow.

Click here to view War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (1)

Unattributed Photos GH

War Correspondence: From One Veteran to Another (1)

Two WWII Navy Veterans (also in Combined Operations)

Connect Via Royal Mail, While 1000s of Miles Apart

Air Mail from Queensland, Australia Arrives in London, Ontario, Canada

Introduction:

Though I feel I have prying eyes as I peruse 4 air mail letters from the early 1990s that were certainly not meant for me (my conscience, instilled or enlivened within me at a very early age by my well-meaning parents sits upon my right shoulder as I type this post), I'm pretty certain the two Navy veterans (now deceased) and their respective families will forgive me. 

They can rest assured that no deep, dark, or family secrets will be revealed, just matters related to Australian and Canadian sailors who participated in the Dieppe Raid and invasions of Sicily and Italy. Just details related to items that are now part of the public record, and if they are not, then they should be, in the form of appreciation and praise for the manner in which these men served their respective countries during WWII.

Air Mail from:

Note postal stamps below, e.g., Old Stafford Mail Centre

Recipient:

Clayton Marks authored/editted and distributed Combined Operations,

a book that started making the rounds in late 1980s, early 1990s

Mr. Cyril Masterman writes:

Dear Clayton,

Some time ago (I came across) your name and activity re the Royal Canadian Navy Association (R.C.N.A., likely in London, Ontario). Recent moves in the U.K. re the Honour Roll have prompted me to write to you.

Two Australians commanded the two Flotillas of  Tank Landing Craft (LCT) in the Dieppe Raid. My fellow Australian was killed (which suggests that C. Masterman commanded one of the Flotillas and fortunately survived the raid). I later took my Flotilla to the Mediterranean* where we took part in the landings in Sicily, Reggio and Salerno etc. etc.

Valentine tanks being offloaded from a landing craft (small LCT) during

combined operations training at Inveraray in Scotland, 9 October 1941.
Photo - War Office Photogr. Capt. W.T. Lockeyear, H14592. IWM.

(*Masterman likely spent at least 3 months in the Med, like my father and his mates in the Canadian Flotillas of Landing Craft, i.e., LCMs or landing craft, mechanised).

His letter continues:

His paragraph is repeated below for those who, like me, are sometimes "challenged by cursive":

There were no Canadians in these two Flotillas but there were several in the assault landing craft (LCAs), including D. H. Botly, R. M. Smith, D. L. Marchant, J. E. O'Rourke, P. F. McRae, and G. F. Bayne. These names are taken from a list* I have of the H.M. Ships and Landing Craft that took part in this suicide mission.

(*Clayton Marks also listed the names of all Canadians who were in Combined Operations and who had participated in the Dieppe Raid. The list was presented to the Mayor of Dieppe in 1992. All names Masterman listed above appear in Clayton's list except D. L. Marchant (he is shown to be a member of the Royal Navy (RNVR; not RCNVR) on two other lists). 

Gordon Hurley is preparing a list of all Naval personnel to be presented to the Mayor of Dieppe on the 50th Anniversary (in) 1992. He has the names I have given you but you may care to contact him. G. F. R. Hurley... (his full address in the U.K. followed.)

A couple of years ago I was asked to speak at a R.A.N. (Royal Australian Navy) Naval Symposium. The topic "The Dieppe Raid." Since the release of all the top Secret Signals, meetings etc. of the War Office after 30 years a lot has been written telling us what really did happen at the time. A documentary was written by Anthony Cave Brown in 1977 entitled "Bodyguard of Lies."* I sent to the U.K. for a copy, a paperback of 1,000 pages, but a wealth of information by W. H. Allen & Co. Ltd.

(*A. C. Brown's book can be found online at AbeBooks, Amazon, etc. Some notes reveal that there are two volumes, so "Body of Lies" may just whet your appetite.)

Photo Credit - AbeBooks

Masterman's letter continues:

(Cursive translated...) My Flotilla spent a lot of time with the Tank boys of the Calgary Regiment* and they were a great bunch of fellows.

(*many books about the Dieppe Raid mention the exploits and challenges faced by the Calgary Tank Regiment, e.g., the shingle beach, the cement tank defences, and more).

 

I am a Life Member of the Dieppe Veterans Assn. of Canada, also a long time member of the M.L.C.A. (?? Help Wanted. If a reader knows the meaning of M.L.C.A. please let me know @ gordh7700@gmail.com) The 5th Flotilla which went to the Med with us had 1 Canadian by the name of Downey. I've forgotten his Christian name.

I was on loan* to the R.N. (British Royal Navy) together with many other Australians, supposedly for two years but it was 3 1/2 before I was returned to Australia and appointed Staff Office Combined Ops at our Naval Headquarters.

(* A few Canadian members of Combined Operations also stated they were "on loan to the R.N." After two years overseas all or most were granted leave back to Canada, whereupon many were offered another assignment with Combined Operations, e.g., to train for D-Day (or to train others) for the invasion of France beginning June 6, 1944. My father and his mates were offered or chose an assignment at HMCS Givenchy III.) i.e., at Canada's Combined Operations Training School on Vancouver Island). 

Masterman's letter concludes:

I was the Senior F.O. in L.C.T.s and thoroughly enjoyed my association with the Brits. My most treasured possession is a brass plaque* the Flotilla presented to me on leaving. Beautifully engraved with all our landings, done by a stoker with a hammer and sharpened file and mounted by the chippie on the Queen Elizabeth on a piece of English Oak. (I did a short stint as Gunnery Officer on the Q.E. prior to returning to Australia).

I trust this scribble may be of interest. 

Yours Sincerely,

Cyril Masterman

(*"a brass plaque" on the Q.E. is a fine reward for service and I will attempt to locate Cyril's surviving family members to see if they have a photograph of it. Details to follow if luck is on my side).

Clayton and Cyril may have later met at the commemoration of the Dieppe Raid in 1992. If not, I know that Clayton records in his book (self-published in late 1980s or early 1990s) several lists of names, i.e., Canadian participants in the Dieppe Raid, flotilla by flotilla... including those who were aboard Landing Crafts, (for) Tanks (LCTs) which include two commanding officers who were members of the R.A.N.V.R. Masterman seems to be a fellow interested in lists of names so done might be forgotten. If he came across Clayton's book (e.g., via Navy reunions, and one was in fact held in Australia several years after WWII ended) he would have wanted Clayton to have any details he could provide.

A few details as found in Clayton's book:

More ships are listed, e.g., Landing Ships (for) Infantry, Small (LSI(S))

along with Senior Officers, Landings (S.O.L.s) at various beaches. Pg 31

More Groups from 3 - 13 are also listed. Groups 1 - 6 were destined to land at

particular beaches. Groups 8 - 12 included LCTs commanded by Aussie F.O.s

From Pages 32 - 34, Combined Operations by Londoner Clayton Marks

All LCTs above were commanded by F.O. Cyril Masterman, RANVR. Pg 33

4 of 6 officers mentioned by Masterman in his letter are listed above,

i.e., D.H. Botly, R.M. Smith, D.L. Marchant and J.E. O'Rourke. Pg 34

Lt. McRae, also aforementioned in Masterman's letter, was my father's

Commanding officer. If my father had not been placed on leave he likely

would have either been killed or wounded and/or taken prisoner of war

along with several others in McRae's command. Pg 35

On page 36 of Clayton's book we find the names of the two Australian Flotilla Officers of the L.C.T. Flotillas who took part "in this suicide mission" (Masterman's words). Unfortunately, Lt.-Cdr. H.P. Brownell, R.A.N.V.R., did not survive the day of August 19, 1942.

The complete lists from Clayton Marks' book, i.e., Combined Operations, only partially provided above, will be shared in a future post on this site.

As well, the second of Cyril Masterman's letters to Clayton Marks will soon follow.

If readers can provide more details re the names of those from Canada, Australia, U.K., U.S.A. (e.g., 50 U.S. Rangers took part), please let me know at gordh7700@gmail.com

Clayton Marks (centre) hosts a meeting of five WWII navy veterans who 

produced a total of five books or volumes of stories. London, Ontario

Please click here to learn more about Clayton Marks and other Navy veterans who put their pens to work many years after the war - Photographs: Aging Navy Vets Reconnect at Reunions (1)

Unattributed Photos GH

Correspondence: "My Grandad Served on the Reina Del Pacifico" (2)

"I Was Involved in Four Invasions; Norway, North Africa, Sicily and Italy."

A very healthy-sized tot of rum (excellent idea, in my opinion. Be right back)!

Photo with permission of Mark Pountney, with his Grandad. Cheers!

Introduction:

A number of years ago (I'm embarrassed to say how many) I was informed via email from Mark Pountney of England that his Grandad Herbert Jones ("a bosun and quartermaster" during WWII) had been on the liner Reina Del Pacifico off the shores of North Africa, at the very same time my father Doug Harrison was in the very same area. 

Even better. Reina Del ('Queen of the Pacific', converted from ocean-going liner to troopship) was carrying U.S. soldiers for the first time, and my father (RCNVR/Combined Operations) was charged with carrying those troops to shore, with many of their supplies, on board Landing Craft, Assault (LCAs) and Landing Craft, Mechanised (LCMs) morning, noon and night for several days on end without a break.

American troops manning their landing craft assault (LCA) from a doorway

in the side of the liner Reina Del Pacifico. (D. Harrison, second from left).

 Photo Credit - RN Lt. F. A. Hudson. Imperial War Museum (A12647, IWM)

Would the two men have met?*

As I said in an earlier post re our correspondence, the odds "are not impossibly thin" because my father was able to go aboard the Reina Del for rest, recuperation and "a big tot of rum" after four days of work aboard landing crafts during Operation TORCH, November 1942. The odds get thicker when I consider that Mr. Jones and Mr. Harrison served in Sicily and Italy at the same time as well - for lengthy durations - from July - September (Operations HUSKY, BAYTOWN, and AVALANCHE), the year after the invasion of North Africa by Allied forces. 

Mark Pountney reinvigorated our correspondence on Remembrance Day, 2022: 

From: Mark
Sent: 11 November 2022
To: Gord
Subject: RE: Reina Del Pacifico

Hi Gord,

How are you? It’s been a long time. I was just checking your site again, I’m so glad you’ve kept it up to date with more articles. 

There are some more images of the Reina Del  although I’m sure you have seen them.

HMS Reina Del Pacifico ("Underway"), w landing crafts hanging from davits.

Photo by J. Hall, Gourock, Scotland. Imperial War Museum (IWM) FL18191

I’ve been listening to the audio clips, lots of references to my local area, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Wallasey.

I’ll see if I can find any more info relating to my Grandad’s service.

Best wishes

Had I seen the photo Mark was referring to? I checked the link to IWM, found I had not seen the photo (!), saw an opportunity to also use a link to its photographer... and more. Good score, in my opinion!

According to my records, I wrote back in under six years:

Hi Mark, I am glad you got back in touch. Your email, linked to our first notes from several years ago, is an example of 'great timing!'

For Remembrance Day, I just happened to be putting two short entries together re Operation Torch, invasion of N. Africa, in which a few ships are mentioned - including the Reina Del, Derwentdale and a sister ship. Your email included good photos of Reina Del, so I was able to quickly add one to the second entry. I then remembered that the photographer's name acts as a live link to his collection of photos at IWM, so I clicked on his name - J. Hall - and it quickly led me to his photo of RFA Derwentdale, my father's ride to N. Africa... so I added it as well.

RFA Derwentdale, "At Anchor", by J. Hall, Gourock. IWM, FL11110

I wish you 'happy hunting' as you listen to audio clips. If you hear something re sailors visiting The Crown Pub in Wallasey, let me know. If The Crown still stands, I'd be tempted to get in touch with the owners! Even pop over for a pint.

I've had some good luck re audio files in the past. I'll keep digging too. My best luck of the past year or two (though I found several relevant WWII stories on decades-old microfilm) was the time a collector of militaria (from many miles away) googled the name and service number on a dusty duffle bag he'd purchased w a pile of 'other stuff' 30+ years ago... and the name/number led to my site. It was my father's duffle bag from 1944-45, his second during WWII. Long story short, I now have it back. So, I wish you that kind of luck as you continue your searches!!

Keep well.

My father's name and number are still visible on the duffel bag.

Returned to me before Fathers' Day 2021

A painted picture of (possibly) Betty Hutton, 1940s-style

Click here to read a post re the return of the duffel bag

And related to the above emails, when following the link to J. Hall of Gourock I found excellent photos of about a dozen other ships used during WWII as well as the aforementioned rides to N. Africa.

As well, the Imperial War Museum provides helpful links under many photographs to 'related subjects'. One subject caught my eye in particular re artwork produced during WWII under the heading 'What Life Was Like In Britain During The Second World War':

'Incendiaries in a Suburb, 1941' by Henry Carr, Great Britain

Photo Credit - Imperial War Museum, IWM Art LD 1518

Notes shared with Carr's painting:

This painting depicts an incendiary air raids, with explosions in the sky and fires raging in the distance. Civilians are putting out two incendiaries in their front garden. This is a jarring image of the war's effect on suburban Britain, with street lighting replaced by fires and normal life threatened and disturbed.

But for the next five years the British had to endure the bombing of their towns and cities in the Blitz, as well as attacks from flying bombs and rockets. In all 60,595 civilians were killed and 86,182 seriously injured. Rationing of food began in January 1940 and clothes in June 1941. By 1943, virtually every household item was either in short supply and had to be queued for, or was unobtainable.

The British were the most totally mobilised of all the major belligerents and there was a great and genuine community of spirit in wartime Britain which often transcended class and other barriers. But there was also an almost universal feeling, exemplified by the popularity of the 1942 Beveridge Report, that after victory the country could not go back to pre-war social conditions.

VE Day found Britain exhausted, drab and in poor shape, but justly proud of its unique role in gaining the Allied victory.

As some readers are well aware, resources housed at the Imperial War Museum are quite possible bottomless. Photographs alone reach into the millions upon millions. Then there are the resources related to other topics that catch my interest at times, e.g., the pubs my father visited with mates during his time in Great Britain and Scotland. I have been to a few but not all, and Mark subsequently provided information and links to one I mentioned above earlier, i.e., "The Crown Pub in Wallasey".

More correspondence to follow in the somewhat near future, less than six years time.

Please link to Correspondence: "My Grandad Served on the Reina Del Pacifico" (1)

*Would the two men have met: Final thought. In my experience, people who enjoy a tot of rum, a pint or two in a cozy pub, possibly a single malt - "whisky is but beer distilled" - now and again, tend to find others who feel the same. Well, that's how it works in my neighbourhood at any rate ; )

Questions or comments re the blog/website can be addressed to gordh7700@gmail.com

Unattributed Photos GH