Story: Introduction to the LCI(L) 271

LCI(L) 271: Lessons in Hope and Equanimity

By W. R. Sinclair

The Highland Light Infantry of Canada load onto Landing Craft, Infantry, Large,

LCI(L) at Southhampton, 4 June 1944. Photo credit - Highland Light Infantry

The following short story, about a young officer's early introduction to handling a large landing craft on his own, is found in St. Nazaire to Singapore: The Canadian Amphibious War 1941 - 1945, Volume 2 (pages 209 - 211). The two-volume set of stories, by Canadian veterans of Combined Operations, was inspired by the book Combined Operations by Londoner Clayton Marks and produced in the mid-1990s. The collection is very rare but available for viewing at some large libraries (e.g., Toronto Public) and museums (e.g., Canada's War Museum, Ottawa). As well, it is available for viewing online at Our Roots, University of Alberta in Calgary as a PDF file.

The first two short paragraphs of the story by W. R. Sinclair follow:

"Early in April (1944) it was evident that the refit would soon be finished. Our crew of twenty-one was complete. The youngest was about eighteen and the oldest, the Chief Motor Mechanic, some thirty-five. I was Captain or CO, and twenty-three. We had another officer, the First Lieutenant. He was from Toronto."

"On 14 April, 1944 we had full power trials of our engines down the river Thames. First, we had the Locks Pilot (come aboard and man the bridge), then the River Pilot and finally a "Sea" Pilot as we neared the mouth of the river. That day we received a signal directing us to proceed to Southend-on-Sea, on the north shore of the Thames, for routing instructions."

Sinclair goes on to write that his Landing Craft Infantry, Large or LCI(L) would tag along behind a coastal convoy to Southampton "where the rest of the Canadian LCI(L)s were based." He was happy to hear about "tagging along" at the back because he had "never given a helm order" or commanded the landing craft himself until then. He recalled that the pilots that had come aboard "were uncomfortable working with LCI(L)s", likely because of their shallow draft, high superstructure and big differences in handling compared to a similar-sized freighter.

On Saturday, April 15 Sinclair's LCI(L) arrived at Southend-on-Sea in the early afternoon and anchored in the channel. The next day Sinclair was picked up and delivered by boat to a significant meeting on shore, where he was given sailing instructions - a single sheet of paper - for a lengthy trip (and one that turned out to be nerve-wracking) to Southampton. Though Sinclair was likely relieved to hear certain ships would lead him on his way, news that they "might encounter German E-Boats" would not have lifted his spirits.

Privately, Sinclair told a commander that "(he) had never had any vessel under (his) command" and that he was "most concerned about (his) ability to see the convoy through safely to Southampton."

The Officer put his hand on Sinclair's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, my boy, you'll get there somehow."

And somehow, though "very puzzled and disturbed by (a certain) turn of events", Sinclair made his way to Southampton, crash landing and all!

Readers will find the full story at Lessons in Hope and Equanimity

Please link to Story: 1944 - A Year of Climax, Reshuffle, Achievement