My War Hero!

Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces Community. Armed Forces Day flagged are raised on buildings and famous landmarks around the country and there are so many ways that people, communities and organisations to get involved.

A lot of people I know are serving in the Armed Forces in different sectors, one being my Grandad, who served in the Royal Navy for 22 years and is now retired. I wanted to find out more about his story and being in the Navy so I asked him a few questions about life on board and what he did. Here are his answers;

What was your job title and what did it involve?

I was a Marine Engineer Mechanic when I first joined 2nd Class in 1961. My job was running and maintaining machinery like refrigeration, engine, turbines and boilers, A/C and things like that. I then went to HMS Verulum and from there HMS Collingwood as maintenance crew, then when to HMS Rhyl. Having spent 15 months on tour around Mediterranean seas in which the main base was Gibraltar, I then joined submachine services, down to HMS dolphin to do submarine training which was 3 months. My first submachine was MHS Osisiris S13 which I was there for 12 months. I then went to HMS Sultan for 12 months engineering training. I then went to HMS Warspite for 3 years which was a nuclear power submarine. I then went onto HMS Conqueurer, then HMS Courageous, then HMS Faslane. After doing 22 years in the Navy I then retired.

Which war were you in? I was in the cold war.

What did you get from being in the armed forces? I got a sense of discipline, camaraderie and sense of duty.

What is your favourite memory? I would say probably touring Canada and USA because of the adventure and excitement of it all.

What is the best place you travelled? Mauritius which is in the Indian ocean because of the beauty of the island and the people there.

What is your greatest accomplishment whilst serving in the Royal Navy? I think serving the royal navy for 22 years and working up the ranks to a Chief Petty Officer.

What did you sacrifice while you were there? I sacrificed my home life, things like spending time with my wife and children. I also missed Christmas’s and birthdays sometimes.

If you weren’t in the armed forces what do you think you would have done? I honestly think I would be in prison or dead. There was a lack of opportunity in civilian level and I joined navy for a better future for myself.

What was your worst moment? Probably the time I nearly didn’t come home. Whilst on patrol and serving HMS Warspite we collided with a Russian submarine which resulted in severe damage to conning tower and other equipment. I survived by around 3 seconds.

What were the rooms like you stayed in? The bed was 6ft by 2ft by 1ft and above or below someone else was staying.

Do you still speak to anyone you were in the forces with? I still speak to my brother in law, Val. But everyone lives far away and are spread out over the country but we keep in contact with cards.

What was your favourite food on board? Steak and wine night was my favourite!

Do you have any funny stories? We were at the Conqueror re-commissioning service at Chatham dock yard and a sub-lieutenant in all his finery uniform, spurs, uniform etc thought he was the bee knees and got his foot caught in a rail track and went head over heels. We still laugh about it now!

My Grandad is now a member of the Royal Navy Association and here he is in our village raising the Armed Forces flag!

Grandad, you're my hero.

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible story.

If you want to find out more information about how to get involved click here!