This story was written by Royal Navy veteran Frank O'Shaughnessy and is sent to us by FRED FAETH (1456-1990). Frank did convoy duty to Murmansk (several trips) and in 1993, was awarded a medal from the Russian government for this duty.

Frank remembered how they had to chip ice build-up during raging storms as well as other experiences, some funny - others not.

"Joined the Royal Navy as Boy Signalman in May 1935; HMS GANGES at Harwich. HMS GANGES was a 'Stone Frigate' or a barracks. The original HMS GANGES was the last wooden 76 gun warship in the Royal Navy and was de-commissioned in 1854. The only thing we had was its original mainmast erected on the barracks square. We were obliged to race up and down this mast in groups of six - i.e. up one side and down the other. Of course, the rigging got narrower and at the top there was only room for one at a time.

I switched from signalman to the Fleet Air Arm in December 1938 and became a T.A.G. (telegraphist/air gunner) on September 6, 1939 three days after the outbreak of the war and served in this capacity until 1945 when again I became a civilian.

I served pre-war on the 'IRON DUKE' which was Jellicoe's Flagship at the Battle of Jutland (a battleship) and on HMS MALAYA, also a battleship which had fought at Jutland, and the scars of several hits were visible in the steel I-Beams on the Communications mess deck - flanges of beams bent and pieces missing. I also served on a temporary basis on HMS VIXEN, a V & W class destroyer in Spring of 1938 as a replacement for a signalman who was sick. I did several favours for a Midshipman Mountbatten on this ship; he was asked to dinner and cocktail parties a lot in harbour at Malta and normally a 'Middie' had to get permission from the Officer of the Watch to signal his acceptance. I sent quite a few without the necessary signature when he asked me nicely. He did well after this too. He married 'Liz' and became the Duke of Edinburgh.

During the war I was on: 1) HMS ARK ROYAL 2) HMS SHROPSHIRE 3) HMS ILLUSTRIOUS

I know something about the Royal Navy, and so does the author Ronald Bessett - 'TINFISH RUN' Comments about the book:

Page 101. BOXING. I can remember this. You fell in two ranks, tallest on the right, shortest on the left. Front rank 'ABOUT TURN'. You fought the guy you faced. He was the same height, but could be 60 pounds heavier.

Page 208. We escorted the ARGUS when it was delivered the HURRICANES to Murmansk. I could tell you a real funny story about the return trip.

(HARRY'S NOTE - Frank, we'd love to hear this story.)

Page 221. Description of NORTHUMBERLAND is identical to SHROPSHIRE right down to the WALRUS a/c in which I flew. These 'COUNTY CLASS' cruisers were named after English counties.

Page 231. Hebburn is a district of Newcastle. This is probably where the ship on which FRED FAETH served tied up in 1945.

Thanks to Frank O'Shaughnessy for this short story and thanks to FRED FAETH (1456-1990) for sending it in.