The Russian Convoys
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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. 14 May 2012 Accessibility help Text only BBC Homepage Wales Home The Russian Convoys more from this section Last updated: 25 September 2009 World War Two Aran Morris from Borth A Childhood Prank joined the Royal Navy at the A London Lass ATA in Action start of WW2. He took part in Action in El Alamein Dunkirk and D-Day but spent Air Raid Fear BBC Local most of his time with the Battle of Arakan, Burma Mid Wales Russian Convoys, protecting David's Dunkirk Things to do Exchanging Eggs the cargo ships carrying From Anfield to Capel Bangor People & Places supplies across Arctic seas. Mr From Kent to Cardigan Nature & Outdoors Morris was awarded the MBE in the 2008 New Year's Honours From Scapa Flow to Singapore History List. Land Army Llandod's Loudspeaker Van Religion & Ethics Mr Morris died, aged 90, on 13 September 2009: Llwyndafydd Days Arts & Culture Mulberry Harbours Music No Glory in War More about Aran Morris by BBC News... TV & Radio Nursing in the East Paraffin Cakes Passage From India Local BBC Sites Aran Morris from Borth: News Rations and the Blackout Sport Spoils of War "I started my naval career when the war broke out. I had a Stars in Battledress Weather choice of three services - the army, the air force and the Student Days Travel navy and I thought the air force wasn't my thing, I thought The Battle of Kohima The Fire Warden Neighbouring Sites the army was too dangerous so I joined the navy. The Paratrooper North East Wales The Russian Convoys North West Wales My first trip believe it or not was to Dunkirk in a motor boat Training in Aberystwyth South East Wales to get the BEF forces off the beaches. It was a little motor Wartime Memories from Hay Wartime Romance South West Wales boat called the Barnum Nostrum. I said to the chap who was driving it that I was glad to see all our planes up in the sky. Related BBC Sites Wales He turned to me and said: Cymru Canolbarth "Not one of those planes is ours - they're Germans! So get out 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 12 chaps. It's so long ago, but I can remember visually, in my own mind, what it was like. It was my first trip to sea and across the beaches of Dunkirk, there was a hell of a pall of black smoke and I thought 'God, are we going over there...' I was 19 or 20 years old and I thought by goodness, if this is the war, well look out - I'll be in the back and they'll be cheering the chaps in the front. But it didn't work out like that at all. Looking back on it now, it seems like a great big story - but it was absolutely true. We had three days survivors leave when we came back so I went home for three days and then got back to barracks again after three days and was drafted out to the Indian ocean. To get there, we had to go to Scotland and join the Queen Mary, the big liner. We took passage there to Cape Town. On the way there, we had a gale. I thought the Queen Mary would never shift but she did and I was seasick for four days. Eventually we got to Cape Town and went by train from there to Durban, across the mighty Karoo desert. It took us a couple or three days to get there. We drank the canteen dry on the train. From Durban, we went to Mombassa by boat. All they cooked on board that thing was curry - and I've never liked curry since. It was curry for breakfast, dinner, tea and supper. We saw a bit of action in the Indian Ocean. We steamed into Mogadishu (Italian Somalia) but got out rather smartly. We got back down to Mombassa again and by that time, about 18 months had gone and we were given a draft chit to come back to England again." Read Aran's memories of the Russian Convoys: "I've been to hell and back and I know what it's like..." your comments Lynne Gough My father Charles Kimpton was on the Oribi, he passed away many years ago, I was born after the war, and never knew much about what my dad endured during the war, if anyone knew him, I'd love to hear your story. Wed Apr 14 13:30:43 2010 dan robinson, preston my grandad served on hms zealous his name was henry turner and worked in torpedo room would love to hear from anyone who knows him , many thanks. Fri Apr 9 10:18:46 2010 Anita Smith My late father Jack Howard served on the Orobi.would love to hear from anyone who may have known him Sat Feb 27 12:32:45 2010 gotzs I feel very proud and salute all of them for their bravery Tue Aug 18 16:37:46 2009 Kieron Hoare Have traced the date that HMS Mahratta and few other ships were in the center pages of the Sunday Pictorail, can't wait to get a copy and read about these ships..They were also on the Convoy Runs Wed May 13 13:26:29 2009 Ian Snell from Okehampton, Devon My Grandfather Edward (Ted) Dart served on the Oribi in the Arcic Convoy's, does anyone have any memories, photo's etc of him. He died when I was just one year old so I never knew him but his widow (my Nan)still lives and it would be great if we had more info. Tue May 12 16:58:54 2009 John Marshall from Exeter Ontario Canada My father Walter marshall was a stoker aboard the Mahratta.My mother never spoke of the ordeal and therefore I never got the history of the ship or the crew...Too bad for me! A piece of history has passed me by. Sun Mar 29 18:06:56 2009 Francis McLennan Bushey My Cousin James McIlravie was only 18 when he lost his life inthe sinking of the Mahratta. Wonder if any survivor remembers this young Kirkcaldy ladddie. Fri Dec 12 11:11:58 2008 Jenny Byrne from Cheshire My uncle Thomas Byrne Died on the HMS Mahratta did anyone know him? I would love to hear more about him.Thanks Jenny Tue Aug 26 09:16:27 2008 Jennifer Jones My uncle Samuel lost his life on this day as did many of his friends. His name - JONES, Samuel E, Ordinary Seaman, D/JX 649439, MPK. I'd like to hear from anyone that cares about the brave that gave so much for us. Fri Jun 27 09:07:16 2008 Karen Treharne from Clydebank Scotland, now in Can My uncle Hugh Starkey died on the Mahratta in 1944, and I hoped that if there were any survivors left today, if they knew him. He was from Clydebank, and died when he was 21. I found the website on HMS Mharatta by Peter Hoare, to be most helpful. Wed May 28 15:43:01 2008 Kieron Hoare. South Wales Nick Bates please contact me through my web pages HMS Mahratta on yahoo, the one on top.Me and Catherine Smith might 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 Wales Catherine 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 Wales My father lost his life when the HMS Mahratta went down. His name was Donald Mc Ewan, I have found one of the survivors who I keep in touch with. His name is Jack Humble and I see that Nick Bates would like to get in touch with him. Please help me get in touch with Mr. Bates and anyone who knew my father Thu Apr 17 15:51:36 2008 Chris from Wednesbury I love to hear stories from sailors . At the age of 16 i so longed to join the navy i love ships and the sea but my dad got me an apprentiship building buses . Please let me hear more from the men or women nowadays of their adventures around the world . My son is 14 and i would love to see him to join the navy you only live once. Tue Apr 15 14:01:29 2008 Jack Syson from Harrogate I was a young 19 year old C.W.candidate(a fancy title for an officer cadet) onboard H.M.S Obedient G24 escorting a convoy to Russia when I saw - at a distanceH.M.S. Maharatta on fire and obviouslygoing to sink - by the time we reached her the ship had sunk. I do not think manyseamen would survive those cold waters.My best wishes to those of you who did survive and have not yet gone to heaven.Jack Wed Apr 9 10:02:06 2008 Johnny Hammond from Southport I joined the NAAFI in 1941 when I was 14 to get away from my father.