Royal Navy World War II experiences―Signalman Alfred Hattersley COVER PHOTOGRAPH Photograph of Alf Hattersley taken late 1942, after completing signalman’s training at HMS Impregnable, Plymouth. The note on the back of the original reads: “To Joan. With all my love. Alf xxxxx.” END PAGES Recent family photographs, pictures at Alf and Joan’s Golden Wedding, and photos of D-Day 50th Anniversary visit to Juno beach and Arromanches. Combined Operations arm badge. The three armed services are represented by: an anchor (Royal Navy), a ‘Tommy gun’ (Army) and an eagle (Royal Air Force). Image taken of Alf’s original cloth arm badge, which he wore (right hand side, lower sleeve) in WWII and kept as a memento. Royal Navy World War II experiences―Signalman Alfred Hattersley NOTE 1 This account records recollections told to, and written by, Paul Hattersley (Alf’s son) by his father Alfred Hattersley (service number 340306), over many years up to and including June 2012. This version has been read and edited by Alf. Document prepared by Paul Hattersley, at home in Dalmeny, New South Wales, Australia. This version dated 16 November 2012 NOTE 2 We should ever be thankful to all those who opposed the tyrannical and evil regimes of Germany, Italy and Japan during World War II. We should not forget that this freedom was mainly achieved by the service men and women and political leaders of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the USA, Canada, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and other British Empire and Commonwealth countries and colonies. They gave us the opportunity for freedom of thought and speech which we should value and not take for granted. The people of the USSR also opposed the Axis powers, at great cost, after June 1941. Resistance and freedom fighters in occupied countries around the world also risked their lives for freedom, as did tens of thousands of volunteers from some countries, such as Eire which did not declare war against Germany, Italy and/or Japan in WWII. Royal Navy World War II experiences―Signalman Alfred Hattersley Table of Contents JOINING UP ............................................................................................................................ 1 TRAINING IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND .................................................................... 2 Devonport ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Scotland ............................................................................................................................................... 4 MIDDLE EAST ........................................................................................................................ 7 ITALY―SICILY ................................................................................................................... 12 The assault at Avola .......................................................................................................................... 12 At Avola beach .................................................................................................................................. 13 Avola to Syracuse .............................................................................................................................. 15 Syracuse ............................................................................................................................................ 17 Respite in Malta ................................................................................................................................ 18 Back to Sicily ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Messina ............................................................................................................................................. 19 ITALY―THE MAINLAND ................................................................................................. 19 Reggio ............................................................................................................................................... 19 Rocca Imperiale ................................................................................................................................. 21 RETURN TO SCOTLAND ................................................................................................... 23 BACK IN ENGLAND............................................................................................................ 24 Poole .................................................................................................................................................. 24 Bursledon .......................................................................................................................................... 26 Marriage ........................................................................................................................................... 28 Mrs Edge ........................................................................................................................................... 29 D-DAY AND THE NORMANDY LANDINGS .................................................................. 29 Preparation and the Channel crossing .............................................................................................. 29 Juno beach ........................................................................................................................................ 31 Mulberry harbour at Gold Beach ...................................................................................................... 35 RETURN TO ENGLAND ..................................................................................................... 36 MILFORD HAVEN ............................................................................................................... 38 MTB AND THE NORTH SEA ............................................................................................. 39 ‘Running-in’ at Holyhead ................................................................................................................... 39 Great Yarmouth ................................................................................................................................ 41 VE Day ............................................................................................................................................... 43 Royal Navy World War II experiences―Signalman Alfred Hattersley FAR EAST .............................................................................................................................. 44 Joining HMS Liberty at Portland ........................................................................................................ 44 The voyage to Hong Kong ................................................................................................................. 45 Sailing to Malta ............................................................................................................................. 45 Penang and Singapore .................................................................................................................. 47 Manila ........................................................................................................................................... 49 Hong Kong ......................................................................................................................................... 50 MY LAST DAYS IN THE ROYAL NAVY ......................................................................... 54 Home to England ............................................................................................................................... 54 Demob and Civvy Street .................................................................................................................... 55 APPENDIX 1 .............................................................................................................................. Allied propaganda leaflet from Avola Beach, Sicily .......................................................................... 58 APPENDIX 2 .............................................................................................................................. Eighth Army News leaflet, 16 July 1943 ............................................................................................ 59 APPENDIX 3 .............................................................................................................................. Reverse side of Appendix 2 ............................................................................................................... 60 APPENDIX 4 .............................................................................................................................. Leaflet―Personal Message from General BL Montgomery to 21 Army Group, 5 June 1944 .......... 61 APPENDIX 5 .............................................................................................................................. Leaflet―message from General D Eisenhower to Allied Expeditionary Force, 5 June 1944 ........... 62 APPENDIX 6 .............................................................................................................................. D-Day article from The Shire, June 1994 ..........................................................................................