Aran Morris from Borth:
"I started my naval career when the war broke out. I had a choice of three services - the army, the air force and the navy and I thought the air force wasn't my thing, I thought the army was too dangerous so I joined the navy.
My first trip believe it or not was to Dunkirk in a motor boat to get the BEF forces off the beaches. It was a little motor 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. He turned to me and said:
"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
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. I felt Hitler was the lesser of the two evils. at 16 I joined the RN and two weeks later joined HMS Devonshire. based in Scapa Flow I was in the home fleet action in the sinking of the tirpitz. 1944 I was aboard the destroyer HMS Oribi G66 (se email address)on russian convoys. Horrendous. wounded at 17 1/2 I was in hospital to the week before VEday. I was posted to the far east, but by that time the Japanese were getting ready to quit... my time aboard Oribi, terrifying as it was, were the best days of my life. I came from demob, punched my dad on the chin and life became a bowl of cheries. I'm 79 and a happy man.
Tue Mar 20 09:35:41 2007
Tina Mann
My beloved Grandfather William (Jock) Brackenridge a Stoker was a survivor on the HMS Mahratta when it sunk. I am wanting to keep his memory alive as he past some time ago. Does anyone remember this Scotsman!
Thu Jan 18 16:10:08 2007
Nick Bates, Highland
I would like to get in touch with Jack Humble re the sinking of HMS Mahrtta can any body help with that?
Sun Jan 7 20:06:03 2007
Kieron Hoare
Any family members of HMS Mahratta should search the web site for HMS Mahratta G23.
Loads of information about the crew and ship.
Thu Dec 21 09:53:46 2006
Marie Pankhurst, Ilford, Essex
My grandfather, Lieutenant (E) J W McCullagh DSC RN went down on HMS Mahratta on 25.2.44. I would be so grateful to know if anybody out there knew him or remembers him as all I have is a photo and a few anecdotes from family members (cousins etc). Thank you.
Tue Dec 19 09:36:56 2006
Nina Wheeler Cornwall
I am looking on behalf of my mother in law for any relatives of Edward James Parpworth who went down with the Mahratta she was a young war widow as Ted was only 20 years old when he died and he came originally from Twickenham
Mon Nov 20 10:09:10 2006
Edwin Astin, Bradford, Yorkshire
I am writing this on behalf of my father Edwin Astin who joined the navy in 1942 when he was 17. He was on the Mahratta when it sunk in 1944. He is now almost 82 and is in poor health.
Mon Nov 13 10:06:42 2006
Jack Humble from Co.Durham
I was on the Hms Mahratta when it sank February 1944. I'm 80 years old now. I was 18 then, I think it is a long shot because I saw a lot of my friends die but I'm looking for any other survivors.
Fri Oct 13 10:13:48 2006
daverto bonjo from telford
have you got a son called Mr Morris who used to be a school teacher at Borth?
Mon May 22 15:15:20 2006
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