Aran Morris from Borth in Ceredigion:
"In 1941, I was sent up to Scotland to Scapa Flow to join the 'Onslaught', a destroyer, and I thought, well, this is fine, I love the sea anyway, and I thought nobody would ever catch us in the 'Onslaught' because we moved so fast. We could do about 40 knots - and that's going some! Then we were called to join the Russian Convoys, guarding the cargo ships which were taking supplies to the Russians.
The only thing I can say about the Russian convoys is that I don't seem to be frightened any more of my religion because I've been to hell and back and I know what it's like. People have to go up there to know what it's like. When you start talking about it and describing conditions, they say - 'he's shooting one hell of a line' you know, but that's not true. It's all absolutely gospel true.
It used to get so cold on board ship. The temperature would fall to about minus 30 degrees and it used to freeze everything up - even the oil supplying the galley fire.
We had two chefs who cooked for us. With the ship movement as well - rolling and climbing over 30 ft waves - it was impossible to cook so the only hot thing we were able to have were tins of soup. We'd open up 6 or 12 tins and put them in a bucket and take them down to the boiler room and put the steam jet on them, just like Antoniazzi (an Italian café in Aberystwyth.). It was the only way of getting anything warm.
The thirteenth of September (1942) I think it was, there were about 40 ships in the convey and we had the biggest hiding we ever got up there. We lost a quarter of the convoy in about 15 minutes in air attacks and submarine attacks. They were torpedoeing about 80 at a time. There was no hope in hell we could do anything about it. The Germans were flying so low, you could literally see the fellow driving the aeroplane.
Of course, the guns in the escort were all depressing and so the shots were coming quite near you as well. As I said, we lost quarter of the convoy in 15 minutes and that really is terrible to see - ships going down, especially with chaps in the water as well which is just on freezing. You just had to watch them drown. There was no way of picking them all up.
We picked about three or four up but that was about all. They had ropes around their shoulders and they couldn't sort of move their arms and grab the pole. It really was pathetic, it really was. Oh dear, when I think of it sometimes, it's a bit disturbing but there we are, I get on with it...
We saw one called the Mary Luckenbach. She was a huge tanker carrying petrol and ammunition to Russia and she was torpedoed. There was a bloody big bang and a big pall of smoke. There wasn't anything left of her. It was something you can't forget. I was a fatalist. I thought, if anything hits us, I hope to God it hits right where I am.
There were eight of us destroyers in the flotilla, all beginning with 'O'. The fellow who led us was on the Onslow. We were also involved in the Battle of the North Cape, again protecting a convoy.
The fellow who led us and who was in command of the 17th flotilla we were in, Captain Sir Richard Sherbrooke, was awarded the VC - and of course, you don't get the VC for nowt, do you? He was on the bridge and he lost an eye. He was a brave bloke. You like to read about these brave chaps but you don't think it's going to happen to you.
The combined mileage of the flotilla during the Russian Convoys was over a million miles. We went through tremendous seas. You'd be going up, climbing up and you'd get half over the top and then you'd crash down into the wave, into the trough all the time. The biggest waves were about 30-40ft high.
From Scappa Flow, we'd go to Iceland where we'd top up with oil, on to Bear Island, then the North Cape and round the corner to Murmansk. In the winter time, it would be dark all the time. In the summer, you could read Beano at 2 o'clock in the morning - it was light all the time.
In the winter, we had to come down further south because of the ice cap. We had to hug the North Cape where the Germans were but in the summer time the ice cap would go back so we had more mileage and more room to turn the corner and get into Murmansk. I was on the Russian convoys nearly to the end of the war.
When we had a couple of days boiler clean or whatever they used to call it, I used to come back to Borth and you wouldn't know there was a war on. It was that quiet and peaceful. Even the blackout wasn't strictly adhered to. As long as the lights were off on the road where the fella used to walk up and down, all the lights were on in the back, in the back yard."
Back to Part 1 of Aran's war memories...
your comments
Roger Blake from Norfolk
My father was Alfred Blake from Norwich in Norfolk. I was only very young when he was killed in action in September 1942. He was serving on HMS Leda as a Petty Officer Stoker on the Russian Convoys. Thanks Aran it was so interesting to read your memories. I have only recently started to look at sites to gain whatever information I can as my knowledge obviously is very limited.
Mon Nov 2 08:20:05 2009
Susan Pollard, Dorset
My father ronald jones from the rhondda valley, south wales serverd in the russion convoys, although my father would never discuss this in great detail, i do know he serverd on board h.m.s. byard which was a loan lease from america. I am so proud of him and all the many other seamen who also went through those horrendous times for us all. If anyone has the smallest bit of info, or advice where i can get infor i would be really grateful.
Mon Aug 31 15:33:43 2009
Marina Harvey. London
Has any one information on the PORTSEA which hit a mine and sunk off Ancona in July 1944.Ship was carrying high octane and aircraft lubricating oil. My brother Henry Cremore just 19 died along with 25 crew. Thanks
Mon Aug 31 15:32:58 2009
kieron hoare. maesteg
Mandy, there is a lot of information on HMS Mahratta. search the net.
Thu Jul 30 13:34:09 2009
Mandy Bardwell Lowestoft
My Uncle, Robert Hotston, was the Canteen Manager on HMS Mahratta. He was killed when it was attacked by U boat. My father Edward Fitzsimmmons was a stoker (on we think HMS Camellia) who was also on the Russian Convoys. Funnily enough, I have recently found out that my father was also stationed at Lowestoft for part of the war.
Thu Jul 23 09:41:31 2009
Isabel Pipe Irvine, Ayrshire
my father in law jack pipe was on the russian convoys on h.m.s marnei have lots of pictures of the crew also postcards he sent from all his travels he was english and came from gosport
Sun Jun 7 20:35:39 2009
Gordon Clark
It is great joy to read these first hand accounts of what went on, these events must never be forgotten. My Grandfather, Captain Gordon Clark, was Master of SS Empire Elgar on Convoy PQ16 returning Convoy was RA59A; Unfortunately he died when I was only 4 so I have no memories of him but reading about the Arctic Convoys inspired me to do 2 websites about his service in WW1 and WW2, so any infoanyone has will be most welcome
Tue Apr 14 09:55:32 2009
Peggy Stoker
My Husband Don Stoker served on Impulsive. He told me that Impulsive was one of the Russian Convoy Escorts. I have tried to get details on this but so far have not had much luck. I do know that an E Boat was sunk while he was serving on board and I think that was on Convoy Duty. If anybody has more information I will be very grateful to have it.
Sun Feb 22 19:29:09 2009
Rob Fordyce from South Africa
Hello all. I'm currently looking into my dad's WW2 "escapades" in the Russian Convoys. He served on the HMS Enterprise, HMS Somali and HMS Farndale between 1939 and '43 and went by the name John Fordyce.(Dingwall-Fordyce). Anybody with any info or knowledge of him? Would be good to hear from you.
Tue Jan 6 09:46:12 2009
Bill Grier, Livingston
To John Place, Pontefract.John, the convoys continued into 1945 even after the war ended. Captian Browning took Onslow and Obdurate on escort for JW67 and arrived in Kola Inlet on 20 May 1945. They left again 3 days later with RA76 the return convoy and the last to to depart from Kola. If he was aboard at that time he certainly was on the 'Russian Run'. Have you applied for the Arctic Emblem? Your father is entitled to one. If you contact the Vavy with his details they'll send you one. it takes a bit of time but it is a beautiful little thing. Google it and see.
Thu Dec 11 10:24:49 2008
Marion Stone Kiwi based in Oxford.
I too am very proud to say that my father Thomas Ernest Stone served on the 'Empire Pickwick' I had no idea that he was a war hero as he never really talked about the war. I didn't ask either. I am researching his life while I am visiting the UK. This has been a wonderful journey into his humble yet heroic life. He left the UK for New Zealand and never returned to his birth place in Leeds. I now have a lovely collection of his medals. The Arctic Embem being the anticlimax to say the least. I'm reading the book 'Arctic Convoys' by Richard Woodman. Mind boggling!
Sat Dec 6 18:14:53 2008
Peter King Salterforth Barnoldswick
My uncle Bob (Bob Schofield) served on HMS Impulsive on several Russian convoys, most notably PQ18. The conditions he describes are hardly believable. Icicles in the engine room, next to 3 boilers and 35,000 HP steam tubines. Having to hack ice off decks and rigging. Bob says the only thing that kept him going was the rum ration. I'm ever so proud of my uncle Bob. I would like to say a heart felt thanks to all you seamen who served on the Murmansk run.
Fri Dec 5 16:44:51 2008
Peter King Salterforth Barnoldswick
My uncle Bob (Bob Schofield) served on HMS Impulsive on several Russian convoys, most notably PQ18. The conditions he describes are hardly believable. Icicles in the engine room, next to 3 boilers and 35,000 HP steam tubines. Having to hack ice off decks and rigging. Bob says the only thing that kept him going was the rum ration. I'm ever so proud of my uncle Bob. I would like to say a heart felt thanks to all you seamen who served on the Murmansk run.
Fri Dec 5 16:44:49 2008
John Place, Pontefract.
My father Richard Place, served on HMS Onslow in May 1944 as a Temporary Petty Office. Would he have been on the Russian Convoys at that time ?
Fri Nov 28 09:46:09 2008
Bill Grier, Livingston
To: Chris Timms, Southampton, UKChris, I don't know whether you'll get this or not but as you'll see in the threads below, my father served on HMS Onslow. Over the past few years I've been investigating his time aboard and I've shared many email with your uncle Eric. in fact he sent me many documents and pictures, one of which shows my father. Eric didn't know him but I do wish I'd known he was home, I owe him so much!
Sun Oct 26 17:45:17 2008
David Tutton, Santa Pola, Spain
I was only four at the time, but I remember when my father was home on leave from H.M.S Gossamer. My mother, brother and I had to go to the infectious disease department in Portsmouth to be treated for scabies. It seemed great fun at the time. But looking back it just shows another side of the hardships that our men went through. Sadly my father was killed on H.M.S. Gossamer when she was bombed In the Kola Inlet in 1942.
Tue Oct 14 12:58:13 2008
Chris Timms, Southampton, UK
My Uncle Eric Timms was a signalman on the HMS Onslow during his time in the Arctic fleet and he is now visiting the UK for the first time in 40 years since emmigrating to Canada. If anyone knew him or knows someone that knew him it would be great to hear from you.
Wed Sep 24 19:23:28 2008
Alan Todd from Tarvin Chester
My Father , Frederick Arthur Todd served on HMS Marne and kept a diary of his experiences during the Russian convoy PQ18. In it he describes the sinking of the Mary Luckenbach. A copy of his diary can be seen by going to Google, type in HMS Marne and it is the third article.
Mon Jun 30 09:59:05 2008
carolyn jones (nee Ellis)
My father, Bob,R.W.Ellis, was on the convoys in HMS .Hazard and later,1943, in Seagull,as lt.-commander. For D-Day he was 1st flotilla mine sweepers, and after that operation sweeping the n. sea estuaries in HMS. Lyme Regis. Dad lived a long and healthy life in Liverpool and died aged 96. He had many tales to tell often talking until the early hours. so glad I found this site, it would be good to hear from any crew members who remember him and their shared joys and horrors.
Mon May 26 21:19:29 2008
Donald Hart. Baltimore USA
My brother, Leslie Hart of Hereford, was a "sparks" on the Onslought thro' a two to three year period as noted and is a member of an old comrades' group from the Onslought. Is Aran in touch with this group? I think many of the lads have died and there is now more emphasis on the "O" group as a whole.
Mon May 5 20:16:20 2008
Margaret Lewis from Whitstable, Kent
I would love to get in touch with Anne Milton from Ballymena as my father has tried for some time to trace any relatives of his friend 'Ernie' Mather, who went down with the Mahratta. He remembers that Ernie made a wonderful job of repairing his pyjamas when my dad fell asleep with a cigarette in his mouth and burnt the collar.
Wed Feb 27 10:08:13 2008
Jacqueline Mead, Walthamstow, London
Dear AranMy late father, Albert Bolton was based at Scappa Flow during the war. He was assigned as the ship's assistant cook becoming cook. He would rarely talk about the war. It came to light recently through his brother that dad was on the Murmansk convoys. In going through his paperwork the only document I have found is a statement of Naval Service but it does name the ship he was on. Attached to this statement is a letter from my dad (dated 17 October 1980) addressed to the Naval Medal Office, Bath saying that he had joined the Corps of Commissionaires and asking them t! o forward on his medals to him. Looking through his things, I am not sure whether they were ever received. I would love to find out more than his Statement of Naval Service and if anyone reading this can point me forward to the right direction of finding out more about his ship/service etc I would be very grateful. Thank you. The only other memory he told me of Scappa Flow was his fondness for an Islay whiskey. I think that it what it was called.
Mon Feb 25 08:14:01 2008
Alison Webster, Aylesbury
It was interesting to read your recollections as my late father (Dennis Webster) served on Russian Convoys also on board the Vindex (see John Crowther's comment). I remember him talking about Rear Admiral McGrigor.
Tue Jan 15 13:19:27 2008
Bill Symington from Canberra
I am currently reading "The Arctic Convoys 1941-1945" by Richard Woodman, 531p, published 1994 by John Murray (Publishers) Ltd of 50 Albermarle St, London, W1X 4BD. The book appears to be extremely well researched, the author having tracked down many veterans of the merchant and naval services. He has also researched the archives of nations involved including the German. There is a tremendous amount of detailed info about (possibly all) the ships and escorts of all the convoys and various personalities as well as conditions in and around Murmansk and Archangel. The book caught my eye at the local gov 0library the other day and I took it out on spec. I have barely been able to put it down since. It inspired me to google the internet for more info and I came across this site. Hope this helps. Cheers all
Tue Dec 18 09:17:04 2007
Kieron, Wales
Caroline Gibbs from Cheltenham, Glocs.Contact the Mod Navy Dept.They might give you his history service.
Mon Nov 19 08:01:37 2007
Carl Harris from Marple, Stockport
Dear Mr Morris, My grandfather Albert Harris served on HMS Onslow and was wounded during The Battle of Barents Sea Convoy JW 51B,losing most of his left leg from shrapnel.I think Grandad was a gunner or involved with the turret,but I am not sure.I am trying to trace further details about this battle and my grandad's involvement.Grandad never talked about it much and when he did I was too young to understand.One thing grandad did talk about was fishing for big silver fish. I would be very grateful for any information you could supply me with.
Tue Nov 13 09:12:49 2007
Caroline Gibbs from Cheltenham, Glocs.
Please could you ask Aran Morris from Borth if he can remember if HMS Jaguar was involved in the Russian convoy. It was a J class destroyer. We have a relative who served on the Jaguar and we are trying to trace his war service. Thank you very much. Caroline Gibbs
Tue Oct 16 13:37:45 2007
Colin McDougall, Germany
13 September, 1942 - that was PQ 18. My Dad (died 2005) was there too - as leading stoker on the Flower Class corvette HMS Bergamot. The battle started September 13 and never stopped till the convoy - what was left of it - reached Russia 10 days later. Must have been Hell!
Wed Sep 26 08:17:25 2007
Anne Milton, Ballymena
I am really interested in the HMS Marhatta, as my husband's grandfather, was a petty stoke officer. His name was James Stanley Mather, he was onboard the HMS Marhatta when she was hit by the torpedo, unfortunately, he was one of the people who lost their lives onboard, I would be really interested to hear from you if you remember him, as would love to know what he was like as he was only 30years old when he died, so my husband never knew his Grandfather.
Thu Jul 19 09:30:44 2007
Bill Grier, Livingston
My father served aboard HMS Onslow under Capt Sherbrooke. He died in 1976 and this being the 30th anniversary of his death. I'm trying to collect information on her exploits. My father never spoke too much about what he went through but she does seem to have been a busy ship. Churchill described these men as 'the bravest of the brave.
Mon Nov 13 10:07:58 2006
Kieron Hoare, Maesteg, South Wales
Great Reading, wife's grandfather died on the Russian Convoys, he served on board HMS Mahratta.
Fri Sep 15 09:09:42 2006
Margaret Black, Leeds
My late Father served on the Russian convoys, (I believe he was on the Gossamer) my children and myself were interested to read your memories.
Mon Jul 3 12:33:47 2006
Joseph Alan Roberts, Fairfax, Virginia,USA
Thanks Aran for a first-rate eye-witness account. My dad, Joseph Thomas Roberts, was an Electician's Mate on "Hell's Holocaust" (motto only, I don't know her commissioned name) a U.S. destroyer in the Italian campaign under your illustrious Gen. Montgomery, and shelled and beat Sicily, but you really "went to hell and back" to protect our allies, the Russians, the poor guys! Thanks again. (P.S. I'm the 5th Joseph, the first one was a slubber from Pudsey, N. Yorksh. Riding. Cheers, Aran!)
Mon Jun 12 09:10:07 2006
Paul Waring from the Wirral, now living near Aberystwyth
My grandfather was on the Duke of York, right through the war and was on board during the Battle of the North Cape.
Clement Waring.
Tue Feb 14 12:42:58 2006
Chris Watkin from Northwich
My father (Walter Watkin - now deceased) served on the HMS Onslow (Leading Stoker). In 1995, I took him to a village in Nottinghamshire which had been the home of Captain Sherbrooke. There in the village Church hung the Battle Flag of the Onslow during this action, together with the story of the battle and reference to Capt Sherbrooke's VC - later he became Sherrif of Nottingham.
Sat Jan 7 20:57:19 2006
John Crowther, Aylesbury
I was also on Russian Convoys Aran and I enjoyed your story and as you say it was quite true. I was on the Vindex and we sailed with you on some convoys.
Sat Sep 17 21:54:05 2005
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Read more about the war memories of Aran Morris from Borth. Here, he recalls the years he spent on the Russian Convoys, protecting cargo ships carrying supplies across Arctic seas. 
