Written by Daniel John Griffiths from Ystradgynlais
"I was working at the Mond in Clydach (the refinery) when the war started and I volunteered for the Navy. I was 17 and a half when I joined in 1942.
I was sent to Scapa Flow in Scotland and joined the Ansen. I was on the arctic convoy with HMS Anson taking supplies to Russia. The Anson was a Battleship, 35,000 tonnes in weight with 1200 men on board. We were escorting other ships. We chased the Tirpitz (German Battleship) for a while.
During the convoy, we had to chip the ice of the bulk head of the ship to stop it listing over. We would have cocoa on the bridge but it would be cold before we reached the top. We wore duffle coats and of course overalls and suits and tops. It took about six weeks altogether.
There were lots of other ships in the convoy including the Illustrious, the Formidable and aircraft carriers as well. Our Captain was called Pony Moore. I'd love to know if he was still alive.
Scapa Flow was a terrible place, only trees and nothing else. We went ashore in the day to get our beer which we bought with tickets. It was an experience.
I met a chap from Ystalyfera on the convoy and then I met him again in Australia. After getting back from the convoy the Anson was recommissioned and I was sent abroad to Singapore.
I went to Australia to join the MONABS which were mobile operational naval air bases. We were transferred from naval uniform to a khaki strip and were supposed to be advanced parties to go into the jungles of Singapore.
We were to prepare airbases for our forces (called MONABS) but the Japanese got wise to it. They used to pull back until we'd got everything ready then they'd re-advance and wipe us out. This happened to two MONABS and we were the third due to be sent in but after that the operation was abandoned."
Written by Daniel John Griffiths from Ystradgynlais
