In
Memory of Ernest Richard Bryant (Chiefy) 1909 - 2000. |
My father was born in
St. George, Bristol on 11th. September 1909 and lived there until he was orphaned at the
age of nine. He was sent to live with an aunt in Armthorpe, Doncaster, and
at the age of 12 entered the pits as a boy looking after the pit ponies. The time of big ships and ships of all classes, this was now the beginning of as he often quoted "The happiest years of my life". He entered the navy as a second class stoker and remained for 27 years in that branch. Dad served in many classes of ship - Battleships, Cruisers, Destroyers, Minesweepers and MTB's, making acquaintances and friends/shipmates along the way. He was a Devonport Division Sailor until 1937 when he transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy and was still in the RNZN at the outbreak of the Second World War. It was with the RNZN that he first saw action as a Stoker First Class on board HMNZS Achilles during the Battle of the River Plate, the first engagement between warships of the war. Soon after, because of a shortage of seaman he was transferred back to the RN, which at the time he did not take too kindly as his pay would now be lower "Roll on my twelve". Dad saw further action during hostilities including MTB service and minesweeping for D-Day. At the end of the war he stayed on in the Royal Navy and on the 29th. January 1948 joined HMS London, the happiest ship and time of his naval career. He was still on the ship during the Yangtze Incident, of which he had many tales to tell of which I heard, along with other stories of his naval career, many time during my life. Dad was a founder member of the HMS London 1947 - 1949 Association and attended reunions when his health was good, he would always have stories to tell me once again after these reunions, the same sailors tales, but still worth listening to. Oh how I would love to listen to those stories one more time! I remember on his 90th. birthday asking him if he would still like to be at sea even at that age, "yes" he replied, "I would go like a shot tomorrow if the Navy would take me, once a sailor always a sailor". My father died on Friday 20th. December 2000 but I will have those cherished memories of his life at sea with me for as long as I live. So to all his HMS London shipmates, on my fathers behalf (Chiefy) I wish you "Good Health and Long Life" and the toast is "HMS London, God Bless Her". Stephen Bryant. |