H.M.S Cumberlands part in the events leading up to the Battle of the River Plate

9th October

We joined up with Exeter somewhere in the South Atlantic, did a concentration exercise with her using Hotspur as a target. A sparker taking passage from Freetown to join Hotspur took over my job, so I’m dayman now till he goes and apart from this mornings exercise I haven’t much to do except the afternoon watch (voluntary).

10th October

We are still with Exeter, well below the River Plate (Uraguay) area. Our watchkeeping has been revised and I’m now in it again. We are in 2 watches at night and 4 during the day.

Thursday 12th October

Still moving south, Exeter and Hotspur left us during the night and returned at daylight. We all turned about and are heading north again up the South American coast, we passed River Plate area going north. It’s been rough for the past few days, in under and through.

Saturday l4th October 1939

We lay outside the River Plate area off Monte Video in the evening, oiler came out with a few stores and plenty of oil, we oiled during the night about 12 miles off land then moved off again.

Sunday 15th October

Royal Oak sunk by German subs (5 in No.) in home waters. Our destroyers sank 3 of the subs in return (800 lost) making with 600 lost on the Glorious and a few miscellaneous about 1,500 killed in first two months of war.


Tuesday 17th October

Still with Exeter and destroyers - this time the Hyperion, patrolling up and down trade routes between Monte Video and a good way down the coast and back again.
Ajax captured German merchant ship Cap Norte about a week ago somewhere in south atlantic, she had changed her name and was flying the Swedish flag (believe WE challenged her few days previously!)

Wednesday 25th

We are going into Monte Video tomorrow, I believe there will be a few hours leave given, but I’m on duty so don’t think I’ll be able to go ashore.

Thursday 26th

Arrived Monte, went ashore in the evening and had a glorious time. Sailed again Friday 27th and joined Achilles. We must be going north it’s getting warmer!

November 2nd 1939

My 21st birthday, as a present I get an extra middle watch (midnight - 4am) - big hearts!
We and Achilles are forming Force G looking for any stray Pocket Battle Ships.

Thursday November 9th

We left Achilles, arrived Buenos Aires (Brazil) for a 24 hour stay. The British community gave us a treat! In the afternoon about 350 of us in 11 coaches toured the town, then went to the ‘Frigerifico Anglo’. A British firm of meat producers, very interesting indeed. It takes only 15 minutes from slaughtering of cattle to being tinned corned beef. They kill 10,000 sheep a day and 2,000 cattle. After looking round the plant we had tea in the works canteen followed by beer and fags, as much beer as we could drink and a sing song! At 7 o’clock we drove off in our coaches for sight seeing through tumultuous reception in the streets, then to Prince George’s hall at 9 o’clock for a dance - there were 1,300 Britishers to greet us at the dance. I had the best time of my life! A pal and I partnered two Argentine born British sisters, they were very lively - can you picture me doing hot Mexican and South American numbers - and doing ‘em well! One of the sisters came on board next morning with a huge pile of books and magazines, chocolate and fruit for us two, but they all ended up in the sick bay - the presents I mean, not us two! - We sailed from B.A at 1400 - with many regrets.

Sunday 12th November

Waiting outside B.A for Exeter who left us to oil from tanker at sea.

Wednesday 15th November

We intercepted and sank armed merchant cruiser believed Admiral Von Spee. Resumed old patrol until December 5th. Ajax intercepted and sank German merchant ship which escaped from South America port this forenoon and picked up crew of 86 men and 27 Officers (S.S. Ussekuma)

Wednesday 6th December

We took over 103 German prisoners to transport to Port Stanley (Falkland Islands). They look a sorry bunch with only one smile amongst them -the quartermaster - who we christened ‘Tiny’, he’s a big chap and speaks 5 languages including English fluently, but they soon cheered up when they came on here. We are not too strict and give them good grub, and they all say “good morning” as we pass and we pull their legs - especially ‘Tiny’. The wireless office has two marine sentries sleeping inside with loaded rifles and the leading wireless op. has a loaded pistol at night, as the German Officers sleep just outside our door and 20 crew in the next flat. The 3 German radio operators sleep just outside our door and one of them asked if the fan in the gangway could be turned off as it was causing a draught - answer No! They really wanted to listen to our radio messages.

Saturday 9th December 1939

Arrived Port Stanley. Middle of summer here but very cold, shouldn’t like to be here in winter. Not much of a place, only 2,400 people in whole islands (100 of them). Port Stanley has about 800 or 1,000 people, no cinema, no mail except once a month. Just a couple of pubs, but the beer is wicked and the rum and whisky makes you fighting drunk as was witnessed first night ashore (Saturday). Free fight between group of stokers, and everybody rebellious coming off so that Commander ordered Pinnacle to shove off and soak liberty men - duly done as there was a fairly rough swell.
Scheduled to drop prisoners Tuesday 12th when they will join bunch already here on hulks until a concentration camp is completed.