In 1936 my father joined the Royal Navy. His name was Cyril Green although by tradition anyone whose surname was Green was called 'Jimmy' (if you know the reason for this I'd love to know and perhaps you could e-mail me!)
After going through strict training at H.M.S Ganges he joined the County Class Cruiser H.M.S Cumberland as a boy telegraphist.
All through his navy career he kept a diary of events (which at the time was against regulations). He also served on H.M.S Speedwell, H.M.S Musketeer and the Nore wireless station at Chathem, Kent.
The diaries he kept give an account of all events of daily life and also, as he was getting all the information coming through the wireless transmissions, gives detailed accounts of major naval events such as the Cino-Japanese war, battle of the River Plate, The Russian Convoys (twice) and the D-day landings.
I managed to produce a book of these diaries for family and friends, and I am planning to put some of the entries from them on this page together with many photo's that I have.
The pictures have been reduced in quality
to keep the file to a reasonable size Below are normal web files of other parts if you prefer
In the BeginningChina Graf SpeeRussiaH.M.S SpeedwellH.M.S Cumberland.
China station July 1936 to November 1938
including Chinese Japanese war 1937/8
South American Squadron - South Atlantic Squadron -
February 1939 - September 1941
including Battle of the River Plate - December 13th 1939
Mutiny on the Queen Mary - November 24th 1940
Dakar incident - September 14th 1940
(Vichy French v Free French, with active support by British Navy)
H.M.S. Speedwell.
Lofoten Raids - November 1941
Stay in Russia - January 8th 1942 to 10th April 1942
Invasion of North Africa - November 1942 to June 1943
Second session in North Russia - December 1943 to February 1944
Invasion of France - June 5th 1944
Invasion of Scheldt Estuary - August 1944 to March 1945
and minesweeping operations
H.M.S Musketeer.
October 1945 to 31st March 1946
Nore Wireless Station.
Admiralty House, Chatham 29th May 1946 to January 1949
In the BeginningChina Graf SpeeRussiaH.M.S SpeedwellIf you have any connection with any of the ships my dad served on, if you have any information about them or even if you or a relative knew him! I'd love to hear about it at:ron6a@ntlworld.com
The
H.M.S Cumberland Association has over 200 members and
would always like to hear from ex-shipmates.