Memories of John Clark
My grandfather - John Clark
Born 9.1.1916 in Lewisham. Grew up in Tenby Pembrokeshire, Wales
Joined the Navy in 1938. Trained at HMS Royal Arthur. A Butlins camp in Skegness which was converted to a training centre. He became a Petty Officer Cook on HMS Adventure. A minelayer. Pendant No. M23. HE was the Captain's cook on board ship.
The objects are his campaign medals and the French book was his.
My Dad was born in 1941 when his father's ship was in Russia. When he found out about his son's birth he got drunk and got thrown in the brig for being drunk!
He was minelayer, based out of Milford Haven. Was at Fort William at one point. In the Mediterranean - supplying Gibraltar. His captain at one point was Captain Bowes-Lyons who was the Queen's brother.
He was part of D-Day. HMS Adventure was assigned as a repair ship for landing craft on Mulberry B.