Memories of Ronald Bloomfield's naval service
My son put together the following 'story' about my Dad and printed it in a book as a Christmas present to me several years ago:
Dad entered the Royal Navy service under the National Service (Army Forces) Act 1939, which enforced full conscription on all males between 18 and 41 resident in the UK. He was initially assigned to a number of training establishments which were primarily concerned with preparing allied forces for the amphibious invasions of North Africa and mainland Europe. These establishments housed the crews of landing craft, the soldiers they carried, and RAF personnel.
On 13 May 1943, he was assigned to HMS Duke, a Royal Navy shore establishment based in Great Malvern. It was predominantly used to provide tented accommodation for new entry Stokers (who specialized in engine-room duties) but it also had a nominal depot ship based at Chatham. It was here that Dad became a 'Stoker 2nd Class', a job for which he would have received between 2s 0d and 3s 8d per day. After just one month, Dad was considered a 'good, capable type' by the establishment's divisional officer.
He continued his training throughout 1943 at various shore establishments including HMS Victory (Portsmouth) and HMS Shrapnel (Fulham). Shrapnel was known to have included the Frazer Nash sports car company at Isleworth, Middlesex and was used as a training facility for Motor Mechanics and Ordnance Mechanics, with billeting arranged with the surrounding area. Whilst here, Dad was commended for having a 'very good character' and trained to become a Motor Mechanic. He passed the trade test for Motor Mechanic Diesel HP and was recommend for transfer.
On 1 January 1944 Dad was assigned to HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham. Motor Mechanics were paid between 6s 11d and 7s 4d per day, and he continued in his new job on the HMS Drake in early May 1944. At this time, final preparations were being made for the invasion of France by Allied forces, an event which would become known as 'D-Day'.
One month before D-Day, Dad was assigned to the HMS Drake IV, better known as Landing Ship, Tank (LST) 322. LSTs were naval vessels created during the war to support various amphibious operations. These ships carried large quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto shore. Built in Philadelphia Shipyard, USA in 1942, LST 322 was transferred to the Royal Navy in early 1943.
Prior to Dad's service on the ship, the LST 322 served in the Mediterranean as part of the 3rd LST Flotilla under the command of Flotilla Officer Acting Commander D. S. Hore-Lacey. The LST 322 had a number of sister ships in the flotilla, including the LSTs 324, 367, 410, 412, 417, 419, 420, 423, 426, 428 and 430. However, Acting Commander Hore-Lacey took passage aboard the LST 322, thus making her the leader of the flotilla.
In preparation for D-Day, LST 322 remained leader of the flotilla commanded by Hore-Lacey. It was at this time, on 10th May 1944, that Dad boarded the ship and joined the crew that would play an important role in changing the course of the war.
Dad would have joined the crew of LST 322 when it returned to England from southern Italy. By late May the vessel was fully loaded with troops and departed from Portsmouth for the French coast. LST 322 was accompanied by its sister ships in forming part of Assault Group S1. The troops attached to the flotilla would assault Sword beach between La Breche and Lion sur Mer, which was the extreme eastern flank of the D-Day assault. The landing beaches were given the code names Queen Red and Queen White.
The Royal and Commonwealth Navies were given the task of transporting Allied forces on to Sword beach and defending them from enemy interference. Assault Group S1, with Dad and LST 322 within its ranks, landed the reserve brigade onto the beach on 6th June 1944.
Sword was the beach most vulnerable to counterattack, especially from the heavy guns near Le Havre and German vessels in the area. For this reason, the LSTs would have been surrounded by two battleships, five cruisers and thirteen destroyers. The initial landings were achieved with minimal casualties, although traffic congestion, heavily defended areas behind the beached and an armoured counterattack mounted by the 21st Panzer Division halted further progress towards Caen.
In total, the LST 322 made over a dozen crossings over the channel transporting injured soldiers and prisoners back to England. Dad was part of a repair party until August 1944, repairing ships and equipment. His experience and conduct was met with reward, and he was praised as 'honest, hard working and willing. Can be relied upon at any time'. He was promoted to Petty Officer on 28th August 1944.
In October 1944, as Allied troops were making their way across France into Germany, Dad was assigned to HMS Pembroke IV/St Clements I. This combined operations base in Tilbury would prove to be Dad's final assignment. Although being praised for having a 'very good character', he was classed as being 'below Navy physical standard' owing to his Otitis Media-Bilateral, a hearing problem caused by working in the engine rooms.
At the conclusion of the war, Dad received a War Service Gratuity and a weekly pension of 10s 6d for two years for his disablement caused by war service. His final report characterised him as 'a good, efficient and conscientious worker' and having 'above average intelligence'. He also received the 1939-1945 Star, the France and Germany Star, and the Defence Medal. In March 1946, he received a signed letter of recommendation from Sir John Tovey, Admiral of the Fleet:
'I hereby commend Petty Officer Motor Mechanic Ronald Bloomfield for outstanding zeal, ability and devotion to duty while engaged on maintenance work at the L.S.T. Base at Tilbury'.
