Memories of a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 1939-1945

The contributor's father was a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) in World War 2. His father worked as a Signalman from 1938, either in the post of 1st lieutenant or frigate. The contributor started researching the war from 2005 onwards, which included research into Dunkirk and the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM). The sources he consulted included over 400 letters to his parents, plus papers and photos describing all aspects of naval life. The contributor published his research in 2009 as a book. The contributor recalled one letter his father wrote on 3rd September 1939 from Dover to their home address.

The contributor's father trained on the HMS Chrysanthemum. He was trained in flag semaphore and the use of a type of signal lamp, Aldis. At Dover, his father, along with minesweepers, was transferred to HMS Royal Eagle paddle steamer. The paddle steamer hosted Anti-Aircraft guns with a wide angle of fire.

The contributor's father was involved in fetching soldiers off of beaches in naval battles in 1940, most prominently in Dunkirk. He was trained as a navigator at Lancing College and used Wall's tricycles for charting and navigation skills. Also, he served as a gunman officer on HMS Aubretia. The contributor recalled that his father could 'roll on wet grass!'.

In the winter of 1943, the contributor's father was awarded a DSM for his involvement in Dunkirk. Meanwhile, he was involved in a convoy escort off the coast of West Africa (Gibraltar), where 'Iolanthe' was produced, while aboard the HMS Aubretia.

In 1945, the contributor's father was part of the Loch Frigates in Clyde May, Burntisland in Scotland. He was taught about sonar and depth charge, and spoke of the 'conger eel incident'. His father spent VE Day in Glasgow, then, went to the 'Eastern sphere' which involved fighting the Japanese forces.