210450 Basil Keith Deeley Royal Navy HMS Nigeria from:Tamworth I joined HMS Nigeria shortly after her trials in Norfolk, Carolina. One of our first jobs on returning to the UK was to escort the Diadem cruiser to the breakers yard in Greenock from there we proceeded to Scapa Flow to join the home fleet or so we thought. I remember piping King George IV aboard. My other memory of Scapa was falling over the side while painting ship much to the pleasure of some of the ship's company. Fortunately the water was quite calm but 250 feet seemed hell of long way in shoes and overalls. However a tot of rum and a few hours in the laundry room put that right. Settling down to what we thought a few cold weather convoys was soon dispelled by the issue of tropical kit. Soon we were heading east. My sea duties were the enviable captain's runner. Telegraphsman Helmsman WPO Edwards and I remember taking a message to Captain Paton and he enquired if I was afraid. I apprehensively replied trying to sound butch he gave me a cigarette and winked. Shortly on leaving action stations were sounded there were more depth charges sent over the stern than I care to remember. Shortly after that I was doing a spell in the crow's nest when spotted a mine this gave the bridge officer's gunnery practice. On through the Suez to Columbo and Trincomalee our base for the coming months. We took part shelling Subang Surabeya parts of Burma were we lost Lt Irvine of the Marine Contingent. We heard he stepped on a mine. A great fitness fanatic Marine Bell was another great guy. I could say more but space is limited like our good times in South Africa and Western Australia - that's another story!
|