212637 LdgSea. Charles Edward Jones Royal Navy HMS Nigeria from:Irthlingborough, Northants My Dad, Chas Jones, served aboard Nigeria throughout much of WW2 seeing action as an AA Gunner (PomPoms) in the North Atlantic, on the Russian convoys and on Operation Pedestal. He was still serving aboard her throughout her repair stay in the USA and later in the war when the ship served in the Pacific. His best pal (Oppo) also served aboard Nigeria. His name was Ken Hole and when I was born in 1951, Ken accepted the role of my Godfather. Mum and Dad brought us to New Zealand in 1957 where I ultimately joined the RNZNVR and then became a Sea cadet Corps Officer, Commanding my own Unit during the 1990s. In 1997 I visited the UK with four teenage Sea Cadets and had an opportunity to meet my Godfather, Ken, sadly though just a few years before he passed away. I'm sure he and my Dad are still happily reminiscing about their wartime exploits. My daughter Adrianne, one of the four Cadets in my group on the UK visit later joined the RNZN as a medic before leaving to marry and start her own family.
I have very fond memories of sitting with my Dad and hearing about his time aboard Niferia and I'll never forget the regrettably little time I spent with Ken not long before his death. I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers my Dad or Ken.
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