217301 Cpl. Nathan Smith Royal Air Force from:Lochwinnoch My Father, Nathan Smith was a passenger on the Anselm troopship, on his way to Freetown, as a Corporal in the RAF when it was torpedoed on the 5th July 1941, the day after his 21st Birthday.
He recalls that himself and two others made for the stern of the ship as it sank very quickly and the bows went down. As they hung from the rail, my father counted to three and they all let go, my father did not see either of the men again.
After some time in the water where he supported another comrade who couldn't swim, they were rescued by the Challenger or the Starwort and transferred to HMS Cathay which landed them at Freetown.
My father went on to serve in Africa for a further year before being transferred to the Far East where he served until 1946.
Today very much alive with prompting he recalls many memories including the story of how he met my mother. After many weeks of travelling on foot they finally arrived in Kuala Lumpur, where in true British tradition they found a bar. Being renowned for his ability to sing and play the piano, the men with him demanded he give them a song. So before he even had a beer, my father sat down at the piano and played and sang Donkey Serenade and so won my mother's heart.
My mother's name was Winifred Mary Bowers nee Horsley. She was working in the NAAFI.
My mother and father were married for 61 years and have three daughters. My Mother died four years ago.
My father is still a non active member of City of Glasgow 602 Squadron.
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