228229 Able Sea. James O'Neill Royal Navy HMS Athene My late father, James O’Neill, joined HMS Athene in October 1941. He was an AB and was usually referred to as “Peggy” or “Darkie”. From conversations with my father I drew the impression that the “Athene” was fortunate to have, generally, a friendly and happy crew and I am certain he enjoyed his time aboard her. Some of his oppos were, Jack Cresdy (a 12-year man from the Fareham or Gosport area), Rattler Morgan (he was, I think, a T124X rating - transferred from the merchant service), Bing [?] and Taffy Davis. His Divisional Officer was Lt. Pollyblanc (I do not know the correct spelling, but phonetically it sounded like Pollyblank). He came from Richmond in Surrey.
I have a few photographs of various members of the crew but unfortunately not the photograph of the whole ship's company. Some of the photographs I do have are of Arty Shaw playing the Athene into port, a few of the burial of the Captain in Simonstown. One is of the burial party, a number of the officers, part of the ship’s company and lowering the coffin. There is also one of Sunday morning divisions taking place on the hatch top and one or two of members of the crew. Should anyone wish to have copies of any of these, I’ll be quite happy to arrange for them to be emailed on.
Although I know some of the ports visited, not too long after he arrived home, I was away at sea myself and he didn’t manage to live to a ripe old age, so I never did get the full itinerary.
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