George Cole was born in Woking, Surrey, UK on 17th June 1924. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 27th October 1942 as a probationary Sick Berth Attendant with service No MX 111110. He underwent initial training at HMS Glendower in North Wales, a newly built Butlin's holiday camp taken over by the RN.
George was drafted to RN Hospital Pembroke on 10th December 1942 and advanced to SBA on 28th April 1942 and remained there until 19th August 1943. He was sent to HMS Saker in the USA which was a holding station while waiting for HMS Gardiner which was transferred to the RN as a 'Lend-Lease' vessel on 28th September 43. George returned to the UK and to RN Hospital at Pembroke. He was then drafted to HMS Copra on 20th April 1944 which appears to have been at Largs, Scotland at the time.
He went back to Pembroke on 21st February 1945 and, on 25th July 1945 to HMS Derby Haven, a Loch-class anti-submarine frigate which had been converted to a depot ship. He then sailed for Singapore and after a call at Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) arrived there in November. The vessel was used as a depot ship for Harbour Defence Launches and US built BYMS wooden built minesweepers.
On 1st January 1946 George was drafted to Mull of Galloway a RN heavy repair ship in Singapore and returned to Britain in her and went back to Pembroke. He was discharged from the Royal Navy on 2nd October 1946.
George became a male nurse. Enlisted in the RNZN at HMNZS Maori, London as SBA on 6th June 1949. Then was drafted to HMNZS Lachlan on 29th July 1949 and was a crew mwmber who brought that vessel to NZ. George was at Philomel and Tamaki until drafted to HMNZS Kanieri on 30th January 1951. He was at RNZN hospital Philomel 11 Apr 51 and advanced to LSBA on 16 February 1952. Drafted to Kanieri pn 16th June 1954 and advanced to SBPO on 1st July 1954 and served in Korean waters during the period November 1954 to March 1955 and again from 1st April 1956 to 8th May 1957.
In January 1958 HMS Cardigan Bay, a RN Bay-class anti-aircraft frigate visited NZ, and George Cole spent some six weeks in that vessel while it was in NZ. At Philomel 4th March 1958. Advanced to A/SBCPO 14th July 1960, SBCPO 12th April 1961. Served in Royalist 14th January 1963 - 11th February 1964 then back to RNZN Hospital. Discharged to Retiring Allowance 29th June 1965. WW2 Medals not ascertained. Later entitled to NZOSM, NZGSM(K), NZDefSM.
These notes have been gained from my researches into those men who served in NZ Armed Forces in Korea during the period June 1950 - December 1957.
