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SBA. Leonard Colin Truelove
Royal Navy HMS Persian
from:Wakefield W Yorkshire
Leonard Truelove (always known as Colin) joined the Royal Navy on 12th of December 1942 aged 18. On the day he joined up, Colin was sent to the training ship HMS Glendower which was a shore based naval training camp based at the Butlin's Holiday Camp at Pwllheli, Wales which the Navy had taken over. Here he was kitted out with naval uniform and given basic training which included learning how to march and salute and told of the rules, regulations and naval traditions. He was there until 1st Feb 1943, just under 6 weeks. He was then sent to HMS Victory, at Portsmouth on 2nd of February 1943 where he began his training as a Sick Berth Attendant (the navy equivalent of a nurse). Most of the training was within the Royal Naval Hospital, Hasler, Portsmouth from 21st April to 6th of September 1943 (four and a half months) where he would have worked as an orderly. He probably qualified as a substantive SBA around the end of April as the qualifying course was 10 weeks long. Colin remained based on HMS Victory until 9th of October 1943 when he was sent to HMS Dolphin the Royal Navy Submarine base at Gosport, where he was stationed until 12th of April 1944. It is not known why he was based on HMS Dolphin for 6 months and although the MoD thinks it unlikely that he served on submarines, I believe he possibly did, as in the 1950's when we visited Plymouth Navy Day, he talked enthusiastically and knowledgeably about the submarines.
On 13th of April 1944 he returned to HMS Victory for a week and was then posted to his ship, HMS Persian J347 commanded by Lieutenant Commander Alec Ecclestone RN. His shore base was HMS Boscawan until 31st of March 1945. In May 1944, HMS Persian was nominated for minesweeping duties in support of the allied landings in Normandy. HMS Persian was deployed along with others of the 6th Flotilla for exercises including night mine sweeping and major exercise Fabius. During Exercise Fabius, the Flotilla came under E-Boat attack. On completion of the exercise, the Flotilla returned to the Solent to prepare for Operation Neptune. On the 5th of June 1944 the 6th Flotilla - HM Ships Vestal (SO), Friendship, Gozo, Larne, Lighfoot, Melita, Persian, Postillion and Vestal with Danlayers Fairway, Hannary, Milford Prince, Sylvana and 4 Motor Launches, sailed out of the Solent as G force in the late evening to sweep and clear Channel no 5 to allow access for the British landing on Gold Beach on the 6th. This was accomplished despite the ever present danger of air and sea attack, especially from U-boats. The Flotilla had an allocated area to sweep and each Flotilla had its own method of sweeping. Most of the sweeps were for contact mines but during the Normandy landings there were also many magnetic mines dropped by aircraft at night. A different sweep was needed to deal with each type of mine. The invasion continued through June and into July, with the minesweepers providing continual support by keeping the supply routes clear of mines, which were being dropped at night by parachute from enemy planes. Midget submarines (which sank 3 minesweepers) and shore based German guns were a constant danger.
On 23rd of June 1944 at 23.00 hours, Minesweeper, HMS Persian was severely damaged by an aerially delivered mine in Gold Beach area. There is no further information about this. (Reference: Navy News, D day supplement, July 1994 XXIII). Lieutenant Commander John Lovis Woolcombe, RN took Command of HMS Persian on 4th of September 1944 through to mid 1946.
In Nov 1944, 6th Minesweeper Flotilla comprising HMS Friendship (SO), Gozo, Melita, Persian Postillion, and Lightfoot were joined by Lennox and Pelorus for mine sweeping off France and Belgium and convoy escort for military convoys to Channel ports. These convoys were under attack by E-Boats and midget submarines which also carried out mine-laying operations to interfere with the convoys.
There was a friendly fire incident off Normandy after the D Day landings. The ports of Le Havre and Cherbourg were still occupied by the Germans and the 6th and the 5th Flotilla were sweeping in that area. There was a mix up in communications between the Navy and the Air Force. They thought the flotilla that was sweeping the area in front of Le Havre were German ships escaping and they sent the Air Force in. Many ships of the 5th Flotilla were hit in this incident. The 6th Flotilla went to the rescue of these ships, taking people on board. Many of the crew spent the whole of the first dog watch (the time between 4 and 6) doing nothing but stitching up dead bodies in hammocks for burial next morning. The 6th Flotilla did much minesweeping in the English Channel and the North Sea area to clear the minefields to open up the Ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam ready for the army to liberate them. The clearance continued into Dec 1944.
A Danlayer was a type of vessel assigned to minesweeping flotillas during World War II. They were usually small trawlers, fitted for the purpose of laying dans. A dan is a marker buoy consisting of a long pole moored to the seabed and fitted to float vertically, usually with a coded flag at the top. The task of a Danlayer was to follow the minesweepers as they worked an area, and lay the dans which defined the area swept and made it obvious where the clear channels were. This would also help the minesweepers cover areas accurately without gaps and unnecessary overlaps.
Operation Neptune was the Channel crossing phase of Operation Overlord. About 6,000 ships came under the command of Admiral Bertram Ramsey. The problems were immense and included where so many ships could be berthed; how would damaged or broken down ships be dealt with; what would replace those ships in the plan; how could they be protected against air and U-boat attack; how quickly could they unload, return and reload? The risk of aerial attack was assumed to be fairly low as the allies vast power should protect the fleet. The whole operation would be led by 287 mine sweepers. These would clear the seas for the 138 warships which would bombard the Normandy beach defences. The transport boats loaded with troops and protected by smaller warships (frigates and corvettes) would then follow in. Over 4,000 landing craft needed protection and so a stable and relatively safe area was envisaged. This led to the conception and building of the two Mulberry Harbours, which was taken by numerous tugs across the channel in 146 separate pieces. This was a major key to success of the operation. (The remains are still visible off Arromanches - Gold Beach, the other off Omaha Beach) The minesweepers had the responsibility of leading the Normandy assault forces. Everything depended upon them being able to clear the approach seas and keep them clear whilst the landing forces came in behind. There appear to be no logs or records of operations of individual minesweepers or flotillas in June and July 1944. Yet without the tremendous workload, effort and huge risks they took, the landings are unlikely to have succeeded. Ship and boat casualties were relatively low thanks to the brave yet largely un-credited work of the minesweepers. The Minesweeping Operational Plan: For each of the landing beaches (Utah Omaha Gold Juno and Sword) two channels were to be cleared. There would be a channel for faster convoys (12 knots) and one for slower convoys (5 knots). A Fleet Minesweeping Flotilla (MSF) comprised of nine ships was allocated to sweep each channel. One Minesweeping Flotilla was to clear any mines close into the Normandy shore, where the bombarding ships would target enemy guns and fortifications. Acoustic and magnetic, mines were expected in the inshore areas, and this Flotilla had to work under heavy enemy fire to clear the water. All of this was to be accomplished by 05.00 on 6th June, after which the channels would be widened to form a much broader mine free area. The area was constantly re-cleared throughout the invasion as the enemy dropped more mines into the area. The minesweepers orders were to keep to their allocated course even if attacked by the enemy. They had to accept the huge risks in the dark and in rough seas in order to ensure the safety of the following vessels and troops.
The Bay of Bengal In January 1945, HMS Persian was nominated for Foreign Service with the 6th Flotilla for minesweeping and convoy defence in the Indian Ocean. Ships of the Flotilla underwent essential repairs and maintenance prior to departure for Ceylon. HMS Persian, Gozo & Lightfoot sailed from Falmouth and were joined by Danlayers Imersay & Lingay. On 1945-03-31 the flotilla took passage via Malta, through the Suez Canal, Red Sea and Arabian Sea, to Ceylon (see Map 5) HMS Persian (J347) was based at HMS Lanka in Trincomalee, Ceylon from 1 April to 31st of December 1945, although they probably didn't arrive there until mid April 1945. During June 1945 HMS Persian was deployed with 6th Flotilla for convoy escort duties in defence of convoys to Rangoon and Indian ports prior to planned operations by Eastern Fleet. 6th Flotilla took part in minesweeping duties off Car Nicobar covered by ships of the Eastern Fleet prior to planned landings in Malaya (Operation Collie) On 2nd of July 1945 the Flotilla sailed from Trincomalee to carry out Operation Collie between the 5th and 11th of July 1945.
Its objectives were:
In the event this was only partially completed due to the dropping of the Atom bombs on Japan on 15th of August 1945. Operation Collie was carried out under the direction of Rear Admiral Wilfrid Patterson, by ruler-class aircraft carriers HMS Ameer and HMS Emporer, light cruiser HMS Nigeria, destroyers HMS Roebuck, HMS Eskimo, and HMS Vigilant, and escort carriers HMS Stalker and HMS Empress, and the 6th Minesweeping Flotilla. The carriers transported Grumman F6F Hellcats of the 884 Naval Air Squadron, which flew 82 sorties. Accounts of casualties vary, but one report indicates that two pilots were killed, one during take-off, one in action; and six aircraft were lost, three to enemy action; while another indicated that seven aircraft were lost from the Ameer, with all pilots rescued. Overall, the mission was a success, with one report noting that "three flotillas of minesweepers cleared 167 mines off the northwest coast of Malaya and from the waters around the Nicobars." In July 1945, Taylor P Jones, J112713 Chief Petty Officer, HMS Persian, was Mentioned in Dispatches, awarded for great skill, efficiency and endurance during minesweeping operations off the Japanese-held Islands of Car Nicobar in July 1945. The Flotilla commenced mine clearance operations on 5th July. A total of 167 mines were cleared by the them. On completion on 10th July, HMS Persian took passage to Ceylon, arriving in Colombo on 14th July with Flotilla. On 24th July fleet minesweeper Squirrel was mined and sunk. Two days later on the 26th, kamikaze aircraft attacked Fleet minesweeper Vestal which was hit and scuttled. Between June 1944 and May 1945, 21 allied merchant ships were lost in the area.- (1) Naval bombardment and aerial strikes on Japanese positions in the Nicobar Islands, particularly Nancowry Island.
- (2) Providing cover for minesweeping operations in advance of a possible invasion.
- (3) Making carrier raids on Japanese airfields in Northern Sumatra.
They then prepared for minesweeping support of planned landings in Malaya, (Operation Zipper). The contemplated invasion for which these measures set the stage, Operation Zipper, was never carried out, after an atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on 6th August, a second over Nagasaki on 9th August and the surrender of Japan on the 15th August Operation Tiderace was instead put into action. The Allied fleet departed Rangoon on 27th of Auguat 1945, under Vice Admiral Harold Walker. In August 1945 the flotilla joined Force 155 made up of 6th, 7th & 37th minesweeping Flotillas, sailed from Colombo for minesweeping operations off Malaya. They sailed from Colombo on 15th August for operations in the Malacca Strait. The 24th August saw atrocious weather and Force 155 took shelter in the lee of Simuat Island on the west coast of Sumatra. On 27th August, Force 155 was joined by Task force 11 which consisted of the battleship HMS Nelson, escort carriers HMS Attacker & HMS Hunter, light cruiser HMS Ceylon, destroyers HMS Paladin & HMS Petard and two infantry Landing Ships. The 6th 7th & 37th Flotillas swept the waters ahead of this fleet to enable ships to enter Penang and Sabang. They arrived in Penang on 28th of August 1945. HMS Nelson was the flagship of the fleet, and the articles of surrender were signed aboard the battleship on 3rd September.
On 3rd of September 1945, led by the 6th Flotilla sweeping ahead, the cruiser HMS Cleopatra carrying Admiral Power, Commander in Chief, British Pacific Fleet and other ships entered the anchorage of Singapore. Thus the 6th Minesweeping Flotilla became the very first ships of the Royal Navy to enter the harbour of Singapore since the disastrous evacuation in 1942. An eye-witness account states: As the Flotilla came into harbour a lot of small boats came out with people cheering and trying to sell pineapples and other fruit. One of the most sought after things in Singapore was a bar of soap; it was like gold dust to them. It was obvious that they had been ill treated by the Japanese, because many people had limbs missing. They had been using Japanese currency but that was abandoned overnight, so the only way anything could be bought was by barter, with soap and chocolate being much prized. The Fleet evacuated some of the ex POWs, most of whom were Australian. There was no room on board the smaller ships like minesweepers to take them, but whilst alongside the jetty, many were taken on board and given food and comfort. They were in such a bad state medically there wasn't a lot that could be done for them. It wasn't until the hospital ships started to arrive that they could be treated properly. All the Japanese soldiers were rounded up and put to work clearing the streets and other menial jobs.
On 22nd of December 1945 Colin received a War Service (3 years) pay Increment. Colin and HMS Persian was based at HMS Highflyer (Trincomalee, Ceylon), From 1 Jan to to 31st of March 1946. HMS Persian left Trincomalee, Ceylon on 92th of March 1946. Their war was over and they were homeward bound at last. The Bill of Health No. 846, was signed by Dr G Jeremiah HMS Persian of 12,000 tons and a crew of 110, left Aden on 15th of April 1946, sailing under the British flag under the command of Captain, Lt Cdr J L Woolcombe, bound for Suez and UK. Signed by KS Seal, Health Officer, Aden. HMS Persian arrived in Port Said on 21st of April 1946. The Visa states that the last case of bubonic Plague was isolated on 15th of February 1946. The vessel left Port Said on 29th of April 1946 with 110 crew, bound for Malta - Gibralter - UK. Signed by Dr I Nasr, Director, Port Said. Arrived and departed Malta in May 1946 Bill of Health no. A20107 HMS Minesweeper Persian, Under the command of Lt Cdr J L Woolcombe RN, left Gibraltar, bound for the UK. Signed by KP Anes, Captain of the Port.
Colin and HMS Persian was officially based at HMS Lochinvar (Port Edgar, Firth of Forth) from 1 Apr to 5th of July 1946 (although the ship did not arrive there until May 1946.) On 16th of July 1946 Colin was based back in Portsmouth on HMS Victory. On 19th of August 1946 Colin received payment of War gratuity and PWC (Post War Clothing) was authorised. He remained in Portsmouth on HMS Victory until 6th of October 1946 when he was de-mobbed - released from service Class A. Colin was awarded the following medals: The 1939 - 1945 Star, Burma Star, France and Germany Star, Defence medal, War Medal 1939 - 1945 and the Naval General Service Medal (This was not received until 2015. Colin died in 1981).
