250615 Stok1. Harold Matthew Mackenzie Royal Navy HMS Ceres My father, Harold Mathew Mackenzie, was on lots of ships as a Stoker 1st class. He was on board HMS Pembroke between September and November 1943 again in February 1944 and then March to November 1944 as well as October 1945 to January 1946. His first ship was HMS Ceres and he also sailed on HMS Birmingham 1943. HMS Marlborough, between 1943-1944 he was on Torpedo Training in Eastbourne, HMS Iron Duke. HMS Proserpine. They were involved in lots of escort duty. Between 1941 and 1943 on HMS Ceres he travelled in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. They intercepted a German ship Uckermark in Kismu that was scuttled. Then March 1941 through Aden to Mombassa and Trimcomalee for refit in Colombo. Still on HMS Ceres in April 1941 and from June in the Indian Ocean again until March 1943 for convoy defence, resting in Diyatalawa and Bombay. Then on Escort Duty from Sheerness, Dover and Devonport. His was a very busy war. He was also involved in a few scrapes. By all accounts these included detention quarters etc (sounds like a he was a naughty boy). He never spoke of the conflict but I'm sure someone can fill in the gaps and I would love to read about it I would like to see a photo if anyone has one.
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