262830 Sig. Derek James Frederick Hearn Royal Navy HMS Europa from:Norwich, Norfolk Derek Hearn served in HMS Europa and I know he sailed on Arctic convoys and so far have found the Europa on his records. He recalled, as signalman, being on the bridge of the ship during attacks on the convoy and seeing what happened. He remembered arriving at a Russian port (Murmansk?) and that many of the workers at the port were women because the men were away fighting. He said if anyone was caught stealing they were made stand barefoot on the frozen ground.
As children, we were told the story of how a submarine was picked up by the ship's radar, depth charged and, as it rose to the surface, turned out to be a (blue?) whale.
He was told that he was lucky not to be able to swim because no-one should expect to rescued! I am trying to find out more about my father's war service.
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