222197 James Vincent Kirkbride Royal Navy HMS Nelson from:Harrogate My dad James Kirkbride was a cook on the battle ship HMS Nelson during the Second World War. Dad died in April 2010 so I cannot ask him to confirm the questions I have.
Like most of the other veterans I have spoken to he was reluctant to talk about his involvement in the conflict; however he did talk about other things he witnessed away from the front line.
The story I would love to verify is this: Dad told me that when the Nelson stopped off in Portugal the England football team were due to play Portugal in an international match, as the England team could not get to Portugal a team from the Nelson stepped in to play the Portugal national team and were losing 10 to nil by half time. I have written to the FA and asked them to confirm this story by they failed to reply.
My dad was present on D day when the Nelson was hit by torpedoes, and while the ship was being repaired in the USA dad was given permission to work at the Campbell’s Soup factory during his off duty time.
He also witnessed the Japanese surrender at Penang in 1945 I have two photos of the surrender.
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