247612 Ord.Sea. Ernest Gaskell Royal Navy HMS Abercrombie I joined HMS Abercrombie in June 1944 at Tarranto, Italy. She was under repair after being mined at Salerno. After repairs we sailed to Malta and began exercises we were told before joining the the fleet which was then assembled at Tarranto for the South of France landings.
Sunday August 21st, I think, whilst at gunnery stations there was a huge explosion which shook the ship followed by another. We stopped dead in the water and things became a bit hectic. I remember that we were getting lower in the water and started bringing ammunition up on deck. I cannot remember having anything to eat that day. There was a shout and I could see two mines bobbing about on our port side. A 20mm opened up I think one sank no explosion. One was getting close to the port bow. Word came for the boat's crew to stand by and push it clear. However, it drifted clear. Late afternoon we were glad to see a tugboat appear and were towed to Malta.
I was back at sea a few days later on HMS Colombo.
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