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Posted by L Harris on 17/12/2002, 16:48:22
Message modified by board administrator 18/12/2002, 13:44:39
Did I serve on the Vengeance from the day it Commissioned late 1944 until I left early 1946?. I wonder! having read the lack of details about the time I was aboard, I wonder where the research originated. I don't ever recall losing two Corsairs when I was aboard. I was a member of the air repair section (a sparks), and was with 'bats' at all times. What was omitted?. We lost a Barracuda. The pilot cocked it up on landing, and ditched in the sea at the rear. How do I know? I was there when it happened. In KR's and AI's the giving of sippers, a long time Navy tradition was now a punishable offence. Why? Twin torpedo men celebrating their 21st birthday whilst anchored in Greenock, died after drinking a large jug of it. Another item left out of Vengeance details. Here is another one left out. The burial at sea of an officer who died of heat exposure. We were also one of the first carriers into Hong Kong. Lined up on deck with rumours of suicide boat attacks from the Japs. One was supposed to have been blown out of the water. We cursed Neame for putting our lives in danger, and getting pissed through when the clouds opened. Lots of other little gems from the Crew of the Vengeance. A christmas eve party spoiled by the officers - where shots were fired at Japs in the P O W camps we were guarding, The first watch shot at them when they went to the heads. Too much booze? We never got the real reason but a major bollicking from the C.O. next morning. I was a member of the guards but not on that particular watch. The 'Gut' mentioned in one of the other carrier's memoirs. Two of the A.B.'s we called them - now given the term nicked from the 'Gordons' dressed in boleros and pants with wider bottoms than we had on our 'pussers' pants. Frankie and Sugar were their names. I had photographs which are now lost. It would seem the research done about a ship I spent all my sea-time on was confined to its post war activities. Sixteen years ago I wrote a book from memory about my own naval career. The Vengeance played a big part. The 'Memoirs' publishers in Spennymoor were keen to publish it, but the terms offered were not suitable. If anyone is interested, we may be able to do something about my book, with my own personal accounts from a memory that has stayed very fresh. Contact my pal Ron Davis who started this website. Thankyou. Les Harris.
(Air Repair (L) HMS. Vengeance 1944-1946)
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