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World War One discussions.
Re: U61 v HMS Warner (Q27)
Posted by:
Ron Gardner
()
Date: May 18, 2007 10:29AM
Michael,
Thanks for the prompt response.
My grandfather had been a merchant navy 1st mate who held a foreign going master's ticket from New Zealand. He had volunteered for NZ Army Service and was sent to the Somme. I don't think he liked it very much and within two months of arriving in France the records show that he transferred to the Special Service. He underwent training at a place called Whale Island I think and then went to Liverpool to join the ship. He told us that he travelled to Liverpool in civilian clothes and was given white feathers by women on three occassions.
My grandfather told us that when the ship was torpedoed he was thrown (or blown) overboard and was underwater when something blew up (maybe the boiler - I don't know). I have in my possession a gold locket which he was wearing at the time. The locket is quite flattened and he claimed it happened when the explosion occurred.
He claimed that he was taken aboard the u-boat and was treated well by the commander. He was given clean dry clothes and was permitted to use the commander's bed out of respect for his rank as an officer. Of course, whether this is true or not I have no way of knowing.
I can veryfy his POW status from photos which I have and by his signed "promise not to escape card" which I also have.
Regards
Ron Gardner
Thanks for the prompt response.
My grandfather had been a merchant navy 1st mate who held a foreign going master's ticket from New Zealand. He had volunteered for NZ Army Service and was sent to the Somme. I don't think he liked it very much and within two months of arriving in France the records show that he transferred to the Special Service. He underwent training at a place called Whale Island I think and then went to Liverpool to join the ship. He told us that he travelled to Liverpool in civilian clothes and was given white feathers by women on three occassions.
My grandfather told us that when the ship was torpedoed he was thrown (or blown) overboard and was underwater when something blew up (maybe the boiler - I don't know). I have in my possession a gold locket which he was wearing at the time. The locket is quite flattened and he claimed it happened when the explosion occurred.
He claimed that he was taken aboard the u-boat and was treated well by the commander. He was given clean dry clothes and was permitted to use the commander's bed out of respect for his rank as an officer. Of course, whether this is true or not I have no way of knowing.
I can veryfy his POW status from photos which I have and by his signed "promise not to escape card" which I also have.
Regards
Ron Gardner
