Brian Gautier's Family History Data

Address at Birth

Jules aged about five.

This photo was kindly offered to me by a Michael Price of Barnsley, Yorkshire. He found it in a job lot of postcards originating fom a dealer in Cornwall. The Daymans and Hobbs lived in that area so this must originally have been sent to one of them by Jules' mother.

Taken around 1930. Albert Gautier, son Jules and others on Bridlington beach in what appears to be a training session.

Transcript of a report in the Bridlington Chronicle 13 June 1930

«b»Opening of the Spa Swimming Lake

SUCCESSFUL GALA AND SPORTS«/b»

KEEN COMPETITION FOR THE FOREMAN CHALLENGE CUPS

Under the auspices of the Bridlington Mixed Swimming and Sports Club, on Whit Monday, the New Spa Lake was opened by a water carnival and aquatic sports, which were attended by a large number of people.
In the afternoon , swimming competitions for boys and girls attending Bridlngton Council Schools were held. The chief events being races for two handsome silver cups, presented to the club by Councillor J W and Mrs Foreman. The races which were over a distance of 35 yards (boys) and 25 yards (girls) were very exciting and were won by «b»J V Gautier «/b»(boys) and Elsie Summerscales (girls), after exciting races.
Mr T R Jemison was the starter, and Mr A Gautier the judge.
The following were the results:-
Foreman Challenge Cup (boys) 35yards: 1 «b»J V Gautier«/b»; 2 A Gee; 3 H Shippey.
Foreman Challenge Cup (girls) 25 Yards: 1 Elsie Summerscales; 2 Doris Johns; 3 Lily Clark.
Paddle Boat Race: 1 H Shippey and J Morris; 2 E Wood and «b»J V Gautier«/b»; 3 J Barlow and A Gee. Cock Fighting: 1 H Shippey; 2 B Crawford; 3 J Ellis; 4 A Coleman. Greasy Pole: 1 C Woods. Riding the Duck: 1 H Shippey; 2 C Woods.
The prizes were afterwards presented by Mrs Foreman.

Transcript of a report in The Chronicle of 8th August 1930:-

«b»SPA AQUATIC GALA«/b»
A SUCCESSFUL EVENT
Organised by the manager of the Spa (Mr R M Callaway) and the committtee of the Bridlington Mixed Swimming and Sports Club (Chairman Mr T R Jemison), a sucessful aquatic gala was held in the Spa Lake on Wednesday evening. The chief event was a 100 yards race for the "William Newell" Cup, which was won by T Spencer.
A push-ball match between Bridlington Swimming Club and a team of visitors caused great amusement.
The prizes were presented by Mrs Newell, wife of the donor of the cup.
A vote of thanks was proposed to Mrs Newell by MR T R Jemison, and seconded by Alderman J V Mainprize.
The results were:-
35 yards race, girls under 14 (open). - 1, Olive Spencer, Leeds; 2, L Daniel; 3, K Brockelhurst, Hull.
50 yards race, boys under 14 (open) - 1, «b»J Gautier«/b»; 2, S Mitchell; 3, A Gee.
Flying Squadron Race by Mr Gautier's Boys. - 1, "B" Team.
Boxing on the Raft (boys). - 1 A Gee; 2, T Campleman; 3, S Mitchell.
Cock Fighting (boys). - 1, «b»J Gautier«/b»; 2, E Wood; 3, J Shippey.
Team Race. - 1, Bridlington Mixed Swimming and Sports Club.
100 yards Adult Swimming for the William Newell Cup (50 yards breast stroke, 50 yards any stroke), open only to residents. - 1, T Spencer; 2, C Spencer; 3, R Jemison.
Ladies 50 yards Swimming (open). - 1, M Spencer, Leeds; 2, L Daniel; 3, J Gardiner.
Riding the Sea Horse (open). - 1, L Daniel; 2, Mr D Tate.
Greasy Pole (open). - 1, D Hillaby; 2, C Spencer.
Pillow Fight (open). - 1, C Spencer; 2, A Clark.
During the sports, selections were played by the Excelsior Prize Silver Band, conducted by Mr H Harper.
A carnival and confetti battle continued on the promenade until 11-30pm.

Some Transcribed extracts from a long report in The Chronicle of 22nd August 1930:

«b»BRIDLINGTON IN FESTIVE MOOD«/b»
Crowded Hours of Glorious Life
VARIED ATTRACTIONS AT SUCCESSFUL CARNIVAL
Large numbers of people who enjoyed holidays at Bridlington this week responded to the invitation of the Corporation Entertainments Committee, and Mr Robert M Calloway, the Spa Manager, to "Let yourselves go today and enjoy every minute of thirteen hours' glorious fun." on the occasion of the great carnival held on Wednesday, when the turnstiles at the Spa clicked merrily throughout the day..................

The attractive programme.........commenced with aquatic sports........Professor A Gautier acted as starter..........Another interesting item was "singing under the water" by «b»Master Jules Gautier«/b»..................

Cock Fighting. - 1, Sam Mitchell; 2, «b»Jules Gautier«/b»; 3, Arthur Crawford

Transcript of some extracts from a report in The Chronicle of 5th September 1930:-

«b»Aquatic Gala At The Spa«/b»

There was a large attendance at the aquatic gala on the Spa on Wednesday evening.............

Much amusement was caused by a novel competition, in which a bather was seen taking the role of a fish against a dour fisherman. After being "shot" and feigning surrender, the "fish" («b»Master Jules Gautier«/b») pulled the fisherman (Mr F Ellis) into the lake...........

The starter was Mr A Gautier and Mr T R Jemison was the judge.............

The winners were:-
The Dunkerley Shield. - Trinity Congregational Boy Scouts (1, Bulmer, «b»J Gautier«/b», J Binks and J Hartley).
Boys 35 yards under 14. - ,1 «b»J Gautier«/b»; 2, W P A Clough, Selby; 3, S Mitchell.
Cock Fighting (boys). - 1, «b»J Gautier«/b»; 2, E Woods.

Transcript of two reports in the Bridlington Free Press of 27th September 1930:-

«b»Bridlington Boy Scouts Association«/b»

The second annual swimming gala promoted by this Association was held at the Public Baths on Thursday evening. The judges were Messrs «b»A Gautier«/b», W M Brown and H Harrison, who were assisted by Mr A Luther. The chief trophy competed for was the shield presented by Mr T Martin, of Asbestos Rubber Co, of Hull, and for this the following teams entered:-
Priory Troop, Trinity Congregational Troop and Baptist Troop. The Rev A M Selle presented the prizes to the winners as follows:-
Four Lengths Race (any style). - 1, «b»J Gautier «/b»(Trinity); 2, A L Neal; 3, G White (Trinity).
Neat Dive. - 1, A L Neal; 2, «b»J Gautier«/b»; 3, G White.
Two Lengths (crawl stroke). - 1, «b»J Gautier«/b»; 2, G White.
Diving For Plates.- 1, A L Neal; 2, S Mitchell (Trinity); 3, E Ayre (Priory).
One Length Breast Stroke. - 1, G White; 2, S Mitchell; 3, E Foster (Trinity).
Obstacle Race. - 1, A L Neal; 2, S Mitchell; 3, G White.
Plunging. - 1, A L Neal; 2, J Hartley (Trinity); 3, S Mitchell.
Life Saving. - 1, J Earl and J Dodgson (Trinity); 2, G White and A L Neal.
Good-night Race. - 1, S Mitchell; 2, H Ireland (Priory).

«b»BRIDLINGTON HARBOUR INCIDENT«/b»
Boys Thrilling Adventure

Five local boys - Jules V Gautier, Frank Bristow, William Atkinson, and two brothers named J and G Haigh, had an exciting experience in Bridlington Harbour on Sunday night. They had rowed over in a small dinghy to a submarine chaser, upon which they clambered. Four of them had returned to the dinghy, and as Master Gautier was about to follow their example, they moved their positions in the craft, with the result that the boat tilted over and all five were thrown into the water. Master Gautier, who is the son of Professor Gautier, and the winner of several aquatic events held at the Spa Boating Lake this summer, was the only one able to swim, and he assisted the others one by one to cling on to the fenders of boats and ropes, until they were taken aboard boats by Messrs Newby, Gilmour and others, and taken ashore. Master Gautier was much exhausted by his efforts, but the others seemed little the worse for their adventure, and all soon recovered from the effects of the immersion.

Transcript of a report in The Cronicle of 3rd October 1930:-

«b»BRIDLINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS«/b»
SWIMMING GALA

Gautier's Baths was the scene of much youthful enthusiasm on Wednesday evening on the occasion of the annual swimming gala of the Bridlington elementary schools. The surrounds of the Baths were crowded with spectators.
The programme which was arranged by «b»Mr A Gautier«/b» and Miss Joan Wallis, the instructors, was interesting and varied.
Amongst those present were:- Councillor Holmes (chairman of the Bridlington Education Committee), Mrs Harding, Miss M K Dennet, Councillor and Mrs I G Cast, Councillor R Hermon, Mr J H Amory, Mr H Palmer, MA, etc.
Miss Wallis and «b»Mr A Gautier«/b» acted as judges, and they were assisted by Mr F G Frankish, one of the assistant masters of the Burlington School.
Mrs Harding presented prizes to the following:-
Beginners Race (girls): 1, E Jenkinson; 2, D Waite; 3, W Lancaster. (boys): 1, D Long; 2, C Hart; 3, A Davison.
Girls' Championship Race: 1, M Ridsdale; 2, E Summerscales; 3, N Grimshaw.
Boys' Championship Race: 1, «b»J Gautier«/b»; 2, S Mitchell; 3, A Gee.
Boys' Diving Competition: 1, A Gee; 2, C Hart; 3, S Mitchell.
Boys' Plunging Competition: 1, S Mitchell; 2, H Shippey; 3, A Gee.
Girls' Backstroke Race: 1, M Ridsdale; 2, N Grimshaw; 3, M Smith.
Boy's Crawl Race: 1, «b»A Gautier (sic - the "A" is an error, Jules brother, Albert would have been aged 20)«/b»; 2, S Mitchell; 3, A Gee.
Girls Diving Competition: 1, N Grimshaw.
Life Saving Race (Boys') : 1, S Mitchell and A Gee; 2, R and A Coleman.
Diving For Plates: 1, S Mitchell; 2, R Goddard; 3, A Crawford.
Good-night Race: 1, S Mitchell; 2, A Gee.
Team Race. - A and B Teams of Bridlington and Oxford Street Schools. Winners: A Team Oxford Street School -«b» J V Gautier«/b», A Gee, D Long, H Shippey.
The following boys have been successful in gaining certificates for swimming progress this year:-
First Class: - C Hart and A Coleman, Burlington School; «b»J V Gautier«/b», A Gee, T Cappleman and G Waite, Oxford Street School.

Transcript of extracts from a long report in the Bridlington Free Press of 22nd November 1930:-

«b»BRIDLINGTON BOY SCOUTS ASSOCIATION«/b»
Seventh Annual Meeting

The 7th annual meeting of the members of this Association was held in the Emmanuel Church Parish Hall on Friday evening last week when the Rev E Whittenbury Kaye presided over a large attendance.................

It was mentioned that Scout Jules Gautier, son of Professor A Gautier, had recently rendered great assistance to four boys who were in danger of being drowned in the harbour, and it was stated that steps would be taken to have his bravery recognised by headquarters.

The Magazine contained a citation which reads, "Scout J. Gautier of the Trinity Congregational (Bridlington) Group. For his gallantry in connection with a boating accident in Bridlington Harbour on September 21st 1930"

Jules was awarded this medal after rescuing four of his friends from Bridlington Harbour when a boat that they were playing in overturned. Jules being the only swimmer brought them all to the edge where they were pulled ashore by local fishermen.

HONOURING A BRAVE YOUNG SCOUT

In the Council chamber there was a large array of bright faced lads in scout uniform, in charge of Scoutmaster Brown. They had come to do honour to one of their comrades.

A BOY'S SPLENDID SERVICE OF LIFE SAVING

The Mayor read the certificate of award from the Boy Scouts Association, which referred to Scout Jules Gautier's splendid service in having saved four companions from drowning in the harbour at Bridlington on a Sunday afternoon in September. The five boys, including Gautier, had been crossing the harbour in a small boat, and attempting to board an old submarine chaser, and were thrown into the water, which was ten feet deep at the time. Jules was the only swimmer, and one by one he he brought the drowning boys to the side of the derelict, were they were assisted into safety. It was a plucky action said the Mayor, for by your presence of mind, and great bravery you saved the lives of your friends and averted what might have been a sad and terrible tragedy. (Applause). With the certificate his worship said he had to convey the congratulations and good wishes of the Chief Scout, Lord Robert Baden-Powell who had awarded the highest honour he could convey, the Scouts' Silver Cross. The mayor congratulated Mr A Gautier on his sons brave action, and said Mr Gautier was one of the best swimmers that had ever entered the sea at Bridlington.
Commissioner W M Brown thanked the Mayor on behalf of the local association, and said they were all proud of Scout Gautier, who had shown the value of his training by his bravery.

Transcript of a report in the Bridlington Free Press of 20th December 1930:-

SCOUT JULES GAUTIER
A member of the Trinity Congregational Church Troup of Boy Scouts, has been awarded a Silver Cross for gallantry in rescuing four companions from the harbour. In the picture he is shown with Swimming Certificates won by him, and replicas won by teams of which he is a member.

Trancript of a report in The Chronicle of 9th January 1931:-

HONOURING A BRIDLINGTON BOY SCOUT. - Scout Jules Gautier, of the Trinity Congregational Group of Boy Scouts, has been awarded the Scouts' Silver Cross for bravery. It will be remembered that Jules Gautier, who is the son of Mr A Gautier, Queen's Square Baths, Bridlington, rescued three (sic) of his boy friends from drowning in the harbour, when their small rowing boat had capsized. The cross has not yet been officially presented.

Confirmed in the RLSS Awards Record of 1932 on page 242 under the heading "Bath Attendants" Jules' name is recorded alongside that of his father Albert who achieved the award at the same time. The extract below, from the RLSS 1932 Handbook gives an idea of what was required to achieve the award.

«b»THE BRONZE MEDALLION«/b»

CONDITIONS OF EXAMINATION

The Medallion, with the name and date engraved on the back, will be granted to those who become entitled to it under the following conditions: -
1. Candidates must be over 14 years of age and have passed for the Intermediate (or Proficiency) Certificate or fulfil all the conditions of that Award by entering for the Intermediate Certificate, and being examined in (f) of those conditions at the same time as they are examined for the Medallion.

2. The examination shall be certified by two Examiners appointed by the Society or agreed to by responsible of f icials of the Society. In the event of an official of the Society or a member of the Society's panel of Examiners being appointed to conduct the examination, then one Examiner shall be sufficient.

3. An examination fee of 2/- shall be paid by each candidate.
(When the Intermediate Certificate and theBronze Medallion are taken under one examination the fee for both Awards must be paid and separate forms filled in. Candidates passing the Bronze Medallion Test together with test (f) of Intermediate Certificate conditions will receive both awards.)

4. The tests shall comprise all of the following:

Land
(a) Rescue Drills (shortened form, see p. 115). (b) Release Drill (shortened form, see p. 116 ).
(c) Drill for the Schafer Method of Resuscitation and for the promotion of circulation.
(d) Questions on the reasons for and value of each detail of the grips demonstrated in (a) and (b) and on the general physiological effect of each movement made in (c).
(e) Questions to test the knowledge of all the information up to p.114 of the Handbook.

Water
(f) The drills for (i) First Methods of Release and Rescue combined, (ii) theSecond Methods of Release and Rescue combined, (iii) the Third Methods of Release and Rescue combined, (i v) the Fourth Method of Rescue; the subject i n each case being carried a distance of 20 yards (exclusive of the turn - Fourth Method). (See p p. 50 to 5 9)
(g) Execute a surface dive and recover with both hands an object from 6 feet of water (with a minimum of 5 feet, but if less than 6 feet is absolutely necessary a note on the examination form with reasons must be given), and bring it to land by the First Method of rescue. The initial stroke of the dive must be sufficiently correct and powerful to carry the candidate without any further swimming movement of the legs, down the full depth (see p. 1 34). The return upward is to be (when practicable) by a push off with the feet from the bottom. If the surface dive, recovery of the object and landing are not satisfactory on the first attempt then the surface dive, recovery and landing must be satisfactory three times in the next three attempts.
(Note. Knowledge of candidates as required by sections (d) and (e) shall be tested by at least si x quest ions of the scope and type indicated on p p. 179 to 182. Answers must be precise and indicate an appreciation of the practical and physiological side of the work.)

5. Candidates failing in any one of the tests (a) to (g) of Condition 4 must be returned as inefficient and shall forfeit the examination fee (subject to paragraphs 14 and 15 of the General Conditions governing Examinations).

6. The granting of the award is subject to confirmation by the Central Executive.

Occupation noted at 1939 Register.

Address noted at 1939 Register.

Commenced service in Royal Navy with HMS Glendower as an Ordinary Seaman. On 27 Dec1941 he was promoted to the rate of Acting AB (Able Bodied Seaman) with a non substantve rate of Acting Seaman Gunner.

The site was built in 1939 by Billy Butlin at Pen y Chain, Pwllheli, N. Wales as a holiday camp. It became HMS Glwendower for the duration of WW2 and was used as a training base for Seaman branch and Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (DEMS) gunners. It also operated a hospital for wounded servicemen at Brynberyl on the Pwllheli-to-Caernarvon road two miles out of town. It was decommissioned in 1946 and returned to use as a Butlins Holiday Camp.

Address at Marriage

Transcript of a report in the Bridlington Free Press of 3rd January 1942

«b»BRIDLINGTON WEDDINGS«/b»
BRIDE IN IVORY SATIN
«b»Miss V Baron Weds Mr J V Gautier
«/b»Christ Church, Bridlington was the scene of the wedding on Friday of Miss Violet Baron, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J H Baron of 31 Holyrood Avanue , Bridlington to Mr Jules Victor Gautier, second son of Mrs Gautier and the late Mr A C Gautier of 57 Trinity Road, Bridlington. The Rev N A Vesey officiated and appropriate wedding music was played by the organist.
Given away by her father, the bride was attired in a dress of ivory satin and lace, with veil and head-dress of orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of white chrysanthemums and fern.
As bridesmaids, Miss Clare Gautier (sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Margaret Beesting (friend of the bride), were attired respectively in a mauve lace dress trimmed with satin, and a dress of blue lace trimmed with satin, with head-dresses of blue and mauve lace and flowers. Both carried bouquets of pink chrysanthemums and fern. The best man was Mr Leonard Baron (the brides brother), who was serving as an air mechanic on the "Ark Royal" when that ship was sunk, and the groomsmen were L/Ac Douglas Baron, RAF and Ac Arthur Baron, RAF (also brothers of the bride).
A reception was held at the bride's home, and later the couple departed for their honeymoon in Blackpool. The bride travelled in a blue and white three-piece, with hat gloves and shoes to tone.
The bride groom is at present serving in the Royal Navy as a gunner and his father was well known in Bridlington as a professional swimmer. Many useful presents were received , including a canteen of cutlery presented by the management and employees of the Yorkshire Yacht Building and Engineering Co Ltd, where the bride is employed. Mr and Mrs Gautier will make their home in Bridlington.

He was posted with the rate of Acting AB, Acting Seaman Gunner. North Shields was the port where he signed on to his first Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS).

SS Sheaf Water was the first DEMS that Jules signed on to.

SS Sheaf Water a coastal steam ship of 2730 tons was built in 1925 and belonged to Sheaf Steam Shipping Co, W.A. Souter & Co, Newcastle. The ship was a North Sea collier. On 7 October 1942, whilst part of Convoy FN832 (Southend to Methil) she was torpedoed and sunk about 10 miles off shore from Cromer in Norfolk by a German E-Boat.

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment.

Jules signed on to the D/S Astra which was a Norwegian Steam Ship of 2164 tons built by the Staten Island Ship Building Co. at Port Richmond, New York, USA.

The Astra joined Convoy FS803 with:

ATHELTEMPLAR (British), 8,992 tons, Built 1930
BESTUM (Norwegian), 2,215 tons, Built 1919
BRIARWOOD (British), 4,019 tons, Built 1930
DAN-Y-BRYN (British), 5,117 tons, Built 1940
VIGSNES (Norwegian), 1,599 tons, Built 1930

The convoy sailed from Methil in Fife. Methil Docks was particularly significant during WW2 for the movement of coal and other resources.

The convoy arrived at Gravesend.

A clash of cultures occurred whilst Jules was serving on this ship. The crew of Norwegians kept a large vessel of coffee constantly on the simmer. As it became depleted hands full of coffee beans were added and the water topped up. At a loose end one day Jules decided that the coffee vessel could do with a good clean out. When the crew discovered their gleaming coffee urn he was almost lynched.

The Astra Anchors at Southend to join Convoy FN718.

The photograph was taken from the head of Southend Pier which at the time was known as HMS LEIGH, the Convoy and Naval Control of Shipping base at Southend.

The photograph shows the convoy anchorage inside the boom, which stretched from the Essex to Kent shore. The sky is full of barrage balloons used to defend against low-level aircraft attack.

The Astra sails with Convoy FN718 from Southend bound for Grangemouth. The accompanying vessels are:

ANNEBERG (British), 2,537 tons, Built 1902
ASTRA (Norwegian), 2,164 tons, Built 1919
EMPIRE BYRON (British), 6,645 tons, Built 1941
RAJAHSTAN (British), 6,391 tons, Built 1929
SHEAF CROWN (British), 4,868 tons, Built 1929
URANIENBORG (British), 3,300 tons, Built 1922

After passing Flamborough Head on 27 May 1942 and passing North of St Abbs Head on 28 May 1942, the convoy arrived at Grangemouth minus ANNEBERG which had put back.

The Astra sailed for the Tyne to join Convoy UR29 bound for Reykjavik. She anchored at Methil Roads later that day and the next morning sailed on, passing St Abbs Head and reaching the Tyne on 5 June 1942.

The Astra left the Tyne for Loch Ewe via Methil Roads arriving on 16 June 1942 to join the Convoy.

A total of 19 merchant ships left for Reykjavik. On 18 June 1942 they were joined by two escorts the S Class Destroyers HMS Sardonyx and HMS Shikari. The convoy reached Reykjavik on 22 June 1942 and the next day the Astra sailed on alone to Akureyri in the north of Iceland. She anchored at Akureyri on 25 June1942.

The Astra sailed from Akureyri to join the convoy at Reykjavik. She left Reykjavik on 2 July 1942 with a cargo of stores bound for the Tyne in the company of:

Lech (Polish), carrying frozen fish, destination Grimsby
Lilian I (British Ex Danish), carrying salvage destination Leith
Tomsk (British Ex Danish)), carrying salvage destination Tyne
Willodale (British), carrying ballast destination Blyth
Knut (British ex Danish), carrying general goods destination Tyne
Rosenborg (British ex Danish), carrying ballast destination Tyne
Mammy (Norwegian), carrying salvage destination Glasgow
Torni (Estonian), carrying ballast destination Tyne\endash
André Thome (French), carrying ballast destination Methil
Miriam (British), destination London

The convoy was escorted by S Class Destroyer HMS Scimitar. The Astra arrived at Loch Ewe on 6 July and left the next day. She arrived at Methil Roads on 9 July and left for Tyne same day arriving 10 July.

HMS President III was based at Dedworth Manor, Windsor, Berks and was responsibly for administration, accounting & pay. Although nominally he was posted to President III this was for administrative reasons only possibly because he was temporarily between postings or was on leave.

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment.

Jules signed on to SS Yearby.

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment.

Jules joined SS Kathleen Hawkesfield which was regularly part of convoys between Southend and St Helens Roads.

This ship, an 854 ton coastal collier was built in 1933 by J.Lewis & Sons Ltd.Aberdeen for John Kelly Ltd of Belfast and registered in Dubin as SS Rosapenna. She was sold in 1937 and renamed Kathleen Hawkesfield.

He was again posted to President III for administrative reasons possibly because he was temporarily between postings or was on leave.

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment.

Jules joined the SS Empire Boswell.

Empire Boswell was a 2,898 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. Launched on 2 June 1942 and completed in August 1942. Sold in 1947 to Aviation & Shipping Co Ltd and renamed Aviswell. Operated under the management of Purvis Shipping Co Ltd, London. sold in 1949 to F T Everard & Son Ltd and renamed Seniority. Ran aground on 7 November 1950 at Leinish Point, Inner Hebrides (56°57?N 7°25?W). Refloated but sank off Bo Vich Chuan Rock on 8 November 1950

He was again posted to President III for administrative reasons possibly because he was temporarily between postings or was on leave. He was then signed off from SS Empire Boswell on 31 Dec 1942. Eldest son Brian was born in this interval on December 2nd.

SS Empire Boswell sailed from Liverpool as part of Convoy ON136. This convoy comprised 53 merchants ships and 18 escorts. See list. The convoy had an uneventful passage and arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia on 24 October 1942.

SS Empire Boswell sailed from Halifax with Convoy ON138. The convoy comprised 61 merchant ships and 15 escorts. See list. This convoy avoided attacks by an assembled U-Boat Group by use of HF D/F radio direction finding equipment. The convoy arrived in New York on 3 November 1942.

The SS Empire Boswell sailed from New York with a cargo of steel and lumber as part of Convoy SC111 which comprised 45 merchant ships and 19 escorts. See List. The convoy arrived without loss at Liverpool on 17 December 1942.

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment.

Jules signed on to SS City of Charleroy. This ship, an 854 ton coastal collier was built in 1933 by J.Lewis & Sons Ltd.Aberdeen for John Kelly Ltd of Belfast and registered in Dubin as SS Rosapenna. She was sold in 1937 and renamed Kathleen Hawkesfield. In 1942 she was renamed again as City of Charleroy.

SS City of Charleroy was part of Convoy CW.153 which departed Southend on 2 February 1943 and arrived at St Helens Roads on 3 February 1943. The convoy comprised 29 merchant ships and 1 escort. See List.

On 17 February, escort HMS Garth was escorting a later convoy with destroyer HMS Montrose. She was in action against E-Boats attacking the convoy off Yarmouth. She sank E-Boat S71 by ramming after a gun engagement.

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment.

Jules was posted to HMS Safeguard which was a Shore Establishment. It was in fact a big country house, Tatchbury Mount at Calmore, Totton, Hampshire which had been commandered by the Navy. HMS Safeguard was used as a convalescent and recuperation centre for DEMS (Defensively-Equipped Merchant Ships) gun crew. It is recorded that Jules refused dental treatment whilst there.

It is now owned by the Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment.

Jules signed on to SS Empire Ray.

Empire Ray was a 6,919 GRT CAM ship which was built by Greenock Dockyard Co Ltd, Greenock. Launched on 25 March 1941 and completed in June 1941. Sold in 1945 to King Line Ltd and renamed King Alfred. Arrived on 16 March 1963 at Hamburg, West Germany for scrapping.

CAM ships were British merchant ships used in convoys as an emergency stop-gap until sufficient escort carriers became available during WW2. CAM ship is an acronym for catapult aircraft merchant ship. A CAM ship was equipped with a rocket-propelled catapult launching a single Hawker Hurricane, dubbed a "Hurricat" or "Catafighter". CAM ships continued to carry their normal cargoes after conversion.

Convoy FN1052 sailed from Southend and was joined by SS Empire Ray sailing from Hull as they passed the Humber Estuary the same day. The convoy comprised 12 merchant ships (see list) but had no escort. They arrived at Methil, Fife on 22 June 1943.

SS Empire Ray joined Convoy EN246 at Methil, Fife. The convoy comprised 25 merchant ships (see list) and had no escort. The convoy arrived at Loch Ewe on 24 June 1943

SS Empire Ray joined Convoy ON190 which departed from Liverpool. The convoy comprised 85 merchant ships and 23 escort vessels (see list).

The rescue tug Samsonia and escort Fusilier towed Empire Gale to St Johns Newfoundland when she suffered defects. It was common for the Convoy Commodore to order course changes as result of intelligence about U Boat activity. This could cause confusion in the dark or bad visibility. There were merchant ship collisions within the convoy on 2 July and 8 July (see list).

The convoy arrived at New York City on 8 July 1943.

The ship sailed from New York independently and reached Hampton Roads on 27 July 1943.

SS Empire Ray joined Convoy UGS13 which departed from Hampton Roads heading for the Mediterranean. The convoy comprised 97 merchant ships and 29 escort vessels (see list).

While escorting this convoy, USS Jacob Jones a newly commissioned Edsall-class destroyer made her first antisubmarine attack on 7 August 1943 firing 13 depth charges in two attacks.

SS Empire Kestrel, a 2,674 GRT, 5,050 DWT cargo ship built in Michigan was attacked on 16 August 1943 by an Italian Savoia-Marchetti S.79 aircraft, piloted by Lt. Vezio Terzi, and sunk by an aerial torpedo off the coast of Algeria, near Bgayet, in position 37°10N 04°35E.

SS Empire Ray arrived safely at Port Said on 24 August 1943.

The SS Empire Ray traversed the East end of the Mediterranean, independently and without escort. Firstly to Beirut anchoring on 26 August. On 9 September she sailed back reaching Port Said the next day and through the canal to Suez by 11 September. She then sailed down through the Red Sea to Aden anchoring on 16 September. The next day she sailed through the Gulf of Aden and South along the African East coast reaching Lourenco Marques, Mozambiqe (since independence from Portugal 1975 called Maputo) on 1 October 1943.

SS Empire Ray joined Convoy DKA3 as it transitted Lourenco Marques from Durban. The convoy was unescorted and consisted of:

ALFIOS«tab»(Greek), 5,116 tons, Built 1920 «tab» «tab» «tab»
BRITISH INTEGRITY (British), 8,412 tons, Built 1927
CITY OF DUNDEE (British), 5,723tons, Built 1921
DIAMANTIS (British), 5,253 tons, Built 1919 «tab» «tab» «tab»
EMPIRE MARIOTT (British), 5,970 tons, Built 1941, Returned with DKA4
ITINDA (British), 6,619 tons, Built 1938 «tab» «tab» «tab»
MASUNDA (British), 5,250 tons, Built 1929 «tab» «tab» «tab»
POINT CLEAR (Greek), 4,839 tons, Built 1920

The convoy arrived in Aden 27 October 1943.

The SS Empire Ray made an unescorted independent return voyage from Aden via the Suez Canal to Alexandria and anchored back in Aden on 19 November 1943.

SS Empire Ray joined Convoy AKD7, an unescorted convoy comprising:

BENDORAN (British), 5,567 tons, Built 1910
BENVANNOCH (British), 6,427, Built 1921
BURMA (British), 7,821, Built 1914
CHITRAL (British), 15,346, Built 1925
CITY OF DUNDEE (British), 5,273, Built 1921
DALIA (British), 5,188, Built 1931
DIAMANTIS (British), 5,253, Built 1919
EMPIRE FRIENDSHIP (British), 7,058, Built 1943
EMPIRE TROOPER (British), 14,106, Built 1922
FORELAND (British), 1,870, Built 1939
FORT CHURCHILL (British), 7,129, Built 1942
FORT ENTERPRISE (British), 7,126, Built 1943
GREYSTOKE CASTLE (British), 5,853, Built 1928
HOPEPEAK (British), 5,179, Built 1938
LOCH DEE (British), 5,252, Built 1937
PULASKI (Polish), 6,345, Built 1912
STRYMON

The convoy reached Kilindi, Zanzibar 1 December 1943.

At Kilindi SS Empire Ray joined Convoy AKD7S bound for Durban. The convoy was unescorted and comprised:

BENDORAN (British), 5,567 tons, Built 1910
CITY OF DUNDEE (British), 5,273 tons, Built 1921
DALIA (British), 5,188 tons, Built 1931
EMPIRE FRIENDSHIP (British), 7,058 tons, Built 1943
EMPIRE YUKON (British), 7,651 tons, Built 1921
FORT CHURCHILL (British), 7,129 tons, Built 1942
FORT ENTERPRISE (British), 7,126 tons, Built 1943
HOPEPEAK (British), 5,179 tons, Built 1938
KHANDALLA (British), 7,018 tons, Built 1923
LOCH DEE (British), 5,252 tons, Built 1937
MARIA L (Greek), 4,707 tons, Built 1912
RICHARD HENRY DANA«tab»(USA), 7,176 tons, Built 1942
STRYMON

SS Empire Ray left the convoy at Lourenco Marques on 6 December 1943. The convoy reached Durban on 10 December 1943.

SS Empire Ray sailed, independently and without escort from Lourenco Marques to Port Said reaching Aden on 19 December 1943 and anchoring at Suez on 1 January 1944.

SS Empire Ray joined Convoy MKS37 bound for Gibraltar. The convoy comprised 80 merchant ships and 4 escorts (see list). The convoy reached Gibraltar on 22 January 1944.

SS Empire Ray departed Gibraltar unescorted and independently and arrived at Valencia, Spain on 26 January 1944. She left Valencia on 31 January and arrived back at Gibraltar on 4 February.

SS Empire Ray joined Convoy MKS39G which comprised 63 merchant ships and 6 escorts. The convoy made a rendezvous with Convoy SL148 the next day which increased the complement to 91 merchant ships and 14 escorts (see list). There were 18 Tank Landing Craft (LST) in this convoy. In a convoy environment the acronym was sometimes humorously corrupted to "Large Slow Target". The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 24 February 1944.

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment which was not until 16 March 1944. He had some shore leave during this period as 10 March 1944 is stamped on the reverse of this photo.

Jules signed on to SS Hampshire Coast. She was regularly in North Sea convoys between Scotland and the South of England.

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment which was not until 22 October 1944.

Jules signed on to SS British Chemist. The ship was a member of Convoy ONS36 which left Liverpool on 13 November 1944 but Jules signed off on 6 November.

SS British Chemist was an oil tanker of 6997 tons built in 1925 by Palmers' Shipbuilding & Iron Co Ltd, Newcastle and registered in London. She was built for the British Tanker Company Limited which was the maritime transport arm of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and the forerunner of BP. The British Tanker Company was formed in 1915 with an initial fleet of seven oil tankers. The Company became the BP Tanker Company in 1955.

This was where Jules signed up for his next DEMS assignment which was not until 11 November 1944.

Jules signed on to M/S Temeraire which was a Norwegian vessel of 6465 tons built in France in 1925 by Chantier et Ateliers de St. Nazaire.

The ship left Liverpool independently on 14 November 1944 and arrived in the Mumbles the next day.

M/S Temeraire joins unescorted Convoy BEC38 out of Barry, South Wales at Mumbles consisting of:

ALEXANDER W DONIPHAN (USA), 7,176 tons, Built 1944
AVONDALE PARK (British), 2,878 tons, Built 1944
CITY OF LEICESTER (British), 3,351 tons, Built 1926
EMPIRE GRANITE (British), 8,028 tons, Built 1941
FRANCIS DRAKE (USA), 7,176 tons, Built 1942
FRANCIS VIGO (USA), 7,176 tons, Built 1943
HAROLD I PRATT (USA), 7,176 tons, Built 1944
JAMES B WEAVER (USA), 7,176 tons, Built 1943
KELBERGEN (Dutch), 4,823 tons, Built 1914

The convoy passes Prawle Point, Devon the next day. The convoy is bound for Seine Bay off Le Havre and Temeraire is heading for Southend so they part company. Temeraire passes Horse Sand Fort, Spithead, Portsmouth on18 November and the Needles, Isle Of Wight later that day. She anchors at Southend on 21 November 1944

This is probably the convoy with which the Temeraire sailed for the Tyne. She reached North Shields on 22 November 1944. Jules signed off on 29 November 1944.

Jules was posted to DEMS Newcastle until 13 December 1944. Temeraire was his last posting as a DEMS Gunner.

He was posted with a rate of Acting AB, Acting Seaman Gunner. HMS Victory was a nominal posting used for administrative purposes while "Drafty" sorted out the next posting. He was billeted at Royal Naval Base Portsmouth.

He was posted with a rate of Acting AB, Acting Seaman Gunner.

HMS Vernon was a Shore Establishment or "Stone Frigate" at Portsmouth and was established on 1 October 1923. New departments were set up to cover aspects of maritime warfare, such as mining, torpedoes and electrical equipment. During WW2 HMS Vernon also took on responsibility for mine disposal and developing mine countermeasures. The staff were able to capture a number of enemy mines and develop successful countermeasures.

He was posted with a rate of Acting AB, Acting Seaman Gunner. HMS Victory was a nominal posting used for administrative purposes while "Drafty" sorted out the next posting. In practice this meant that he was probably billeted in Portsmouth Barracks. During this posting the war in Europe was won. Victory in Europe (VE) Day was 5 May 1945. However we were still at war with Japan.

He was posted with a rate of Acting AB, Acting Seaman Gunner. Although physically posted to HMS Loch Tarbet his base for administrative purposes was HMS Eaglet.

HMS Eaglet was at that time the First World War 24 class sloop HMS Sir Bevis, which was renamed Eaglet. The Eaglet was berthed at Salthouse Dock, Liverpool. During the Second World War, Eaglet became the flagship of Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches.

HMS Loch Tarbet was a LOCH Class Anti-Submarine Frigate. The ship was launched on 19th October 1944 and build was completed on 22nd February 1945. She was based at Liverpool as part of the 12th Escort Group. When Jules joined her she was about to depart for the Far East.

Jules was "posted" to HMS Lanka for administration purposes. HMS Lanka was a RN base (Shore Establishment) near Colombo Ceylon (Sri Lanka). In reality he was still aboard HMS Loch Tarbet at Malta, en route to Colombo.

He was posted to HMS Mayina which was at Chatham Camp, Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) which was used as a holding and transit camp. This posting was recorded as finishing on 16 December 1945 but Jules sent a post card from Lourenco Marques, Mozambique on 11 December 1945 so he was obviously on the way home. There is no indication as to which vessel he was travelling on.

A Postcard home.

Once again Jules is "posted" to HMS Victory. He would have been billeted in Portsmouth pending his release from service on 29 March 1945

Address on form awarding £64 15s 0d War Gratuity and Post War Credit of Wages

Released as Acting Abled Bodied Seaman (Acting AB) as noted in his Certificate of Service