ShortFatBloke
Newbie

Long story short. Whilst researching my family history I have been asking a few questions about my father’s service during WWII. He was not the sort to ‘open up’, died when I was 18 and so my memories are a bit vague. What I know of his career is as follows:
Volunteered in 1941 at 16, lying about his age in the process.
Was on a destroyer that was torpedoed in the Mediterranean, the ship broke in two with the crew on one half surviving and the crew on the other half going under.
Was heading for the Azores when he developed appendicitis, was operated on under local anaesthetic before being dropped at Cork. His parents then travelled from Wales, via Dublin, to see him.
He also mentioned when I was a small, snotty child that he had been on one of the ships that escorted Churchill to Yalta.
Finally, I have in my possession, a small metal plate that came, allegedly, from the bow of an Italian ship – the plate (about 2†by 3â€) shows the Fasces and Swastika – A case of ‘it came off in my hand, Chief’, I suspect.
I have his service medals and know that there are at least the Mediterranean Star and North Atlantic Star. I also have one photo of him on board ship and I will try and attach it later.
Can anyone shed any light on the ship that was torpedoed in the Med or any of the other details or suggest resources that may be of use?
Many thanks,
SFB
Volunteered in 1941 at 16, lying about his age in the process.
Was on a destroyer that was torpedoed in the Mediterranean, the ship broke in two with the crew on one half surviving and the crew on the other half going under.
Was heading for the Azores when he developed appendicitis, was operated on under local anaesthetic before being dropped at Cork. His parents then travelled from Wales, via Dublin, to see him.
He also mentioned when I was a small, snotty child that he had been on one of the ships that escorted Churchill to Yalta.
Finally, I have in my possession, a small metal plate that came, allegedly, from the bow of an Italian ship – the plate (about 2†by 3â€) shows the Fasces and Swastika – A case of ‘it came off in my hand, Chief’, I suspect.
I have his service medals and know that there are at least the Mediterranean Star and North Atlantic Star. I also have one photo of him on board ship and I will try and attach it later.
Can anyone shed any light on the ship that was torpedoed in the Med or any of the other details or suggest resources that may be of use?
Many thanks,
SFB