We have the record of Jack's postings, courtesy of the Royal Navy, his diary, his pictures, plus now additional resources from the internet that help get a better picture of where he was stationed and the actions he was involved with. As always there is much more research to do.
Jack's Navy History
Part 1: July 1940 - March 1942
Part 2: April 1942 - June 1945
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Jack's Diary
Jack started writing his (unfinished) war memoirs between April and August 1943. They stretch back to 1940 and appear to go up to January 1944.
Wherever applicable I have referenced the date with the page number in his diary which I have split into 2 parts:
Jack's Diary Part 1
Jack's Diary Part 2 |
Jack's Official Navy Records
The information came from the Royal Navy Fleet Headquarters at Portsmouth. In their covering letter they say ...
" Please be aware that WWII documents were not produced in the same way as modern records due to a direct consequence of the conflict. Consequently you may find that the records are not as full as you might expect.
Basic details of the ships, shore establishments and the Royal Navy Air Stations may be found in 'Ships of the Royal Navy' by J J Colledge (London, Greenhill Books, 2003 and 1989), 'Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy' by Lt Cdr B Warlow, RN (Liskeard, Maritime Books, 2000) and 'The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' by R Sturtivant (Tonbridge, Air Britain, 1984)."
Much of the 'translation' of the written shorthand and abbreviations in the 'particular of appointments column' was done with the assistance of Hans Houterman who has added an entry for Jack on his website http://www.unithistories.com/ celebrating Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) Officers - 1939-1945.
Photos
I have indicated if a photo has been taken by Jack or it is from the Internet.
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All overseas operational areas
Equal stripes of dark
blue, to represent the service of the Royal and Merchant Navies, red,
to represent that of the Armies and light blue to represent that of
Air Forces. Worn with the dark blue stripe furthest from the left shoulder.
Criteria
The 1939–45
Star was awarded for any period of operational service overseas between
3 Sep 1939 and 8 May 1945.
Naval personnel
qualify after 180 days afloat in areas of operations as laid out in
the regulations between certain specified dates.
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Home Waters and the Atlantic
Shaded and watered stripes of blue, white and green to represent the
Atlantic. Worn with the blue edge furthest from the left shoulder.
Criteria
Can only
be awarded after the 1939-45 Star has been qualified for. Atlantic Star
awarded for 180 days’ additional service as ships crew in Home
Waters or the Atlantic.
Campaign
History
The Battle
of the Atlantic took place between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945 as
German U-boats (submarines) attacked the convoys transporting valuable
supplies from America and the colonies to Britain.
Battleships
of the Royal Navy and aircraft of the RAF escorted the convoys, hunted
the U-boats and, despite some notable successes by the U-boats, the
Allies won a comprehensive victory in the Atlantic.
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The obverse of the medal shows the crowned head of King George VI, while
the reverse bears a lion standing on a dragon with two heads, above
are the dates 1939 and 1945.
Ribbon
In the colours
of the Union Flag, a narrow central red stripe flanked by narrow white
stripes, wider blue stripes and then red.
Criteria
The War Medal
was awarded to all fulltime personnel of the armed forces wherever they
were serving, provided they had served for at least 28 days between
3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
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