HMS CAVALIER Oral Histories

Interviewees Ed Tope (Able Seaman), Tony (Dusty) Miller (Able Seaman), Norman Lathem (Ordinary Seaman)

Built for the 11^th Emergency Flotilla, CAVALIER a CA Class Destroyer was first commissioned in November 1944. In the final months of the Second World War CAVALIER was primarily tasked with convoy duties on the ‘Western Approaches’. She escorted several famous cruise liners pressed into service as troop transports, launched her depth charges against a suspected enemy U-Boat and gained a battle honour for her role in escorting arctic convoy RA64.

Interviewees Bill Arbin (Able Seaman, Torpedo anti-submarine TAS), Barry Knell (Able Seaman Gunner)

One of the largest open spaces on the ship. Ratings would either sleep in bunks or hammocks. There are several kit lockers and overhead racks for the crews’ suitcases. Because of the limited space aboard CAVALIER there wasn’t a dedicated eating space for the crew. Instead, the mess had tables to eat as well as bunks to sleep.

Interviewees David Hews (Lieutenant, Diving Officer)

A Royal Navy ships diver carried out various tasks but typically involved repairs to the hull, recovery and rescue. On the port side amidships (middle left) on CAVALIER is the diver’s store. This compartment was used to store diving equipment such as wetsuits and respirators.

Interviewees Jim Low (Junior Seaman, Ordinary Seaman), John Skelton (Lieutenant Commander, Marine Engineering Officer)

In 1971 a full power trial (which turned into a race) was organised between HMS CAVALIER and RAPID, taking place off Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen. RAPID was actually an older ship than CAVALIER, starting life as a R-class Destroyer in 1942, but was extensively overhauled and converted into a more modern Type-15 Frigate in 1953. CAVALIER narrowly won the race after RAPID blew a safety valve on her boiler. CAVALIER gained the unofficial title of ‘Fastest Ship in the Fleet’ or ‘Cock of the Fleet’. Some rumours circulate around the circumstances of the race. One of these rumours is that for her victory, she was awarded her golden cockerel that sits on her bridge to this day! This doesn’t appear to be true however, as the cockerel is clearly visible in archive footage (which can viewed on the Imperial War Museum’s collections page) on CAVALIER’s bridge during the race!

Interviewees Barry Knell (Able Seaman Gunner)

Forward and above the Squid Deck is the Seacat GWS-20 missile system, added during a 1960s refit which altered the appearance of CAVALIER’s superstructure significantly. These were small, subsonic guided missiles powered by a two-stage solid fuel rocket motor and fired from a seating position in front of the launcher. It had a speed of Mach 0.8 which is nearly 1000kms/hour (954 mph). It was intended to replace the Bofors 40mm gun used to defend against air attacks. Seacat was developed by Short Brothers originally of Rochester but then moved to Belfast.

Interviewees Ed Tope (Able Seaman), Tony (Dusty) Miller (Able Seaman), Norman Lathem (Ordinary Seaman), Bill Arbin (Able Seaman, Torpedo anti-submarine TAS)

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) was established in the 1920’s to run recreational establishments for the armed forces. A small shop which sold cigarettes, sweet treats and small luxuries was a common sight (if somewhat surprising to those outside of the Navy) onboard Royal Navy ships. The NAAFI didn’t provide a sailor with his meals or essentials, but it was an outlet on a ship for additional items to be purchased at cost price and was commonly used by sailor to by items for family back home.

Interviewees Thompson (Ordnance Electrical Artificer)

In 1970 CAVALIER responded to a message from the St Anne’s Coastguard that a small coaster the MS SAINT BRANDON was on fire and needed assistance. The crew of the coaster were picked by a French trawler and when Cavalier arrived the coaster was engulfed in flame. Once the fire had died down CAVALIER’s crew were able to board her and take her in tow to Milford Haven. CAVALIER was able to claim salvage reward which was divided amongst her crew.

Interviewees Ed Tope (Able Seaman), Tony (Dusty) Miller (Able Seaman), Norman Lathem (Ordinary Seaman), Jim Low (Junior Seaman, Ordinary Seaman)

The Navy rum ration or ‘tot’ dates to 1866 (the connection with rum and the navy dates back much further still). At noon the ‘tot’ was given out to the crew of the ship from the ‘rum tub’. The crew would receive their rum, or they could choose ‘temperance’ which would mean they received a threepence (3d) instead. In 1970 the practice was abolished and came known as ‘Black Tot Day’.

Interviewees Barry Knell (Able Seaman Gunner)

The 4.5-inch calibre gun has been the standard medium gun calibre of the Royal Navy since the Second World War. The calibre was versatile for use against surface and air targets and could be rapidly reloaded for follow up shots, around 20 per minute.

Interviewees Ed Tope (Able Seaman), Tony (Dusty) Miller (Able Seaman), Norman Lathem (Ordinary Seaman)

This short snippet is a rare account of CAVALIER’s time before she left J S Whites shipyard on the Isle of Wight during the Second World War. Whites was an important shipyard during the Second World War and the yard, and the town of Cowes was heavily bombed. A year before CAVALIER was laid down the Polish Destroyer (also preserved to this day and built at J S Whites) ORP BŁYSKAWICA valiantly defended the yard from a large air attack.