Able Seaman Leonard Samuel NEWSON
Above - Len at 17 years old
Below - Len with mother & father, 3 DeBurgh Road, Wimbledon and with Rene his sister in law. |
Len grew up at 3 Deburgh Road, Wimbledon, SW19 and witnessed the nightly bombing of London during the blitz.
They were 'bombed out' of their home twice during the blitz and Len recalled watching Wimbledon Power Station being attacked by dive bombers.
Len's elder brother, Bert, joined the Army and was posted overseas, and Len joined the local Sea Cadets.
They were 'bombed out' of their home twice during the blitz and Len recalled watching Wimbledon Power Station being attacked by dive bombers.
Len's elder brother, Bert, joined the Army and was posted overseas, and Len joined the local Sea Cadets.
On 12 October 1943, at 17 years old, Len volunteered for the Royal Navy and was sent to HMS Collingwood, near Fareham in Hampshire for his basic training. On 21 December 1943 he was transferred a few miles down the road to HMS Victory, Portsmouth, for further training.
In January 1944 his next posting was to HMS Saker, New York, USA which was the shore base for Royal Navy personnel in the USA.
Len was onboard the Queen Mary as it sailed across the Atlantic arriving in New York on Sunday 6 February 1944.
Royal Navy crews were sent to the USA to pick up ships allocated to the Royal Navy under the lend-lease agreement with the USA.
In January 1944 his next posting was to HMS Saker, New York, USA which was the shore base for Royal Navy personnel in the USA.
Len was onboard the Queen Mary as it sailed across the Atlantic arriving in New York on Sunday 6 February 1944.
Royal Navy crews were sent to the USA to pick up ships allocated to the Royal Navy under the lend-lease agreement with the USA.
Dazzled by the bright lights of the USA ...
After arriving in New York they were sent to Boston and billeted with local families and also at the nearby Wellesley University, just outside Boston.
Len was in Boston for the St Patrick Day parades and green coloured beer.. quite a change from wartime London where food was rationed and there was a black out at night. Pictures below show his family hosts at 1110 Walnut Street, Newton, Massachusetts, USA and at Wellesley University.
Dazzled by the bright lights of the USA ...
After arriving in New York they were sent to Boston and billeted with local families and also at the nearby Wellesley University, just outside Boston.
Len was in Boston for the St Patrick Day parades and green coloured beer.. quite a change from wartime London where food was rationed and there was a black out at night. Pictures below show his family hosts at 1110 Walnut Street, Newton, Massachusetts, USA and at Wellesley University.
On the high Seas. .
Len spent the war months aboard Hargood including D-Day and recalled feeling seasick. Len had his 18th Birthday on 30 March 1944 while onboard the Hargood. On 12 July 1944 Len (Official: number JX/627423) was promoted to the rank of Able Seaman. The 'Captain Class' Destroyers were notorious for rolling in rough seas and Len recalled how food and drink were often spilt in rough weather. While crossing the Atlantic the Hargood visited Iceland where they were not given a friendly welcome. Len was there to see the sinking of troopship SS Empire Javelin and the rescue of the survivors in December 1944. After VE day the Hargood also visited Rotterdam where he saw the post war famine in the Netherlands.
Len spent the war months aboard Hargood including D-Day and recalled feeling seasick. Len had his 18th Birthday on 30 March 1944 while onboard the Hargood. On 12 July 1944 Len (Official: number JX/627423) was promoted to the rank of Able Seaman. The 'Captain Class' Destroyers were notorious for rolling in rough seas and Len recalled how food and drink were often spilt in rough weather. While crossing the Atlantic the Hargood visited Iceland where they were not given a friendly welcome. Len was there to see the sinking of troopship SS Empire Javelin and the rescue of the survivors in December 1944. After VE day the Hargood also visited Rotterdam where he saw the post war famine in the Netherlands.
Germany surrenders . .
After VE day the Hargood spent some time in Rosyth and Aberdeen, Scotland.
In May 1945 they sailed to Wilhelmshaven to participate in the surrender of the German U-Boat fleet.
By August 1945 they were back at the shore base, HMS Cochrane, in Rosyth, Scotland.
Then a trip to Hamburg during Xmas 1945, followed by the final voyage on the Hargood in early 1946 to the US where the ship was returned to the US Navy.
Below.. Len pictured in Hamburg Xmas 1945 and lastly in Philadelphia, March 1946.
After VE day the Hargood spent some time in Rosyth and Aberdeen, Scotland.
In May 1945 they sailed to Wilhelmshaven to participate in the surrender of the German U-Boat fleet.
By August 1945 they were back at the shore base, HMS Cochrane, in Rosyth, Scotland.
Then a trip to Hamburg during Xmas 1945, followed by the final voyage on the Hargood in early 1946 to the US where the ship was returned to the US Navy.
Below.. Len pictured in Hamburg Xmas 1945 and lastly in Philadelphia, March 1946.
Back in post-War UK..
Len departed New York aboard the RMS Queen Mary on 5 March 1946 arriving in Southampton on 9 March 1946.
See the postcard he sent home.. asking to 'get his civvies pressed'
He was then posted to HMS Victory in Portsmouth until 25 April 1946 when he joined his new ship - HMS Vanguard.
On 3 October 1946 he returned to HMS Victory and participated in the Lord Mayors parade in London in November 1946 and the Victory Parade in Paris in December 1946. He was issued with his civilian de-mob clothes on 13 March 1947 and finally released from service on 9 May 1947.
November 1946 - London, Lord Mayors Parade / December 1946 Paris parades / February 1947 HMS Victory - guard for the new Commander
November 1946 - London, Lord Mayors Parade / December 1946 Paris parades / February 1947 HMS Victory - guard for the new Commander