John Swanson (my late father in law) was born in Liverpool, Lancashire July 13th 1921 and passed away (Liverpool) March 18th 2001

John was a stoker aboard Harrier, but at this moment in time I cannot assist with a service number or dates of service aboard. I do know that he joined the vessel in Russia having travelled out aboard HMS Argus.  Amongst others aboard 'Argus' travelling to join ships, he spoke of a young man en route to join the ill fated Destroyer 'Matabele'. He explained that 'Matabele' was lost soon after and his new found friend was amongst those who perished.

Sadly he did not speak in great detail of his exploits, save to mention that they were based in Murmansk(?) during his time aboard and shared many of the hardships of the local population, poor rations, black bread etc.

He also spoke of the rescue of survivors from an American ('Liberty'??) ship, when a keen eyed lookout spotted their lifeboat as dusk was falling and they were about to abandon the search.

After service in 'Harrier' John returned briefly to the UK (means of transport unknown?) and then travelled to the US to 'standby' the building of new LSI's under construction in Virginia(?)  On completion they sailed the vessels back to Europe where they participated in the Sicilian landings. 

Wounded (by 'friendly fire' the LSI silhouette was not unlike that of a submarine to a nervous gunner!!) he was hospitalized in Malta, following which he spent further time on a rocket armed landing craft, bombarding the Italian mainland, before rejoining his original LSI for 'D' Day. In the closing months of the War the vessel was engaged ferrying personnel etc. from UK to Antwerp(?)  

It had been our intention to mark his 80th birthday with a return to Caen and the Normandy beaches, but sadly this was not to be. 

John did apply for and receive his Russian Convoy medal which is displayed along with his other medals in a small cabinet featuring a photograph of 'Harrier' 

Neil Marsden (Wirral)
2nd August 2006

NOTE: Neil would be very pleased to hear from any of John's old shipmates. All messages sent to this site will be forwarded.