My
uncle William Arthur Bromley, RCN, served in the Jason in 1942, as
a stoker I believe. Dates (other than just “1942”) I am not sure
of as of yet but I know that after surviving the sinking of HMS
Broadwater, October 18, 1941, he went on leave then on his return
Jason became his 2nd ship. Uncle Art went on to HMS
Limbourne in 1943, went on leave 1
week before it was torpedoes and served to Dec 1945 in the HMCS
Milltown. Uncle Art passed away in 1997,
I inherited his service medals, some memorabilia, and his naval
photo album.
I do not know what
dates Uncle Art served in the Jason but figure it would have had
to be after October 1941 and before January 8 1943 as I have a
document from HMS Limbourne stating that he passed the Auxiliary
Watchkeeping Course.
From a letter of
reference for Uncle Art going back into civilian service, there is
a short account of his service, training and duties, it states:
48 months at sea in
the North Atlantic, Mid-Ocean, United Kingdom waters, English
Channel, Mediterranean Sea on destroyers, minesweepers and a sloop
and 6 months ashore in Canada. Joined as stoker II (April 1941)
and discharged as stoker petty officer (Dec 1945). Qualified as
SPO by taking a 3 month MTE course in Davenport, England. Also
awarded auxiliary watchkeeping certificate. Awarded 1939 -45
Star, CVSM, Atlantic Star with Rosette, and first good conduct
badge.
I wish it was in a
lot more detail but thankful for what I have. Some things do not
quite add up but they are little things, the 48 months at sea and
6 months ashore = 54 months, I think it really adds up to 57
months but…. Plus there was no mention of Murmansk in the above,
I remember Uncle Art mentioning that he did the Murmansk run and
that the Broadwater was torpedoed on route to (or from) Murmansk,
it was not until after Unc passed on that I found that it was
actually just south of Iceland when they were called out of
Iceland to help a convoy from Nova Scotia going to England (SC48),
of course they might not have know the actual truth. And as for
the sloop, who knows what that was called as I can find no info
what so ever and do not recall Unc mentioning anything other than
the 2 destroyers and 2 minesweepers.
Peter Bromley
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
