7200-S-MIDSHIPMAN

SERVICE AS A MIDSHIPMAN AND ACTING SUB-LT

HMS NEPTUNE

[Battleship]

1911

AT PORTSMOUTH

Having successfully completed his training as a Cadet, Stephen joined HMS Neptune as a Midshipman.

Friday, 20th January

Left London at 1245 and arrived at Portsmouth Harbour 2.35. Went with my luggage over to Gieves where I was glad to find two others of my term waiting to join the Neptune. After some time we were joined by a fourth. After shifting into uniform we sallied forth to the pontoon, the whole Gieves establishment turning out to see us off. We then entered a shore boat and were pulled off to the ship. On arrival we reported ourselves, saw the Commander, and went down below. The dirt confusion and litter on board is past all description. Dockyard hands all over the place putting the finishing touches to all manner of things. Coal dust everywhere. Take the Gunroom for example. In one corner a number of chairs just unpacked are upside down. The crockery is full of straw. Wooden cases everywhere. Curtain rods to be unpacked, everything upside down full stop. All the seaman seem lost and no one knows where anything is . In fact, the ship is in a thoroughly untidy chaotic and unfitted state.

Saturday, 21st January

Sailed.

AT GIBRALTAR

Wednesday, 25th January

Arrived at Gib. Early in the morning, and tied up alongside the mole. At 1030 we started coaling ship with baskets. During the day I was doing the following jobs:- Supervising shovelling, shovelling, lifting, returning empty; searching for empties, trolleying, handling empties. I think lifting is the most arduous, as each basket weighs about 70 lbs and one has to lift it right up to a man's shoulder. I was very glad to knock off at 5.30, feeling damned tired. See p.349tired. It took at least 24 hours until I was thoroughly clean. The weather was delightful, and the sun quite hot. The old Cumberland was at Gib. and one or two of her officers came on board. At 5.30 we proceeded for Aranci.

Thursday, 26th January

Kept watch etc. Sir Percy Scott is always on deck fooling about with his patent director control. Every day we have to fix the ship at noon and put results into the captain's cabin by 6 p.m. It is the thorn in my existence, and I never enjoy the day till I have got it over.

ARANCI BAY, SARDINIA

Friday, 27th January

We were at General Quarters the whole of the forenoon, my station is to be in charge of the 4-inch guns in the after superstructure. In one of my gun's crews there was a boy who did not know what a projectile was. One rather annoying thing about this ship is the quantity of smuts that are always falling on the upper deck. Fortunately they have just spread the awning. The weather was lovely and from 6 to 7 I played deck hockey. I had the middle watch and the night was lovely and clear

There has been such a press of business that I have quite neglected my diary. Sufficient to say that nothing very exciting has happened except the calibrating, which is described further on. Shortly after arriving at this place, a week to be accurate, I became by one stroke of the pen, an Engineer. My days usually consisted in going down in the morning to the Engine Room or stokehold, and tracing various systems, then coming up and sketching in the afternoon. At 4 p.m., after quarters we generally played deck hockey. After about a week of this sort of thing, on our moving out to the mouth of the harbour to get a clear range out to sea, we were at half an hour's Steaming notice, so we abandoned pipe tracing and kept watch in 3 watches below ; it is very tiring work, and with banked fires the inactivity of a stokehold watch is appalling. The first day we went to calibrate, we found it was so windy and rainy that good results were obviously impossible. Next day, however, turned out fine, and we moored head and stern. I was off watch in the gunroom during the forenoon. Before firing commenced we bottled up every conceivable port and exit to the open air, and then sat down for a long wait as it turned out. After they had fired off a number of 4-inch guns the much dreaded salvo was fired ; it was a great surprise, all one heard was a sort of muffled report, and suddenly a terrific shake, and then it was all over.

Towards the end of the day I got quite accustomed to the roar and its accompanying shake, but I took good care not to be on the upper deck with the five of them going off. The only damage done was by P [the third turret, amidships] which was firing across the deck. The cabins underneath the gun muzzles were completely wrecked, and the torpedo net was partly blown over the side. In addition to which, the pitch and oakum between the planks underneath the puzzle was drawn up in a very curious way. The remainder of the stay at Aranci was employed in firing sub-calibre broadsides with Director, and in generally tuning up the Director Firing installation. In addition to which a practice gunlayers' test was carried out with X and Y [the two aftermost turrets].

ARANCI BAY TO GIBRALTAR

Tuesday, 28th February

We left Aranci Bay at 4.30 p.m. At 5.30 having cleared Cape Taranta we started to work up for our "Full Power Trial," which we started at 6.30. Shortly after we entered the Straits of Bonifacio; by this time we were doing about 21 knts., and it did not need long before the last lights of Sardinia got dimmer and dimmer and finally disappeared astern. After 8 hrs. we reduced to three-fifths power, which we carried on for 24 hrs.

On Friday morning we arrived at Gib. and at once got ready for coaling, which we started at 9 a.m. The hands coaled very well, as they knew that the sooner they finished the sooner they got on leave. At 3 p.m., to my joy we knocked off, having been at it since 9 a.m. with the exception of 40 minutes for luncheon. I had been working nearly all the time in the lighter. Went on shore at 6 p.m. and had a cup of chocolate, the first civilised drink since I left England. Bought my first pipe.

Sunday, 5th March.

Landed at 3.45 and went up to tea at the Mount, found P. Scott and Bartolome up there, as well as a "someone Fowler," whose father was my father's god-father, whilst his own god-father was my grandfather. Went over to supper with Kenneth in the London.

Thursday 9th March

Weighed at 9 a.m. and carried out 12-inch Gunlayers' test. I was A.D.C. to Gunnery Lieutenant, and to my horror I found myself standing on top of the turret whilst it slowly trained round to bear on the object. In vain I looked out for a chance of escaping, there was none. So bracing myself up against a stanchion on the roof I awaited the fatal moment. All was quite still, the only noise being the lip-lap of the water down the ship's side. After what seemed hours the first buoy came in sight. I knew but too well that when that buoy came under the muzzles they could commence. Now it was a bare 100 yds away, now 50, now 25'stand by ! was passed down in the turret, now the buoy was abreast. "Commence," said the Gunnery Lieut, in an ordinary conversational tone. My heart nearly stopped, and the agony of fear, deadly fear, took hold of me, which was succeeded by a sort of calm resignation. . . . Crash ! a sheet of flame, a big shake, and a cloud of acrid yellow smoke which cleared away just in time to let us see a large splash just short of the target. "Rico" murmurs Guns, whilst we three kids looked at each other, and wondered we were still alive; Crash ! and the left gun speaks, and so it goes on for 3' minutes, and then the 2nd buoy having come alongside, the "cease fire" sounds, and we move on to the next turret to get ready for the second run. After the first turret I got quite accustomed to them, although I always gripped on to something owing to the shake, as it would not do to fall off the turret. The G.L. tests were finished by noon, and in the afternoon we fired a couple of full charges.

DEPART GIBRALTAR

Thursday, 16th March

Sailed.

AT PORTLAND

Sunday 28th May

Landed at 11.30 at Portland and walked round to Weymouth in the broiling sun, as there were no trains. It was a dreadful effort. On arrival at Portland by the last train at 10 p.m. I knocked up the Signal Tower, and managed to get a signal sent saying that an officer of the Neptune was waiting for a boat at the pier.

Acting under the signalman's advice, I carefully refrained from stating my rank. After another interval, a skiff crawled into the pierhead. On arrival on board, the O.O.W. endeavoured, but in vain, to conceal his surprise on seeing a humble Mid. step over the side, as he had anticipated at least a two striper. However, I was perfectly within my rights, as an 11 o'clock boat was down on the routine, but had, after I had gone on shore, been changed to Weymouth, owing to several officers coming back from week-end leave. A couple of other fellows had just come off, so we broke into the pantry and satisfied our hunger and thirst.

Sunday, June 4th to 14th

Spent the days at Portland. The motor-bike was slightly damaged by G. K. Lloyd, who is now in hospital for 4 weeks. He got jammed between a motor-bus and a milk cart, with sad results. Usually I used to land and have tea with various Mids off the ships at the Troc., which is as good as a Club for Mids. I always like to meet people of my term who are in other ships, as one sees plenty of one's own shipmates on board. The only thing of interest that occurred was the arrival of two "Jappos " and one " Turko." We were told off for the Jappo flagship, and a more boring show I have never heard of. Twice a day they used to crowd off and ask to be shown over the ship ; their thirst for knowledge was insatiable. The same old faces turned up day after day, it was dreadful. They would never come into the gunroom and take any refreshment or have a smoke. Then one night we had to dine them, after dinner we taught them the lancers, and for once in a way their stolidity broke down, they let themselves go and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The Mid of their boat tried Port for the first time that night, and liked it so much that he had 7 or 8 glasses on end, and finished it off with 3 or 4 liqueurs, of course he soon became bottled to the world, and whilst he was coming alongside in his boat which had been at the booms, he apparently saw two gangways, as he said " astern " before his bows got to the gangway.

ARRIVE SOLENT

Thursday, 15th June

We left Portland at the head of the Battle Fleet. Outside we were joined by 3rd and 4th divisions, we then got into single line ahead, a noble array of 50 ships with the Neptune at the head. We passed through the Needles, and right up the Solent to our billets. I regret to have to record that we anchored all out of our billet, and therefore spent from 1.30 to 5.30 p.m. fooling about, mooring and unmooring.

LONDON - CORONATION OF GEORGE V

Thursday, 22nd June

The great day dawned dull and threatening, in fact, it rained at intervals, but although it was dull and overcast during practically the whole day, it never actually rained after 8 a.m. At 11 o'clock Aunt Edith and myself started off. We drove to the Park, and walked through it to Stanhope Gate. I was, of course, in full dress !! and excited a mild excitement amongst the people we passed in the Park !! We got into the Naval and Military Club, by the back way, without any crowd or fuss. The courtyard in front of the N. & M. Club had been covered over by a sort of grand stand, which sloped up at the back to the 2nd storey. I spent an hour or two sitting in our seats, which were the very best, watching the crowd. As we were right over the street, we could see right up Piccadilly in one direction, and Hyde Park Corner in the other. The crowd was not so great as might have been expected. The 2nd Life Guards band marched up and down the route playing lively music, whilst inside the club house the 'Blue Viennese Band' was playing. I was much interested in the tape machine. At 1.30 an excellent lunch was served; greedy as it may sound, this was a very pleasing part of the day. After lunch we took up our position armed with official programmes. In a short time the head of the procession came along. Writing as I am some days after the event, I will not try and give a detailed account of it, but just my impressions as they struck me.

Firstly the drummer of the cavalry regiment was very fascinating, twirling his sticks as he played the kettle-drums. He was loudly cheered by the crowd. Then came 500 Life Guards looking very fine. They were followed by various people such as the Bargemasters, etc. Finally, amidst scenes of immense enthusiasm, the Royal Coach, drawn by the cream-coloured ponies, approached. The King and Queen were plainly visible in their robes and wearing their crowns. They both looked very tired, which was not really surprising. After a short interval the foreign royalties' procession approached. They were all in closed State landaus, which was rather disappointing, as one could not see much of them. The Crown Prince and Princess of Germany were very loudly cheered. Most of the European Royalties were cheered in varying degrees. After the procession was over I walked home with little difficulty. After tea I caught the 7 o'clock train down to Pompey, and arrived on board at 11.

SOLENT - NAVAL REVIEW

Friday, 23rd June

The day was spent making vast preparations for the morrow. In the afternoon it poured with rain, and the outlook for next day was very gloomy.

Saturday, 24th June

6 a.m. Pouring with rain. Strong wind.

7 a.m. Heavy rain, weather seemed hopeless.

7.30 Signs of clearing.

7.45 Rain stops.

8 a.m. Clearing up slightly.

9 a.m. Bright sunshine, strong wind with white horses right down Spithead.

It was a breezy day and all the flags stood out stiff, in fact, it was a better day for the review than if it had been a flat calm. The only people perhaps who did not appreciate it were the ladies, whose hats were blown all over the place. At 10.30 I went over to Ryde in the P.B. to meet Magdalen Hawker and Isabel. After a little trouble I found them and got them off safely. It was rather rough, but fortunately they did not feel ill. At 11.30 the tug Escort arrived with about 250 guests from London by special train. Uncle Bertie was amongst them, he being one of the Admiral's guests.

The band discoursed sweet music all the forenoon, and at 12 we sat down to an excellent lunch. At 2 o'clock the Royal Yacht came out of the harbour, and was saluted with 21 guns. The salute was unfortunately rather bungled, as a mistake was made hauling down the signal. The Victoria and Albert went up and down the lines; His Majesty was cheered as he passed each ship. At 6 p.m. the guests started leaving the ship, as soon as the Royal Yacht had returned to Pompey.

Sunday, 25th June

The bad weather came back again, I went off to Cowes and spent a very peaceful day over there.

Monday, 26th June

Went to dinner with several others on board the Japanese battleship, Kurama. Their mess was beautifully decorated and they gave us an excellent dinner. Unfortunately the variety and potentiality [potency] of the drinks proved too much for several young gentlemen of both nationalities. However, no one got beyond the 'delusion' stage, such as when one of our snotties insisted that the Commander was his brother-in-law. After a long and merry meal, we all proceeded on deck, and witnessed an extraordinary exhibition of Japanese wrestling by a lot of Japanese seamen, all in nature's clothing, except a small waistband. Finally, the festive meeting was brought to a close at a late hour.

Wednesday, 26th June

Left Portsmouth and carried out various tactical exercises.

Thursday, 3rd August

Met Kenneth in the forenoon. After doing some shopping we discovered that iced drinks at ------ were rotten. We then took the water at some swimming baths, afterwards racing to Ennismore Gardens. I went by bus and he went by tube. I won easily. Spent the afternoon chasing round London after my motor-bike, which I finally located at Waterloo. In the evening I went to dinner with the Stewarts, after which we all went to Dalys to see the 'Count of Luxembourg' Lily Elsie and Bertram Wallis were taking the chief parts. It was very prettily staged, and some of the music was delightful, especially the waltz up the stairs.

Thursday, 10th August

Went to Carisbrooke Castle in the afternoon with Polly and Magdalen H. The heat was terrific. The vote Bill was passed this evening. 'That which people call a revolution now, will pass unnoticed into oblivion as the years roll on.'

Friday, 11th August

General strike was declared in London yesterday. The Daily Mail came out with immense placards.

MOB LAW IN LONDON but on my arrival in the "besieged city" the "famine stricken emporium of the world's goods," everything seemed much the same. Dashed about London searching for my motor-bike; every half an hour or so I refreshed myself with iced drinks, as it was I only just managed to keep going, such was the heat.

HMS HERMES

[2nd Class Cruiser]

1912-13

In early 1912 Stephen joined H.M.S. Hermes at the Cape of Good Hope. From January 1913 the Commander-in-Chief was his uncle, Admiral Sir Herbert King-Hall, K.C.B. Incidentally, this appointment created the nearly unique situation of two brothers flying their flags as Commanders-in-Chief at the same time, with George in Australia, and Herbert at the Cape. The last time this had occurred was with Alexander and Samuel Hood at the end of the 18th Century.

Herbert wrote to George about Stephen.

ADMIRALTY HOUSE - SIMONS BAY

Stevie arrived here a few days ago. He is as bright and jolly as ever. Grown a fair amount, but I think will not exceed 5' 6" at the outside. Well-informed in a great many things, but, like many midshipmen, very boyish for his age (twenty) but that is a fault of most midshipmen now. They are a mixture of fashionable young men and unsophisticated children. In our generation we were grown men by that age. . . ." As regards his allowance, I quite agree with your proposals. I think £50 a year with his £63 pay is ample. He never seems pinched for money as we were, and I think he should do comfortably on that.

He is full of energy and go, and most popular. His chief weakness is a certain fecklessness . . . but he is sharp-witted and quick, and he soon recovers himself from any ill result. He is still very youthful in his appearance, and in his mercurial nature. Inclined to be argumentative with his elders, but very good company, with heaps of friends."

HMS NEPTUNE

Stevie kept diaries while in Neptune but there is not space in this Site to reproduce them. There is however one extract which is worth recording for the benefit of his family. It describes two occasions when he met a Miss Spencer, who later was to become his wife.

1912

Saturday 5^th June 1912

Landed at 9 AM and took the train to Plumstead with Warren. From the station we walked up through the woods to Glen Dirk. Our objective was a picnic which was being held in honour of Miss Cloete’s birthday (21). By 12 o’clock most of the people had arrived including Miss Compton, Misses Williams, Misses Hart, a contingent of flappers and a lot of other charming girls.

We all went off in twos and threes and eventually fetched up in Rhodes woods. An ideal spot had been selected, a grassy plateau under the trees, through which ran a small stream. Three black servants, who had been sent ahead with the wagon saw to it that a large fire soon blazed.

As far as the refreshments were concerned, it was the most luxurious picnic I have ever attended. White tablecloths, hock cup, claret, silver cutlery and adjuncts of civilisation appeared. The menu ‘Sasati’ a S. African dish which consists of little pieces of meat grilled on sticks, Curry and new potatoes, chicken and tongue, salad. Pastry preserved figs in sweet oil, coffee and cigarettes. I daresay that there were other culinary triumphs of which I saw nowt.

It was not till 3.30 that we had sufficiently recovered to start for home.

The flappers, who had congregated together under a small tree, were very lively and merry. Rumour has it, that in some way at present unknown, they managed to get hold of a jug of hock cup between them.

After lunch a very pretty girl called Miss Spencer rode up with her father. We made great friends and I feel quite sorry I shall not see her again before we go up the Coast.

I went back to supper with the Harts at St James.

HMS Hermes spent the next three months visiting ports on the East coast of Africa. During this cruise the ship visited Mauritius, Zanzibar, Lourenco Marques in Portuguese East Africa and Durban. Activities ashore included a big game hunt and visiting battlefield sites of the Boer War.On his return to Simonstown in early October, Stevie renewed his acquaintance with Miss Spencer. His diary describes an incident that occurred during one of his meetings with the Spencer family. In which he describes a nautical afternoon he had with Mr Spencer and his daughter:

I went up to the Chilterns for lunch, after which necessary function Mr Spencer and C.S and myself motored to Lakeside where we got into two of the little yachts. Mr Spencer went in one and C.S. and myself in the other.

For about an hour we tacked about with some success, the wind however freshened and we reefed. Half an hour later the catastrophe occurred. Both yachts were bowling along on the port tack. Suddenly a very heavy squall struck us. Of course we let the sheets fly and put the helm hard down, would she come into the winds eye? Devil a bit, heeling over until her mainsail dipped into the water. She drove for several yards broadside on to the wind. Devoid of all ballast, the wretched vessel gave up the struggle and miserably fell over more and more, finally capsizing. We were of course precipitated into the ditch. Luckily it was only 3 feet deep. So I put C.S. on top of the boat, and looked around.

It is hardly a sporting admission but mixed as my feelings were at such a moment (Fancy taking a girl out sailing only to capsize her), I can distinctly remember the evil satisfaction I experienced in noticing that the self same squall had neatly capsized Mr Spencer. I must say that C.S behaved most nobly, and almost gave one the impression that she was enjoying the experience. Personally I felt rotten, although I must say I do not see what else we could have done as we were reefed close down at the time.

After ineffectual attempts at righting the yachts, I took C.S. on my back and cautiously waded to a point where a larger yacht, which was sailing about, took her on board and then rescued Mr Spencer and myself.

In July 1913, Stephen returned to the Neptune for six months, and passed his examination for the rank of Sub-Lieutenant. He secured five first-class certificates, the Admiralty prize, and gained nine months seniority.

1914

NAVIGATION SCHOOL - PORTSMOUTH

Monday, 26th January

Precis. About three weeks before exams we left the Neptune and went to the Navigation School. I cannot honestly say that I detected any great signs of sorrow on the faces of the Ward Room officers, but perhaps they conceal their feelings well.

The Nav. House is tolerably comfortable, the only fault being that, in the whole establishment, only two rooms are passably warm. Those are the billiard room and the smoking room. The cabins are like refrigerators. About two days before the exam started the whole of the rest of the term joined up. It was very interesting meeting people whom one had lost sight of for 3 years.

Dear Diary, I have forgotten all about you just lately, and now I employ another hand to tell of my doings. I went again to Clifford and was glad to see my friend Isa again, I do not think her as nice as she was. I had great fun at a Badminton Party in Wem, I made friends with a sporting parson, he had a very pretty wife whom I spent most of the afternoon with. There was a lady there whom I pitied very much, she had a tremendous hirsute growth on her chin. She did not seem to mind, but I did. [End of entry in " another hand."]

Inserted by special request. For the benefit of my grandchildren and my biographers, I feel it incumbent upon me to explain this. Isa (spinster) and at one and the same moment betrothed to several, whilst "carrying on" with yet others, kindly acceded to my request and relieved me of the labour of writing up my journal. As she remarks, I don't think her so nice as she was, per que she snubs me a lot, and is not often kind to me. I must admit she is "sharpening" to converse with, and plays on the pianola divinely. She also strums a little on the piano. I am at the moment under her thrall, but on Monday when I leave for Ireland I shall be able to review the matter calmly.

Later : She is charming:

Just before leaving Ivy Lodge I was delighted to hear that I had got two "ones" in Gunnery and Torpedo. Only Engineering remains now.

Tuesday, 3rd February

I left Weston and went over to Ireland. The crossing was very rough, but these 25 knotters go through everything with great dash.

A very slow journey to Mullingar landed me there at 8.30, whence I had a drive of 7 Irish miles, and " it moight be tin if we was after passing by Kinnegad." Aileen and Pauline in great form.

The great event of my visit was my initiation into that most noble of all sports - hunting. The first day I went out I fell off heavily in front of most of the followers of the West Meath. It afforded them considerable amusement. However, in a very nice little hunt that followed of about 40 minutes, by good luck I followed a certain Father Murphy, and as a result was very well up. Aching in every limb, racked with what the advertisements call those "deadly shooting pains," 'try our vegetable anti-acid pills," I returned to the plain but delicious and vast quantities of food at Enniscoffy. What a pleasure to be at a place where cream is measured by the jug, and not by the table-spoon.

The second day I went out on the cob, I had much more confidence, as I had been riding on the intervening days. Though we did not do anything very startling in the hunting line, there was plenty of lepping, which I managed all right and in fact, did not come off at all, (to Aileen's secret disappointment).

Saturday, 14th February

I left early in the morning for Dublin. As a silent protest to the foul condition of the 3rd class, I travelled first without anyone bothering me. At 9.20 I left by the Mail boat. Just before starting I was introduced to a Miss Doulrée, rather a fascinating girl. We travelled over to London together. An old gentleman who got out of our carriage at Chester, shook his pince-nez at us and said, 'Ah! Off for the honeymoon I suppose!"