Les,was sent to the USA to become one of the crew to bring the escort aircraft carrier HMS BEGUM(D38) back to the UK. Dad served on HMS Begum from August 1943 until January 1945.

HMS BEGUM began her career as the USS BOLINAS CVE-36, a Bogue class escort carrier. The USS Bolinas was to remain at the Puget Sound Navy Yard until August 1st when she proceeded to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She was decommissioned in preparation for her transfer to the UK government under the Lend-Lease agreement. On August 2nd, CVE-36 was officially transferred to the Royal Navy at Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd's facility at Lapointe Pier North Vancouver. She was commissioned as HMS BEGUM (D38) on the same day, Captain J.E. Broome RN in command.

HMS BEGUM sailed for the U.K. bringing over a wing of Corsairs. Les had been given leave home only to be called back 24 hours later due to the shortage of Torpedo ratings. Mum said " The women nowadays moan that they don't see their loved ones in the services. I didn't see Les for two years". After some modifications were made HMS Begum left for Colombo (Ceylon/Sri Lanka) in February 1944, filled with aircraft for the far east, and arrived April 1944. Here is a link to a diary of a Naval rating (who was on the same ship as Dad) Stanley Rawlings who describes the journey down to Coloumbo. He later sadly died of illness. Designated for anti submarine sweeps of the Indian Ocean as one of the hunter/killer CVE's (working with HMS SHAH) in The Eastern Fleet HMS Begum also spent time as a ferry carrier ( aircraft etc.). Dads comments were "The worst ship of the lot, the living conditions were hell. The humidity and the fact that you had to batten down at night so as not to give yourself away (the ship) to any submarines Terrible". Mum said dad had lost over two stone in weight. In January 1945 dad was transferred to HMS RELENTLESS (H85) having lost two good conduct badges. (He said he used to run a card school?!)

During the refit on the ship at Simonstown, Les found time to referee some junior football team matches.

Les was transferred to the' R' class Destroyer HMS RELENTLESS(H85) in January 1945 for deployment with the Eastern Fleet He was based in Ceylon (HMS Highflyer)the Royal Naval Base at Trincomalee. After the ship had a refit in Simonstown, South Africa they returned to base and performed the usual routine protection duties.In June the fleet of five R class destroyers were used in Operation 'BALSAM' (photo recognition of southern Malaya and Sumatra and air strikes at railway and airfield targets) as an anti submarine screen for the 21st. Aircraft Carrier Squadron. One of his good conduct badges was restored. He disembarked in August 1945 at Colombo and moved to HMS MAYINA, a transit camp outstation for repatriation which was just outside the city. Les returned home to England and arrived at Southampton on 8th.October having left Port Said on the Queen of Bermuda a pre-war luxury liner. Then onto HMS Pembroke being de-mobbed on the 9th January 1946 at the age of 34.

Either

HMS Begum Nov-Dec 1943

Made up to Petty Officer on 4th Nov 1943 and gained his third stripe(Good Conduct Badge) December 1943

loses second and third stripes Jan 1945

or

HMS Relentless July/Aug 1945

Group photograph of Petty Officers. Les 4th from left bottom row (2 stripes) Dad had lost two out of his three stripes aboard his previous ship HMS Begum.

One of his stripes was re-instated in July 1945, he left this ship in August 1945.

Note: Petty Officer and Leading Torpedo-man badges on his sleeves.