More Lives Than a Ship's Cat

The Most Highly Decorated Midshipman 1939–1945

G A (Mick) Stoke, Jeremy Stoke

• Publisher: Pen and Sword Maritime
• Year: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781399071376
• Topic: Storia
• Subtopic: Biografie in ambito militare

By any standards Mick Stoke’s experiences in the Royal Navy during the Second World War were remarkable. Aged nineteen, he was ‘Mentioned in Despatches’ and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his courage during incessant bombing during the Siege of Tobruk. He survived multiple torpedo attacks, firstly serving on the cruiser Glasgow, which was hit twice; on the battleship Queen Elizabeth at sea and blown up by human torpedoes at Alexandria; and on HMS Hardy, struck in January 1944, while escorting Russian Arctic Convoy JW56B. In 1942, he was serving on HMS Carlisle during the fiercely fought Malta convoys and took part in the Battle of Sirte. Later that year he was awarded the MBE ‘for outstanding bravery, resource and devotion to duty during very heavy bombing’ at the port of Bone during Operation TORCH. He went on to serve at D-Day and later in the Pacific on HMS Rajah. It is a privilege to read Mick Stoke’s graphic and modest memoir. Readers will appreciate and understand how he became ‘The Most Highly Decorated Paymaster Midshipman in the Royal Navy’.

Chapter 1

Royal Naval College, Dartmouth: Eight Weeks Training and Off to War

Westcliff High School (1933–1939)

Stoke’s time at this grammar school had been mixed. His early school reports noted, ‘He does not make full use of his undoubted ability’, but within two years at age fifteen, ‘decided progress has been made this term; his keenness, allied with continued hard work, should produce very good results.’

His physical fitness was always excellent and he was involved in most sports, finishing in the school’s 1st rugby XV, the tennis team, cross country team, athletics team and as secretary of the sailing team.

He was a talented pianist, firstly in the school orchestra and then becoming the school’s pianist for two years. He took an active part in a wide range of other school societies and clubs, notably the debating society, chess club, Spanish society and science club.

His final school report in the summer of 1939 noted, ‘He has worked well and taken advantage of all his opportunities. He has always taken an active part in almost every school activity and his excellent qualities should ensure a very successful future career.’

In the summer of 1939 it was clear to most young people that war was inevitable. One of Stoke’s contemporaries, Robert Clarkson, reflected in his autobiography:

My generation born in the twenties expected to be in uniform sooner or later. One of my chums gave up university to join the RAF. He said war was coming and he would rather be fully trained than half trained. Why not become a regular commissioned officer now, rather than be conscripted as canon-fodder later? I decided to apply to join the Navy in the Paymaster Branch. It sounded nearer to a trade than the profession of arms; although I had never met a Paymaster and had little idea what one did.

Joining the Royal Navy

There were two principal ways of joining the Royal Navy as an officer – at the age of thirteen to get into Dartmouth College (‘Darts’), or at eighteen through the Special Entry Scheme aimed at public schoolboys (‘Pubs’).

For Special Entry there were three stages – medical, interview and examination. From the few written records of candidates at that time, it appears that the interview was the trickiest and most controversial part and provided quite the widest variation in marks. It was important as it provided 400 marks out of a possible maximum of 1,750 – the rest being obtained through examination on a number of set and chosen subjects.

Lieutenant E.W. Bush wrote a guide, How to Become a Naval Officer (Special Entry), published between the First and Second World Wars. He advised candidates that consideration would be given to their school record, their conduct and abilities while at school and their general promise and officer-like qualities. Typical questions are listed, indicating the general preference of the Interview Boards, for example:

Which do you consider England’s best Public School and why? Which schools did your school play at games? Are you in any of the teams? Have you any relations in the Navy?

The book continues with ‘Remarks on the development of officer-like qualities’:

The first thing to realize is that your principal function as an officer is to be a leader of men. Napoleon laid it down that the human element in war was three times as important as the material element. To be a really successful Naval Officer you require more than a knowledge of your job – you require a thorough knowledge of human nature. You must learn to understand the ratings, his point of view, how he lives and all about him. Make a point of getting to know them individually, and don’t make mistakes over their names. The men cannot give of their best unless they feel that their leaders (officers) are in every way worthy of trust. Always be quite definite. Pass on orders firmly and cheerfully, whatever your private opinion.

The man who displays true courage in an emergency is the man who remains calm and is able to think in a logical manner. Perseverance is essential – what is known as ‘guts’. Work hard and play your games hard – but don’t be too serious minded.

If a candidate was successful, his parents were then required to make a private allowance to their boy of £50 per year and provide for uniform, chest, sextant and other items costing another £60. This was a considerable sum in those days. As Mike Farquharson-Roberts commented, ‘Like the Ritz, Dartmouth was open to all … if you could afford it!’ Stoke’s parents were prepared to make sacrifices to provide the money.

Stoke applies for the Paymaster Branch

So, in September 1939, even though he had only been to a local grammar school and had no family naval connections, Stoke applied to the Royal Navy and passed the medical on 12 October. Candidates for all the Services sat the Civil Service Commission exams, which were held three times a year. His joining instructions included ‘Candidates are requested to take their gas masks with them into the examination room’!

On 20 November, nearly 500 naval candidates sat the Special Entry exams. Only 94 were accepted for all four branches: 33 Executive, 22 Engineering, 19 Paymaster and 20 Royal Marines.

Stoke scraped through as the nineteenth and last of the 150 who applied for the Paymaster Branch. However, he got top mark of all 500 candidates in Modern History (87 per cent) and was 15th out 500 academically. Despite what looks like an outstanding school record in sports and extramural activities, he had a very low score in the Interview and Record section, just 180 out of 400. Perhaps the Admiralty Interview Board had not heard of Westcliff High School, near Southend!

Stoke and the others joining at the beginning of January 1940 were the 50th Special Entry cohort. It was a talented year. As Beattie noted, five of them were eventually promoted to the rank of Admiral. The previous cohort (the 49th Special Entry) included Prince Philip of Greece, later to become the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Paymaster Branch

Bush’s guide to becoming a Naval Officer includes a description of what young Stoke might expect:

The Paymaster (Accountant) Branch: Much of their time is spent cyphering and deciphering signals. They are instructed in Naval Law. Early training will be the study of pay, secretarial work, victualling, clothing and stores; then assistant to the Accountant Officer of the ship in charge of a staff of writers or secretarial work in the office of a Commodore or Admiral, finally rising to the position of Captain’s Secretary.

The Royal Naval College, Dartmouth – HMS Britannia

Suitable kit was duly purchased and Stoke arrived in mid-January 1940 to start an eight-week course that should normally have taken eight months. Paymaster cadets would then finish their training with six months in a cruiser or battleship before becoming a midshipman, the lowest rung as a regular officer in the Royal Navy.

It was only since early 1939 that Special Entry cadets had gone to Dartmouth – previously, it was Osborne on the Isle of Wight. They had to be squeezed into the site but generally kept separate from the existing ‘Darts’ who had joined at age thirteen. Stoke wrote his first letter home just a few days after arriving in Dartmouth.

23 January

We parade at 0650 for breakfast. Usually there is no time for much washing. We have now commenced strict routine with no mercy on either side. We are instructed in practical subjects – cutters, field training, signals etc. by a Chief Petty Officer, whilst Commanders downwards teach us theory.

We Pays have to cram into this next eight weeks, eight months work. We will have to work during all our leisure hours. Though the name may mean nothing to you, our chief lecturer is Lieutenant Watkins – Rugger Cap for England, at present as wing forward. Also, we have no leave on Saturday or Sunday if on Duty Watch. Although we break up on 2 April, I may not be back for Easter as, before being appointed to a ship, I have to undergo a gas course.

I find the mention of schooling difficult, as the others were all boarders. In my division we have Old Etonians, Whitgiftians, Edwardians, Merchant Taylors, Rugby, Charterhouse, Marlborough, Radleigh [sic] and Pangbourne. Nevertheless it could be worse. Daddy’s fear that the fellows are snobbish is fortunately unfounded. The fellows are all decent – the only difficulty is that my school has never played theirs!

You may be interested in our general routine. An instructor rushes into the dormitory at 0615. Of course, it’s pitch-dark, but having rolled up our hammocks, we parade at 0650. The leading cadets of each division dress, number and make their division form fours. Then we march up the hill to the College for breakfast. This consists of porridge and another course of scrambled or poached eggs, sausages and bacon with coffee or tea, bread, butter & marmalade. Butter is rationed but we get about half an ounce. After this we arrive at the barracks at 0745 for either rowing, gym, or rifle practice.

Divisions at 0900 – a short service – as short as the Parson is given time and hoisting of colours. We are inspected; then off to lectures. Lunch at 1200 is quite good – vegs and meat in fair abundance, with a sweet to follow. Then organized games or sailing – swimming in heated bath – till 1620 when lectures recommence.

Supper is usually one course – curry and vegs again. Tea at 1530 is optional. We are then free from 2000 till 2100 in which time we have to write up the notes we have been taking during the day in our journals. Rounds/lights out at 2130.

Saturday is make-and-mend day and we can go ashore. Reveille on Sunday is at 0715 because we don’t turn in till 2330 on Saturdays. This is because the College cinema is open. On Sunday we have a ceremonial parade followed by Captain’s inspection and a service.

I am in the Port Watch, on duty every fourth day – no leave and in general charge of cleanliness. Each division – there are four – Foc’sle, Fore-top, Main-top and Quarter Deck – each about twenty-five cadets – rules itself for parades. Each cadet takes it in turn and is responsible to the chief Junior Cadet. The latter is chosen in turn from all the cadets. He is responsible to the OOW (Officer of the Watch) for the day. Thus, every cadet is Leading Cadet and most are Chief Cadets in one term. The idea is to teach us to command and lead.

There is instruction on 0.22 rifle shooting, foils, fencing, boxing, rowing, rugger, athletics, swimming, squash, racquets, and tennis. Golf is played locally. You must be proficient at one. The weather here is awful. First it froze and now it has been raining continuously for three days. Yesterday I played rugger for the opponents who arrived short – the Frobishers won 9-5 in a good game.

I have got some details here which may interest you. I shall get 4/- a day after Easter & 5/- a day when I become a Middy in July. All Pays, except drunks etc, should get promoted to Pay Commanders and so cannot be retired till aged fifty and then at a pension of over £500 a year. It seems quite a good proposition.

Tonight, I am going to the weekly Gramophone Recital at the College, including a Brahms Symphony and some Wagner. Well I must close as the post goes at 4pm.

5 February

Saturday, I spent in Totnes, whilst Sunday afternoon was spent on DSB (Duty Steam Boat) – an irksome duty. So, unfortunately time was lacking. I notice Daddy’s many questions and I think I can answer most of them.

In my dormitory there are twenty-three. We each have a chest of five or six drawers whilst our trunks are stowed in the baggage room. The whole idea is to duplicate the atmosphere of HMS Frobisher at sea; the pre-war Special Entry training ship, which has been removed to make it available for service.

Our Gunrooms vary in size and are equally distributed between the divisions. For our division we have two smaller rooms. In ours there is a piano of sorts, lockers, a large table and leather ‘forms’ round the room to sit on. We have central heating, so are quite comfortable. Some Gunrooms have wireless. Each dormitory has its own room attendant. He keeps the place clean & also sees to our boots etc. There are four bathrooms, separate in a building containing the drying room and showers. Laundry costs a fixed 2/6d per week and results in new clothes becoming rags and being returned dirtier than they went!

We have a canteen where you can buy food – bacon, sausages, apples, cakes etc. and a cadets’ store which supplies clothing of all sorts, paper, ink etc. As you can see from the enclosed postcard, we are about ten minutes from Dartmouth – itself very small. Kingswear across the river is larger.

Daddy is correct that superfine is only worn on Sundays for Divisions. Daily orders are posted every afternoon giving the names of the Leading cadets and the Routine. We are paid weekly. We file past a table, salute the Pay Lieutenant and having received our cash, salute the Commander or his representative. Then we double away. If you salute badly, yell your number wrongly or need a haircut, you get pulled up.

Last Sunday night I heard Beethoven’s 7th played by Weingartner & the Vienna Philharmonic. There are a few enthusiasts and we meet on Sunday evenings. The chaplain and some masters provide the records.

On Saturday it sleeted all day. It was awful for I played wing three for the 2nd XI against Totnes. Watkins played for us! Just to try himself out for he is playing this Saturday in the Empire v Army game. The first time I have played with an International. Needless to say, we won 6-0. But the weather! Well I must stop now as the whistle is blowing for parade.

11 February

We are in that delicate process of toughening! For example, on a shivery, wet morning it is thought good for us to row a heavy ship’s cutter from 0745–0845 on the river against a fiendish current. However, we are still alive though I am still gargling due to tonsillitis.

Last night we were greatly honoured, for Captain Woodhouse of the Ajax – which has just arrived home – came and gave us a talk on the action in the River Plate. Naturally, he gave us many details which were new and OS (Official Secr...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Preface
• Dramatis Personae
• Naval Abbreviations and Slang
• List of Maps
• Chapter 1 Royal Naval College, Dartmouth: Eight Weeks Training and Off to War
• Chapter 2 Torpedoed in HMS Glasgow: First Experiences of War
• Chapter 3 A Young Naval Officer in the Western Desert?
• Chapter 4 The Siege of Tobruk Begins, 10 April 1941
• Chapter 5 The Most Decorated Midshipman in the Navy
• Chapter 6 HMS Queen Elizabeth: Escape from Torpedoes, Again!
• Chapter 7 Malta Convoys MF3, MF4 and MF5
• Chapter 8 Malta Convoy MG1, the Second Battle of Sirte
• Chapter 9 Return to England and Sub-Lieutenant Exams
• Chapter 10 Operation Torch, the Retaking of North Africa
• Chapter 11 The Turn of the Tide in North Africa
• Chapter 12 Operation Avalanche, the Salerno Landings
• Chapter 13 Torpedoed in HMS Hardy on Russian Convoy JW56
• Chapter 14 The D-Day Landings in HMS Kempenfelt, Juno Beach
• Chapter 15 India, Marriage, and now the Pacific!
• Appendix A: Naval Service by Ship
• Appendix B: Awards, Medals and Decorations
• Appendix C: G.A. Stoke’s Confidential Naval Records (S. 206)
• Sources
• Bibliography
• G. A. (Mick) Stoke MBE, DSC RN Daily Telegraph Obituary
• Plates