My father, Norman Lock, was in the Royal Navy during WW2. There is an entry in my father's 1943 Diary under 3rd of October 1943. Had a record made at U.S.O. which they are sending home. This is in Photo 5. Does anyone know what a record made at U.S.O is?

I have included 4 other 1943 Diary entries as they may be of interest in relation to the amount paid in American dollars and a trip to Washington, USA while on leave.

Philip L

Services No Longer Required?

Found this on https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=295292.0

Have you tried the National Archives records of Naval Pensions?  I don't know what info these records contain  but perhaps it has some details which you seek. Looks as if you'd have to go to Kew to see them as they're not all digitised yet.
 See https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=Naval+pensions&_p=1800

Hi all,

I’m currently researching a vessel that was transferred to the Royal Navy in the early days of the war under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement. I’m trying to identify which ADM series record vessel armaments for this period.

From previous research on First World War vessels, I know that sources such as 'the Appropriation List of Gun Mounts' and 'the List of His Majesty’s Ships Showing Their Armaments' are found in the ADM 186 series. Is there an equivalent ADM series that covers ship armaments for Second World War vessels?

Remarkable likeness indeed. Thank you so much for the help. I would never have been convinced if you had not sent this comparison. Still believe that the port could be Malta but happy if anyone can show me that it is another.

Not sure whether you're only looking for a crew list, but if you are trying to be sure your father was onboard at the date of the Bismark operation you can get it by looking at his service record. If you haven't already got it you can apply free online at https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service/apply-for-the-records-of-a-deceased-serviceperson. I have recently obtained my uncle's service record who was on the Hood. Unfortunately he was not one of the three survivors.

I came upon this photo attached in the book 'Flagship Hood' by Alan Coles and one of the survivors Ted Briggs pub'd by Robert Hale London (page 52). It shows a game of hockey being played next to the aft turrets on the quarterdeck of the Hood. Looks a similar view of her stern to me, only yours is starboard so I'd agree your supposition is spot on. My interest came from the fact that uncle served on the Hood. Cannot help with the port, the ship cruised the globe.

I searched the Naval History Website using the search engine on the home page and found several entries for a vessel 'HMS Sagitta'. It appears to have been a naval sloop in service in the Med and Red Sea and was sent on active service. I also found an image of the vessel which could be your father's vessel. My father served on HMS Dido which mentioned alongside one extract relating to the Red Sea port of Massawa.
Entries found :
"SAGITTA (has been found spelt SARGETTA), hired yacht, Pendant No 01. Built 1908, 744grt/758TM. Armament: 2-12pdr, 1-6pdr AA. In service 5.12.14-15.2.18. May have served as wireless-equipped A/P Group Leader or in special yacht squadrons, at home or in Mediterranean. Battle Honour (and link to despatches, casualties, awards) Belgian Coast 1915. Served in WW2.
Royal Navy Auxiliary Patrol ships of World War 1, based on British Warships, 1914-1919 by Dittmar and Colledge
Red Sea Monday 20th July 1942
 
4. ARPHA and SAGITTA sailed for the Yemen coast to intercept German and Italian refugees who were due to leave Jedda on the 22nd July. This was a result of political pressure on Ibn Saud, who agreed that these internees could leave and that he would connive at out ships intercepting them inside territorial waters.
 
5. ROBERTS was moved from Suez to Abu Zenina anchorage for the protection of shipping waiting call up to Suez.
Red Sea  Monday 3rd August 1942
 
3. H.M.S. SAGITTA intercepted fourteen Italian escapees from the Yemen at Sherm Makar. No objection was raised by the local authorities to H.M.S. SAGITTA's presence in territorial waters.
Red Sea
 
13. DIDO was docked in the Admiralty Floating Dock at Massawa for repairs to her plates aft.
 
14. Nineteen Italian internees were intercepted by ARPHA and SAGITTA off the Yemen Coast south of Jedda."


 

I’ve been going through the effects of my late father, who joined the Royal Navy in 1948 and spent most of his service on HMS Challenger.

Among them I’ve found a small wooden box about 10.5” x 9” x 3.25”.  Stamped on the base are E.G&S and 1A/3911.  Someone has scratched the number 7462 on the front.

Does this sound like a ditty box?  If so, does anyone know what the stamped markings and the number 7462 signify, please?

I’m guessing 1952 would be a year of manufacture, but might be wrong.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I found the following information concerning the '6 R Card' just by using Chatgpt. You may find more on the other abbreviations.

'It refers to a Form R.6 — a type of rating record card used by the Royal Navy to track a sailor’s service details. These cards were part of the Admiralty’s internal filing system and were used to record:

Postings and drafts

Training and qualifications

Changes in rating (promotions, acting rates, reversion)

Disciplinary notes

Medical or character assessments

Think of it as the Navy’s way of saying:
“A new R.6 record card has been created or updated for this rating.”