Vic Ould Livres

The narrative explores the vital role of the Royal Navy in World War II, focusing on the armed escorts that protected merchant convoys from enemy attacks. As losses mounted, these escorts became crucial in ensuring the safe passage of supplies and troops, highlighting the bravery and strategic importance of naval forces during the conflict. The book delves into the challenges faced by sailors and the impact of their missions on the war effort.

The year was 1943 and WW2 was in full swing a ship being built in U.S.A. was nearing completion. It was destined for the Royal Navy, we were in fact in dire straits being short of warships and there was yet the 'Second Front 'to think about. The stories inside recall how men ( many of them little more than boys) manned H.M.S.Goodall and fought not only U-Boats, mines and torpedoes but the natural enemy, the sea. The ship and nearly half of its complement lasted no more than 18 months, ending in a sea of fire within a few weeks of the end of the war in Europe. The author, a Battle of the Atlantic veteran was 18 year old at that time, serving on H.M.S. Carron a destroyer protecting special convoys. He retains his connection with the Royal Navy by being a volunteer working on the conservation of two historic warships H.M.S.BELFAST at London Bridge and H.M.S.CAVALIER at the Historic Dockyard Chatham Kent.

A warship built in the U.S.A. under 'Lease Lend' for the Royal Navy she was classed as a 'Destroyer Escort' and re-classed in the Royal Navy as a 'Frigate'. As with many warships in WW2 she was 'manned' with Men and Boys many of whom together with the ship lasted less than 12 months. The 'Boys' became 'Men' in that short time and many were wounded and died for freedom and their country. As in the previous book by the author 'Last But Not Least' which was about a 'sister' ship these are personal memories of some survivors with illustrations and photographs from the author's collection. The author a Battle of the Atlantic veteran was 18 years old at that time, serving on HMS CARRON a destroyer protecting special convoys. He retains his connection with the Royal Navy by being a volunteer working on the historic warship HMS BELFAST at London Bridge and he has also volunteered on HMS CAVALIER at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent.