The Royal Naval Association (RNA) enabled three Sailors who fought in WW2 to march with them at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday. The men, William Jones, 99, Donald Macangus, 99, and Kenneth MacNaughton, 100, all served in the Royal Navy and clearly recall their time in the war. They expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to march as none of them had ever attended the Cenotaph at Remembrance before.
William (Bill) Jones, from Staines, served in the Pacific on a small island called HMS Nabaron.
Bill said:
“This wasn’t exactly a desert island paradise. Almost on the equator it was very hot and humid, the mosquitos carried malaria, and a small cut from the coral could end up as a sore that never seemed to heal. You could swim off the small beach in a lagoon but it was full of black and white venomous sea snakes. For most of the time we were there we had no fresh fruit or vegetables and lived off tinned and dehydrated food. Also, there was no fresh water on the island so drinking water had to be shipped in.”
Bill went to extraordinary lengths to sign up to serve his country,
“War broke out on my 14th birthday so that was the end of my schooling. I started work in the machine shop of a local engineering company in Staines, W. E. Sykes. At 17 I joined the Home Guard, but at 18 I could not join up because I was in a reserved occupation. I spoke to a shop steward about this and he remembered that I had been put on night shifts while I was 17, which was not allowed. This enabled me to go to an industrial tribunal who ruled that I could leave my employment, so then I was able to join the Royal Navy.”
Donald Macangus, from Lincoln, served in the Mediterranean and Adriatic carrying our highly dangerous attacks on larger vessels. He was 19 years old when his Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) was sunk. The MTB had 30 crew and sank in March 1945 when it hit a mine in enemy waters in the Adriatic. The boat was split in two and half the crew were killed. Most of them were the same age as Bill, who had to swim through fires on the water surface to get away.
Donald said:
“I am so happy to be here today. I have my son, who was Royal Marines, my daughter-in-law, who was WRENS, and my granddaughter with me. It has been a great day.”
Kenneth (Ken) Macnaughton, from Harrow, volunteered for the Royal Navy in 1942 as soon as he turned 18. He served on the Arctic Convoys.
Ken said:
“The Arctic sea was often incredibly rough and many of us suffered severe sea sickness. I always made sure I found some bread to help stop me from being sick.
“But the best bit about being in the Royal Navy – the tot of rum!”
The Arctic Convoys were particularly gruelling, with freezing conditions and scant provisions.
Ken made it back safely, to the joy of his family.
The Royal Naval Association brings together everyone with a Naval story. Its aim is to foster comradeship and commemoration, particularly at this time of year when Remembrance focusses attention on those who have served their country.
All three Sailors intend to return to the Cenotaph next year, with the help of the RNA , who has a veteran co-ordinator to enable these WWII veterans to attend.
RNA CEO, Bill Oliphant said:
“We are so very proud to enable these WWII veterans to march with us this year. If any former member of our Naval Forces wishes to attend the Cenotaph with us next year, please do get in touch and we will be delighted to assist.
“We would particularly like to thank Poppy Cabs, who assisted with transport, and the RBL, who organise the March and have been particularly accommodating to our older veterans.”
