Just a Tick
by
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Chapter 7 - The Caves of Tura
There is one final story regarding a cave in our group, which I feel is worthy of mention. During excavation it was found, like the others, to be filled to the roof with rubble but this one proved to be unique because as the workmen began removing the debris they suddenly uncovered the top of a very large hieroglyphic tablet, the only one to be found in the area. With such an important discovery work was stopped immediately and an urgent message was sent to Cairo. As a result, within a short time, a team of Egyptologists arrived and amid great excitement they uncovered part of the panel. They soon ascertained that this had been a temple chamber associated with human sacrifice! As it was late in the day and the fact that they were only able to study the panel by torchlight they decided to recover the whole tablet and return at first light the next day to carry out a detailed survey.
On the air, sheer pandemonium now broke out, our HQ at Alex, the main control station, and other units along the coast joined in, but still silence from the convoy. By this time, news had got around our unit and most of the officers, including Group Captain Collins, our wing C/O, had assembled outside our signals trailer as I continued to signal OA to the convoy. Just as everyone was beginning to feel it was hopeless my mate Fred said, “Call them again, I think they are answering on my frequency”. So it turned out, whether by accident or by design, the destroyer wireless operator was receiving on one frequency and transmitting on another! It was just a pure fluke that Fred had picked up the signal. I now transmitted the full details of the sighting and the exact position of the enemy vessel, the full message was then acknowledged via Fred’s channel. The convoy must have taken immediate action because, within half an hour they informed us that the U boat had been sunk with depth charges, wreckage and oil had been observed on the surface. Our signals officer, Flight Lieutenant Read, shouted the news across to Groupy, and he instantaneously led all the assembled lads in a rousing cheer.
As Fred and I came wearily off duty, Groupy said, “Come with me lads” and he led us into his tent. There he made out a full report of the entire operation, which he was sending in a despatch. As well as getting an M.I.D. award, he was recommending that we get immediate promotion and the appropriate decoration. Finally, he shook us by the hand, gave us a large tot of whisky and said, “Now lads, go and get some sleep”. Our units joy was short lived. A couple of hours later we were rudely awakened and told to quickly report back to the Groupies tent. There we were greeted by a very sombre looking C/O, who informed us that subject to the Official Secrets Act, we were never to mention this event. WE HAD SUNK ONE OF OUR OWN SUBMARINES. Imagine the devastating effect this had, it seemed a complete blanket of silence must be drawn, otherwise heads would roll in high places. I have always kept faith with my promise but feel that after such a lapse of time, the heads that would have rolled have long been laid to rest and I can now speculate on what I think really happened on that dreadful night.
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About the Book
Memoirs of the first 25 years of the author's life 1920 -1945. It begins with reflections on village life in the early 1920's, followed by schoolday experiences, Boy Scouts' adventures, RAF recruitment in Blackpool through to life as a wireless operator in the Western Desert during WW2. Many photographs are included, the majority taken by the author himself or by friends using the author's camera.
About the Author
Born Harold Ifor Donnell in Caerwys, Flintshire, in North Wales on 20th July 1920, Harold was affectionately known as Lal to family and friends but was later to become known as Don by his friends and colleagues.
He married Dorothy Frances Margaret Wood on 30th March 1946 and they set-up home in Sandycroft, Flintshire. In 1965, four girls and three boys later, they moved to Buckley where Don now lives. Sadly, Dot passed away in November 2007 but Don still has the support of his family comprising at the present time of three sons, five daughters, sixteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.