Baden Singleton shares his life as a young Seaman while serving in the Royal Naval Patrol Service.

His fascination with the Navy began early as a boy when he found a Seaman’s hat on the beach. He recalls the exhaustive experience of working in a smaller crew. He speaks about how the RNPS was ridiculed by others, earning nicknames such as  ‘Churchill’s Pirates’ after a visit from Winston Churchill who referred to them as pirates due to their lack of Naval clothing. After his deployment, he went on many perilous journeys through the Mediterranean and Atlantic seas, serving aboard the HMS Romeo and HMS Wolborough which were responsible for sweeping naval mines.

Despite his hardships, he developed a strong sense of camaraderie and respect not just for his fellow Naval men but also for other Seamen and the ships they served. He reflects sentimentally on how the HMS Romeo was once berthed alongside the SS Ohio, the same ship which played a vital role in Operation Pedestal, the convoy which saved the people of Malta from starvation.

Throughout the chaos of the war, he still managed to find moments of cordiality. On one occasion, he met a woman at a brothel in Alexandria where he was based, with whom he developed a nice friendship.

Baden’s interview offers insight into the honour and delightfulness but also into the adversity that comes from being a Naval man during World War II.