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This story is taken from an interview with Jim Ferguson at the Dublin WW2 Commemoration, and has been added to the site with their permission. The authors fully understand the site's terms and conditions. The interviewer was Richard Crothers, and the transcription was by Bruce Logan.
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I joined the RN. I was 18 yrs of age.
Those medals — the “1939-45” medal is presented to those who fought. And the “Battle of the Atlantic” medal. And that is the Star medal. The “France and Germany”, for serving there. The “Defence” medal and the “End-of the War” medal.
I’m from Antrim.
There was no conscription at that time, so all the veterans volunteered. There was just as many from the south as the north [of Ireland], maybe more.

[can you think of a high point during the war?]
I can’t really. It’s difficult. I’ve thought about quite often.
When we on the Atlantic runs, escorting merchant ships — maybe up to 100, across the Atlantic. And also the same ships back again from the other side. We, it took about 14 days. Then after 14 days we were back into harbour, into base. I was based in Sheerness. I served on a corvette as wireless operator at that time. We come back, and we had maybe 3-4 days ashore. Divided among all the members of the crew. You had a few drinks, and perhaps a dance, and back on-board again and did another trip.

It’s a funny thing, now I think about it now. At the present time I’d be v scared to go up a ladder. Afraid. But I never had, I can’t remember having any fear at any time. And mind you, there was some rough times with the u-boats. We were there to protect, along with many other ships — the destroyers and frigates and things, people like that. These u-boats, depth-charges going off all the time. But I don’t remember, I honestly can’t remember being afraid. Possibly I was, but I can’t remember. I just can’t remember that.

[how did you feel when you found the war was over?]
It was terrific. It was great! We paid our ship off in Aberdeen, and we stayed longer than we should have stayed! To celebrate. And it was some celebration. And then we went from there down to Leeds, I think it was, to get demobbed — get our demob suits and home. But it was really after that, after I got off the corvette, back to the depot, and then I was — I expected to be demobbed and get home. But the next thing my name was called out to the draft office, and I was called up there, and discovered they had drafted me onto a minesweeper based in Londonderry. So I spent 6 mths there, sweeping mines from Scotland right down to Donegal. It was interesting, enjoyable. We didn’t sweep at night, of course. Through the day, then normally go back to base. Then I’d go over to lifford, even have a few drinks. Then after the 6 mths were over I was sent back to davenport, my base, and was demobbed. I got home in 1946, just a few days after Xmas. And I remember all those bits. So I survived, and a lot of people unfortunately didn’t survive. That was just life. I have to admit, I joined, even from a young age I wanted to see the world. And I thought this was the easiest way to see it. Join the navy. It was the wrong time!

[any regrets about joining the RN?]
Never. No. I met many good friends, and still have many good friends. I’m a member of the RBL and a member of the RN association, and I still have meetings and a lot of contacts, and I still … we have here today a bus from Ballymena with 40 people in it. They all come today.

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