Major Camps Near Irvine and Inveraray, Scotland
"Possibly Quebec 1942" says text attached to this photograph.
From the collection of Joe Spencer.
Introduction:
Gary Spencer of Brighton (Ontario, Canada), the son of Joe Spencer (RCNVR and Combined Operations, 1941 - 45), sent me the above photograph and, having looked at the cabin and trees behind it, suggest that "Possibly Quebec 1942" correctly identifies the location and year the photo was taken - of a dozen Canadians in Combined Operations. I can attach names to 3 - 4 of the men, including the two gentlemen in the back row who are too busy texting to smile for the camera. (Maybe they are reading mail from home : ).
HMS Quebec, Number 1 Combined Operations training centre situated on Loch Fyne a few miles south of the town of Inveraray Scotland, saw tens of thousands of servicemen from various Allied countries pass through its gates for training aboard landing craft on the loch and commando training in the hills nearby.
The Canadians above, including many of their mates (my father included), participated in some aspects of commando training but chiefly were responsible for manning landing crafts - learning all they could about tides, currents, winches, anti-broaching lines, etc., in preparation for upcoming raids and invasions, including the raid at Dieppe* in August and invasion of North Africa in November of 1942.
[* Operation Rutter, the Dieppe raid, was initially scheduled for early July, 1942; it was cancelled due to a few reasons, e.g., "bombing of landing craft by Luftwaffe", and later reborn as Operation Jubilee, August 19, 1942.]
Also recalled in my father's memoirs are times of hard work aboard landing crafts at HMS Quebec near Inveraray, Scotland. The camp was large and extended into the hills that are west of Loch Fyne.
My father is very likely referring to the above photo in his memoirs:
Of course, I said we were very very happy, but we were also very very lucky and knew it. Soon we went to H.M.C.S. Naden (Esquimalt, B.C.), with none of us volunteering for the Japanese theatre of war, although we were all asked by a recruiting officer.
A naval photographer took a picture of six of us... because we all joined the same day, went through twenty-three months overseas together and were going to be discharged all on the same day too. (Page 43, "DAD, WELL DONE")
Most of the photographs presented in this post relate to landing craft as seen near Irvine and Troon, likely associated with the two training camps between the two centres, i.e., Dundonald and Auchengate (see previous post for more details, link provided at bottom of this page). The remaining few introduce the reader to HMS Quebec, about which information and veterans' stories will be presented below and in subsequent entries.
Most of the photographs and captions that follow concerning landing crafts and training camps are located - with thousands of other useful topics and millions of photographs - at Search Our Collections at Imperial War Museum (IWM).
Most of the photographs and captions that follow concerning landing crafts and training camps are located - with thousands of other useful topics and millions of photographs - at Search Our Collections at Imperial War Museum (IWM).
Please visit IWM at your leisure and if you locate more information about Combined Operations camps and landing craft training, please inform me in the comment section below.
In the spring of 1942 Canadians in Combined Operations lived in Bell Tents and huts at Camp Auchengate and when free time was available they would spill into Irvine, likely for pints at Harbour Lights, The Kings Arms (run by the Skinner family, I believe, at the time), etc., or other sites close to the harbour, perhaps visible in the photos above.
My father recalls the following in his memoirs, and mentions Irvine's hospitality fondly:
Soon after (i.e., some initial training at HMS Quebec), my group was sent up the Loch (Fyne) to Irvine and I shall always remember that town. We practiced running our ALC up the stern of the Iris and Daffodil, i.e., train ferries in peace time that carried whole trains across the channel between England and France. They were later to be used as ALC transports.
* * * * *
A29881. Landing Craft (Infantry) 5, leaving her berth at Irvine,
bound for Androssan, assisting is a Vehicle Landing Craft.
Photo Credit - Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, IWM.
A29882. Landing Craft (Infantry) 5, leaving her berth at Irvine,
bound for Androssan, assisting is a Vehicle Landing Craft.
Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, Imperial War Museum
In 2014 I visited Irvine and took photos on my way from the train station to my accommodation at Marina Inn alongside the Irvine Harbour.
A quiet harbour in 2014.
Looking south from Irvine's shores to Troon. Photos G. Harrison, 2014
My father recalls the following in his memoirs, and mentions Irvine's hospitality fondly:
Soon after (i.e., some initial training at HMS Quebec), my group was sent up the Loch (Fyne) to Irvine and I shall always remember that town. We practiced running our ALC up the stern of the Iris and Daffodil, i.e., train ferries in peace time that carried whole trains across the channel between England and France. They were later to be used as ALC transports.
Their sterns were nearly completely open, but with waves and a stiff wind blowing it was difficult to hit the opening. We practiced and practiced, and once in, winches were used and helped get barges onto tracks.
One day I just could not make it. I had a Seaman named Jake Jacobs and he said, “Let me see her. I’ll put her in there.” He pulled the ALC back, poured the coal to her and crashed right into the stern of the Iris. There was Hell to pay.
Then we had to practice living on short rations, i.e., chocolate, hard tack and compost tea (tea, sugar and milk powder in what looked exactly like a sardine can). We received a small allowance, enough for three or four days, and slept aboard the ALC. It was tough going but we made it.
Then we had to practice living on short rations, i.e., chocolate, hard tack and compost tea (tea, sugar and milk powder in what looked exactly like a sardine can). We received a small allowance, enough for three or four days, and slept aboard the ALC. It was tough going but we made it.
When we went into Irvine the townspeople brought us cookies, tea and coffee. What wonderful people. When we left we took up a collection, a whole hatful, and gave it to the townspeople to do as they chose. (Pages 15 - 16, "DAD, WELL DONE")
Canadians in Combined Ops did a lot of practice with ALCs and LCMs on the beaches and waters between Irvine and Troon. My father recalls finding ways to break the tedium during a leave into Irvine: He writes:
After one of those long sojourns without much food, no shaving, etc., we came back into Irvine and I couldn’t stand it any longer. I loaded my attache case and started up a street in Irvine and met three girls. Two were sisters, Jean and Francis, and the third one we will call Thelma. I was a terrible sight and needed a bath and shave.
A29883. Landing Craft (Infantry) 5 at speed at Irvine near a Combined
Operations base in Scotland. Photo - Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, IWM.
A29884. Infantry Landing Craft L123 about to go on the slip at Irvine.
Royal Navy Photographer - Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, IWM.
A29885. Infantry Landing Craft L123 being hauled up electrically
to the slip at Irvine. Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, Imperial War Museum
A29886. Infantry Landing Craft L123 being hauled up electrically
to the slip at Irvine. Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, IWM.
A29888. Landing craft in Troon Harbour showing a Tank Landing
Craft Mark 8, on the left. Photo by Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, IWM
A29889. A caravan destined for the Far East being hoisted on board a
Tank Landing Craft at Troon. Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, IWM.
A29890. Three Tank Landing Craft in the main basin at Troon.
RN Photographer Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, Imperial War Museum
Canadians in Combined Ops did a lot of practice with ALCs and LCMs on the beaches and waters between Irvine and Troon. My father recalls finding ways to break the tedium during a leave into Irvine: He writes:
After one of those long sojourns without much food, no shaving, etc., we came back into Irvine and I couldn’t stand it any longer. I loaded my attache case and started up a street in Irvine and met three girls. Two were sisters, Jean and Francis, and the third one we will call Thelma. I was a terrible sight and needed a bath and shave.
I walked up to them boldly and said, “Pardon me girls. Could you tell me where I could get a shave and a bath?” They linked their arms in mine and said, “Sure can, Canada. Come with us.”
They took me to 22 Waterside St. in Irvine and I learned the sisters’ last name was Cricksmere. I bathed and shaved, was fed, and given a bed for many nights after a day of training. I corresponded with them after the war. They were English, living in Scotland, and their mum reminded me of my own mother. I know they fed me their own rations, even eggs.
There was also a son about 40 years old, and he and I used to battle Johnnie Walker every night. After a few we would ride the bus to Dragon (sic: i.e., Dreghorn) and get a couple of more because they were open longer.
They took me to 22 Waterside St. in Irvine and I learned the sisters’ last name was Cricksmere. I bathed and shaved, was fed, and given a bed for many nights after a day of training. I corresponded with them after the war. They were English, living in Scotland, and their mum reminded me of my own mother. I know they fed me their own rations, even eggs.
There was also a son about 40 years old, and he and I used to battle Johnnie Walker every night. After a few we would ride the bus to Dragon (sic: i.e., Dreghorn) and get a couple of more because they were open longer.
Moonlight Serenade and Sunlight Serenade were big hits at that time. (Page 16, "DAD, WELL DONE")
* * * * *
Also recalled in my father's memoirs are times of hard work aboard landing crafts at HMS Quebec near Inveraray, Scotland. The camp was large and extended into the hills that are west of Loch Fyne.
A29892. General view of HMS QUEBEC, Inveraray, from the North.
RN Photographer Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, Imperial War Museum.
A29893. View of HMS QUEBEC looking south west from the water tower.
RN Photographer Lt. E.A. Zimmerman, Imperial War Museum.
"HMS Quebec, Art Warrick 1942": Canadian in Combined Ops
Used with Permission. The Joe Spencer Collection.
Six Canadians (RCNVR, Combined Operations) at end of war. Photo was
possibly taken at HMCS Givenchy III, Comox, Vancouver Island, B.C.
Back Row L - R: Don Westbrook (Hamilton), Chuck Rose (Chippawa),
Joe Spencer (Toronto)
Front Row L - R: Joe Watson (Simcoe), Doug Harrison (Norwich),
Art Warrick (Hamilton)
Of course, I said we were very very happy, but we were also very very lucky and knew it. Soon we went to H.M.C.S. Naden (Esquimalt, B.C.), with none of us volunteering for the Japanese theatre of war, although we were all asked by a recruiting officer.
A naval photographer took a picture of six of us... because we all joined the same day, went through twenty-three months overseas together and were going to be discharged all on the same day too. (Page 43, "DAD, WELL DONE")
More photos to follow from HMS Quebec.
Please link to Photographs: Training on Landing Crafts (10).
Unattributed Photos GH.
Please link to Photographs: Training on Landing Crafts (10).
Unattributed Photos GH.
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