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John Bradford 1963- 1964
Halo my name is John Bradford.
I joined the Royal Navy in 1960 as a Boy Sailor, I enlisted to serve for 12 years. The first year was spent at the training establishment H.M.S. Ganges, located at Shotley, Suffolk. As well as learning seamanship I trained to be a mechanical engineer. I joined Manxman in March 1963 after her refit at Chatham.
This photograph of me was taken the year I enlisted, at HMS Ganges. At the time I was only 15 years old.
The Refit
Manxman was refitted at Chatham between 1960 -1963. The conversion included the removal of her main armament which left her with six 40mm Bofors (4 single mounts and 1 double), the port mine rails were also removed. This was to facilitate the extra weight of carrying replenishing fuel, her diesel fuel stowage was increased from 60 to 266 tons, water and stores for the Ton class minesweepers. She also carried engine spares for the minesweepers which were driven by Deltic engines.
The forward two boilers were removed, the space was utilised as an auxiliary machinery space which contained steam and diesel generators and evaporators, air conditioning and refrigeration plant. The deboilering reduced her speed to 29 knots but she was still a fast ship for her size.
The after boiler room shared the funnel uptakes with the after and centre funnels, the forward funnel was retained for the generators and AMS. The boiler rooms were pressurised which meant entering through an air lock, conditions were pretty grim in the far east due to the high temperatures, salt tablets and iced lime juice prevented dehydration.
Surprisingly there were few bunks for junior rates, Hammocks ( donkey's breakfast ) were still the main sleeping arrangement.
The depot ship. Manxman after her refit March 1963. Note the redundant forward funnel and reduced armament. Photograph Wright and Logan.
Manxman runs aground
I was on board Manxman when she ran aground 26th April 1963. It was during a visit to the isle of Man. The island had adopted the ship, so it was usual to visit before going on a mission.
We were entering Douglas harbour in foggy conditions when we got into a sand bank. Unfortunately we suffered damage to one or our propellers and had to go to Plymouth and enter dry dock for repairs. I believe the damage to the prop. was caused when we bottomed going astern attempting to free ourselves. Divers were sent down to inspect damage . We were able to make Devonport unassisted on one prop. I am not sure were the new prop came from I assume Chatham. Captain Stopford attended an enquiry, I am not sure of the outcome, he must have been acquitted of any negligence as he commanded her for the next 18 mouths.
Manxman at Singapore taken for the ships Christmas card interior, see Memorabilia ( Photo section ) Photograph from John Bradford.
The Far East
The Christmas card is from 1963. we had just returned from Borneo patrol. Indonesia was in dispute with Malaya over the border position with North Borneo. Manxman was the support ship for the 6th inshore minesweeper squadron based at Sembawang ( Singapore ) which consisted of Ton class minesweepers. Indonesia had become a communist state and was being bankrolled by the Russians.
Our task beside supplying the Minesweepers was to stop and search shipping off the coast for gun runners and insurgents trying to infiltrate into North Borneo. Borneo was a British protectorate at one time, our interest being in the rubber and copra plantations.
Photograph taken at Tawau Borneo. The ship is rigged for the Queens official birthday 17 June 1964. The ship outboard on the starboard side is the Ton class minesweeper HMS Lanton. Photo from John Bradford.
Regarding the Borneo and the far east stuff, not very exciting I am afraid especially after the exploits of Manxman during the second world war however we were involved in at least one clandestine mission off Indonesia when we actually rigged a dummy funnel and covered our pennant number.
I left Manxman in November 1964 in Hong Kong and then flew back to the U.K.
I served on four different warships HMS Malcolm a type 14 frigate based at Rosyth which spent most of the time rocking and rolling off Iceland in the Cod war. Then Manxman which was a godsend as I had always hankered for sunnier climes. After leaving Manxman I was fortunate to return to the far east on the Leander class frigate HMS Cleopatra. My last ship was the HMS Ark Royal.
I left the Navy in 1972 after 12 years. I was born in Peterborough and have resided in Liverpool since my de-mob. I hope you find this interesting.
Regards. John Bradford ( Brad. )
