Hong Kong Flotilla 1952 & 53

Like most of the military from the UK that was shipped out to Hong-Kong.

“we all have a story to tell”.

This is my Story

Able Seaman (gunner) Eric Carman (Royal Navy).

Will back up a few months before my draft slip was posted to join up with, HMS Mounts Bay operating in the Korea War Zone, Early 1951 passed the test, became a member of the” Chatham Field Guns Crew”

(My wedding to Vera Watkins had be set for June 30th that year) 1951).

During a practice run prior to the Tournament at Earls Court, the lumber which is attached to the field gun which carries the cannon balls and gun power, was released from the high wire, and dropped several feet, landing on my right leg, the steel axle (which is attached to the lumber) breaking both my tibia and the fiber, putting me out of the Tournament.

My wedding date getting close, rarther then prospone the wedding we decided to go ahead, my right leg was all plastered up and I was able to get around with the aid of cruchers, wedding went well and we enjoy our honeymoon in a beautiful older cottage in Shanklin (Isle of White) in the English Channel).

(Looking back, I’ll like to share with you a (funny,now) insurdance that happen in “Portmouth” while waiting for the ferry to “isle of white” (on our honeymoon) we were walking down the road and for some strange reason I looked behind us and there were 2 sailors mimicking me ( I was not in uniform (walking with crochets) and a pot leg), I whipped around and grambed one of them and was ready to to take them on.

We ended up laughing it off when I told them I was a member of the Royal Navy and a member of the Field guns crew. For sure we had the repertation of being the tough navy guys).

On my return to the Naval Barracks in Chatham, was given a very light job as messboy in the “Master of Arms” quarters. Then the unexpected happened.

Notice on the barracks “Draft Notice Board” A.B. Eric Carman to be drafted to

HMS Mounts Bay operating in the Korean War. Wow, the plaster was off, I’m still recovering and limping around, I reported to the drafting office, limping badly and told the Officer in change that I’m not capable (as of now) to be in action with the responsibility of operating 4inch guns, I was then sent to the surgeon, to check me out (surgeon report) it will take 6 weeks to join up with your ship, you will be running up and down just like before.

True enough, when I joined up with the Mounts Bay, I was 100% back to normal.

Just imagine, shipped out 5 months, after your marriage (leaving your wife pregnant)not only that, I would not be home for 2 years.

Moving on, in Dec 1951 was transported to Portsmouth to join up with the aircraft carrier “HMS Vengeance” which was acting as a troop carrier to Korea. I was given leave for Christmas we were to set sail there after. On returning we were told that the ship will sail out the first week in the new year, so the weekend before, military personal we’re slipping off the ship (without permission) for there last visit home before sailing. I pretended to take the garbage out to dockside, and then caught the train to Vera’s home in “Kingsbury Green” London, NW9.

I remember well as we were sailing through the Mediterranean the PA speaker made an anouchment that the Captain will speak at (time! Don’t remember). The Roomer that flooded around the ship were only one (we were at war with Russia) was that the King had passed away, it was quite a release to all. The trip went well, all the way to HK where the ship I was to join up with was there for repairs and supplies, before heading out on there next partrol in North Korea.

it was an exciting moment when I reported to HMS Mounts Bay, given my mess deck, and action station on their 4 inch guns. Without a daunt, I was ready to join in the action in the Korean War.

Around 10 weeks later we we’re ready to sail on the next patrol, when a notice was put on the notice board, that a member of the Hong Kong Flotilla (HK DEFENCE) wanted to exchange with a Mounts Bay rating ( has to be the same qualifications (seaman-gunner) I said OK.

Minites before we sailed a sailor was running down the dock, our boarding ladder was up, the “Officer of Watch” ordered me to jump, and the replacement leapt on board. “that’s how I became a member of the HKF”.

Hong Kong Flotilla 1952-53

Early 1952 reported to office of HMS Tamar (shore base).

Was asigned to MFV-1103 (commonly know as IMS (inshore mine sweeper) they were converted “Motor Fishing Vessels” around 70 feet long, with a crew of the Skipper / coxswain / wireless operator / 2 stokers / 6 seamen (one of the seaman taking over as cook) I was the only gunnery seaman on board. There were 4-IMS in the HKF.

ALSO there were MLs (motor launch) in the HKF which were 65-75 feet long and around 11 crew. They were well armed as to our IMS, the MLs were strickly a patrol vessel, where the IMS were there to sweep for mines, and also did there share of patrols.