The journey home from India

Went to India in 1935 - Lived in Dalhousie where his Dad was killed in 1935 so was sent back on the next available ship - which was about 3 months later. Arrived back in England later 1935, lived in Bedford and then moved to Felixtowe.
A Friend of Charles Waller ( Dad dad ) Mick Scruby had kept in touch with his mother and he returned on leave in 1937, and they got married during the 6 month leave.
Iris and family went back to India will Mick - their new "dad"
They went to Delhousie to live.
Approx 2years later - the 1939 world war was imminent and the troops were sent to UK and France.
Mick was told to go home to train the recruiters - but then once he returned - he was sent to France to fight on the front line.
Meanwhile Iris and kids waited for the next available ship - and started another voyage. Left India ( Bombay) and headed towards the red sea - diverted to Mombassa ( Kenya) after two weeks at sail - and " vacationing on the beech - to save from "going mad" - the Suez canal opened and Dad had 8th birthday in Portsaid Egypt.
Continued their trip - on to Gibralta - the troop ship they were on was needed in Egypt - so had to disembark and onto a merchant ship and started to sail back - forming the first convoy to leave Gibralta in the 2nd WW.....21 ships in the convoy......Ship was called Sagaing. Airplane escorted them for a coule of days - then was left unescorted - within 2 days - the convoy attacked by 2 U boats. The ship next to them ( the flagship ) was torpedoed - and they all had to scatter......( law)
The day after - two more U boats ( could have been the same) were either side of them. The captain was ordered by the U boat to abandon ship within 10 minutes , but he pretended that he didn't understand and kept asking questions - ("what did you say....I don't understand etc......) becuase he could see a destroyer was coming...so wanted to waste time.......fortunately the french destroyer rescued them - and the U boats left - afraid of the destroyer.
That destroyer - and another destroyer who had picked up a couple more ships -then started thier journey again - heading for home( 7 total) As they sailed -the very next night - there was a huge bang which turned out to be a depth charge from one of the destroyers.....but at the time some people thought the ship was sinking and been hit......Dad recalls that his mother was in the resteraunt and when she heard the bang - and the comotion around them where people thought they had to abandon ship....she saw a family of 8 - 6 kids ( 2 sets of twins) 3 of the kids got into the life boat and the panicking crew ( Indian Laska's) cut the rope in error - should have been lowered......and the Laska's actually jumped in the water - and along with the 3 in the boat - all drowned....plus others ( 9) died in those moments. 20 people jumped - some were saved - others drowned.
After all this died down - the ship continued sailing - reaching Liverpool - where they waited for 3 Days in the fog to be escorted into the docks to disembark.

Mum and Dad's wedding day -

Wedding day - June 16th 1956, Gt Yarmouth -
Best man -
Maid of honour - Daphne
Bridesmaid - Aunty Judith
Reception held at Marine Court Hotel
Honeymoon - Lake District ( driving up - stopping at Lincoln, Darwen, Windermere and Blackpool)

To add blogs

The customize button is one of the top right underlines word - in the blue area: plus there is a help area that pretty much covers all you may need to know...thats how I found out to add you as an author

test from keith

hi could not find customise - so trying this - hope it works

keith

test

Keith - I think this is what you do :

Once you log in - it will take you to the dashboard; Click Veiw Blog button - then yo uwill have these tabs......lile index cards that have tabs ( up there) - go to the one that says posting - and new post......give it a try - and add what you want - even rubish to start with to test it - we can delete it easily.

Let me know BRUVVER!!!!! :)

Eight Decades - rough draft of heading ideas

The following Headings - to organize.

Dates of important events in Dads life ( marriage - kids - moves - jobs - deaths etc)

Things about Dad -

Things about Dick ( When I send the invitations, I will ask for an RSVP - and for them to include some things they want to say about Dad - so a collection of sayings from friends and family members)

Dad's favorite Movies - just to mention in "favorite things) Bringe over the river Qui

Dad's favorite music ( to put on the DVD as background music) Wonderful world - Lois Armstrong - Big band ( Pomp and circumstance )

Dad's interests: - Airplanes - War information - Sir W Churchill - coin collections - Rugby -Travelling

Places he's travelled : India - Africa - USA - Australia - Yugoslavia _ Spain - France -Bankok - Norway - Germany - Swizerland - Canada -
What were his favorite places of the world
Favorite passtime - In the pub - golfing - COllecting coins - stamps ( 1st editions)