John George Bates – Able Seaman O/H 46947

H.M.A.S. Murchison R.A.N.

Left Sydney 9/5/51 – Approx. return 25/2/52

What we see from the ship at sea was hills and hills. It didn’t matter what clothes you had on, I was always cold. When we went on shore leave, it was "Kure" or "Sasebo". Sasebo was an American base, well equipped.

Living conditions on board ship was cramped and a lot of moisture and very damp. We had to put electrical conducts in the breech of the 2 twin 4" guns so they wouldn’t freeze.

Food – the cook done his best under very difficult conditions.

The happiest time was hen our refrigeration broke down. We had to get meat from the Americans and sail to Hong Kong to fix our refrigeration unit repaired we had 10 days at Hong Kong and Christmas 1951. 

I think we had 28 days leave, and every one on board was very happy to know that we were going back to Sydney.

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This page was last modified on 14 May 2000.