Get up Boy, The Ship is Going Down!

Heroes Remember

Get up Boy, The Ship is Going Down!

We were there for I think it was two days because there were minesweepers around there cleaning up the mines and different stuff. Still got a troop ship going ashore because there were soldiers after the invasion there was days after there were still troops coming, Americans and different things. So we decided that we were going back, they wanted us to go in convoys again now. So we were heading for Belfast, going to Ireland and this big crash. So we bumped into a Canadian corvette I believe it was. Maybe it was a corvette. Broke us almost in two. I don’t know how many people were killed on that, but there was a few broke up anyway. Anyway, another destroyer, a Canadian destroyer, towed her off. I believe she was heading over in Belfast somewhere to get repairs I guess. But she was ruined, I don’t think she ever sailed anymore. Just cracked right off, just about what I seen anyway. I seen a ship with a big hole in it I don’t know if it was somebody’s fault or what was done or why But I’ll tell you this one, this was a good one. When we were taking waters, it bent the nose off of the carrier, a big hole in it with water coming in fast. So, I said I must go up and see what is in my locker because I had a few cents in there, a few coppers not much because we weren’t getting very much pay. And a few chocolate bars and a couple of cigarettes and stuff, going down in my locker. So when I was going by this bunk, this fellow was asleep in the bunk. I said, “Hey, hey, get up boy for the love of heavens the ship is going down.” He said, “What?” I said, “Ship is going down.” It was up to my knees just about in water then. And he said, “What are you telling me for, it’s not my ship!”

After the invasion enroute to Ireland, Mr. Starkes tells a more humorous story of when the ship begins to take on water, his effort to assist a fellow sailor brings laughter!

Charles Starkes

Mr. Charles Starkes was born in Greenspond, Newfoundland May 24, 1922. Mr. Starkes joined the Royal Navy under the British Forces from his home province of Newfoundland. He trained as Torpedoman on board a British aircraft carrier and took on the roles and responsibilities of an electrician. Mr. Starkes was part of the D-Day invasion and holds great pride for the service he provided during this time 75 years ago. After the war, Mr. Starkes returned to Newfoundland and obtained a Master Electrician license and worked in that field until retirement. Mr. Starkes now resides in Saint John’s, NL with his family.

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Recorded:: June 4, 2019
Duration:: 2:34
Person Interviewed:: Charles Starkes
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Location/Theatre:: France
Battle/Campaign:: D-Day
Branch:: Navy
Rank:: Torpedo Man

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Date modified:: 2024-12-30