I Think I Prefer the Tinned Variety

In his diary my dad, Norman Buckle, wrote: Saturday 22 nd April 1944 "A usual Saturday, enlivened by a display of tribal dancing at night. He then went on to write a detailed account of Tribal Dances given on “ Spurwing ” playing fields. HMS Spurwing was the Royal Navy air base at Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone where he was stationed from October 1943 until November 1944. The dancers were accompanied by bands of musicians from all around the area.  The Programme for the event.  The Programme for the event

My dad wrote in the diary he kept while stationed at HMS Spurwing (Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone): Sunday 26 th March 1944 "No transport so failed to go bathing to Lumley – first Sunday for some weeks now. Spent day reading month old newspapers." Lumley Beach was a popular place for bathing. Lumley Beach The road to Lumley Beach  There was an open air swimming pool at the naval air station (HMS Spurwing) at Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone. The swimming pool at HMS Spurwing. Sports Day at the swimming pool, HMS Spurwing. The swimming pool at HMS Spurwing. Swimming pool at HMS Spurwing.

In his diary recording details of the time he was posted to the naval air base H.M.S. Spurwing, Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone, my dad wrote about a visit to a village called Marampa about sixty miles from the base. Sunday 6 th February 1944 Expedition to Marampa "For a week or two now we have been anticipating this trip and when we awoke about 06.00 everyone was as happy as kids going to a Sunday School treat. Breakfast was soon disposed of and by seven we were on our way with all the food and drinking water stowed away. Drinking water had to be taken in old beer bottles because of the unhealthy water up country. Needless to say a few bottles of beer had been saved also from the week’s ration. When we set off the sun had not risen and the morning was extremely cold. On reaching the main road we turned in the opposite direction to Freetown . As the road has a very good surface we ran along at a good speed and consequently got colder and colder. The road ra

My dad, Norman Buckle, was a Radio Mechanic in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy stationed at H.M.S. Spurwing, Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone from October 1943 until November 1944. This photograph of all the members of the Radio Section was taken sometime in June 1944.   Back Row: J. Ridgeway, A. Jones, N. Buckle, C. Perry, W. Rowlands Front Row: F. Knowlsden, G. Quick, S/Lr Mumby, D. Bell, A. Hutchinson  Names unknown 

My dad, Norman Buckle, wrote in his diary: Thursday 20 th January 1944 "Spent all day in redecorating the billet in readiness for the coming of the Admiral on Sunday. Distempered the inside cream and green and really made a good job of it. Sunday 23 rd January 1944 "Great excitement caused by the visit of Rear Admiral Peters who has just taken over the West African Command."  Guard of Honour  March past of ship's company. Flying crew Visit of Rear Admiral Peters; Norman is the tall man at the back of the group.

 Ordinary Telegrapher Norman Buckle aged 18 in 1942  Leading Radio Mechanic Norman Buckle aged 19 in 1943 Leading Radio Mechanic Norman Buckle aged 20 in 1944 Acting Petty Officer Norman Buckle aged twenty one in 1945 My dad, Norman Buckle, was eighteen and a half when he joined the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm in October 1942. He was trained as a Radio Mechanic and was promoted to the rank of Petty Officer (Acting) in June 1944.

H.M.S. Spurwing where my dad was stationed was established at the village of Hastings, near Freetown, in Sierra Leone. These photographs are all in and around Hastings. Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone. Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone. Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone. The road to Freetown from Hastings. The village of Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone.  The village of Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone.   The road to the naval air station at Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone.  The road into H.M.S. Spurwing Hastings Church Hastings Creek  Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone 

My dad, Norman Buckle, was at the Royal Navy air station known as H.M.S. Spurwing near Freetown, Sierra Leone from October 1943 until November 1944. H.M.S Spurwing was actually situated at the village of Hastings about 15 miles east of Freetown. His diary records several visits to Freetown. St George's Cathedral, Freetown, Sierra Leone  Un-named street in Freetown, Sierra Leone  Norman is standing at the back wearing the white hat.  Freetown, Sierra Leone Wilberforce Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone

HMS Spurwing based at Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone. This is a photograph of the playing fields at H.M.S. Spurwing situated at the village of Hastings, near Freetown, Sierra Leone. In his diary, in 1943, my dad wrote: "The first object that catches the eye is the range of mountains from which Sierra Leone takes its name ( Lion Mountain ). The reference to Lion is obscure as there is no visible resemblance, but a possible explanation is that the thunder in the rainy season is like a lion’s roar." Charlie Perry and Dick Treadway, Norman Buckle Norman Buckle is the tall chap on the right; the other two are Charlie Perry and Dick Treadway but it isn't clear from his diary which is which. They are standing outside their accommodation at H.M.S. Spurwing "Mess No. 4". Mess No. 4 This blurry photo is of the interior of "Mess No 4" which was where they were accommodated. Note the mosquito nets. Bathing facilities