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.