HMS Diadem
HMS Diadem

the diary of signalman John Emrys Williams

Leonard Brakespear

Lawrence Breakspear wrote on 4 June 2014:

"My father Leonard Breakspear was a PO on Diadem, basically in charge of the engine room.

"Prior to the Normandy landings he remembered the pounding of the beaches and German positions by Diadem and other ships, he hated the sound of those guns, he also told me stories (reluctantly may I add) of the Russian convoys and the German U boat wolf packs, and the sound of the depth charges being dropped, very similar to the sound of being hit by a torpedo , he also spoke of his visit to Copenhagen, he brought back a tea set, which my mother still has in parts.

"Sadly my dad died in 1999 after various strokes and heart attacks, but we now we will have a a medal for his role in the Russian convoys, he would never of allowed us to apply for it if he was still with us, he just wasnt like that and hated any fuss."

 

 

 

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