History & Learning

Photo & information by Murray Haddow. Edited by Leona Thomas.

Murray Haddow joined the Royal Navy (as a conscript) straight from school at 18 and after training was posted to HMS Caprice, a destroyer, in March 1944, just before her commissioning. He was one of the first members of the ship’s company.

He was a Leading Writer. He took part in 6 Russian Convoys – JW59 to Murmansk in June 1944 and the return convoy RA59A, convoy JW61A to the Kola Inlet in November 1944 with the return Convoy RA61A later that month, and then Convoy JW62 in December 1944 and the return Convoy RA62 from the Kola Inlet later that same month.

Murray says, “My main recollection is of almost 24 hour daylight during the summer Convoys and virtual total darkness in the winter months!”

Photo: Some of my shipmates on HMS Caprice; Myself, Malachy (Tony) Conroy from Rutherglen near Glasgow, Wireless Operator and Mick Maher from Exeter, Asdic Operator.

Photo: Murray receiving his Arctic Star medal

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