Lest We Forget - Volume 17 www.legionnl.ca 121 continued .... A Shattered Soul – War takes its toll “Tom Pitcher and Lloyd Lane and myself are on this picture. I hope this will reach you okay. We will be leaving soon but I don’t know when. I hope you will hear me on the radio, tonight. Myself and Cecil Bishop are speaking on behalf of all the Grand Falls boys. I’ll be seeing you soon. So cheerio, Love Silas.” “There’s a ship lies rigged and waiting in the harbour, tomorrow for old England she sails. Far away from your land of endless sunshine, to my land full of rainy skies and gales. And I shall be aboard that ship tomorrow, though my heart is full of tears at this farewell.”(3) On November 27th, 1939 we boarded the S.S. Newfoundland, with heavy thoughts and spirited hearts, we set our sights on jolly ol’ England. We set sail in a foggy, misty morning through “the narrows” out to the vast Atlantic blue. We navigated in calm, cold, crisp waters with a vibrant and hardy Royal Newfoundland crew. “Where it’s wave over wave, sea over bow I’m as happy a man as the sea will allow There’s no other life for a sailor like me But to sail the salt sea, boys, sail the sea There’s no other life but to sail the salt sea.”(4) We coasted on, so eager and carefree, to England’s Isle; United Kingdom’s Royal Crown. We eventually hit stormy waters, and arrived there; bewildered, safe and sound. We dropped anchor in Portsmouth, England where one and all, gladly disembarked. We stood and stared, in awe of ships, and its massive, bustling dockyard. Between the jigs and reels, I was posted to “The Pepperpot”, the H.M.S. Penelope. Along with my friend, Lloyd Lane, and later, my Bishop Falls comrade, Wallace Green. I was commissioned as a gunner and many dangers and conflicts I endured. How our light cruiser ship stayed afloat, ‘twas miraculous, for sure. She was battered and broken, from many bombs; a shambles fore and aft. She was blasted and peppered full of holes, by many an enemy aircraft. She was even called “The Porcupine”; as she was cinched with wooden plugs like quills. Though she showed her wear and tear, to sail her was quite a thrill.
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