Murdoch, Robert Waugh: my Navy recollections (September 10, and 12, 1984)
Rank: Rear Admiral.
An interview/narrative of Robert Waugh Murdoch's experiences during World War II. Rear Admiral Murdoch served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on September 10 and 12, 1984.
ABSTRACT: R/Adm. Robert W. Murdoch Royal Canadian Navy (Cassette 1, Side 1) R/Adm. Murdoch joined the RCN in 1936 after one year at Victoria College and passing his Public Service Commission exam and interview (both of which he describes) then the UK. Outfitted in London by Grieves, the Naval tailors, and appointed to the training cruiser HMS Frobisher at Chatham. Anecdote of Mr. Margot, the cadet Gunner, who was, as far as the cadets were concerned, God, and carried a starter, a small switch to be applied to laggard cadets. Describes the regular RN staff -- just sufficient crew to run the ship -- all experienced and many were "badgemen" (long service badges). First cruise to the West Indies, second, and harsher cruise to Norway in the winter. Comments on the Captain who always had cadets to breakfast or dinner, in order to assess them in a "social" setting. As a Midshipman (1937) appointed to HMS Sussex (cruiser) which became part of the Spithead Naval Review for King George VI. Digresses to a NATO review for the Queen (1969?) when Murdoch was the Canadian Military Representative at NATO. Excited about the Royal yacht Britannia, for a dinner -- wonderfully served. In the Mediterranean in HMS Sussex where the first "real" gunroom was experienced. A friendly Sub-Lieutenant in charge, with six whacks on the backside being the alternative to the friendly approach. (Cassette 1, Side 2) R/Adm. Murdoch concluded that one of six was sufficient to imbue a healthy respect for authority. Explains the purpose of midshipman training where specific duties are expected. Considerable training was done in the Greek Islands. Experienced Non-Intervention Patrols during the Spanish Civil War. They were bombed and later picked up British subjects and delivering them to French or African ports. The British wanted to remove the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem from Palestine since he was causing some trouble. Murdoch commanded a boat-load of marines sent ashore to the Port of Haifa to kidnap the Grand Mufti for eventual exile in the Seychelle Islands. Saved one of Gen. Franco's sons from an air-crash at sea. Met the Generalissimo. A great education. Trained in destroyers -- comments on the excellent training that he received from the late R/Adm. H.F. Pullen who was Flotilla Gunnery Officer. After leave in Canada, returned to the UK for Sub-Lieutenant's courses. Not at Greenwich, but at Portsmouth (Whale Island) where he was cured of Gunnery and opted for Signals. The war started and, because Canada was not yet in the war, in the interval, Murdoch was promoted and placed in command of a large yacht patrolling Portsmouth Harbour, the Solent, etc. In late September navigator of an old coat-burning sloop, HMS Foxglove. Convoys escorted to Brest. Heavy fog during which the Foxglove ran aground (since most ships were doing it there was no court of "inquiry"! Later joined HMCS Skeena under Lt. Cmdr. J.C. Hibbard. Early convoy work including both the East and West coasts of England. Was sent on the Long Signals course (with R/Adm. Sterling) at that time at Portsmouth where air-raid precautions were included in their duties. The signals school was moved to a quieter area and he stayed on as an instructor. In 1941 he returned to Canada as Chief Instructor at the Canadian Signals School at St. Hyacinthe, Que, commanded by Capt. A.P. Musgrave. Remained for approx. three years. Wrote a report on U.S. Navy communications and whether the Canadian Navy should adopt some of their methods. His comments were not appreciated by the Director of Signals in Ottawa and resulted in his appointment as Communications Officer of the 11th Destroyer Flotilla operating at Trincomalee in Ceylon (1944). Comments on the U.S. Navy method of, in effect, man management. Strange, Murdoch thought but on balance, effective. (Cassette 2, Side 1) Joined the Flotilla Leader at Trincomalee (April 1944). Anecdotes including being handed the letter asking him to volunteer for the war against Japan while they were actually engaged in shelling the Malayan Peninsula in support of minesweepers. Sailed into Singapore to take the surrender of the Japanese navy, destroyers, cruisers, Kamikaze boats with Canadian-made Chevrolet engines, and others. The Japanese were very correct in all respects even offering to provide naval patrols, under the RN, to maintain order, gather weapons, etc. Very well-organized tour of the communication and spare parts facilities. Murdock tested this when he required the Japanese to produce a tube for his American radio -- and they did. A Japanese admiral offered Murdock his sextant and binoculars before they could be "liberated" by someone else and he still has them. R/Adm. Murdock recalls some convoy experiences spent in Atlantic convoys in HMCS Skeena with Cmdr. J.C. Hibbard (who may have been suffering from considerable strain). Comments on Reports of Proceedings. Very much in accordance with the "good" things that happened. Refers to the Canadian-made radar sets as largely being "junk" (SWIC and SWIC II). Feels on balance that Canadian industry did well, but not as well as the British and Americans did. More on the Canadians at "TRINCO". Anecdotes. Some more experiences with Japanese coast defence. RN destroyers were paid off and Murdock at a loose end for six months so the RN taught him to fly, although not up to the final standard. Returned to Canada (1946) as Deputy Director of the Signal Division and comments on Capt. Sam Worth, the Director. Appointed to the Army staff course, a considerable change of pace.
Interviewer: Lawrence, Hal
Interviewee: Murdoch, Robert Waugh, b. 1918
- In Collection:
- 3 sound recordings (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- Original sound recordings on two audio cassettes also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- MRW_263
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/hal-lawrence-collection
- April 26, 2013
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Murdoch_R_0263_01.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Murdoch_R_0263_02.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
Murdoch_R_0263_03.mp3 |
|
|
|
Murdoch_R_0263.jpg |
|