Hayes, William P.: my Navy recollections (August 7, 1985)
PublicABSTRACT: Commodore William P. Hayes Royal Canadian Navy (Cassette 1, Side 1) CMDRE Hayes was originally from Swift Current, Sask., where his father was a lawyer. Entered RMC in 1937, summer training with the navy. Accepted for the RCN in 1939. Two anecdotes of serving under Patrick Budge (Snotty's Nurse). Sent to Dartmouth for two terms (war started, no training ship) then a year and a half with the British fleet as a Midshipman. Joined the cruiser HMS Liverpool (1940). Torpedoed by Italian aircraft off Crete and badly damaged. Repaired in California while Hayes was re-appointed to HMS York, an 8" gun cruiser. Was in the attack on the Italian Fleet at Taranto. York, at Suda Bay, Crete, was attacked by Italian X-craft, (Motored torpedo - one man crew) and had to be beached. Comment on the poor state of RN anti-aircraft gunnery. After a period ashore at Alexandria Hayes was appointed to the destroyer HMS Isis and participated in evacuation of Crete. Then during the Syrian campaign they were hit by a bomb off Haifa and severely damaged. For a short time in HMS Valiant sunk by Italian frog men the day after he left. (Cassette 1, Side 2) Jumps forward with tales of additional gunnery courses at Whale Island near Portsmouth. In late 1941 Hayes returned to Canada via New York where as acting Sub-lieutenant he and others were royally treated. As an aside Hayes tells a story about his various sinking's and, to replace his kit, he was able to call on his father for funds. Leave in Canada, joined HMCS Iroquois then building in the UK. Favourable comment on the first captain, Cmdr. W.B.L. Holmes. Hayes remained in Iroquois under three captains for the remainder of the war, from Acting Sub-Lieutenant to First Lieutenant. Convoy off Spain, a few sinking's occurred, picked up many survivors including a few Germans (c.1943) Cmdr. J.C. Hibbard now the captain who was "a splendid Captain under fighting conditions". Had an "Actions Information Centre" or plot and thus could control the tactical situation battle from below. Hibbard a bit jumpy in small things but in action, "like a rock". Before becoming First Lieutenant, Hayes had been Gunnery Control Officer during many night actions in the English Channel. Refers to brush with the German Scharnhorst which was later sunk by HMS Duke of York (battleship). After a miss-start or two Hayes became First Lieutenant for Hibbard. Leave in London. War ended, returned to Canada.
An interview/narrative of William P. Hayes's experiences during World War II. Commodore Hayes served in the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on August 7, 1985.
Interviewer: Lawrence, Hal
Interviewee: Hayes, William P.
Rank: Commodore.
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 40.71427, -74.00597
- One sound cassette copy (ca. 120 min.) in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- HWP_272
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/hal-lawrence-collection
- July 27, 2012
- 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 2012. 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
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