Jenson, Latham Bereton: my Navy recollections (October 1, 1986)
PublicInterviewer: Lawrence, Hal
Rank: Commander.
An interview/narrative of Latham Bereton Jenson's experiences during World War II. Commander Jenson served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on October 1, 1986.
ABSTRACT: Cmdr. Latham B. Jenson Royal Canadian Navy (Cassette 1, Side 1) Cmdr. Jenson joined the Navy in 1938 after serving in the Sea Cadets in Calgary from the age of twelve where training including cutlass drill as performed by their former RN instructors. His father gave consideration to a number of naval options for him -- Conway, RMC and the regular new entry programme -- and he decided on the latter. Interviewed by Lt. Cmdr. Mainguy in Ottawa and deemed to be acceptable officer material. To the UK and outfitting by Gieves he joined the monitor HMS Erebus. Comment on Gieves. Three months in the monitor and then to HMS Frobisher for an additional three months. Discusses training and the social order desired in the service, civil service, etc. Training cruise in HMS Vindictive to Scapa Flow and Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, France. August 1939, passed and became a midshipman. Chose to go to the China Station although the Mediterranean Fleet was popular and a very good professional choice. Joined HMS Renown (battleship) supposedly leaving for the China Station. The ship had not been fully worked-up so made a number of forays into the North Sea including the Skagenak where the ship accidently entered a minefield, luckily without damage. Returning to Scapa Jenson found himself in command of a forty-five foot picket boat. Renown was bombed at Scapa some damage. Sailed for Sierra Leone with HMS Ark Royal (carrier). Searched to South Atlantic for the German Graf Spee (pocket battleship). His picket boat did night patrols off Freetown with the crew armed with cutlasses. Feels it was great work for an eighteen-year old Midshipman. Anecdotes of the captain and gunnery practice. Sixty-eight days at sea then Rio de Janeiro. The Battle of the River Plate took place while Renown was fuelling so they sailed for Sierra Leone. Escorted HMS Exeter, the major participant in the River Plate battle, from Ascension Island to Sierra Leone -- a freshly painted and repaired vessel -- at least until Jenson went aboard and discovered that the interior was a complete wreck -- blood, fire damage, etc. From the outside the ship looked spotless -- wooden guns as required, well-painted patches, etc. A good psychological move. Jenson was basically an observer. Later he found that the gunroom had been hit and all his possessions had been completely destroyed. Jenson next joined HMS Matabele (destroyer) which was in dry-dock in Falmouth. His particular gun, the pom-pom was mounted ashore for use during air raids. (Cassette 2, Side 1) Jenson put in a claim for all the gear he had lost in Renown but was only allowed fifty percent of the amount, unfortunately not sufficient! Additional air raid anecdotes. Matabele took over a French ship that was eventually re-commissioned in the Free French navy. In Matabele Jenson was the Navigator's assistant and the Supply Officer for the ship. To Scapa then attacked German convoys off Norway. After Matabele he was appointed to HMS Hood (battlecruiser) that he really did not find to be in good condition. The officers on board were very considerate and helped the senior midshipmen greatly in preparation for their sub-lieutenant's exams (April 1941). Left the Hood three weeks before she was sunk. To Whale Island on subs courses and spent some time during air raids on watch. After passing and after leave he joined HMCS Ottawa. Speaks of a number of captains that he experienced in Ottawa and most had their eccentricities, some more dangerous than others. Gives his account of the torpedoing and sinking of the Ottawa just they were reaching WESTOMP (the Western Ocean Meeting Point). (Cassette 2, Side 2) Explains how he came to be saved -- and by whom. After leave he was appointed First Lieutenant of HMCS Niagara (ex-U.S. destroyer). Second interview begins -- Oct. 24, 1985. Recounts how he met the Captain and joined as First Lieutenant. With the coxswain he changed a good proportion of the crew. Some comment on the former captain "Two Gun" Ryan. Much convoy work in the winter of 1943. These old ships had a continuing problem with rust, mechanical failures and were unpleasant sea boats. Despite this Niagara served well as the crew became better trained. Jenson mentions the differences between the RCN methods and the RN ones, that didn't always work for Canadians. New captain appointed -- Lt. Cmdr. W.H. Willson. (Cassette 3, Side 1) Had a few short trips under Willson including one memorable occasion when the starboard anchor dropped just as they were passing the Admiral. Comments on Willson and his peculiarities. Appointed to HMCS Niobe in Glasgow. Joined HMS Valentine which was then building and was to be turned over to the Canadian Navy. For a short time he had command of HMCS Long Branch a new Castle-class corvette, commissioned on Jan. 1, 1944. In Feb. turned over command to Lt. Cmdr. Skinner. Eventually returned to Valentine now HMCS Algonquin where he was First Lieutenant under Lt. Cmdr. D.W. Piers. Speaks of running the ship for Cmdr. Piers. Recounts action against German ships transiting the Norwegian Leads. Explains an ABU -- automatic barrage unit, radar control, fired the anti-aircraft guns when an enemy plane came within 1500 yards, resulting in a curtain of fire. Participated in the D-Day assault and with an artillery officer aboard who was able to destroy enemy strong points inland (apparently by indirect fire). Also destroyed coast defence guns (Sword Beach). With HMS Swift coming into an anchorage the Swift hit a mine and Algonquin needing a Whaler and additional breach blocks, sent a party over to the sinking ship and although some "loot" was obtained, the Whaler was not! One patrol to Omaha Beach then back to Sword. Successful, under enemy shell fire, in obtaining the 293 radar from the mast of HMS Swift, still above water. Algonquin visited North Russia -- anecdote about engineer officer somewhat the worse for drink, creating a disturbance on the Red Officers Club. In April, 1945 returned to Scapa, fuelled in the Clyde, returned to Newfoundland and then to Halifax. (ends about half way)
Interviewee: Jenson, Latham Bereton
- In Collection:
- 6 sound recordings (MP3)
- 51.05011, -114.08529
- Original sound recordings on three audio cassettes also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- JLB_288
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/hal-lawrence-collection
- January 15, 2015
- 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 2015. 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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