Bob Bloom, Sick Bay Attendant, HMS 'Grenade' ©
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Read this introduction to Bob Bloom's story, then listen to him describe his experiences, using the links at the foot of this page.

Corporal Bob Bloom joined the Royal Navy in 1938, signing on for twelve years. He did his disciplinary course in Chatham Barracks, then transferred up to the Royal Naval Hospital in Gillingham where he learned the craft of nursing until the outbreak of war.

He was still a probationary when the war started and was posted to HMS Grenade at Harwich. He was in the first and the second battle of Narvik, and the evacuation of Namsos - caring for many badly burned and wounded men.

After Norway, his ship received orders to proceed to a 'place called Dunkirk'. Everybody thought this was in Scotland, at first, and no one was told what the voyage was for - so no preparations were made to receive the wounded.

Over the next few days he made several trips to and from Dunkirk, looking after the sick as best he could, until the ship was bombed. He was seriously injured and had to fight for his own survival.

	'Where the hell's Dunkirk?' Play audio Read transcript

	Getting injured Play audio Read transcript

	Abandoning ship Play audio Read transcript

	Finally rescued Play audio Read transcript
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