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Bracknell RNA
C/O 14 Vandyke
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 8UP
Tel: 01344 422016
Fax: 01252 861114
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Shipmate Ron Miller
The moto of the Royal Naval Association is 'Once Navy Always Navy'











Name: Ron Miller

DOB: 09/03/26

Rank on Discharge: AB(ST) - 2 Badge

Date Joined: 28/06/43

Month Discharged: Sept 1952

First Ship: HMS Diadem

Best Ship: HMS Diadem

Why: Because it was the war time and the crew was very tight nit and shipmates helped each other – All for one and One for All.

Worst Ship: Royal Naval Barracks Portsmouth

Why: Because I hated shore based

Short Life Script: I was born At Twickenham on 9th March.1926, my early memories were at the age of 13 with W WII starting and the Blitz that followed, I lived In an air raid shelter for 3 years until I put my age up (as you know…a little porkie) to join the Royal Navy in 1943.

I saw service in the North Atlantic, on six convoys to Russia and back, Normandy, patrols off the French and Norwegian coast onboard HMS Diadem, when the war with Germany ended I saw service in the far east onboard HMS Berry Head, after the war with Japan ended I served on the China station, Korea and Malaya on HMS Alacrity. As I was told I was to old at 28 for foreign service I left the Royal Navy after 10 Years (and seeking further adventure) I joined the Royal Fusiliers and became a Signal Platoon Sergeant serving a further 3 years in the Suez Canal Zone and in the Sudan.

I hold the 1939 to 1945 Star, Atlantic Star, France And Germany Star, Pacific Star, Arctic Medal (Russian Convoys), Naval General Service Medal (Malaya), Army General Service Medal (Canal Zone), and Two Russian Commemoration Medals.

On leaving the forces I worked for Sperry Gyroscope at Brentford. in 1957 I married Pam and we were blessed with three daughters, Lynn. Janet And Karen. They were followed by my 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. (At the last count)

In 1958 Pam and I moved to Bracknell and I spent 24 years with Ferranti at Western and Doncastle Rd. I took voluntary redundancy, and then worked for Halfords until my retirement.

I was one of the founder members of F.C. Bracknell, and spent several years as Manager and Coach to junior footballers and goalkeepers in particular. I still supports F.C Bracknell’s “Simons Arrows” a team his grandson plays for. My one regret was getting to old to coach them.

I am active member and the Secretary of the Bracknell RNA’

Worst thing that ever happened: As an AB(ST) took my AB rate away and made me an electricians mate. But the could not take my Torpedo rate away – this was the main reason I left the Royal Navy and Joined the Army, the Royal Fusiliers.

When I stopped in Sydney Barracks (Gold Hind) I saw the ex-Japanese prisons of war being repatriated, the sight of the emaciated bodies disturbed me and my ship mates, we realised how lucky we were.

Amusing Events in the Service: Ashore with an oppo in Hong Kong, there was no Liberty Boat back to the ship (HMS Alactory) so we borrowed a dingy, paddled with our hands past the flag ship (HMS Tyne), got to our ship, climbed up the boom and let the dinghy float away. Thus getting back on board un detected.

“During the War” When based at HMS Vernon in Pompey (Portsmouth) (Now a Shopping Centre) I had a large boil on my neck, which was heavily bandaged, it was very embarrassing when everyone was buying me drinks because they thought I had been wounded.

When placed on a Charge and Why: We used to hitch hike from Pompey to Kingston, no one would give a lift because that previously that month a matelot had beaten and robbed a kind person that gave a lift. As a result myself and my oppo arrived back at the ship at 1100 the next morning.

My run ashore oppo was drunk as a skunk in Sydney, he was insulting the local population thinking they were from a brothel, I lost my cool and thumped him. The police were called and they locked him up. When I went back on board, he came at me with a knife and one of the Royal Marine Corporal in the mess disarmed him in seconds, thus saving my life.

My 15 minutes of Fame: Whilst trialling for goalie for Portsmouth FC and I broke my Tib & Fib – my claim to fame is wearing the Portsmouth FC Shirt with a chance of playing for the team. When I came out of hospital hobbling through HMS Collingwood on crutches I was picked up for not Saluting Officer by a Warrant Officer (Who just happened to be the Sports Officer).


In this section:
Bracknell RNA - Photographs
Peter & Joan Allen visit RNA Ontario
RNA Hit Bletchley Park
Shipmate Ron Miller

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