Ray Bromley

Ray was born September 21st 1921 in Brighton and his early years were spent at a boy’s home. At the age of 16, he joined the navy and after basic training, Ray was posted to HMS Mohawk, a newly built Tribal Class destroyer launched on 9 September 1938. His first experience was the Spanish Civil War, and when war was declared on 3 September, Ray and Mohawk were in the Red Sea and were sent back to Britain.

While at HMS Excellent, Ray trained in Anti-aircraft becoming an AA3 rating. While in the Med, he took part in several battles and experiences including The Spanish Civil War, Norway, The Altmark, Battle of Calabria, Battle of Cape Matapan and Battle of the Tarigo Convoy.

During the battle of Tarigo Convoy, HMS Mohawk was hit by two torpedoes and started sinking. Fortunately Ray was able to get off and was picked up by HMS Jervis, which he would spend a few weeks on until reaching Malta. Also on HMS Jervis was Sid Kipling, one of his friends who would also volunteer for the RN Commandos.

Once Ray arrived in Malta harbour, he spent 3 Months providing AA cover to the Island. During a voyage back to the UK for further AA2 training, he heard an announcement for “special” duties. He did not want to get reassigned to a battleship or larger ship, so he volunteered. He was the first man in the queue outside the Master at Arms office and even though he was AA trained, which was sourly needed in the Mediterranean, he was allowed to volunteer.

He arrived at HMS Armadillo on 14th February ready for his RN Commando training, and joined many others forming N Commando. N Commando finished their training and were sent to HMS Foliot III to make an assault course, later returning to Achnacarry to finish their RN Commando training and receiving their knives and berets. However, they would not arrive until they shipped off for the Sicily Invasion, Operation Husky and the invasion of Sicily on 10th June.

Once Ray and N commando had finished the Sicily invasion, they prepared for the Invasion of Italy and Operation Baytown. They finished this and a selection of smaller landings before being shipped off back to HMS Saunders training camp, where they would take part in many training exercises and prepare for the invasion of Rhodes, though this was later changed to Anzio and Operation shingle. Ray enjoyed Christmas dinner at Saunders, before being told of the coming invasion at Anzio.

On 22 January '44, Ray landed with N Commando at Anzio, where they incurred their worst casualties. While Ray and some others of N commando were carrying ammunition and Grenades out of their billets at Anzio, the trucks outside were hit by a German big gun called Anzio Annie. The shell landed between the trucks and injured and killed some of their shipmates. LT. Russell, Rays commanding officer, was one of the ones injured, losing his leg.

Ray and N commando left Anzio in April. They moved up the east coast of Italy during ’44 and ’45 to the harbours, small rivers and ports. Their last adventure was at the lagoons at Camacchio in April 1945, and in June 1945 the majority of N commando headed back to HMS Armadillo. Once N commando were back up to strength at Armadillo they started training for the invasion of Japan. After the bombs were dropped and Japan surrendered, N commando were tasked with the care and maintenance of landing craft and it was here that Ray would be promoted to Leading Seaman. In November 1945 Rays Unit, N commando were disbanded and his war was finally over.

He was never shy about talking about his war experiences, as well as documenting and writing his experiences down, and for that I will be forever grateful.

His IWM recording can be found here

L/S Ray Bromley
S/SX. 26315
N Commando