Memories of Service 2 - Joseph Pedersen

Web (Full Length) – 2016

From North Atlantic convoy protection to the invasions of Sicily and the Italian mainland, Joseph Pedersen was there. His entire naval career was spent as a sonar operator on two destroyers, HMS Walker and HMS Lookout. The latter was the only destroyer of eight in its class to survive WWll. Harrowing stories of sinkings, dive bombings and helping in the recovery of bodies from a bombed London school, are balanced by the strange coincidences and humour of war. Aged 90 when interviewed, Pedersen's recall of long ago events is outstanding. Pedersen passed away on 29 March 2017.

Boom, boom, and the whole ship would shake. And every time it did that I’d have to change my nappies. They called me Chicken Joe after that. I wasn’t a very brave sailor.
– Joseph Pedersen