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 FRANK S.
TAYLOR FAMILY AND ROYAL NAVY
HISTORY.NET 
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H.M.S. SCARAB
JAMES (JIM) McKEAN
24 October 1943 – 4
August 1944
Petty Officer (Engine Room)
Royal Navy
Petty Officer James (Jim)
McKean was born on 17.May
1912 in Blyth, Northumberland. He joined the Royal Navy in 1940, served on HMS Hyacinth
(British Flower Class Corvette) which was engaged for defence of convoys and
anti-submarine operations between Alexandria
and Tobruk. Jim went on to serve on HMS Scarab (Insect Class River Gunboat) as
Petty Officer (Engine Room). He served on HMS Scarab from 24 October
1943 to 4 August 1944.
In October 2010 an email was received from
the daughter of James McKean, Petty Officer (Engine Room) on Scarab.
Ann Simonson who lives in Norway.
“I have that
group photo. My Father was on the third row, 6th from the left. I have another group photo of the officers. Strange to
see this photo on the internet.
My Father was 89 when he died in
2001. He served aboard HMS Hyacinth, I don’t have any other names but he was
in the navy from 1940 till 1946. His father was also named James and he was killed in the First
World War, leaving a widow and 5 children behind. What a hard life the people
in those days must have had.”
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Christmas Card 1943
(picture of Scarab) and Jim’s greetings to his wife and baby Ann. Written
on the back of the card Ann’s Mum wrote “Jim arrived home from the
Mediterranean September 3rd 1944 and from the Pacific January 5th 1946.
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Certificate of Service
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Collingwood
Victory
Nile (Hyacinth)
Nile (Scarab)
St
Angelo (Scarab)
Victory
Shrapnel
(Fogmo)
Victory
Mayina
Lauha
(Pincher)
Mayina
Victory
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29.
4.41 - 19. 6.41
20.
6.41 - 12. 2.42
13.
2.42 - 23.10.43
24.10.43 - 30. 6.44
1. 7.44 - 4.
8.44
5. 8.44 -18.10.44
19.10.44 -30. 5.45
31.
5.45 -29. 6.45
30.
6.45 -20. 8.45
21.
8.45 -25.11.45
26.11.45 -16.12.45
17.12.45 - 6.
4.46
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Released
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War
gratuity & post war credit of wages:
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29.4.44 - 30.1.46:
1.1.42 -
6.4.46:
Total:
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39 pounds 18 shillings
38 pounds 18 shillings & 6pence
78 pounds 16 shillings & 6pence
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His daughter Ann Simonsen adds:
Seems like Dad served on several ships. I had always heard
that as well. I don’t know any details of the other ships. My dad didn’t
speak much about the war years, he was awarded some
medals but refused to collect them, why I do not know.
As I
live in Norway
I have learned a bit about when they were occupied during the war and the
bravery of the people. My daughter-in-law’s grandmother was sent to Germany to a
labour camp and was there for years. Her husband and other members of
her family were executed in Finnmark, Norway.
She wrote a book about it a few years before she died.
I had 2 uncles on my mother’s
side also in the navy. A Christmas card from one of them from 1945 (HMS
Colossus). Also 2
Uncles in the army and 3 in the Air Force. One Uncle was shot down over
Germany and is buried
there, another uncle was in the army and was shot in Holland and is buried there.
Wars are dreadful but it seems like the human
race never learns.
HMS Scarab 1944
Crew members (left)including Rags the dog
And crew member (right) with
Jenny the monkey.
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H.M.S.
Hyacinth 4 Mess
Menu
Christmas Day 1942
Breakfast:
Sausages - eggs -
fried bread
Coffee or tea
Dinner:
Roast pork - apple
sauce
Cauliflower -baked
& boiled potatoes
Apple pie - custard
&c.
Tea:
Mince pies
Peaches - pears -
jelly &c.
Supper:
Cheese - pickles -
sausage rolls
Coffee
Cigarettes
A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE MESS
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On the back are 14 signatures
A photo of 2 shipmates from HMS Hyacinth April 1942
Roffy (left) and Mitch.
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