Oral History Recording with Frederick Pyle

Digital sound recording in six parts

Subject: Merchant Navy; Catering Department, Deck Department: Saloon Boy, Ordinary Seaman, Able Seaman, Quartermaster, Boatswain (Bosun)

OHY/6/99/1 – 01:40:15; 2.2 GB; 4/5
OHY/6/99/2 – 01:39:16; 2.1 GB; 4/5
OHY/6/99/3 – 01:48:11; 2.3 GB; 4/5
OHY/6/99/4 – 01:49:58; 2.4 GB; 4/5
OHY/6/99/5 – 01:49:22; 2.4 GB; 4/5
OHY/6/99/6 – 00:50:19; 1 GB; 4/5

This interview contains language and opinions that may cause offence. All views expressed are the interviewee's own.

Frederick Pyle was born in Fareham in 1896. He first went to sea in the catering department as a Saloon Boy but disliked it and moved to deck crew. Here he worked as an Ordinary Seaman, Able Seaman, Quartermaster and finally Bosun. He spent time on cable laying ships, passenger ships, cargo ships and was employed for a season on a yacht. He remained at sea during the First World War and offers details of being torpedoed twice. This interview covers all aspects of his working life at sea. He retired at 62.

Administrative / biographical background
Oral history with Frederick Pyle conducted by Campbell McMurray