INSPIRED by ‘a very full life’ Redditch man Roger Henry Lippett has written a book on his life which began living on the Batchley Estate. He went on to serve in the Royal Navy and wants to share his story.
He was born on January 30 1939 on the council estate, with his dad’s name Henry, being given to him as his middle name.
Here he sheds light on his life family and friends as a social record of sorts that may be of interest to his children, grandchildren and the people of Redditch.
Although he said he had never achieved great wealth or fame he felt his life had moments worth recounting.
In his words: “I now live in the beautiful city of Plymouth in Devon but I will always be a Batchley boy.
“Far have I traveled, and much have I seen and this is my story, serialised in the Redditch Standard.”
Chapter 14
MY DRAFT to HMS Reclaim was classed as home sea service though this ranged from the North Sea and Norwegian fjords and as far south as the Canary Islands.
I lived in the Petty Officers mess on Reclaim and so I was responsible for catering for about 20 mess members.
My training as a marine engineer did not really prepare me for ordering sacks of potatoes and vegetables and sides of beef but somehow I managed and did not get too many complaints and nobody starved.
It was while we were at sea somewhere around the Canary Islands I received a most important telegram.
It read: “To PO Lippett HMS Reclaim, Girl 7/1/2 pounds. Mother and daughter both well.”
So that was how I found out I was a father.
It was to be many weeks before we returned to our Lochinvar base and I would be able to see and hold my daughter for the first time. I would miss much of her growing up years as I would spend so much time at sea or away from home.
After one long absence I arrived home to find out she could walk and talk and the first words I heard her speak were: “Mummy who’s this man?”
Our passage home to our Scottish base was always eagerly anticipated but this time it was extra special for me as I would have the opportunity to see my little girl for the first time.
When I was on watch down in the engine room, I would always manage to coax an extra few revs from the engines and it was always a joy to witness the Forth rail bridge come into view.
On this particular passage home we hit some very bad weather when crossing the Bay of Biscay which was often the case as the bay is notorious for stormy weather.
It was about a quarter to midnight and I had just been given a shake to keep the middle watch (midnight to 4am) when a huge wave hit the ship broadside on.
One of the scuttles had not been closed down securely and the sea burst it open and the seas poured through into our bunk space and soaking everyone as they slept with icy cold water.
Fortunately for me I was out of my bunk by then and into overalls so I didn’t get a soaking as most of my messmates did.
It was such a joy to be home with my wife Rose again and to see and hold my lovely daughter.
This of course is Susanne and Rose entrusted me to go to the registry office to register the birth which I managed to get wrong. It should have been Suzanne but I made it Susanne. It did not make any difference though because she was much loved whatever the spelling.
However, it wasn’t long before we were off to sea again and this time we were operating off the east coast of Scotland and we often called into the lovely little town of Invergordon.
