Former Navy man’s mission to track down his old pals

Jul 24 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

WORLD War II veteran David McIntyre who moved to Australia more than 50 years ago has set himself a new mission to track down old Hamilton friends.

David is originally from the Low Quarry, Hamilton, and served in the Royal Navy.

He moved to Altona Meadows, Hobsons Bay, in 1956 with his wife Jessie and two children, Stuart and Grace.

During his service with the Navy he was awarded several medals including the Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Burma Star, Malta George Cross, and Russian War medal.

He served on HMS Kashmmir during the battle of Crete and on the HMS Nubian, escorting battle ships while shadowing convoys to Russia.

Mac, as his comrades referred to him, survived many ship attacks, evacuations and battles.

The 83-year-old Navy serviceman said of his time in the Service: “My feet never touched the ground. We were moving all the time.”

He believes his basic training in the Isle of Man helped prepare him for his experience.

“I think they try to kill you before you get to war. It was really hard going even though I was young, adventurous, and liked ships.

“When you’re young you don’t seem to take it as hard as older people. I was fit and played a lot of football. It was quite an experience.”

David, who attended St John’s Grammar School in the town, moved to Australia because he had two young children and says it offered him a better lifestyle.

Now a grandfather of five, he is keen to track down some old friends with whom he was brought up in Hamilton.

David’s nephew, James McIntyre, urged anyone who knew David to get in touch.

James said: “He just wants to find some old friends and find out what they are doing.”

Anyone wishing to get in touch with David should first contact James on 01698 421344. He will forward their details onto his uncle.