Joe Steele 16th October 1916 - 9th March 2010

[Nick Clark]

In memory of a good friend, Joe Steele who passed away on the 9th March 2010

Part of his long and eventful service in the RNPS can be read on this web site
http://www.harry-tates.org.uk/veteranstales7.htm

More on Joe's Naval Career:
Served aboard HM Trawlers based in GB, 1939-1942; served aboard HMS Pytchley, 21st Destroyer Flotilla based in GB, 1942-1943; served in various signal shore stations in Egypt, 1943-
Worked as dock labourer, 1936-1939,
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at HMS Eaglet, Salthouse Docks, 2/1936-9/1939,
Learnt visual signalling flags and Morse code. Qualified as signalman and attachment to HMS Cardiff during Naval Week at Chatham, 7/1936
RNVR; call up, 28/8/1939; Drake Barracks, Devonport, Plymouth, 8/1939-11/1939:
Detachment on signal duties at Rame Head Signal Station;
Drake Barracks, Devonport; training in convoy signals and international flag code.
Royal Naval Patrol Service at Lowestoft, 11/1939-12/1939:
HMS Ellsmere. Period as signaller aboard HM Trawlers Dalmatia and Darthema based at North Shields, Great Yarmouth and Portland, 12/1939-2/1942:
HMT Darthema; duties as signaller on bridge using Morse code on Aldis lamp and acting as lookout; aircraft recognition training.
While minesweeping in the Channel a German air attack was carried out on HMT Syringa and Reboundo; successfully hit an attacking JU88 with Lewis gun fire and was awarded the DSM
9th Minesweeping Flotilla at Portland; laying buoys in swept channels
Recommendation for commission. Period at HMS King Alfred Shore Station, Hove,
Period as leading signaller aboard HMS Pytchley, 21st Destroyer Flotilla based at Sheerness, Solent and Scapa Flow, 4/1942-1/1943:
Loch Ewe period on Russian convoys, 1/1943-3/1943:
Scapa Flow. Period with 21st Destroyer Flotilla on East coast convoys, 3/1943-7/1943.
Period attending advance signalling course at Signal School, Devonport, 7/1943:
HMS Nile Shore Station, Alexandria, 9/1943-3/1944:
Period attending advanced course at Signal School, HMS Canopus Shore Station,
Alexandria, 3/1944-8/1944:
Acting yeoman of signals at Signal Station, HMS Stag Shore Station, Port Suez, 10/1944-3/1945:
:HMS Nile Shore Station, Alexandria, 3/1945-9/1945.
GB, 9/1945. Demobilisation, 9/1945

Rest In Peace