After the Bismark sank, HMS Dorsetshire went in toe look for survivors. Vernon Brill told me they threw nets and ropes and anything the survivors could hang on to the side over the ship and hauled them up. One lad caught a hold of Vernon and wouldn't let go; he looked as if he they could have been friends at school, Vernon said. They offered them tea but they German sailors refused it, thinking it was poisoned, until one of their officer, whom Vernon said, spoke with an Oxford accent, said it would be all right. Then came a warning of U-boats and an order for the Dorsetshire to withdraw. Vernon looked up and saw tears streaming down the face of the Captain as he rang the telegraph to start the engines and leave. Those who had been almost saved and were close to the ship were sucked in but the propellers. Vernon was given medals but refused to wear them on Remembrance Day parades because they were given for killing young men who, in other circumstances, could have been his friends.

www.sullatoberdalton.com/books