Two weeks later - 18th November, 1941 - he left home.
He joined his first ship - the newly commissioned HMS Cleopatra - in Greenock sailing for Gibraltar on 5th February 1942. There is a vivid description of this first voyage at http://www.world-war.co.uk/cleopatra2_story.php3
The ship was attacked by aircraft and bombed on the way to Gibraltar and again during this first convy to Malta. His notebook dscribes a near-miss outside Malta to HMS Fortune. It omits to mention that the Cleopatra was hit by a bomb which passed right through the decks and exploded beneath the ship. During their two weeks in Malta the crew alternated between manning the guns, unloading supplies and sleeping in shelters in the harbour.
From Malta, HMS Cleopatra was pressed into service to escort another convoy returning to Alexandria.
From Alexandria, HMS Cleopatra set out with Dennis to intercept the Italian fleet. The Cleopatra had a very active role in the Battle of Sirte on 13th March 1942 - see the photographs at http://www.world-war.co.uk/cleopatra2_story.php3
Dennis was hit by shrapnel either during the Battle of Sirte or during an air attack on the return journey to Alexandria.
He now turns up on 23rd May 1942 in Number 8 General Hospital, Alexandria.
His next ship will be the ill-fated HMS Medway.
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