Once through the Canal, it was on to Christmas Island. A beard growing competition was held to end with the judging for the longest, worst and ugliest beards upon the eve of our arrival in Hawaii. It was good fun, and some asked to be allowed to keep theirs which had to pass muster for condition before being allowed ashore in Hawaii. One of our helicopters netted a giant turtle that was swimming along minding its own. I believe the Officer's Chef made it into soup.
     We arrived at Christmas Island early March, took up our anchorage, offloaded stores and personnel. We then took on board approx 400 servicemen who had been preparing the Island for almost a year for a quick R&R trip to Hawaii. Three days to get there, stayed three days and three days back. Quite an experience for most who had never set foot on any kind of ship before, and amusing when it came to understanding the naval terminology.
     We arrived at Aloha Tower on 13th March, were met on the quayside by an US Army band and Hula dancers, who then came onboard and gave us a traditional Hawaii welcome, draping garlands around some necks whilst with that hip swaying movement danced a welcome on the aft lift, inviting some to join in.
     Back at Christmas Island we got back to the job in hand, flying exercises with the RAF, dummy runs for the drop, ship wetting etc. Also the close down routine and get the hell out of here, when all ships company mustered a few decks down and all hatches were shut. The only air being circulated was that on this deck, so movement was restricted. Sandwiches and fruit were our diet for the day, whilst the ship steamed as fast as possible to escape any fall-out should things go wrong. Fortunately this operation was not called upon.
     Our leisure time was spent playing deck hockey, volley ball, table tennis and uckers (ludo) on a very large board, a bucket was the dice shaker. Some did keep fit, we had a boxing competition, but in the main we kept up preparations for the coming of D Day.
      Christmas Island is just above the Equator, and Neptune made his visit on a great fun day which ended with a large hose being turned onto the stage and its Officers sitting there got a good soaking. All took this in good fun, Commander Robin Begg weighing in at approx 18 stone decided to jump into the inflatable pools taking quite a number of lads with him. For many it was the first time they had crossed the line, and everyone had a certificate issued. Although we wore quite a rut in the Pacific with all our trips between Christmas and Malden Islands, some 16 times in all (no other British ship has matched this) Neptune only made the one visit.
     We had taken on board a contingent from the Fijian RNVR for training. A great bunch of guys who joined in with the ships routine. They bestowed the highest honour of Qualogalor on Commodore Hicks, at a whale tooth ceremony. When they left the ship at the end of Grapple they circled the ship in a cutter singing 'You are my sunshine'. I believe Nobby Naylor still communicates with big Bill, now resident in New Zealand.
     The work up to the first bomb drop was now almost complete. Before the test our Avengers and the RAF carried out air searches. The New Zealand frigates carried out anti-submarine searches, other ships and aircraft patrolled the No-Go area, Malden Island was evacuated and weather checks made by both Naval & RAF Units.
     D Day, 15th May was upon us. At 0740 hrs Warrior took up position approx 20 miles from Malden upwind of Ground Zero, to await the dropping of Britain's first nuclear device by a RAF Valiant bomber. All the crew apart from those on duty were assembled on the flight in the dress of the day. 'No.8's, vest & pants, trousers tucked into socks, black shoes fully laced. Film badges, anti-flash gloves and hood, goggles and respirator. Caps and hats are not to be worn.