Mexborough and Swinton Times January 27, 1940

Not Noticeable!

Although Lord Haw-Haw sank the Ark Royal time after time, Torpedo Seaman Ronald Branch, of 14, Edward Street, Thurnscoe West, who is aboard her, has not noticed it. And if anything had happened to the Ark Royal in the last twelve months he ought to know.

Branch is one of many local men who have gone down to the sea in ships, and his old school friends of the Hill School will be glad to learn that he is enjoying himself. He played for the School’s cricket and football teams, and immediately made a name for himself as a sportsman when he joined the Navy in 1932.

On the completion of his training on H.M.S. Ganges in 1933 he won the bronze medal for gymnastics, and later played football for H.M.S. Vernon and helped to win a league trophy in 1937 and 1938. Branch has had two years’ foreign service, cruising between Malta and Shanghai