A few months after the end of the Second World War, HMS London sailed from Colombo back to the UK. Members of the ship’s company who were not due for release or repatriation were replaced by people due for return to Britain, including this man. If it was towards the end of October, perhaps he was bringing these pumpkins on board to carve? And, of course, eat.

Part of the Admiralty Official Collection and in the collection of the IWM.
Photographed by Sub Lt G Hales.

Hales’ collection of photographs in the Museum collection show very little of official life during and after the Second World War, instead offering glimpses of the lighter side of life – soldiers messing around with squirrels and monkeys, findings moments of playfulness in a world consumed by war.