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Scapa Flow & Northern waters gave way to post-war duty in Germany for OBDURATE and AB Stephen Firkin as these pictures show
Stephen Firkin died peacefully in hospital on 24 January 2006 following a stroke. He was 81.  Last change: 25 February 2006 - Death of Stephen Firkin reported by his son Gary.
Stephen Firkin joined OBDURATE in 1943 and stayed in the ship through to 1946 and so witnessed the horrors of Arctic Convoys and also the aftermath of war in After all that Stephen, an AB, Gunlayer, 'Guzz' rating and star of the ship's football team, was discharged to Through all that time he has kept a series of photographs from his time in HMS OBDURATE and has, via his son Gary, now kindly copied some of them to me. They will strike a chord, I am sure, with a lot of you who took part in the 'adjustments' necessary at the war's end and show those interested a glimpse of those times.  Stephen in NE training at HMS Raleigh 1942/3  All his NE Class with Stephen 3rd row back & 4th from the right as you look at the pic.  Scapa Flow 1944 where, on returning from sea, OBDURATE would post a sign challenging all-comers to a game of football says Stephen.  Stephen, front row left, says E or J Bland noted on the back of this picture that OBDURATE's team won the 1943/4 Cup.  These two pictures are of a Guard landed in Kiel/Travemunde in 1945  (If you recognise any of these locations/dates please let me know)  This picture and the one below are of Kiel/Travemunde in 1945 
 A bit of rest and relaxation near Travemunde Stephen recorded  HMS OBDURATE in the Kiel Canal in 1945  Kiel Canal is Stephen's recollection of this picture  Coming home! The Forth Bridge in sight 1945  Billy May (with the ball) is next to Stephen in this 1946 Team picture with a close up in the picture below. 
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