Welcome to the main Blog Page of Troopship Memories. There is a growing global interest from “Old Soldiers” and those seeking those Old Soldiers, in blogging and publishing comments and memoirs in the hope and anticipation that former mates will pick up the thread and respond. Post a comment below and see what happens!
We have hotlinked this page to our new HMTroopships website:-
So dear reader, if you have some interest in a particular HMTroopship and an editorial contribution to make, just email the Editor (djkl157@gmail.com) with your request, stories and comments and we’ll sail on the noon tide.
Remember to include full details about yourself, Full name, dob, rank, service number, regiment, postings, and most of all – any photos. We can restore most old and tattered, bent and torn photos to greater tonal quality and legibility. So GOYA!! and blog!!
Tempus Fugit!
December 6, 2006 at 10:49 pm |
Gidday from Brisbane
This first Comment to our new HMTroopships Blog Page as a message of encouragement to all Old Soldiers who travelled on troopships at one time or another. My own experience was on the Empire Clyde in February 1954 outbound from Liverpool to Bermuda and the West Indies carrying the 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. The Irish Sea was at its most turbulent for many years and the decks were literally awash with vomit for many days, until the ship sailed well out into the North Atlantic. How sweet the smell and scents of Bermuda after 8 days.
We all have a story to tell and at least one to read – so GOYA cheps – and start a thread of exchanges going in the expectation that an old mate is also hoping to walk down memory lane. Let’s not leave our memories locked away for our families to try and resurrect ‘em after we’ve crossed the River Styx. Put a name and an occasion to the photo in the old album that you never look at. Don’t leave it to chance that your grandchildren will try to retrace the ‘good old times’ of the ’50’s, ’60’s and ’70’s – get it right while YOU are still able to function.
The Editor will correct the grammar and the syntax and the typo’s of your Comment AND the site is secure – so your email address is not published without your sanction. The old photos that are faded and bent, tattered and torn, can be fixed like new – as long as they’re in focus! Get your kids onto the computer if you don’t know how!
ACTION REQUIRED: Just ‘click’ on my name above to open the hotlinked Google Photo web site where YOUR HMTroopship story and photos can be published. Carpe Diem!
Tempus Fugit!
December 8, 2006 at 10:33 pm |
“Gidday” again from Brisbane.
Editor here to remark on the initial attraction to our new HMTroopship Google Photo pages. So far we’ve had a posting with photos from Roy Haskett with memories of the SS Vienna and the Empire Ken, and also his recall of his father travelling on SS Lancashire in 1934.
Bill Griffiths has also responded with his memoirs from as far back as 1952 and provided his wedding photo to wife Nancy (married now 54 years – congratulations to you both) and details of his military service. Maybe his former mates will read this and respond in return.
The Editor too has some ‘pungent’ memories of the Empire Clyde in 1954, with two photos of lighthearted antics on board during the calmer weather!
More postings from Graham Hibbert, Author, are waiting in the wings for photographs to be scanned and corrected.
So GOYA! all you “Old Soldiers” – those of you still young enough to enjoy a laugh and a chuckle about “The Good Old Days” on board the HMTroopships. Send a message and get the ball rolling. Any time frame, any Regiment, any posting wherever, whenever. Just click on my name above to see what it’s all about, and consider a contribution for posterity.
Carpe Diem!
December 11, 2006 at 9:45 am |
Searching! Searching! For many “Old Soldiers” with a story to tell. Wasn’t that what the British Empire was built on?
Bill Griffiths is putting you to shame. Bill was a Regular soldier, is 76 now, married 54 years to the same lovely lady Nancy, and together they travelled on many HMTroopships, and have a bag full of memorabilia. We’ve just posted an additional comment regarding the HMT Empire Windrush at its fateful fire in March 1954.
Were YOU there? Were you maybe the ‘couple’ survivors that Bill refers to? Read his comments on the HMTroopships website and respond with YOUR story.
WE NEED YOU!
January 5, 2007 at 1:46 pm |
Gidday Ron Cook, Editor here in Brisbane Australia,
Your earlier Comment today noted and appreciated, thank you! I have no immediate details for Star of India but will start a search very quickly. I’m confident that we can find something in due course. Given that we can find a “Ship’s Profile” however, that will be the limit of our assistance. We cannot help in terms of any Passenger Lists and Voyages, dates and discharge points etc.
However, this is where YOUR contribution begins. Send me a full resume of you personally – Name, Rank, DOB, Service Number, Date and place of enlistment, Regiment/s, Places of service, Date of discharge PLUS your ’story’ of the voyage. Take a look at the examples on the HMTroopship Page that you started from and write a few hundred words or so, including any names and details of Mates on board. Send as many photos with captions that you can. I can doctor most photos to improve tonal balance and remove scratches etc.
This is the purpose of the HMTroopships Page/s. A ‘mention’ is then created for others to see, and make a Cross Comment as follow up – such as this one back to you. Your email address is not published (except to Editor).
Let’s give it a go for you. Bill Griffiths (see his mention) has been contacted by KSLI mates from over 50 years ago – so it can work – given time, perseverance and patience. My email Derek Lovemore should put you in contact direct OR return to HMTroopships Page and click on “Editor”
If you CLICK on my pseudonym ‘troopship’ above, you should return to the HMTroopship Page.
Carpe Diem
PS: Logged on 23rd July 2007
Earlier published emails – as referenced above – from Ron Cook are now deleted. Ron had entered some incorrect details over the wrong names of ships – now irrelevant.
January 7, 2007 at 5:41 pm |
Question re Windrush after fire….was she then recommissioned as a trooper?
I was on a course in 1953 at Royal Armoured Corps Regimental Pay office and there was something about Windrush arriving in 1953 with Korean vets including released POW’s some of whom were allegedly held in protective custody on board. A detachment was sent to Southampton to meet the ship and sort out documents for RAC personel …was this Windrush ? also when did she bring the immigrants from West Indies in the 50’s ? ?
January 7, 2007 at 6:48 pm |
Hello John
Thanks for your Comment re HMT Windrush. The only information that is to hand (at the moment) is that she sank off the coast of Algiers on 28th March 1954. This event is referred later in The Korean Veterans Journal 1997 suppled by Bill Griffiths (see main page HMTroopships).
So far as your second query it’ll be interesting to see if your Comment is perused by another soldier/s with further information, who will develop the conversation on this Blog, which of course, is our anticipation.
As a matter of interest, Bill Griffiths who was 1 KSLI at the time of the Windrush sinking, reports his meeting 2 of the rescued passengers later in 1958. Bill’s personal HMTroopship experiences are worth reading in a separate article named The Bill Griffiths Memoirs.
Carpe Diem!
January 22, 2007 at 1:05 pm |
I live in a RAAFA Village in Albany, WA. We have here an officer who was on the Windrush when she sank, and one of the women who was on the ship and her daughter also, when she, (the ship) sank.
Postscript to John’s comments logged in Tues 23rd Jan 2007
If readers take the time to browse the earlier comments, it can be seen how a possible ‘crosslink’ might be happening here – a world apart (i.e. Bill Griffiths in UK and now Albany in West Australia) and over half a century later. Editor has asked for John’s assistance in putting the various people together to develop the HMT Windrush story further.
April 23, 2007 at 9:56 am |
Re: Empire Windrush, the ship with ex prisoners on may have been the Empire Orwell.
(Editor) Postscript added 28th April, 2007
Thanks Reg for your comments, the website
http://www.britisharmedforces.org/ns/ns/nat_troopships.htm fairly well defines the separate history of the 2 ships you mention and from my amateur’s interpretation there appears to be no identity issue at all. There are also earlier comments logged from LI soldiers who witnessed the fire and the sinking of the Windrush, who have supplied supportive evidence, together with eye witness accounts from passengers. So Reg, over to you, perhaps you’d care to offer further support by way of research for your mention. Given also that you have personal experience on HMTroopships – a further contribution from you on our sister website “HMTroopships” would be welcome.
Tempus Fugit!
May 13, 2007 at 10:18 pm |
A posting obo Bill Callen, RAF, wireless operator, travelled from Liverpool to Port Elizabeth late 1940 – early 1941. Bill has recounted his memoirs of this event on the HMTroopship site, and we’ve also posted a Mention on “Most Wanted”.
Bill is now 87 – congratulations Bill – well able to email us and report part of his WW2 military history. We hope to encourage Bill to record more of his adventures.
Bill is searching for “Old Mates” – especially Bert Rooke a fellow shipmate on SS Orbita at that time mentioned above. Bert! – if you’re out there please contact the editor and we’ll get the contact ball rolling.
Carpe Diem!
May 26, 2007 at 9:02 am |
Post from Editor:
Gidday Cheps!
I am a little miffed (to be polite) that poor taste (an understatement) should be shown by either the NZ Maritime authorities or some NZ idiot with a grudge.
See my most recent postings of 3 “HMS Sheffield” photos – a rotting derelict hulk – photographed in Bluff NZ last February. Please read my comments and let me know how you feel. Just click on my bolded name above to travel to the HMT site.
Even though I’m an Aussie – I’m still fiercely British in matters of the meritorious sacrifice that our Old Soldiers and Old Sailors made throughout history and as recently as The Falklands War. For some moron to make a point of such bad taste, as I feel has been done – is stretching anti British style humour to the limit!
GOYA lads and join me in a massive objection.
Carpe Diem!
July 23, 2007 at 8:50 pm |
BREAKING NEWS!
John Williams, SAC, RAF: 1953-1956 experienced his first HMTroopship voyage when returning home for demob in 1956. JW served most of his 3 years in the Middle East on “Z” Craft and bomb disposal. You can read JW’s fascinating story on his Memoirs just freshly published in a pilot version.
Of even greater interest is JW’s civilian occupation as a marine plumber with the Bibby Line which contracted a great number of ships as “HM Troopships” and John will recount his many and varied experiences as the story progressively unfolds.
JW’s connection to us via email is a classic example of a 75 year young bloke prepared to “GOYA” and tell his story through his relative unfamiliarity with email and internet procedures. JW has even purchased a scanner to deal with the JPEG conversion of his mammoth collection of old B/W photos of his service adventures,
WHY NOT YOU?? Tell YOUR Troopship story and bring back the memories of your past – illustrious or forgettable – never mind, the exercise of the brain is as important as every other muscle in the body. Tell YOUR story in YOUR words NOW, don’t leave it all part forgotten and part invented by your successors. Leave ‘em something to remember you by – in 3 generations it’ll all be forgotten anyway, unless you leave a permanent reminder in print and picture. Get those old photos from the unopened albums and upstairs in the attic and send ‘em to me.
Tempus Fugit! Where did all the years go?
July 25, 2007 at 12:41 am |
NEW POST AND MENTION FOR JOHN GILES, RASC
John shipped out to Port Said in 1948 onboard the SS Franconia and returned from Salonika in 1949 aboard the Eastern Prince, neither ship’s photos has thus far been posted to our HMTroopships website. John’s thoughtful contribution has now rectified this, which together with his brief caption is on display.
Go to HM (Troops) Ships to travel back in time and read about some interesting adventures when soldiering was a lot slower and less technical than today.
Carpe Diem!
November 12, 2007 at 11:57 am |
I am looking for assistance in discovering any information regarding 7 men who sailed home on Xmas Day 1946 on HMT Highland Princess. I have the lunch menu from Christmas day aboard the vessel, which they all signed. It would be lovely to find out their histories and what happened to them and that of anyone else on the vessel that day. And if anyone would like to know what they were eating that day, please email me.
I attach the email I sent to the Editor of Troopship Memories with my request for information:
Hello. I am unsure if you can assist but, a few years ago I purchased quite a few ship menus at auction. They have been displayed in frames on the walls of my restaurant aboard my own boat. One of them has always interested me and I wonder if you or one of your ‘bloggers’ might point me in the right direction to gather information about it.
I have the Xmas Day 1946 menu of HMT Highland Princess. 7 men have signed it. Although the menu is in pretty good condition the handwriting is, in a couple of cases, difficult to read. The following list is as they wrote it:
Spud Murphy
Paddy Holmes
Omar Bradley Manchester (although written in a straight line – Manchester is obviously his home town)
TOP Manchester (I am unsure if this is a T it could be a J as in JOP)
M Kendall L.R.H.M., A.R.C.M.
AP****** R.A. (Unfortunately the name is unclear)
H Mackenzie (R.A.O.C.) 25/12/46
I would be grateful for any information.
Regards Corrine Allen-Britten
January 12, 2008 at 12:26 am |
Hi, I stumbled across your website by accident. Speaking of Troopships, I first went on board the Empire Windrush, bound for Singapore, in early 1953, where I served with a mobile Gurkha Unit until Aug 1955 in Malaya. I returned to UK on the Dilwara.
After a few months in UK I decided to move on and joined the NZ Armed Forces. I then sailed to NZ aboard the Captain Cook. Two years later I was posted to Malaya aboard the Captain Cook again. I then went to Hong Kong to play soccer for the Far East Commonwealth Services aboard the New Australia. I enjoyed every minute of my time aboard these ships.
Edward
ED: I have emailed Ted with an invitation to participate further in HMTroopship Memoirs particularly as we have just yesterday updated comments about the HMT Windrush received from Capt RN (rtd) Michael Page, who was a passenger and a first hand witness to the sinking.
June 11, 2008 at 3:45 pm |
I was SAC Roberts RAF 1952-55 I was posted to Malaya sometime in ‘53 on the troopship Georgic. I have faint memories of a troopship that left Southampton a couple of weeks or so before or after we sailed. I am 75 and my memory is getting a bit foggy. This Troopship sank (somewhere around Gibralter, I think).
The amazing thing was there was no loss of life. Can anyone name this ship? I would love to have someone who can remember to please inform me.
Jim Roberts.
ED: Empire Windrush Jim. Browse the related Troopship site to view comments. See also earlier blogs on this site regarding the Windrush.
September 3, 2008 at 8:24 pm |
My dad is Don Ford who served with the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry in Bermuda 1955. He has enjoyed looking at memories and the photos and stories have prompted his own memorys.
He would be interested in hearing from anyone in the 3rd Platoon or others, he also has photos that may be of interest
September 7, 2008 at 5:08 pm |
Hi Don
This is your ex pay Sgt in Bermuda John Tenniswood. I think overpaid you by £3.10d (more than a weeks wages) Please send postal order to an address I will reveal later. Look forward to seeing your photos on the DCLI site.
Did you go out on the Troopship with the Bn or arrive in Bermuda later? Reply on the DCLI Site
September 14, 2008 at 9:15 pm |
Sailed via Suez Canal with the Green Howards to Hong Kong on the Empire Fowey1955. Ended up at Dodswel Ridge and Bees Stables barracks in the New Territories. Returned to the UK 1956 on the Nevasa by way of the Cape of Good Hope. Docked in Durban, SA. Fortunate to have seen Perla Gibson, the Lady in White singing on her dais on the dockside. Hundreds of civilian vehicles lined the wharf, all hoping to take a British serviceman home to tea.
Alas, shore leave cancelled, Asian flu on board.What a disappointment, this chance would never come again. We were miserable for days after.
October 3, 2008 at 11:26 pm |
MY DAD WAS TOMMY CARBERRY DIED IN 1966 TRAGICALLY. WAS IN R.A.F FROM ATHLONE IRELAND. WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF ANYONE REMEMBERS HIM.
ED: Hello Hayley and many thanks for logging on to our Blog. The chances of a connection to Tommy through this Troopship Blog are fairly remote in that ’tis mainly a British Army Light Infantry memorabilia platform. However there are a few RAF types still floating around – some with troopship memories – as (all) troops generally were transported by sea in them thar days! (Until 1957). It will help if you feed some more specific information on Tommy – e.g. Rank, Service Number, Squadron details and postings. That way – you’ll be providing a memory trigger for someone who might be out there in cyberspace.
Of course – the obvious. Don’t just post your blog and expect the phone to ring (!). Quite a deal of detection work might be involved and you’ll need to show full support. A name only is generally insufficient to gain a reply.
Best of Luck!
October 6, 2008 at 8:37 am |
UPDATE UPDATE!
A fresh addition to the Troopship memoirs has today been made on behalf of Rosemarie Beechey (nee Kershaw), the first lady contributor. Her post has prompted some tidying up of the site with relocated text and additional photos.
We shall appreciate more contributions for an era passing for British Troop movements.
Tempus Fugit!
October 23, 2008 at 12:37 am |
I was never LI but I did sail on the Oxfordshire in 1988 and 1989 when she was called TSS (Twin Screw Ship) Fairstar of The Sitmar Line, sailing out of Sydney. Around 1989 became P&O, I believe that she is now being used as razor blades. Sitmar were Italian owners and the food excellent. The Fairstar had many other nicknames, (something to do with the goings on at night!).
ED: Thanks for comment Roger. Received your email too from Labrador, will be replying shortly. JJ Goddard and I both sailed on the Empire Clyde in February 1954
November 16, 2008 at 6:44 pm |
While in the process of researching my family tree I came across this information in my Father’s papers.
In 1954 my Father, Flt Lt Frank (Nick) Nicholls, was stationed at RAF North Front, Gibraltar flying Avro Shackleton MR Mk.2’s on No. 224 Sqn. One of the squadron’s rolls was providing Search & Rescue (S&R) cover for the Western end of the Mediterranean and on the 29th March 1954 my Father & his crew took off from Gib following distress messages from the “Empire Windrush”.
The Empire Windrush had set off in February 1954 on what proved to be her final voyage, sailing from Yokohama to the United Kingdom with approx 1,500 recovering wounded United Nations veterans of the Korean War, including soldiers from the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment wounded at the Third Battle of the Hook in May 1953. The voyage was plagued with engine breakdowns and other defects, taking ten weeks to reach Port Said, from where the ship sailed for the last time.
On locating the Empire Windrush Nick and his crew maintained overhead watch over the stricken vessel and directed the rescue ships to the scene. The first ship on the scene was the Blue Funnel Line, wartime victory ship, S.S. Mentor which rendered assistance and picked up the first survivors. My Father & crew then remained “On Station” guiding the destroyer HMS Saintes to the location. The burned-out hulk of Empire Windrush was taken in tow by the HMS Saintes of the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet, 32 miles northwest of Cape Caxine. HMS Saintes attempted to tow the ship to Gibraltar in worsening weather, but Empire Windrush sank before first light the following morning, Monday 30 March 1954. The entry in my father’s log book for that mission shows they were in the air for over 19 hours and I distinctly remember him telling that as they taxied back in after landing two of the engines shut down as the fuel ran out.
I just thought I would share that with you in case anyone out there was on the receiving end.
ED: Thank you, David Nicholls for this interesting comment. The Troopship Memoirs (HMT website) have one or two references only to the Windrush sinking, one of whom was a passenger. Another contact is currently in West Australia – but we have had no further comment from anyone – until now. We hope that this article will capture some interest.
May 1, 2009 at 5:18 pm |
I arrived in Liverpool on the Empire Clyde on the 27 March 1954 in Liverpool. the ships route was from Kingston, Belize and Bermuda. Is there anyway I can obtain the ship’s log? I am looking for dates and recall as a child going through a terrific storm near Bermuda.
Thanks in anticipation
Ian
ED: Thanks for comment Ian and welcome to the blog. The question of (all) HMT ships logs arises from time to time and regretfully, we have no helpful answers for you. We who were outbound on the Clyde on February 19th 1954, from Liverpool would also like a ship’s passenger manifest if ever you locate it. Regards.
August 1, 2009 at 12:17 pm |
Hi, I am looking for anyone to help me please. My grandad is George Rewston was in the 1st battalion the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment 1951, he was sent to Jorden in Egypt. I am looking for anybody that was in his regiment and any information, as I am hoping to make a scrap book of his life in the army and it would be great if I could find any of his friends he served with. Also he was in the boxing when in the army. Please get in touch, I would be most grateful, thank you
August 15, 2009 at 6:03 am |
Hello, I am hoping you or someone can help me. My father Robert Clarke was on the Troopship Windrush when she sank. I know that he was an Army Medic and was serving in Egypt, Suez Canal Zone. Unfortunately I do not know which regiment. I do have a group photo however, not sure if that would help. I am also led to believe he may be entitled to a medal from his time in the Suez. How can I go about arranging for this if I don’t have any details of rank, serial number etc.
Back to the sinking, my father told me stories of how the French Foreign Legion took care of them, even enlisting with them for the day! Would love to hear from anyone who can help me.
Regards, Suzy.
ED: Hi Suzy, many thanks for your comment. Let’s hope that some response might rear up from our readers (few and far between unfortunately). Send me a .jpeg pix by all means, identifying your Pa and I’ll publish it straight away with a reference back to your comment. We do not publish email addresses for obvious reasons. As you can read also there are some comments about the Windrush on this site, but little cross conversation seems to flow.
We are not a research facility, so Military details etc will have to be pursued elsewhere. Good luck. Best Regards.
September 24, 2009 at 2:31 pm |
Researching family history I was quite excited to find this site. I have been looking for details on the Windrush. My parents met whilst both serving in the Indian Army. They arrived (Southampton? Liverpool?) in the UK on the Empire Windrush in November 1947 on India gaining independence. As my mother was expecting me at the time I suppose you could say I was a ’stowaway’! Parents were Sgts. Desmond and Shamrock Wells. If anyone has information or photos from this time I would love to see them on this site.
I believe the next voyage of the Windrush was the historic one, that there is absolutely loads of information on, via the West Indies.
Yours Hopefully
October 9, 2009 at 12:55 pm |
Hi. I am reseaching my fathers army days in the 14 field regt: R.A, having served in India in the 1940s, sadly no longer with us, but left a cataloge in photos, to include a selection of the (ORBITA) ship, as said/written on the back, six snaps taken at Karachi Docks on October 26th 1947, with the lads on the dock ready to embark plus stores being loaded, all of his days have been recorded this way, giving an invaluable insight to time he had served, never wanted to talk about a lot.
RON
October 13, 2009 at 10:46 pm |
Hello after surfing for info for my father who served in the 2nd battalion the Green Howards around the early 50’s, I came across this site. He asked a question that I cannot find an answer for and hopefully some one can help.
He sailed from Liverpool to Port Said, Egypt in 1954 on the EMPIRE CLYDE does any one know how long the journey would have been?
Thanks
ED: Thank you for your inquiry David. We are not a research facility, with information of that nature, only personal experiences on the Empire Clyde in 1954 (by co-incidence). We took 8 days (19th Feb – 29th Feb 1954) actual travel port to port, Liverpool to Hamilton Bermuda. It was a very rough crossing, so in fact it might have been shorter in a calmer sea. My estimate would be for 8 – 10 days in your father’s case. Hope this helps.
October 17, 2009 at 8:24 am |
Thanks for your reply its much appreciated, I will pass on the info to my father. David
October 21, 2009 at 9:07 am |
Dear Readers,
I was a cabin steward on the Windrush when she caught fire and eventually sank in the Med. We were carrying 1,276 Service personnel, which included 200 of their families, both women and children. The ship had a crew of 222 personnel.
There is a book called “Women and children first”, the loss of the troopship, EMPIRE WINDRUSH. The book was compiled by Capt Bill Seybold, but sorry to say, it is now out of print. If anyone pushes hard enough, there may be a copy laying about in a library somewhere.
RAY VINCER 21-10-2009
ED: Thank you Ray, there are I’m sure many readers of this blog who will be interested to read your comments. Is there a ‘Windrush Survivors’ group who exchange Memoirs?
November 5, 2009 at 9:49 am |
Going through my fathers Army shipped out days, one of the many photographs is of the MV “WINDRUSH”. I have noticed all painted in one colour, (grey). I am trying to trace if (he) shipped out on this craft and returned on the “ORBITA” ship, from India.
Ron (5-11-2009)
ED: Thanks Ron for this Comment and the earlier one regarding your father (RIP). As mentioned in reply to others on this Blog, we are not a research platform and beyond hoping that someone with knowledge and/or historical detail will read this, we cannot assist.
Best of luck