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22nd November 2023, 03:03 AM
#1
Unidentified WWII ship.
My father was in the Merchant Navy from Glasgow SS California, SS Cameronia, SS Transylvania 1937 to 1940 then on a T124X missed HMS Mersey naval station, assigned to HMS Manchester City, HMS Athene and then HMS Shah.
I relative sent this photograph to me in Australia but no name is apparent on the hull. Any clues forum
Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd November 2023 at 04:55 AM.
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22nd November 2023, 05:15 AM
#2
Re: Unidentified WWII ship.
Unless per chance someone who may have been on this one , i think would be very hard to Pinpoint this Carrier!
But who knows!
Cheers
Senior Site Moderator-Member and Friend of this Website
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22nd November 2023, 05:38 AM
#3
Re: Unidentified WWII ship.
Vernon, was there not an incident between an ARN ship and some other in one of our ports.
Back in the 60's if I recall.


Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller

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22nd November 2023, 08:58 AM
#4
Re: Unidentified WWII ship.
You will be hard pressed to find any name on an RN ship, they are usually situated on what we in the MN call a 'bridgeboard' which is normally placed on the quarterdeck on a RN ship and on the wheelhouse on an MN ship. RN ships are usually denoted by a number on their bow, but this was suspended for some time in WWII so as not to aid the enemy, which may or may not be the reason why no number is discernible. Of course as always I stand to be corrected
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22nd November 2023, 07:16 PM
#5
Re: Unidentified WWII ship.
Indeed Ivan, that is what i thought, as after looking at quite a few Carriers, i came across one that first though may have been it, had the number (D62) on her!
Sadly though it was not her after close scrunity!
Cheers
Here is a good site with many Classes of Carriers. Have a look through may be you can find something near!
Cheers
WW2 British Aircraft Carriers (naval-encyclopedia.com)
Last edited by Doc Vernon; 22nd November 2023 at 08:07 PM.
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22nd November 2023, 10:19 PM
#6
Re: Unidentified WWII ship.
From the hull form I would say she started life as a merchantman and converted to a flat top during the war
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22nd November 2023, 10:31 PM
#7
Re: Unidentified WWII ship.
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22nd November 2023, 11:31 PM
#8
Re: Unidentified WWII ship.
When I first saw the ship my first reaction was as per Ivan and Allen - ship recognition not my forte despite serving on carriers myself but I think this is the escort carrier, HMS BEGUM. The second photo in the link is clearer, I think.
https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive...RT_2/BEGUM.htm
Regards
Hugh
"If Blood was the price
We had to pay for our freedom
Then the Merchant Ship Sailors
Paid it in full”
www.sscityofcairo.co.uk
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23rd November 2023, 12:53 AM
#9
Re: Unidentified WWII ship.

Originally Posted by
happy daze john in oz
Vernon, was there not an incident between an ARN ship and some other in one of our ports.
Back in the 60's if I recall.
Hi JOhn.
Your thinking of the collision between the Carrier Melbourne and the destroyer Voyager, a number of Voyagers crew where killed, I have a mate in the RSL who was on board at the time.
Des
R510868
Lest We Forget
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23rd November 2023, 01:06 AM
#10
Re: Unidentified WWII ship.
By Jove Hugh! Think you are spot on with that one ! It sure looks exactly the same
Well done !
Cheers
Last edited by Doc Vernon; 23rd November 2023 at 01:24 AM.
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