Stoker 1943-46 info/photo.

[alanjohn]

Hi,
between may 1943 and August 1946 my father served on several ships as a stoker both 1st and 2nd class(HMS Duke,Victory,Pembroke,and several others..),i have two questions.
1. can anyone suggest where i could get a bit more info and photo's on these ships(i have his full record,my father saved it.)i know he served in Egypt and India.
2. Is anyone interested in a photo i have of him and his shipmates?
I think its too large to post here but i can email it,from what i can make out they're on a dock with their ship behind them(it looks to be C/L 2 on the bough),the faces are very clear,i made my dad out straight away,if your dad was over there in those years he may be there.
Cheers,Alan

[peter nicholl]

Hi Alan
Victory was the Portsmouth Shore Station and Pembroke was the Chatham Shore Station. The nearest Duke I can find which would fit is the Battleship, HMS Duke of York.
Peter
ps In the time taken to type this I wouldn't be too surprised if Geoffers hadn't already answered you:)

[Geoffers]

Like Peter, the only Duke can think of in WW2 was Duke of York which a King George V class battleship (sister ships were KGV, Prince of Wales, Anson and Howe)

The National Maritime Museum (NMM) was a very large collection of photographs which are indexed on its web-site (http://www.nmm.ac.uk/). You need their historic photographs collection (http://www.nmm.ac.uk/cgi-bin/empower?DB=ShipsPlansAndPhotos). I've just had a look and they have 25 photos of DoY.

The battleships-cruisers (http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/index.htm)will probably have some pictures too.

Most larger libraries have a reference section in which there are likely to be books detailing ships of various navies - Jane's springs to mind.

The Navy List will provide a breakdown of the precise specifications of ships and the various officers. The Parish Chest (http://www.parishchest.com/) sells copies of this publication.

[peter nicholl]

Hi Alan
Had some further thoughts.
The other "Duke" possibility would be HMS Iron Duke. She was a Battleship built in 1912 and in harbour service from 1932. Sold 1946.
Does his entry for Victory have a number after it? For example Victory II was a Shore Station at Crystal Palace.
Peter

[Mike_E]

The National Maritime Museum (NMM) was a very large collection of photographs which are indexed on its web-site (http://www.nmm.ac.uk/). You need their historic photographs collection (http://www.nmm.ac.uk/cgi-bin/empower?DB=ShipsPlansAndPhotos). I've just had a look and they have 25 photos of DoY.


I just looked at the NMM, because I was interested in getting a couple of prints of the Royal Sovereign which my Grandfather served on, but at £20 for a 5x7, I won't be ordering from them. I pay £0.05 per print when I get mine done. And too think people will pay these silly prices. Found a few pictures of the ship for free thanks.

[alanjohn]

Hi Alan
Had some further thoughts.
The other "Duke" possibility would be HMS Iron Duke. She was a Battleship built in 1912 and in harbour service from 1932. Sold 1946.
Does his entry for Victory have a number after it? For example Victory II was a Shore Station at Crystal Palace.
Peter
The victory has no number,it has a date 31 dec 1945 if that helps at all.

[suedent]

Just a thought but if the writing is a bit iffy (I know it is on all my copies of Naval records) is it possible that Duke could actually be "Drake"?

[peter nicholl]

Hi Alan
With no number after Victory, I'd go for Portsmouth.
Sue may well have a point, as HMS Drake is the Naval Barracks at Plymouth.
Peter

[alanjohn]

Had a bit of spare time yesterday so i re- read some of dads papers.

On the certificate of service it does give the port division as Portsmouth.On his release,12 june 1946,there is a stamp "Pembroke",also on war gratuity's it gives account particulars as Pembroke and a number,67625.

On statement of account we have pembroke I(D.P.O.).

I have an interim trade certificate stamped HM Barracks,Chatham,and signed on HMS Pembroke.

On a rifle practice form there are several stamps in red ink,"15 June 1943" ,"DUKE" is stamped under ship.

Any good?