The above photograph was kindly donated by Johann van Blerck.
During the early 1970's we painted the hull and superstructure of HMS Londonderry in Simonstown and I was given this picture of her before the extra mast additions.
At the time I working as a spray painter at my father's (Lt Cdr Vic van Blerck Retd.) Marine Maintenance business (VG van Blerck (Pty) Ltd).
Regards,
Johann van Blerck
I knew six men both skilled and keen
These six made up the diving team
They never caused me any strife
In fact they trusted me with their life
Bomber Mills and Charley Brown
Were ever eager to go down
Dave Lavender and Alfie Bass
They could substitute Hans Hass
Then there's Stoker Simpson of good repute
Sinks under the ice in a rubber suit
While up on deck in a nice warm fleece
The Diving Officer, Old Dai Rees
That just leaves me to complete the team
The youngest there and so it seems
I had the job running the store
Doing safety checks and lots, lots more
Making sure the sets were ready
Placing the shot ropes firm and steady
Stand-by diver and attendants there
A pair of fins for each to wear
Before they entered into the sea
I knew each divers buoyancy
So down the ladder without a fuss
For in me they had total trust
The team they worked as if one
We had our laughs we had our fun
We knew our job, we knew our limits
And Subby Rees clocked up our minutes
By Bob Seymour, January 2023.
Following received from Dinger (Yeoman) Alan Bell for full promulagation.
Deal RMA Club is pleased to announce a unique opportunity to holiday in Bandstand View - our newly refurbished holiday apartment for 4 people - situated on the top floor of the building. Please visit our website to view and book at https://rmadeal.co.uk/accommodation/apartment/ 20% Discount for veterans, serving HM Forces and Emergency Services (including NHS) prices from £85 per night. 10% discount for club members prices from £95 per night. Please copy and paste the link and share with friends and family.
I was sent this by a diving buddy, he picked it up at a charity fair this year and asked if I knew who drew it.
Looking at it, it's pre modification so must have been 1st commission, so I thought of old Frank Budge. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Something to ponder during Lockdown and Dave great newsletter as usual.
Best wishes Bob Seymour.
Caption reads: HMS Londonderry
Rothesay Class A/S Frigate
Photograph and information uploaded to the website Photos page.
Just found a photo online from V and A museum in London which shows what I believe to be an AB gunner posing on the bridge roof with some models sometime in the 60's or possibly early 70's. Any ideas when the Londonderry was actually in London for this and who the AB gunner might be?
Jason McPherson
(Any information to Jason via the 'Photos' page - Comments. You will need to log in to Google to comment.
Alternatively email the webmaster@hmslondonderry.org)
![]() NEED LONG OR SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION IN SYDNEY? IN THE FIRST INSTANCE CONTACT: RIC email: <rictar2014@gmail.com> State: NAME/AGE/NAVY CONNECTION (Ex HMS GANGES or HMS LONDONDERRY) |
Kit Layman CB, DSO, LVO joined the Royal Navy in 1956, and served for 35 years in many parts of the world, including the waters around Patagonia where the Wager was wrecked. He commanded five ships of different sizes, from a minehunter based in Hong Kong to the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible. In 1982 he was commanding HMS Argonaut and the Seventh Frigate Squadron in the Falklands war, when his ship suffered damage and casualties but came home safely. As a Rear Admiral he spent a happy time as Commander British Forces Falkland Islands when he was able to study the old settlement founded by Commodore Byron in 1765. His last appointment was at NATO Headquarters for three interesting years, during which time the Soviet Union and its empire collapsed. On retirement he worked for various companies and charities and his local Community Council, was appointed Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod (an Officer of the Order of the Thistle), and has published two other books, The Falklands And The Dwarf: The Cruise Of HMS Dwarf In The Falkland Islands 1881-1882 and Man of Letters: Early Life and Love Letters of Robert Chambers.
Admiral Gatacre was the father of our own Aussie Navigation Officer Lieutenant Rod Gatacre R.A.N. who took us around the world on such a memorable commission.
This video is historically interesting to all ex - RN personnel.
Britain, under Harold (The pipe and duffel coat) Wilson, as Prime Minister refused to join the Vietnam War. However, in this video the British RFA TIDEPOOL is seen fuelling and storing HMAS SYDNEY as she transports troops and stores to Vietnam
From: Bev.Bowden@xtra.co.nz
To: davidhwickham@btinternet.com
Sent: Tuesday, 1 July 2014, 5:22
Subject: HMS Londonderry Crew Member? I am not sure if you can assist me in my quest but here goes. My cousin a few years ago purchased an old sailors hat with the name HMS Londonderry on the band and a name Starbuck printed inside.
Do you know anyone who could find out anything about this for me - if anyone was interested my cousin would be only too happy for give it to them. I live in New Zealand so not sure if this makes things difficult. We would both be interested in its history and have always wondered why it ended up here in NZ. Look forward to your reply Ms Bev Bowden
The National Archives has kindly given permission for copies of the HMS Londonderry
deck logs covering the Bianca C incident to be displayed on the website and can be seen at:
https://www.hmslondonderry.org/bianca_c.html
They are not for reproduction or commercial use without their permission.
A first class quality HMS Londonderry badged tie can be purchased for the incredible bargain price of £7 from Robbie Robson. robbie.fna@virgin.net Please email Robbie for further details. |
Dear Sirs The Legasee war veterans project is looking for volunteers who want to tell their stories.
As part of an exciting social history project, the film company Legasee is looking for war veterans who would like to have their stories filmed for posterity.
This footage will be used to launch a unique online archive of interviews for use by schools, colleges and members of the public.
To kick-start the project, we're looking for war veterans of any age who wish to recall their experiences in front of the camera for the benefit of future generations.
It doesn't matter what campaign or country they served in, or what role they played. The Legasee war veterans project is completely free of charge, with any travel expenses paid - all we need is their knowledge, enthusiasm and a small amount of their time to take part in the filming.
If you know anyone that's interested, please ask them to email me giving their name, age, daytime phone number and brief details of their wartime service so we can contact them to discuss this further.
We hope to hear from you, and please feel free to forward this email to any war veterans that you think might be interested.
Please visit our web site for more information about Legasee - https://www.Legasee.org.uk Kind regards
Dave Player
Ex-Royal Engineer
Email:- dave@legasee.org.uk Legasee - 'become a part of history'
The tankard has the engraved ships crest and beneath - Presented by J Samuel White & Co Ltd. on the occasion of commissioning HMS Londonderry on the 20th July 1960. On the other side it has the names engraved of her six captains: Cdr I.S. Primrose 1960 - 1962, Cdr D.E.P. George 1962 - 1964, Cdr W.J. Soames 1964 - 1966, Cdr N.A.B. Anson 1966 - 1967, Cdr M.T. Prest 1969 - 1971, Cdr T.D.A. Thomas 1971 - 1972.