Information Wanted
I know very little about any of the crew of either HMS Gambia, Warrior or any other ship but now and then I get emails from people asking about crew members. If anyone has any information about any of the following I'll gladly pass it on.
I July 2024, I received an email from Jo Avis-Smith about her father, Ralph George Avis who served as an aircraft engineer on HMS Warrior for her 1953/54 commission. Sadly he was killed in a car crash when Jo was just 5 in 1971. She wrote that her father had a full life, he bought a 68ft MTB (motor torpedo boat) from the Navy and used it regularly around Gravesend.
I received a very nice email from Geoff "Wiggy" Bennett saying the site brought back such great memories for him. He was serving in Warrior in 1953/54 and his mates were "Slinger" Woods and "Trog" Jackson. Trog lived in Preston, and we were all flight deck division aircraft handlers, fantastic crew, God bless them all. Geoff also wants to know where he can get a copy of the book that was produced on the way back to the UK.
I received an email on behalf of William Burdett who also served on Warrior in 1953.
I have received an email from Alaric Errington. He is trying to find anyone who knew his father, Peter Errington, who served on HMS Warrior. Alaric is unsure of when his father served but knows that he was at Christmas Island during the Bomb tests.
I have received an email from Jackie Phillips asking about her father, Raymond John Heard, "Lofty" who served on HMS Warrior from 1951 to 1954.
I have received an email from Linda asking about Raymond Charles Hunt born February 18, 1928. Like my faher, he also served on both HMS Gambia and Warrior.
In July 2020, I received an email from Alick Lavers. Alick wrote that:
I was serving at RNAS Yeovilton in 1955 when I first met Wilfred John Hughes, who was to be my lifelong oppo. John had just left Warrior and joined Yeovilton after his leave period. We were to serve together again after that and we met up many times after we had both left the service. John’s full name was Wilfred John so some called him Wilf and others called him John.
He served onboard Warrior, his first ship, as a Scribe in the Pay Office. We both served together again onboard Eagle and later he was drafted to Surprise while I was serving ashore in Malta at the NATO HQ. His wife joined him in Malta and they moved into a flat just around the corner from me so we were together again. During that time in ‘59 I was temporarily drafted to Surprise and spent another three weeks with John.
When John and I were onboard Eagle in early ‘56 we went onboard Warrior, which was in a drydock in refit in Guzz. Not a sign of life, no power and only the odd light powered by cable from ashore. Dark, dangerous and dismal but we wandered around in our lunch hour to give him a nostalgic time before going back to the dynamic Eagle. Over the years John told me about his time onboard Warrior and was usually the only one on Divisions wearing the Ruban de l’Amitie (I think it was called) and was always asked to explain what it was and why by the inspecting officer, which John was always proud to do.
He sadly crossed the bar something like 20 years ago. I have never seen a photo of John then or since but I shall never forget my old oppo.
All I can find about John Hughes is his death notice in Navy News of August 1996. That simply says "Lt. Cdr. Wilfred John Hughes. Ships: Warrior, Eagle, Surprise."
I received an interesting email from Gordon King. Gordon wrote:
I served aboard HMS Warrior. I joined her in December 1948 after leaving boys training at HMS St. Vincent at the time she was doing jet trials in landing and taking off of jet aircraft off Spithead she had been fitted with a rubber blown up deck. I was only on her for 9 months.
In 1955, I was on board HMS Burghead Bay we had been down the Falklands as guard ship called into Montevideo [Uruguay] at the entrance to the River Plate there was an Argentinean carrier anchored there, she seemed very familiar, I am pretty sure it was the HMS Warrior now ARA Independencia.
Also, HMS Orion was the name of the reserve fleet at Devonport the two main ships used for accommodation were HMS Roberts and HMS Urylus.
Another crew member I know of is Charles William Ernest Luff, but I have no information about him.
Caroline Oliver emailed me about her father, Albert "Olly" Oliver who served on the Warrior in the Korean War. He was an Aircraft Handler - commonly known as a "chockhead." Albert passed away in March 2018.
Robert Manly Reeves' daughter-in-law Diane emailed to say he served in 811 Squadron on HMS Warrior in 1953/54. Robert was 90 in January 2022.
Paul Tindle emailed me saying his father Bill Tindle served on HMS Warrior in the 1950s.
I have received an email saying that Naval Airman D. Warren (Bunny) served on Warrior in 1953-1954. He was in the same mess as Tony Pearce, Norman Ford, and Kingsley Jones and would like to contact any of his old shipmates.
I have received an email from Bianca asking about her grandfather, Navigator Donald Watts.
I have received an email from David Judson asking for any information about his father, David Robert Worthington. He served on HMS Warrior in 1953. Although by 1956 he was possibly at Aircraft Handlers fire Station in Gosport
If any one has any information about any of these people then please email at the address below and I'll pass the message on
Dad
The following photographs are of my father and his shipmates aboard HMS Warrior. I know nothing at all about the people he served with apart from the nick names he gave them in the albums.
My dad, William Henry Thomas, in 1953
My dad, William Henry Thomas, on the left, in 1953
Getting rid of hangovers, HMS Warrior, 1953
Ship's Concert, Kure, Japan, 1954
Beertime at the China Fleet Club, Hong Kong, 1954
In November 2018, I got a wonderful email from Susan Dooley about the above photo. There's a sailor leaning back from the table in the right-middle of the photo. That sailor is her dad, Frank "Yorkie" Rawson. Frank was an armourer and served on Warrior in 1953/4. He also played the euphonium and was in the ship's band and concert party. Frank recognized two of his shipmates in the photo, the 2nd and 4th people on the left. The first had the surname of Waddington or something similar and they both came from Yorkshire.
C in Cs Far East inspection
Alfie, 1953
Buckie, 1953
Wee Jock, 1953
Dixey
In January 2023, Chris Dixey emailed to say that his father was approaching his 92nd birthday and that he served on HMS Warrior in 1950. His father was a "hook man", part of the deck crew of HMS Warrior. Chris also sent the two following photos:
Dixey's position on the flight deck of HMS Warrior
HMS Warrior's Flight Deck Division
Chris's father is on the far right of the front row
N.A. Parry; Bailie; Hobgen; Cane; Jackson; Wood; Jones; Stanborough; Murray; Greaves; Parkinson; Richardson.
N.A. Lawrence; Luff; Nicol; Smith; Noyes; Mercer; Bennett; Armstrong J.; Guinnanc; Oliver; Armstrong C.; Downing; Orme; Mullin; Mowcoomber.
N.A. Day; Kitson; Norbury; Grove; Napier; Welburn; Knowles; Lawrie; Warren; Heath; Cooke.
L.A. Hall; P.O. Wood; P.O. Golightly; Acmn.l Leigh; C.P.O. Beall; Lt. Turpin; Lt. Ogden; Lt.Cdr. Leggott; Lt. Tetley; Mr. Gardner; P.O. Ablett; P.O. Hume; P.O. Street; L.A. Sims.
N.A. Ferguson; Anderson; Flynn; Henshaw; Churchill; Avenell; Johnson; Martin; Burdett; Hastings; Brannick; Dixey.
George Downs
In February 2022, I received an email from Kevin McClean, whose grandfather, George Downs, served on HMS Warrior for the 1953/54 commission as signaller.
George Downs
Kevin wrote of his grandfather, "he was stationed in Singapore late 50’s accompanied by my grandmother. Until his final days he lived on the North Irish coast in a place called Islandmagee near the port of larne had a large shutter light similar to the one in the picture below which he used to signal passing RN vessels transiting between NI and Scotland."
Kevin also sent a scan of the Communications Division from the Commission Book:
George Downs is in the back row, fourth from the left.
Front Row: O/Tel. Naismith; Tel. Williamson; Sig. Field. L/Sig Roberts; Boy Sig. Corporal Boy Tel. Blundell; Boy Tel. Hopwood; Boy Sig. Munt; Boy Tel. Langshaw; Boy Tel. Massey.
Second Row: Sig. Walsh; Yeo. Askew; P.O. Tel. Geoffrey Shier; C.P.O. Tel. Mills; Lt.Cdr. Daubney; C.C.O. Riggs; P.O. Tel. Greenaway; Yeo. Pickett; P.O. Tel. Godfrey Shier; L/Tel. Hobbs.
Third Row: Coder Wilkinson; L/Tel. Gregory; O/Sig. Brown; Tel. Whatley; L/Tel. Burdett; L/Tel. Lucas; L/Tel. Butlin; O/Tel. Beaumont; Tel. Rodgers; Tel. Hoy; Boy Tel. Ward.
Fourth Row: O/Tel. Jennings; L/Sig. Griffiths; O/Sig. Watts; O/Sig. George Downs; O/Tel. Mackenzie; O/Tel. Miller; O/Tel. Underwood; O/Tel. Griffiths; L/Tel. Theobald; Tel. Owenson; Tel. Herod; O/Sig. Craddock; O.Sig. Grindle.
Raymond Charles Hunt
In March 2015, I received an email from Linda Packham of Victoria, Australia telling of her father Raymond Charles Hunt who was born on February 18, 1928. She says that "Dad passed away in 2001 from a brain tumour also he had asbestosis dad was in the engine room I assume he was a stoker."
Ernest William "Bill" Lamb
In September 2013, I received a great set of photos from Susan Davies of her father, Ernest William Lamb, who served in HMS Warrior in 1953. Susan said he hated being called Ernest and was always called Bill or by his nickname Chips. Susan said he would often talk fondly of his mates "Horse" and "Jock." I wonder if this is the same "Jock" whose picture also appears on this page?
Susan would love to hear from anyone who remembers Bill and we'd like to know anything else about these pictures.
Michael Martin
In January 2005, Helen Adendorff signed my guestbook, saying that her father, Michael Martin, served on HMS Warrior in the 1950's as an aircraft mechanic. She very kindly sent me a photo...
Michael Martin is on the right in this photo
Port Watch
This photo of the Port Watch at Kure, Japan in 1954, was very kindly sent by Taff Webb, whose father, Rowland Victor Webb, served on HMS Warrior.
Port Watch at Kure, Japan in 1954
Geoffrey and Godfrey Shier
The photo below was sent by Kevin McClean, whose grandfather, George Downs, served on HMS Warrior for the 1953/54 commission.
Geoffrey Shier is in the second row, third from the left, his twin Godfrey is in the same row, second from the right.
Front Row: O/Tel. Naismith; Tel. Williamson; Sig. Field. L/Sig Roberts; Boy Sig. Corporal Boy Tel. Blundell; Boy Tel. Hopwood; Boy Sig. Munt; Boy Tel. Langshaw; Boy Tel. Massey.
Second Row: Sig. Walsh; Yeo. Askew; P.O. Tel. Geoffrey Shier; C.P.O. Tel. Mills; Lt.Cdr. Daubney; C.C.O. Riggs; P.O. Tel. Greenaway; Yeo. Pickett; P.O. Tel. Godfrey Shier; L/Tel. Hobbs.
Third Row: Coder Wilkinson; L/Tel. Gregory; O/Sig. Brown; Tel. Whatley; L/Tel. Burdett; L/Tel. Lucas; L/Tel. Butlin; O/Tel. Beaumont; Tel. Rodgers; Tel. Hoy; Boy Tel. Ward.
Fourth Row: O/Tel. Jennings; L/Sig. Griffiths; O/Sig. Watts; O/Sig. George Downs; O/Tel. Mackenzie; O/Tel. Miller; O/Tel. Underwood; O/Tel. Griffiths; L/Tel. Theobald; Tel. Owenson; Tel. Herod; O/Sig. Craddock; O.Sig. Grindle.
I thought it was odd that there were two people named Shier in the photo. A little bit of internet searching found Christine Vorres who is the daughter of Geoffrey. From Christine I learned that Geoffrey and Godfrey were twins. Geoffrey died suddenly in 1978, aged just 48. Godfrey passed away in 2020, aged 90. He lived a long and full life, mostly in good health, despite having the same disease, Atheroma, that killed Geoffrey.
Rowland Victor Webb
The following photos are courtesy of Taff Webb. His father was Rowland Victor Webb who was born in Cardiff in 1932. He served his National Service from June 1953 - June 1955 in the Royal Navy as Stoker/Mechanic D/K 931288. After training on HMS Raleigh, he joined HMS Warrior for her 1953/54 commission in Mess 432. After demob, Rowland worked at the British Steel Works in Port Talbot as a Mechanical Foreman/Boilermaker. He passed away in 2017.
