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Passage to Australia


 

SLINGER at Aden with her destroyer escorts VENUS, VOLAGE & ESKIMO.1

 

The port of Aden.2

 

The entrance to Colombo harbour.2

 

Entering Colombo harbour.2

 


'Crossing the Line'


 

King Neptune and his courtiers come aboard.3

 

A crowd gathers to welcome the Royal guests.3

 

The Royal carriage loaded with bountiful maidens.2

 

The Captain welcomes the visitors.2

 

The Commander is decorated.2

 

The King, the Princess and retinue.2

 

H.M. King Neptune.3

 

 

A last minute introduction to the guard of honour.2

 

King Neptune addresses the ships company.3

 

Commander "Big Willie" Roberts is attacked by the Bears.3

 

The Commander waits for a ducking.3

 

He’s had it!3

 

Everyone completing the ceremony received a certificate: this one was awarded to Able Seaman Herbert Wilkinson.3

 


The British Pacific Fleet

Arrival in Australia February 1945


 

 

February 25th 1945 the Corsairs of 1845 squadron perform a fly-past overhead as they say farewell to HMS SLINGER on her arrival at Sydney. The Squadron flew ashore to HMS NABTHORPE {Mobile Naval Air Base No 3} at Schofields N.S.W.1

 

February 25th 1945 SLINGER entering Sydney harbour with the aid of a tug.1

 

February 25th 1945 SLINGER mooring in Sydney harbour with the famous bridge as her backdrop.1

 

February 25th 1945 view down the flight deck as SLINGER enters Sydney harbour.1

 

February 25th 1945 a stunning view as HMS SLINGER passes under Sydney harbour bridge with the remaining {unserviceable} Corsairs of 1845 squadron ranged on deck.1

 


Duty as replenishment carrier


 

HMS SPEAKER sailing in company with SLINGER as she steams towards the fleet refuelling area to issue spare airframes during the replenishment period April 2nd - 5th off the Philippines.1

 

Replacement aircraft in the hanger of HMS SLINGER, these were loaded in Sydney so that she had a replenishment load aboard ready for her first visit to the refuelling area off the Philippines.2

 

March 26th SLINGER at anchor in San Pedro Bay, Leyte where she became part of Logistic Support Group Task Unit 112 .2 .3 which left Leyte on March 29th to proceed to the replenishment area east of Luzon.2

 

A load of external fuel tanks is taken aboard from a lighter using one of the ship's A frame hoists. These tanks considerably extended the range of British aircraft types, in particular the Seafire.1

 

A Corsair leaves the deck bound for one of the fleet carriers as a replenishment airframe carried aboard SLINGER to replace operational loses during a fleet replenishment period in the Pacific - date not known.1

 

A Hellcat sits ready on the accelerator running up to full power in readiness for launch, it is a replenishment airframe, one of many carried aboard SLINGER to replace operational loses during fleet replenishment periods in the Pacific - date not known.1

 

A Hellcat sits on the flight deck with its engine running and chocks in place somewhere North of the Philippines - date not known.1

 

Above & Below: April 4th 1945 casualties are taken on board by jackstay transfer from destroyers. These are men from fleet carriers hit by Kamikaze attacks; they are to be transferred to the Hospital ship OXFORDSHIRE at Leyte. 1& 7

 

April 4th 1945 casualties are arriving on board transferred from destroyers for onward transfer to the Hospital ship OXFORDSHIRE at Leyte. Replacement Avengers are parked on deck.7

 

April 4th 1945Receiving Casualties from Indefatigable are hauled aboard. Replacement Fireflies are parked on the round down.7

 

April 4th 1945 casualties are arriving on board transferred from destroyers for onward transfer to the Hospital ship OXFORDSHIRE at Leyte. Replacement Avengers are parked on deck.7

 

 

BURIAL AT SEA

April 6th a burial at sea is held for Petty Officer Mitchell one the casualties taken off the fleet carrier HMS INDEFATIGABLE, who died of his injuries sustained in a Kamikaze attack after being taken aboard SLINGER.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Return  to Australia for repairs


 

April 29th 1945 view from the bridge as SLINGER enters the Cairncross Dry Dock at Brisbane for repairs to her Low Pressure Rotor, part of her propulsion system. This repair was to limit her to 12 knots - too slow for flying operations so she was redesigned a ferry carrier and renumbered A452.

 

Newspaper report in the The Courier-Mail , Brisbane, Tuesday 15 May 1945 - no mention of repair is made, only repainting the ship.3

 

May1945 Members of the ship's company waiting to be ferried back on board after shore leave in Brisbane

 

May 1945 HMS SLINGER shortly after post repair sea trials - redesigned a ferry carrier and renumbered A452 she was now too slow to make flying speed of 14 knots.3

 


 

Thanks to the following individuals for supplying the images; the symbols identify which images belong to which donor, images with no symbol are from the Royal Navy Research Archive collection:

1 From the collection of Mr. John Lawson former Coder who served on SLINGER

2 Images taken from the photo album of the late Reg Hunt, Stores Assistant. Reg served in HMS SLINGER 29 August 1943 to 8 November 1945.

3 Kindly supplied by Mr. David Yates, part of a collection of materials that belonged to his grandfather Able Seaman Herbert Wilkinson who Served on HMS SLINGER September 1944 to December1945.

4 Kindly supplied by Mr. Mike Roshier; Mike kindly loaned two rolls of film negatives shot by his father Alan John Roshier while serving on HMS SLINGER in the ship's photographic department 1945.

5 Kindly supplied by Mrs. Maureen Corfield, daughter of Arine Edward Badham of MONAB 8.

6 Thanks to Mr. E.M. 'Mac' McCarthy a former Writer who served with HMS NABCATCHER. MONAB 8. and took passage to Hong Kong on SLINGER.

7 Kindly supplied by Mr. Cyril Davies who served as an Able Seaman, D/JX651199, on SLINGER in 1945.

 

Page last edited: 02 December 2018
 

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