Royal Navy Research Archive

Paul DAVIES

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 12:54:28 +0000

My Father, Philip Davies sailed to Australia on this ship aged 20 as a rating. He too described staying on a family farm and how generous the people of Australia were in sending food to the UK. In addition to dumping equipment to make room for stores, he also recalled dumping machine tools in St Georges Channel as it was felt that surplus tools would hold back economic recovery in the UK.

Christopher Martin

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:17:57 +0100

My father, CPO Jack Martin (Air Mechanic E) sailed in HMS Beauly Firth to Australia and back 1945-6, during which period I was born. He enlisted in 1936, and retired from the RN in 1963 as a Lieutenant. He was likely acquainted with some of those mentioned below who served on the ship at that time. Whilst in Australia, he visited relatives, with whom he lost all contact and we know nothing about. Would anyone know who they were ?

Judy Desha

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 05:18:03 +0100

Hi Angela, I'm just revisiting this site to get info for my granddaughter re her great grandad, after reading all the new posts I wonder if it would be possible for you to forward a copy of the crossing the line photos, just to see if I can spot dad in them. I'm interested in any details of the journeys of this ship as I am trying to record our history -its slow! Many Thanks, Judy (Judith W)

Ian Johnson

Sat, 13 Jul 2019 16:16:56 +0100

My Dad, COA Ben(Jamin) Johnson, was on the ship I believe, after sailing out on HMS Belfast for the possible invasion of Japan. Being a keen cricketer and hockey player he talked of visiting Sydney and Fiji, amongst other places in a most enjoyable voyage ‘flying the flag’ . Though on which ship, again I am not sure. I have a picture of a Japanese battleship/aircraft carrier ISI, taken in Kane Harbour Dated April 1946. With their cutter along side. He also served on HMS Phoebe and HMS Zest. Mum, Leading Wren Ida Johnson(nee Bott) is still alive, having been land based on HMS Pembroke 3 and 4, (St. Clements), HMS Kestrel, HMS Hornbill .

John Skelton

Mon, 24 Dec 2018 12:38:12 +0000

My father Arthur (red) Skelton who we sadly lost in 1970 was a Stoker Petty Officer on board according to his Naval record being transfered to the ship in April 1945 whilst the ship was still being fitted out. It was to be his last trip with the Navy before leaving after the voyage completing 12 years service on his return in 1946.
We would appreciate any stories, records or photographs that anyone would like to share

Rob Lye

Sat, 17 Nov 2018 17:59:27 +0000

My father Peter Lye, served aboard this ship on the voyage described.

I have a number of items from his time aboard, including the crossing the line certificate and a wooden”key” made in the ships workshop annotated with all the ports they visited on the trip.

Sadly he passed away early this year as I have no doubt he would have loved to read this.

Angela Lavis

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 19:26:13 +0000

My father Robert Malcolm served on this ship, I have photos of the Beauly Firth and of the men who stayed on the farm at Rathdowney with the Ralson family also photos and a certificate from when they crossed the line on the 11th of December.

Judith Desha ne Winchester

Sun, 16 Jul 2017 07:36:46 +0100

Lovely to get this information, my Father Courtney John Winchester served on the Beauly Firth in WW2 and as I am now researching family history records as above are great to bring added information to our story.
If anyone has photos of the ship, personnel and general information I would be happy to be able to look at it via email if at all possible. Thank You.

Christopher betley

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 23:40:04 +0100

My father Joseph Edward betley was an engineer on aero engines on this ship

Judith Desha

Sun, 02 Oct 2016 12:14:51 +0100

My father Mr Courtney John Winchester,served on this ship and stayed with a local family while docked in Brisbane. He and his family remained in close contact with them after the war ended. A large photograph of the Beauly Firth was always on display in our home in Wales along with photos of my father in Uniform. He often spoke of the ditching of items from the ship in order to carry back much needed food supplies for Britain from Australia.

Valerie Smith

Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:39:11 +0100

My father, Jack Mills, served on this ship. He died recently, but I have in my possession a pocket diary which indicates that the ship was in Singapore on Sunday 9th December 1945, weighed and proceeded on the 10th December, crossed the line on 11th December (we have some photographs of this ceremony in our family records), and was in Flores on Saturday 15th December 1945.

Valerie Smith

Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:01:03 +0100

My father, Jack Mills served on this ship. He recently died, but I have in my possession a pocket diary which records the ship was in Singapore on Sunday 9th December 1945, weighed and proceeded on 10th December, crossed the line on Tuesday 11th December, (we have in our family records photographs of the crossing the line ceremony) and reached Flores on Saturday 15th December 1945. My dad told us, that when moving the gold bullion from A to B, they got lost! I can only assume that it eventually reached its destination!