Royal Navy Research Archive

Ben Leach

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 22:36:37 +0000

My grandfather served on the HMS Artifex, I have a copy of the Xmas 1945 menu signed by his shipmates, I would like it to be posted to this site for all to see

Carol Shurmer

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:49:36 +0100

Good afternoon from Spain.... my father Leslie Brewster was on the HMS Artifex & told me many stories of the places he visited whilst in service. He was just 17 when he joined the RN & told a white lie about his age in order to be accepted. One thing that sticks in my mind is that during Christmas they would string up the empty cans of H.I.T.S. (Herrings in tomatoe sauce)around the Mess as decorations! I was fascinated by these stories & sadly but probably just as well,didn't realize just what sacrifices all these young men made for their country.

Kevin Adderley

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 22:10:07 +0100

My dad , Kevin Adderley , served on the Artifex in WW2. I recognise many of the places mentioned from my dads stories. They spent some time in Gladstone, Queensland, where they were billeted with local families. My dad stayed in touch with his hosts, the Buttetworths, until his death

James W Burke

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:47:07 +0000

My Uncle Dennis George Burke served on HMS Artifex as Able Seamen. He got the Burma Star. Didn't know much about his time in WW2 but he worked for the Port of London Authority afterwards, on a swing bridge. Taught me chess as a kid ;-)

Trevor Love

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 10:51:47 +0100

Hi looking for a crew list from ww2, my father in law was on this ship James William Bailey, believed to be a CPO, so looking for any information for my wife, her father died when she was 13 and has limited information about her father

Steve Mills

Sat, 24 Apr 2021 15:55:28 +0100

Hi everybody,

My father in law, who is no longer with us was a petty officer on the artifex, he told me a story of pedro the monkey, does that ring any bells?

Does any body have photos of the artifex?

My email is: millssteve@hotmail.com

Lawrie Stewart

Thu, 28 May 2020 03:21:23 +0100

I have found 2 items. One Dad in Whites, I guess in Asia. The second is his crossing the equator cert. Where can I get them posted.

Susan teare

Fri, 22 May 2020 13:34:40 +0100

John, my father Don Jacobs was also an Electrical Artificer on the Artifex. Sue

John Ramsdale

Wed, 20 May 2020 08:12:20 +0100

I have come lately to this site and have found it very useful. My dad John (Jack)Ramsdale served on the HMS Artifex. His rank was ACT ERA 4DETN, although I am not sure what this means. I have been putting a family history together and have enjoyed researching the role of the British Pacific Fleet and the Fleet Train. Jack enjoyed his time in Australia that we emigrated from Blackburn, Lancashire in 1955 to Melbourne. Jack died in1996 but he spoke fondly of the time he spent in the Navy, the people he served with and the places he visited.

Susan teare

Wed, 13 May 2020 20:47:33 +0100

John, my father Don Jacobs was also an Electrical Artificer on the Artifex. Sue

John Upton

Tue, 12 May 2020 17:54:24 +0100

Hi Tom, I've described earlier on this site that my father served on Artifex from when it left plymouth to when it returned to Barry Docks in June 1946. He died in 1983 but I have posted some photos taken on board Artifex on Flikr. I would love to see any photos that your granddad has. John

John Upton

Tue, 12 May 2020 17:45:06 +0100

Hi Colin, I've sent you an email asking if you can send me copies of the pictures you've described. As I've posted earlier on this site my dad George Upton was an Electrical Artificer on the Artifex and I've put his photos on board the ship on Flikr. Let me know if you want me to email them to you? John

Colin Bradley

Mon, 11 May 2020 00:28:22 +0100

Hi Andrea,
I scan photos from my dad's time on the Artifex and email to you. My email is cbr@uvic.ca.
~ Best regards, Colin Bradley

Colin Bradley

Mon, 11 May 2020 00:26:33 +0100

Hi Lawries,
I scan photos from my dad's time on the Artifex and email to you. My email is cbr@uvic.ca.
~ Best regards, Colin Bradley

Colin Bradley

Mon, 11 May 2020 00:25:31 +0100

Hi Lesley,
I scan photos from my dad's time on the Artifex and email to you. My email is cbr@uvic.ca.
~ Best regards, Colin Bradley

Colin Bradley

Mon, 11 May 2020 00:23:31 +0100

Hi Lesley,
I scan some photos and email to you. My dad was on the Artifex. My email is: cbr@uvic.ca

~ Colin Bradley

Colin Bradley

Mon, 11 May 2020 00:21:58 +0100

Hello to Lawrie Stewart, Lesley Nicholls, Andrea Scott & Tom Nicholls. Your posting on the HMS Artifex site just arrived in my inbox. I have photos of my dad's service on the ship. I can email them if you are interested (cbr@uvic.ca).
Regards, Colin Bradley

John Upton

Sun, 10 May 2020 17:32:39 +0100

I have added my comments to the HMS Artifex page in the past and received other contributers' comments but now cannot see any of the previous converstaions. Is there a fault on the page?

Lesley Nicholls

Sat, 09 May 2020 16:31:27 +0100

This is a reply to Tom Nicholls. Thanks for getting in touch, my dad was always known as Jack so I don't think he is the Herbie your dad remembers, great t hear he is still going strong. If I knew how I could add a photo of Jack in his uniform, best wishes

Tom Nicholls

Fri, 08 May 2020 12:56:11 +0100

Hi Lesley, my grandad served on HMS Artifex as a stoker too ! His name is Bill Marks. I’ve just spoken to him (he’s still going at 94 and v fit with it !) and mentioned Herbert to him - it rang a bell although “Herbie” did more than Jack. He said they would have shared the same mess deck. He’s got a few photos which I’ll go through with him when we’re all allowed out. I’ve got a menu from a Xmas dinner that is signed by everyone - I’ll dig that out too if you’re interested. All the best, Tom

Lawrie Stewart

Sat, 25 Apr 2020 01:11:44 +0100

My father Alexander Spink Stewart e."Sandy" was a Petty Officer on the Artifex and served in the Pacific during the war Its been almost impossible to find any information regarding the crew. I had some photos which I am trying to recover and would love to see any photos that can be shared. Thanks

Andrea Scott

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 23:49:44 +0100

Hi just doing the family tree and was trying to find my fathers navy details his name was Brian Baker and served on the HMS Artifex up until 1949 spent most of the time in Oz and Honkong he was a telegraphist and navy reporter I have the telegram declaring Splice the main brace to say war is over does any one know him died 1996

Lesley Nicholls

Sat, 08 Feb 2020 17:37:40 +0000

My dad served on HHMS Artifex. He was a stoker, his name was Herbert John Gooden but was always known as Jack. Sadly he died of cancer in 1984. I have a photo of him in uniform but don't know if you can upload here. He went to Australia which he loved and wanted to go there to live under the assisted passage but my mum wouldn't go.

Colin Bradley

Sat, 01 Sep 2018 03:26:32 +0100

Hello,
I came across this website when trying to track down my Dad's Royal Navy service number. He served on the Artifex and went to Hong Kong and Australia sometime between 1944 and 1946. I have a few photos that I just scanned. I could email to anyone interested. My Dad's name is Norman Bradley.
Best regards.

Susan teare

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 08:32:08 +0100

Hi Tony, I am so sorry, I will not be able to ask my father about yours as he died at Easter. It is so sad that so many wonderful brave men had to succumb to dementia before we found their true stories

Tony Lyons

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 12:41:52 +0100

Hi again. I was chatting with my father in law yesterday, and he has corrected me! Robert Booth says that for the majority of his time on board the Artifex, he was known as 'Geordie' Booth. Its a new one on both myself and his daughter, but hope springs eternal that someone may recognise the name.
Best regards Tony

Tony Lyons

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 20:32:31 +0100

Hi everyone, I am delighted to have unearthed your forum. My father in law served on the Artifex also, around the very same time you have been discussing. He is Mr Robert Booth, but has been known by 'Roy' for many years.
He has dementia now, but it is like flicking a switch when we chat about his times in Australia and Manus. He would be absolutely astounded and delighted to learn of the possible whereabouts of his former colleagues and friends. They must have made quite a bond, in testing times, I'm determined to put the sparkle back in Roy's eye!
I look forward in anticipation of some extraordinary good news.

SianSumners

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 19:52:31 +0100

Hi Sue
Just wondering if your dad remembers Harry Morris Brown he was a Petty Officer died of heat stroke sadly on HMS Artifex. Came across him whilst doing the family tree. Kind regards sian

Sue Teare

Sat, 18 Mar 2017 17:02:01 +0000

Thank you John. Dad will love to see these, they are great. I will let you know what he says.
Thank you again

John Upton

Sat, 18 Mar 2017 15:22:52 +0000

I thought your dad may like to see some photos of the Artifex and a few of the crew, so I've tried to set up an album on Flickr and include the link below in the hope that you can bring it up on your computer for him,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147966720@N05/