Comments on: Letter home from Midshipman Derek Hirst HMS Zambesi 8th May 1945

By: Andy Pettifer

Andy Pettifer — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:00:39 +0000

My father, Norman Pettifer, was the ASDIC operator on HMS Zambesi and I remember him telling me about all of these events. Sadly he passed away too young at 67 but he remained very proud of his days at sea.

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By: peter hall

peter hall — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:21:05 +0000

Hi
my name is Peter Hall. the l/seaman on the right is my father. George Hall. I hope this helps.

Peter Hall (BATH. U.K.)

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By: Roy Elwood

Roy Elwood — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:16:05 +0000

To Rod Hinchco. You might have picked up Steve Chistensen whose father served on the Zealous. He did not give his father’s name but said he took part in the rescue of the Norwegeans from Soroy and convoy RA64 from Russia. steve.christensen@sbs.com.au

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By: Christine Ward

Christine Ward — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 07:19:09 +0000

Hi All, I have just had an email from lovely Roy Elwood who told me about Dad being recognised by the RNZN Veterans Association. He would have been so very proud and
I would be more than happy to provide any further information you might need. I have
Dad’s service record, showing that he joined the HMS Zambesi. The photos I have are pretty damaged now and Roy has done a wonderful job of bringing them back to life again.
Funnily enough, this all began with a search I was making for a shipmate of Dads named
George Morris. Does anyone out there know him? I have a lovely photo of him and Dad in Birmingham. I am so grateful to Roy and Derek for showing me the life my father had during the War and the sacrifices he and his fellow sailors made for us all here in NZ will never be forgotten.

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By: Roy Elwood

Roy Elwood — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:56:44 +0000

To Rod Hinchco. I was very interested in your letter above. Parts of the story appear in different places on the For Argyll site and I do not monitor this one so closely, but you may have heard fron Christine Jones by now. If not I feel sure she would be happy to make contact so am drawing her attention to your letter. I might have another one for you.

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By: Elaine Rainbird

Elaine Rainbird — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:10:44 +0000

Have just read your very interesting article with letter from New Zealand veteran who was on HMS Zambesi in Bergen at the end of the German Occupation. I was beginning to think that my father was the only other serviceman who took part in this historical event. I too have a letter my father wrote home to my mother during the liberation (from HMS Norfolk), describing events very similar to those of Ray/Joe Ward. My father survived the war as a Royal Marine, but was sadly killed in a road accident some six years later when I was 18 months old. I treasure his letter as it brings me closer to the person I never knew, but who was and still is very much part of my family. Would it be possible to have a copy of the above article for my reference? If appropriate I would be happy to send part of my father’s letter to you or Christine Jones. Many thanks.

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By: Rod Hinchco

Rod Hinchco — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:19:26 +0000

Hello, I hope this falls on friendly ears. As the National President of RNZN Veterans Association, I have long sought to honour our lads who served aboard British ships during WW1 and WW2, and here find decendents of one, Signalman, Ray(Joe) Ward, In Christine Jones.

I seek permission to publish on our Facebook page RNZN Veterans4Justice, an account of this man and as many of his fellow New Zealanders as I am able.

Please, if you read this Christine, or if anyone who does, who knows her whereabouts, please draw my request to her attention.

Very kind regards,

R.E. (Banjo) Hinchco
National President
RNZN Veterans Association

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By: World War II History» Letters from HMS Zambesi

World War II History» Letters from HMS Zambesi — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:39:45 +0000

[...] home from Midshipman Derek Hirst HMS Zambesi 8th May 1945 forargyll.com published this on 10:51 am, Wednesday, 30th September, [...]

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