Comments on: Voyage to Murmansk: a convoy of memories http://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:12:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: j taithttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-721163 j tait Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:16:19 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-721163 the whole free world, owes these brave people who served in the most atrocious conditions, in whichever capacity. an enormous debt of gratitude, even moreso now, as they have waited for years to be acknowledged and recognised for their faithful duty. also to the russian people, who realised the treachery of mr hitler, late on. but stood their ground and assisted us in beating the hated regime into history. amen. the whole free world, owes these brave people who served in the most atrocious conditions, in whichever capacity.
an enormous debt of gratitude, even moreso now, as they have
waited for years to be acknowledged and recognised for their
faithful duty. also to the russian people, who realised the
treachery of mr hitler, late on. but stood their ground and
assisted us in beating the hated regime into history. amen.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Argyll News: DVD now out on Arctic Convoy veterans return to Murmansk :Argyll,Arctic Convoys,DVD,worst journey in world, | For Argyllhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-123407 Argyll News: DVD now out on Arctic Convoy veterans return to Murmansk :Argyll,Arctic Convoys,DVD,worst journey in world, | For Argyll Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:08:32 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-123407 [...] have described them in a piece we published: Voyage to Murmansk: convoy of memories and they figure on the [...] [...] have described them in a piece we published: Voyage to Murmansk: convoy of memories and they figure on the [...]

Edit

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: John Staniforthhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-105044 John Staniforth Sun, 19 Sep 2010 22:40:22 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-105044 Hi, my dad, who passed away earlier this year, was in the RAF and dispatched as a tech/crew for the Wellingtons/Hurricanes to Murmansk. I do not have any further details and wonder if anyone here can advise me of where I might be able to search for such. All I have is a recently rediscovered photo of him and crew in front of a Wellington - some of the men look like they may be Russians(?). It would be interesting to find out who they were and generally more details. Cheers. Hi,
my dad, who passed away earlier this year, was in the RAF and dispatched as a tech/crew for the Wellingtons/Hurricanes to Murmansk. I do not have any further details and wonder if anyone here can advise me of where I might be able to search for such. All I have is a recently rediscovered photo of him and crew in front of a Wellington – some of the men look like they may be Russians(?).
It would be interesting to find out who they were and generally more details.
Cheers.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Paulene Smithhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-39003 Paulene Smith Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:58:46 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-39003 You should talk to my father george Smith who was on the Rusian conveys and spent a few months as a special telegraphist in Siberia in WW2. His stories are amaxing. the ship he sailed on was torpedoed onits way back to UK and he and his code sending mates were seconded for about 3 months inthe arctic circle under Stalin.... let me know if yr interested in more inforamtion via my e mail paulenesmith@hotmail.com You should talk to my father george Smith who was on the Rusian conveys and spent a few months as a special telegraphist in Siberia in WW2. His stories are amaxing. the ship he sailed on was torpedoed onits way back to UK and he and his code sending mates were seconded for about 3 months inthe arctic circle under Stalin…. let me know if yr interested in more inforamtion via my e mail paulenesmith@hotmail.com

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: newsroomhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-31557 newsroom Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:51:32 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-31557 <strong>For Mr K Tench</strong>: We're about to put you in touch with Roy Elwood, a distinguished photographer who served on convoy duty on HMS Zambesi and is collecting and digitising naval photographs from World War II, particularly merchant ships and escorts in the Arctic convoys. We're sure he would be very interested in your photographs - as would we through him. <strong>For other readers</strong>: HMS Campania (D48) was a Royal navy escort aircraft carrier in World War II. She was a convoy escort doing anti-submarine work in the Atlantic and Arctic. In December 1944 her Swordfish aircraft sank the German submarine U-365 while the she was escorting the Arctic Convoy RA-62. We <em>think</em> that this convoy ran from Murmansk to Scapa Flow. After the war, she was a floating exhibition hall for the 1951 Festival of Britain. Then she saw service of a very different kind, as the command ship for the 1952 Operation Hurricane, testing the prototype of the British atomic bomb at the Monte Bello islands off Western Australia. She was built at Harland & Wolff shipyards in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Interestingly, when she started building in 1941 she was to be a refrigerated cargo ship for transporting lamb and mutton from New Zealand. In need of ships, the British Government requisitioned her and she was completed and launched as an escort carrier, entering service in early 1944. For Mr K Tench: We’re about to put you in touch with Roy Elwood, a distinguished photographer who served on convoy duty on HMS Zambesi and is collecting and digitising naval photographs from World War II, particularly merchant ships and escorts in the Arctic convoys.

We’re sure he would be very interested in your photographs – as would we through him.

For other readers: HMS Campania (D48) was a Royal navy escort aircraft carrier in World War II. She was a convoy escort doing anti-submarine work in the Atlantic and Arctic. In December 1944 her Swordfish aircraft sank the German submarine U-365 while the she was escorting the Arctic Convoy RA-62. We think that this convoy ran from Murmansk to Scapa Flow.

After the war, she was a floating exhibition hall for the 1951 Festival of Britain. Then she saw service of a very different kind, as the command ship for the 1952 Operation Hurricane, testing the prototype of the British atomic bomb at the Monte Bello islands off Western Australia.

She was built at Harland & Wolff shipyards in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Interestingly, when she started building in 1941 she was to be a refrigerated cargo ship for transporting lamb and mutton from New Zealand. In need of ships, the British Government requisitioned her and she was completed and launched as an escort carrier, entering service in early 1944.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: MR K TENCHhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-31505 MR K TENCH Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:25:45 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-31505 Hi my dad ( Don Tench ) took a lot of photos on CAMPANIA in world war 2. this year we are going to copy them would any of you guys want some Hi
my dad ( Don Tench ) took a lot of photos on CAMPANIA in world war 2.
this year we are going to copy them would any of you guys want some

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: barbara besthttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-30450 barbara best Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:24:41 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-30450 I saw from an article about the documentary you are making My father who died 10 years ago was a merchant shipman on the Artic convoys he was on the P18 and also on several ships that were torpedoed just outside of Belfast He was given a book of prints of Russian Paintings as a thankyou for volunteering at a concert at the end of a convoy when there was no regular piano player present. I do not have any more details of this but do have a number of photographs of various ships and destroyers that I do not have any details about . Although I live in Australia I shall be in Uk from 11 March and would like to share any of these with you if you need any material I would also like to know more about the convoys as Dad never thought he could talk about them they were so horrific to endure . He was awarded the Artic Star to show he was on the convoys and had cataracts which the doctors said came from the snow in the sunlight , how it damaged his eyes His name was Charles James Gray and his nickname was Lofty and he was an able seaman on electronics If anyone has any more information I would be very please to hear about him Barbara Best I saw from an article about the documentary you are making
My father who died 10 years ago was a merchant shipman on the Artic convoys
he was on the P18 and also on several ships that were torpedoed just outside of Belfast

He was given a book of prints of Russian Paintings as a thankyou for volunteering at a concert at the end of a convoy when there was no regular piano player present.

I do not have any more details of this but do have a number of photographs of various ships and destroyers that I do not have any details about .
Although I live in Australia I shall be in Uk from 11 March and would like to share any of these with you if you need any material

I would also like to know more about the convoys as Dad never thought he could talk about them they were so horrific to endure .
He was awarded the Artic Star to show he was on the convoys and had cataracts which the doctors said came from the snow in the sunlight , how it damaged his eyes

His name was Charles James Gray and his nickname was Lofty and he was an able seaman on electronics
If anyone has any more information I would be very please to hear about him

Barbara Best

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Mr Robert Andrewshttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-18456 Mr Robert Andrews Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:37:42 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-18456 Newsroom I have the e mail addresses of three lads who would be very interested in Des Cox article on the Arctic Voyage plus photos if possible,Please mention my name as they will be wondering where it has come from MOONRAKER-NZ@EXTRA.CO.NZ ( Napier NZ) LAT34SLONG150E@GMAIL.COM (N.S.W.AUS) TCASTLETON@PARADISE.NET.NZ. (WELLINGTON N.Z) These Vindi boy lads all help run the Vindi boy sites in there respective countries and arears,They also have men ther who have been on the Arctic Convoys but were unable to take the voyage through either ill health or distance.For more info on our web site bring up VINDICATRIX on the GOOGLE address bar and all will be revealed Regards Bob Newsroom I have the e mail addresses of three lads who would be very interested in Des Cox article on the Arctic Voyage plus photos if possible,Please mention my name as they will be wondering where it has come from
MOONRAKER-NZ@EXTRA.CO.NZ ( Napier NZ)
LAT34SLONG150E@GMAIL.COM (N.S.W.AUS)
TCASTLETON@PARADISE.NET.NZ. (WELLINGTON N.Z)
These Vindi boy lads all help run the Vindi boy sites in there respective countries and arears,They also have men ther who have been on the Arctic Convoys but were unable to take the voyage through either ill health or distance.For more info on our web site bring up VINDICATRIX on the GOOGLE address bar and all will be revealed Regards Bob

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: newsroomhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-18264 newsroom Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:22:20 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-18264 For Mr Robert Andrews: This is very interesting, Robert. Tell us about the Vindi Boy Association. Why is it called Vindi Boy? And we had assumed that your brother is still alive, was on Discovery for the Murmansk voyage Des Cox arranged and is in one or more of the photographs. Are we right or wrong on each of these assumptions? In terms of the photographs - do you know if the people o Australis and New Zealand to whom you want top send the photographs are on the Internet and use email? This information will help us to work out how best we can help you. For Mr Robert Andrews:
This is very interesting, Robert. Tell us about the Vindi Boy Association. Why is it called Vindi Boy? And we had assumed that your brother is still alive, was on Discovery for the Murmansk voyage Des Cox arranged and is in one or more of the photographs. Are we right or wrong on each of these assumptions?

In terms of the photographs – do you know if the people o Australis and New Zealand to whom you want top send the photographs are on the Internet and use email? This information will help us to work out how best we can help you.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Mr Robert Andrewshttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-18191 Mr Robert Andrews Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:05:30 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-18191 Thank you so much for replying to my comments I would dearly love to beable to send those photos out to Australia and New Zealand to friends who are all within our Vindi boy association,all old sea dogs like myself and who have found themselves safe havens for their retirements,all grand gentlemenI am in one photo with my back to you after the service on board the "Discovery"far left as you look at the photo,also I am seen opposite the fellow with the flag at the cemetary(my brother )His name is Geoff Andrews and he was a Lt Commander in the Fleet Air Arm ,having served on H.M.S Thesues in Korea, Bornio,and Aden when the troubles were there, He then came back to the Uk to train American and Norweigen forces in helicopters and mini hydroplanes ,retired from the flying part after 30yrs and took up maintainence of the helicopters with a private firm,A decorated man what for he never divulged to me or any body else as far as I know I do have photos taken by myself at the ceromonies which I could pass on if you wish I would have to bring them up and scan them for you Regards Bob Andrews Thank you so much for replying to my comments I would dearly love to beable to send those photos out to Australia and New Zealand to friends who are all within our Vindi boy association,all old sea dogs like myself and who have found themselves safe havens for their retirements,all grand gentlemenI am in one photo with my back to you after the service on board the “Discovery”far left as you look at the photo,also I am seen opposite the fellow with the flag at the cemetary(my brother )His name is Geoff Andrews and he was a Lt Commander in the Fleet Air Arm ,having served on H.M.S Thesues in Korea, Bornio,and Aden when the troubles were there, He then came back to the Uk to train American and Norweigen forces in helicopters and mini hydroplanes ,retired from the flying part after 30yrs and took up maintainence of the helicopters with a private firm,A decorated man what for he never divulged to me or any body else as far as I know I do have photos taken by myself at the ceromonies which I could pass on if you wish I would have to bring them up and scan them for you Regards Bob Andrews

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: newsroomhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-18113 newsroom Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:56 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-18113 For Mr Robert Andrews: We'll do all we can to help on this. Do you want permission to copy the photographs from the website articles or... what have you in mind? Would you identify which photos you want? And have you read Jock Dempster's article on the website: T'wo voyages to Murmansk: hell and healing'. There are other photographs with that article of the events at Murmansk this summer. Let us know what you want and we'll take it from there. Would you also also identify your brother for us in one of two of the photographs in which he appears. It would be good to have his name and to know something about him. For Mr Robert Andrews: We’ll do all we can to help on this. Do you want permission to copy the photographs from the website articles or… what have you in mind? Would you identify which photos you want? And have you read Jock Dempster’s article on the website: T’wo voyages to Murmansk: hell and healing’. There are other photographs with that article of the events at Murmansk this summer. Let us know what you want and we’ll take it from there.

Would you also also identify your brother for us in one of two of the photographs in which he appears. It would be good to have his name and to know something about him.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Mr Robert Andrewshttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-18104 Mr Robert Andrews Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:04:21 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-18104 Dear Sirs or Madam, I wonder if it could be permitted for me to have the photos of the meeting of the Russians and Arctic Veterns of which I was part of on that so momentous voyage up there to MURMANSK,not as a veteran but as one who was paying respects to the many seaman and aircraft personnel who lost their lives in that theatre of war. Dez Cox and myself have a dual partneship in that we both went to the same seaschool the VINDICATRIX in Gloucestershire many years ago. I must reiterate the words spoken by so many people about our voyage in that the Russians treated us as visiting royalty. I hope this request is given as my brother who was representing the Royal Navy was seen to be upholding the great tradition of flag bearer. and was in many of the photos Thanking you Regards Bob Andrews British Merchant Navy Port Line 1950/ 60 Dear Sirs or Madam, I wonder if it could be permitted for me to have the photos of the meeting of the Russians and Arctic Veterns of which I was part of on that so momentous voyage up there to MURMANSK,not as a veteran but as one who was paying respects to the many seaman and aircraft personnel who lost their lives in that theatre of war. Dez Cox and myself have a dual partneship in that we both went to the same seaschool the VINDICATRIX in Gloucestershire many years ago.
I must reiterate the words spoken by so many people about our voyage in that the Russians treated us as visiting royalty.
I hope this request is given as my brother who was representing the Royal Navy was seen to be upholding the great tradition of flag bearer. and was in many of the photos

Thanking you Regards Bob Andrews British Merchant Navy Port Line 1950/ 60

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: wayne whiteheadhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-18005 wayne whitehead Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:06:50 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-18005 Well Done it was great Well Done it was great

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: wayne whiteheadhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-18004 wayne whitehead Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:03:29 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-18004 It was a great privilage to be apart of this experince and to represent The Artic Convoy Association of Western Australia and meet with fellow seafarers .Well done Des+Ulla Wayne /Joan Whitehead It was a great privilage to be apart of this experince and to represent The Artic Convoy Association of Western Australia and meet with fellow seafarers .Well done Des+Ulla Wayne /Joan Whitehead

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: John Stockinghttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-17820 John Stocking Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:00:56 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-17820 Des & Ulla Thank you so much for all the very hard work you both put in to make the trip to Murmansk such a memorable, moving, poignant yet very enjoyable experience. My wife and I will never forget it and the way everything went like clockwork. We will always remember the royal way the Russians treated us in Murmansk. Even stopping the traffic to let our coaches through. The service on the after deck of Discovery was especially moving and the weather so good to us. Much different I am sure to that usually experienced by the convoy verterans during WWll. I, fortunately, was too young to have been involved in the convoys myself but do remember my Uncle, who was attached to the Norwegian Navy, telling me as a boy of his experiences which I suppose in some way contributed to my wanting to go to sea myself. We are very much looking forward to our next trip on Discovery around the UK and to meeting again many friends made on the Artic trip Thanks once again and also in advance for your organisation of the round Britain trip next June. John (ex B.P. Radio Officer) & Patricia Stocking Des & Ulla
Thank you so much for all the very hard work you both put in to make the trip to Murmansk such a memorable, moving, poignant yet very enjoyable experience.
My wife and I will never forget it and the way everything went like clockwork. We will always remember the royal way the Russians treated us in Murmansk. Even stopping the traffic to let our coaches through.
The service on the after deck of Discovery was especially moving and the weather so good to us. Much different I am sure to that usually experienced by the convoy verterans during WWll.
I, fortunately, was too young to have been involved in the convoys myself but do remember my Uncle, who was attached to the Norwegian Navy, telling me as a boy of his experiences which I suppose in some way contributed to my wanting to go to sea myself.
We are very much looking forward to our next trip on Discovery around the UK and to meeting again many friends made on the Artic trip
Thanks once again and also in advance for your organisation of the round Britain trip next June.
John (ex B.P. Radio Officer) & Patricia Stocking

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Argyll News: Jock Dempster: hell and healing - two voyages to Murmansk | For Argyllhttp://forargyll.com/2009/10/voyage-to-murmansk-a-convoy-of-memories/#comment-14521 Argyll News: Jock Dempster: hell and healing - two voyages to Murmansk | For Argyll Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:57:49 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=16412#comment-14521 [...] Jock Dempster, Chairman of the Scottish branch of the Russian Convoy Club, along with no more than a handful of his colleages who survived the Arctic Convoys, has had the unique experience of visiting their destination at Murmansk on two very different occasions. The first was his own first Convoy to the far north. The second was an extraordinary voyage in July 2009, arranged by Des Cox of Snowbow Productions and on which we have reported: Voyage to Murmansk: a convoy of memories. [...] [...] Jock Dempster, Chairman of the Scottish branch of the Russian Convoy Club, along with no more than a handful of his colleages who survived the Arctic Convoys, has had the unique experience of visiting their destination at Murmansk on two very different occasions. The first was his own first Convoy to the far north. The second was an extraordinary voyage in July 2009, arranged by Des Cox of Snowbow Productions and on which we have reported: Voyage to Murmansk: a convoy of memories. [...]

Edit

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]>