The
H.M.S. SUPERB (CRUISER) ASSOCIATION
ALL (OR NEARLY ALL) YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THE BRITISH NAVY SHIPS NAMED "SUPERB"
Site updated on
3 December, 2024
If you can help in identifying anyone - we'd love you to tell us
HMS SUPERB AT PORTLAND, DORSET
HMS SUPERB AT COWES REGATTA
MICKEY THORNTON'S PHOTOS
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James Thornton was a Stoker on HMS Superb in 1946. He had served throughout the War and was on Arctic Convoys and was part of British Fleet in the Pacific. In 1946 he was drafted to HMS Superb. He was an Irishman so he often got the nickname of Mick, Paddy or Mickey. He served on HMS Cumberland (Arctic Convoys) and HMS Undine. He was on the Undine in The pacific in 1945. The British Pacific Fleet is often called the “Forgotten Fleet” because their service had been downplayed in deference to the American forces who they were supporting. He was also on HMS Royal Sovereign in the battle of the Med. He was a Stoker and then a Leading Stoker. In 2015 Mickey received the Arctic Star posthumously.
CLICK ON THE ABOVE PHOTO TO SEE LARGER IMAGE
BILL POTTICARY'S PHOTOS
Photos posted November, 2016
 |  Their Christmas meals were better than mine that year |
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 Bill taking it easy |  |
 Bethlehem outside the church of the Nativity |  Jerusalem in front of the Dome of the Rock |
 Possibly 15th May in company with HMS Orion was fired on by Albanian shore batteries in the Corfu Channel. |  Bill & Doreen |
 |  Bill on left |
 Bill on left |  Bill on left |
 Bill is on the left of the group. |
Debbie Richardson, Bill's daughter, sent in these photos of her dad.
Bill was a Stores Petty Officer who served on board in 1946
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I.W.M. PHOTO
1 July, 1949 The cruiser HMS SUPERB at anchor in Mounts Bay. In the background can be seen the aircraft carrier HMS IMPLACABLE, Flagship of the C in C Home Fleet, the Battleship HMS HUSAR and the Dutch Cruiser TROMP
JIM NORGAN'S PHOTOS
These photos of Stoker Jim Norgan were sent in by Jim's wife, Margaret.
Jim served on board between 1945 & 1948.
The swing photo appeared in the London evening paper "The Star". It shows Jim & a shipmate at the Easter Fair on Hampstead Heath
Jim is in the back row 3rd from the left
CHARLIE FIELD'S PHOTOS
Circa 1946 - Charlie Field was an Able Seaman & served on board between 1945 and 1947 so he was there during the during the Corfu Incident. (read more about this incident by clicking on the button)
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 |  John Coy, Alice Birk and Charles Field in Copenhagen. |
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See also Obituary - click here
March 1946 - Princess Elizabeth leaving Belfast on HMS Superb
Photo sent in by Lee Fox
Great picture from THE ENGINEER of the HMS Superb in 1946 thanks to Grace's Guide British Industrial History for having this available online
BERT HALL'S PHOTOS
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Terry Hall who is the son of the late Bert Hall sent in these photos of his dad taken on the 1943 - 1946 excursion to Italy & Palestine.
Terry also has a video (dedicated to his father) of the cruise on YouTube and you can view it by clicking on this button below.
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ANDY BRIERLEY'S PHOTOS
Andy Brierley, who writes our "Musings" Page several times a year, sent in this photograph of him (with the mop of hair and on the left axle) during a Field Gun competition just about hitting the home ramp. Photo taken in March, 1946.
Shame that the "Powers That Be" don't put this wonderful show on any more. We probably all know why.
GEORGE CRAWFORD'S PHOTOS
Fiona MacPhee who is the granddaughter of George Crawford a crew member in 1946 has kindly sent in photos of George with some oppos. She is trying to compile some family history so if you can help, Especially with regard to the ship's movements on this 1946 cruise, please get in touch with us by contacting the Chairman Robin Smith.
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JIM STEWART'S PHOTOS
Photograph taken in Ash Road, Strood, Kent around 1948 just after their marriage
Jim Stewart - - his son, Jeff, is trying to trace anyone who knew James Stewart a Telegraphist on board the "Superb" between 1947 & 1951. Jim served in the Royal Navy between 1946 and 1958 and crossed the bar at HMS Pembroke, Chatham in May 1958 and anyone with any information or anecdotes are invited to contact this site in the first instance in order to be put in touch with Jeff. He can also be contacted via our (Cruiser Superb) Facebook Page
There are 3 photos of Jimmy - simply click on the slide show.
Jimmy crossed the bar in 1958
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IN AN ATTEMPT TO DISCOVER WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE TRUE CAUSE OF JIM'S DEATH, HIS SON JEFF HAS LAUNCHED AN APPEAL FOR ANY INFORMATION WHICH MAY THROW SOME LIGHT ON THE MATTER. YOU CAN READ JEFF'S ANNOUNCEMENTS BY CLICKING IN THIS BUTTON
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FRANK WHITE'S PHOTOS
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POSTED ON
15 April, 2019
Frank served as an ERA 4 on HMS Exmoor from 15/6/43 until June 45, returned on leave in July to marry. He went back to Chatham he was assigned to Superb until he left the navy on 7/11/46. Information kindly supplied by Carl White, Frank's grandson
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STEPHEN MADDISON'S PHOTOS
Steve was a 19 year old stoker aboard between 1946 & 1947
POSTED ON
18 February, 2020
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COMMANDER'S DAILY ORDERS
These Photos have been re-constructed from the originals
POSTED ON
18 February, 2020
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CHRIS ROBINSON'S PHOTOS
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The Commander thought the race would be more interesting if the Boys crew swapped rigs with the Gunroom! It was believed at the time that the be-medalled Jacket had been owned by Prince Philip when he was a Midshipman. Chris is second from the LHS on the back row. Basil Whitecross is the dark haired Mid at the RHS on the back row.
The Commander thought the race would be more interesting if the Boys crew swapped rigs with the Gunroom! It was believed at the time that the be-medalled Jacket had been owned by Prince Philip when he was a Midshipman. Chris is second from the LHS on the back row. Basil Whitecross is the dark haired Mid at the RHS on the back row.
Chris served as a Midshipman joining the Superb in 1948 and later served on HMS Duke of York
POSTED ON
18 February, 2020
FRANK GRANT'S PHOTOS
Frank served between January 1949 to August 1950 as Boy Seaman and in Gibraltar he won the junior middle weight boxing championship for the home fleet about April 1949. He later served as a submariner on HMS Trespasser leaving in 1957
POSTED ON
6 November, 2021
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HARRY FEARON'S PHOTOS
Around 1946 Harry was believed to have been on board the Superb as a Radar operative. His exact rating is unknown but he was a Ganges Boy. He finished training at the end of WW2 and his obituary says that "National Service took him naturally enough into the Royal Navy and he saw post war service with the Home Fleet in Casablanca, Tangier, and Scandinavia"
His oppo on board was Jim Hodges for whom we have no details
POSTED ON
9 February, 2022
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LUCY MATHEWSON'S PHOTOS
Lucy was a member of an ice skating show working in Stockholm in 1947.
The ship went into Stockholm in the late afternoon of 15h June, 1947 and was there for 8 days.
The warship Dido joined the Superb and together, on 20th June, they held a dance for the officers on the ship’s quarterdecks and I imagine that was when Lucy and her colleagues were invited to join the fun.
However there’s no mention of the names of the guests and Lucy's son, James, and his sister would like to be reminded of the name of the show.
If you or someone you know are in the photos and can help please let us know by clicking on this button.
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