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
FRED RALPH'S PHOTOS
Fred is in the back row 2nd from left
In later years
Fred is in the back row 2nd from left
Fred joined the Royal Navy in 1936 as a Boy Seaman and served on the Superb between 1951 & 1954 as a Petty Officer and a Commissioned Gunner
You can enlarge the photos by clicking on the appropriate one
IF YOU HOVER OVER THE PHOTOS YOU CAN SEE DESCRIPTIONS
CRICKET IN MAINE PHOTO
Eleanor Ingalls Fochesato from New Jersey, USA sent in this photo and would like to trace Dental Technician John Stevens she met him when HMS Superb was in Boston, Mass in 1953. She corresponded with him for some while and then they lost touch.
John was an oppo of Fred Mills (shown in the photo)
Any information please, in the first instance to the Association - Please click on the button
I.W.M. PHOTO
HMS Superb at Sea 1952
CARTOONS
Posted May, 2016
We are obliged to both Tony Hacket & Malcolm Milham & Bill Long who are still sending in copies of cartoons rescued from their attics showing the naval humour surrounding various stories of happenings on the cruise. Perhaps they will bring back memories of the incidents.
This depicts some of the exercises performed during the first dog watch while at sea. I remember the Marine Band being instructed to play the National Anthem of some remote country on the top of B Turret. As you can see th double bass was carried by the smallest member of the band who had the largest instrument (musical one that is). Sent in by Bill Long
As far as I can remember, this is fictional - or was it? Let's face it was 60 years ago. I particularly like the poor little matelot ditching the gash - and getting the evil eye of the crusher. The pitch fork being held by the Colour Guard is a nice touch too. Sent in by Bill Long
The fishing one is our visit to Gaspe, Province of Quebec, nothing to do so we had a fishing competition. We went there to allow our Landing Parties to hold an exercise in the woods, instruction, IF you meet a BEAR walk away gently, should it follow you, do not climb a tree, do not run uphill, if you have to run go downhill. Sent by Malcolm Milham
This depicts some of the exercises performed during the first dog watch while at sea. I remember the Marine Band being instructed to play the National Anthem of some remote country on the top of B Turret. As you can see th double bass was carried by the smallest member of the band who had the largest instrument (musical one that is). Sent in by Bill Long
MALCOLM MILHAM'S PHOTOS
Posted April, 2016
Following my time in the Andrew I became a TA Soldier in the Buffs, Royal East Kent Regiment, both the Royal West Kent and Buffs amalgamated in the 60's, today I am the Secretary of the Ramsgate branch of the Association of both Regiments
These are of our Football Supporters Group, our team was well supported, although I played for the Rugby team, I was the Hooker. This occasion was the Kings Cup, Home Fleet V Med Fleet at Gib spring 1954, the cruiser in background is HMS Glasgow, Flagship of Lord Mountbatten who was CinC Med at the time. We had put on a good chuck up for the Home Team, then the CinC appeared and we took the hint and left, in an orderly manner.
This one was taken when I retired out of uniform in 2000.
These are of our Football Supporters Group, our team was well supported, although I played for the Rugby team, I was the Hooker. This occasion was the Kings Cup, Home Fleet V Med Fleet at Gib spring 1954, the cruiser in background is HMS Glasgow, Flagship of Lord Mountbatten who was CinC Med at the time. We had put on a good chuck up for the Home Team, then the CinC appeared and we took the hint and left, in an orderly manner.
You can enlarge the photos by clicking on the appropriate one
TERRY RICHARDSON'S PHOTOS
On the Messdeck at Christmas. One of them is Terry Richardson but which one we're not certain
JON WILLSHIR'S PHOTOS
Jon Willshir who served during the British Guiana Incident in 1953 sent in this photo of the Superb Guard. Click on the link to read Jon's on board recollections of that time
In the photograph of the Guard marching the CPO leading the guard is Charlie Revell the CPOGI and the P.O. leading the left hand column was the 2nd Captain of the FX. An R.P.1 which might explain why he was more of a human being than others who had their humanity taken away when attending Gunnery schools.. A confirmed P.O. before he was 26 years old was some going.
TONY HACKETT'S PHOTOS
Our member Tony Hacket was a member of the Electrical Department. Among these photos is a newspaper cutting of the embarkation of the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1953 en route re the famous British Guiana Incident. Tony joined the ship at Chatham when she came back from the W.I. to be at the Spithead Review. He says, "We left Bermuda in a hurry and picked up the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Jamaica. At Georgetown we transferred them the Bigbury Bay as we were too big to get close in. We then returned to Jamaica on standby in case we were needed again. Whilst there played some of the best rugby I had ever experienced ".
Read more about the incident here
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Troops boarding the Superb In Jamaica
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PHIL GRIMSON'S PHOTOS
HMS Superb docked at Pier 92 in New York. circa 1953. Photo kindly posted by Phil Grimson
 HMS SUPERB, turning to dock at pier 92, New York, September 1953.jpg |  HMS Superb dock at Pier 92, New York |
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Royal Yacht "Surprise" passing HMS Superb during the Coronation Review in June 1953
These photos were kindly sent in by Lee FOX a Canadian Naval Researcher living in the United States. Lee has strong connections with the United Kingdom both in the Plymouth area and Scotland.
The photographs are from the Portsmouth Evening News 18th September, 1953
L - R: Lieutenant Michael Musgrave, Captain Robin Graham & Colour Sergeant Archibald Baugh
Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
HMS Superb leaving Basin Number 3
Chatham Dockyard on 5th September, 1952
Photograph courtesy of The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Royal Marines on Parade in New York circa 22 September, 1953
1952 - 1953 Cruise
DAVID MIDDLETON'S PHOTOS
David George William Middleton was born on 13th February, 1918.
He started his career in the Royal Navy in 1937 as a Stoker and changed to the Regulating Branch on 5th December, 1944.
He received a war wound was when his fingers were caught in a pulley taking the shell up to the guns on HMS Foxhound in April, 1941 during the 2nd Battle of Narvik, He told his son that the good thing was it was not his drinking hand.
He also served on HMS Duke of York & Cleopatra
He was on duty at HMS Pembroke gates on the 12th April, 1951, the night the cadets got killed coming down the hill towards the dockyard,
He served on HMS Superb between 25th May, 1952 until 5th September, 1954.
He was awarded the 1939-1945 Atlantic & Africa Stars, Defence and War medals.
Tony Hacket sent in these photos of Bill Bailey, and his mess duty rota jottings. Tony & Bill were messmates and subsequently brothers-in-law, on the 1952-53 Cruise.
There are now more photos of Bermuda dockyard and the Rugby celebrations (May, 2016)
You can enlarge the photos by clicking on the appropriate one
ANDY ADAMS'S PHOTOS
Posted by Andy Adams (an ex soldier) on our Facebook site
Purchased this many years ago on Ebay and have just found this page. The box is a Bakelite chest with a stainless plaque stating the following:
LT.CDR.G.C.P.N. WELLS-COLE R.N.
FROM ARMAMENT DIVISION
H.M.S. SUPERB 1952-1954
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GERALD HICKLING'S PHOTOS
Gerry Hickling joined Ganges in 1948 as a Boy Seaman and later served on HMS Superb when he qualified as a Seaman Diver. His actual dates aboard are not known but it is believed that he was on this cruise.
His Service Number was C/JX839914.
He may be remembered as always having a hand tremor which apparently did not detract from his ability as a diver and as he explained “ During training I was told that the tremor would cease when submerged - and it did !”
POSTED ON
4 August, 2020
PETER SKELTON'S PHOTOS
Peter joined the Royal Navy in May 1952 at 17 years of age and served on the following ships.
HMS Superb (25) – 1952/53
HMS Delight (D119) – 1954 home fleet, passed Leading Seaman in 1956
HMS Agincourt (D86) – 1957 home fleet
HMS Adamant (A164) – 1959 Faslane, Scotland 3rd Submarine Squadron
HMS Dartington M1203 – 1961 104th Mine Sweeping Squadron, Far East
HMS Highburton M1130 – 1963 Portland and Scotland
POSTED ON
7 July, 2022
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