49.
Oct. 21, 2015

My father, Thomas Michael McGrane, who was a member of the HMS Indomitable Association a few years ago, and has been ill for some time, sadly passed away on October 16th 2015. He enjoyed his time in the association and attended a few reunions. As far as I know he served on the Indomitable in the 1950's. I don't know what his rank was, just that he was in the fleet air arm. When he was in the Indomitable Association he was at one time responsible for sorting out subscriptions and keeping information on membership up to date, I believe this was in the 1990's.

Yours sincerely,
Corinne Butler (Mrs)

48.
Aug. 20, 2015

My father, Ted Aston, served on Indom as a TAG/CPO and I do have some photos of him with 857 squadron.

Jeremy H. Aston

47.
Apr. 1, 2015

I have just found this site on the Indomitable, my father was a Chief Petty Officer on the Indom when the explosion occurred just before she was decommissioned, his name was Fredrick John Heath. He retired from the navy in 1954 after joining as a cadet at the age of 14 in 1928. He sadly passed away in 1976.

Barbara Young

46.
Dec. 16, 2014

On the afternoon or early evening of 5 April 1942, a number of Albacores armed with torpedoes were ranged on the flight decks of Indomitable and Formidable, in preparation for a night attack on the Japanese fleet which had attacked Colombo. The attack was not launched because the position, course and speed of the Japanese fleet could not be established, but I'd be very interested to learn how many Albacores were to participate in the strike and the time at which they were ranged. If anyone could provide this information, or suggest where I might be able to find it, that would be very helpful. (It's not in Indomitable's log, of which I have a copy.)

Many thanks,
Rob Stuart
Ottawa, Canada

45.
Dec. 1, 2014

My father, James Birrell Pearson, served on HMS Indomitable in WWII and was still serving until the mid nineteen fifties. My brother and I cannot locate any of his papers although we have found his medals. As my father has passed away our family would like to know what position my father held aboard HMS Indomitable.

Regards,
Jean Bonham nee Pearson

44.
Sept. 16, 2014

Can anyone help with information on my Grandad who served aboard HMS Indomitable during the 2nd World War Harold Ernest George Summers. He was killed on board ship when it came under fire off the coast of Malta. Many thanks in anticipation.

Carole Taylor

43.
Sept. 8, 2014

I'm trying to find information on Royal Naval Officer DICK MICHELL (Captain I think) who served on HMS INDOMITABLE in post- war operations and exercises (Castinets etc.) in the early 1950's. I have a considerable amount of correspondence exchanged, both at sea and in port, from him to my mother in Gulval, Penzance, Cornwall.  As a child of about 4 - 6 years old I can remembering him visiting our home on several occasions when stationed with the Western Union Fleet in Mounts Bay, and can even recall our whole family of 5 children being taken on board the INDOMITABLE for tea! Any information would be most welcome to complete the remarkable exchange of correspondence I have, but which leaves me with lots of unanswered questions. I do know that he was on the INDOMITABLE near Malta at the time of the big explosion in February 1953. The last letter in my possession is to confirm to my mother that he is "still alive"!

Many thanks,
Catharine Murray

42.
Dec. 30, 2013

I am trying to find any info on my late father who served on board the Indomitable during WWII. He also served on the Indupitable and the Pacheco. I am not sure of the spelling i'm afraid. His name was Robert Andrews from Glasgow and he also served as a gunner in the D.E.M.S. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Bob Andrews

41.
Aug. 8, 2013

I just thought people would like to know that my father in law Albert Pollard (a.k.a. Tony) who was a sail maker on HMS Indomitable from around late 42 through to 45 serving in the Pacific in 1943 has sadly passed away following Pneumonia. He was like many a silent and unsung hero.  "Fair winds and a true course" Tony.

Ian Watson
Essex, U.K.

40.
Dec. 30, 2012

My father, Dennis Charles Jeacock, who served on HMS Eagle and HMS Indomitable until 1945 sadly passed away on the 20th December 2012 and his funeral is on 3rd January 2013 he was 89. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. Sleep tight Dad xxx.

Alan Jeacock

39.
Aug. 21, 2012

My father served aboard HMS Indomitable as a Writer and was on board when they sailed towards Japan to assist in a planned attack.  The two atomic bombs were dropped and so the Indomitable sailed to Australia and berthed in Sydney. My great Aunt who had been married to a sea captain (merchant navy) was socially very well connected and took my father under her wing.  He accompanied her to cocktail parties in flash apartments overlooking Sydney harbour. She got him a motorcycle to ride around on and fixed him up with a girl.  When the Indomitable left port, a message was received saying that Paul Maslin, my father, was to be returned to Sydney.  My father worked closely with the officer who dealt with these matters and persuaded him not to send him back.  There was an odd bloke called Hubbard who didn't 'fit in', so they sent him back instead. An interesting story.  I often wonder, as did my father, who died in January 2012, what became of Hubbard.  Did he stay in Oz?

Regards,
Andy Maslin
REM1 D124075K

38.
Aug. 6, 2012

Does anyone recall or have records of John (known as Jack) Jones, from near Swansea South Wales - who served on Indomitable in 1444 and 1945 through until her return to the UK in November 1945? He was a leading sick berth attendant on Indomitable, a pharmacist in civilian life. My father died in 1957 and we have little record of his service - and the photos (Ceylon etc) are long gone.

Kind regards,
Martin Jones
Melbourne, Australia

37.
July 14, 2012

Does anyone have any information on my father Alfred William Callen who served on H M S Indomitable. He served 22 years in the Royal Navy and was a Warrant Officer (writer) when he was demobbed.

Robert Callen
(Son)

36.
June 5, 2012

I don't know if this website is still active, but here goes. I wonder if you could help or point me in the right direction of someone that could. I'm trying to find some information about my grandad 'Fred T. Brown, who served on the Indomitable during WW2. The only info I have is a certificate he received when he crossed the equator in 1946. I hope you could help me with this.

Mark Barthorpe

35.
Apr. 30, 2012

It is with great sadness that I have to report that Royal Marine Harold McCarty who served on HMS Indomitable from 1942 to the end of the war has passed away on the 29th of April 2012, just short of his 89th birthday. He served on board in during operation Pedestal in the Med as well as with the fleet train in the Pacific during the Kamikaze attacks. He spoke of his time aboard rarely, but was very proud of the ship and it's crew.

Patrick McCarty

34.
Apr. 22, 2012

My brother, Reginald David Olive, was an air mechanic on the Indomitable, in the 1950's. I have been searching the internet for information and photos, so that I can present a potted history to him, together with a copy of 'The Fleet Air Arm: An Illustrated History' by Alan Key, for his 83rd birthday on 14th May 2012. There is an incident which he told me about, but I am unable to find any mention of it. Apparently, the Indomitable was in collision with H.M.S. Vanguard, in Gibraltar Harbour in the 1950's. The Captain of the Vanguard sent a set of 'L' plates to the Captain of the Indomitable. Coincidently, my wife and I ran a wolf cub pack in Portsmouth. It was sponsored by the Reserve Fleet and known as 'The 49th Portsmouth, H.M.S. Bellerophon's Own'. We used to board H.M.S. Vanguard for church parades.

Regards,
Michael (Mike) Olive

33.
Feb. 28, 2012

We recently completed a project covering the men from Pirton who served in the Great War, which resulted in the book The Pride of Pirton, of which we are very proud - for more details see www.pirton.org.uk/ww1 or Google 'The Pride of Pirton'.  Although it is very early days we are now starting to look at our men from the Second World War.  One man, Robin Edward Alastair Hibburd served and died with 857 Squadron flying from HMS Indomitable in January 1945:

Lieutenant (A) ROBIN EDWARD ALASTAIR HIBBURD
H.M.S. Indomitable, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
who died
on 24 January 1945
Remembered with honour
LEE-ON-SOLENT MEMORIAL

My reason for contacting you is simple; we are starting to gather information in preparation for another book.  We are looking for any documents, photographs or information on Robin or the same for the squadron, in fact anything that might help us tell his story.  Can you help in anyway?  Information, pointer or guidance would be very welcome.

Best Regards,
Bob Barton
Pirton, Hertfordshire, UK

32.
Nov. 14, 2011

My late father, William Roland Foxhall, known as Roly served on HMS Indomitable in the 40's and I know that he was on board in Nova Scotia, Canada during that time. As I have been finding it difficult to research thus far I wondered if any of your subscribers my remember him please. Any information would be very gratefully received.

Thank you,
Keith Foxhall
Sgt. RAF ACO,
QAIC South Synthetic Flight Instructor,
ACE Platform Ground Crew

31.
Feb. 24, 2011

My father, Charlie Dabbs  - Born Birmingham 1923, served in the Royal Navy, 1939 -1945  in the Med, north Africa and Malta to name a few. Sadly my father passed away in 2005, but I know the names of a few of the ships he served on, Indomitable, Cairo, Ariadne, his highest ranking was Petty officer.  I would love to hear from anyone who may have known him, or served with him during this time?

Regards,
Bev Davis

29.
Jan. 22, 2011

My father, Peter Jordan, served on HMS Indomitable after the end of WW2. Unfortunately I have little to no information on his service other than his tales of being punished for some misdemeanour by having to run laps of the deck carrying a heavy weight! If memory serves me right it was a bunk? If by any chance any reader happens to have a recollection of my Dad I would love to hear from them. Sadly dad passed away in 2008 and I am only now attempting to piece things together from old pictures and so on.

Regards,
Christopher Jordan
Nottinghamshire, UK

28.
Jan. 7, 2011

My wife's uncle, Edward Coats served on HMS Indomitable during the war. He died in 1949 as the result of injury or illness suffered during his service. Does anyone remember him or have any record of what happened to him?

Richard James

27.
Dec. 18, 2010

I HAVE COME ACROSS MY DADS (FRANK TAPPER) SERVICE PAPERS WHICH INCLUDED SERVING AS AN AIR MECH ON THE INDOMITABLE FROM NOVEMBER 1944 - MARCH 1945. I AM INTERESTED IN ANY CREW PHOTOS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE OR ANYONE THAT MAY HAVE KNOWN HIM OR WHAT WORK HE WOULD HAVE BEEN DOING. UNFORTUNATELY MY DAD DIED IN 1981 AND OUR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HIS SERVICE WERE VERY FEW.

DAVID TAPPER
REDHILL SURREY
 

26.
Dec. 6, 2010

My late Grandad served on board the Indomitable and used to tell me some fantastic stories, his name was James Henry Hobbs he was a gunner on the pom poms. Told me of a Kamikaze attack and being in the Indian Ocean. Miss him, does anyone recall him?

Steve Molyneux

25.
Dec. 6, 2010

Does anyone remember John Nash from Ivor Bucks., who served as a Radar Operator from 1942 on HMS Indomitable?

Anna