HMS Victorious
Message Board
Messages 1 to 24

24.
Feb. 20, 2013

My father, Barry"Red" Hayter, raised in London, Ontario was a pilot in the RN FAA (he was actually RCNVR) aboard Victorious from approximately 1943 to 45 starting with the Tirpitz raids and then into the South Pacific. One of approximately 100 Canadians to serve in the so-called wavy navy as an RN pilot...in his case a Corsair pilot. One of his colleagues was fellow Canadian, Don Sheppard, an FAA ace. My father died when I was quite young and in recent years I have been gathering information to pass along to my sons.

I also have some links to information about the Canadians who flew in the FAA, including books by Canadian naval veteran and author Stu Soward (recently deceased). Stu wrote, among many,  a book about Victoria Cross winner Lieut. R. H. Gray "A Formidable Hero" from HMS Formidable. I would welcome any opportunity to learn more about Victorious and hear if anyone remembers my father. If he were still alive he would be 89...he lied his age and was flying in the South Pacific at 20. I really look forward to looking at the discussions about Victorious and learning more. Keep up the good work!!!

Bryan Hayter Fergus
Ontario, Canada


23.
Feb. 10, 2013

Sadly I have to announce my step-dad Harold "Mick" Chalkley ex-Fleet Air Arm, died on 08/02/2013 at the grand age of 92. Up until the last month he had been amazingly active, more like a man in his 60's than his 90's During World War 2 he served on HMS Victorious. He was also stationed in Mombasa (I believe) and at RNAS Coimbatore in Indian, where I know he played clarinet in the Dance Band. As many Veterans he didn't want to talk about his war, but I would love to know anything about his service.
(Harold "Mick" Chalkley, R.N. Collection)

Many thanks,
Mark Cotton


22.
Jan. 21, 2013

It is my sad duty to announce that Jim Gallie, HMS Victorious (1941-1945), passed away
on 16 January 2013.

Michael W. Pocock
Webmaster


21.
Jan. 8, 2013

My father, James Hodges Kelly, Petty Officer Radio Mechanic, FX82767, served on HMS Victorious 2nd May 1944 until 29th November 1945.  He had survived the sinking of HMS Eagle and HMS Dasher earlier in the war.  He died in February 1959 at sea in the Merchant Navy when I was eight years old so I really didn't know him.  If there is anyone still around who might remember him from the Victorious I would appreciate any information from that time.

Kindest regards,
Ned Kelly


20.
Dec. 30, 2012

I hope you will not get brassed off with my waffling. The thing is, I joined the Vic. when it commissioned on March 29th 1941, as a 16yr old seaman boy, I was the second youngest, by three weeks, in the ship's company, and I would like to point out, that on Carriers, there is ship's company and passengers (FAA). I say that without any disrespect to them.  They did a marvelous job, but they never seemed to stop long enough to imbibe the spirit of the ship. I kept a diary of sorts, and  with that and research I have done, can detail every action and the ships involved, for the whole time I was on the ship.

I hope the following may be of interest to you.  I have numerous incidents I can cull from my memories of what I think of as 'The Victorious' to distinguish it from the ones that came after. I have catalogued, every action that she was in and every ship that accompanied us. Here is an interesting story that you might not know about.

Feb. 7, 1945 on our way to Sydney, Victorious came head to head with something that a lot of people maintained was figment of the old sailor's imagination. A Rogue or Freak wave. Late in the forenoon watch, we were in the middle of the great Australian bight, having turned out of formation to fly off relief air patrol and land on the relieved patrol, cruising nicely at flying on/off speed, about 23-24 knots when we hit a rock. At least that was what it felt like. The story, as I heard it later (having been on watch in the telephone exchange two decks below the waterline at the time of impact, with the other operator, a seaman torpedo man, like myself, Les Burrow, who was, for obvious reasons, known as Rabbit).

We had finished the change over of patrol planes, the weather was reasonable, and the deck windscreen was up, the just landed planes had been struck down the forward lift. Luckily, the lift was back up at deck level, or we would have had a hanger full of water; and the windscreen not quite housed. We had turned to catch up with the rest of the fleet, along with our two screening destroyers, each about a mile away, one off each bow, and our Tail-end Charlie, the cruiser Gambia, was about 1000 yards astern.

Suddenly it was as though we had hit a rock, and came to a dead stop. At least that was what it felt like down in the exchange, we were both thrown off our feet, and our first thought was 'torpedo', what do we do? Then the exchange went mad, as nearly every light on the board lit up. But there was a drill for this eventuality, and we had a definite sequence of priorities in the order of answering. It also gave us something to do. We were kept too busy to worry about what it was, and within minutes we felt the ship picking up speed again. And then there was a reassurance over the Tanoy, that it was not an attack, but a freak of nature.

While the rest of the sea was relatively calm, we had run into a wave between 30 and 40 feet high, which had appeared out of nowhere. It was obviously very localised, as the two destroyers had passed one each side of it. The Gambia, suffered no ill effects, but she was right on our quarter by the time we picked up some speed. Had she been dead astern she might have finished up on our quarterdeck. It is only a matter of a minute or so to close a gap of 1000 yards at 23knts.Main damage was done the to the overhang of the Forecastle and to the deck windscreen, plus about forty odd personal injuries, including several broken bones. Luckily the FAA photographer on the flying bridge, whose job it was to photograph every take off and landing; was facing forward at the time, and got the shot of his lifetime.

Jim Gallie
Christchurch, New Zealand
HMS Victorious (1941-1945)
DJ/X184618



19.
Oct. 28, 2012

I served two commissions on the !VIC!. After basic training (HMS Raleigh) J.M.E. I was flown to Hong Kong to join the ship in June 1961. I was in Transit in (HMS Tamar) Which at 16 years old was when I fell in love with the FAR EAST! (the smells, sounds, weather and tastes. Vibrant and alive).

The Vic was on the way to HK. She was diverted to Kuwait, so after six weeks I was flown to Singapore (HMS TERROR) Vic was diverted again, so after another month I was flown to Mombassa (Palace hotel) Killindinie road (Now Jomo Kenyatta highway, tusks and all).

I finally joined the ship in Mombassa. I then served two commissions spending about five years onboard. I have both books of the commission. They are in the loft of my house in the UK. full of photos names and details of those years. I am now retired and live in Thailand. I will get the books from the loft when I next visit my children and g/children and bring them back here. I should be able to post some content of interest to you.

Yours Sincerely,
John Lancaster Ex L.M.E

Reply 1
Nov. 20, 2012

I was on Vic at that time having joined Jan 61 from Raleigh after Ganges in Pompey sailed for far east via Brest, Vigo, Cape Town and the Gulf. I have the commissioning book for 60-62. I left Jan 63 but looking through my book I note you are in there. I only have a couple of photos from that time one was taken on the port gun sponson in it from L to R I think the guys name was Crawshaw or something similar he was a brilliant pianist, now the guy in the middle, was that you? And of course yours truly the other photo was taken when we were in the Enlisted mens club in Subic Bay the Philippines you are not in this one and again I am struggling for names. Anyhow having cudgelled the brains if I remember rightly you were from the Smoke.

Cheers,
James (Ben) Lyon
  
 

18.
Aug. 20, 2012

I realise that this is probably a long shot but I thought I would try anyway. I am researching my mother's family history and she has often spoken of a cousin she used to write to when he was serving on HMS Victorious during WW2. I only have a christian name, but as it is rather unusual I am hoping that someone out there will know something about him and hopefully provide me with a surname. His christian name was Lewin. Can anyone help me or give me some idea of where else I might Be able to do some research.

Many thanks,
Judith Mercer


17.
Mar. 11, 2012

I joined the Vic from HMS Dryad when she was in dry dock in 1964 serving on her until 1967 when she returned from the Far East. I was a Able Seaman Radar 2 Operator.

Take Care,
George Roberts
No P 075078
Daventry, Northants, UK


16.
Jan. 26, 2012

My step father was on the Vic from its first commissioning to 1946 when he left the RN. So what ever the Vic did in the war my step dad was on it. I was born and brought up in Walker on Tyne and as a wee boy saw the Vic being built at the Walker Yard. My real father died when I was seven and my mom was a widow for the next three years. Under wartime regs any available rooms were to be let to the RN to billet ratings ashore. Thus when the Vic was receiving her crew in 1940 most wee billeted around the town. One such was Chief Petty Officer Albert James Gardner TJX133730 a Torpedo Gunners Mate, whatever that was. I did ask him and he said he was a sort of Electrician!.!! Long story shortened he married my mum and they were together for the next 60 years.


I'm still unsure what a TGM did, I always thought a MATE was someone who did the dirty work, carried the tools and cleaned up the mess for the skilled man. So what does a TGM do, being only one step from the top rank of Master, Vic's most important claim to fame was the torpedo that disabled Bismarck's steering gear and thus bringing about her demise. I wonder if my old mans finger prints were on that torpedo? Makes you think. Your web site is great. I was able to see at last where she had been and what she had got up to on her wartime travels. My dad didn't talk much about the war but he did mention when they were in the Pacific, a large number of torpedoes had been brought on deck to speed up the rearming of the aircraft and the Kamikaze were buzzing about!! It was a bit scary he said, especially as she had already suffered damage to her wooden flight deck.
Hope you didn't mind an old man rambling on a bit. But WW2 is still very clear in my mind especially living a spit from the Tyne full of war shipping.

Don Davis

Reply 1
Dec. 19, 2012

I have just discovered your excellent web page, and see one query that I may be able answer. No16/ Jan. 26th. 2012....Don  Davis.  I commissioned the Vic, March 1941 as a seaman boy, and on reaching adult rank Aug 42, I transferred to the Torpedo Party. Chief Petty Officer A. J. Gardner was the chief non-commissioned officer of that party, and I spent the next 3½ years under his executive control. If Don Davis cares to get in touch with me I will be pleased to give him such information as I can, both on the Chief and on the ship.

Thank you,
Jim Gallie
Christchurch, New Zealand
HMS Victorious (1941-1945)
DJ/X184618


15.
Nov. 28, 2011

I served in Victorious during her 7th Commission (64/65) but have been unable to locate any information relating to this period. Can anyone advise me of a website. Or were we all 'lost souls' during that time.

Mal Boughton


14.
Sept. 28, 2011

My name is Beverley and i'm looking for my father who served on HMS Hermes and HMS Victorious between 1954 and 1965 we think. He was a l.r.e.m (A) in the Fleet Air Arms on both these ships. We have his service number which is L/F 941366. I would like for you to either be able to trace him or for you to send me some contact numbers or sites on the net so we can trace him. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Miss B. Willner

Reply 1
Oct. 1, 2011

I have checked my 63/64 commission book and her father is not listed for that period. Perhaps he joined at Singapore in 64.

Regards,
Geoff Helm
REM 1 HMS Victorious 1962/1964


13.
Mar. 17, 2011

I wonder if Mr. Eddy Taylor's book about HMS Victorious has been published. My father was a Bosun's mate on the Victorious from the time she left Newcastle until she set out on her second assignment to the Pacific. If the book is available I would be very interested in buying a copy.

Sincerely,
Joyce Thornton Harlow


12.
Mar. 14, 2010

I'm what I think you used to call a 'crabfat' and during my RAF training, I had to produce a thesis on any subject. I was always keen on the RN, so I wrote a thesis on HMS Victorious, 1941 to 1945 and received an award for it. I had a great deal of help from the Admiralty, I must say. Now in my retirement from 53 years on military aircraft, 15 with the R.A.F. and 38 with British Aerospace, I decided first to sit down in my old age retirement in Malaysia, and put my old thesis on CD disc, not available at the time of writing.

This simple task snow-balled into a full mammoth history of the Vic during the period Jan.'41 to Aug. '45, which so far has taken me two years. My whole research has been limited, being so far from home, and I have relied entirely on the Internet. This is freely available information, and have no libraries to which I can refer to previous books on the subject or which I can go to the National archives for help. I intend to publish at some stage.

As you will know, there has already been several books on this one subject, but still feel it is worthwhile. Could I ask you gentlemen for any help of any sort at all, as, as you may imagine, there are a great many holes in my data which I need to fill in. Even a link to a web-site will do, as I research every ship that the Vic came into contact with, with details down to the Captain at that time in history. The 'Naval History' net was brilliant, as was the 'U-Boat net', so they can be discounted. I would be very grateful for any help at all.

Thanks and best regards,
Eddy Taylor


11.
July 9, 2009

My dad served on Victorious in the late 50's early 60's. We moved to Canada in 1966. If anyone remembers us please feel free to contact me. Thanks A proud naval officer's son.

Richard Maddocks


10
July 6, 2009

I have a silver lidded sugar bowl engraved "Victorious". It came from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard during WWII. The hallmark on it indicates it was made in the1890's. Is it possible it was transferred from the 1895 "Victorious" to the 1937 "Victorious". Did named ships items go from namesake to namesake?

Thank you,
J. Smith


9.
June 19, 2009

I'm told that my late mothers 1st cousin was killed on board HMS Victorious in 1943 (I believe February). His name was either Norman Glenwood Bennetts. His name is on the Navy war memorial at Plymouth. How can I find out the circumstances under which he died?

Many thanks,
John Reynolds

Reply: Norman Glenwood Bennetts (Electrical Artificer 3rd Class) died Feb. 22, 1943. I don't know what caused his death, but at the time Victorious was en route to Pearl Harbor. Victorious was somewhere between the Canal Zone and Pearl Harbor on Feb. 22, 1943

Michael Pocock


8.
Feb. 3, 2009

My father, Thomas Grant, was in the Fleet Air Arm. He joined HMS Victorious "somewhere in the Pacific" when it was attached to the American Fleet in the Pacific after Pearl Harbour. He told me HMS Victorious was on its way to Australia for repairs when the Japanese surrendered. As "non essential personnel" he was dropped off in Australia and made his way home on HMS Stirling Castle. My father died in 1990. However, my mother will be very interested in this message board.

Diana Grant

Thomas Grant's Service Record

May 1942
HMS Duke (Collingwood Division)
Air Mechanic 2 nd Class
July 1942
HMS Daedalus ( Watford )
November 1942
HMS Daedalus
Air Fitter
December 1942
RAF Hedensford
July 1943
HMS Merlin
November 1943
Lent to HMS Raven
Leading Air Fitter
January 1944
Lent to HMS Blackburn
Leading Air Fitter (Air)
January 1944
Lent to RAF Air
February 1944
HMS Wagtail
April 1944
Lent to HMS Sanderling
September 1944
Lent to RAF Ayr
September 1944
HMS Dear Sound
September 1944
Lent to HMS Waxwing
Temporary Petty Officer Air Fitter (A)
June 1945
HMS Victorious
September 1945
HMS Nabberley
December 1945
HMS Alert
March 1946
HMS Daedalus
March 1946
Lent to Golden Hind

Reply 1
Dec. 29, 2012

Thomas Grant did not join the Vic, when she was attached to  the American under the radio code name Robin Hood. According to his service record as shown above, he joined her in June 45. The BPF were in Sydney for repairs and replenishment from June 7th -June 28th so he must have joined then. 'The Illustrious', accompanied by Urania and Quality was the carrier that left for the UK, via Leyte on or about April 15th. She was in a bit of a mess, and was replaced by the Formidable, fresh from the Mediterranean. It is quite likely that what he told his daughter were his recollections, perhaps many years after the event. The trouble with the FAA is they changed ships so often that in after years they got a bit mixed up.

On Aug. 11th the official surrender by the Japanese Emperor was broadcast, but for the next three days no one really knew  what was happening, not being sure if the senior service commanders would accept the surrender; then, late afternoon on the 15th Halsey made his now famous signal, 'Any Kamikazes attacking the fleet after this time are to be shot down in a friendly manner". The BPF or TF-57 as it now was left for home, but the Vic, the only carrier to take part in every action, was the last BPF capital ship to leave Japan. We, along with our three destroyers pulled into Kochi Bay to carry out repairs on our steering gear. August 21st was my 21st birthday, which was spent, very low key, along with half the ship's company. Hanging over the guardrails, watching the girls in the little row boats diving for pearlshell. We caught up with the fleet in Sydney, where I went into hospital for 10 days. and the Victorious, my home for 41/2 years went back to the UK without me.

Jim Gallie
Christchurch, New Zealand
HMS Victorious (1941-1945)
DJ/X184618


7.
Feb. 19, 2008

MY DAD SERVED ON THE VICTORIOUS IN THE 50S-60S, HIS NAME DEREK FARLEY, HE WAS A CPO IN THE FLEET AIR ARM. I THINK HE WENT TO AUSTRALIA ON HER. HE WAS QUITE A GOOD FOOTBALLER AND PLAYED FOR THE NAVY ON NUMERIOUS OCCASIONS. SADLEY PASSED AWAY 16 YEARS AGO, AND GREATLY MISSED. ANYBODY REMEMBER HIM PLEASE CONTACT ME.    

HIS SON MARK


6.
Feb. 6, 2008

My father CPO ALFRED THORNTON served on the Victorious from 1941 to 1944 I wonder if anyone remembers him. Thank you for such an interesting site. 

Sincerely,
Joyce Thornton Harlow

Reply 1
Dec. 29, 2012

Your father was indeed a Bos'n mate on the Victorious, but he was slightly more than that to the Seaman component of the crew. Chiefy, Thornton  was 'The Chief Bos'n Mate'  "THE BUFFER". The most important NCO on the ship.  His honouree title went back in the RN hundreds of years, Historically he was the man who stood between the lower deck and the officers, hence the name. In the brutal 'good' old days'  he often stood up for, or buffered, a seaman on a charge from a whipping or even a hanging. We needed him when our last Captain, M. M. (Mad Mike) Denny took over the ship at the beginning of 1944. Unfortunately he left the ship suddenly to go into hospital, I'm not sure if it was illness or accident, but he did not come up the Pacific with us. He was sorely missed.

Jim Gallie
Christchurch, New Zealand
HMS Victorious (1941-1945)
DJ/X184618


5.
Dec. 30, 2007

I am searching for my biological father who served on HMS Victorious which was stationed in Portsmouth in April 1966 Now the likelihood of you being my bio father is next to none, so I am just contacting anyone I can who has connections to HMS Victorious and the Men on board during 1966 more so April 1966 when it was in Portsmouth.. This is the info i have posted on a few different Naval Sites. Because one of those 2200 men is my biological father who knows nothing about my existence even :(

I do not want anything from him, I just want him to know of my existence, who knows perhaps he is one of those men who never went on to get married or to have children and may want to know me, or perhaps he has a full house of children and doesn't want to know me Or even may want to know me but he and I will never get the opportunity to know until someone puts him and I together :)

So perhaps as you served on HMS Victorious you may be able to assist me ? perhaps there was only a certain amount of men who had leave in that time ie APRIL 1966 when he would have met my birth mother in portsmouth ? perhaps just by chance someone will know someone who knows someone?

(Anonymous)


4.
Dec. 20, 2007

Is there any sailor alive who remembers CPO David McHolm who served on HMS Victorious 1939 to 1944?

David Richardson


3.
Sept. 15, 2007

My partner's older brother, Thomas Vernon George Butler, know to his family as Vernon, who recently celebrated his 88th birthday served on HMS Victorious during Operation Pedestal and also when the ship was assigned to the US Navy as USS Robin. We visited Malta in May and found a photograph of the ship in the Lascaris War Rooms. We are going to Malta again, later this month and hope to visit the museum in Vittoriosa. I personally have become very interested in the history of the ship. Just a few days ago we were at an open day for Model Makers and were thrilled to see a model of the ship, which actually sailed on the local lake. The Father of the gentleman who owns the model was a pilot on the ship. I was so pleased to discover your web site. Very interesting and the photographs are excellent. I will be letting my partner's brother know about this. He was delighted to have the photograph that I took of the ship in the War Rooms.

Once again, many thanks for this excellent site.
Valentine Sullivan


2.
Mar. 27, 2007

What a pleasure to discover this site. I had the honour to serve on "The Vic" from 1964 to 1967 as a Naval Air Mechanic (Ordnance) both in the workshop and as part of the Air Weapons Supply. It has brought back many happy memories. It is 42 years since I joined her and it only seems like yesterday. Thank you from an old "Bomb-Head".

Charles (Chas) Curtis
- now retired and living in France.


1.
November 17, 2006

Lovely pictures, was onboard during ther 1960's.

Alan




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