23.
Oct. 24, 2016

My dad served on the ARGUS as stoker 2nd class he never spoke of his war experiences doubt now that there is anyone who could detail the experience, but his name was WALTER FREDERICK CANT.
He was there Jan/Sept 1941.

Kate Dover

22.
Jan. 16, 2014

Can anyone tell me how to get crew lists. My father Peter Langford was on the Argus, and I have been unable to get crew list confirmation, mainly because he was in the RAF and seconded to the ship operating the RADAR. I too have applied for an Arctic Medal for him, but without confirmation on the crew list this is difficult.

Regards,
Maggie Barker

21.
Jan. 6, 2014

I am researching A flying officer Herbert Parker of the Royal Air Force who served on HMS Argos from 22nd march 1921 length of time aboard unknown. He would I believe have been involved with the ground maintenance etc.. activities. I would be interested if you or your readers might be able to shed some light on his time on Argus. Any info would be helpful.

Regards,
Ian Fagg

20.
Nov. 10, 2013

My Uncle was commander on the Argus during the WWII, his name was Reginald Woodriffe, I know he was involved in the first supply of fighter aircraft to Russia and subsequent convoys to Russia. I would be interested in hearing if anybody remembers him and maybe any photos of him. I have applied for the Arctic Star, but don't know if I will be successful.

Leslie Lawson
 

19.
July 3, 2013

I've done the history of HMS Argus in a book called Beardmore Aviation. I
covered her complete history to the time she was paid off. The only thing I
did not get in was her role as an AOP Carrier. She was to carry Taylorcraft
Austers for the 21st Army Group to France. She docked at Belfast, but events
moved too fast and the Austers were delivered to France guided by a Walrus.
I managed to get her crew list for 1944 when she paid off and that's included.

Whilst rummaging through some stuff I found her ship covers/drawings.
I also covered the development of early aviation flying from warships and
included the hybrid carrier Furious and the loss of Dunning in his Beardmore
built Sopwith Pup.
(Click on the book cover to order the book.)

Charles E. Mac Kay

18.
May 13, 2013

James Ferguson, my dad, was on the Argus 1939 to 1944 Leading Stoker. He was pals with H. Samuels the jeweler son who also served and was killed. Dad went to Samuel's father to tell him what happened. Also another friend was Russ Conway piano player who also served on the Argus. Good story the Germans put out that they had sunk the Argus, dad did not know this so when he came home on leave he met an old woman who knew him. She said Jimmy run home to your mother they think your dead. We had that newspaper telling of the Argus being sunk for years don't know what happened to it, must have been lost in one of the flittings we did. He had a lot of stories, but he did not talk much about the war. Only in later years my brother and I would get him on the whisky. One other thing he used to go on about a Captain Phillips, don't know if he was the captain of the Argus or not, anyway dad is dead. Suppose most are now. Never seen any photos of the crew or anything. Been to Malta they have a few things including photos of the Argus.

Thanks,
Patrick Ferguson

17.
Jan. 6, 2013

My father, Robert Nicholas Lomas, died in 2001 aged 77 after a long and fulfilling life. He was in the Navy and served during WW II, on HMS Argus I think. Putting together a few snippets of info I think he served from 40 to 42 before being posted elsewhere. Does anybody remember him or could point me towards more information on his time in the RN?

Regards

Ian Lomas

16.
Nov. 23, 2012

I am currently researching my family tree, and I have come across a distant relative who served on the HMS Argus, he died on November 11th 1942 on board the ship, he was called Joseph Bird. I was wondering if anyone had heard of him or knew anything of him?

Thank you,
Megan Pearson

15.
Nov. 4, 2012

My late father, John Donald Wingfield, served on H.M.S. Argus from 14 October 1939 until 11 July 1942. Does anyone remember him. He was in the R.N.V.R. I believe he was a gunner.

Graham Wingfield

14.
May 18, 2012

I am trying to unravel the life of my Grandfather. His name is J or possibly M Spencer Wetmore. In 1921 (24/08/21) he was apparently on board the H.M.S. Argus. He flew Sopwith Camels. This is the only information I have about him. I saw you had a forum where people posted in relation to family and was wondering if this could be added.

Much appreciated,
Christine Burke

13.
Apr. 14, 2012

My father, Albert Webb, served in HMS ARGUS as a PO Air Fitter from 1942-1944 and I have a number of photographs taken during his time on board including several of groups of crew members, a christening on board, a burial at sea, the ship's band and a variety of aircraft shots. 

I noted that Mr. Kevin Brickwood (Message #4) mentioned that his relative was a band Sgt. RM, he may appear in the band photos.

(P.O. Air Fitter Albert Webb Collection)

John Webb
(Lt. Cdr. RN Retd.)

12.
July 15, 2011

My dad, Frederick Tarbin, was a telegraphist on the Argus in 1940 or 41. The Argus was going from Greenock to Russia (Murmansk or Archangel).  From age 14 he'd done Boys Service and 13 years Man's Service and had got out of the Navy in 1934, the year after I was was born in Gibraltar and we returned to London. He was on reserve and got called up in 1938. My Dad got my Mum and little brother and me to move up to Greenock to get away from the bombing in London. I could see the Clyde from our flat and would run and tell my Mum when the Argus came in. We had no sooner moved there though when the Germans started bombing Greenock and Glasgow docks, and I believe the Argus and my Dad moved to the Med so we moved back to N. London. My mum said she'd rather be bombed in our own house than in Scotland! I hope this fills in a little of history of the Argus and one of the seamen on her. My Dad always spoke affectionately of the old Ditty Box when I was a kid. He was a '10 Pound Pom" in 1972 and passed away in Australia in 1987.

Regards,
Frederick G. Tarbin

Frederick Tarbin seen in 1942.

11.
Mar. 18, 2011

My father, Walter Frederick Pegg, served on the Argus at the end of WWI. He was an aircraft fitter, repairing damaged airframes. He stayed on for a few years after the war. He was probably amongst the original crew. We lived in Barnsley, Yorkshire. When he served on the Argus I think he still lived in Hull, where his family came from. As a child (I was born in 1940) I remember a large framed picture of the ship in our home. During WWII he used his great wood working skills to repair wooden aircraft that were still in service at various R.A.F. bases. I remember him explaining to me that the Argus was part of the navy--called the Fleet Air Arm. Later, aircraft carriers became part the R.A.F. Is this correct?  He made lots of toys and pieces of furniture from bits of wood from damaged aircraft in his spare time in the war. After the war he worked as an insurance agent in Barnsley. He died in 1968.

Neville Pegg,
New Zealand

10.
Dec. 19, 2010

My father-in-law, Horace Randall, served on HMS Argus. I'm trying to locate pictures of crew members that just might have him identified. Can you direct me to those web sites that might help.

Thank You,
John Jackson

9.
Oct. 21, 2009

My father Leslie driver was a coder on argus 1939- 45. I have many photos, a tartan edged silk handkerchief, a blue silk handkerchief with argus on, and the copper plate that was 1 of 2 that was either side of the bridge, depicting the argus pheasant, that my dad took off at the end of the war when he was removing the radio gear. He was on Malta convoys, got the Malta medal and the Russian convoy medal. I wonder if anyone remembers him, he was a fantastic pianist and took church service and also he was sent to do ensa parties when up on the clyde.

Tim Driver
West Beckham, Norfolk, England

8.
June 22, 2009

My grandfather-in-law served on the HMS Argus in WWII and I was wondering if you would have any photos or mention of him in any documents. We are planning a "milestone" birthday party for him and would love if you could point me to where I could find information/photos of the crew. He was an enlisted man, not an officer and his name is Reg Sellman. Thanks so much and great website.

Frank Gratta

7.
Feb. 23, 2009

My Dad served on the Argus in WW2. He was a stoker.  I would love to find any photos of him on the ship.  His name was Edward (Ted) Farrell.

Ann Farrell

6.
Sept. 9, 2008

My father Peter Langford, served on the Argus, he was in the RAF. I have no idea what he was doing, but I have
found some pictures in my late mothers belongings that relate to this time (see Crew Photos). If any one knows
what he would have been doing I would be interested to know.

I do know he did Malta and Russian convoys and went to Alexandria and put a radio in either Faith, Hope or
Charity, but why were RAF staff on the ship? He never spoke about any of his RAF career and wonder what he was doing on the ship. He also served on the Norfolk. He was trained as a wireless and radio mechanic and did codes and ciphers and radar. Do you know if there is a HMS Argus association??

Maggie Barker

5.
Mar. 18, 2008

I found your web site while searching for some information on the Aircraft Carrier Argus and thought you might be a "starting point". I have a photo of my late father - Ronald Wagstaff (died 22nd April 1975) playing cricket and Mum (died 4th Sept 2004) has written on the back - Ronald Wagstaff 1943, Arbroath Scotland, opening bat 43 runs not out against HMS Ambrose.

He was on aircraft carrier Argus. He was a leading aircraftsman at the time (as far as I know) and I do have his service number if that is any help. I was wondering if you have any photos of the crew or personnel aboard the Argus around that time as I know very little about Dad's military service and would dearly love to find out "something" ?? My parents, plus myself and a younger sister, arrived in Australia in July 1948, so I have found it hard to find out where to search for information.  You may be able to steer me the right direction. Hope to hear from you soon, thanks for listening.

Judy Taylor
Melbourne, Australia

4.
Nov. 9, 2007

Hello, my name is Kevin Brickwood, I live in Quesnel British Columbia Canada and my father served on the Argus during the Second World War. My fathers name was Alexander W Brickwood. My father was a Band Sgt and has quite a collection of medals from the war of which he never discussed with me. My father died in 1987 Do you have a crew list from the Argus or have you any information on the ship or its duties during the war. I do know that he served on other ships during the war but not sure which ones. He was with the first wave of marines on Hiroshima and told me of stories associated with it. If you have any information on him please let me know.

Kevin Brickwood
School District 28
Manager--Site Development Cottonwood House Historic Site
Quesnel, British Columbia

3.
July 26, 2007

I have been speaking to an uncle of mine who tells me that my father Tom O'Donoghue was posted to HMS Argus as a signalman. He served on the Russian convoys as well as the Med. Do either of the two gentlemen shown on the Argus message board remember him. Unfortunately my father died in 2003 and he never recounted any of his was time stories to anybody.

Regards,
Dave O'Donoghue

2.
July 10, 2007

My dad Arthur Holroyd served on HMS Argus as an Able Seaman. He said its nickname was the Ditty Box cos without any superstructure apart from the little deck house it looked like a sailor's tin hat box. He too was in the Mediterranean, was it Force H (?) flying off planes to Malta, and at least one of the Russian convoys. He used to tell me about the time the Ark Royal was torpedoed and described seeing the planes on the deck sliding off as it heeled over. He described one other occasion when the cruiser Sheffield (?) shadowing them in the Med saved their bacon by shooting a Stuka out of the sky as it was about to dive bomb them.

I believe his action station was on one of the Oerlikon's. I also remember he said his best mate on board was killed whilst manning his gun at action stations. I know he was always upset if any film showed a burial at sea.
On the Russian convoy he said they went far enough north to see the lights of Spitzbergen. He also said it was so cold they spent loads of time on watches chipping off the thick ice that coated everything. I believe he said they flew off Spitfires to Russia.

I think after that it was used as training ship and for towing gunnery targets in the Clyde. After that he was sent out to Sri Lanka (Ceylon as was) on guard duty. I've often wondered, why waste an Able Seaman that way but I recently discovered that part of the Far East GCHQ outfit decoding enigma messages etc was based in Ceylon - so perhaps that was why? The only shipmate he contacted after the war was a chap (sorry I don't remember the name) I believe lived on the Yorkshire coast near either Hornsea or Withernsea.

Regards,
Stan Holroyd

1.
June 6, 2007

My Dad Reginald Arthur Dickinson served upon this ship 1940-43 as the ships butcher and his nickname was Butch. He was a Royal Marine and later joined the military police. He was a machine gunner at action stations and served in Malta and Russian convoys. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

Regards,
Lloyd Dickinson