My Guestbook

This guestbook is now a free version, so now has advertisements in between some entries.

There are currently 77 messages.
There have been 11538 visits since 2005-10-30
This page was last accessed on 2009-11-07

Name:	Bill
Name:	Bill
e-mail address:	editorbill@hmsgambia.com
web address:	www.hmsgambia.com
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	Join the Association and FLY THE FLAG

Comments:
As this guest book has been used so rarely, I have opted out of paying for the advert free version, so there are no longer any options for you to twiddle with the layout and colours.

You may have noticed that my interest is waining, and anyone who would like to take on the editing and maintenance of ths Site, please get in touch.

Name:	Julian Best
Name:	Julian
e-mail address:	julianbest@btopenworld.com
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	Join the Association & Fly the Flag

Comments:

Had a brilliant day today, thanks to Bill, first thing this morning,I watched the 1953 Fleet Revue, I never knew that that piece of film existed, I was on H.M.S. Devonshire then, and my brother Keith was on H.M.S. Implacable, and it was twenty years later, when we were having a chat about the " Good old Days" that we knew that we were both at that revue, and only a few ships between us, I think that those " few " ships were more than the whole of our fleet today!!  Then this afternoon, some brand new, well new to me!! photos to look at. the settings for our photos don;t chage much, just different matelots!!

                                                                                                 So thank you Bill, it's good to have you onboard.

                                                                     Julian.

                                                                          F.W.T.

Name:	Keith Law
Name:	Keith Law
e-mail address:	keith-law@hotmail.co.uk
web address:	www.myspace.com/keithlaw
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	Keith Law

Comments:
Hi Bill and Joan,

Pleasure to entertain you, in Babbacombe.

Enjoyed looking at your site.

My very best wishes,

Keith Law

Name:	Julian Best
Name:	Julian Best
e-mail address:	julianbest@btopenworld.com
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	Join The Association, and FLY the FLAG

Comments:

I agree with Alan's comments, why spend time and money on sending by post when it can be read on line?

                                Julian

Thanks Julian, but, what if we have a breakdown on our web site?  I only publish the Newsletter when I get it so that our overseas members have a chance to see what they can expect sometime later via snailmail.

Editorbill.

Name:	Alan Clements
Name:	Alan L. Clements
e-mail address:	eejayceealc@bigpond.com.au
web address:	Unit 46,Rotary Village, Ramsay Avenue,
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	Joined

Comments:

      Hi Bill,

            I have received a June Newsletter in the mail for which many thanks to Mr Les Newman. Since I can read them on the Webpage I don't think it necessary that the rate of postage should be wasted in the future.

            Is this the correct path in order to make such a request?

             While writing to you may I wish you, the secretary and all members G'Day from Adelaide and invite any old ships to make contact. ( E.A. 3. while on the 1950 - 52 commission of Gambia and earlier on Duke of York and Implacable).

                                   Sincerely Alan Clements.

Many thanks Alan, but, the web version is just for the likes of yourself so that you can see what has happened while you wait for your snail mail.  I will however pass on your comments to the Hon Secretary as he is not online, yet????

Name:	John Birch
Name:	John Birch
e-mail address:	jbirch8@bigond.com
web address:	hmsgambia1950-1952.com
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	john birch

Comments:

G/Day Bill, Back on Deck after another visit to Adelaide. Unfortunately, this one was spent in the Q.E Hospital. The Angioplasty seems to have done the trick but I will know more after I return from my run around the block....
 In reply to Paul Plumley's letter:
 Paul, if you are referreing to the photo of ports visited , which is located near the bottom of the '50-'52 page , closer inspection will show that it was manufactured in March '52 and before the visit to Burma.
  After leaving Rangoon on 26/27 April, Gambia returned to Trincomalee and carried out evolutions with units of the Indian and Pakistani navies, from there she began the journey home, calling at Colombo, Aden, Suez Canal, Brindisi, Navarin,and Argastoli Bay, where she competed in the Med Fleet regatta. From there she sailed to Malta, Gibraltar and home to Guzz. Arriving 31st July 1952.
  There is a more detailed and accurate commission map close to the top of the 1950-1952 page. I hope this helps a little.
 Yours aye.
 John Birch. A.B. 2 Mess. 

Hi Bill, I omitted to say in my reply to the guest book, that Gambia did not visit Oran at any time during the '50-'52 commission, If you can insert that I would be grateful. It seems that Paul Plumley is a bit hazy regarding names and places, which isn't surprising. One person who would possibly have information, is member P.O Perry, who I believe was Boy's instructor and probably still has nightmares if any of them enter his dreams. He may also have kept records.

Name:	Paul Plumley
Name:	Paul Plumley
e-mail address:	plumline.paul@gmail.com
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	Member

Comments:

 Serving in Gambia during the 50/52 commission as a Boy Seaman and O/D I can put some names and places to the photo's sent in by Peter Evans. However Peter I'm sorry that although we obviously served together, I can't remember you, even though we appear in the Christmas Day photo together. The dry dock question is to me , Malta. Gambia went into dry dock twice in my time. Just after I joined in 51 at the top of Grand Harbour and then on our arrival in Ceylon . The buildings behind look like  Malta dockyard architecture. The other question where Peter is, Malta. That's the Fleet Mail Office in the background. As "Postie"  for the Reggio in a later commission I visited it twice a day. The floodlit overall picture was taken in Taranto harbour. I have the original in my album.In the Chistmas Day 1951 Port Said photo,I'm wearing Cdr. J.F.B. Brown's uniform and the rest of the group are, from left to right, the Jaunty, Capt Durnford Slater, "Capt (Boy Rushton)", "Cdr (Boy Plumley)", Cdr.J.F.B. Brown, "Master at Arms ( Boy Peter Evans)", and far right "P.O. (Boy Sharp).  I don't have the Jaunty's name. Sorry Master! Looking at the panel containing the names of ports visited there are to me, some omissions. Namely, Oran, Rangoon and Brindisi. Am I looking at the right commission? I thought that with Karachi and Bombay on there, It matched my cruise. Rember, these are my memories. I particularly remember the U.S.S Duxbury Bay. She was a seaplane tender, but that's another story. Finally, Brindisi. The photo in the "quarterdeck" section was taken by the ship's photographer while we were lying in Brindisi, not Grand Harbour. It looks almost aerial, but was in fact taken from the high saluting tower erected by Mussolini,at the end of Brindisi harbour from which to review the fleet, and no doubt to say a few words. Again I have the original. That's all for now, I shall be interested to read any comments.

Paul Plumley. 

I look forward to seeing your pictures in the mail Paul

Editor Bill.

Name:	ian cunningham
Name:	ian cunningham
e-mail address:	guts.cunningham@googlemail.com
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	yes

Comments:
Hello, just wanted to know does any of the members remember my father?  He sailed on the HMS Gambia from 9th december 1948 until 1st sept 1950 his name was James Cunningham from Banbridge County Down, Northern  Ireland. My father also sailed on the HMS Norlkfolk 1944

Name:	Colin James Moncrieff Buckley
Name:	Colin James Moncrieff Buckley
e-mail address:	cjmb@blueyonder.co.uk
web address:	nil
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	No - reason as below.

Comments:

Hello, my name is Colin Buckley. Why I am writing to Gambia Association w/s is to say that I worked on Gambia as an Apprentice Engine Fitter while Gambia was in for a refit. I was 17 at the time and a Third Year Apprentice. Gambia was in Rosyth Dockyard for the whole of my Third Year 1956. I was working on the forward engine room main condenser sea water inlet valves on port side and other jobs related to condenser fittings. It was a baking hot summer that year and some of the work was dirty. There were times which were "easy" so myself and other apps used to hide ourseves up among the main steam pipes abve to do our homework and studies for our lessons at the Dockyard College in which I was in the Upper School there and studying hard for Ad Certs. I met a number of the Officers and crew on Gambia. We sailed on engine trials and gunnery trials after the refit. I was on board when they had the small fire on the forward starboard cruising turbine. I have only come across this w/s today and it brought back happy memories. I am 70 now but still young in mind (I hope!). I was and am proud to be an ex DA Civilian Maties helping and working with RN in the Yard. Best wihes for the w/s and those connected therewith

Your email address looks suspect, so could you send me a message directly to editorbill@hmsgambia.com and I will amend your email address so that others may contact you if they so wish.

Name:	J Duffy
Name:	J Duffy
e-mail address:	327-rpo@a.dii.mod.uk
Join the Association and FLY the FLAG:	Join the Association and FLY the FLAG

Comments:

To all who read this post

I am attempting to trace my father's service in the RN in order to present my mother with a detailed history of his time in the mob and also give his grandsons (who sadly never met him) some information of who he was.

My father was AB Gerard Duffy and although I am unsure of when he was on the Gambia I know his service spanned the 1950's and that he also served aboard HMS Modeste during the Suez crisis.

If anyone can help me in my quest please email me at 327-rpo@a.dii.mod.uk

Many thanks

J Duffy

RPO, HMS Liverpool

Leave blank for top of guestbook