HMS Anson

[Ivor Thomas]

Hello to all
My father recently passed away; although he did not talk too much about his "Navy life" he did have fond memories of his time aboard HMS Anson. I think it would have been around the late 40s early 50s.
His name was Joseph Gordon Thomas (taffy) and he lived in Derby after moving from Salop. If anyone knew or remembers him it would be so nice to here from you.
Thanks.
Ivor P Thomas

[Sue Smith]

I would be very interested to hear from anyone who remembers my late father Edward Dennis Richardson who served aboard H.M.S.ANSON. I have photographs from when he was in the Arctic. I also have a photograph of Kings Squad 401 commandos.

[mike.ahbc@btopenworld.com]

I am researching my Fathers War Service in the RN and from his Service Record he was on the Anson from 27th Nov 1944 to 23rd September 1945. I have his Certificate for "Crossing the Line" on 9th July 1945 and, while looking at a WebSite for HMS Anson, I noted some Photographs, sent by a Lee Markwell, of a Ceremony on the Anson in 1945. I would, therefore, very much like to obtain copies of these Photos as it is possible my Father is in them.If anyone can help me contact Lee Markwell or where I can obtain copies of the Photos I would be extemely grateful.

[Bromley]

Hi there,

I'm S-j, my Grandad Michael Bromley served on the Anson, 43-46. Unfortunatly he died last week aged 83. He loved telling us stories of what they got up to on the Anson. He was a Gunner. I have seen a picture of him on the WNS website.

I have heard there is only 1 surviving seaman left from the Anson......

I would love to know this is not true. Anyone remember him? I loved my Grandad so much & would love to know some more about his time on the ship.

My email is s-j.t@hotmail.com

Thankyou,

S-j

Grandad lived in Cumbria, Sheffield & Chesterfield (Derbyshire)

[John Brown]

Hi S-J and welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear about your Grandad passing away. However, I would be very surprised if there were only one surviving crew member from Anson today.

The ship does have an Association and if you contact it I am sure they will put you in touch somebody that can help.

Details are below;


Fred Bangert
Secretary
HMS Anson Association
6 Cuttys Lane
Stevenage
Herts
SG1 1UL

E-mail frederick.bangert@ntlworld.com

Or visit the website:

http://www.hmsanson.co.uk/

Do come back and let us know how you got on.


Regards....John

[pam]

I am looking for information on crew members of the above ship during the ww11 Russian convoys.

My grandfather was Henry Ernest Stevens (known as Harry Stevens) no. JX354244, and I believe was an able seaman. I have not been able to find any information for when he was aboard ship.

Can anyone help with information or photos. Any information please email my personal email of pmgr.nash@btopenworld.com

Many thanks

Pam

[astraltrader]

Welcome Pam and best of luck with your search. In the meantime here is a shot of the great ship...

[stokes49er]

Hi Pam

Contact.... Fred Bangert. 6 Cuttys Lane. Stevenage. Herts. SG1 1UL

Fred is President of HMS Anson Association. He may be able to help. If only with a message in the news letter.


Cheers...Harry...(Anson 1949)

[Batstiger]

Three more of the Anson. I last saw her Reserve fleet Helensburgh 1953.

Welcome aboard Harry, I hope you have got plenty of pics for us to see!

Bob.

[astraltrader]

An unusual 1956 photograph I have had for years, looking aft over the bridge of the Anson...

[Odin]

Hello Pam

Welcome to the Forum and I hope you are successful in tracking down some information on your grandfather.

You are possibly aware that service on the WWII Russian convoys qualified for the Atlantic Star. Plus the MOD has recently (2006) awarded the Arctic Star badge (not a medal as such) to those who served on Arctic Convoys. In addition a few years ago the Russian Government issued their 40th Anniversary Medal to those who served in these convoys. Recipients were given permission to wear the Russian Medal. Unfortunately the issue of these Russian Medals ended when the stocks were exhausted (about 12,000 were issued). Pictures of this medal are below.

[munnst]

Hi,

can anyone id these small boats.
They are possibly from HMS Anson which is the ship my father served on.

Regards,

Ted Munns.

[munnst]

Hi,

my father served on HMS Anson. Unfortnately that is the only info I have about his Naval service apart from a few photo's. I have attached several of the crew photo's to see if anyone can positively id the ship and maybe the people.

My father was Edward George Munns. He is the person on the left in the colour photo and the
middle of the group of three. This picture was taken outside what is now grannies pasties in Falmouth.

Regards,

Ted Munns.

[munnst]

Hi,

anyone remember my father or know about his service history?

regards,

Ted.

[Joseph]

Hi Ted,

That looks like Portland, thats the type of boat that would be on HMS Anson.

Regards Charles

[herakles]

G'Day Ted.

I wonder do you have any information about your father's career? This isn't much to go on.

[John Brown]

Ted


Welcome to the forum.

I suppose you have tried the Anson Association and asked for help?

If not, have a look at their website:

http://www.hmsanson.co.uk/index.html

Good luck!


Regards...John

[Batstiger]

I second the Portland suggestion.

Bob.

[munnst]

Hi,

thanks for the replies.
My father served on HMS Anson and used to crew these small vessels on occasion. So I would say they are most certainly from Anson.
He used to talk of Picket boats and Launches so I guess that's what these small vessels were.

My father, Edward George Munns served on HMS Anson at the time of the Japenese Surrender. He would have been 17-18 years old. Probably not much more. He said he was a 'Grue' operator which is something to do with guns. Keeping small dots aligned so the guns can track a target.

If this rings a bell with anyone or you have any more information I would be very interested.

Also check out my other posts which have a picture of a ships bell and stern. I would be interested if someone can ID this ship and confirm if it is again from Anson.

Many thanks,

Ted Munns.

[munnst]

Hi,

no, I was not aware of that site.
I will check it out. Thanks.

Ted.

[Joseph]

Ted

They Look like 32 foot Cutters a standard fit, which also fits is from back end of 1946 she was Flagship for sea training at Portland.

Regards Charles

[jonti]

Hi Ted. I think your father operated a gunnery range unit (gru) in the Transmitting Station (TS) controlling either the forward or rear guns on the Anson. The TS is below decks and is the nerve centre of the gunnery system, receiving information on the enemy's position from visual sightings, usually high up above the bridge structure. There may have been a crude radar system also at that time. Visual operators would turn handles to keep the target in their binoculars, that is bearing and estimated range and at the same time this information would be indicated on dials in the TS.
Your father was seated around the Fire Control table, a wholly mechanical device which could compute the future position of the enemy and send the required elevation (computed from the range) and bearing to the guns to hit the enemy in the future position. Your father turned a handle to keep his dial on the Fire Control table aligned with the indicating dial from the visual operators, by lining up the dots. There would have been 5 or 6 operators around the table not unlike a quarter sized billiard table, with a gunnery officer in overall charge.
Fire Control tables were mechanical computers with superbly made components, were part of gunnery systems before WW1 up to at least the 1960s. German designed and manufactured tables were considered to be the best. Hope I didn't lose you along the way! Rob T

[tim lewin]

some years ago i was at a boot sale with a colleague who bought a very strange looking camera; it was pale grey, AP-numbered, stereo and seemed to work upside-down. On telling my fahter about this I discovered it was meant to be fitted to either a bracket above the fire control table or inside the director and linked to the electronic firing circuit so that when the guns fired it took a snapshot of the position of all of the dials, pointers etc for post-shoot analysis. I noticed when I looked round Belfast's T/S that the bracket for this camera was there but the actual camera absent, they had all wondered what it had been for. Belfast's fire control table/clock is not so big but still there and a complete enigma in ints operation. Does Cavalier still have hers or was it replaced by a later electronic gizmo?

Belfast is restoring one of the many tachymetric directors just now, the thing like a toffee-apple between the Bofors, next time I visit I will take copious pictures for you all; ditto one of the 40mm mountings. Is there anyone out there who actually used to sit in one of these contraptions as an operator? what were they like? did they work? How did they work? what were their foibles?
tim

[munnst]

"Hope I didn't lose you along the way! Rob T"

Hi Rob,

so that's what a gru is!
Sounds like an interesting and important job.
Do any of these systems still exist and would you know if any parts
of Anson survive?

Many thanks,

Ted.

[Sue Smith]

Hi,

my father served on HMS Anson. Unfortnately that is the only info I have about his Naval service apart from a few photo's. I have attached several of the crew photo's to see if anyone can positively id the ship and maybe the people.

My father was Edward George Munns. He is the person on the left in the colour photo and the
middle of the group of three. This picture was taken outside what is now grannies pasties in Falmouth.

Regards,

Ted Munns.

Very interesting photograph's. My father (Edward Dennis Richardson) also served aboard HMS Anson. I believe he was a gunner. My sister and I recently attended a dedication service of the ships bell in Chatham. It was great to meet some of the ship's former crew.
regards Sue

[KathCrossan]

My dad, Frank Trigwell, served on the HMS Anson during WWII and I would like to know if anyone has any photos of him during this time. Sadly, dad passed away in 1971 when I was only 7 so I had no opportunity to ask him about his days in the Navy. Any information would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

[Stan.J]

Hallo Kath, Try this site It could help you.

http://www.hmsanson.co.uk/index.html
Cheers,Stan

[smudger28]

Hi Guys

I have been asked by my Grandfather to try to trace any living shipmates that my Grandfather served with during the second world war.

My Grandfather is Leslie Moss of Stamford, Lincolnshire.

He is specifically looking for Wally MIMARDIERRE of Bethnall Green but if anyone out there served onboard the Anson please get in touch.

Cheers

Paul Smith

[scjon]

I was wondering if you guys knew of any good books I could get that detail her story in WWII. We have a special tie to George Anson here in Charleston, SC USA. He won a bunch of land in Charleston in a poker game he set up as a neighborhood and named all the streets. So already being a naval history buff, I wanted to get my start reading about some RN ships and she was my first choice. I have several brief snippets in general books, but wanted something more specific and was hoping I could get some guidance. Thanks for any help you can give me!

[Stan.J]

Scjon, If you go to www.naval-history.net you should find what you need.
Cheers,Stan