HMS Rodney & HMS Nelson - World Naval Ships Forums Archive (Page 2)

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HMS Rodney & HMS Nelson - World Naval Ships Forums Archive (Page 2)

HMS Rodney & HMS Nelson (Page 2)

Posts 51 to 100

[QUOTE=Evan Finnegan;121408]Hi Grant, I'm in the same situation trying to find out about my grandfather who served on the Nelson and know very little. I do however know that he had the Burma Star, The War Medal and the 1939 - 45 Star. I think he may have had the Defence medal but shall have to do a bit more digging to make sure. However I'm not sure exactly where it was that he served with the ship so cannot match it up with what you have provided. I only know some of his medal details from talking to him before he passed away. Hope this helps and best of luck with your research. There are some links that people have provided on the new members page to those trying to find service and medal details of family members that you may find useful.[/QUOTE] Hi Evan and thanks for the quick reply..Fortunately I have my Grandfathers Royal navy service records, also his gunnery records and leave papers..from these I have all his service details these tell me he spent time at Excellent (gun training), Braganza, Victory, Collingwood?, also on the submarine Sturgeon, and on the Nelson from 26th March 42 until the Italian surrender October 43 just can't understand the wounds recommendations and medal section it reads wsi (4)? and a few other the scribbles will post his records and pics soon as I workout how to...he passed recently and never spoke about the war we were very close and only in the last year before he passed he has told me a few stories. He volunteered at 17 and was on the Sturgeon and Nelson by 19yrs of age..so many lost their lives I feel very lucky to be here..and Immensely proud .

Good evening all. Well as promised, although later than planned here are some photos of the Nelson I have. One is taken while at sea of her left flank ( sory don't know if that's Port or Starboard). The other is taken of the Chapel of ST. Nicholas inside the Nelson.
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Finny, thanks very much for uploading those attachments. You obviously had a problem scanning them so I hope you don't mind but I have edited them, enlarged them and reposted them so the members can see the detail better. Regards Alan

Thank you everyone. Excellent photos and beautiful ships. I still can't believe that after WWII British government scrapped every single dreadnought they have ever built. They really should have kept at least one, say HMS Warspite. :mad:

[QUOTE=alanbenn;122081]Finny, thanks very much for uploading those attachments. You obviously had a problem scanning them so I hope you don't mind but I have edited them, enlarged them and reposted them so the members can see the detail better. Regards Alan[/QUOTE] Hi Alan, Sorry for the delay in replying. Been away on holiday. No problem with the photos. Any help is appreciated. Would not class myself as being the most computer literate person around. Cheers

Here are a few more pictures that Hugh Williams asked me to post for him of HMS Nelson with deck scenes. How much for the treadplate in 6? Bob.
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[quote=Batstiger;124683]I Have saved this one for last, when opened I think you will see why! Bob.[/quote] A good picture Bob which I have already shown in this thread as the first picture in the first post!! The other ones you posted were interesting though!

[QUOTE=astraltrader;124718]A good picture Bob which I have already shown in this thread as the first picture in the first post!! The other ones you posted were interesting though![/QUOTE] Hi, Anno Domini catching up with me; I had forgotten that I had posted same and commented that we had the same pic! Regards, Hugh

[quote=Hugh Williams;124723]Hi, Anno Domini catching up with me; I had forgotten that I had posted same and commented that we had the same pic! Regards, Hugh[/quote] No problem Hugh! Unfortunately because of the sheer volume of pictures we have to carry in the forum we try to cut down on duplications wherever possible. The important thing here is to thank you very much for the thoroughly interesting photographs that you have [with Bobs invaluable help] provided for us to see. Long may they continue!! :) .

[QUOTE=Batstiger;124682]Here are a few more pictures that Hugh Williams asked me to post for him of HMS Nelson with deck scenes. How much for the treadplate in 6? [/QUOTE] Hi Bob. I have a similar photograph to the last one in that group, but taken on the deck at closer range (you can see the footplate in mine, too:D). It must have been taken within seconds of the picture Hugh provided you with. My guess is mine was taken a few seconds before, as the chaps boarding are saluting. My father wrote at the bottom of the picture 'Turkish Military Mission', but I can't find any information as to what this means. I don't suppose there's a date on Hugh's picture, is there? Please thank Hugh for sharing his photo's and thank you, Bob for putting them up here.

[QUOTE=Trafalgartwin;125283]Hi Bob. I have a similar photograph to the last one in that group, but taken on the deck at closer range (you can see the footplate in mine, too:D). It must have been taken within seconds of the picture Hugh provided you with. My guess is mine was taken a few seconds before, as the chaps boarding are saluting. My father wrote at the bottom of the picture 'Turkish Military Mission', but I can't find any information as to what this means. I don't suppose there's a date on Hugh's picture, is there? Please thank Hugh for sharing his photo's and thank you, Bob for putting them up here.[/QUOTE] Hi, I wouldn't be surprised if your father knew my Uncle, John Rice, and even more so provided the photo. My Uncle never told me anything about the photos (that I can remember), only that he knew that I was avaricious for anything RN, and subsequently World Wide Naval matters. As for the date, I can only think it would be around the time the Nelson was doing Med convoy duties and was torpedoed, as he mentioned that incident to me. However, he mentioned that the torpedo got the meat store, he didn't mention the torpedo flats..perhaps he wasn't informed of that for morale purposes! This event was 27th. September 1941. I can't at the moment find anything that refers to the Top Brass arriving on board the ship. Kind regards, Hugh Williams

[QUOTE=Hugh Williams;125398]Hi, I wouldn't be surprised if your father knew my Uncle, John Rice, and even more so provided the photo. My Uncle never told me anything about the photos (that I can remember), only that he knew that I was avaricious for anything RN, and subsequently World Wide Naval matters. As for the date, I can only think it would be around the time the Nelson was doing Med convoy duties and was torpedoed, as he mentioned that incident to me. However, he mentioned that the torpedo got the meat store, he didn't mention the torpedo flats..perhaps he wasn't informed of that for morale purposes! This event was 27th. September 1941. I can't at the moment find anything that refers to the Top Brass arriving on board the ship. Kind regards, Hugh Williams[/QUOTE] Hello Hugh. I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were here on the forum when I posted my previous message. Well, my father missed died about 13 years ago, so I don't know if he knew your uncle. He joined Nelson in October 1942, (and was with her until at least July 1944) so if your uncle was still on Nelson then, they were shipmates. Even if they weren't, there was still a bond between all those who served on' Nellie'. It's very important that people like us, and everyone here, try to piece together what these photos depict...and I'm sure we'll get there as to what these particular photo depict.

I've alway felt that the Rodney and Nelson were a superb response to the "need" to produce treaty-restricted battleships. Nice cap to Sir Eustace D'Eyncourt's career as DNC. They were the subject of jokes and called Rodnol and Nelsol with tongue in cheek, but they were very effective battleships when the call came in WWII. By the way, does anyone know what his intials "H.W" stood for? His full name in his autobiography is listed as Eustace H. W. Tennyson D'Eyncourt. Almost as long as Admiral Drax's name! :)

[QUOTE=Don Boyer;125435] By the way, does anyone know what his intials "H.W" stood for? His full name in his autobiography is listed as Eustace H. W. Tennyson D'Eyncourt. Almost as long as Admiral Drax's name! :)[/QUOTE] Sir Eustace Henry William Tennyson-d'Eyncourt, 1st Baronet, KCB (Knight Commander the Order of Bath), LL.D (Doctor of Law), D.SC (Doctor of Science), FRS (Fellow of the Royal Society)

Thank you Andy...appreciate it. Can add a sticky note to my copy of "A Shipbuilder's Yarn" :) Regards

Rodney or Nelson? Bob.
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[QUOTE=kookaburra;28908]Sorry to keep posting these two from a 1937 Navy Week edition of the [I]Illustrated London News [/I]but I felt they should be here to keep the collection complete when we want to look at them again. [/QUOTE] I wonder what are those sailing ships near Rodney? Victory was 69 meters long (and NelRods 219) but in comparison it looks same length as its boats...Does not look like photoshop though..Can anyone explain? Same question for next photo.

The photo in post #66 looks like Nellie - see Kronserg's comparison photo in post #42. Tim

[QUOTE=Batstiger;126803]Rodney or Nelson? Bob.[/QUOTE] Nelson (1935) I think. In 1934-1935 both had searchlight platform on bridge tower plated over (there is still visible the rest of something looking like scaffold on bridge). They were still very alike so it is necessary to look for bolts and rivets: Nelson sported 3 bulleyes in fitted plating while Rodney got only 2. I'd swear I can see 3 of them in circled area:confused:

Sorry,I forgot to attach the pic:o
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Hi I thought you might like this one of the Nelson from my fathers collection, at I think Gibraltar. And can someone tell me where she is in the other photo of her I found on the net please? Regards, Mel. [ATTACH]84555[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]84556[/ATTACH]
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Mel - have you read the PM I sent you about your fathers picture?? :)

[QUOTE=Melkell;128780]Hi I thought you might like this one of the Nelson from my fathers collection, at I think Gibraltar. And can someone tell me where she is in the other photo of her I found on the net please? Regards, Mel. [ATTACH]84555[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]84556[/ATTACH][/QUOTE] Mel, Looks very like Portland to me.

[QUOTE=Batstiger;124682]Here are a few more pictures that Hugh Williams asked me to post for him of HMS Nelson with deck scenes. How much for the treadplate in 6? Bob.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Hugh Williams;125398]Hi, I can't at the moment find anything that refers to the Top Brass arriving on board the ship. [/QUOTE] Hugh, I found the date! :) Our pics were taken on April 22nd, 1943. There is a short 'movie' clip of the event here [url]http://www.movietone.com/[/url] You will need to register (quick and free) before you can view it. The 'story no.' to search for the clip is 43606. My only quibble is the screen is so very tiny, I can't spot my dad in the RM Guard of Honour.:(

HMS Nelson Hockey Team 1942/43 [URL=http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/twinm/HMS%20Nelson/?action=view¤t=img001.jpg][IMG]http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/twinm/HMS%20Nelson/th_img001.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Back row: P.O Catlin, L.S.O.A Harrod (or Harrow), Mne Holygkkie (or Holyakkie), P.O Foley, P.O(?) Croucher, Limburn, Angel (?) Front row: GRO(?) Ellick, AB(?) Notley, P.T.I Johnson, A.S Stevens, L.S Wright, L.S(?) Loe. This is my first ever scan from a machine that's been out of the box for twenty minutes. Please forgive the state of the picture - I have no idea how to clean it up (any tips welcome). I have done my best to decipher the names etc, but the ink is very faded and I had to muck about with contrast and luminosity for ages to get to this stage. I hope they're correct. I have indicated where I'm not certain.

I'm new to the site and would like to resurrect the discussion on RODNEY or NELSON? in post #34.:D Whilst in the middle of a rebuild of my 1:72 scale (3 metres) RC model of HMS RODNEY, I have had to research the distinguishing features on both ships. I have discovered three principal and noticeable ways in which RODNEY differs from NELSON. 1. Catapult on 'X' turret. RODNEY only. NELSON never carried an aircraft. 2. Positioning of the crane on the port side. RODNEY adjacent to the bridge superstructure; NELSON outboard adjacent to the spurnwater. 3. (Evident in the photo post #34) RODNEY had a much wider yardarm than NELSON. Therefore in my humble opinion the image is of HMS RODNEY just by the length of the yardarm.;) So RODNEY's yardarm being longer would mean NELSON's is a 'footarm'?:rolleyes:
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By the way, the images submitted on this thread are magnificent.:) Well done everybody concerned. I had searched for ages for an image which clearly indicated the width of the deck planking on RODNEY. Found it here.;) Answer: Come to the right site and get the right information!:D Thanks people.

Destroyerman we ask that all pictures of and information related to models be put in our designated section for models rather than into the other sections. Many thanks. [URL]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=67[/URL]

Thanks. Noted.:)

However, truly a great model build of Rodney, Destroyerman...congratulations on a skillfull accomplishment. I still am chafing that no one has been kind enough to produce a 1/350 battlecruiser Tiger...the one British build I would really like to try from a kit...scratchbuilds are out of my league in any scale! But what's a destroyerman doing building a battleship? No HMS Ashanti or Battleaxe? :) Regards,

Thanks Don for your very kind comment.:) I hope to include a report of the refit in the Modelling section along with others I served in, particularly Destroyers. However, back to the thread topic: HMS RODNEY and HMS NELSON were unique inasmuch as they actually complied with the dictates of the Washington Treaty of 1936. By design they actually fell [U]under[/U] the permitted gross tonnage for such ships. Very similar in appearance there was a ruse, contrived by Admiral Somerville at the start of Operation PEDESTAL to fool the Axis powers that NELSON was sailing north whilst RODNEY was sailing east into the Mediterranean. This meant disguising both ships as each other. Apparently it managed to confuse the crews of both ships but not the Germans.:rolleyes:

HMS Rodney, Summer 1941: While in Boston, undergoing repairs, the sailors on Rodney stayed with civilians. My great grandmother was one of those civilians. I found pictures of the crew that stayed with her. Their names are Bill, Patterson, Louie, Pope, and Reggie. I have 6 pictures. Just the men and my family. No pictures of the ship. I am going to try to attach a picture to this post. My e-mail is [email]mimi9558 at mchsi.com[/email] if anyone wants me to e-mail the pictures to them. Good luck to everyone trying to find info on their veterans. My father was in the US Army, WW2, stationed in North Africa, wounded and sent to the British West Indies where he met my mother and came home. All of his records were destroyed in a fire. But I am still looking. Deb Kruse, Iowa, USA
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I recently bought this postcard of Nelson. :)
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[QUOTE=debkruse95;138120]HMS Rodney, Summer 1941: While in Boston, undergoing repairs, the sailors on Rodney stayed with civilians. My great grandmother was one of those civilians. I found pictures of the crew that stayed with her. Their names are Bill, Patterson, Louie, Pope, and Reggie. I have 6 pictures. Just the men and my family. No pictures of the ship. [/QUOTE] Thanks for posting, Deb. My dad spent several happy weeks in Philadelphia while Rodney's sister ship [I]Nelson[/I] underwent repairs in 1944. I don't know who he stayed with but I would be overjoyed to come across a similar picture with him in it. I hope a lucky relative of the men in your picture comes across it one day. :) Nice postcard, Astral. I don't think I have seen that one before.

Thanks my friend - call me Terry please. :)

I just found this photo of NELSON in sad condition, taken probably in September 1949.
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[QUOTE=Batstiger;30489]HMS Nelson,built by Armstrong,launched 3/9/1925.Arrived at Inverkeithing for breaking up,15/3/1949. The three turrets from forward to aft were "A", "B" and "X". The guns received individual nicknames being known as Happy, Grumpy, Sneezy, Dopey, Sleepy, Bashful, Doc, Mickey and Minnie, sometime after the release of the film Snow White in 1937. HMS Nelson was commissioned in August 1927 and joined by her sister ship Rodney (built by Cammell Laird) in November. She cost 7.504 million British Pounds to build, and made partial use of the material prepared for the cancelled HMS Anson and Howe, planned sisterships of HMS Hood. She was the flagship of the Home Fleet from launch. In 1931, the crews of both Nelson and Rodney took part in the Invergordon Mutiny. On 12 January 1934 she ran aground on Hamilton's Shoal, just outside Portsmouth, as she was about to embark with the Home Fleet to the West Indies. HMS Nelson was modified little during the 1930s, and was with the Home Fleet when war broke out in September 1939. On 25–26 September, she performed escort duty during the salvage and rescue operations of the submarine HMS Spearfish. Nelson was first deployed in the North Sea in October against a German formation of cruisers and destroyers, all of which easily evaded her. On 30 October, she was unsuccessfully attacked by U-56 near the Orkney Islands, being hit by 3 torpedoes, none of which exploded. She was later again shown up for pace in the futile pursuit of German battlecruisers. In December 1939, she struck a mine (laid by U-31) off the Scottish coast and was laid up for repairs until August 1940. Upon return to service, she was deployed in the English Channel. From April to June 1941 she was on convoy escort in the Atlantic. In late May, she was in Freetown, and was ordered to Gibraltar to stand by to take part in the chase of the German battleship Bismarck. In June 1941, Nelson, now in Gibraltar, was assigned to Force H, operating in the Mediterranean as an escort. On 27 September 1941, she was extensively damaged by a Regia Aeronautica torpedo strike, and was under repair in Britain until May 1942. She returned to Force H as the flagship in August 1942, performing escort duties for supply convoys running to Malta. She supported Operation Torch around Algeria in November 1942, the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, and the Salerno operation in September 1943 by coastal bombardment. The Italian armistice was signed between Eisenhower and Marshal Pietro Badoglio aboard Nelson on 29 September. HMS Nelson returned to England in November 1943 for a refit including extensive additions to her anti-aircraft defences. Returning to action, she supported the Normandy landings but hit two mines on 18 June 1944, and was sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for repairs. She returned to Britain in January 1945, and then was deployed to the Indian Ocean, arriving in Colombo in July. She was used around the Malayan Peninsula for 3 months; the Japanese forces there formally surrendered aboard her. HMS Nelson returned home in November 1945, as the flagship of the Home Fleet, until reduced to a training vessel in July 1946 and decommissioned in February 1948. She was used as a target vessel for bombing exercises for a few months before being scrapped on 15 March 1949 at Inverkeithing. B a t t l e H o n o u r s-MALTA CONVOYS 1941-42 - NORTH AFRICA 1942 -43 - MEDITERRANEAN 1943 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943 - NORMANDY[/QUOTE] Does anyone remember HENRY JONES on HMS Nelson. He was my Husbands Grandfather and died in 1941 aged 52. We have a photo of him in rating uniform with HMS NELSON on the Hat band. He is only a young man possibly early 20's. pauline

Looking for information about HENRY JONES who served on HMS NELSON. We have a photo of him in sailors uniform with HMS NELSON on the hatband. He is a veryyoung man on the photo. Was born 1889, died 1941 aged 52. Would be grateful for any info on my husbands grandfather.[ATTACH]89368[/ATTACH]
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Hello Jess and welcome to the Forum. Your photograph of Henry Jones is interesting and he looks quite young. It is likely that the Nelson cap tally refers to the previous HMS Nelson, scrapped in 1910, which acted as the Stokers training ship. This thread refers to the HMS Nelson of c1925, which would put him around 36 years of age, by which time he would likely be at least a Stoker 1st Class, which would mean that he would have a star above the propellor in the photo. I have put some more information on another thread that you have posted on: [URL]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?p=139217#post139217[/URL] Jim

Tight squeeze.
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Lovely photo Bob, talk about "made to measure" Jim

[QUOTE=astraltrader;12386]As I have some great shots of these two it is about time I put them together in a gallery for you all to gain access to.[/QUOTE] Could someone tell me why the three turrets were laid out like they were i.e. A turret low,B turret higher,C turret low again, why did they not go with the "normal" configuration. puzzled.

[QUOTE=limey-51;145049]Could someone tell me why the three turrets were laid out like they were i.e. A turret low,B turret higher,C turret low again, why did they not go with the "normal" configuration. puzzled.[/QUOTE] The usual 2 turrets for'd & 2 aft may not have been possible because of the layout of the ships main machinery. Because the original design had to be altered due to the Washington Treaty shortening the hull length the engine rooms had to be placed for'd of the boiler rooms in order to obtain the correct angle for propeller shafts. This is just a guess , maybe there was not enough space aft for a 2nd. turret ,magazines, hoists etc.

An interesting and quite rare colour shot of the three turret arrangement - Nelson in 1946.
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Outstanding color photo of Nelson's main battery, Terry. Your collection never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for posting it for us battleship fans. Regards,

Always a pleasure to help Don - glad you liked it.

Terry, that picture is fantastic. Thanks from me, too.

Hi Terry, I have to agree, that is a fine photo, plenty of great detail. I was wondering what the purpose of concentric circle tub abaft the 'B' turret, near to the breakwater. Liked the ladders, some construction! Very useful photograph for model makers. Regards, Hugh Williams

I think the object with concentric rings is the mount and steps for one of the single Oerlikon guns Hugh. If you look at the six Oerlikons on top of 'X' turret, the aft one on the starboard side may have its innards missing.

[QUOTE=Destroyerman;145190]I think the object with concentric rings is the mount and steps for one of the single Oerlikon guns Hugh. If you look at the six Oerlikons on top of 'X' turret, the aft one on the starboard side may have its innards missing.[/QUOTE] Hi, Yep, I have looked again, this time with the photo enlarged. You are spot on there. Cheers, Hugh

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