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HMS Unicorn 1941-1959 World Naval Ships Forums Archive

HMS Unicorn 1941-1959

Posts 1 to 50

my dad was on unicorn on radar he told mehe lived all his life in willesden london. and worked at heinz most of his life if anyone remembers him please email meon [email]bob.masters@hotmail.co.uk[/email] thanks.

[LEFT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][COLOR=black]My granddad served on HMS Unicorn between 1951-1954.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][COLOR=black]His name was [B]Chief Petty Officer John Canavan[/B].[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][COLOR=black]If anyone rememberes him, then please contact me, as he would love to get in contact with you.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][/FONT] [COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]my email is: [/SIZE][/FONT][EMAIL="charliee-xo@live.co.uk"][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]charliee-xo@live.co.uk[/SIZE][/FONT][/EMAIL][/COLOR] [FONT=Arial][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][COLOR=black]Thank-you.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/LEFT] [CENTER]:)[/CENTER]

[quote=Canavan;23682][FONT=Tahoma][COLOR=black][SIZE=4][LEFT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]My granddad served on HMS Unicorn between 1951-1954.[/SIZE][/FONT][/LEFT] [/SIZE][/COLOR][SIZE=4] [LEFT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][COLOR=black]His name was [B]Chief Petty Officer John Canavan[/B].[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][COLOR=black]If anyone rememberes him, then please contact me, as he would love to get in contact with you.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [COLOR=black][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]my email is: [/SIZE][/FONT][EMAIL="charliee-xo@live.co.uk"][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]charliee-xo@live.co.uk[/SIZE][/FONT][/EMAIL][/COLOR] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][COLOR=black]Thank-you.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/LEFT] [CENTER]:)[/CENTER] [/quote] It would help if you give his branch & rate when he was in Unicorn. I served in Unicorn from Jan53 to Nov 54. I was a Leading Stoker Mechanic.:confused::confused:

Hi, posting for my Dad, Bernard NORMAN, known as 'Nordy' Fleet Air Arm mechanic. Served 1943 -. I see from the various histories that UNICORN was one of the only carriers to shell the land during the Korean conflict with her 4 inch guns. Dad reckons that they shelled the Japanese in the Phillipine islands. Any old shipmates remeber Dad or shelling the Japanese? Thanks J

This is a picture of Unicorn leaving Malta homeward bound in Oct. 1953. During the korean war she steamed 130,000 miles, ferried 600 aircraft and carried 6,000 troops.
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Sadly Bernard (Nordy) Norman passed away today 24 December 2008. Rest in Peace Dad.

I'm so sorry to read of your sad loss today Jarlath. I'm sure that all the other members of the forum would like to express their sympathies to you and your family now that your Dad has crossed the bar. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Regards Mik

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss today. The death of a parent can be very hard, even if that parent had a good long life. I hope you and your family find ways to cope. It's such a difficult time of the year for this, too.:(

I too am very sorry to hear of your loss today. Regards...John

Sorry to hear about the passing of your father, I hope you have some happy and lasting memories of him. RIP Nordy Jim

I too am very sorry to hear of your sad loss today. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your father, my thoughts are with you and your family Regards Harry

My thanks to you all for your kind wishes. We will ensure that we send Nordy off in style. J

Can I add my condolences about the loss of your father. I was told all Matelot's never die. They turn into seagulls (Cleaned up name) and search the oceans for RN ships looking for the Masters at Arms to get their revenge

I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My condolences to you and your family. I'm sure you have wonderful memories. sincerely Vivian

We sent Dad off in great style. RNA provided a standard bearer (former bootneck and me a part time paratrooper!) he would have laughed!

I recently joined this forum to find out more about HMS Unicorn around 1943/44 when my father was serving on her. I also have numerous photos and other memorabilia relating to his time on the Unicorn and would therefore also like to find out about sharing this information and receiving similar from other people or associations interested in this period. Look forward to any replies or PMs. Chris

Hi, welcome to the forum. I'm sure there are members here who have a connection to, or can tell you more about HMS Unicorn - I expect you will get a reply or two soon. In the meantime, here is guide on how to upload images to the forum, should you wish to. [URL]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?p=34836#post34836[/URL]

Welcome to the forum Chris. I see Kc has given you scanning information should you need any further help drop me a PM. We all look forward to seeing your fathers pictures, I wish you luck with your venture. Regards, Bob.

There is a book about Unicorn from when built up to I think the time you are interested in. The book is "The Versatile Air Repair Ship HMS Unicorn" it is available from Amazon, good hunting. I served in Unicorn in 1953-4 a bit later than you are seeking.

Hello Chris, I stumbled across this site in an attempt to find out more about my grandfather Paul McQuae Wilkinson who flew Swordfish from the Unicorn. He was shot down in 1943. I have photographs and his letters to my Grandmother but nothing else. I was wondering if anyone has any record of him or his time on the ship? A long shot I know! Bestwishes Anna Marioni

The photos I have show quite a few swordfish and seafires, including some on board accidents involving these. There are numerous people visible but they are often indistinct due to their size in the photo. Also my father was in the radar division, so the more formal photos of his colleagues taken, for example, in Trincomalee presumably wouldn't include pilots. At least one of the group photos have some names on (e.g. Mess 58 from May 1943), but not Wilkinson I'm afraid. Regards, Chris

Thank you Chris.

A long shot I know but anyone with any info on the following or how to help would be very much appreciated. HMS Unicorn 1943 Fairie Swordfish pilot Squadron 824 Paul McQuhae Wilkinson died 5/9/43 - my grandfather

Anna, we had a similar enquiry just a couple of days ago. Here's the web addresses for a few Fleet Air Arm websites, well worth you enquiring with the FAA site in particular. here are the web addresses for the relevant FAA sites [URL="http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net"]www.fleetairarmarchive.net[/URL] [URL="http://www.fleetairarm.com"]www.fleetairarm.com[/URL] this is the museum. [URL="http://www.faaa.org.uk"]www.faaa.org.uk[/URL] Regards Alan

Thank you Alan that's really helpful. Will make a start. Best wishes Anna

A few related snippets from a booklet printed to record HMS UNICORN's service between 1943 and 1945. Captain from January to October 1943 was Captain Q. D. GRAHAM, CBE., DSO., Royal Navy relieved by Captain H. L. St.J. FANCOURT, DSO., Royal Navy 14th Jan 1943 - Ship Commissioned at Belfast 28th May - Arrived Gibraltar 26th July - Sailed from Scapa Flow for 'Norway Sweep' 8 - 11 Sep - Opertation 'Avalanche' - Salerno Oct - Nov - Refit Belfast (Conversion back to Repair Ship) Fairlead

I was in Unicorn Jan 53 to Nov 54, she was'nt the most comfortable ship, hot & full of cockroaches.

Hi all I found your forum while searching for information on my father who I believe served on HMS Illustrious, HMS Unicorn and the Esperance Bay during WWII His name was Arthur Fellows born in Birmingham area 1909 He was an accomplished musician so may well have been involved in a band or the like on board. I don't know much more as he died in 1962 when i was 18mnths old. If any of his old shipmates remember him I'd be thrilled to hear from you. Cheers Dave

I have a crest from the Carrier HMS UNICORN with a motto on it "IN UTRUMQUE EXCELSO ANIMO" plus this motto appears on the Carrier UNICORN's association web site. Does anyone know what the motto is in english?

It does not seem to be part of the official crest. Perhaps it just means that they were high minded.

This translates to words akin to Toward ardent merit or excellence, Stonefrigate. Regards

[QUOTE=Hank;159932]This translates to words akin to Toward ardent merit or excellence, Stonefrigate. Regards[/QUOTE] And I thought "EXCELSO ANIMO" meant high or lofty mind!:confused:

All I know is Captain Pennyfeather said the Unicorn was a protector of virgins .When I was aboard her.

Almost right Keith. The Unicorn could only be CAPTURED by a virgin. It is a symbol of purity. best wishes Jan

The motto is the official motto for Unicorn and it translates to ....We are ready for either duty with a soaring spirit. ref:Taken from Admiralty Ships badges vol2. Regards Alan
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[QUOTE=alanbenn;159994]The motto is the official motto for Unicorn and it translates to ....We are ready for either duty with a soaring spirit. ref:Taken from Admiralty Ships badges vol2. Regards Alan[/QUOTE] That sounds better; but what were the two duties envizaged?

[QUOTE] That sounds better; but what were the two duties envizaged? [/QUOTE] War & Peace I would assume.:) Regards Alan

[QUOTE=patroclus;160035]That sounds better; but what were the two duties envizaged?[/QUOTE] HMS Unicorn (I72) was a British aircraft maintenance vessel and light aircraft carrier. I believe that these are the two duties referred to in the motto.

I may have posted these before.
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Has she hit the side of the Suez canal in the first pic? Did she have the highest flight deck of any British carrier?

[QUOTE=Shinysheff;10160052]Has she hit the side of the Suez canal in the first pic? Did she have the highest flight deck of any British carrier?[/QUOTE] Unicorn had two hanger decks. We were coming home from the Far East. During the canal transit there was a gust of wind, the ship started to turn, in the ER we could not carry out the panic movements from the bridge. Unicorn came to rest across the canal, bow on one side, stern on the other. It took 4 hrs to get us off the banks, the rest of the transit we were secured to tugs. The extra height of the ship's side acted like a sail.

[QUOTE=oldsalt;10160046]I may have posted these before.[/QUOTE] Keith, Do you know what the three items are on a pallet port side fwd?

[quote=johnny07;10160121]Keith, Do you know what the three items are on a pallet port side fwd?[/quote] Look like gun barrels to me. Jim

[QUOTE=oldsalt;10160046]I may have posted these before.[/QUOTE] Great images, sir!

[QUOTE=jbryce1437;10160124]Look like gun barrels to me. Jim[/QUOTE] That was my first thought but would they not store them and change them in a dockyard?

[quote=johnny07;10160159]That was my first thought but would they not store them and change them in a dockyard?[/quote] The calibre looks too big for them to belong to Unicorn. Perhaps she was shipping them back home to Naval Ordnance Depot for repair or disposal. Jim

[QUOTE=johnny07;10160121]Keith, Do you know what the three items are on a pallet port side fwd?[/QUOTE] Johnny, I have no idea, they certainly look like gun barrels, just a little further forward with the guy passing, looks like a pile of cannon balls!!!! When we left Singapore we loaded all sorts of stuff to bring home. Maybe the gun barrels ,if they were, finished up in a museum somewhere.

To add to the strange deck cargo debate - which incidentally is shown on UNICORN’s rear flight-deck, not the other end as suggested by Johnny 07 at post 43 - it would seem that Jim Bryce’s observations about big guns could be spot on. I enclose a photo of a very similar pile of scrap metal lying on the ground near the gunshop at Devonport probably not too many years after UNICORN’s return there from the far east. I can also add that during a walk through the yard in the 1970’s I came across a couple of segments of these gun barrel type objects lying on the dockside, I was told that they were in use as test weights for cranes, but I’ve no proof of this. Returning to UNICORN’s homecoming from the far east on the 17th November 1953 her flight-deck was partially covered with rows of military motor vehicles possibly obscuring the strange cargo if it was still on-board. As for the off-loading task, the following morning Yard craft 343 was despatched to UNICORN to act as a fender for floating crane CL10 which would carry out the task. Landing Craft LST 4044 was then secured to the floating crane to act as the recipient vessel. Unfortunately I cannot interpret the abbreviated description of the off-loading work required so I’m unable to say whether or not it holds any clue as to the identity of the deck cargo, it simply states “CL10 to load LVT and DWKS into LST 4044”. I’ve no idea whether DWKS is anything to do with big guns and can only guess that the V in LVT might just relate to the vehicles. Anyway that’s my tuppence worth for today - a little more food for thought maybe! Regards….Paul
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Many thanks for your input and photo Paul. In your photo, the turret being lifted looks of the type fitted to Tiger, Lion and Blake, whereas the two turrets on the ground look like those mounted on Battle Class destroyers. Jim

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