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HMS Bude World Naval Ships Forums Archive

HMS Bude

Posts 1 to 13

I am always hoping that somewhere out there that some of my old shipmates are still around. I was probably the youngest member of the crew, I was not quite eighteen when I joined the J116 in may of 1944 and stayed with her until she was paid off late 45 early 46. If there is anyone who knows someone who was on the Bude at that time it would be interesting to hear from them. Derek Balman Stoker 1st class

Hi Have you tried Servicepals or forcesreunited? There's always people posting on those site looking for old mates etc. Good luck Alan

Hey everyone. I have recently discovered the ship on which my Grandfather served, HMS Bude; And I was wondering If anyone knew much about the ship, or others in the 'Bangor' class of minesweepers. I'm 17 and live in Australia and have searched for information or descriptive accounts of the ships voyages, during the war, but there seems to be little information online. If anyone knows anything about the ship, or if there are any crewmates on this forum, it would be great to hear from you, also any pictures would be great. thanks, Jake

Hi Jake, Loads of history on [url]http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-22MS-Bangor-Bude.htm[/url] [QUOTE]H . M . S. B U D E ( J 1 1 6 ) “BANGOR” Class Minesweeper ordered from Lobnitz on 9th September 1939 and laid down on 2nd April 1940. The ship was launched on 4th September 1940 as the 1st RN warship to carry this name Build was completed on 12th February 1941 with Turbine propulsion machinery. This ship was ‘adopted’ by the civil community of Bude, Cornwall after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942... B a t t l e H o n o u r s SICILY 1943 SALERNO 1943 ANZIO 1944 SOUTH FRANCE. H e r a l d i c D a t a Badge : On a Field Blue, in front of a saltire couped White a trident Black. D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e 1 9 4 1 February Contractors trials Nominated for service with 9th Minesweeping Flotilla. (Note: :Flotilla comprised HM Fleet Minesweepers BANGOR, BLACKPOOL, BRIDLINGTON, BRIDPORT, RHYL and ROMNEY already in commission.. 12th Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials March On completion of trials and storing carried out minesweeping work-up in Forth. April Joined Flotilla at Scapa Flow with HM Fleet Minesweepers CROMER Deployed for minesweeping at Scapa Flow and for East Coast convoy routes as far south as Aberdeen to ensure safe passage of traffic. May Transferred with Flotilla to Portsmouth Command for minesweeping in English Channel. (Note ::Ships were based at Poole and when required for service east of Isle of Wight at Portsmouth.) June Channel minesweeping in continuation. to (Note : Minesweepers were fitted with small barrage balloons to deter low level aircraft November attacks.) Nominated for special duty in Nore Command (Operation QO) December Deployed in Nore Command to provide two additional gaps in existing East Coast Barrier to enable destroyers based at Harwich and Sheerness to enable interception of German warships attempting passage through English Channel. (Note : This was in anticipation of break-out of SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU from Brest to return to Germany.). 13th Minesweeping Flotilla based at Harwich were also deployed for Operation QO) 1 9 4 2 January Resumed duty at Poole for minesweeping in English Channel west of Isle of Wight. to (Note Ships of Flotilla were nominated for special operation in support of planned landings at July Dieppe. (Operation JUBILEE. This ship did not take part and may have been under repair or refit.). August Channel deployment with Flotilla in continuation. to Nominated for service in Mediterranean in support of planned allied landings in September North Africa. (Operation TORCH) October Took part in preparatory exercises in Irish Sea with 9th Flotilla prior to passage to Gibraltar. Transferred to 13th Minesweeping Flotilla to replace HMS ILFRACOMBE that had been damaged in collision with sister ship HMS EASTBOURNE. (Note : Other ships in Flotilla comprised : HM Fleet Minesweepers RHYL (SO), BRIXHAM, CLACTON, FELIXTOWE, POLRUAN, ROTHESAT and STORNOWAY. November Passage to Gibraltar with ships of Flotilla 7th Part of escort for military convoy KMS1 during passage to ROGER and ZULU Beaches at Arzue, Oran For details see Naval Staff History and for information about all warships and mercantiules involved BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser.) On release from beach head operations deployed with ships of 12th Minesweeping Flotilla for minesweeping operations in western Mediterranean to ensure clear passage for mercantile and military convoys to Tripoli. (Note : Similar operations were being carried out from Alexandria to Tripoli by ships of 14th Flotilla, also of this Class.) December Western Mediterranean minesweeping in continuation with Flotilla. 1 9 4 3 January Operations along North African coast in continuation with Flotilla. to May June On completion transferred to Malta to prepare for minesweeeping in support of planned allied landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY) For details see Naval Staff History and for information about all warships and mercantiules involved BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser.) July 9th Deployed for clearance and maintenance of Tunis war channel for passage of asssault and follow-up military convoys to Sicily beach heads. August Deployed at Malta and prepared for support of planned allied landings at Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE) September Passage to Bizerta with ships of Flotilla. 7th Carried out minesweeping operations from Bizerta in advance of military Convoy FSS2 during passage to Beach Head. 9th On arrival deployed with Flotilla to carry out sweeping operations north ogf Salerno Bay prior to US landings 10th Continued minesweeping operations in area 12th Released from AVALANCHE support and returned to Malta. (Note : During AVALANCHE minesweeping off beach head 36 mines were swept by Flotilla.) For details see Naval Staff History and for information about all warships and mercantiules involved BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser.) October Deployed with Flotilla based in Malta to Nominated with Flotilla to relieve 14th Minesweeping Flotilla in minesweeping operations to clear November Straits of Bonifacio in preparations for planned landings in south France. December Deployed for minesweeping of Sardinia with Flotilla. 1 9 4 4 January Nominated for transfer to 12th Minesweeping Flotilla with HMS ROTHESAY for support of planned allied landings at Anzio (Operation SHINGLE). Passage to join 12th Flotilla for minesweeping during passage of assault convoys. 22nd Deployed at Anzio with 12th Flotilla in support of landings. 27th Passage from Anzio to rejoin 13th Flotilla in Sardinia. February Deployed in Sardinia area for minesweeping with Flotilla, to April. May Nominated with Flotilla for minesweeping between Naples and Anzio to ensure safe passage for military convoys supporting shore operations. Passage to Naples with HMS STORNOWAY, HMS POLRUAN and HMS BRIXHAM of Flotilla on relief by ships of 19th Minesweeping Flotilla. Joined ships of 12th Minesweeping Flotilla for minesweeping off Italian coast on arrival at Naples. June Deployed to clear an approach Channel to Civitvecchia (Note : Civitvecchia fell on 13th June.) July Relieved in Flotilla by HMS ROTHESAY and returned to Naples to prepare for support of planned allied landings in South France (Operation DRAGOON) August Deployed with HM Fleet Minesweepers ROTHESAY, POLRUAN, STORNOWAY and BRIXHAM in preparation for DRAGOON. 9th Sailed from Naples as part of escort for assault Convoy SS1B during passage to ALPHA Beach area. after call at Ajaccio For details see LANDINGS IN SOUTH FRANCE (HMSO) and for information about all warships and mercantiles taking part BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser.) 13th Sailed from Ajaccio 14th Detached from SS1B on arrival at Assembly Area 15th Carried out minesweeping operations to clear an assault channel to YELLOW Beach south of St Tropez. On completion deployed for further minesweeping along coast. (Note : During these operations the Flotilla accounted for 179 mines and came under shore fire at times.) 24th Completed clearance of Gulf of Fos September Minesweeping operations in continuation to allow entry to major ports. 24th Minesweeping Task Group TG80.10 dissolved Passage to Malta for Rest and Recuperation.. October Nominated for minesweeping operations off Greece in Gulf of Patras and Gulf of Corinth Passage with Flotilla to commence operations of Greece November Greek deployment in continuation. Nominated for return to UK Passage to Malta to prepare for passage (Note : During deployment off Greece with BYMS and Motor Launches 353 mines were swept by Flotilla.) December Passage to UK Nominated for withdrawal from service with other ships of Flotilla. 1 9 4 5 Januarry Paid-off and de-stored to Reduced to Reserve status. March April Laid-up in Reserve. to August P o s t W a r S e r v i c e HMS BUDE was placed on the Disposal List and sold to Egypt in 1946. The ship was renamed NASR and was later re-designated as a Corvette. She remained on the Active List of the Egypian Navy until after 1973 [/QUOTE] I'm sure the helpful chaps on here will have some photo's for you. Cheers, Clive.

Hello Jake and welcome to the Forum. I came across this photo of HMS Bude and you will find a bit more info about her here: [URL]http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3180.html[/URL] Jim
Attachments :

Another picture although the quality is not brilliant.
Attachments :

Bude's wartime captains, with appointment dates: 1/41 Lt Cdr F.A.I.Kirkpatrick 8/41 Lt Cdr J.D.L.Williams 5/42 Lt Cdr D.G.Mason RNR 8/42 Lt F.A.J.Andrew 9/43 Lt Cdr E.A.C.Phillips RNR 3/45 Lt R.A.Aldred RNVR Steve

[QUOTE=Clive S Cottam;142577]Hi Jake, Loads of history on [url]http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-22MS-Bangor-Bude.htm[/url] I'm sure the helpful chaps on here will have some photo's for you. Cheers, Clive.[/QUOTE] what a busy and vitally important life that little ship had

[QUOTE=Jake17;142574]Hey everyone. I have recently discovered the ship on which my Grandfather served, HMS Bude; And I was wondering If anyone knew much about the ship, or others in the 'Bangor' class of minesweepers. I'm 17 and live in Australia and have searched for information or descriptive accounts of the ships voyages, during the war, but there seems to be little information online. If anyone knows anything about the ship, or if there are any crewmates on this forum, it would be great to hear from you, also any pictures would be great. thanks, Jake[/QUOTE] Hi Jake. I was on the Bude During the war, in fact I was with the ship from May 1944 until we were decommisioned at the end of 1945. When I joined her at Sicily I was just two months off of my 18th birthday, I was the youngest on board! We had quite a few hairy moments, sweeping mines was not a fun operation as you may imagine. Anyway I was a Stoker as we were called then probably called Engine Room Techs now, anyway if there is anything that you would like to ask me, you are more than welcome I can't say that I will be able to give you full answers as it was a very long time ago. What was your grandfathers name and what was he? If you would prefer to email me I am at (d45balman57(at)btinternet.com) Best wishes Derek Balman

the Bude was not paid off until late 1945 when after an extensive refit at Milford Haven from January 1945 to April. We were fitted out with towing gear to enable our ship with one other to tow a very large "crate" with a draft similar to that of a large ship up and down the harbours of previously occupied territories. We did our final sweeps with this gear in Germany, Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven, and having found that the operation was of little use we were then returned to base at Plymouth, I think this must have been about October time, while the powers that be decided what to do with us. DW BALMAN Stoker 1 Ex HMS Bude

Hello Derek (Budeboy), My Father joined Stornoway in October 1941 and left in November 1944 in Taranto, after the liberation of Greece. I have his diary from the day they left Devonport, 13 Oct '42, until he left the ship. However, I don't know what happened to her after Nov '44, apart that like Bude she was fitted with the towing gear you mention, and that she went to the Egyptian Navy. Can you remember if she returned home with Bude, (did all the ships of the 13th MSF come home together?) and did she go on to sweep in Germany with you? Any other info would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Ken H. PS. Attached photo is of HMS Rhyl.
Attachments :

Hello Ken. I am always pleased to find someone who has an interest in our gallant '13th'. Yes in answer to your question the Stornoway did return home with us late 1944, I have an old photo taken from the port sgnal deck across our stern of the Stornoway following us, it is not brilliant but you can see the ship. Yes we did link up again after our refit to do the tow sweeping in Germany Feel free to chat anytime Derek

Hello Derek, Many thanks for the info, I've often wondered what happened to the flotilla after Greece, and I could never find anything, anywhere!! Will also send you a PM. Regards, Ken.

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