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HMS Frobisher 1920-1949 World Naval Ships Forums Archive


HMS Frobisher 1920-1949


Posts 1 to 50


I am seeking any information concerning HMS Frobisher's active duty during WW2. My Grandfather Ben Willis was a gunner on this ship from @ 1940 to 1945. I am aware that they saw action in the Indian Ocean, around Capetown and at Normandy.

Hi there My father also served on HMS Frobisher during the war. You will find these links interesting: War service: [url]http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Frobisher.htm[/url] and [url]http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/1210.html[/url] Interesting article by Albert Matsell who also served on the Frobisher. The story was submitted as part of the BBC's "People's War" archive initiative: [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/70/a4928970.shtml[/url]

Hi Michael Here are a couple of pictures of the Frobisher and a small write up. Bob.
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My late father-in-law served on the Frobisher during WWII. His name was Earnest Mason, known universally as 'Ernie'. Amongst his posessions was a number of photographs taken while the Frobisher was on duty in the Indian Ocean. Typical of cameras of the time they took very small photographs, which after sixty years have deteriorated somewhat. One of my many hobbies is restoring old photographs, and so with the magic of Photoshop I have managed to clean many of them up and enlarge them. Luckily many of them had written captions. They are mainly of life on board such as 'The swing band', 'Christmas concert', 'Weighing the anchor' etc. Many of the crew are clearly identifiable. If anyone is interested I will willingly provide images of them. It would be a pity for this photographic record to remain unseen. emason

Thanks Emason. Why don't you post the pictures here in this thread. We would all be interested in seeing them Dave

Emason - Dave is right. If you could upload the pictures there would be many members here who would really love to see them. It is very easy to upload pictures here - when you use the reply box here just look for the paperclip icon. If possible scan them at 300dpi and always upload as JPEG rather than bitmap. Look forward very much to seeing them.

Thank you for all your interest in Ernie's photographs. Attached are the first half dozen of those so far completed. I hope the captions are self explanatory, they are Ernie's not mine. They are all undated so the chronology is random. I hope you like them, any feedback would be welcomed. There are also photos of places the Frobisher visited. Would these be of any interest? Emason [ATTACH]54423[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]54426[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]54427[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]54428[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]54429[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]54430[/ATTACH]
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Emason You have done a splendid job with the photos. Thanks for posting them. Regards Gerry

Great Pics. I enjoyed looking at them. Naval history at it's best. We are always seeing the ships pounding the oceans. It is not often we get to see the men that make them "Pound" Thanks for posting them Emason Dave

Well done. I especially liked the picture of the Oerilikon.

Thank you for your encouraging comments following the last batch of photos. Here are some more. I hope you like them. [U]EM11-Untitled[/U] Four very hot looking cooks seemingly very proud of their Christmas cakes. [ATTACH]54484[/ATTACH] [U]EM12-Untitled[/U] Not such good quality I'm afraid. The original was only 2 inches wide. Possibly taken at Dyathalaya camp. They appear to be holding sports equipment. Ernie is in the second row from the front, fourth from the left. [ATTACH]54485[/ATTACH] [U]EM13-PomPom in action[/U] Seeing as you liked the one with the Oerlikon Terry, this one is for you. [ATTACH]54486[/ATTACH] [U]EM14-Untitled[/U] This is the only one of which Ernie had multiple copies. I can only assume that he is one of the crew, possibly at the helm. [ATTACH]54487[/ATTACH] [U]EM15-Ship's swing band[/U] Such a good photo. Almost everyone here could be identified. I like the juxtaposition of cool music on a hot day. (Jazz on a Summer's Day?) [ATTACH]54489[/ATTACH] [U]EM16-Down among the sugar canes[/U] I think this must be taken in Ceylon (whilst at Dyathalaya camp?) judging by the driver's features [ATTACH]54490[/ATTACH]
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Thanks Emason. If you have any more...Keep 'em coming

Great photos emason - and I did very much like the ones with the pom-poms! Have you any of the Frobisher at all - or any other warships?

Here are another half dozen with a couple for Terry. [U]Concert On Board[/U] The bandmaster looks the typical smooth dance band leader of the '30s and '40s, doesn't he? [ATTACH]54628[/ATTACH] [U]Survivors Of Crashed Swordfish[/U] There are only two survivors shown here from a crew of three. I don't think they are from 788 squadron based in China Bay (Ceylon) as they were all destroyed by the Japanese before the Frobisher arrived in the Indian Ocean. Possibly they are from 844 squadron based on the Hermes, and crashed as the result of an accident. [ATTACH]54629[/ATTACH] [U]Frobisher At Anchor[/U] I don't where this was taken but she is looking a little tired. [ATTACH]54630[/ATTACH] [U]Frobisher At Sea[/U] What a fast, sleek vessel she looks steaming into action. Obviously Ernie didn't take this one, but it was with his other photographs. This is the only photo I've seen of the Frobisher taken from the air, probably during sea trials. [ATTACH]54631[/ATTACH] [U]Coming Back From Dyathalaya Camp no2[/U] A slightly different view from a previous similar one. But just as interesting none the less. This is probably taken in August 1942 when the Frobisher was undergoing repairs at Colombo. [ATTACH]54632[/ATTACH] [U]Some Of The Boys[/U] I just love this photograph. Have you ever seen a happier, more carefree bunch of shipmates? The Frobisher appears to have been a happy ship. Ernie is in the front row second from the left. [ATTACH]54633[/ATTACH]
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Some more great Pics, emason The last pic re happy crowd. Bottom left hand. Looks very much like the earthenware jug that the Rum came in. If they managed to "liberate" one of those, I can imagine why they are happy

Thanks again emason. Appreciated.

Thank you once again for your responses. I think you are right qprdave. I shall view this photo in a different light from now on. However, here are a few more. [U]The Camp - Dyathalawa[/U] A view from inside the camp this time, complete with latest transport. [ATTACH]54746[/ATTACH] [U]Officers versus Marines (Mombassa)[/U] This is a bit of a puzzle. The Frobisher has obviously spent some time here, but Mombassa is not listed in the details of war service on the "Naval-History.Net" web site. [ATTACH]54747[/ATTACH] [U]Seychelles[/U] I have included this one as it shows the harbour with what could be fleet auxilliary ships, including a tanker. What do you think? [ATTACH]54749[/ATTACH] [U]The Frobisher[/U] Nice view of a gun emplacement. What would be in the boxes surrounding it? Life jackets, ammunition? [ATTACH]54750[/ATTACH] [U]Shipmates[/U] Is that a gun turret they are standing on? Ernie is second from the right. [ATTACH]54751[/ATTACH] [U]Sunset at Diego Suarez[/U] This is the only photograph with a date on (24.12.1942 - Christmas Eve). I have included it because that was Ernie's 23rd birthday. Maybe he was feeling a little homesick at the time. [ATTACH]54752[/ATTACH]
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Pic 4 The two long lockers on the right could be for anything.. We have used the for "part of ship" equipment i.e. Blocks and Tackles. hammers et.c depending on what part of ship is was. We even had buckets, scrubbers etc for cleaning the part of ship. The two either side of the entrance looks like amunition "ready use" lockers. So that you can have ammunition on site ready to be used while more is brought up from the magazine. These are needed when the Gun doesn't have hoists direct fromt he Magazine.

Dear Emason, Thank you very much indeed for posting these pictures. Maybe its pure coincidence, or perhaps divine providence, but I am at the moment keenly interested in the design of the camouflage schemes applied to ships in Devonport dockyard hands in late 1941 and that emerged for trials December 1941 -January 1942 (and then joined the Home Fleet for work-up and then went on to Op Ironclad in the Indian Ocean). Frobisher is wearing one of those particular schemes that I am interested in and your pictures (plus Bob's from last year of course - thank you Bob) have been very helpful in confirming in general terms how they varied between port and starboard. If there happened to be any other pictures taken by Ernie of other ships in Plymouth Sound in late 1941 or early 1942 I would dearly love to see them! Best wishes and thanks again.

As Dick has mentioned she was in the Indian Ocean After refit in March 1942, She joined the 4th Cruiser Squadron with the Eastern Fleet in the Indian Ocean until March 1944. She spent her time escorting convoys up the east coast of Africa I am sure that she would have visited Mombassa during this time.

Re Mobassa: Useful as the Naval-History.net site can be, I'm afraid that you should only use it as a general guide and starting point. During the course of researching the detailed movements of particular ships I have sometimes found Geoff Mason's information to be incomplete or incorrect.

Hi, Michaelesse My grandfather, Ronald (Ron) Lewis was also a gunner on the Frobisher during the same period. I am enjoying scanning through the photos on this thread on the off-chance that I may catch a glimpse of him. Our family does not have any wartime photos. Only demob and wedding photos. I do have a list of ports visited that we wrote down for me some years ago, which I would be happy to pot up here if it is useful for people.
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I live in Australia and my husband's father served on the HMAS Frobisher during WW2. I have found these photos very interesting as my husband recalls a framed picture of the Fobisher in his house and his father had promised it to him. He lost contact with his family 35 years ago after he received a phone telegram saying that they had all been killed in an acident. On 2nd June this year I found his family alive through the wonders of the internet quite by accident and have reunited him with his sisters who had not seen him for over 40 years.That call had been a hoax by someone determined to ruin any happiness he might have had. Unfortunately the whereabouts of the picture of the Frobisher is unknown and that has distressed him deeply. Through the wonders of the internet I have now found this forum where he can look at the great photos and feel closer to his father and how his father served his country. My husband truly understands serving his country as he served in the British Army for many years prior to coming to Australia. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so grateful for what you have here as it will help him cope and feel close to his dear departed father, as he never had a chance to say goodbye because of that horrible hoax call 35 years ago. You have made him a very happy man, thank you again.

My favourite shot of Frobisher which I felt would be a good addition to the thread!:)
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If anyone is interested the bell from HMS Frobisher is in the Maritime Museum at Esquimalt British Columbia

Thanks for posting your favourite photo of the Frobisher Terry. Since dowloading it, it has become my favourite also.

I have just found this photograph tucked away with other non-naval photos. I don't know if this is the crew of Frobisher, of some naval school, perhaps someone can help with this. There is no date or location, but on the reverse the is a smudged studio stamp - "Fred Usk Studios, 92 Bold Street, Liverpool" - I think that is what it says. There is no ship name on any of the hats. Is this anything to do with wartime security? Ernie is seated front row centre. [ATTACH]58389[/ATTACH]
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Just a bit more info about the photo shown in post #27. My late father-in-law (Ernie Mason, front row centre) has an achor and single stripe on his left sleeve. This, I understand and please correct me if I am wrong, makes him a leading seaman with four years good conduct. If that is correct then the picture must have been taken in the latter part of the war, possibly in the first few weeks of April 1944 when the Frobisher was refitting at Greenock prior to D-day. If that is correct, why would the crew be at Liverpool? Assuming that the photograph was processed locally. Any information would greatly appreciated.

Can't make out the branch badge on the right sleeve, at first I thought it might be a torpedo, a closer look, it seems to be a propeller blade. From the photo it looks like a training class with Dad in charge.

Bill. It doesn't necessary mean that he has done 4 years service It was granted 4 years from the age of 18. As I joined at 15, it took me 7 years to get mine. Also it wasn't too difficult to "lose" the stripe if you were a naughty boy and be given it back at a later date So You can't really date something by Good conduct stripes. If you have his service docs. then you will know how old he was when he joined the RN and if he managed to keep hold of his stripe!

[QUOTE] I have just found this photograph tucked away with other non-naval photos. I don't know if this is the crew of Frobisher, of some naval school, perhaps someone can help with this. There is no date or location, but on the reverse the is a smudged studio stamp - "Fred Usk Studios, 92 Bold Street, Liverpool" - I think that is what it says. There is no ship name on any of the hats. Is this anything to do with wartime security? Ernie is seated front row centre. [/QUOTE] I think the photo is of a training base probably at Hms Eaglet, Liverpool during ww2. They are all trainee torpedomen judging by the badges and Ernie is the class leader. Hms Eaglet had several MTB's (motor torpedo boats) attached to it during the war. Regards Alan

Thank you very much, Keith, Dave and Alan. The badge on their right sleeves is definitely a propeller, and none that I can see have anything on their left sleeves. So a training school at Liverpool seems to fit the bill. I have looked on the Naval-History.net website (Rank-Badges) and a two bladed propeller on its own seems to indicate an Air Mechanic (Unclassified). Does that sound right to you? Thanks again.

Bill, the 2 blade propeller sounds right for the air mechanics. Where they did their training I'm not sure.......however there was a RN Air Station named Hms Ringtail...RNAS Burscough in Lancashire, there is a website IIRC that can be accessed from the FAA website, which shows photo's of the tower and buildings most of which would have been Nissan type huts similar to the one in your photograph. Regards Alan

[QUOTE=emason;77493]I have just found this photograph tucked away with other non-naval photos. I don't know if this is the crew of Frobisher, of some naval school, perhaps someone can help with this. There is no date or location, but on the reverse the is a smudged studio stamp - "Fred Usk Studios, 92 Bold Street, Liverpool" - I think that is what it says. There is no ship name on any of the hats. Is this anything to do with wartime security? Ernie is seated front row centre. [ATTACH]58389[/ATTACH][/QUOTE] An interesting photo, which clears up a query that I had regarding cap tallies with the HMS logo. All of the recruits appear to bave their bow tied correctly, with the centre letter of the name, ie M of HMS above the nose, and the bow tied over the left ear. Whereas, Ernie - by then an old salt, has his bow over the left eye. It would appear that "Jack" will go to any length to 'personalise' his uniform.

Thank you both for your replies. I have followed up your suggestion Alan and have been trying to contact RNAS Burscough, but I am having difficulties with email at the moment Many thanks

This is a photograph of HMS Roberts in action on D-Day. The ship in the background is the Frobisher. [ATTACH]63427[/ATTACH]
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Coming from a family of sailors(4) and royal marines (2) and loving ships and planes. I joined the RAF (sorry, I also like trees and grass). Hello. Whilst hunting for a relative Harry Bragg on HMS Usk. a River class frigate in the Pacific during 1945, I came across this photo of Edward Eric Jenner on the Frobisher 42-45. Does anyone recognise Edward.
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I am looking for any photos of crew members during the second world war, my father Arthur Lewin was a Royal Marine on board and I would like to get any photographic material I can to search for pictures of him, if anybody has any other link to my father I would be eternally greatfull. [EMAIL="nigelfran.lewin@googlemail.com"]nigelfran.lewin@googlemail.com[/EMAIL] :)

Nigel, there is already a thread on HMS Frobisher with many WW2 photographs of her Indian Ocean assignment. They were mainly taken by my father-in-law Ernest Mason. There are a few of the Royal Marines, mainly the band. I hope you can find your father among them. You can view it by clicking here:- [URL]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=495&highlight=frobisher[/URL] Please let us know if you find him.

Hi have just been reading all the messages re HMS FROBISHER, my dad served on the ship for about 18 mths picking it up in Ceylon or Capetown (not sure), but certain he was at D DAY with her. Dads name is Jimmy Booth (BOOTHY) able seaman DJX302173. He is still going strong , and wondering if the name rings any bells with anyone. Thanks Jim jnr. He also served on HMS CARADOC HMS CUMBERLAND and THYME

Jim I have removed your E-Mail address from the post. Leaving it there will only entice the SPIDERS (internet searchers) to pick it up and you could be inundated with SPAM. If you want to contact a member then do it through the PM facility which is secure. Then you can pass your E-Mail to whoever you want. qprdave

Jim I have changed the way that you posted the photo's. By linking the post to the Web (Using URLs) we could run the risk of losing them if the Website closes or the account is closed It is always best to save the picture on to your computer (i.e. Desktop) then post them as attachments. This then sends the pictures to our server and then can be retrieved even if the website that they came from is no more. Once the pictures have been posted, they can then be deleted from your computer. qprdave
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Hello Jim, any chance of you re-scanning the group photographs at a higher resolution, say 300dpi? At the moment they are too small to identify anyone.

Bill I have a feeling that Jim did not scan the pictures onto his computer, but took them of the internet. qprdave

Pity, as I thought a few faces looked familiar, even though I couldn't put a name to them.

Thanks ,not to sure what u mean and how to do this . All the photos ive got in my posession ive copied by camera and transferred them to my computer. Could you explain how I get them to the best way , sorry about this cheers Jim jnr

If you go here, it will tell you how to post attachments. Don't be overawed by it. It will soon become second nature to you [url]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3330[/url] qprdave

Ive had another go and seems ok , hope the photos are better, added a couple, dad says they are HMS RAMILLIES (dock) and FROBISHER (at sea) .Interested to here from anyone, will be seeing him later interrogation will continue! He did mention last time there was a high ranking officer thought he was Canadian? who was a great fellow. Thanks for all your help. Jim jrn
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Just a few more photos, dads ID badge, Crossing the Line on Caradoc certificate (amazing they had time to award certificates). The uniform badge ? not sure, he's said he operated a oeuriliken gun, is that it. On the previous set of photos the non uniform ones taken at hospital in Columbo then Ceylon, and the one with two sailors in uniform guy on left is Ditchburn. He also mentions HMS Assegai Capetown? Barrocks? Dads 89 next birthday its only the last few years he talked about the war, wish he had told me earlier, cause he struggles to recall stuff. Yet if you ask him (like an order)he rattles off his name rank and number without taking a breath, salute and SIR! included. Remarkable, Thanks for listening hope to here back, Jim jrn
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[quote=jim booth;119175]Ive had another go and seems ok , hope the photos are better, added a couple, dad says they are HMS RAMILLIES (dock) and FROBISHER (at sea) .Interested to here from anyone, will be seeing him later interrogation will continue! He did mention last time there was a high ranking officer thought he was Canadian? who was a great fellow. Thanks for all your help. Jim jrn[/quote] Hi Jim the picture taken of the warship [dock] is in fact of HMS Jamaica at Trincomalee taken in 1952. The photograph taken at sea is of Frobisher taken probably in 1942.




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