A Brief History of HMAS Shropshire sent in by Mackenzie Gregory

HMAS Shropshire' ships company

A gift to the Royal Australian Navy at the behest of Winston Churchill to replace HMAS Canberra sunk at the

Battle of Savo Island on the 9th of August 1942. At that time, I was the Officer of the Watch as a Sub Lieutenant.

I went on to join Shropshire as a Lieutenant in 1944, and was present in her, at the Japanese Surrender in Tokyo Bay on the 2nd of September 1945.

Shropshire, was a heavy cruiser built by William Beardmore and Company Limited at Dalmuir Scotland, she carried 8 by 8 inch guns, and 8 by 4 inch anti- aircraft guns, 2 by 8 barrel Pom Pom mountings, and a number of single 40 mm Bofor mountings, we scrounged from the Americans and fitted ourselves all over the upper deck and on top of the 8 inch gun turrets. This initiative saved us, when we were subjected to numerous and fierce Kamikaze attacks. Our sister ship HMAS Australia, stationed but 600 yards from us, suffered in all, 6 Kamikaze hits, causing many deaths, casualties, and her eventual withdrawal from the Lingayen landings. 

During her service in the RAN in the South Pacific, the ship was involved in 15 operations or battles, and bombarded 56 targets during operational landings. She shot down eleven enemy aircraft, and was involved in the Battle of Surigao Straits, the last great surface action of all time, and helped sink the Japanese Battleship Yamashiro.

Shropshire did not lose one man to enemy action in her four battle tours. Her magnificent crew numbered 1280 Australian sailors, led by Captain Godfrey Nichols DSO, Royal Navy, and I was proud to be one of her number in WW2.

HMAS Shropshire was a real Fighting Lady, and indeed a Lucky Ship.

Thank you for this opportunity to record a brief piece about this wonderful ship, my favourite, in the six years of WW2 that I served at sea. Mackenzie Gregory.

HMAS Shropshire 

Mackenzie Gregory has kindly supplied us with the following text: 

A gift to the Royal Australian Navy at the behest of Winston Churchill to replace HMAS Canberra sunk at the Battle of Savo Island on the 9th of August 1942. At that time, I was the Officer of the Watch as a Sub Lieutenant. I went on to join Shropshire as a Lieutenant in 1944, and was present in her, at the Japanese Surrender in Tokyo Bay on the 2nd of September 1945.

Shropshire, was a heavy cruiser built by William Beardmore and Company Limited at Dalmuir Scotland, she carried 8 by 8 inch guns, and 8 by 4 inch anti- aircraft guns, 2 by 8 barrel Pom Pom mountings, and a number of single 40 mm Bofor mountings, we scrounged from the Americans and fitted ourselves all over the upper deck and on top of the 8 inch gun turrets. This initiative saved us, when we were subjected to numerous and fierce Kamikaze attacks. Our sister ship HMAS Australia, stationed but 600 yards from us, suffered in all, 6 Kamikaze hits, causing many deaths, casualties, and her eventual withdrawal from the Lingayen landings. 

During her service in the RAN in the South Pacific, the ship was involved in 15 operations or battles, and bombarded 56 targets during operational landings. She shot down eleven enemy aircraft, and was involved in the Battle of Surigao Straits, the last great surface action of all time, and helped sink the Japanese Battleship Yamashiro.

HMS Shropshire, July 1935.

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HMS Shropshire, May 1937.

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HMS Shropshire.

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HMS Shropshire, May 1937.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1275

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HMAS Shropshire firing a full broadside at Lingayen Gulf landings on January the 6th. 1945. © Mackenzie Gregory

HMS Shropshire pictured in July 1935  

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HMS Shropshire, operating anti Mine equipment. 1931

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HMS Shropshire

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HMS Shrpshire, January 13th, 1931.

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HMS Shropshire, 1931.

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HMS Shropshire, 13th January 1931.

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HMS Shropshire, 13th January 1931.

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HMS Shropshire, 13th January 1931.

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HMS Shropshire, 1931.

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"Naval Boys Dressed Up, from HMS Shropshire".

1931.

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On HMS Shropshire, 1931.

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Naval Boys Dressed up at Christmas, 1931, on HMS Shropshire.

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Crew member of HMS Shropshire dressed up at Christmas, 1932.

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Crew members of HMS Shropshire dressed up for Christmas, 1931.

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