History of  Royal Navy cruisers (heavy cruisers, light cruisers). Royal Navy cruiser website featuring the Leander Class cruiser HMS Orion including crew and families of ex-crew members notice board for the cruiser HMS Orion.

In 1939 HMS Orion joined the Americas and West Indies station, moving to the Mediterranean Fleet between 1940 to 1945

Specifications for HMS Orion

Displacement: 7,215 tons   Speed: 32.5kt    Complement: 550

Armament: Eight 6 inch guns in pairs. Eight 4 inch anti-aircraft guns in pairs and eight 2pdr anti-aircraft guns in pairs as well as twelve 0.5 inch machine guns in fours.   Eight 21 inch torpedo tubes in pairs and 1 aircraft.

HMS Orion, 1934.

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  XMP1325

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP1325

HMS Orion, 1934.

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  XMP1326

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP1326

HMS Orion, 1934.

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  XMP1327

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP1327

HMS Orion, 1934.

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  XMP1328

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP1328

HMS Orion, 1935.

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  XMP1329

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP1329

HMS Orion, March 1943.

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  XMP1330

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP1330

HMS Orion possibly passing through Suez. Sent in by Dave Allen whose father (ABS Allen, D/JX 257058) served on Orion during WWII. Dave says that these photos came in an envelope stamped "Fleet Photographic Office" Fort Ricasoli Malta, dated 3 August 1945.

HMS Orion.

Original Postcard for sale Price £20  Order Code  PHC680

HMS Orion.

Original Perkins Postcard for Sale Price £18. Order Code  PHC420

H.M.S. Orion. Courtesy of Brian Hewitt

HMS Orion pictured in the 1930s. 

Original Perkins Post card for sale Price £18 Order Code  PHC419

San Pedro, 1939, with HMS Orion highlighted in the background.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC421

HMS Orion at Malta.

Original Pavia Postcard for sale Price £18. Order Code  PHC752

All ships crew on deck with Churchill HMS Orion. Courtesy of Dave Allen.

The cricket team from HMS Orion with Boris Karloff, Herbert Marshall and Aubrey Smith at Hollywood .1941.   

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC417

Some crew from HMS Orion take a trip round San Francisco .1941. 

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code  PHC418

4 Royal Marines pictured off duty during morning break "Make and Mend" aboard HMS Orion, January 1938 in Bermuda Yard.  Contributed by Frederick  Brindley (right)

Left to Right :-  A.W. Dear (Bash)        Sam Loughlin      J. McCullough (Mick)     J. Rooney (Mick)    Frederick S Brindley (Royal Marine peaked cap)

Frederick  Brindley

"I was on board HMS Orion from August 1937 to January 1944.  This photo was taken in December 1937 when I was 19 years old on the gangway at the start of afternoon watch next to the porthole of the torpedo room.  We were in Bermuda Yard at the time (our base for 3 months) then we made goodwill visits as we cruised between St Petersburg - Florida, Mobile - Alabama and New Orleans."   Thanks to Frederick Brindley.

Edmund Frederick Vessey Robinson, Leading Seaman, R.N. He was killed in action at the evacuation of Crete, 28th May 1941. Courtesy of Brian Hewitt.