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Gallery of Images – HMNZS GAMBIA – Part 2

Frank Rands

British carrier[2] Gambia fuelling astern from a British tanker. British carrier behind. During kamikaze attacks, the British carriers suffered relatively little damage compared to the US carriers because of their armoured flight decks.

Aft[2]

Looking aft – even though the aircraft was taken off prior to Gambia commissioning
into the RNZN, the midship crane remained.

Payday[2]

Payday – note how officers, senior rates and junior rates all queue together

Weigh anchor[2]

Weighing anchor – port anchor.

Refit[2]

Gambia at Devonport for a refit December 1944.

Last kill[1]

This was the last kill by Gambia. The Japanese aircraft had attacked TF38 at the time of the cease fire 15 August 1945.

LP[1]

Gambia’s landing party preparing to go ashore 31 August 1945.

LP1[2]Gambia’s crew going ashore Yokosuka.

GoH[2]

Gambia Guard of Honour at Yokosuka Naval Base. Note the khaki uniforms. I don’t think that the Commonwealth navies had the 10A’s during WWII.

Jap GE[2]

Japanese surrender gun emplacement at entrance to Tokyo Bay to Gambia’s sailors and US forces.

Jap flag[2]

Crew with captured flag.

8 thoughts on “Gallery of Images – HMNZS GAMBIA – Part 2”

  • jeff peacock
    February 12, 2015 at 9:51 pm
    Permalink

    In part one, the photo of the british battle ship, is HMS Howe – The HMNZS Gambia and HMS Howe were doing exercises in the Hauraki Gulf Feb 1945 – before leaving for Sydney to join up with the British Pacific Fleet [t57/58 then T37/38]. my grandfather Edward Walter Peacock 2387 RNZNVR was on the Gambia. He tried to get drafted off but the captain [Ralph Edwards] said NO , you are a jonah, you will be staying aboard……you see my grandfather was drafted to the HMNZS Leander [alexandria] then drafted to HMS Neptune then drafted back to the Leander – the Neptune hit mines and sunk, All crew lost bar 1 including 150 NZers. The Leander went to the pacific escort duties, my grandfather [due to his up-coming wedding] was drafted to HMNZS Nora Niven, Leander was torpedoed by the japs in the solomons with the loss of 30 men [one of them being Arthur Edwards, [stoker], granddads best friend; Grandad was then drafted to HMNZS Gambia, the Nora Niven had a bit of grief with a German layed mine, so as you can see every ship my grandfather got drafted off was hit, sunk or otherwise so he was going no where and as a result the Gambia went through [japan etc in 1945] pretty much unscathed to which at the end of Gambia’s service in March 1946 my grandfather was, upon release, duly invited to have a wee whiskey with Mr Edwards before heading home to Motueka.

  • The Guard Photo showing them in khaki was possibly drawn from the Ship’s Marine complement also khaki’s were worn by the Fleet Air Arm.

  • Jim D
    February 13, 2015 at 12:55 pm
    Permalink

    The guard of honour are wearing sailor’s hats – not marine berets or pith helmets. Buck up Mole!

    • Eyes not as good as they used to be Jim sorry but I right about the Khaki’s also send me you email address please.

      • Jim D
        February 13, 2015 at 4:31 pm
        Permalink

        Done

  • Jim D
    February 13, 2015 at 2:13 pm
    Permalink

    HMNZS Gambia only had 1 detachment of Marines onboard – about 30 men who also supplied members to the Marine band. RM’s normally served in the after turrets during action stations.

  • KHAKI DRILL UNIFORM (KD)
    In the new Reference Book I got today says the following on KD’s “Under 1944 Regulations RN Ratings serving ashore in Australia were to be provided with two Khaki bush shirts and two pairs of Khaki Shorts in lieu of the white Tropical Shirts or singlet and Shorts. Towards the end of the Article it then says AFO 1954 in April 1945 notified that in future the gratuitous issue of tropical clothing for Ratings proceeding from the UK to stations where tropical was worn were to be issued three or tropical singlets (bush shirts, or khaki jackets or KD was authorized) and three pairs of shorts per man.” The shirts are exactly as those worn by the Army and Air force with a Khaki epaulette with slip-on ROYAL NAVY titles.
    I can bring this book to Frank to browse thru while we swing the lamp over a cuppa Tea.

  • Grant Maxwell
    October 28, 2019 at 5:48 pm
    Permalink

    My Dad, Able Seaman Bevan Maxwell served on The Gambia in the RNZN.
    He told me a few stories which I would be happy to repeat if anyone is interested.
    Thanks Dad
    RIP

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