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The Peter Broom Collection

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HMNZS Bellona Crew

Yeoman Tom Davis, Terry Morgan, Doug Adams, Pete Bell and Peter Broom

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Jonny (Barney) Barnett HMNZS BELLONA 1950

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Orlikon on HMNZS Kaniere 1953

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HMNZS Arabus or Arbutus Bay of Islands 1948

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HMNZS Bellona in Sydney 1949 – Note the Opera House is still to be built

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Peter Broom (skipper) Tamaki 1948

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Communications Racing Whaler Crew 1951

Coxn – Red Baken, Stroke Rex Parr, 2nd Stroke Bugs Bracey, Midships Peter Smith, 2nd Bow Peter Broom, Bow Lucy Doddes

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HMNZS Bellona’s Pirate Whalers Crew 1949

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HMAS Warramunga off South Coast 1948

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HMNZS Bellona – Sydney 1949

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HMNZS Bellona – Ships Hockey Team

Back Row – Peter Broom, D. Fletcher, W. Browne (Vice Capt), P. Scott (Capt), R Savage, I. Gurney

Front Row – M. Graham, G Sargison, B. Warner, A. Hay, R. Rogers

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AKAROA 1950

HMAS Australia, Sydney, Warramunga, Bataan, Shoalhaven, Murchison and HMNZS Bellona together with several Loch Class  –

peter broom 017 HMNZS Bellona – Pirate Whaler Crew

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Peter Broom HMNZS Bellona

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Ted Collier HMNZS Bellona

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LT Peter Trent – Skipper HDML 3551

Peter Broom was the sparker 1951

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HMNZS Bellona Flagdeck  Sticks Olds in foreground.

14 thoughts on “The Peter Broom Collection

  • Albie Cross

    Hi P.J. long time -no see. In picture no.2 :- Is that the same John Barnett showing us where he was clobbered when one of our roof aerial insulators descended upon him ?. I saw the Warramunga when she “porpoised” like this south of Jervis Bay . FOCAF on the Sydney called her up to pick up a few bits and pieces that had been washed overboard. In Melbourne we were “reefed up” alongside the “Australia ” with Warramunga outside us. When time to leave Port Phillip bay the Warramunga executed a slow ahead, left hand down a bit ,slow astern, right hand down a bit until her bow was clear of our foc’sle and then rang down ‘full astern’. A massive tsunami welled up and completely enveloped her quarterdeck. It was a farewell gesture to our newly appointed Captain Joe Ruck-Keene who always considered himself “Mr Destroyer Man.”

  • Colin Spence

    Hi Peter, Was great to see some old photos of the ship we did that Aussie cruise on. I was lucky to play Hockey for the ship against a Hobart team whilst we were tied up there and have fond memories of our messdeck down aft with Wilbur Luscombe and Dolly Harper being well to the fore with their run a shore activities!! Regards Colin (Tex) Spence.

  • Rob Nolan

    G’day Peter, Albie, Colin,
    I have recently spotted some comments posted regarding my late father John Ernest ‘Scouse’ Nolan. He transferred from RN to RNZN in 1951 and I believe his first Kiwi ship was the BELLONA. I am soon to upload some photos of Dad playing soccer for the RNZN, some of his trips around the China Sea and also one of the BELLONA struck by a dummy rocket from a Firefly off HMAS SYDNEY about Feb 1951.
    I was wondering if you gentlemen knew him? It was a period before I was born and alas, a period I have no information about.
    Regards, Rob Nolan.

    • Peter Broom

      Sorry it has taken so long to answer your querie.Yes I was on Bellona with scouse Nolan and remember him well.

      • Robert Nolan

        Sir,
        So very grateful for you replying. As the post stated my Father crossed the ba in 2005, I am unsure as to whom became aware of his passing, but I am very grateful for it put me in contact with this exceptional networking site.
        I am now in the Aus Def Force after completing time in the Royal Marines. Prior to migration I scanned and digitised many of his photos from his time in the RNZN. I wish to offer these for the benefit of yourself, others who knew him and those who served aboard the same ships.
        Rob

    • Graeme Pearce

      Hi Rob
      we are currently writing a book with a fellow author about the memoirs and history of sport in the RNZN from 1941-1980.
      We have collected a lot of data and info on the Bellona especially in 1952-1955 and have her full report of her cruise to the UK in 1952 but are finding it hard to get photos of sports teams and names. I am wondering if you have any in your files that your late father had and if so could you scan them and email to me at pearcegc@xtra.co.nz
      regards
      Graeme Pearce

      • Rob Nolan

        G’day Graeme,
        So very sorry for my late reply, I have literally only just read your comment (June) requesting the photographs a few minutes ago.
        I will gladly send you scanned copies. I only ask that they be published “courtesy of JE Nolan”. I am cognisant that many are likely to have been taken by another person or indeed the ships photographer but not having that exact information I can only attribute them to my father.
        The email address shown above is being rejected by my mail server as not valid, have you by chance changed your email address? I can be contacted at rob.nolan1@gmail.com
        Regards,
        Rob Nolan

        • Frank Rands

          Posted on behalf of Christine Prattley – have just read of this gentleman on your comms page. On September 2016 you posted some photos sent to you from his son Rob Nolan. I was thrilled to see a photo of my father Raymond Douglas Baken, as part of a winning whaling boat crew in Hobart, with his name written on the back. Dad always told us about being the cox of the crew that won the Hamilton Cup at Malta, and we have photos of him receiving prizes in Hobart but he never mentioned the boat.

          If you can find the contact address could you please pass on my thanks to Rob? My Dad is now 93 and I look forward to showing him the photos when I visit.

          Kind regards
          Christine Prattley

  • bronwyn lee

    my late father brian hope sailed on the bellona, i have photos of this ship and others relating to his time on there

    • Sharon

      Hi Bronwyn,
      My father Eric Lundy also sailed on the Bellona I believe in 1952, what year did you late father sail on her? Love to hear more perhaps.

  • Jim Broom, Canada

    I wonder if Peter Broom is related to my uncle Peter Kelly Broom who was killed in Cunnamulla, Australia in a road accident in July 1942?

  • Peter Broom

    As far as I know my family were from UK in the late 20s and we were brought up in NZ and I know of no relatives being killed in that manner regards Peter

  • Jim Broom )Slocan Lake, BC, Canada)

    Peter Kelly Broom was born in Falkirk, Scotland in 1900. Ex RN and last heard from in Gympie, QLD in the early 1940’s.
    Jim

  • Wendy Lyall

    My father was a Petty Officer, stoker on Bellona I am doing a history tree and would appreciate any information. He also served on Archillies.
    Arnold William Mote.

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