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A Memory. (February 6th, 2012)

60 years ago today HMS Ulster entered Portsmouth harbour in the afternoon, after exercising with HMS Illustrious in the English Channel, off the Isle of Wight.

To a closed town, nothing open at all, no shops, pubs, theatres, cinemas. We spent a couple of hours stretching our legs, then returned on board.

Will it be the same do you think when Queen Elizabeth passes away, !!!,  I hope so,   King George was so well revered that it was impossible not to show complete respect

Shipmate Ray Lloyd (1951-52)

I joined HMS Ulster in March 1948 as Boy (1st Class) straight from Ganges.  We didn't do anything or go anywhere for months, lust laid alongside Swiftsure. Then we took part in Summer exercises and what I was later told was the last "steam past" in the RN HMS KG V was flagship

Shipmate John Locke (1948-49)

We spent some time at Dartmouth during the time I served aboard Ulster, loved the place, played cricket on the college sports field, not that good a player but enjoyed the companionship of being with people not normally associates, also I believe it was the summer of 1951,  ran out of Bangor in County down, then with Illustrious, exercising in the Irish Sea, loved the town of Bangor too, we had complete freedom of movement then around the town, all pubs clubs and dance halls open to us, the only way we realised there was a problem was that there were two sides to a dance hall.

Ray Lloyd 1951-52

HMS ULSTER --1947—1950

I served on HMS ULSTER as a National Service AB when she was based in Rosyth with HMS WHIRLWIND, and was sea Training ship for Boy Seamen from HMS GANGES & VERNON. We were continually at sea around Scotland, Shetlands Ireland and the Atlantic training area.

My time aboard could not in any way compare with you on the Canada voyage, but in the short time I was a member of its ships company I learnt a lot and became a man and proud to have served in the Royal Navy as my Father did before me in the war.

I am now 83, a retired architect, living in Hayle, Cornwall and not yet "gone over the bar"!!!

All the best---keep up the good work.

Bob Mims

HMS ULSTER --1947—1950

Hi Norrie,
Thank you for your reply.
With 25 year’s service you must be "an old salt", not like me just an infant!

However, no doubt I came across Roy Butler or Phil Hudson during my short time on HMS Ulster but can't put a face to the names. They may well remember me as I was allocated the job of "Putty" during the whole time aboard as "Jimmy" thought that as an Architectural Student I must know something about paint!! I had a nice job of keeping the Paint Locker operational, in charge of the chain locker, painting all the "tiddley" bits such as the crests on the boats & life belts, initials on the Officers & PO's cases etc etc . I was also buoy jumper and bow man on the motor boat. (I still have a gun metal ships crest that was a spare now mounted on an oak mount.)

 I attach a photo of HMS Ulster entering Rosyth dockyard, following its return from a good will visit to Ireland in November 1947, with HMS Rodney in Dry Dock in the back ground. I am the seventh rating of the deck party on the starboard side.

I also attach some pictures I drew at the time depicting our return under the Forth Bridge, flotilla manoeuvres in the Firth of Forth and Motor cutter on its way to collect our Officers from a party on HMS Whirlwind at about 0100 on 4th November 1947 during a snowstorm off Invergordon.

Hope the attached may be of some interest. - Meanwhile, please keep in touch.

Regards,

Bob Mims

HMS Ulster 1958-60

Latest updates (14/02/12)

... like always dear chum - you can find 'updates' from space!

Many thanks Fred

Hi! Norrie,

This site is quite unique and you should be congratulated on the content. As they would've said in the old navy, "well done."

Nigel Kendall - former EM 1 (D/MX 864328)

REPAIRS

Blimey, wonder she got home ready for us Ganges boys in April 1947.

John Lock (1948-49 Commission)

HMS Ulster crew members 1943
Hi,  I've recently discovered that my uncle was a crewman aboard the Ulster during WW2, I wonder if anyone can give me any information about him and his service please.  His name was Dennis Rawlings, born in 1924, and he came from Reading, Berks.  Many thanks,        Julie.

Contact: Julie Tavola:  email: jtavola@btinternet.com

HMS Ulster - The site

 Hi Norrie.
I have just seen your recent pictures of the Ulster and the ships company picture, all good stuff.

I mean to post to Nautical Pictures of Interest as per our agreement, with full credit to your great site of course.

NPOI has now received almost 1,700,000 visits and is growing at thousands of visits per week, so a lot of people will get to see and appreciate pictures of your old ship.

All the best Norrie and good sailing for the ULSTER site.

Bests,

Colin

AKA Frigate RN
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alimarante

HMS Ulster 1972

HMS Ulster  Caribbean Cruise  1950's

I am an Ex SSAB  1971  Strange coincidence I now live on a small island 1 mile X 7 miles visited by the Ulster in the 50's people on Grand Turk and South Caicos still remember the visit!

Paul Day

Webmasters note:  Paul contacted me some time ago about photographs of Ulster at the island. He did his training on Ulster then in to SSBN's and SSN's

HMS ULSTER 1958-1960 (Old ships)

Hi Shipmate Norrie
I have just come across the site for my old ship HMS Ulster, I was on the 58-60 West Indies posting, it was my last and best draft I ever had. I was also on the Vanguard, Protector and Dundas to name a few. Met some great guys on this ship and had great times. Is the ships company photo available as a picture as i am having difficulty finding myself on it as it is a bit grainy unless due to time it's my eyesight!
Regards
Peter

A/B Peter Shepperd  P/SSX9XXXXX7

HMS Ulster - Your site

99 Crucial Sites On 20th Century American Military History

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Regards,
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Content Editor
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HMCS Inch Arran
Dear Norrie;
There seems to be much confusion and misinformation regarding the post war history of HMCS Inch Arran. As an ordinary seamen, straight out of Cornwallis I joined the crew of Inch Arran just after Christmas 1961. I served on Inch Arran until she was decommissioned and was aboard when we sailed from Halifax to Luzon Quebec in 1963. Looking back it is odd that we docked in Luzon cleaned out or lockers and were on a bus back to Halifax the same day. There are many conflicting stories regarding when, where and why she was decommissioned but I know it was 1963 and we left her in Luzon. The crew were all told that she had been sold for scrap. Yet when ever I research her history I read conflicting information regarding dates and her ultimate fate. Some say that Inch Arran was sold under conditions that she would become a naval museum of some sort and was decommissioned in 1965 or 1966. There is also the story that she became a serious problem in Kingston Ontario in 1966. How she got from Luzon to Kingston I have no idea. There was at that time a disagreement between the Harbour master in Kingston and who ever owned her and the Department Of National Defence was also involved. I have a feeling that all the confusion surrounding the fate of Inch Arran revolves around politics and who really benefited from her disposal.  I can assure you that Inch Arran never served with the Pacific fleet on the west coast. I have many picture taken of Inch Arran and her crew from 1961 to 1963 and would be pleased to share them if you are interested.

Webmasters Note: Correction already made to Ulster18

 HMS Ulster Can man

Dave Smith

Reply from Des McKay - Same Commission

For Dave Smith,1968, the guy John, you referred to, his last name was Dunthorne, few members of the crew would forget him, also it was Alderney in the channel islands, we anchored offshore. l would love you to contact me sometime.07999608117,

HMS Ulster - Ships bell

Another bit of information you may be interested in relates to the Ulster Bell. I have recently found the details of the auction held at the Royal Logistic Depot in Thatcham on 21st May 1994 where among other ship's bells an Ulster Bell was listed for sale between £150-£250. This Bell was  inscribed with children's names that had been christened on board as follows:---- Natalie Claire Russel, 7.9.69: Joanna Louise Watson, 17.8.67:and Andrew Harrison, 6.2.66:. Maybe someone in the Association may remember these events. I do not know who bought the bell or how much was paid for it.

Bob Mims
HMS Ulster
1947-50

Webmasters Note: It appears that there were two Ulster bells up for sale.  Obviously the one that I borrowed for reunion was the one without the names.  Be very interested if any surfers knows the whereabouts of the missing bell. 

Hi Norrie,

I joined the Rhyl on 22 Sept 67 she was in refit in Devonport at that time, she stayed in UK waters for about a year then over the pond for 10 month in the West Indies She returned to Devonport July 69 I left her mid Aug 69. However although I have found some shipmates on Rhyl’s Facebook page I can’t find anything on the net that relates to the two years I was on her, no photos, books nothing! So I know it’s a long shot but if you have any info for that period 67/69 or any photos books links anything! Then I would be very grateful. At the moment I’m beginning to think the happiest 2 year of my life was a dream!

 Regards
Graham {Charlie} Charlton AB TAS/W

Webmasters Note: Any 1967-69 Rhyl commission help with pictures, a commission book/pamphlet?  Let me know and I will pass it on to Graham

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This page last updated on January 9th, 2015