This is a page dedicated to the 1950 - 1952 Commission and the photographs above were nearly all donated by John (Jan) Birch who was formerly from Birmingham,

So how he became to be known as Jan is something of a mystery?

He now resides in South Australia, at Whyalla Jenkins.


The picture above, is dedicated to the Late Stoker Mechanic "Stan Doughty."
The above picture was sent to Jan Birch by the Late Stan Doughty, following details of Jan's joining the Association, when a period of communication between them took place and this picture was one that served to revive memories for them both.  As Jan tells me, the credit for the above photograph goes to Stan Doughty without whose contact the photograph may very well have been lost for all time. 
It is thought to be an unique original and was taken at the end of the last two and
a half year commission as Gambia returned to Devonport on the 31st July 1952.
Member Tom Swatton
Who I was fortunate to meet at the Caravan Park, in Plymouth,
where he is the Resident Warden, and I was able to present Tom
with his Gambia Blazer Badge.

Tom served as Boy and Man Going from
Boy to AB from 1952 to 1955
The above Picture has been loaned to me by Tom Swatton,
and has Venice as the background
Some of the pictures above were sent in by Jerry Sullivan, ex RCN.
The following photographs were kindly sent in by Peter Evans who was onboard from July 1951 to 1952. 
Gambia Colony presentation plaque. I believe that this Plaque is now held in the Armoury of Huddersfield City.
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Run your cursor over the pictures to see the text. Text only appears on these Thumbnails.  These snaps kindly sent to me by past Chairman Brian Hughes.  Thank you Brian.
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Some attraction to the Four Inch Station?Telegraphist Bill OnslowSomewhere in Dry Dock, so Bill seems to think, any ideas shipmates?
Brian astride a Six Inch Barrel, hope guns didn't spot you Brian!!Brian Hughes and Cliff HewittThe Old Sea Dog, with pipe?Can you tell me who this group are?Again a trio of Brian and two others, can you tell me who is who?
Map of CeylonEast Indies Station Map
Six Inch Shoot off Malta 1950Off Malta 1950 for Gunnery Exercises.Alongside, but where?Moored stern to, Suez CanalNew C in C takes overTrocadero Bar again?For exercise, for exercise, abandon ship!Magnificent and SurpriseLovers Leap, ValettaFleet Carriers, Grand HarbourValetta circ 1956Admiral Lord Louis MountbattenHMS Vanguard SpitheadRoyal Marines Detachment - March Past Governors Residence, Gibraltar.Combined Ships Royal Marine Bands, possibly from Kenya and Gambia...Willy Bunch and Scouse NaylorJimmy Wearing getting some "Sea-Time In", but don't tell Royal will you?Circa 1949 before commissioning, the unfortunate Jock Kerr is featured here.On the Mess.Floodlit Overall, a job alleged to be the work of Ken Booth?Jan Birch, but why Jan when he came from Birmingham.....Another fine example donated by Julian Best.Picture sent in by Gerry Sullivan of the Canadian Navy, to serve as a reminder for some of you old sailors? The Iron Duke was apparently run by an old ex three badge chief tiffy??? Valetta Harbout, showing the Barraka Lift or Lovers Leap and the Iron Duke.The late AB Phil Thompson viewing the Gambia Memorial.Picture should show the names and relationships between those listed. Thanks to Jan Birch for providing this information.
Peter Evans as pictured on his Driving LicenceEntering Grand HarbourFocsle DivisionPeter Evans, Malta?George WalkerJan _ CookTaff MorganTaff Morgan and Oppo...Thompson not out on a Limb, more out on a Boom!Christmas Day on the QuarterdeckPhoenicia Hotel, names please?Christmas Day on the MessdeckBlackie and Stokes....Custom House Port SaidNavy House - Port SaidMed_East Indies SquadronJohnny Sharp _ BombayUSS Duxbury BayThug Tug on Patrol on Suez CanalKarachi_Snake Charmer, note that everyone gives the snake charmer a wide berth....Message left in Port SaidAll Smiles here.Another ChiefDiscovered that this is actually the late Roanld Frederick May, CERA 2, who lost his life in Malta in August 1953, in a road accident.PO BlackMK2 ChiefOff Caps!Rugged SailorSmiler - Breatherton?Wavy Navy Tie?
This page was last updated: 13 January, 2012

The Fleets In...Med Fleet assembled at Marmarice for RegattaTake her round again coxswain...Chucking Up Boats at MarmariceCEA Pete Sawyer and EA Algy Longworth.EA Alan Clements and EA Algy LongworthCanteen at MarmariceRun Ashore at Famagusta, CyprusSame run ashore, Famagusta, Cyprus. E. A Clements, O.A. Sturges, E.A. Longworth, R.E.A. SymonsEllec Divi, Front Row L-R, EA3 Algy Longworth, EA3 Alan Clements (Clem) CEA Pete Sawyer, Next Unknown, Lt McGowan, Commander Lock, Mr Wannicot, C Elect??, PO Elect Conner?, PO Electr??? Acting PO elect. Second Row, 3rd right EA4 Barry Partridge, far right PO Elect. Bell, under flag EM Hartland? Christening of Brain Clements before leaving Guzz. C.E.A. Don Marr, Bob Hope, E.A. ClementsChristening of Brain Clements.E.A. Alan Clements baby sitting Reverend Bob Pope's, Patrick and Hilary.Open Day on gambia. O.A. Viv Say and new borm, Mr Wannicott, Connie Say, O.A. BULLEN, Mary and Young Bullen, Wife and E.A. Algy Longworth, O.A. Hilton?, O.A. Hilton? O.A. Boydels wife.E A. Clements with Rev Bob Pope and wife. Chief Writer Taff Evans in background at Ships Dance.Tiffies Dance. E.A. Algy Longworth, O.A. Les Buller and wife, O.A. Pete Oughton and E.A. Clements, E.A. Barry Partridge, C.E.A. Pete Sawyer and Pere's wife, having some strange effect on O.A. Jack Sturges.Tiffies Dance. O.A. Arthur Boydell and wife, with Jack Sturges gyrating again, O.A. Viv Say and Shipwright Frankie????Ships Dance. L to R, Commander (E), W.O. Mr???, W.O. Ordnance Rip Gladding, E.A. Clements, Mrs R Gladding, W.O. (Radar)???, Mrs and W.O. (Elect) Mr Wannicott.The Champions Elect: Div: Cricket Team. Front L to R. P.O. Elect:??? Comdr Lock, C.E.A. Pete Sawyer, Mr Wannicott, E.A. Algy Longworth. Back Row L to R. E.M Harland, E.A. Alan Clements, E.M.??? P.O. Elect Bruce??? Acting P.O. Elect??? E.A. Barry Partridge and E.M. Little.Shipwright Department? Front Row L to R Soapy Hudson, Vic Hammond and others?????Lord Louis Mountbatten inspects the Division. Lt Elect McGowan behind Lord Louis, Comdr Philamore, C.E.A. Sawyer, far end, Mr Wannicott nearest with P.O. Elect Dinger Bell next to him.Christmas Day 1950. Electrical Senior Rates invited to the wardroom for drinks. Mr Wannicott clowning around, Moe Symons less jacket, Comdr. Elect with his relief Comdr Lock to my right, Barry Partridge and Bruce?????Valetta MaltaBarraca LiftFuelling Tanker in Grand HarbourGoing ashore in Malta, O.A. Jack Sturges, E.A. Algy Longworth, E.A. Alan ClementsMoe Symons, Algy Longworth and Alan Clements at Mefiefia Bay, Malta.Mosque at Benghazi, Libya.A run ashore with Algy and writers who shared a taxi for the day from Kyrenia, Cyprus.Chateur DIF, Marseilles Harbour, legendary Count of Monte Cristo imprisoned here.Chateu DIF?Chateu DIF?E.A.Clements, O A's. Hilton and Sturges on The King Victor Emmanuel Monument, Rome.Shots from the King Victor Emmanuel Monument, Rome.Shots from the King Victor Emmanuel Monument, Rome.Shots from the King Victor Emmanuel Monument, Rome.Gondolas moored at St. Mark's Square, Venice.The Campanile in St Mark's Square, Venice.We hired two water taxis for a trip down The Grand Canal, Venice, Rialto Bridge.Rialto Bridge.Venice from the Ship.St. Marks Cathedral, Venice.?????Record of H.M.S Gambia's Ports of Call during this part of the commission.Athens, Greece.Benghazi, Libya.Bizerta, Tunisia.Tunis, Tunisia February 1951.Btzerta, Tunisia.Dragomesti, Greece.Lanarca, Cyprus.
Alan Clements Photograph Album, kindly made available to me while I was visiting Adelaide, so thanks Alan for your kind efforts.

Alan has sent me an up to date list, and I have done my best to follow it, but, inevitable I suppose that I make some typo error, so would welcome some feedback on anything which is not quite right?
Lowering Captains Motor Boat.Christmas Day, looks more like the morning after the night before, but, ready for Acting Captains Rounds? Ken and Joys wedding day picture. Some may recall Ken as being known as Peanut? On the reverse side of this snap were the words, " Understudy for the Master at Arms", so must have been a popular MAA then? This picture was also shown on another page and was from a descentant of a Goodwin if memory serves me right? Crew of July 1952. There were many changes of individuals during this Commission, with Crew going from Ship to Shore or Ship to Ship, or returning to the UK for demob, especially the National Service Ratings and Midshipmen....Entering Grand Harbour April 1950Entering Grand Harbour July 1952 flying Paying Off Pennant.Focsle Division 1952Grand Harbour 1950In the Med 1952A Street Scene Alexandria June 1950Tunis, Tunisia, February 1951Bizerta, Tunisia, February 1951Swimming Pool, Bahrain April 1951Larnaca, Cyprus September 1951
I am in the process of adding copies of pictures, which were stacked away by the Late Hon Sec, so be patient while I try and add more of them to the Site. More added again.....the 1950-51 pictures were kindly sent to me by the FWT.
Three pictures sent in by the late Bill Onslow.