Was New Zealand's largest cruiser, which saw active service with the British Pacific Fleet.
GAMBIA was a 'Colony' class light cruiser of 9,000 tons. Armed with twelve 6" (152mm) guns in four triple turrets, she was considered a 'light' cruiser under the 1922 Washington Treaty definition (in which ships with 6" or smaller guns were classified as light cruisers, and ships with up to 8" (203mm) guns were classed as 'heavy' cruisers.
GAMBIA also had eight 4" (102mm) anti-aircraft guns and a large battery of anti-aircraft guns.
Launch of a Tin-fish, broadside on?
Awnings Fore and Aft, oh happy Days....
Collision damage after contact with
H.M.S. Phoebe off Malta 1950
Gambia had the bad luck to be involved in a collision at sea during replenishment exercises with the cruiser Phoebe (Captain H.G. Dickinson) Gambia suffered a bent bow and had to enter dry dock to be repaired. Times of Malta refers October 13 1951.
For those of us who only recall the Gambia being on the East Indies Station, here follows a little history of her movements. There will be an update to this article, when other memorabilia kindly sent by Peter Maben is added here. See WW2 link, Ed.21/10/2001
Having been accepted by the Royal Navy in 1942, she was commissioned in February of that year. Then came swift service for this new cruiser. In May 1942 she was off to the Eastern Fleet, her Captain then being Captain M.J. Mansergh, O.B.E., R.N. later Admiral Mansergh, commanding Second Cruiser Squadron, Home Fleet. After a year with the Eastern Fleet, during which time she wore the Flag of Rear Admiral W.G. Tennant, Commanding Fourth Cruiser Squadron, she returned to England via Malta for recommissioning in 1943. She set forth again in January 1944, for attachment to the Royal New Zealand Navy, commanded by Captain N.J. W. William-Powlett, brother of Vice Admiral P.B.R.W. William-Powlett, Flag Officer Destroyers, Mediterranean Fleet.
On her way to the land of the Kiwis, Gambia paid a visit to the colony whose name she bears, and established many friendly contacts.
She served in the Eastern Fleet once more until refitting time came around again, when Gambia went to New Zealand to enjoy a sojourn at Auckland. In February 1945 she joined the Fourth Cruiser Squadron of the British Pacific Fleet at Sydney, N.S.W., sailing for Manus in the Admiralty Islands commanded by Captain William-Powlett, wearing the flag of Rear Admiral E.P. Brind.
Then came action. Gambia was in at the Okinawa campaign, which took place in March and June, returning to port only to take on her new C.O., Captain Ralph Edwards, C.B.E. R.N. later Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet, and Flag Officer (Air)
Back to Sydney after Okinawa to refit and gird up her loins for the next tussle, and then came the beginning of the end for the Japanese nation. Gambia took part in the bombardment of the Japanese Islands of Kyushu, Hanshu, Shikoku and Hokkaido along with American Warships in that theatre, also participating in the bombardment of Kamaishi.
Not many Ratings can say that "I served in the cruiser that fired the last shot of the Japanese War." Those of you who served in Gambia can say that with perfect confidence.
Gambia was not to return home yet. With the King George V, Newfoundland, Indefatigable, and four destroyers she ploughed on. On August 15, 1945, the Japanese war was officially over. The fanatical pilots of Kamikaze suicide fighters didn't think so, and attacked Gambia; one hurtling past the mast with a Seafire in hot pursuit. The jap was drowned, bits of the fighter spattering the focs'le, the pilot just missing it.
Then came the Official Surrender Ceremony on September 2nd, in the U.S.S. Missouri. Gambia was there, representing New Zealand. Before Gambia returned to Auckland at the end of '45 she evacuated Jap prisoners of war from Wakayama.
It wasn't until March 18, 1946, that Gambia washed her paintwork in Plymouth waters, having come through the war with no scars or damage. In July came another recommissioning for Gambia, under Captain Baker-Cresswell, D.S.O., R.N., and then once more off to the British Pacific Fleet, via Malta, 1947 and 1948 were spent out there, with the flag of Rear Admiral Woodhouse.
Following active service, Gambia was part of the cruiser squadron Mediterranean Station, which she commenced on April 11 1950.
I am grateful to Ken Booth for the above extracts taken from The Times of Malta. Anyone who may wish me to add anything relevant to this Site, please forward to me, via Les Newman, or directly by the Internet to me at
Could it have been melted down as well as the Ship?
That was the question I asked when I first wrote these pages, and now at long last a possible answer.....
I believe that the Gambia colony Trophy was possibly returned to the Colony of Gambia when the 'glam gam' visited Bathurst, 16th - 19th May 1960, on the last leg home of her final commission. I vaguely remember some restoration work being done on the trophy in readiness for that visit (straightening palm fronds, etc - and very expertly done by one of the ship's artificers/tradesmen). Unfortunately the commission book only mentions that we visited there - nothing about the trophy.
Roger Frankish, ex OA1, HMS GAMBIA, 1958 - 60.
Thank you Roger, and does anyone else have an explanation?
Just a little stiff breeze on the Port Side Master?
July 21 1952
Gambia re-joined the Mediterranean Fleet to take part in the first part of the Summer Cruise and promptly carried off the "Cock" in the Heavy ship Pulling Regatta.
The Regatta was held at Argostoli on July 9 and 10 and in the fifteen races Gambia obtained seven firsts, six seconds and three thirds. She secured the "Cock" by a lead of 17 points from her closest rival,
H.M.S. Euryalaus, after an exciting battle and thus two Devonport ships were able to inform the Home Port that a "proper job" had been done.
Cock of The Fleet
A rare photograph showing both X and Y Turrets
Circa 1953
H.M.S. Barrosa coming alongside for a RAS. Her sister ship H.M.S. Broadsword(?) was as I recall a short distance away on the Port Side,
they always hunted in pairs....I have been corrected at long last by Julian Best who took the trouble to find the information for me. So, I am happy to bow to greater authority and apologise to Dave Walker who had already made the point of the Ship being a Battle Class Destroyer and not a Daring Class Destroyer as I had mistakenly believed.
This photograph is taken from a Sleeve of a Book kindly loaned by Ken Booth. The occasion is, I believe, Royal Review at Sea, off Cromarty in 1957? Why else are the Saluting Guns in evidence, and the R.M. Detachment on 'B' Gun Deck? Ken thought it was the Band, but they only appeared on the Quarterdeck...
For those who may recall the occasion, I would be glad of some enlightenment on the subject. I myself was with the C in C onboard H.M.S. Apollo escorting the Royal Yacht, then after the Submarines had sailed by in the opposite direction I may add, it was Stern Down, and into Invergordon and transfer to H.M.S. Albion ready to form Guard and Band and play the Royal Yacht in to its mooring!
Two final questions are, why is the Jack Flying and can any Communication Ratings tell me what the Bunting Is flying from the Yard Arm?
Any observations on this subject will be gladly received.
SHIP'S STORIES
Admiral Sir John Edelsten, C-in-C Mediterranean Fleet,
presents regatta prizes aboard his Flagship.
Could that have been the Gambia???
Does anyone spot any familiar faces above? Please let me know if you do.....
Further to the conjecture about the infamous collision, I received the following from Harry Coppenhall, and I quote;
"I served aboard Gambia for a period of about two and a half years. I was an S.A. and later an L.S.A., she was then with the Med. 2nd Cruiser Squadron. We left the Med for a period to go up the Gulf during the Aberdan Oil Troubles. I remember the day well at about 1PM when we ploughed up the stern of Phoebe and almost rammed the Liverpool. Lord Louis Mountbatten was FM2 Med Fleet, under Viscount Lord Cunningham who was Flag Officer Med Fleet."
Thank you Harry for your comments. Anyone else wish to add to the above?
Again, I am indebted to Dave Walker for his comments re the Bunting on the photograph opposite.
The Jack is flown at Sea on two occasions. On Dress Ship Days and when Escorting Royalty. Dave thinks in this case the latter applies. (I would agree with this as I believe this was taken at the Review at Sea) It is difficult to tell the identity of the other flags from the picture, however, Dave suggests that the Code Pennant is superior to possibly flag Bravo, denoting the Ship is discharging ammunition; that is, Firing Ones Guns, which tallies nicely with my opinion that the picture was definitely taken at Sea during the Royal Review of 1957, off Cromarty.
Taff Sinnott, Snr Engineer, Roberts and an unidentified rating.
photo kindly sent in by Barry Morgan, Wally's Son.
This page was last updated on: June 16, 2008
Gambia with Submarine alongside in Gibraltar with Vanguard lying astern.
COLLISION AT SEA.
"IT WASN'T OUR FAULT", SHE ACCOSTED US!
Having read the feature by Harry Coppenhall, relating to the collision with PHOEBE. I would like to add my memories of the incident. It took place during the first hour of the afternoon watch, I was on the fo'c'sle at the time. GAMBIA was steaming a fixed course and speed, transferring oil fuel to LIVERPOOL from the starboard side; PHOEBE was on the port side receiving a transfer by Jackstay.
On completion of the transfer, PHOEBE gathered speed and proceeded to steam ahead but her stern swung to starboard and came into contact with GAMBIA'S port bow. The finding of the enquiry are unknown to me but, on reflection, I assume that someone on PHOEBE'S bridge misjudged the distance that they were ahead and executed a turn to port, which would explain the swinging stern. The resulting damage was rather more than a "bent bow", as reported in the Times of Malta. It was quite extensive below the waterline, as the attached photographs illustrate. Flooding took place in some forward compartments and bulkheads had to be shored. GAMBIA proceeded at reduced speed to Malta and dry dock. The ship was in a relaxed state of damage control 'X' doors and hatches being closed, manhole covers to the lower deck were open . Since the incident took place during the dinner hour mess decks were crowded. People in the forward lower mess deck must have thought that the world had come to an end.
Note! The rum was stored aft and perfectly safe.
A.B. John Birch. 2 Mess, Focsle,c,sle Div
Please....
Another fine photograph of HMS Gambia
Another Version by John F. Harris
I was on the Port Wing of the Gambia's bridge on the Bofor Gun Deck, taking a break, looking down on the action watching the transfer of mail to the Phoebe. When the transfer was completed the Phoebe began to draw away, however, her stern began to slide in towards us, the swinging stern (propeller) caught us in the lower underwater portion of the Port bow back from the bow about 20ft., the Upper Starboard Quarter whacked us right on the bow and stern. The whole forward portion of the ship (Gambia) jumped and juddered with the rotation of the Phoebe's props, the Gambia's bow contacted the Phoebe's Starboard Quarter and began to push the Phoebe and ride her over about midway along her Quarterdeck The whole ship began to rollover with crew members on the deck sliding down the deck, however, she was going hard over to Starboard and moving the ship managed to tear and slew out from under us, she whipped about and cleared herself.
As for the Liverpool, she was almost up against us with her bow off the Starboard Waists. Mountbatten was standing up on the rim of the Liverpool's bridge giving directions or asking what was going on, I unfortunately cannot remember what he said!
Do come back and visit again, more material added when it comes to my attention. BH Editor.
More of this episode below, and space left for other memories as they come to mind?
The Fourth Destroyer Squadron/Flotilla Association:
HMS Agincourt (Captain D), HMS Aisne, HMS Barossa, HMS Corunna, HMS Jutland, HMS Dunkirk, HMS Alamein, HMS Matapan.
The Fourth Destroyer Association is looking for former ships' companies of HMS Agincourt, Aisne, Barrosa, Corunna, Jutland, Dunkirk, Matapan, and Alamein, 1946 - 1978
For the newly formed Association. Contact Terry Parker, 54c Cheriton Road, Folkestone, CT20 1DD Tel. 01303 249242
Can anyone of our Association or guests visiting please help the above?
BH Editor.
Be notified of page updates
Just in case the casual visitor thinks that Jack had it easy while serving in the Fleet,
read on for both Daily Sea Routine and Harbour Routine
