Photos

The images presented here came from my father's own collection, the original HMS Gambia Association website, I have permission to use or they came from Public Domain or Creative Commons collections. The image quality is very variable, but I thought it best to show even the lower quality ones and I hope you find them interesting. As much as I would love to, I cannot just "borrow" images from other sites. I can however link to those sites and the sites on the Links page contain a lot more.

HMS Gambia in 1941. Photo from Paul Thomas HMS Gambia. Being towed out in February 1942 HMS Gambia. August 1942. Photo: Lt. H. A. Mason. Imperial War Museums A 12925 HMS Gambia underway at sea. It is thought this was taken in August 1942, during speed trials when HMS Gambia was at 16 knots. Photo: Lt. H.A. Mason. Imperial War Museum A 12929 HMS Gambia and HMS Dauntelss, a Danae class cruiser, with troops going ashore from the assault ships in landing craft, capturing Tamatave, Madagascar's principal port, September 18, 1942. Photo: Lt. D. C. Oulds. Imperial War Museums A 12375 HMS Gambia underway at sea. It is thought this was taken in December 1942, during speed trials when HMS Gambia was at 16 knots. Crown copyright HMS Gambia underway at sea in December 1942 HMS Gambia moving away at speed in 1943 HMS Gambia during WWII. Imperial War Museums FL13348 HMS Gambia during WWII. Imperial War Museums FL13351 HMS Gambia during WWII. Imperial War Museums FL13353 HMS Gambia during WWII. Imperial War Museums FL13355 HMNZS Gambia with her crew manning the rails as the US aircraft carrier USS Saratoga was leaving the Indian Ocean on May 18, 1944. The crew of the Saratoga is rendering honours in the foreground. PHoto: United States Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation HMS Gambia while with the British Pacific Fleet 1944/45. Imperial War Museums ABS206 HMS Gambia while with the British Pacific Fleet 1944/45. Imperial War Museums ABS515 HMNZS Gambia in October 1944. The photo may have been taken later than 1944, in Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, 1945 by Tudor Washington Collins. HMNZ Gambia seen above the big guns of HMS Howe near Auckland, New Zealand in January 1945. HMS Howe was the flagship of Admiral Bruce Fraser, CinC of the British Pacific Fleet. Imperial War Museums A 28854 HMS Gambia seen above the big guns of HMS Howe in New Zealand waters, January 1945. Imperial War Museums A 28855 HMNZ Gambia seen above the big guns of HMS Howe near Auckland, New Zealand in January 1945. HMS Howe was the flagship of Admiral Bruce Fraser, CinC of the British Pacific Fleet. Imperial War Museums A 28856 HMNZS Gambia in Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, 1945 and probably taken by Tudor Washington Collins. HMNZS Gambia in Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, 1945 taken by Tudor Washington Collins. Photo from National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy - AAI0026. HMNZS Gambia in Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, 1945 taken by Tudor Washington Collins. Photo from Royal New Zealand Navy. HMNZS Gambia, 1945. Photo: D. M. McPherson. Naval History and Heritage Command NH 86629 HMNZS Gambia during WWII HMS Gambia. No Date. Flickr Commons HMNZS Gambia. February 25, 1946 off Melbourne Photo: Allan C. Green 1878 - 1954. State Library of Victoria HMS Gambia at Devonport Dockyard, probably after WWII HMS Gambia, date unknown but after 1946 as the 'X' turret has already been removed. Photo: Clausuchronia A postcard of HMS Gambia. Photo kindly provided by Royal Marine William Purdy's son, Garry HMS Gambia, September 1950 HMS Gambia but I have no information as to when or where this was taken. HMS Gambia. No Date. Photo: Allan C. Green 1878 - 1954. State Library of Victoria - Wikimedia Commons HMS Gambia. No Date. HMS Gambia. No Date. Photo: Allan C. Green 1878 - 1954. State Library of Victoria - Wikimedia Commons HMS Gambia. No Date. Photo: Allan C. Green 1878 - 1954. State Library of Victoria - Wikimedia Commons HMS Gambia. No Date. HMS Gambia. No Date. Crown Copyright HMS Gambia and HMS Apollo. No date. Flickr HMS Gambia in drydock at Rosyth. No date. HMS Gambia Association HMS Gambia passing under Forth Bridge going to Rosyth, Scotland. No date HMS Gambia passing under Forth Bridge going to Rosyth, Scotland. This drawing is signed K. R. Stoner but that is all I know about it HMS Gambia leaving Gibraltar. No date HMS Gambia, speed trials off Plymouth, 1949 or 1950. Dad's photo albums HMS Gambia, 1950. Dad's photo albums HMS Gambia moored during the 1950-52 commission. Photographer and place unknown HMS Gambia moored in the Suez Canel during the 1950-52 commission. Photographer unknown HMS Gambia, Malta, 1950. Dad's photo albums HMS Gambia, 6" gun practice, Malta, 1950 HMS Gambia on exercise off Malta, 1950 HMS Gambia on exercise off St. Pauls Bay, Malta, 1950. Photo from Alan Giddings album, very kindly supplied by his son Robert Giddings MBE HMS Gambia, Flagship of Admiral Sir John Edelsten, C in C Mediterranean, entering Marmarice Harbour, Turkey, flying the flag of the C in C. Mediterranean fleet summer cruise, July 1950, and on the Greek island of Skiathos during an exercise known as "Bandit". Imperial War Museums A 31692A HMS Gambia, flagship of Admiral Sir John H Edelsten, C in C Mediterranean, firing a Royal Salute on the occasion of the visit of HM The King of Greece to British Naval units at Athens. Mediterranean fleet summer cruise, July 1950, and on the Greek island of Skiathos during an exercise known as "Bandit". Imperial War Museums A 31690A HMS Gambia, 1951. Dad's photo albums HMS Gambia from motor boat, 1951. Dad's photo albums The Royal Navy anchorage at Grand Harbour, Malta around 1951. Vessels at anchor include Colossus class light fleet carrier HMS Warrior(foreground), United States Navy cruiser USS Des Moines (middle) and Fiji class cruiser HMS Gambia(background). My father would have been on Gambia when this photo was taken, but a year and a half later was transferred to Warrior. Imperial War Museum A 32043 HMS Gambia and HMS Kenya travelling at speed during exercises in the Indian Ocean. April 1952. Ships of four navies, UK, Ceylon, India, and Pakistan combined for exercises designed to strengthen commonwealth protection measures. Imperial War Museum A 32105 HMS Gambia floodlit sometime between 1950 and 1952. It is thought that Leading Electrical Mechanician Ken "General" Booth arranged the floodlighting Postcard of HMS Gambia at Venice in 1951. This was provided by Tom Swatton who served on the the 1952/54 commission. HMS Gambia. This image was on the original HMS Gambia Association website but all that it is known about it is that it was taken pre-1953. HMS Gambia. This image was on the original HMS Gambia Association website but all that it is known about it is that it was taken pre-1953 and is another version of the previous photo. HMS Gambia, 1952. Dad's photo albums HMS Gambia, Vanguard and two submarines, Gibraltar, 1952. Dad's photo albums HMS Gambia, Gibraltar, 1952. Photo from Steve McAllister This picture was sent to the HMS Gambia Association via Jan Birch from Stan Doughty. It is thought have been taken at the end of the last two and a half year commission as Gambia returned to Devonport on July 31, 1952 HMS Gambia. 1953 HMS Gambia arriving at Spithead on June 8, 1953 for the Coronation Naval Review. She is wearing the flag of Rear Admiral C F W Norris, DSO, Flag Officer Flotillas, Mediterranean. Imperial War Museum A 32571 HMS Gambia at the Spithead review, 1953. Photo very kindly supplied by Michael Headon HMS Gambia at Malta, 1953 HMS Gambia at speed, Malta, 1954 Some of the Mediterranean Fleet who escorted Her Majesty The Queen in HMY Britannia during her passage from Tobruk to Malta in May 1954. They are the cruiser Gambia (nearest camera), the cruiser Bermuda, and the Daring class ship Delight. Imperial War Museum A 32926 Units of the Mediterranean Fleet in line ahead firing a Royal Salute as they pass Her Majesty The Queen on board HMY Britannia. The cruiser HMS Gambia is in the foreground. May 1954. Imperial War Museum A 32924 HMS Gambia in 1954 HMS Gambia in 1954 HMS Gambia off Steamer Point, Trincomalee, Ceylon, leaving for home 1955/56. Image from Keith Butler Leaving Trincomalee, Paying Off pennant flying. The length of the Paying Off pennant is traditionally one foot for every year of the ship's service in 1955/56. Image from Keith Butler HMS Gambia at Steamer Point with her Paying Off pennant flying. The length of the Paying Off pennant is traditionally one foot for every year of the ship's service. Image from Keith Butler Mediterranean fleet demonstration for the Emperor of Ethiopia. October 1954, on board the cruiser HMS Gambia, sailing from Malta to the United Kingdom. The Emperor of Ethiopia witnessed a demonstration by ships of the Mediterranean fleet. Some of the ships taking part in the demonstration, which took place in heavy weather. Imperial War Museum A 33030 Mediterranean fleet demonstration for the Emperor of Ethiopia. October 1954, on board the cruiser HMS Gambia, sailing from Malta to the United Kingdom. The Emperor of Ethiopia witnessed a demonstration by ships of the Mediterranean fleet which took place in heavy weather. Imperial War Museum A 33029 HMS Gambia in the Mediterranean in the mid 1950's. HMS Gambia. Date and photographer unknown. I do not know who painted this. It shows HMS Gambia at Mombasa, Kenya. Gambia visited Mombasa in 1942, 1955 and 1958 HMS Gambia entering Grand Harbour, Malta in April 1955. Photo kindly submitted by Carol Shirley HMS Gambia in Malta’s Grand Harbour, 1955/56. Image from Amanda Dalton, John Aire's daughter HMS Gambia giving a firework show, Zanzibar, June 1955. Photo kindly submitted by Janet Kirkham, niece of sick berth attendant Ken Griffin Ships of the Royal Navy, Pakistan Navy, Royal Ceylon Navy and Indian Navy assembled at Trincomalee. HMS Gambia is in the foreground. They were gathered for Commonwealth naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, August 1955. Imperial War Museum A 33347 Ships of the Royal Navy, the Pakistan Navy, the Royal Ceylon Navy and the Indian Navy assembled at Trincomalee for Commonwealth naval exercises in August 1955. HMS Gambia is in the foreground. Imperial War Museums A 33348 HMS Gambia at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka in late August 1955 after a Joint Exercises at Trincomalee (JET). Photo kindly submitted by Andrew Lobb HMS Gambia at Trincomalee, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) during the 1955/6 commission. Photo kindly submitted by Janet Kirkham, niece of sick berth attendant Ken Griffin HMS Gambia entering Grand Harbour, Malta painted by Keith Butler who served on the 1955/6 commission HMS Gambia, flying her Paying Off pennant leaving Trincomalee on the start of her journey back to the UK, with her ship's company manning and cheering ship. January 31, 1956. The length of the Paying Off pennant is traditionally one foot for every year of the ship's service. Imperial War Museum A 33399 HMS Gambia leaving Trincomalee for home with Paying Off pennant flying, 1956. The length of the Paying Off pennant is traditionally one foot for every year of the ship's service. Photo kindly submitted by Janet Kirkham, niece of sick berth attendant Ken Griffin HMS Gambia leaving Trincomalee for home with Paying Off pennant flying, 1956. The length of the Paying Off pennant is traditionally one foot for every year of the ship's service. Photo kindly submitted by Janet Kirkham, niece of sick berth attendant Ken Griffin Refuelling at sea. HMS Gambia and HMS Ark Royol or HMS Hermes in the Mediterranean, January 16, 1957. Imperial War Museum A 33717 HMS Gambia at Rosyth during her 1957/58 Commission. Photo from Christine Deane HMS Gambia on her 1957/58 Commission. Photo from Christine Deane. HMS Gambia in dry dock at Colombo, Ceylon during her 1957/58 commission. Photo from Christine Deane Mail for the lads in the Med. 1957/58 commission. Photo from Christine Deane Refueling at sea off Muscat with RFA Wave Premier during her 1957/58 commission. Photo from Christine Deane Laurence J. Brazier (Laurie) served on HMS Gambia for her 1967/58 Commission as an Able Seaman. Pam Meldrum, Laurie's partner who sent this great picture of the ship. Pam wrote that 'Alas he is no longer with us. For a birthday present, I commissioned an artist Robert Taylor, who is a very well known artist, you may have seen his paintings of aircraft coming home. He painted an oil on canvas from a photograph of HMS Gambia.' HMS Gambia on her last commission in 1959 off of Gibraltar HMS Gambia on her last commission. Scan from 1958 - 1960 Commission Book. HMS Gambia with HMS Belfast behind in Malta, 1959 An unusual photo of HMS Gambia. What makes this unusual is that I received it in September 2018 from Sergey who has a Russian email address and he said the photo was taken from one of the Soviet intelligence gathering AGI (Auxiliary, General Intelligence) trawlers. The trawlers were deployed to the Western Atlantic from the Kola region naval base of Murmansk and Sergey thinks the ships met each other around May/June 1960, close to UK waters. HMS Gambia was deployed to the Far East on December 4, 1959 to relieve the cruiser Ceylon in the Red Sea. She returned to the UK via South Africa with a visit to Freetown and the Gambia, before arriving in Portsmouth in July 1960. HMS Gambia - one of the few known color photos of the ship HMS Gambia at Rotterdam on November 21, 1960. Photo: Dutch National Archives, 911-8084 HMS Gambia at Rotterdam on November 21, 1960. Photo: Dutch National Archives, 911-8087 HMS Gambia at Canada Branch Dock 2, Liverpool. It was taken around midday on Sunday, December 4, 1960, during an Open Day. Photo from Roger Bratby HMS Gambia at Fareham Creek, 1967. This photo has been used elsewhere as an illustration concerning the saving of HMS Belfast, but it is thought this is HMS Gambia HMS Gambia with the type 15 frigate, HMS Rocket alongside awaitingthe final ourney to the breakers yard at Dlmuir. In the background is the destroyer HMS Carron. HMS Gambia at Ward's breaking yard alongside the ferry Arnhem on December 28, 1968 HMS Gambia at Thomas A. Ward Breaking Yard, Inverkeithing

Sources

Imperial War Museum
Wikimedia

This Site

I have used Fancybox v2.1.6 for these image galleries.