Always on Active Service

Shropshire sailed from Sydney on 16 November 1946 for Hervey Bay to carry out exercises. Captain H.J. Buchanan DSO, RAN was now in command having left the post of chief staff officer to Commodore Farncomb. He took over from Captain Showers on 2 November 1946. The Squadron engineering officer, Engineer Captain L.J.P. Carr OBE, RAN reported that he had won the singles final of the RAN tennis championship and with Commander G.G.D. Gatacre DSC, RAN as his partner, won the doubles. It was interesting to note that very few younger officers entered into the competition and as the final result showed, none survived the early rounds.

Commodore Farncomb entertained on board Shropshire, just prior to leaving Sydney, by giving a buffet supper to officers commanding the other squadron ships and their wives, as well as the wives of the other ships' captains who were at sea. It was reported that viewing of a pyrotechnic display from Shropshire's quarterdeck was the highlight of a most pleasant evening. After carrying out exercises in Hervey Bay, Commodore Farncomb's staff transferred to Hobart at 1200 on 16 November, and then both ships with Arunta proceeded north at 1500 whence Hobart was detached and left for Sydney at 1800 and Shropshire and Arunta set course for Jomard Passage.

The ship in company with Arunta as screening destroyer, received a request from the naval officer in charge, Port Moresby, asking for assistance to help their diesel tug 933 be refloated after running aground in Basilisk Passage. Arunta proceeded at high speed, completing the task next day, and was ordered to refuel at Dreger Harbour and proceed at 17 knots to meet Shropshire. Another request for help was received in the repair of a machinery breakdown of MSL 707 and we proceeded to Deboyne Lagoon arriving at 0950 on 6 December 1946. During this time an opportunity to send boats away under sail was put into effect, as well as going ashore to meet the only European inhabitant, a Mr J. Munt, on Nirvani Island. Time became short and after checking out the safe swimming beach areas within the reefs that could be used, but not this time, Mr Munt made it quite clear we would be welcome any time.

Shropshire proceeded for Dreger Harbour on the 6th after a short stay of seven hours in Deboyne Lagoon and arrived on the 8th where the captain went ashore to inspect the base at Tarangau. He returned at 1215 and Shropshire proceeded on her passage to Yokohama, and next day, 9 December 1946, met Arunta. The weather during the passage was for the most part fine and as we approached Japan we met with sporadic rain squalls coming from the south-east and later heavy continuous ran from a north-westerly monsoon. We passed through this inter-tropical front creating the necessity for altering course to the east using radar to track Arunta as she closed in to join and transfer mail.

During this voyage the advent of 'crossing the line' ceremony had to be postponed as we crossed longitude 147 degrees 10'' east, because King Neptune had advised that an 'important assignment' with his beauteous queen made the occasion impossible. The usual remarks passed by most who hadn't previously participated in a 'crossing the line' ceremony to be entitled to their certificate were for the most part unprintable. On the 11th another training exercise for the 'mackers' occurred whilst Arunta was supplied with 147 tons of fuel from Shropshire as well as transferring two ratings by jackstay to Quadrant en route to Sydney.

Before arriving in Tokyo Bay Shropshire encountered a severe northerly blow upsetting both the experienced sailors as well as the new hands. She rolled heavily. We experienced some minor excitement when we investigated and identified two Japanese transports, one at 0555 and the other at 2000, some of the crew hoping against hope for a bit of post-war action. At 0820 on Monday 16 December 1946 we secured to No 25 buoy in Yokohama Harbour at 0945.

Shropshire later refuelled from RFA War Bharata taking on 1917 tons of fuel. Rear-Admiral Farncomb called on Rear-Admiral C.H.L. Woodhouse of the 5 Cruiser Squadron, wearing his flag in HMS Bermunda, as well as further calls on the UK political adviser Mr A.D.F. Gascoyne at the British Embassy, and the Commander of Naval Activities, Japan. Later he called to talk with Vice-Admiral R. M. Griffin USN and the Commanding General of the US 8th Army, Lieutenant-General R.L. Eichelberger, who was responsible for all Allied Land Forces in Japan. While at Yokohama, Shropshire was provided with two vessels, a motor fishing vessel and a harbour launch to transport liberty men to and from facilities as well as carrying out other duties such as mail collection and obtaining a loan of films from the US Navy at Yokosuka. The White Ensign Club provided light meals and beer for members of the ship's company and it was generally considered by all concerned to be a most satisfactory venue for transient members as we were called. The officers were also afforded the honour of being accepted as transient members of the US 8th Army Officers' Club.

Shropshire's jeep was also registered to be driven locally and placed in temporary custody of the British naval representative to be used as a transport carrier. The question raised - is this the same jeep acquired by our previous Executive Officer, Commander 'Ginger' Morrow back in 1945? Nobody seemed to know because it was originally suggested that Garden Island administration commandeered it for their use. I suppose time must allow for convenient memories? An 'urgent' report of an earthquake south of Shikoku Island created some interest on 21 December, but excitement soon fizzled out as no requests for assistance were made. On the 24th, in accordance with Force 'T' orders, a Japanese vessel (ex LST) SCAJAP Q 006 was inspected by a naval party and all was found to be correct.

Rear-Admiral Farncomb was busy liaising with many other service officers, flying the Australian flag as it were; for example he had lunch with Rear- Admiral Bledsoe USN on board his flagship USS Chicago; lunched with General Eichelberger at his home in Yokohama; met Mr Chambers, the Australian Minister for the Army as well as meeting and having lunch with Lieutenant-General H.C.H. Robertson CBE, DSO, C-in-C of the British Occupation Forces in Japan. During the evening at 1730 the admiral made an official call on the Supreme Commander, General MacArthur, who spoke highly of the RAN and asked to be remembered to the Prime Minister.

Christmas day dawned with light snow falling and after church service in the torpedo space the ship's company enjoyed the usual Christmas dinner of roast turkey plus trimmings and plum duff and later were permitted to purchase an issue of beer. The ship's chapel, being newly furnished, was available for Holy Communion for the Protestants and later for the celebration of Mass for the Roman Catholics. A very busy day for both Sin Bosun's owing to the limited space allocated for the chapel.

A few days later, after rather cold and dreary weather, Shropshire slipped and proceeded to Kobe on Saturday, 28 December to secure to No 18 buoy in Kobe Harbour. Because the CCAS was suffering from a severe cold, Captain Buchanan on his behalf called on the commanding general at the Kobe base, Brigadier General Crichelow, to pay our respects. As was organised in Yokohama for groups of sixty to visit places of interest in Tokyo, arrangements were also made for groups of thirty to visit the ancient capital of Japan - Kyoto, by the US 8th Army as well as many other day excursions to places of interest. The newly arrived British Consul, Mr Penson and the Swiss Consul, Dr Sturzi, entertained Rear-Admiral Farncomb, the captain and a party of officers to dinners and later a return invitation to be entertained on board Shropshire was arranged for both consuls.

Captain H.J. Buchanan was pleased to report in his monthly proceedings that apart from one miscreant, the health of the ship's company was very good. The training of junior ratings was progressing with such enthusiasm that senior ratings were freely giving instruction above and beyond their call of duty and in their spare time, to not only generate good results, but also appreciated by the ratings with a marked keenness to learn. On 30 December 1946, thirty ordinary seamen became able seamen, giving great incentive to the other 132 to work hard in the next two weeks' course of eight one-hour's instruction and also succeed. In addition further classes (numbers in brackets) were formed to train ratings as QR III(9), LR III(8), AA III(12), RC III(4) and ST(9).

The monthly steaming statistics as at the end of December 1946 were 4317 miles, underway for 338 1/2 hours at a speed of 14.35 knots and using one ton of fuel oil per 2.42 miles. Since commissioning as HMAS Shropshire in 1943 she has steamed a distance of 498 004.3 miles and been underway a total of 34 708.26/60 hours. After leaving Yokohama Shropshire remained at Kobe for the next few days including New Year's Eve.

On the 30th the Rear-Admiral entertained at an informal 'at home' in the wardroom for about thirty officers and wives, including a number of NZ officers and Army nurses. On the 31st he entertained at lunch Mr Penson, the British Consul, Lieutenant-Colonel Lord, Colonel Johnson (General Crichelow's aide) and the Provost Marshal Colonel Davis and Mrs Davis. After lunch Mr Penson took the admiral and the flag captain to see the sights of Kobe including a visit to the Maiko Hotel which was allocated to the other ranks of the occupation forces.

The usual New Year's Eve party was held with the customary pranks and Auld Lang Syne was sung with gusto. The old trick of pushing a body through one of Shropshire scuttles was avoided at all costs after the last deplorable incident in Subic Bay. However, some others were invited ashore for an evening of skylarking at the Kobe Base Officers Club (US) and arrived back at the ship, most showing some signs of wear and tear. The Admiral spent a pleasant day ashore sightseeing and was happy to observe an old US Army custom on New Year's Day by paying a call on the Commanding General at Kyoto, General Woodruffe and receiving a duty bound 'egg nogg' from the General for showing his respects in this time honoured fashion.

On 2 January 1947 at 1400 Shropshire slipped from the buoy at Kobe and sailed for Kure to rendezvous the next day at 0722 with two of our destroyers Bataan and Warramunga and HMS Comet, to carry out day and night exercises. These were divided into seven parts: Torpedo attacks, surface tracking and range inclination, radar calibration, fuelling and towing (Shropshire fuelled Warramunga and took Bataan in tow), night attacks, night shadowing and finally a very exciting massed air attack by twenty-eight aircraft from Iwakuni - the complete set of exercises was considered a great success as they were well staged and very realistic. We arrived at Kure at 1435 on 4 January 1946 to secure at No 10 using head and stern buoys as we watched our 10th Destroyer Flotilla, under the command of Captain 'D' Acting Captain J.C. Morrow DSO, DSC, RAN follow in and secure. Warramunga transferred twelve cadet midshipmen to Shropshire (Barrett, Burnett, Coombs, Fisher, Kelly, King, McGregor, Melzer, Nunn, Percy, Simpson and Snow) as well as four unnamed ratings.

Facilities in Kure had not been developed but several very competitive matches of rugby and hockey were played against the occupation forces as well as the officers being afforded the pleasure of a few games of tennis at BCOF Headquarters. The French Frigate La Deconverte arrived and the opportunity to exchange visits took place. Rear-Admiral Farncomb was visited by the captain of HMS Amethyst as well as Captain 'D', Captain Morrow, with Warramunga's commanding officer and later had lunch with Lieutenant-General Robertson C-in-C of the BCOF in company with Captain 'D' and Warramunga's captain. They met many of the BCOF staff officers and enjoyed the chance to discuss informally many matters of mutual interest regarding the future of our Armed Forces.

On the 6th the flag captain and the admiral visited Hiroshima and viewed the gruesome scene as well as the gradual building of small wooden houses and shops to replace, temporarily, those lost in the blast. Later they called on a Monastery of Jesuit fathers a couple of miles from the city boundaries and had tea with the rector and Father Scheiffer who was injured by the atomic explosion. Both clerics were sceptical of any real advance in the development of Japanese democracy in less than twenty-five years!

Rear-Admiral Farncomb transferred his flag to Bataan on 7 January at 0855 and sailed for Hong Kong at 0912 turning over the duties of senior officer, Force 'T' to Captain H.J. Buchanan commanding officer of Shropshire. While at Kure an opportunity to carry out live demolition practices was offered by the C-in-C, BCOF and carried out at Kamegi Kubi on Kurahashi Jima about ten miles distant. This Japanese naval proof range contained various buildings with armour plating attached, ranging from 3" to 15" thickness, new guns on trial from 6" to 18'', a complete Army tank as well as a completed 16" triple barrelled gun turret. Observation points, well armoured for protection, allowed the use of twenty-five Amatol four-pound charges to be exploded, with a final report that the demolition exercises were highly successful and afforded good practical training for the crew.

On 22 January Shropshire proceeded for Nagasaki and secured to head and stern buoys on the 24th after embarking the pilot and quarantine officer at the entrance to the harbour. A few days later HMS Cossack secured alongside for a brief four hours before sailing for Yokohama. The 5 1/2 days stay in Nagasaki was a most pleasant visit as the US Military Team under Lieutenant-Colonel Delmore co-operated immediately providing us with water transport, a wet canteen ashore, a dance hall opened for the ratings as well as 35mm films for each evening's entertainment. This hospitality was returned by invitations to functions aboard Shropshire.

On 29 January we departed Nagasaki proceeding to Yokosuka meeting Warramunga en route and attempting to refuel her on the 30th, but due to a burst pipeline caused by an error in valve manipulation, only thirty-seven tons were transferred with the resulting embarrassment for those participating in the exercise. Shropshire exchanged greetings with USS Hawkins and USS Swanson during the forenoon of the 30th and was later joined by Arunta during the first watch at 2100. The following morning Arunta closed at 0650 and transferred a much welcomed supply of sixteen bags of mail which Shropshire missed collecting at Kure ten days previously due to an early departure.

Again more exercises were carried out, mainly for the new gunnery trainees, such as radar calibration, A/A firings of CRW and 4" star shell firing by Arunta at Shropshire, tracking - range-inclination - interrogation exercises, full calibre 8'' (reduced charge) firings Arunta with a 9 degree throw-off-head and to top it off, using their newly learned training skills, a night encounter and attack exercise which took place at 1900. The only discord for the final exercise was the cancellation of firing at an HRS target being towed by Warramunga - the tow was veered before gaining speed causing the target to dive, rendering it unserviceable.

The gunnery training classes and torpedo training class results were very good with very few failures showing the enthusiasm of ratings to improve their status in their chosen specialist areas. A final report from Captain H.J. Buchanan referred to the good health of the ship's company apart from three acts of self destruction by those who visited places of ill-fame and a mild epidemic of mumps. The conduct and bearing of the ship's company was in the main excellent except for one case of black marketing and two cases of theft. On a higher note, training classes and examinations for promotion to higher ratings were continuing in the seamen's divisions.

During February 1947 Shropshire left Nagasaki arriving in Tokyo Bay to secure to No 15 buoy Yokosuka. The ship's blacksmith, A.G. Johnstone, had an accident while securing and was put ashore for treatment but was soon on the 'satisfactory progress' list. The US Navy gave us water transport and recreational facilities at Yokosuka and it cannot be repeated often enough that the generosity of the Americans was very well received and appreciated and in our small way we returned their hospitality by invitations to Shropshire.

Apart from the exchange of hospitality a small problem of 'currency exchange' relating to the difference between the occupation currency and US dollars had to be resolved. Again this was quickly executed to put our officers and men on a satisfactory basis when visiting the club and using facilities ashore, creating a far better atmosphere because there was no doubt the Australian Occupation Forces would have been disadvantaged. A separate recommendation that an allocation of US currency be made for Force 'T' was submitted by Captain Buchanan to the Rear-Admiral Commanding Fifth Cruiser Squadron, HMS Gambia and to the Rear-Admiral Commanding the Australian Squadron, to avoid future embarrassment for all shore leave men.

On 5 February Shropshire after completing some exercises proceeded to Yokohama securing to No 25 buoy. Later excitement was generated by announcing a coming regatta between 'parts' of ship. On the 13th and 14th February the inter-part regatta got under way and three heats were held and won by the gunroom officers, the communication division and the main top seamen's division.

The final was won (after a very exciting race apparently see-sawing between leaders) by the communications division with the gunroom coming second and guess who came last? The supposedly real sailors and rowers - their complaint was they had been worked too hard during the preceding days whilst the others had it easy.

On the 15th, Shropshire left for Hong Kong arriving on the 21st after a short period of pleasant weather and reasonable seas. On entering harbour Shropshire fired a fifteen-gun salute to the flag of the C-in-C British Pacific Fleet, Vice-Admiral Sir Davis W. Boyd, KCB, CBE, DSC flying his flag in HMS Belfast. The salute was returned by Belfast and the captain, a short time later at 0840, made an official call on the C-in-C, before he sailed himself in Belfast leaving Hong Kong Harbour in company with Comet and Alert.

The US President George Washington's birthday was celebrated on 23 February by dressing ship in his honour as well as the customary toasting at a ship's party in the wardroom. Our sailors also took the opportunity to consume a few beers in his honour although according to a few old shipmates they did not need a special remembance birth date to indulge in the old pastime of elbow bending.

The next day Shropshire left harbour for a two-day shoot firstly of 8'' sub calibre and 4'' full calibre fixings during the afternoon watch, followed the next day by an all-day exercise of 4'' HA throw off firings supported by reports from two Corsair aircraft from HMS Nabcatcher and finally a 8 '' full calibre firings during the first dogwatch as well as combining star shell firings late during the last dogwatch. On completion Shropshire returned to Hong Kong Harbour securing to No 2 buoy on Wednesday, 26 February.

Captain Buchanan reported that conduct of the ship's company as a whole had been entirely satisfactory apart from a few minor infringements and mentioned especially that the younger ratings' initial problems had diminished as they became more accustomed to the service routine and discipline.

Under the training programmes previously reported, thirty more crew had successfully qualified in their respective specialties as QR IIIs (8), LR IIIs (70), AA IIIs (11) and RC IIIs (4). It was also pleasing to note training in promotional areas of the seamen's, stokers' and torpedo men's divisions were progressing satisfactorily and most were passing well. On 1 March 1947 Shropshire slipped moorings in Hong Kong and proceeded to Manila arriving at the entrance of Manila Bay on the 3rd to stop and embark the British Minister's and the US Port Director's representatives before continuing in to port to anchor at berth No 100. At 1000 Captain Buchanan landed and made official calls to the British Minister, Mr Foulds; the Australian Consul-General, Mr Peterson; the representative of the Philippines Government and the Mayor of Manila, Mr Forgosa.

That evening the Manila Club gave a cocktail party for the officers of Shropshire while, because of currency restrictions, the British Minister was only able to arrange for an issue of two pesos to each of the ship's company to have a 'riotous' run ashore. Shropshire arranged an 'at home' to return the hospitality and invited British residents in Manila and US personnel to a pleasant evening aboard on the 4th. The captain entertained the British Minister, the Australian Consul-General and their wives at a luncheon aboard the same day.

At 0700 on Wednesday, 5 March, Shropshire weighed anchor and proceeded to Dreger at the uncustomary speed of 14 knots arriving at 1505. Six days later stores and mail were embarked from HMAS Tarangau as we hove to off Nussing Island. After embarking an additional two officers and thirty-two ratings, Shropshire proceeded at 1640 on 11 March 1947 for Sydney arriving six days later on a Monday to secure to No 2 buoy at 0735. On the 18th at 1000, the Flag Officer Commanding the Australian Squadron (FOCAS) came aboard and inspected the ship's company at divisions, later to 'walk' around the ship. On the following day the Flag Officer, Rear-Admiral H. B. Farncomb, CB, DSO, MVO, transferred his flag to Shropshire from Hobart.

Shropshire was moved from No 2 buoy on Monday, 24 March to go alongside the oil wharf at Garden Island - the ignominy of being moved was being shifted by tugs and not, as was usual, under her own steam. During these moves Captain Buchanan was ashore on leave and our one-time navigating officer, Commander L. Gellatly DSC, RAN was in charge, organizing the operation. You will remember that as a Lieutenant-Commander, he was with us during the turbulent times throughout the battles for control of the Philippines and especially plotting the 'night encounter' during the last great sea battle in Surigao Straits when we made more than a significant contribution to sinking the Japanese battleship Yamashiro. It must have been a sad time for Commander Gellatly to see the slow but sure fading away of this proud Australian heavy cruiser to be mothballed with the inevitable end of being scrapped?

During the months of April and May d estoring the ship progressed as well as preparing the ship for reserve commission whilst alongside Garden Island. Working parties from Shropshire were being sent daily to Australia in preparation for her commissioning once again on 30 May 1947, and to coincide on the same day that Shropshire was officially decommissioned and placed in reserve for two years and in 1949 placed in permanent reserve.

For the next few years Shropshire remained secured to the Athol Dolphins on the other side of Sydney Harbour opposite Garden Island in Athol Bight adjacent to Bradley's Head which was a virtual graveyard. She was sold in 1954 and scrapped in 1955 after being towed back to the UK by the Dutch tug Oostzee to be broken up by British Iron and Steel (Salvage) Ltd, twenty-nine years after William Beadmore and Co Ltd laid her keel down on 24 February 1926. The superstructure and useful internal fittings were removed first and later the shell of the hull was towed to another berth for final breaking up - a sad end for the 'Lucky Ship'. The story and career of HMAS Shropshire and its crew could not end without a special mention of the magnificent book 'Porthole' put together by the crew with the help of many outsiders. Unfortunately when researching the history for the proposal to print the book I discovered all files were destroyed, only indexed reference cards remaining in archives.

Apart from this, the book itself tells a fairly accurate story as well as the role of the committee and contributors, and I mention the following as being most important to those who served in Shropshire. The acknowledgements go to the hard-working Shropshire Book Committee (Chaplain C.D. Alcorn, Lieutenant John Moyes, Lieutenant R. Newey, Leading Seaman Newitt, Leading Seaman Roberts, Leading Signalman D. Birrell and Able Seaman G. Gardner), to the Department of Information, the Sydney Sun, Surgeon Commander C. Statham, Petty Officer C.E. Marden, Petty Officer Ken Hill, Leading Seaman Wilkinson, Able Seaman Kempson, Leading Seaman A.R. Child, Able Seaman Livingstone and one of our AIF Bombardment Advisors Captain Frank Norton as well. Bandsman Cedric Ashton who contributed three oil paintings with special mention of his marvellous coloured 'crossing the line' certificate was indeed justified. The final push to complete and print this monumental task by all involved and whilst in the main at sea, was due to the fine efforts of Lieutenant's E.L. Morris and J.W. Folk in their liaison with a most helpful firm of Sydney Printers, John Sands Pty Ltd.

The book contains a most important list of honours and awards given to the officers and other ranks as recognition of their services during our battle tours of duty, as well as a long list of nearly 2000 names of those who served in Shropshire up to the time of printing (date not certain - 30/11/1945?) The other activities to keep morale high such as sports when time made it possible were very popular: Deck Hockey finalists Fitzpatricks' Foretopmen beating Beverleys' Quarterdeck men; Tug O'War team from Maintop won; 'Uckers', a grim fight was won by Quarterdeckman Campbell and Deller from the Officers team of Folk and Perrin; the Obstacle Race was won by Field of the Miscellaneous Branch; the Quoits championship was won by McAuley and Armstrong for Foretop; the Darts competition was won by Baker of the Miscellaneous Branch; the Carley Raft regatta supervised and started by Bob Wellard was won by the Officers' team stroked by that champion boat-handler Ken Stock. Whilst these activities were all on board, teams of keen tennis players, footballers and cricketers went ashore when possible to challenge all-comers, especially challenging the Americans at softball.

Captain Nichols presented the trophies to the winners of all games whilst referees, commentators and trainers, Surgeon Lieutenant Bradley, Chaplain Roche, Bob Wellard, Sambo Sampson helped to make the competitions a colourful and gay affair. Our stalwarts of acting, production and directing fame in producing 'Capricorn Capers' originally Pacific Merry-go-Round, ably supported by Leading Seaman Whitby, Bandmaster Frank Graham and Bandsman Chan Redding did a magnificent job under difficulties. While the finale envisaged to be a 'Victory Show' but called the 'Nautical Naughties' was orchestrated by Lieutenant Eric Morris and supported by Leading Seaman Whitby to be played on the foc'sle in Tokyo Bay on 3 and 4 September 1945 to a most enthusiastic audience of Australian and British sailors.

To conclude, 'Porthole' contributors wrote magnificent, although somewhat sentimental offerings, some of which are worth reading again; The Shropshire Ballad by J.E. (Jock Epstein) : Thanksgiving by CDA (Chaplain Alcorn); A Bath the Navy Way by K.L. (Ken Lincoln); Dance and Skylark on the Quarterdeck Message by Commodore Collins, are amongst a few of the worthwhile articles and not forgetting that humorous rendition of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.

These drawings were made by an Able Seaman J. Livingstone (Doc). The drawings came about because of a boast by Able Seaman Ralph (Joe) Langton from Hobart, Tasmania regarding his prowess in many areas and on many subjects (from Tiny Mooney 4'' Gun Deck).

click to enlarge

Starkle, Starkle, little twink
Who the world you are you think?
l'm not under the alcofluence of inkerhol
though some thinkle peep I am
l'm just fooling a little feelish, I don't knew
Who is me
So the madder I sit here, the longer I get.

This little bit of humour really says it all about those who go to sea - a sailor without a touch of wacky humour would make 'Jack' out to be a dull boy indeed and I have found that most Australian sailors do indeed appreciate a little madness in his fellow man and to laugh at the absurd.

Joe "Springs" Langton talking to his Grandson. click to enlarge

Finally two of our crew made beautiful models of Shropshire. The first was completed in just over ten months by Telegraphist John Date and was a water-line model. The model, made on board Shropshire, was put together in his spare time out of bits and pieces and I suppose what one would have to say, with great difficulty and lots of patience.

The second was completed by Able Seaman Lindsay Dennis and was made from updated plans and showing 40mm Bofor A/A guns replacing the 20mm Oerlikon A/A guns and was a full hull model on a stand - a meticulously completed craftsman's job (see line drawings at front (pages 8 and 9).

The Final Communique
At last I can report that three of Shropshire's mysteries unresolved since 1945 can now be put to rest: