Hi all, Just received a very interesting group of photo's medals etc...which I am hoping someone might be able to help me with. But first I'll give you a little bit of what I already know. This soldier was on board the Troopship HMT Reina de Pacifico which sailed from Liverpool on the 17th November 1940 it was part of a convoy that included the following: 2 Cruisers & 6 Destroyers (don't know their names). "Strathaird", "Strathnaver", "Viceroy of India", "Empress of Canada", "Duchess of Athol", "Andes"(hospital ship No33), "Orcades" and "Otranto". the convoy arrived at Port Said on the 29th December 1940. In this collection I've photos of Reina del Pacifico, Strathnaver and Andes if anyone needs a copy for their research. I've also got a Xmas card issued to the men while onboard. The badge I need help with identifying may well help me unlock more information regarding this collection. Please see the two following scans: 1/ R A Dodds (the soldier) in the desert holding a Thompson Machine gun. 2/ Blown up image of the badge which is a circular patch with two leafs, could be wings and a S in the centre, any ideas? thanks for looking Regards Kieron
Hi Kieron, The "wings" that you refer to are, I believe, a Wreath. A wreath with an "S" inside is for a Royal Artillery Surveyor. I assume your man was an Artilleryman? I am particularly interested in the Troopship HMT Reina de Pacifico and the journey you refer to as she was the ship that carried the men of the 5th Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment to India on their journey to Singapore. Here's their story; "The Battalion sailed from Liverpool in the SS “Reina Del Pacifico” on the 27th October 1941, it’s original destination being the Middle East. On route orders were received diverting the Battalion to the Far East. After a long and arduous journey which had taken them via Halifax, Cape Town & Bombay the Battalion arrived in Ahmednagar on the 31st December. After three weeks of intensive acclimatisation and training the Battalion embarked on the USS West Point for Singapore where they arrived at dawn on the 29th January 1942, just two weeks before the island fortress would captitulate to the forces of the Japanese Imperial Army. After arriving at Birdwood Camp the Battalion were first given the job of defending an area of the North Singapore coast. After this the Battlion began to be split up with “C” Company being ordered to an airfield to back up the troops there. On the 9th February the Japanese landed on the North-Western side of the island and there began what to be nothing more than a series of ordered withdrawals. The Battalion, now spit into a least three seperate parts, suffered the bulk of it’s casualties between the 13th & 15th February and despite a brave and desperate attempt to contain the enemy’s advance was ordered to surrender at 20.25 Hours on the 15th February. The Battlion was reassembled and first moved to the barracks at Changi where the conditions were described as “unpleaseant” by some of those captured. The men of the Battalion were split into a number of groups and over the next two years worked on the the building of the Burma-Thailand Railway being placed in various work camps along the planned route. The work was hard and the conditions extremely bad with diesease and malnutrition taking it’s toll amongst the men. Then in May 1944 it was decided that any fit men should be transported to Japan. Selection was by Prisoner number and this meant that it was difficult for friends to travel together. However, on the 9th June 1944 the first contingent left by rail to travel to Singapore. Here they boarded the Japanese transports, “Osaka Maru” and “Hofoku Maru” in preparation for the journey to Japan. The conditions on these “troop” ships were deplorable with hundreds of men being sealed in the cargo holds. Both ships left port in early July and procedded in convoy to Manila where they parted company. The “Osaka Maru” eventually ran into a hurricane where she broke her back and was grounded on small island. The men of the ship were picked up by Japanese Destroyers and transported directly to Japan where they arrived on the 23rd August. The “Hofoku Maru”, which had been suffering from engine trouble, did not leave Manila until the 20th September. On the following morning the convoy it had joined was attacked by American aircraft and the “Hofoku Maru” was hit and sank very quickly, taking most of the men with her. " I would be grateful if you could supply a photo of the Reina de Pacifico. Regards PAUL JOHNSON
Hi Paul, Firstly thanks for your help much appreciated. Secondly find below the dates, times, arrivals and departures of the HMT Reina del Pacifico's voyage to Port Said. I've also attached photos of the trip. 18-11-1940 Met rest of convoy with 2 Cruisers & 6 Destroyers. "Strathaird", "Strathnaver", "Viceroy of India", "Empress of Canada", "Duchess of Athol", "Andes", "Reine del Pacifico", "Orcades", "Otranto". 29-11-1940 Two cruisers only. Arrived FREETOWN. 1-12-1940 Depart FREETOWN 4-20 pm. Same Convoy. 12-12-1940 Arrived DURBAN 16-12-1940 Depart DURBAN. Same Convoy. 28-12-1940 Arrive SUEZ - anchored 5-15 pm 29-12-1940 Entered Canal 29-12-1940 Arrived PORT SAID 5-50 pm. - Anchored. 31-12-1940 Moving Anchorage. 8-1-1941 Moving Anchorage to embark Troops. Picture 1 = HMT Reina del Pacifico Dec 1940 Picture 2 = Xmas card issued to troops onboard the ship
Picture 5 = Port Suez Harbour 3 funnel ship (fourth you can't see) Strathnaver/white ship HMS Andes Hospital ship No33 Picture 6 = Sunset Hells gate Gulf of Aden onboard HMT Reina del Pacifico Christmas day 1940
Picture 7 = Life onboard HMT Reina del Pacifico. I hope these have been of some help Paul. regards Kieron
Thanks Kieron, Do we know what happened to the Reina del Pacifico? Just out of interest. Regards PAUL J :ph34r:
Paul, Here is a link to a page that has her full history, which you'll find of interest. Neina del Pacifico Its about the 10th ship down Regards Kieron
