Tairoa (1920)
Message Board

3.
Dec. 18, 2012

I'm trying to locate any photos of my grandfather William Burnaby Southouse Starr 1876-1952 who was Captain of the Tairoa which was in the Battle of the River Plate. Unfortunately I only have one picture. I hope you can help me.
(See the William B. S. Starr page here)

Many thanks,
Ursula Starr
Liverpool, England

Reply 1
Mar. 23, 2018

A message for Ursula Starr. I have an old little book titled The Beauties of Burke. Inside the cover is a bookplate of a white star with a ship in the centre. The bottom left has a crow like bird, and on the right in a white square the letters W.B.S. STARR. Is this a bookplate of your grandfathers, do you know of it?

Thanks,
Anthony Griffiths

Mar. 24, 2018

How wonderful to receive that information from Anthony and thank you so much for forwarding it. It surely is a bookplate of my grandfather's, which I've never seen or heard about. Thank you so much. My first-cousins will be so pleased. Grateful thanks to you and Anthony. 

Regards 
Ursula

 
 

2.
May 10, 2010

My Grandfather John Sackman was on this ship prior to 1937 when he left due to my mother being born. I am try to find any details/records of his time on board, all I have is a picture of the ship with his picture in one corner at a best guess circa 1934-35. Any details or leads as to where I can find more details of his ship would greatly be appreciated.

Regards,
Paul Crudgington


1
Apr. 5, 2010

I found your website yesterday and was amazed at the content, what a superb effort. I found my fathers name J.E. Farmer [John Edwin] he was taken prisoner off the Tairoa before it was sunk by the Graf Spee. He was one of the wounded that stayed on the Graf Spee in the hospital until he was set free at Montevideo. I used to hear bits of this story when i was a child but not much detail until i found your site, i'm now 63yrs old. 

Dad married my mum in 1944 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, i'm the 2nd of 5 children, born in 1946. I now live in Rockhampton, Queensland. Dad passed away in 1991 he would have been thrilled to be able to read and see the photo's on your site, I think maybe he thought it had all been forgotten. Thanks again for your wonderful site. 

Regards,
Christine McDowell  (nee Farmer)


John E. Farmer (standing first on left) seen in 1939 possibly in England.




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Page published Mar. 19, 2008