5.
Dec. 5, 2007

Delighted to come across your website. My father James Culham aged 87 had recently joined REME and recalls the sinking but was amazed to see the photo. He was fortunate in being on B Deck so he didn't have far to climb to escape but remembers men standing patiently waiting for rescue like there were on parade. He thought there were attacked by a plane but as your other correspondent says it was a long time ago.
(Sinking of the Windsor Castle)

Graham Kirby

4.
July 17, 2007

I have a close family friend who was on board the Windsor Castle when it got torpedoed of the coast of Algiers on March 23rd 1943. His name is George Honan. He was part of the Royal engineers who where dispatched to North Africa on mine clearing duty. You wouldn't believe the look on his face when I showed him your
pictures of the vessel going down. The look of emotion will last with me for a long time
and for this I need to thank you.

According to the stats the ship was hit at 02:30 and never sank until 17:30 a total of fifteen hours. George himself couldn't remember it taking so long but I'm guessing with sixty-four years passing and the obvious hysteria time didn't really come into it. He does remember the call going up for the abandonment of ship which was much to his dismay as he couldn't swim a stroke. However that order was cancelled out as there was a destroyer not to far away by the name of HMS Whodden/Whoddan (can't really remember exact spelling). The troops then climbed down a cargo net on to the above mentioned vessel and proceeded to circle the doomed Windsor Castle as it was eventually engulfed by the vast Mediterranean Sea.

He believes the fatalities on board where RAF troops who's quarters the missile hit. Eventually all the survivors where ferried to safety to the nearest port which was Algiers. I would be forever grateful if you have anymore information regarding this event and in particular information about the HMS Whodden as it would make an elderly man very happy.

Yours Gratefully
Damien Quinn

3.
Feb. 5, 2007

Hi all! I found this photograph of a Fancy Dress Ball on the RMS Windsor Castle in my grandfathers collection of photographs. He went to work in South Africa in 1930. He is the 3rd person from the right Percy Green. I have no other details of any of the other "fancy dressers". Hopefully you might enjoy the photograph.

Geoffrey R Green

 

2.
Dec. 9, 2006

I was intrigued to read your message relating to Princess Marie Louise and the Chief Officer of RMS Windsor Castle because I, too, have just purchased 2 letters and 3 telegrams from the Princess. I wonder just
how many more are on the market? I have had no luck so far in establishing how their relationship evolved, but if I discover anything I will let you know. I would also appreciate it if you would kindly reciprocate with any relevant information you might unearth.

Kind Regards,
John Crowther

1.
October 9, 2006

I understand that H.H. The Princess Marie Louise was a supporter of this ship, and regularly wrote to, and sent telegrams to, the Chief Officer, Mr. C. Steer. The Steer correspondence recently came onto the philatelic market from a descendant, and is now being sold by a postal history dealer. I was able to obtain one letter and envelope to the Chief Officer from Marie Louise, and a good luck telegram sent before a voyage, as well as a Christmas card to him entitled‘M.L.’. I wonder if anyone reading this website knows anything more about the Chief Officer, and why this special relationship the Princess had with the Windsor Castle.

Dane Garrod
Wallingford, England