HMS Implacable
Message Board
Messages 25 through 49

33.
Dec. 31, 2011

I would be interested to know if anyone new my father William Ronald Barber (known as Ron Barber) who served as a CPO on HMS Implacable from 1940. Unfortunately he died in 1964 when I was only 6, I therefore have little information about his time on this ship although for many years we had a photo album with many pictures taken by him. I can clearly remember one of the photos was of Nagasaki, after “the bomb”.

Many thanks,
Liam Barber


32.
Oct. 27, 2011

I just came across your website and on looking at the 'photo gallery' saw the last photo on the page "Implacable' leaving Devonport, October 1953". I'd just joined the Navy in September of that year, 17 years old and having done 2 weeks basic training in Victory barracks had joined the Implacable at Portland with the 2nd Training Squadron as an ordinary signalman. Fortunately we were soon on our way to the West Indies with the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, taking them to British Guyana, then visiting Barbados and Jamaica. Not a bad trip for a new recruit. Many thanks for the website. 

Dave Watkins,
now 76 and living up a mountain in Spain

31.
Aug. 15, 2011

I am the son-on-law of Gordon Raymond Baldwin (Peano), who served on the HMS Implacable during WWII. He was aboard for the maiden voyage. Gordon joined the Navy in 1942 at the age of 16 years. I am sorry to say that Gordon passed away on Thursday 11/08/2011. His time on HMS Implacable meant a great deal to him as he kept many photos from that time and he still has his cap ribbon. He used to talk about his time on board fondly.

Brian Bennett


30.
Feb. 24, 2011

Looking for information on Alec Watkins who served on this ship and spent time during WW2. Have letters written by him to my family in Australia. Apparently he was a champion boxer on board.

Thanks,
Julie


29.
Feb. 20, 2011

I am doing some research for my husband whose father was Harold Knight Stoddard-Howell. He was on the Illustrious when it was bombed on 10/1/1941.  His rank was Air Artificer, Petty Officer.  He was attached to the 815 Swordfish Squadron.  We know he was injured and spent time in Malta convalescing,  His Navy Records show that he was on the Illustrious from 24/11/1940 until 13/2/1941 when he went to Grebe in Alexandria.  Has anyone any other information on when he rejoined the Illustrious after he was injured?  Do you know of any other places we can research on the Illustrious.

Thanks,
Diane & Richard Stoddard-Howell
New Zealand
Reply 1
Oct. 4, 2011

I live in East London, UK.  On clearing out my loft recently, I have discovered a certificate of motor insurance dated 1937/38 and two handwritten request forms requesting leave dated 1939.  It definitely is maritime-related, as it says Ship's Book No.2, mess 48, Watch 2nd STB, and the name on all of these documents is H. K. Stoddard-Howell. Please can you pass these details, and my email address, to Diane and Richard and they are more than welcome to email me if they think these papers relate to their family and I will happily post them.  The documents are not in good condition unfortunately (quite dirty and dusty as they were found in the rubble of my loft) and this is all that I have relating to Mr. Stoddard-Howell. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
Karen

28.
Feb. 16, 2011

My late father-in-law, George Collis, from Stoke-on-Trent, served as a Marine on Implacable during her time with the Pacific Fleet. Sadly, he was killed over thirty years ago, but my wife still remembers some of the stories he told her as a child.

One was of a monkey that some of his colleagues had adopted, and trained to ‘smoke' unlit cigarettes. One day, someone slipped it a lit one- the creature took a strong dislike to it, and by association, to the humans who'd done it. He subsequently developed the habit of waiting on top of doors, and jumping down on to the heads of the unwitting.

Another was connected to the transport of the PoWs from Borneo. The Marines were detailed to try and capture any Japanese officers they could find at the camps, with a view to having them tried for war crimes. One such officer committed hara-kiri in front of George; a shocking site for someone in his late teens. Lynne certainly had the impression that the Implacable spent some time in Nagasaki Bay, as her father brought back a pile of embroidered silk handkerchiefs (which we still have) from there.

One other thing that he always related to her was the kindness shown to him and his shipmates by the inhabitants of Sydney- crew-members were ‘adopted' and invited for Sunday lunch and so on. He kept in touch with ‘his' family into the 1960s.

Brian Williams

27.
Aug. 18, 2010

My Father was a Japanese POW repatriated from Japan to Canada at the close of the war. He mentioned HMS Implacable as the ship which transported him and a lot of other Ex POW's to Canada, is there anyone who could fill in the details of this venture. Times, places, or names. I would appreciate any info that would fill in the blank spaces. My father was Thomas Sumner a Corporal with the 2nd Bat Loyal Regt. he was released by the Russians, from a Camp in Mukden Manchuria, but that's an other story!

Regards,
David Sumner
Reply 1
Sept. 13, 2010

Dear David,
My Father S/Sgt David McVinnie sent two letters home which may be of interest to you. The first dated 20th September 9 (I assume 1945) reads;
" Left Japan a few days ago by aircraft carrier (AMERICA) and reached Okinawa. From there flew to Manila. Reports say home by plane if available but rather think ship more likely".

2nd letter not dated but gives his address as HMS aircraft carrier Implacable, reads;
"Left Manila two days ago for Pearl Harbour/Honolulu and thence to Vancover Canada. What happens then I don't know, probably train or plane across Canada and so to Blighty. Should be home by middle of November".

Hope there is something here that will be of use to you.

Regards,
Angela Brook

26.
June 26, 2010

My grandfather Jack Parker served on HMS Implacable as a marine. Based on the few conversations we had I believe that he was a chauffeur as well and spoke fondly of his time in Australia. I would be interested to hear from anyone who might remember him.

Glyn Dolman

25.
Apr. 24, 2010

My grandfather was a leading signal man on the Implacable at Cape Hellas in 1915. He was John Brown and mentioned in despatches as he was up on the turret under fire. If anyone has links for research or photos I would be very grateful.

Rosemary Canavan


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