HMS Theseus
Message Board

20.
Sept. 5, 2022

My father, John Pode, a national serviceman, served as Lieutenant under Captain Miers. I believe he boxed for the ship and boxed with Miers as well. He would have been serving at the same time as David Glazier who has posted on this board.

Thanks,
Adam Pode
19.
July 30, 2022

My father, James Arthur (Hamish) Maclean, completed his National Service between 1947-49, serving on HMS Theseus. He is 93 now (b. 1929). He recalls having to jump 18ft into a gun sponson when a flight didn't land correctly. In this incident, a man called Peter Fallows was killed. Does anyone remember my dear old Dad during those years or the fatal incident involving Peter?

Jenny Liddell
18.
Aug. 19, 2020

I have been going through my dads photos and have come across people I dont know wondered if you could help. My dad served in the York & Lancaster Regiment and served in Suez and Cyprus. That was 1956 so I think that's how he has these pictures. My dad was William Jones (Yorkie) One picture has a name on Colin Smart. The other two people no clue. If there are any relatives of Colin Smart it would be nice to know and they might want the photos.

Karen Hennebery (née Jones)


17.
June 21, 2016

I served on HMS Theseus as a National Service Ordinary Seaman trainee late 1956 to early 1957 then went on to service on HMS Fleetwood, part of the Portsmouth Squadron at the time. During my service on Theseus we took equipment to Cyprus for use with the Suez Canal conflict.

The Commanding Officer of Theseus was Captain Anthony "Crap" Miers, a former Scottish International Rugby player. He was well known for his wrestling bouts with junior officers and ratings!

David Glazier
Portsmouth, U.K.


16.
Apr. 27, 2016

I have been researching my father's service history for some time - Lt. Cdr. John Marshall Glaser, DSC, RN. He served on HMS Theseus between August 1948 and September 1949. I believe his rank at the time was Lt. I had the honour of being christened on board on 10th July, 1949. I wonder if there is still anyone around who served with him? Maybe someone has photos from that time? I would welcome any general information about the ship and crew at that time - for instance, what aircraft were they flying?

Would anyone happen to know what happened to the ship's bell when she was broken up? I know it was common practice for the bell to be used upside down as a font, and I recently discovered that they were often engraved with the children's names. I have written to the scrap yard where she ended up, but as yet have had no reply. It seems the bells were often sold off to private collectors.

He also served on HMS Hermes (1939), Enterprise (1939/40), Warspite (1942), Formidable (1942/43), Fencer (1943/44), Queen (1945), Implacable (1948), Eagle (1952/53). He was killed in an air crash over Siddlesham flying a Supermarine Attacker on 19.5.53. I have had a great deal of help from people who served with him on HMS Fencer and at Ford, where he was the CO when he died. It would be wonderful to be able to fill in some of the gaps.

Best regards,
Carole Sutton


15.
Feb. 6, 2016

My father Jim Linthwaite served on HMS Theseus Korean War, would like to hear anyone who new him then. He passed away 1987 his son would like to hear anyone who served with him.

Yours
J. Linthwaite


14.
Nov. 4, 2015

I was serving my national service onboard Theseus 1955 to 1957 during the Suez Crisis. I can only remember one of my mess mates who was Les Humphreys who was also serving national service. I have very fond memories of my commanding officer, Commander G. Place, V.C. who I can say was the best officer I served under. If anybody can remember me my nickname was Prez. It would be good to hear from them.

Kenneth Preston


13.
June 24, 2015

I have been researching my father's service history for some time - Lt. Cdr. John Marshall Glaser, DSC, RN. He served on HMS Theseus between August 1948 and September 1949. I believe his rank at the time was Lt. I had the honour of being christened on board on 10th July, 1949. I wonder if there is still anyone around who served with him? Maybe someone has photos from that time? I would welcome any general information about the ship and crew at that time - for instance, what aircraft were they flying? Would anyone happen to know what happened to the ship's bell when she was broken up? I know it was common practice for the bell to be used upside down as a font, and I recently discovered that they were often engraved with the children's names.

I have written to the scrapyard where she ended up but as yet have had no reply. It seems the bells were often sold off to private collectors. He also served on HMS Hermes (1939), Enterprise (1939/40), Warspite (1942), Formidable (1942/43), Fencer (1943/44), Queen (1945), Implacable (1948), Eagle (1952/53). He was killed in an air crash over Siddlesham flying a Supermarine Attacker on 19.5.53. I have had a great deal of help from people who served with him on HMS Fencer and at Ford, where he was the CO when he died. It would be wonderful to be able to fill in some of the gaps.

Best regards,
Carole Sutton 

1948 Lt. John M. Glaser.

1952: Lt. Commander John M. Glaser, D.S.C., R.N.

12.
Mar. 6, 2015

For several years I had a pen pal on HMS THESEUS whom I had never meet. He was due to return to the UK in 1956/57 and lived in Coventry. I wrote a DEAR JOHN to him saying that I was seeing someone else, he never replied so I might have not been his only pen pal, but I hope that I did not hurt him too much. I was very young, immature, innocent and anxious of meeting him, but often think what happened to him. I often regretted my letter to him telling him that I was seeing someone, but hope that he has had a happy life.

Rhiannon Cottrell, nee Price


11.
Apr. 7, 2014

I am looking for someone I met at Shanklin, IOW on Sunday 5th August 1956. He was 21 years and I was a young, naïve, immature, innocent, not worldly 18 year old. His cap badge was HMS THESEUS although I have since learnt from Forces Reunited that he did not serve on that ship. His name was David Owens and he came from Liverpool, he would be about 78 years now.

The ship sailed that day for the Suez Canal. He took my address where I lived at the time, and works telephone number.  A few days later he phoned me at work, when I answered I could not hear him very well and I said this.  With that my so called 'friend' and colleague who had been on the trip to Shanklin with me when I met David, said 'give me that' and took the phone from me and spoke to him herself. She was jealous that he had phoned me and not her and she was not having me speak to him. I never heard from him again, I was devastated and upset that he did not write to me as I liked him very much. Even now after 59 years I have never forgotten him. I am 77 years now and would very much like to make contact with him.  I have an e mail address. If there is anyone who knows him perhaps could give him this message 

Best wishes,
Sylvia Gardiner

Feb. 19, 2019

I have found him, he is still alive.

Sylvia Gardiner


10.
Nov. 21, 2013

I am trying to trace any information on my grandfather, Ernest Butt. I believe he served on HMS Theseus and would be grateful for any assistance anyone can give me in obtaining further information on him.

Best regards,
Mark


9.
Apr. 6, 2013

We are trying to find information about a presumed crewman on the HMS Theseus in 1947.  He was the best man at a relative's (Walter Irvine) wedding in August of that year in Brisbane, Australia.  His name was Kenneth William Kennedy and in the wedding picture he is wearing a hat with "HMS Theseus".  We are estimating his age in that year as 25-30 yrs old.  He shares a family name and we are trying to determine if he is, in fact, a family member.  Thank you for any information you have.

Mary Mack


8.
Oct. 21, 2011

I served on a cruiser, H.M.S. Newfoundland, in the Red Sea during Operation Musketeer at Suez while the Theseus was doing her 'thing' at the other end of the Canal, and it is really nice to see pictures of this ship of my time. Thank you all concerned for making this possible. 

Colin Allison
Ex R.N.


7.
Sept. 4, 2011

I once studied in Methodist Boys' School, Kuala Lumpur and i'm still involve in maintaining our school archive. Few months ago, I found some photos which you might be interested, 5 photos from the school album where the 10th and 15th Air Scout Group visited H.M.S. Theseus in 1947.

And I have some questions. My school founder was once an officer on the H.M.S Orion back to 1890's and he left the ship and went on to establish a school in our country, which was Anglo Tamil School in 1897 before it was renamed as Methodist Boys' School, Kuala Lumpur in 1904. I have tried many times to find a photo of that ship but failed to do so, as in locating the ship's bell too.

Leong Yew Zheng
Kuala Lumpur


Boys from 10th and 15th Air Scout Group visiting HMS Theseus.



Boys from 10th and 15th Air Scout Group visiting HMS Theseus.



HMS Theseus seen at Kuala Lumpur.



A Supermarine Walrus seen on the flight deck of HMS Theseus.



Supermarine Seafires in the hanger deck of HMS Theseus.




6.
July 5, 2011

My father served on HMS Theseus during the Korean war. I am a model builder, and recently found a model of HMS Colossus, which I plan on building as the Theseus. My problem is, despite all the information I've found on the internet, I can't figure out what colour she should be. In the great many pictures I've found, all black and white, it's very hard to tell. In some pictures she looks white, others light grey. Any chance you can help me with this problem? I would, of course, like my Theseus to be as accurate as possible and would greatly appreciate any help you can offer me. Thanking you in advance, yours truly.

Chris Softley

Reply 1
Sept. 23, 2011

I served on HMS Theseus during 1955 and 1956 firstly as a trainee and later as ships company. My time as ship's company included trooping to Cyprus and the Suez Campaign in October 1956. I can assure Chris Softley that the ship was light gray as I spent a considerable amount of time painting it. I have some photos of the Theseus if they would be of help.

Able Seaman Bernard Roberts P/J 954311


5.
May 9, 2011

I'm trying to trace what ships my father was all on, I have a lot of photos of the THESEUS ones with aircraft falling of the side as well as others. My father's name was W. S. PATERSON (JX641495). I know he was recalled in the early 1950's for the Korean conflict.  I would be very happy if you could help at all.

Thank you,
W. D. Paterson

Reply 1
Aug. 1, 2014

I refer to Message No. 5 from a W. D. Patterson, seeking information about his father W. S. Patterson. I was a telegraphist on Theseus throughout 1947 and a long-serving member of that mess was a Scot known to me only of 'Jock' perhaps unfortunately. 'Jock' was about our oldest member and I feel sure he was a single man then, and very likeable. Most of us were Hostilities Only ratings aged 19 - 25. I hope this information may be of interest to someone.

Joe Emery


4.
Jan. 13, 2009

My farther was on board HMS Theseus in 1956, I think the year is correct he was with the Duke of Wellington regiment, he was picked up from grand harbour Malta with his battalion and was stood off Cyprus for two or three days before landing, because of bad weather, while on board two of the crew were from Filey, the next town to were my farther came from. They gave him a hammock on the anchor deck, we would like to trace the two lads from Filey who were around 17 years old at the time. Any info on the crew members from North Yorkshire would be be of great help, my fathers name is Alec Bayes.

Many thanks,
Mandy


3.
Oct. 30, 2007

I'm searching for people who knew Cook LSI B. Grimshaw (Brian) he was with the Theseus from Jun 1956 - Mar 1957. He's talked of the Sues/Suez so I believe that's where the ship was based at this time. He is about to turn 70 and I want to surprise him with stories, pictures and contacts. Thank you.

Kind Regards,
Samantha Massey


2.
Sept. 10, 2007

I served as an Officer Steward during 1953-1954 and would like to know has there been any reunions over the years I have been reading the RN magazine for several years now & have never seen an advert for a reunion is it possible there was never any.

Regards,
John Shand


1.
July 29, 2007

My Father passed away in April 1996. I am researching his past and know that he served on board HMS Theseus after the war (when he fought in Burma). From past conversations with him, I think he was a 'batman' on board the carrier, and I also believe he was active as a sailor during the Korea campaign. If you have access to any personnel records or can point me in the right direction i would be most grateful.
My Fathers full name was Kenneth Aloysius Edwards (DOB: 05-10-1923).

Kind Regards,
James Edwards

Oct. 12, 2007
Reply to message 1:

I have just been talking to my father Ronald Edwards now 87, he was telling me about serving on the aircraft carrier HMS Theseus, after having spent the war years in the RIN. I will question him in more detail next time I see him. Is there any thing in particular you would like to know about HMS Theseus, I will ask him if he remembers your father, having the same surname might jog memories.

Mark Edwards

Oct. 15, 2007
Re: Reply to message 1:
Thank you so much for this reply.

I remember my father telling us that he was a 'batman' on the deck of the carrier, that's about all i know of his duties really. He has medals from the Korean campaign so i assume he was on the carrier during this conflict but cannot be sure he was not on any other ships during that period. Also, i know his nickname was 'lofty' on account of his height. Another nickname was 'Tex' on account i presume of his fondness for the guitar and country & western music etc.

He was also a Catholic although I am not sure how serious he would have taken that during those years as he lapsed somewhat from that faith in later life. His full name was Kenneth Aloysius Edwards and he was born in 1922, so he would have been 85 if alive today. It would be wonderful if your father remembered him in any way, and you are right - if they were on that carrier at the same time the common surname would probably be something that may jog his memory.

Thank you so much again for taking the trouble to contact me with this, please let me know if your father has any recollection at all of my Dad. I have copied this in to my Sister who is also trying to research our father's history.

Please give my warmest regards to your father.

Kind Regards,
James Edwards




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