1.
June 20, 2013

I'm writing on behalf of my wife, former name Jennifer tomes, who's father a Leonard Tomes served on the Astute P447 around 1945/46 I think it was, the stories he told was of a good crew with a good captain.
Before the Astute was put on full operational sea duty she was put through sea trial, and Leonard Tomes was one of the crew, that, on one sea trial they nearly lost the Astute an all hands, on a power dive, I can't remember what he said the depth limit of the ship was but they went past that and a lot further down, they could not stop the ship from going down, I can remember him saying that they had the engine's flat out in reverse and the boat was till going down but it finally stop and went into reverse at well past the supposed crush depth as recommended by the builders. I was wondering if any off the other crew or relatives had told you this story and if so can add any more information to it.

Len Tomes migrated to Australia around 1953/54 with his wife Eileen and children Julie, Jennifer and David, they moved to Adelaide moved around the country and then went back to Adelaide and stayed. Len joined the prison service and retired from there and moved to a place called Kapunda, north of Adelaide.

Thanks for your time.
Philip Deacon