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Email: HMSFA General Secretary: Ronald Bennett Email: HMSFA Australian and New Zealand Secretaries, Mari & Brian Walker Email: HMSFA Canadian Secretary: David Loaring Email: HMSFA Webminder, Tom Lipscombe To perpetuate the memory of those that served on the Cruiser H.M.S. FIJI H.M.S. FIJI The H.M.S. Fiji association welcomes aboard relatives and friends of the Fiji, whereby we can exchange information and items concerning this Royal Naval Cruiser. My Uncle was a member of the crew of the H.M.S. Fiji:" Ordinary Seaman Gerry Newport. JX217122 mess 9". He was killed May 23 1941, when the ship was sunk at the battle of Crete. Tom, the Webminder of our association also had an uncle missing in action on the Fiji. His name was William Henry Lipscombe, Chief Stoker. He had served 22 years and could soon have retired. Ronald Bennett, our HMSFA General Secretary, lost his father, Royal Marines Colour Sergeant L.E. Rappe. Our Canadian Secretary's late father, John Loaring, served as a Radar Officer on board this ill-fated ship, happily surviving the tragedy, passing away in 1971. I sailed on a ship in early 1945 into the Mediterranean Sea and passed the Isle of Antikihera South West of Crete where the H.M.S. Fiji was sunk, along with many other fine vessels of the Royal Navy. I went on deck as we sailed over the area, said a prayer, and paid my respects to those that had fallen in the battle of Crete. We know of some living survivors from the HMS Fiji: Leading Seaman Clem Walker (deceased 2007), whose epic account of the battle is a wonderful tribute to his comrades. It can be read on the site created by his son Brian Walker, Australian & New Zealand Co-Secretary of HMSFA. We have recently been honored to receive an excellent narrative from the steady pen of 87 year old Fiji survivor, Charlie Pyles (deceased 2001), who was the HMS Fiji cook. Read his fascinating story HERE Incidentally, Mr. Pyles laid a wreath, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Fiji's demise, at Suda Bay Cemetary, in Crete. He kindly agreed to offer an additional HMSFA wreath, obtained through the good offices of the British Legion Association. See Newspaper Article and Photos concerning this momentous occasion. To view a complete list of HMS Fiji survivors, contacted to date, click HERE Sincerely, Gerry Myles, Liverpool, United Kingdom November, 2000 August 9 -19, 2012 - Trip to Gibraltar |
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