Comments on: HMS Leopard 1st Commission

By: Geof Hobson

Geof Hobson — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:11:14 +0000

I served with Tom Bolton on that 63 commission. We were both in the juniors mess
(after messdeck) the idea being when we got to 17 1/2 yrs we would be transferred
to our our department mess – Tom was RP I was Comms – both in the forward mess
under A turret. Tom was a month older than me se he was sent to Rps mess but there
was no room for me so I stayed aft with the juniors. Ship was at action stations when
collision occurred (but as we had been on exercise for about a week some people
were excused – Tom being one of them) Pietermaritzberg hit us in the port bow
then port beam(ripped open skippers cabin) and then hit the prop guard aft.
we were Senior officer for the exercise and had told the screen to turn to stbd – she
was acting as the convoy and turned as well-though she had not been told to do so.
Enquiry was held incamera as uk Gov was in the process of selling arms to S.A.
so no blame was apportioned but we all knew she was at fault not us.RIP Tom.
A nice lad and would have made a good seaman.
Geoff hobson ex A/CY.

By: Fess Parker

Fess Parker — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:38:43 +0000

PS
Have you got this in a book?

By: Fess Parker

Fess Parker — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:36:37 +0000

Joined Lynx in 1963 on leaveing Ganges. First the Gunnery bods ‘bonded’ at Cambridge @Torpoint then we went to Chatham. Portland, Sweden, Denmark picked up a company of Green Jackets and went to Calais for the 25th Annaversary of the defence of Calais in which the Green Jackets played a big part and also my Dad who was in the 5th Royal Tank Reg, spent the war in Prison camps in Poland.
Lost a screw in the north Irish sea, limped into Liverpool and I got time off at home in Manchester. Did the MED thing then independent comand down the west coast of Africa, last British warship based in Simonstown, Up the coast to Mombasa, Durban, East London. Left 1965 Served on Tiger twice. Excellent Hampshire out after 12 in 1974( Should have signed on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONE BLOKE IN MY CLASS AT GANGES DID 39 YEARS.

By: Scouse ( Jim) Hargate

Scouse ( Jim) Hargate — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:05:17 +0000

Hi there William, I knew your dad well—what you forgot to say was that he was the Captains Steward. Be that as may, I am sorry to hear of his demise, he was a good mate to the pantry-man—-A/B Jock “Bill” Bailly who was also one of my best mates on board the LEOPARD. I wish you luck in your endeavours and look forward to viewing the slides when they eventually become available.
Yours Aye
Scouse Hargate

By: William A Martin

William A Martin — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 09:28:35 +0000

My name is William Anthony Martin, for my 50th birthday my wife made me a memory box of my fathers service records and mementos from the Royal Navy. His name was William Peter Martin, he served on board the HMS Leopard during it’s first commission as a leading steward. He passed away in 1983 at the age of 49, his ashes were buried at sea in Plymouth Sound in a Royal Navy ceremony. As a child and a young man I used to enjoy the stories he told of his adventures during the 366 days of this commission. Just by the way he spoke I know that this was a very important time in life and service in the Royal Navy. He was an avid photographer and I have many photos and colour slides that I would like to share(Also my mother still has the shark spine walking stick and the polished coco-de-mer) . After reading this history of the Leopards 1st commission and digging out the photos and slides, I feel closer to my father than I have for many years. To the author, I thank you for taking the time to write about it. I am going to have the slides transfered to digital media. Could someone please tell me how I can post them to the website.
Thank You
Tony Martin