Tuesday, August 07, 2007

HMS Malaya

First. Thanks for the help in finding my way through the new processes.

My uncle James Gillerlane served on the "HMS Malaya" in the Mediterranean until he was sent home sick .He died in 1944 cause of death was a form of tuberculosis. Is there anyone out there who can tell me if there was a higher incidence of this disease amongst sailors, who served on His Majesties ships.
I have just acquired his wartime photo album which I am in the process of digitising. It contains many photos of his shipmates and the ship.Along with photos of several allied and enemy ships.
Several of these were taken during actual naval actions. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who served on her and to share the photos with anyone interested.

10 Comments:

Blogger Tomcann said...

Well done - that man - you made it !

I don't know about the staticical returns for navy types and TB but I do know that our neighbour was invalided out with TB - from a Cruiser in the Med....he told me that is was fairly common at that time ..he was a poor thing and took a long time to die early in '46 when I was home on LIAP.

Tuesday, 07 August, 2007  
Blogger Boabbie said...

Thanks Tom I will have to do some more digging but the confined quarters would not help.

Wednesday, 08 August, 2007  
Blogger Frank mee said...

I knew a couple of soldiers who came back from the march into north Germany with TB. They spent long months in hospital and I walk with one at odd times now, he is 84.
He suffers in winter but in his own words has had a good innings despite the TB.

May I take this opportunity to welcome you aboard, excuse the nautical terms but my mate who was in the navy said I got more sea time in than he did and I was in the army.
Glad to have you with us.

Wednesday, 08 August, 2007  
Blogger ritsonvaljos said...

Likewise, welcome boabbie to the Second World War Blog. Perhaps you could upload one or two of the photos you have to the Blog and share them with the rest of us? They will at least have some interest to WW2 researchers.

Regarding TB, I have come across a small number of casualties who suffered and in some cases died from it in WW2. One case I can think of immediately was a Merchant Seaman who died in a hospital out in India.

Thursday, 09 August, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It seems my father inlaw was on the Malaya from Aug 44 to Sept 44. I think he was a medic or something.
John Burroughes.

Saturday, 29 December, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My father served on HMS Malaya in November 1941 and witnessed the sinking of The Ark Royal from the Malaya, I have some photographs of the actual sinking. He was a sailor in the engine room. His name was Terence McDonnell and he died yesterday at the grand old age of 85 years. He was proud of his service in the Royal Navy

Maureen Clark

Friday, 28 November, 2008  
Blogger Sheila Hale said...

My dad served on HMS Malaya as a Chief Petty Officer JOHN WILLIAM PATERSON, as a PTI and Gunnery Instructor, and left the RN in 1946. We lived at 16 Leslie Road, Rosyth, Fife, Scotland. His base was Portsmouth but he was posted to Rosyth. He was my darling daddy from 1946 until he died in 1953 aged 53 and he became my abuser. I suffered horrendous abuse which left indelible scars upon my psyche. I both admired him for his abilities and at the same time hated him for what he did to me and prayed for him to die. I left home aged 16 shortly after his death. I have wondered if I have been a victim of his wartime experiences like many others. Was he a brute during the time he served? Does anyone remember him? Are there any photographs of him in uniform? I would be most grateful if there is someone out there who can fill in some answers.

Monday, 06 July, 2009  
Anonymous P Jackson said...

My (ex) father-in-law served on HMS Malaya, and as I recall was invalided out due to TB.

I recall him saying that they had been in West Indies prior to his discharge.

His name is Wilf Spencer. He was a regular before outbreak of WW2

Friday, 09 July, 2010  
Anonymous david said...

hi There
My father John (Jack) Smith JX 190380 from Radford Nottingham also served on HMS Malaya in November 1941 and witnessed the sinking of The Ark Royal from the HMS Malaya.
I think my father was also invalided out with TB and died at home on 17 july 1946.
I too have a few photos from that time.

Tuesday, 10 May, 2011  
Anonymous phil bloss said...

Hi My Father served on HMS Malaya
during the early 1940's His name was Sidney Francis The photos I had were destroyed some time ago If anyone has any photos I would love to see them elaine Bloss
my email is phil.bloss@ntlworld.com
Hope somebody has something
elaine Bloss

Wednesday, 14 November, 2012  

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