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Letters
HMS Ladybird Hello there. I served with the British Army in the 1940's (after the war!), and was for a time in Tobruk. Years later, and after I was retired, my interest was renewed. I looked up in various books to see if I could find any reference to her, but, as I did not even know what sort of a ship she was, I did not find it too easy. Anyway, one day I was in Angus & Robertson bookshop, a couple of years ago, and came across a book called 'GUNBOAT! Small Ships at War', by Bryan Perrett and published by Cassell Military Paperbacks. I looked up the index, and there she was, also a couple of photographs. One of the photographs is of damage she received from the Japanese, whilst she was on the China Station in December 1937. The other is of her sitting on the bottom, after she had been sunk. However, the Royal Artillery manned a 3" gun and carried out anti-aircraft duties until the siege of Tobruk was lifted. She also wore her battle ensign during this time. I contacted the British War Museum and the Royal Navy Museum, and got three photographs of her. One in 1917, one on the Danube in 1921 and the other is of her, sunk but proud, with her flag flying. That is all that they had. The War Museum were very helpful, the even put me in touch with the Historical Section of the Admiralty, who supplied details of her Captain, Lieut. Commander J. F. Blackburn, and his award of the DSO, for her exploits, also his subsequent history. The book covers the whole history of gunboats, and not only HMS Ladybird, and makes interesting reading. I think that Mr Baxter would appreciate the details of her last few months of service. Hope that the above is some interest. Brian Watt. October 2008 :Thes came to me from Brian Watts who wrote some time ago, I recently spoke at the Camberwell RSL Club, and by chance Brian was in that audience. He has just mailed these pictures which I requested a long time ago, at the crucial time then, he had a breakdown of his PC.
Thank you for getting in touch. You have located a great deal about the little Ladybird. I would be pleased if you could E-Mail the three photographs the Admiralty sent you, if that is not too much trouble for you. We would add them to Ahoy. I used to cull my E-Mail list, and unfortunately do not still have Bob's address, that is a pity, as I know he would have been delighted to have your detail. None the less, we will add your material, and hope he may revisit us, and learn what you have found. I will see if I can track down a copy of Gunboat etc. All the best, and thanks again for talking to me. Mac.
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