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Letters
HMS Ladybird sunk off Tobruk on the 12th. of May 1941 by Italian dive bombers (See this letter about Ladybird) Dear sir, Im researching a story my late father told me about the last action of the Ladybird in tobruk 12 / 5 / 41 . He swam away from the hulk with a few other survivors and was picked up at the last minuet by a cutter from one of the other warships involved in the action. Any guidance in this matter would be greatfully received Yours Faithfully.
Here is a site giving the story on the British River Gunboats in China. If you scroll through it you will find details about HMS Ladybird, including a photo of her. This ship of 645 tons was completed on the 12th. of April in 1916, shs was 237.5 feet long with a beam of 34 feet, and drew but 4 feet. Her armament, 2 by 6 inch guns, quite formidible for a small ship, plus 2 by 12 pounders. As you are aware she was sunk off Tobruk on the 12th. of May 1941 by Italian dive bombers. I am still looking for a description of that action, and will get back to you. Mac. Gregory.
I believe that the Rats of Tobruk Association in Australia, in their February 1992 edition of their magazine published an article about the Sinking of HMS Ladybird. In Melbourne where I live, by looking in our phone book, I note the Victorian Branch of this association appears to be located close to our apartment. On Monday next, I will contact them, see if I can track down a copy of that issue, if successful, I will copy that article, and add it to an E-mail to you. Meantime have a good weekend!! Regards,
Im overwhelmed, I never expected to get an answer, let alone so much information. I'm very grateful for your efforts on my behalf and will of course return the favour if at all possible, many thanks, yours faithfully
Today I called at the Rats of Tobruk Association club rooms, it was all locked up, and there is no notice indicating when they may meet. Their phone remains unanswered, so no luck to date with them and their magazine with the Ladybird article. But, I will continue to pursue them, and hope in due course to find someone there. Regards,
I see you've had an individual named Bob Baxter write in about HMS Ladybird and you referred him to my site, Royal Navy Gunboats in China. If you could have him contact me at wampit@warstrike.com I think I have one more shot of the Ladybird on her keel in the harbor and a few other shots at other points in her service. Thx for your help! Robert Peace
My thanks for your kindness, as you will see I have asked Bob to contact you, I know he will be thrilled to have any new photographs of the old Ladybird. Best wishes for 2004.
Robert Peace Dear Douglas, All I have found about HMS Ladybird , is on my Ahoy website under Letters, and the heading Ladybird. I have not been able to get the Rats of Tobruk Association in my home city of Melbourne Victoria Australia, to respond to my letter trying to obtain the account of her sinking in an old Newsletter of their Association. I would appreciate it if you could E-Mail me an actual copy of the account you unearthed in a Vancouver paper. How may I help you further for your project in May? Kindest Regards, |
