Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

October 22, 2009
Subject: GERUSALEMME

 Hi Mac,

Just chanced upon your site and look forward to reading it in more depth shortly. Meanwhile, I'm just talking to my 91 year old mother-in-law regarding her wartime experiences. The part I am covering
is her trip on the Empress of Scotland (formerly Empress of Japan) from Liverpool to Sydney, which I've just discovered took place in Nov/Dec 1944.

She was a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) brought over to Australia to nurse 'Matelots'. At the end of the war she was flown to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, via Brisbane and Townsville. She was then driven to the west of Papua to join the Gerusalemme to sail to Hong Kong. I was wondering if anyone 'out there' could tell me where she sailed from in Papua, and when?

Many thanks,
Jeff.

Jeff,

The ship Gerusalemme was built in 1920 in Trieste. In June 1940, the ship was interned in Lourenco Marques. In 1944, it was requisitioned by Allies (Italian Flag) and used as hospital ship.

" Gerusalemme" 1944/5/6

See

• Ahoy Discussion forum "The Gerusalemme - hospital ship - any photos or other items?"
• "HMHS Gerusalemme"
• "Info / pictures of the Gerusalemme taken by William John Fowler who served on the Gerusalemme as 1st Electrician"

That is all the detail I can find for you, hope it helps a little..

Regards,

Mac.

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