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Malta the Canal Zone & Athens
 HMS Bermuda (C52 GCQP) commissioned early in 1953 sailing for the
Mediterranean in March of that year in the expectation of a two-and-a-half year
absence from the UK. In the event changes in Admiralty policy resulted in
the commission ending after 20 months. After a spell in Malta , one
of our first tasks was to relieve HMS Gambia at Port Said where shore leave was
restricted due to the unrest, and armed guards patrolled the upper deck. The
picture second row right below is the Lascaris Signal Station housing the staff
of the Commander in Chief and operating under the call sign GYX. Many
former sparkers will remember operating on Malta LCW. With
its commanding view over Grand Harbour not much escaped the eye either of the C
in C or his staff.
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Sunset Bay of Biscay en route Gibraltar |
Coronation souvenir of HMS
Bermuda |
Quarter deck and 6" after Turret HMS
Bermuda |
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| The Dhgaisa - the main means of transport
across the harbours |
Grand Harbour - looking down Faith, Hope &
Charity |
Grand Harbour, Malta - carrier
unknown |
HMS Bermuda at anchor in Grand Harbour,
Malta |
Frenchman's Creek from Lascaris Signal
Station, CinC Med (GYX) |
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The picture on the left was sent to me by Michael Ennis, pictured back row
centre, and shows HMS Bermuda Communication Staff
Whaler pulling crew. Also seated Hugh McDonald (left) and Johnny Beddall (right). The other members I have not been able to
identify at present. The two pictures on the right were sent to me
by Peter Hume , the son of Chief Tel Dougie Hume, pictured on the right on the
first photograph and left in the second. It was Chiefy Hume who posted the
commendation from GYX on the mess notice-board with the word "look".
He also chose me to be the voice operator controlling the fleet from the bridge
for the manoeuvres carried out when the fleet met HM Queen when transiting the
Med. Also, alas, he would not let me be the Telegraphist that was needed
as part of the crew of a whaler that sailed from Cyprus to Beirut... I could not
be spared!
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| HMS Bermuda superstructure
looking aft |
Floriana |
Stan Snape in Malta |
Sliema |
St Publius Church, Floriana |
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Statue of Ferdinand de Lessops prior to it
being toppled into the Canal |
Armed guard on the foc'sle |
A run ashore at Port Fouad with myself in
the picture to the left; and Stan Snape, G Trafford (?) and Tom Fryer in the
picture to the right |
Going ashore courtesy of the Army |
Suez Canal - Ismailia |
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Former shipmates will be pleased to know that after many
years of lobbying a Naval General Service Medal has at last been awarded to
those who served in the Suez Canal zone including those on HMS Bermuda.
If you think you are entitled to the medal you should write to The
Historical Records Office, Royal Marines, Ministry of Defence, Centurion
Building, Grange Road, Gosport, Hants, PO13 9XA. You should include
your Service Number, Rank, Full Name, Date of Birth, Dates of Enlistment and
Discharge. The medal may be claimed by the individual concerned, or if
he/she has died, by the immediate next of kin who will be asked for some
proof of identity. |
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 As well as the more arduous duties, we also enjoyed an
number of visits to foreign ports, indeed one of the things about this
commission was the variety of visits. One of these was to Piraeus, the port
of Athens, and many of us enjoyed a visit to this fascinating city, which
was a much quieter place then than now. Pictured below are some scenes of
Athens as well as HMS Glasgow in Piraeus bay. We were also honoured by a
visit of the Greek Royal Family who are here pictured on the left with HMS
Bermuda ship's company.
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