| On August 12th 1953, the Ionian Island of Zante
(Zakynthos) was struck by an earthquake. Relief was initially provided
by HMS Gambia, but HMS Bermuda was despatched with all possible speed to
help in the relief. We embarked a considerable amount of stores and
transport together with two helicopters one of which was perched on the after turret.
The communication department had to set up a radio station on the island and
the radio tent can be seen in the right hand photograph (above right
foreground). Lieutenant-Commander Brian Patterson at whose suggestion the
helicopters were embarked on HMS Bermuda died on 12th July, 2004. His
obituary in the times recalls this event
and his award of the M.B.E. his part in the operation |
|
Fires were still burning when we arrived a couple of days
later. The picture above right shows left to right, Stan Snape, PO Tel
Sewell, myself and Johnny Beddell, of naval boxing fame.
A fuller account of the disaster relief and the early part
played by HMS Gambia en route from the Suez Canal to Malta is given The Navy
News, (
http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2003/0310/0003100601.asp# ) reporting
on the 50th Anniversary commemorations in Zante.
|
