AWM what RAN records do they hold?

[Dianaa]

This is a question our Aussie guru Mike Cecil will likely know but others may have answers.

Most importantly I am very grateful what ever information comes to light.

In 1950 the RAN purchased a number of 80" Land Rovers and many of these were carried on HMA Ships (see AWM HMAS Queenborough and HMAS Quadrant images below)





There is also an image of a Land Rover 80" on HMAS Tobruk serving in the Korean war zone which I do not have a link.

So the question is, does the AWM have records that may list the serial number of any Land Rover assigned to the ship?

I have already researched and uncovered the chassis numbers of the vehicles sold to the Dept of the Navy from the records of NSW Distributor Grenville Motors Sydney and it would be nice to match these vehicles and the ships they served on. Particularly if they are Korean War veterans.

Diana

[Mike Kelly]

Hi Diana

The HMS Queenborough was a WW2 UK built destroyer .After transfer to the RAN and serving in the RAN during the 1950's it was paid off to reserve in 1963 then recommisioned as a training ship in 1966 , used in that role until 1972 . It was sold for scrap in 1975 and towed to Hong Kong .

The four Q ships , all ex RN and transfered to RAN between 1942 and 45 were converted to anti sub role in the late 1940's - early 1950's , they were remodelled externally .

MIKE

[Mike Cecil]

Dianna,

The RAN records are very few and very far between. The AWM has none that I am aware of.

Problem with the L/Rs (many of which were issued to replace jeeps on ships) is that, by the time they came along, the RAN were in the process of switching to the Commonwealth 'Z' plate scheme, for which I am yet to find eny reasonable records. You have looked at REMLR, I assume? Maybe Richard has something more definitive.

Regards
Mikew

[Mike Kelly]

more info

The other three ( not two) were Quickmatch and Quiberon and Quality .

Quality was decommissioned in 1946 , sold in 1962 . This ship remained in its WW2 config., it wasn't converted to anti sub role .

Quadrant began conversion in April 1950 .
Queenborough May 1950
Quiberon Nov. 1950
Qickmatch April 1951

They were then classed as Q class anti-sub frigates , type 15 . Despite being remodelled and lots of money spent, they didn't last long in service , 4-5 years and they were put into reserve to eventually await sale in the early 60's . The Queenborough escaped and lasted til 1972

The HMAS Tobruk was a Battle class destroyer launched 1950 , built at Cockatoo dockyard . Its career was short also , into training role in the early 1960's. In 1960 Tobruk was hit by a 4.5 inch shell fired by her sister ANZAC ( red faces ensued I'm sure ) during gunnery exercise off Jervis Bay . Sold 1972 to Japan for scrap. Two tours to Korea during that war .