Home

These photographs were taken on board the Asturias in November 1948, by Pat Piggott. His wife Irene (Rene) and son Michael are pictured with other passengers. If you can identify them, please let us know.

Reader Phil Green of the UK has submitted this photo of the Asturias, taken by his father who served in the 14th/20th Kings Hussars from July 1952 to December 1954. If anyone can identify the date and place, please let us know.

Unfortunately the names of the crew were not included on 'Passenger Lists'. Any information you have about crew members on the Asturias is welcome for publication.

Their names will be added to a new list of crew members and their dates of service.

Leonard 'Lennie' Snell left school and went to sea with his father, Ernest Snell. His first ship was the Asturias on 6th May 1947. He served continuously on the Asturias until 1957. His Service Book indicates that he was Assistant Steward. He then served with the Fyffes Line as a Steward. Upon his 25th year of service with Fyffes, their house magazine published the following item:

Information submitted by Lennie's nephew, Andy Snell, Norwich UK.

Daniel Joseph Laverty was born in Southampton on 5th August 1918. His parents were from Old Southampton from a shipping background. He served in the Royal Navy and fought in the Battle of the Atlantic in 1939-40. He was a crew member of the Asturias on the journey of May 1948 when he met a passenger, Amy Longden who was travelling with her mother, Eva. Aged 29, Daniel had already been married and left behind an ex-wife and daughter, Margaret, in the UK. He jumped ship and settled with Amy in Perth where he gained Australian Citizenship in 1949.

Daniel passed away in 1971 and is now buried at Millbrook Church, Southampton.

Daniel's story, told by his daughter, Dawn can be read here.