Who Are They?
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.
This new section is under construction. Contributions - or corrections - from ex-service personnel are most welcome.
In September 1952, the Asturias made her last voyage to Australia as a 'passenger vessel'. Before that, on return journeys to Southampton, she carried Australian troops who disembarked for duty at ports such as Malta.
After September 1952 she was commissioned as a troop ship, with her first voyage leaving Southampton on October 30, 1952.
After September 1952 she was commissioned as a troop ship, with her first voyage leaving Southampton on October 30, 1952.
Cliff Schwerin, RAAF 78 Fighter Wing
Click here to go the Schwerin family page which includes more photographs
[Photo supplied
by Catherine Schwerin who can be contacted via the website administrator]
28 July, 1952
Disembarking from the SS Asturias, members of 78 Fighter Wing RAAF head down the companionway to enter small boats which will take them ashore. They have come to Malta to carry out two years garrison duty.
[Source: AWM website, Photographer: Sebastian, Jeffrey G]
Disembarking from the SS Asturias, members of 78 Fighter Wing RAAF head down the companionway to enter small boats which will take them ashore. They have come to Malta to carry out two years garrison duty.
[Source: AWM website, Photographer: Sebastian, Jeffrey G]
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Army Chaplain's Poems
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Ship's Voyage Logs
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Statistics about the Ship
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Last Voyage of the Asturias
28th July-27th August 1957
Inchon, South Korea to Southampton
Submitted by David S Hamilton Private,
1st Battalion to the Royal Sussex Regiment:
At the end of their year's tour of duty with the UN Occupation Forces in July 1957,
the 1st Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment embarked on the Asturias at Inchon, South Korea on Saturday 27th July 1957 for their
next posting in Gibraltar. However, a number of us were to remain on board at Gibraltar to return home to Southampton for demobilisation
at the end of our two year's National Service.
Little did we know at the time that the same vessel had carried the surviving
POWs from the 'Glorious Glosters' home, some five years earlier from Korea.
This was to be the final voyage of the Asturias before
decommissioning, although, before going to the breaker's yard in September 1957, it was used for the shipboard scenes for the first
film about the sinking of the Titanic, "A Night to Remember".
Our accommodation was a 6 berth cabin with the bunks in three pairs.
I was fortunate to have the top bunk nearest the porthole, which was a blessing through the heat of the tropics and the Red Sea ....read more