The
H.M.S. SUPERB (CRUISER) ASSOCIATION
ALL (OR NEARLY ALL) YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THE BRITISH NAVY SHIPS NAMED "SUPERB"
Site updated on
4 May,2026
Oppos who have "Crossed the Bar"
If you have any information & photographs that you wish to be inserted please inform the Chairman or click on the button to send a message direct to the website.
TED PEPPER
Ted served on the Superb from September 1950 to May 1952 as a boy signaller. He went on to achieve the rank of CY but was disabled out of the Navy in 1968 after losing his sight in an accident in 1968 onboard HMS Sirius in Kenya. He crossed the bar at Blind veterans. Information supplied by Ted's daughter Carol
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Edward Pepper
who Crossed the Bar December, 2019
Posted on 13 September 2025
NEVILLE HOWES
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Neville Howes
who Crossed the Bar
24 October, 2025
Posted on
24 October, 2025
Neville joined the navy in March 1954 at H.M.S. Ganges as a boy seaman 2nd class and a year later in March 1955 was drafted to H.M.S. Pembroke, (Chatham barracks) as a Boy 1st class.
Just over a month later in April 1955 with another 11 Boys he boarded the liner RENO-DEL-PASIFICO at Liverpool bound for Bermuda where he joined H.M.S. Superb.
He was involved in the shop’s sailing crew and was part of the cutter crew that came first in class, third overall and won other awards. He explained that as the Superb was moving on the U.S navy wouldn’t let them remove the cup off base but instead awarded them $1500 as prize money. As you may have guessed this allegedly went into the ship’s canteen fund.
Returning to Chatham at the end of the Superb’s cruise we was drafted to H.M.S. Dryad for an R.P.3. and he spent the rest of his naval career on submarines.
CLAUDE THOMAS
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Claud Harold Thomas
who Crossed the Bar
16 July, 1988
Claud was the Lieutenant-Commander (S) who served on the Africa and East Indies Cruise 1956 -57. Claude initially flew from Chatham to France to marry his French bride prior re-joining the ship shortly after the honeymoon. Information sent by Claud's son Patrick.
Claude (as well as many other ex shipmates) is briefly featured in the book 'A Superb Cruiser' which tells the several cruiser's voyages around the world seas.
Posted on
16 January, 2026
KEN NAYLOR
Ken, a Leading Electrician Mate, was on board the Superb for the America & West Indies cruise between 1952 and 1953. His oppos from the electrician messdeck was Ken (Lofty) Coe and others remembered only as
Michael, Joe Housley, Ted (Ginger) , Len , Obee and Giss
Information from Keith, Ken's son.
Posted on
1 February,2026
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Kenneth Naylor
who Crossed the Bar
31 October, 1994
DEREK SHERATON
A sad message received that Derek Sheraton, who served in 1954 on the America & West Indies station, as an ME (1) – Stoker – crossed the bar earlier this month. Information was sent from Derek’s nephew Mike. Someone you encountered, even briefly, can be cherished for a lifetime by many people. Their laughter and tales leave a lasting impression on those they touched, turning their memory into something truly precious.
Posted on
14 April, 2026
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Derek Sheraton
who Crossed the Bar
9 April, 2026
BOB CARTER
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Robert Carter
who Crossed the Bar
29 October, 2020
Posted on
27 April,2026
Bob joined the ship on 22nd November, 1945 as an A.B. Radar and was drafted on 6th April, 1946.
He had previously served aboard a Canadian 'Flower Class Corvette in 1943 on Atlantic convoy duty and then spent over two years aboard HMS Bruiser (the largest tank landing ship of its time, and took part in the landings at Sicily, Salerno and Anzio (amongst others), prior to joining the Superb.
Colin, Bob’s son, says that he was very proud of the 'Superb' and Colin well remembers visiting Superb at Chatham Dockyard during an 'open day' when he was about 5 or 6 years old and being placed in a bofors gun during his visit. After his regular service Bob joined the Royal Naval Reserve in August 1949 until 1953.
STEVE MADDISON
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Stephen Maddison
who Crossed the Bar
24 April, 2026
Steve was a Stoker in mess 38 on the Superb between 1946 and 1948 when Captain Robson was in charge. Two of Steve’s oppos at the time were Joe McIntyre & George Prior. There are some photographs of interest during that time by clicking on the link below. Information kindly posted by Steve’s son Jeff.
Posted on
4 May, 2026
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
who Crossed the Bar
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
who Crossed the Bar
