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
24 March, 2025
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.
Chris Robinson
Chris Joined the navy as a Midshipman and served on the Superb as such joining the ship in June, 1948 at Rosyth. At that time his captain was Alan Scott-Moncrief and the Executive Officer Michael Le Fanu.
Information of Chris's death from his son Guy
POSTED ON
28 November, 2020
More information on Chris's personal website
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Christopher Robinson
Who Crossed the Bar
25 November, 2020
Dick Riddoch
POSTED ON
11 October, 2021
Dick was a Sick Bay Attendant on board the Superb on her maiden voyage in 1946 and a member of the Association for many years
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Richard Riddoch
who Crossed the Bar
12 September, 2021
Emile Keane
In Fond Memory
of our Shipmate
Emile Keane
who Crossed the Bar
13 October, 2021
Emile David Keane joined the navy as a National Serviceman in 1954 as a "CET (in the communications section) then was later promoted to Leading Coder E. Nicknamed "Codes", his leading hand of the mess was a Pincher Martin in "Supply Mess A".
He was fluent in four languages and taught young recruits Coastal Navigation; arithmetic etc following a special interview & tests at Victory Barracks at Pompey
POSTED ON
15 October, 2021
Bob Letchford
POSTED ON
03 January, 2022
ROBERT FREDERICK LETCHFORD
1 AUGUST, 1993
Bob was a Royal Marine and served during the Korean War (1950 to 1953). He was a keen amateur boxer and believed to have served aboard HMS Superb during the 1954 -55 America & West Indies Cruise. During the British State Visit of the Russian President (1956) he was posted to the Personal Security Squad for Nikita Khrushchev. Following his Royal Navy service he joined the Merchant Marine. Information supplied by his son Robert.
John Clarke
In Fond Memory
of our shipmate
John Andrew Joseph Clarke
who crossed the bar
23 April, 1994
POSTED ON
18 January, 2022
John, who had a background in Engineering, was a sub-Lieutenant on board the Superb during the 1952-53 cruise on the America & West Indies Station (Bermuda). His precise roll on board was as the Senior Commissioned Electrical Officer. He is thought to have been involved in weaponry later in his career and left the service as a Lieutenant Commander. Information from his granddaughter Toni
George Garner
GEORGE GARNER
29 JUNE, 1996
George joined the navy as a Boy Seaman on 2nd May 1950 and served on HMS Superb as an Able Seaman from 27th Aug 1954 until 13th Feb 1956
George trained in Gunnery and was a team member of the Chatham Field Gun Crew in 1956
POSTED ON
27 January, 2022
DEREK WEBSTER
In Fond Memory
of our shipmate
Derek Webster
who crossed the bar
9 November, 2017
Neil, Derek’s son, says that his father served on HMS Superb from Jan to Aug 1948 (Boy 1st class then Ordinary Seaman) and then again from Nov 1953 to Dec 1955 (Leading Seaman then A/Petty Officer). He always talked with such pride and happiness of his time on the ship. He mentioned that he had a serious accident on board during an hurricane on a West Indies cruise where a boat they were bringing on board hit him on the head and knocked him unconscious. He only spoke to me and my brother about the accident once but it must have been serious because he said that he was sent by the Navy to a specialist doctor in London for tests. I wonder if anyone has further details about this incident. He was also part ofthe gallant “Penguin Watchkeepers Crew” closed up under L.M.(E). Trott and Leading Seaman Webster, and succoured 7 King penguin passengers from the Falklands to civilisation.
POSTED ON
19 February, 2022
.png)
BILL LITTLEFORD
Marianne & her sister, Gill, let us know that their father Bill entered service as a gunner, rising to M.A.A. He was on the Superb 1948 . He began on HMS London 1943 then was RPO on Royal Sovereign 1944 when she was handed over to the Russians and she became Archangel. Then HMS Westcliffe then after WW2 Superb, Triumph & Birmingham then Pembroke
In Fond Memory
of our shipmate
William Littleford
who crossed the bar
1979
POSTED ON
24 February, 2022
PETER SKELTON
In Fond Memory
of our shipmate
Peter Skelton
who crossed the bar
30 May, 2022
Between 1952/53 on the America & West Indies Cruise Peter was an Able Seaman in F.X. Division arriving in Bermuda the day after his 18th birthday. Returned to the UK for fleet review at Spithead in June 1953 for the Queen’s Coronation. Information provided by Peter's daughter, Sarah
POSTED ON
8 July, 2022
JOHN TURNER
​
He was serving on HMS Superb in 1946 when the ship went to Belfast with HRH Princess Elizabeth and she was required to change ships as the Superb, arriving at low water, was too big to enter Dufferin Dock.
John recounted the story that the princess needed to transfer from the Superb to a smaller vessel in order to take her ashore.
Her method of transfer from the Superb to HMS Fame was a 13/15ft. timber gangway between the 2 vessels. John maintained that the 2 ships were under way allowing the Princess, and John Turner, her ADC to cross-over.
Subsequent to his crossing the bar, John’s family received a letter of condolence from Queen Elizabeth.
He trained at Achnacarry, Scotland and subsequently took part in the Normandy Landings
​
Information from Boys Brigade colleague Brian Cherrett
If you have any information about this sailor and would like it published on this site please contact us by email.
If you click on the envelope below you can send us a message directly
POSTED ON
1 October, 2022
In Fond Memory
of our shipmate
Percy Arthur John Turner
who crossed the bar
13 June, 2013
ARTHUR 'WHACKER' PAYNE
In Fond Memory
of our shipmate
Arthur James Payne
who crossed the bar
26 November, 2013
Arthur (Whacker) was a Petty Officer Seaman on board between 18th January 1956 until 30th August 1957.
Arthur joined the navy in 1941 at HMS Ganges and later saw action on 'D Day.'
After 27 years he finished his service in 1968 at HMS Excellent as a Chief Gunnery Instructor. Information supplied by Arthur's son, Michael.
POSTED ON
22 October, 2022
DAVID GEORGE
David retired as a Chief ERA. His naval records show he served on Superb from 29 May 1909 to 29 May 1911.he transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1912 for a period of 5 years and ended up being invalided out in 1919. By this time he had been commissioned. He died in 1945 in Sydney, Australia.
Information posted by Jackie Masson who asks that should you have any information on David's career please contact this website
In Fond Memory
of our shipmate
David George
who crossed the bar
1945
POSTED ON
14 December, 2022
In June, 1953 Tony joined the Superb at Chatham as an ME (1) when she came back from the West Indies to be at the Spithead Review leaving Bermuda in a hurry to pick up the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Jamaica.
At Georgetown the ship transferred them to the Bigbury Bay as the Superb was too big to get close in. The Superb then returned to Jamaica on standby in case they were needed again. Whilst there Tony says he played some of the best rugby he had ever experienced.
​
Tony was a long-time member of the Association and was the brother-in-law of messmate Bill Bailey on the same cruise.
BILL ROBINSON
In Fond Memory
of our shipmate
William Robinson
who crossed the bar
18 December,1969
POSTED ON
8 February, 2023
Bill was a Leading Cook on board between September, 1950 and July, 1952.
He joined the RN 19th Feb 1948 a lot of time spent at stone frigate HMS Pembroke. Then HMS Superb, went to HMS Seahawk in 53 and came out as PO. his service record shows a spell at HMS Minerva (Wildfire) from 12 Feb 53 to 1 March 53
His only other time afloat was aboard HMS Owen from 1 April 54 to 7 Oct 54 mostly in the Med. Malta and Cyprus. HMS Owen received a royal visit from HM Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Coronation tour aboard SS Gothic during this period,
Bill left the navy on 19 Feb 1955
Info from his son Bill Junior
ALAN 'ANDY' ANDREWS
In Fond Memory
of our shipmate
Alan Andrews
who crossed the bar
4 January, 2023
Andy was on board as an EM(1) between November, 1951 & November, 1953.
He was a long-time member of the Association. Information provided by his daughter, Rachel.
POSTED ON
19 March,, 2023
