Dates: 1942 - 1960
HMS Gambia (Pennant number 48, later C48) was a Colony-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. Complement: 730.
HMS Gambia was built at Swan Hunter at Wallsend and commissioned on 21 February 1942.
She saw active service in the East Indies with the British Eastern Fleet, and was involved in the Battle of Madagascar in September 1942. She then carried out trade protection duties in the Indian Ocean, but returned to home waters, calling at the territory of the Gambia on the way.
She refitted at Liverpool between June and September, following which she operated anti-blockade runner patrols in the Bay of Biscay in December, as part of Operation Stonewall.
She was transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy as HMNZS Gambia from 1943 to 1946 to replace their damaged cruisers.
HMNZS Gambia served with the British Pacific Fleet, and participated in attacks on Japanese positions throughout the Pacific. In February 1944 she was searching for blockade runners in the Cocos Islands area. She also supported a series of carrier raids against oil installations and airfields. She saw action off Okinawa and Formosa. She was under attack by Japanese aircraft at the time that a ceasefire was announced, so has the honour of firing some of the last shots of World War II.
She was present on 2 September 1945 in Tokyo Bay for the signing of Japanese Instrument of Surrender.
Gambia was returned to the Royal Navy at Portsmouth in March 1946 and was recommissioned on 1 July 1946 for the 5th Cruiser Squadron with the Far East Fleet. She returned to the UK on 6 January 1948, and in January 1950 she was assigned to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean, later serving with the 1st Cruiser Squadron on the same station until October 1954. In 1953, she and her sister HMS Bermuda brought aid to the Greek island of Zakynthos when it was struck by a severe earthquake.
In 1955 she became flagship of the 4th Cruiser Squadron on the East Indies Station and, as the last flagship on this station, returned to Chatham on 19 September 1958. On 4 November 1958 she recommissioned for the 1st Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean. In 1960 she served in the South Atlantic and the Home fleet before paying off to reserve in December that year.
Association:
HMS Gambia Association
Websites:
http://www.hmsgambia.com/
http://www.hmsgambia1950-1952.com/index.html
E-mail: john.birch@hmsgambia1950-1952.com
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Gambia
"Hi there, I just typed in HMS Gambia and there is the site link. Hope that helps "
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" This Grand Auction of Tony Grimmers memorabilia will take place at Hampshire Ex-Servicemans Club, Fratton Road, Portsmouth. Near St, Marys Church Friday 21st September 2007 1900 hours. All who can attend will be welcome. Tony Grimmer(Lofty) Ex stoker Extraordinair (Deceased) HMS Ganges, HMS ..."
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" Tony (Lofty) Grimmer Ex Stoker Extraordinair. (Deceased) HMS Ganges, HMS Hound, HMS Gambia, HM Yacht Britannia. HMS Ganges Historian and Solent Division Member. This Grand Auction of Tony Grimmers memorabilia will Take place at the Hampshire Ex-Servicmans Club, Fratton Road,Portsmouth. near St ..."
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" Hi. My father Jim 'Jesse' Owens served several times at Sea Eagle. He was AS, PO and CPO there at different times from the late 50s and throughout the 60s and ended as Master at Arms on HMS Maidstone when it was used as a troop ship in his home town of Belfast. Ironically, his brother-in-law ..."
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