Dates: 1923 - 1942
The ninth British warship to bear the name HERMES. and was the first Royal Navy warship designed and built for use as an aircraft carrier. Ordered from Armstrong’s at Elswick in July 1917 and laid down on 15th January 1918. After launched on 11th September 1919 work was suspended and in January 1920 the vessel was towed to HM Dockyard Devonport for completion. 1923 it had been completed.
HMS HERMES was in use as an accommodation ship for officers under training in 1938 and brought forward for service in 1939. She was deployed in the Atlantic for trade protection duties for a brief period before the outbreak of war and was then transferred to the Indian Ocean. In April 1942 whilst deployed with the Eastern Fleet she came under air attack from a Japanese aircraft carrier with heavy loss of life after being hit by several bombs.
Memories of HMS Hermes
HMS Hermes in 1970Written by Sean Hagger
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"July 31st 1970, the day the last tot was isued. Paddy Scott came down the mess with his full tot glass and said, "This is what I think of the bastards for stopping this", and dashed the lot into the nearest spitkid. Aghast horror! Then from behind his back he produced another full glass and said,"Sure that was only cold tea!"."
HMS Hermes, far east in 1968Written by jock wilson
Contact this person >> "I Have been trying for some years on and off to contact James Wilson (Jock). Can anyone out there remember him or know his whereabouts. If you do ,please reply."
HMS Hermes, 803 sqadron in 1963Written by John Ellis
Contact this person >> "We had Flag Officer Far East Fleet on board [ADM Scratchard] We were heading for KOBI tn Japan but a storm was in the area so we transfered him to HMS TIGER We headed back to Singapore on the way back the exhaust cat steam pipes were checked and found highly corroded a few more catapult shots could have caused damage to the flight deck"
, HMS Hermes, Falkland Islands in 1982Written by
Contact this person >> "Never forget the pipes all the time, Hands to Action Stations, Hands to Action Stations, Assume NBCD State 1 Condition Zulu, The air raid warning is Red
And one we thankfully diddn’t hear all the time (The one we did was enough!) - Brace, Brace Brace, Exocet release detected
Coming off watch one day from the boiler room, and the Chief Stoker spotting me, ah Sexton, I need a volunteer, 10 mins later I was in a Sea King making the short flight over to a burning Sheffield, winched down onto the focsle to help with the firefighting, I had turned 18 about a month before, I grew up more that day than I did in the whole 18 previous years, I remember one of the crew covered in smoke thanking me for coming over to lend a hand!!! I’d love to buy him a beer or two! Learnt a fair bit about bravery that day from those guys."
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Hermes
" Hello Folks.My name is Nicky and I am John’s wife. I am trying to arrange a surprise reunion for John’s birthday this year. He was in the R.N from 72-77 and served on HMS Hermes, Cleopatra, Ark Royal.I need to find some or all of the following ex or current matlows (and its proving to ..."
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"Teresa the girl who wrote the poem was my daughters best friend and my son was in the Falklands on HMS Hermes at the time, arriving back in the UK on his 19th birthday. "
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" Quoting: vicky codling nee bassett Teresa the girl who wrote the poem was my daughters best friend and my son was in the Falklands on HMS Hermes at the time, arriving back in the UK on his 19th birthday. Having a grown son of my own, I tried to put myself in your shoes imagining ..."
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" There were ’sods operas’ on occasions, something like the it aint half hot mom stuff. At the equator going south on HMS Hermes there was a Crossing the line Ceremony, and I still have a certificate from it. Also on SS Canberra going South between Ascension and The Falklands 40 ..."
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" I was on HMS Hermes during the Falklands war in 1982. I was wondering if any members know of ny reunions next year (2007 25th Anniversary) I was in 2N2 mess. Thank you if anyone can help! Paul "
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