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WW2 pictures from Edwin Drew covering BERMUDA's war service from commissioning through Arctic, North African Invasion and Atlantic operations from 1942 to 1944
This page is dedicated to Edwin Drew and all who served in HMS BERMUDA during the war years.
HM Governor of the Colony of Bermuda Lord Knollys at the commissioning of the ship in September 1942.
Presenting a carved wooden Bermuda Badge from the people of the Colony. It was to be the forerunner of many more gifts from them.
Meeting Paymaster Commander Blower, Lieutenant Commander (Engineer) Marshall and Chaplain Reverend Nason MA who later became Bishop of Greenwich; Warrant officers and Royal Marines.
Families giving the Badge a closer inspection
Under a leaden sky at Scapa Flow
Rear Admiral Harcourt, Commander 10th Cruiser Squadron, inspects BERMUDA on her first arrival at Scapa 1942. (Note in bottom right picture (left) Commander Griffith who was, in February '43, lost overboard whilst paravanes were being recovered).
Heading south towards and into the Mediterranean for the Landings with a short stop at Gibraltar enroute. Carrier INDOMITABLE & battleship Renown to starboard.
Troopships and tankers approach Algiers;
A warmer and more hospitable climate on the Bridge perhaps but the circumstances are hardly more relaxing;
Fending off an air attack outside Algiers;
BERMUDA at Algiers to offload the 'packing cases' which they then learned contained money
One of the ship's Walrus aircraft being recovered (Note US star roundel used during the Landings);
Invasion ships at Mers-el-Kebir near Oran and 'Hands to Bathe'
HMS QUIBERON, AURORA & BERMUDA anchored off Algiers
From Mers BERMUDA was sent to Bone and is here defending herself and allied ships including the one (RH pic) later found to have petrol slushing around in her hold but she came through the night and was safely unloaded;
Our Merchant Navy's 'Red Duster' flies at Bone as ships begin to land the men, stores and equipment needed to support the campaign.
Back to the Arctic! A constant battle with ice - note how much gathers in even the thinnest of wires etc - had to be fought to maintain stability;
Thumbnail picture Capt Back and the Navigating Officer (who never overcame seasickness and always brought a bucket on watch) finding something to smile about in the bleak conditions whilst Lt Kidd checks bearings.
The end of Eastbound convoys more often than not brought the ships to the cold isolation of Vaenga - 20mls (33kms) from Murmansk - to repair and prepare themselves for the return trip;
Ship alongside is a Russian Tanker note in top right picture female crew member;
Bottom right picture shows an American battleship leading the approach to Scapa Flow.
RN Artificers Training Establishment, Rosyth (HMS COCHRANE) - Late 1944
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