tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124324825539797141.post8427694955070708616..comments2023-12-29T11:59:16.454-08:00Comments on Leith Built Ships: H.M.S. STORNOWAYRobbs Built Shipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06253777945981027809noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124324825539797141.post-68681061308783834142022-05-25T05:41:44.186-07:002022-05-25T05:41:44.186-07:00Hello Mr Selby.
I have just read your question ...Hello Mr Selby. <br /><br />I have just read your question on the Leith Built Ships blog dated 23rd December 2020 about your father’s time on HMS Stornaway, and I think I have some information that would interest you regarding the taking of the German garrison on Zante, Greece in November 1944. <br /><br />My father was also on the minesweeper Stornaway, from June 1942 to June 1945. His name was Robert Woolnough. He was taken on as a Sub-Lieutenant and later served as a Lieutenant. I do have a fair amount of information from him covering those years, including of the taking of an island off the west coast of Greece, which he did talk about from time to time, particularly in his later years. (He died in 2011). <br /><br />He didn’t say it was Zante (which is a large island) but it was a strange story about landing on an island which they had assumed had already been liberated but in fact was still firmly in Germans hands. They were the only allied ship there and he talked about how they took the surrender. The story ends with the Stornaway taking 60 prisoners to Italy, all being locked up and crammed together in the depth charge hold!<br /><br />I have quite a lot of notes from those years, based on things jotted down by my mother, things jotted down by me, some information which he wrote down himself etc, but it all needs sorting and compiling properly and is a project I have been meaning to finish off for several years. Perhaps we can help each other fill in the gaps? <br /><br />The Stornaway took part in a lot of action, such as Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, first focussed on Algeria (Oran, then Algiers) and clearance of mines all along the coast to Bizerte in Tunisia. The ship also worked out of Bonifacio for a time before retuning to the coast between Tunis and Tripoli. They then helped lead the way for the second invasion of the war at Pantelleria, were involved with the 1943 invasion at Salerno, Sicily, and also at Anzio in 1944. And more... <br /><br />I would be very interested in getting in touch with you, and am hoping you will look at this page again and respond to my note. <br /><br />Many thanks. J Woolnough 25/05/2022Woolnoughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08496776294891106580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124324825539797141.post-25109506865392233832021-03-17T05:36:34.496-07:002021-03-17T05:36:34.496-07:00For the attention of Ken Harrow,
You may be intere...For the attention of Ken Harrow,<br />You may be interested to know that a book is underway about all the ships built at the Leith Shipyards during WW2.<br />Your info on HMS Stornoway would be a very welcome addition should you wish to contact the author at theloftsman@gmail.com<br /><br />ThanksThe Loftsmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124324825539797141.post-58160496381228135422020-12-23T04:11:22.729-08:002020-12-23T04:11:22.729-08:00we would be happy to use/see this info both on the...we would be happy to use/see this info both on the internet or in the new books on the ships built at Leith, the story of all the HMS ships will be told in the new book still under work, to be named as LeithShipyards at War.<br />You can send any info to Ron@theloftsman.com<br />or to theloftsman@gmail.com<br /><br /><br />ThanksRobbs Built Shipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06253777945981027809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124324825539797141.post-46849987993575948922020-12-23T03:40:07.099-08:002020-12-23T03:40:07.099-08:00My Father, Eric Selby was on Minesweeper Stornoway...My Father, Eric Selby was on Minesweeper Stornoway in the war and has left me some information about taking the surrender of the German garrison on Zante, Greece in November 1944. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05724369347231610751noreply@blogger.com