The Vanguard leaving Portsmouth in May 1953.

HMS Vanguard was the last of the great Royal navy battleships, built at Clydebank, she was launched on the 30th November 1944, and did not see service during world War Two, She was the biggest British battleship with a displacement of 42.500 tons. she carried 8 15-inch guns and a secondary armament of 16 x 5.25 inch guns and 71 AA Guns, her compliment was 1600. On the 4th August 1960, while beginning to be towed from Portsmouth to Faslane for scrapping, the great battleship ran aground at the entrance to the harbour.  She finally was scrapped just 15 miles from where she was built at Faslane, 9th August 1960.

Displacement:  52,245t    Speed: 29.5kt    Complement: 1,900

Armament: Eight 15 inch guns,   sixteen 5.25 inch guns.   Seventy-three 40mm anti-aircraft guns.

HMS Vanguard, May 1946.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP531

HMS Vanguard, May 1946.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP532

HMS Vanguard, May 1947.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP533

HMS Vanguard, May 1947.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP534

HMS Vanguard, May 1947.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP535

HMS Vanguard, 1948.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP536

HMS Vanguard, June 1953.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP537

HMS Vanguard, September 1958.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP538

HMS Vanguard pictured c.1945

   Original Ralston Postcard Price £18 Order Code  PH340

The Chapel of St Andrew on HMS Vanguard.

Naval Historians, Crew & Family Noticeboard

MESSAGES

CPO FREDERICK ALEXANDER DOUST..  My grandfather Frederick Doust Served on the Vanguard in the 1940s. Anyone who remembers him please contact me at my email address. I am desperate to find out about him. I understand he was mentioned in dispatches twice. From a proud grandson. Contact Here

DONALD APPLEBY..  I am hunting and thought you may be able to help.  My grandad a wonderful man served on the vanguard on its last voyage in 1958. I think his no was P/KX88491 Donald Appleby he first left in 1948 and rejoined in1953 and finally left in 1958if there are any friends out there who know him or remember him please get in touch.  I would to try to get some service history on him his stories are superb and always keep me entertained, I'm a serving soldier so I have the utmost respect for old guys who fought so hard for our future.  Any help you can offer me is greatly appreciated.  Mark Appleby  -email   geordie_appleby@hotmail.com 

STANLEY TUNMORE.. My Uncle died recently and I found a small booklet headed Nominal List of all those onboard H.M.S Vanguard During the Royal Cruise to South Africa 1947. Stanley Tunmore was rated as O.D the list is comprehensive naming the full ships Crew (see photo right). Stan was 75 in November. Anyone wanting information or knew him can contact me on my E-mail address terry@harding1946.fsnet.co.uk 

KEVIN JAMES HITCH..   I am trying to find information about my Father who I believe served on Vanguard in about 1950. I gather he later worked in the steel industry in Wales, and subsequently went to South Africa.  My name is Kevin James Hitch, (changed on adoption in 1964 from Brown).  I can be contacted via kim.hitch@btinternet.com

NORMAN UNDERHILL.. I would like information about my father Norman from West Bromwich while he served on the Vanguard. I know he was on board when the ships had royal visitors 1945-48. One of his duties was to clean the inside of the gun barrels by crawling down them tied by a rope. Contact me at underhill_stephan@hotmail.com 

SIDNEY JOHN PURKISS.. I am looking for information about my father while he was serving aboard the HMS Vanguard in the 1940-1950s. Contact me at Carol@casualcatering.freeserve.co.uk 

WILLIAM CHARLES STANTON.. Seeking information from anyone who may remember my dad William Stanton who served on the Vanguard late 1940's early 1950's. He trained as an electrician. He was from Walsall and also served on HMS Nigeria and finally on HMS Unicorn. He passed away in 1999 and I am trying to put as much as I can in family history about him for my grandchildren to remember him. Contact me at geoff.dawn@ukonline.co.uk 

DENNIS KNIGHT.. I would like more information about my uncle Dennis Knight who served on HMS Vanguard. I would like to hear from anyone who may have known him or have photographs. Contact Michael Moore at Michael.Moorexc@btopenworld.com 

LES SIGGERY   I am looking for information on my father's naval career and his friends in the navy. During the war he served on HMS Rodney, and after he served on HMS vanguard, I think as a Chief Petty Officer. If you can help with information I would be very grateful. Ade Siggery contact.  Ade@siggery17.freeserve.co.uk

HMS Vanguard, Away the Vanguard by Randall Wilson.

Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Special Promotion : This print is 30% off for a limited time only! Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £73.92

Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 25 inches x 15 inches (64cm x 38cm). Price £135.00

Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £590.00

Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £460.00

Original painting by Randall Wilson. Image size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £2800.00

Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00

HMS Vanguard 1944 - 1960 by Neil McCart

HMS Vanguard marked the pinnacle of British battleship design. Completed at the end of the second world war, she was too late to see active service and joined the fleet at a time when the battleship had been superceded by the aircraft carrier as the capital ship of the modern navy. Despite her short career the name Vanguard still evokes pride in all those who served on her or who were associated with her. This book details her career from builders yard to shipbreakers, drawing on first hand accounts and many previously unpublished photographs.

Hardback book. 114 pages. . Price £25.99