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General Category => Members Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Chris Weddell on November 15, 2019, 09:35:52 PM

Title: H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1
Post by: Chris Weddell on November 15, 2019, 09:35:52 PM
Hello All,

            Does anyone have any idea which ship or shore base this South African WWII air mail letter card is written to. I do not think it is the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Bonaventure so I am at a loss. The sender sent this letter on the 19TH March 1945 from Italy.

                                                          Cheers

                                                          Chris
Title: Re: H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1
Post by: Frank Schofield on November 15, 2019, 10:09:43 PM
Chris

In his book Shore Estabishments of the Royal Navy, Warlow mentions Bonadventure as a SAN Estab  Duncan Dock Capetown 1945 to 1958
Hope of some use

Frank Schofield
Title: Re: H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1
Post by: Michael Dobbs on November 15, 2019, 11:14:36 PM
Just in case anyone else was as puzzled as I initially was - SAN = South African Navy !

Mike  ;D
Title: Re: H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1
Post by: Chris Weddell on November 16, 2019, 07:30:15 AM
Frank,

        Thanks for your help it helps. Does the book say anything of the function of this shore establishment. I just cannot seem to find out anything about.

                                                      Chris
Title: Re: H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1
Post by: Frank Schofield on November 16, 2019, 10:02:45 AM
Chris

It is not listed seperately, just a footnote after the British Depot Ship of the same name

Frank
Title: Re: H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1
Post by: Nick Colley on November 16, 2019, 11:35:38 AM
Bill Garrard's file notes the 'function' as (and I quote): HQ Staff SANF.

chrs
N
Title: Re: H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1
Post by: Chris Weddell on November 16, 2019, 12:13:38 PM
Frank and Nick,

                      Thank you both for your help.

                                  Cheers

                                  Chris
Title: Re: H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1
Post by: Michael Dobbs on November 16, 2019, 01:27:49 PM
Chris

Attached is the page from the book that Frank is referring to - "Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy" Compiled by Lt Cdr B Warlow, RN (pub Maritime Books, 1992).  You can see all the Bonaventure's and the full entry.

Mike
Title: Re: H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1
Post by: Frank Schofield on November 17, 2019, 12:02:19 PM
Chris

The page displayed by Mike is from the  original volume, the latest volume
published in 2000 shows as I stated just a footnote

Frank