H.M.S.A.S. BONAVENTURE 1

[Chris Weddell]

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

[Frank Schofield]

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

[Michael Dobbs]

Just in case anyone else was as puzzled as I initially was - SAN = South African Navy !

Mike  ;D

[Chris Weddell]

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

[Frank Schofield]

Chris

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

Frank

[Nick Colley]

Bill Garrard's file notes the 'function' as (and I quote): HQ Staff SANF.

chrs
N

[Chris Weddell]

Frank and Nick,

                      Thank you both for your help.

                                  Cheers

                                  Chris

[Michael Dobbs]

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

[Frank Schofield]

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