Can anyone help with James Lucas’ request here

Dear Mike

Are you aware of a document known as The ‘Dunera Statement’? It was the deportees’ complaint of missing possessions, a collaborative document of around 5,000 words compiled in Hay camp and presented to Hay’s commander which eventually reached London from Australia.

I would like to see a copy and wonder how one might be obtained?

Yours Sincerely

JAMES LUCAS

Previous email contact from James:

Hilary
Mike Finding has kindly passed on your email address to me.

A relative of mine was deported to Australia on board the Dunera and eventually spent 5 years interned at Tatura. I was only told about this at the start of this year, and I am discovering the entire story of internment and deportation of wartime refugees for the first time!

If you are able to make any first hand account of life on board the Dunera available to me I would be most grateful to you.

With many thanks in advance
JAMES LUCAS

Have you heard of the ‘Dunera Statement’ ?

01/04/08...Roger W Menhenick seems to have had a bit of a rough trip! I sailed from Southampton to the West Indies on the Dunera in early 1960 with the 1st Battalion Royal Hampshire Regt, we sailed to the canaries, on to Trinidad, then to Honduras, and back to Jamaica, where HQ company were debarked, after the storm in the bay of Biscay where most of us were seasick,the rest of the trip was great, the trip lasted just over a month,

Great Site

21/02/08...Alan Gibbs has emailed us
I attended an educational cruise on the Dunera circa 1963 from Greenock to Kirkwall, Amsterdam, through the Keel Canal to Copenhagan and finaly onto Bergan in Norway my school was from Manchester and I remember the many girls from Ballamena high.

Friends who were with me were Stephen Holden, Ian Armstrong to name but a few. The teacher who escorted us was Mr Orentas and a great time was had by all. Anyone remember this trip please feel free to contact

Let us know if you were on this one with Alan – email address supplied

04/02/08...Hilary King has an interesting offer here...
I have a handwritten copy of the account of the voyage of the Dunera to Australia made by the internees themselves. I am happy to share what I can.

Anyone who would like to know more, get in touch – email address supplied

Back

20/01/08...John Weeks has more!! Does anyone remember ‘Laughs with Lee’??

Since writing my last article I have recalled more thoughts about my time on board and afterwards.

I was part of a Draft of myself, another Sgt called Peter Wade and about 50 Sapper National Servicemen heading for the Far East.

Once settled in on the ship the army enjoyed trying to keep everyone occupied. I, together with an RAF Sgt and a Corporal got the job of I/C Detention Room Cells. We had a couple of service prisoners to look after and the cells were located on the lower deck, right up at the ‘sharp end’ (the front few portholes) It was okay when the sea was calm but no joke when it got a bit choppy. No stabilisers in those days!

The service children had to go to school for part of the day. I recall a teacher showing me an essay one child had written.. It said "we are going to Aden which is at the bottom of the Red Sea". A little cooler and less dusty I'm sure!

When we got back to Barton Stacey I had the job of meeting the Z Reservists off the train at Andover station and seeing them onto transport to the camp, ready to be kitted out and sent to Suez.

One of the sappers on our draft was a commercial artist and cartoonist. I recall he was engaged to the daughter of a chap who regularly drew the cartoons for a London evening paper. I seem to remember the name ‘Laughs With Lee’.

We were at Barton Stacey a long time with little hope of getting to Singapore very quickly as everyone was more concerned with getting people out to Suez. I recall the sapper in question drew a cartoon of about fifty people pulling an aeroplane with a caricature of the RSM standing next to the CO and the words ‘Ex Dunera Sir, fed up of waiting and have chartered their own aircraft’

I recall how before we eventually managed to get away in the December he also produced a Calendar for the CO which read along the top CALENDUNERA.

On board the Dunera on that voyage were a couple Ken (S/Sgt REME) and his wife Rose. I didn’t really know them on board but eventually we were neighbours in Seremban in Malaya and remained close friends until they both recently died.

Hope these few words may be of interest and perhaps someone who was on our ‘Draft’ may stumble across them.
Sincerely
John Weeks
Spalding Lincs

18/01/08...John Weeks has emailed about his Army paid cruise in the Med in 1956!
I set sail on the troopship Dunera in July ’56 bound for Singapore. As we were passing Gibralter, Nasser closed the Suez Canal. We sailed on to Malta where the troops on board bound for Cyprus and Aden were taken off and transferred to the Nevasa that followed us in that night on her maiden voyage.

We then turned around and sailed back to Southampton. (I must be one of the few who can claim they had a 14 day Med Cruise paid for by the Army.) After we disembarked the ship was used to take the troops out for the invasion of the Suez. We went to the Royal Engineers depot at Barton Stacey near Andover and were always known as ‘The Ex Dunera’ draft. I eventually flew out to Singapore in the December and my wife followed me out in the spring on the Nevasa, sailing around the Cape.

John Weeks.

(Ed’s note – It never ceases to amaze me at the variety of contacts we get in on this site! Many thanks John and all!
I suspect at sometime we'll get another personnel tie up and people will be put in touch again.
Fantastic!)

Back up

16/01/08...John Preston has contacted us today as well! Interesting comments.
Have recently seen the documentary concerning the Dunera and the deporting of foreigners during WW2.

If I had known then what I know now about the appalling treatment of those poor souls, I would have felt very "spooked"

It triggered memories of my journey in 1958 as a National Serviceman, through the Bay of Biscay on to Malta and then to Limassol, Cyprus Being seasick for two days was not amusing. I wished that I were dead at that time.

Just think how those shipped off to Australia must have endured. Without food for 6 weeks and being bullied continuously.

In 1943 my father was also on the Dunera with the Eighth Army when a multi–national task force invaded Sicily. Thought that I would share the above with you!
Best wishes
John

16/01/08...Llunos Segrott has emailed and wants to say thank you
I was on the ’66 cruise which went to Scandinavia. After visiting Heligoland, where a group of us spent some time in the hospital drying off, I have vivid memories of being on the gangplank after getting on from a small boat, only for the boat to go under the gangplank leaving an officer to hang on to me so that I didn’t fall in the sea. I was eventually bundled into the cafeteria to have hot, sweet tea (yuk), and butterscotch pushed at me to counteract the shock.

I also vividly remember singing ‘For those in peril on the sea’ on the way back from Heligoland, and being sheltered under tarpaulins. I wasn't put off cruises, going on to two more on the equally wonderful SS Uganda.

If anyone knows who the officer was who saved me from falling into the sea, could they contact me and let me know so that I can thank him again.

15/01/08...Nick Castle has happy memories of the Dunera trip he went on!

Re your contact from Martin Glanville.

I was on the ’62 cruise and also went to Cowplain Secondary. The trip was excellent but unfortunately I left my camera on the outward journey plane so no photos.

I don’t remember many of the lads either. Possibly ouzo related memory loss!! As well as Mr Speight there was a Mr Francis and Mr Cook. Another of the boys was Tom Fothergill (caught on the ironing bench with a girl from Winchester girls school). My mate Pete but can’t remember his surname. (Ed’s note – Can anyone help with this?)

I remember the crew were from Goa apart from the officers who were all brits. We flew from the new Gatwick terminal to Venice and went down the Adriatic to Corfu. Stopped off to visit Delphi round as far as Istanbul stopping of at Athens on the way back to Venice.

Everyone caught the Dunera bug with lines outside the doctors room. The classrooms were cramped and airless places. The dances in the evening were really good. There was also a canteen type place with a juke box. My personal favourite record of the time was Gloria by Them.

I remember one pastime was Combes which tended to get messy. (Ed's note: Dare we ask??)

I have many happy memories of the Dunera especially Sylvia and Sue from East Grinstead.

Anyone else remember this trip? Let us know anbd we could get a ’62 cruise page going!!
Many thanks for this one Nick! (Photo and signed document being added soon!)

13/01/08...Martin Glanville has emailed us here...Anyone know a Robert Finnemore? Be great if we could find him!
My School was Cowplain Secondary Boys, and in June 1962 went on a two week med cruise with Mr Speight and 15 other boys. We flew from Gatwick Airport to Venice where we met up with MS Dunera, the only boy I remember going with was Robert Finnemore.

13/01/08...Gary Maslen(?) has emailed us here...Can anyone help with information about the Dunera for Gary?
Excellent site. However would like information on the ship’s company if its available in 1960. My father was on it during this year.

09/01/08...Martin Amor is looking for some help here
Looking for MS DUNERA return to Liverpool, from Hong Kong circa 61, carrying troops home, some of which served in Korea 52/53, any assistance would be helpful.

Any help would be appreciated – email address supplied

03/01/08...Joanne sounds like she had an excellent trip.... I have just come across this website. I was on the Dunera Cruise in Feb 1964 as a very young teacher in charge of a group of girls from Romford Grammar. First stop after the overland rail journey to genoa was Palermo. Here the girls were allowed to wander around on their own – we, the teachers, arranged to meet them in the park. What we saw was an enormous group of Sicilian males surrounding a huddled group of about 30 who had been mobbed as soon as they were noticedand had spent their free time trying to fend off the amorous advances.

My life on board started when the "kids" were safely in the dormitories. Those naval officers were gorgeous and feted us.(Ian and Craig have you found this site – would love to hear from you). We danced the nights away. The twist and rock’n’roll – favourite tune "Glad all over". Other memory – the female teachers challenged the officers to deck hockey – the goal keeper was magnificent. I have the photos taken by the girls who watched us playing.

A great trip and one that educated me as much as the students.

30/12/07...Pamela Cross has emailed with this one – anyone remember Pamela or any member of her family?
I traveled on the Dunera when my father was posted back to blighty in Oct. 1959. My family name was Ratcliffe, my father was James.I have 4 brothers.

24/12/07, Wayne Chan has something on offer here... "I have a cast iron plaque of the Dunera dunno if its authentic though. Anyone interested???"

Any offers..?? If so get in touch thro’ our contact form here

Back

18/11/07...Michael Roy Smith has written in – does anyone else remember this trip?
Hello. My mother told me the other day, she’s now 80, that we travelled on the Dunera in 1950/52 to Singapore. Could it be ...? Well now there's a thought. I was aking her about things, in particular about Aden, and she came up with the name Dunera. My father was stationed in Singapore in the army. The mind boggles. I have only just learnt of this site so I have found you. Great to talk.
regards roy

02/11/07...John Lowe has a musical connection with Dunera
In Nov 1955 I sailed in the Dunera from Singapore To the UK arriving Dec 23 just in time for Christmas. Having just served for 3 Years at RAF Butterworth in Malaysia as an Armourer in 33 Squadron.

Whilst sailing home I helped to form a dance band on the ship and played Saxophone. We played most nights for all Ranks. I recall a good trip with fond memories...Does anyone remember?

Please do get in touch and let us know....
Email address supplied

29/10/07...Hilary Hinchliffe has sent us this with a question – does anyone have an answer for her?
I was on the school ship with my brother Colin from Lingfield Secondary in Nov/Dec 1960 when they did the filming – does this film still exist? We had a great time on that cruise can remember it well even though only 11yrs old!

01/10/07...Mike Cairns sailed in ’57 on the Dunera to Cyprus
I sailed on the Dunera in 1957 to Cyprus which took 10 days. It was very crowded and we slept in hammocks quite a few decks down. We were allocated jobs during the voyage and I luckily got the task of canteen/mess orderly which meant I did not have to wait in the long line for meals, I ate first. I also helped in the kitchen with the cooks and always helped myself to "extras".

Bingo was the highlight of each day and jukebox requests thundered out over the tannoy most of the day (Diana by Paul Anka the most popular). We did not receive any pay during the voyage and as I had spent my miserable allowance before sailing I had no money. I couldnt even afford to buy some toothpaste which had run out.

The ship stopped at Algiers on the way but as the French were having a bit of trouble and as we were in Cyprus we were not allowed off the boat even though we berthed for 12 hours.

The Bay of Biscay was particularly rough. Hardly anybody attended dinner, most people leaning over the railings. The portholes were battened down. It really was extremely rough. It really was satisfying to see certain officers (and sergeants) staggering to the ablutions all decorum dissipated.

The voyage was an experience and I am sure there are many ex–national service men who have very vivid memories.

27/09/07...Peter Wilson has emailed in..
I was on Dunera from 10th-24th July 1962. I was the only boy in a party of seven pupils and two teachers from Pendower Hall School, Newcastle upon Tyne. We went from the River Tyne to Gibraltar, calling at Corunna, in North West Spain on the way there and Lisbon in Portugal on the way back.
It is a trip I will never forget.

26/09/07...Peter Chappells has emailed with a military connection here...
23633100 Lancashire(pwv) the Lancs. made the last trip home on the Dunera.
The regt. left Stanley Barracks 1960. The East and South Lancs amalgamated in Hong Kong and the new colours came to the UK for the first time on the Dunera. I was privileged to be one of the guard to parade the new colours through all the garrison towns of Lancashire

12/09/07... Kate has emailed in with an observation here...
William, who was enquiring about the behaviour of the British troops escorting the Dunera prisoners might be interested in this article from the Sydney Morning Herald, via this URL: http://www.smh.com.au

13/07/07...William has emailed in with another observation about the Dunera Boys film
Have only just seen the film ‘The Dunera Boys’ which was on ITV Five on 7th July. An incredibly badly made film but an interesting account.
If any of the those involved read this message I would like to know if the British troops sent as escort on board were really as bad as portrayed – riffling the passengers’ baggage and throwing it overboard?

I wonder if anyone has any reply to this?? Thanks William

12/07/07...Marie Smith loves the high seas!!
I saw the film advertised and wondered if it was the same ship. I was on board in July or August 1961. I was 13. We went to Norway, Denmark, Germany and Holland. My school was Notre Dame in Liverpool. There was another Liverpool school, Seafield convent, Fulwood High School (Preston, I think)and one from Largs in Scotland. I can remember jiving to Halfway to Paradise which was top of the hit parade then.
I’ve loved ships ever since that holiday, and go on as many cruises as I can – but then I am a sailors daughter!

Thank you for this Marie....any others on this trip? Have a look on this page and see if anyone is listed already...

12/07/07...Keith Vaughan has mailed this morning...
Having recently seen ‘The Dunera Boys’ on TV it stirred memories of a school cruise I took on the DUNERA many years ago Easter 1964 to be exact, at the same time as the Alaska earthquake, we called at Madeira, what a lovely place.
Casablanca, so very different, and Lisbon well worth visiting again and again. Remember schools from Liverpool and London as well as us from Harborne Hill School, Birmingham. Memories of crossing The Bay of Biscay in a force 8/9 gale, great fun?

Anyone else remember this trip? In fact are there any entries on here that are already related to this trip?? Let us know if you can!
Thanks – Mike

07/07/07...Tony O'Brien...
Hi
As a 10 year old I was on the Dunera in October 1960.
We sailed from Southampton and I remember stops at Malta (picture 1 from harbour with Dunera in background). Next stop was Tobruk where a Scottish regiment disembarked (picture 2) and we disembarked at Famagusta, Cyprus.
I’m amazed my fathers rather comprehensive photographic records only have 5 pictures taken on the journey which I remember now with great vividness.

1 2

07/07/07...Graham Bourne has told us how much his mother had to raise for the trip...
Hi I was on a trip on the Dunera in I think it was 62. We sailed from Tilbury to Gib. My mother had to scrape together £17 10s for the trip. I was lucky in that I had my sea legs, and the bay was really bad. We came back to Liverpool and had to get a train back to West Ham.

07/07/07...Geoff Howarth wonders if anyone else out there was ill
I sailed to Cyprus on the MS Dunera In October 1959 with the 1st Btn of the LFs. Sick for 5 days and ate only oranges and crisps. If I remember correctly there was about a dozen of us violently sick for about this period. After that enjoyed it quite a lot. I remember that the Women service personnel were segregated from the Troops on board!!

07/07/07...C McLean has a question for you all!
I notice no–one has said that they have anything relating to the Dunera other than postcards or photos – well I have a ships wheel and bell and ringer from the trip my mother, brother and I were on to Aden in the 50’s.

07/07/07...Ray Cartwright came back in ’58..anyone with him on Dunera?
Came back from Aden on the Dunera 1958, I was with 2Coy RASC docked in Southhampton December 26th

07/07/07...Ted Stapley...A log book found!
Have found my log book for the school trip starting from Southampton on 25th Oct 1963, allocated to Baffin cabin,on route to Lisbon, Gibralter, Rome and Genoa.
The Bay of Biscay was rough and we stayed in Rome for 3 days visiting the Vatican and seeing the Pope.

07/07/07...Jim Hatchman has a request here...Does anyone know Jim?
Hi Jim Hatchman here one of the last national serviceman. Did my basic training at the Tower of London in the Royal Fusiliers City of London Regiment, went out to Malta March 1960 on the Dunera.

Trip took a week and we returned in January 1961 to England. Nice comfortable trip, good food, Demobbed in 1962 and got married.

Would love to hear from anyone who knew me or was on the same trip. About a year after I got married one of my relations went on the Dunera as a cruise passenger so the transition from troop ship to cruise liner must have been 1963/64.

30/06/07...William Hutchinson – many thanks for this one...let’ hope we can get some replies.....
I wish to contact anyone from a Med Cruise I took in April 1964. It was on The MS Dunera Cruise Ship from Washington Usworth High School. The Cruise set sail from Southampton to Vigo, Cadiz and to Lisbon Portugal. If anyone was on that ship, please contact me at the posted E-Mail address...bilshatri@att.net

30/06/07...Not sure what this person’ first name is – my apologies! It’s a long time ago but if my memory serves me correctly The ‘Mediterranean Cruise’ I was on with Lingfield Secondary School was Nov, Dec 1960 and possibly the first one. We had a crew from the C B C filming us and it would be interesting to know if the film still exists. Chris nee Mc Gregor.

28/06/07...John Henesy has emailed with a slightly negative thought on the trip he was involved with!
I came back from Singapore in 1957 on the Dunera. We had to go round the Cape because the Suez Canal was closed due to the Suez crisis It took exactly 42 days to Southampton. I will be honest and say that I have no particularly happy memories of the ship!

What an excellent result!!! From Tom Herbert....
You will be interested to know that Tom Gilbert, who noticed my name on the website and connected it to one of his Cub Pack in 1955 at RAF Tengah in Singapore, and I have now been in contact. It was indeed me and my brother to whom he referred and I am eagerly awaiting the photograph he had of us. I don’t even remember being in the Cubs!

Dib Dob
Tom Herbert

28/05/07...Tom Gilbert has emailed this incredible coincidence. I hope Tom Herbert comes on here to see this! Unfortunately we have no longer got his email address....I have recently started to make sure email addresses are kept safe and sound in case this happens!!

"I came across your site by accident and although I have nothing to do with the Dunera, I recognised the name of one of your contributors. Tom Herbert who was at RAF Tengah was a Wolf Cub in the 30th Singapore (RAF Tengah) cub Pack when I ran it. I have a photo of him and his brother Chris with some of the cubs taken at Tengah School on Empire Youth Sunday 1955. I was stationed at the base and am now 73.

Sorry if this is not what is wanted but I could not let the moment pass as I often wonder how they all fared in life. Tom was 7 years old."

Thank you so much for this Tom (Gilbert) and if Tom (Herbert) gets in touch I will let you know. No need to be sorry – this is just the type of information that is so interesting....Bye for now....Mike

15/05/07..Sandy Lochhead – Thank you for this one! An answer for Griselda - see her comments here
Re Griselda Cann Mussett – Dunera was scrapped in Bilao in late 1967. Her last UK port of call was Falmouth where she was stripped of everything that was not bolted down.

She left Falmouth with 10 Cylinders on her Dual Doxford 5 Cyl Engines working but arrived in Bilbao with only five operational. It was as if she knew she was going to be scrapped and gave up on a 24 hour sail. I am not superstitious but it was sailing in a time warp as she failed on this final voyage.
Happy memories and very happy days aboard

Would I be right in thinking, Sandy, that you were a member of the crew or knew someone who was? If you have any more insights into this vessel, we'd love to hear them....thanks for this...
Mike

25/04/07...Dave has emailed with this item
I suppose that you will be aware – but if not you’ll be glad I told you – there is a book with many photos / facts / stories – titled ‘SHIP SCHOOL’ by Tam Dalyell MP published in 1963 by Newman Neame Ltd.

Actually Dave, I wasn’t aware of this – I wonder how many others are? Please let us know.

I have just found a link on Ebay here that is actually selling this book by the look of it....Disclaimer

14/01/07...G Morris has a request – Can anyone help here?
Hi, I am researching my family history and have found an undated newspaper cutting, telling of "the Cardiff Civil Defence officers and their wives at Cardiff general Station before leaving for Tilbury" and a photo of Dunera is given. Would you be able to trace this trip and provide me with any details of it? The relatives pictured are I.Graham and Janet Morris.
Thanking you in anticipation.

We have a list of people on the October ’67 Cruise here!

Please have a look and see if your name is there - bear in mind the ‘disclaimer’ we have put in as well. This is just for a bit of fun, if you want your name removed ....Let us know....

06/01/07...Hi Mike, Just enjoyed reading the latest input to Dunera. Great how this has developed from just an idea and a note from me. I see there is one guy who worked on her and was on the last voyage as I was. But still no one from the trip I was on!.
Cheers, David (this link will go to David’s own website – some amazing art, craft and stories on here!)

Within half an hour of that message - David sends this one.......

Hi again, it will be 40 years this year wonder if the Echo might like to do something on this and if I should send them the Dunera site? I have found more pics and documents from our trip inc. weather reports and a list of everyone from our school who were on that trip, of these I only know the whereabouts of three of them........(The Echo in question is our local Dorset Echo)

Don’t be shy folks - let’s get some more entries going here – it’s a great collection of stories we have here – there must be more!!??? Mail ’em in!!
If you know anyone who was on this trip etc - point them to the site!

21/12/06...Sandy Lochhead has been in touch...
I sailed as an engineer in the last 6 month of the life of this ship even taking her into Bilbao where she was scrapped. I have happy memories of all the time spent as an engineer aboard this ship.

Are there any others out there who served aboard this ship who would like to get in touch....?

18/12/06...Tom Herbert has emailed with the following...
In 1953 travelled from Southampton to Singapore on the Dunera, when I was aged 5, with my mother, brother and sister. We were going to join my father who was stationed in Tengah. I am unsure of the actual dates but we were in England for the Coronation in the summer of ’53 and I remember that we were in Singapore for Christmas so I guess it must have been late summer early Autumn.
Does anyone know the exact dates. For a 5 year old I remember quite a bit, including the bad weather in the Bay of Biscay, stopping at Aden and going shopping. Does anyone know the exact dates of the trip? This will fill in a bit of my family history

15/12/06...John Callander has mailed in with an interesting request...
Hi, I'm trying to establish the colour of the hull when the ship was used to transport refugees from the Isle of Man to Australia in 1940. Some photos I have show a black hull at the time of transporting Australian troops to the Middle East in 1940 and others I have are in trooping colours of white hull with wide blue band. Can anyone help? EMail John on john@gtrans.com.au