HMS St Brides Bay - Venice, 1946

Email May 16, 2001

My father, Jack Rea, served in HMS St Brides Bay as a gunnery officer. Whilst the ship visited Trieste around 1946 he met my Italian mother and married her at Trieste.

I understand that he was a lieutenant at the time. He later became a Fleet Clearance Diving Officer for mine and bomb disposal - mainly at HMS Vernon - and was awarded an MBE. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander. Regrettably, he died aged only 56 in 1975.

I thought it would really be appreciated if I were to give my mother a framed picture of the ship that he served in at the time that they met. I wonder whether you could either email me a really detailed photo that I could print?

Peter Rea

By pure conincidence, at the time of receiving Peter's email I was working on the above photograph. It had been badly damaged with severe crease marks down the centre. I emailed what I had to Peter who promptly set about repairing the damage (electronically) and returned the vastly improved print.

I informed Alan (Mathieson) of the coincidence who contacted Association member Mark Johnson who served onboard with Peter's father, and who was able to forward a momento: a photocopy of the parade programme for the Anniversary Parade May 2, 1946, Trieste, commemorating the surrender of the German Armies in Italy to Field-Marshal Viscound Alexander of Tunis.

'Commissioned Gunner Rea' had lead the RN contingent, leading the huge military parade.

Dick Lloyd

Ship's Company taken at Malta, May 1946
(Sent in by Elwyn (Sam) Jones