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HMS Bulawayo

Bulawayo was laid down as the German AOR Westrerwald in Nov 1936.She was completed as Nordmark in Jan 1939.
She was captured in 1945 and renamed Northmark under the white ensign and remained in reserve at Milford Haven and Falmouth. In 1947 she was refitted in Portsmouth and renamed Bulawayo. She was used for freighting to and from Trinidad and reduced to care and maintenace in 1955 and in Oct '55 was scrapped at Dalmuir.
She never served as an RFA although this was mooted in 1946 but the cost of conversion would have been too great. So she never wore the RFA ensign and was always RN manned.
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George,
Would she have been manned by RNR (i.e. the Reservist Merchantmen) as opposed to regular RN?
Would have thought Matelots (of all ranks) would have been a bit lost working a tanker, more so than any other type of ship.
 

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Jim
There seems to be very little hard information about this ship although she was, as far as I can gather, classed as an RFA in 1946 but never sailed as one.
As far as crewing is concerned, once again there seems to be very little information but the RN are very adaptable and I'm sure they managed albeit probably with twice as many hands.
I handed RFA Appleleaf over to the RAN in 1989 after having her key ratings on board for three month prior and they picked things up very quickly.
Let's be perfectly honest, it must be a lot more difficult to run and fight a frigate or destroyer than it is a tanker.
Regards
George
 

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Would I be right in saying that she was the support vessel for the "Graf Spee", and also took captured merchant seaman. Regards Trevor
 

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Dave
Have a look at page 95 in The Book.
Tells you that the cup existed but no more.
I believe initially she did trials of the ex German rubber hoses and it may have come from there.
There is a HMS Bulawayo Association in Wickford Essex (01268 733778) and they may know more.
 
L

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Thanks George.
If anyone would like to buy a copy of "The Book" - The Royal Fleet Auxiliary -A Century of Service by Adams/Smith, copies are available at £17.50 including UK postage. See www.rfaaplymouth.org/plymmerch.htm
All proceeds to a good cause.
 
B

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Just found this post--a bit late. There is an interesting book about the Nordmark/HMS Bulawayo titled 'Under Three Flags", by Geoffrey Jones, ©1973 IBN 0 552 09777 2, published by WM.Kimber, 1973, and Corgi, 1975.
Cheers, Brent
 

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Brent
I ordered this book from Amazon on Aug 20th. The supplier was to be McCarthy.
On Sept 12th it had still not arrived although McCarthy took the money on Aug 20th.
Amazon then said they would refund the money to my credit card. Which they have.
I then went back to Amazon to reorder it from another supplier but it was no longer available from anyone.
Any ideas ?
 

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