This is a clearer scan of the original photo in my collection. George very kindly posted the scan from the photo in Gunline from my article written to see if anyone knew of the ship. SLAVA was a popular name for Russian ships. I thought it might be a captured job hence the wjite ensigns. The curiousity is the RFA title as opposed to MFA. However they were confusing times and on that front in particular. It would be interesting to see if there was a picture or drawing available of the suggested ship MFA SLAV.

Thanks for the interest.

One of forgotten caspian steam fleet.
Completed 1903 by 'Sormovo', Nizhny Novgorod as SLAVA for Trading-Industrial and Shipping Society 'Volga', port of registry Astrakhan'
Steel tanker, 270,5x36,2x19,1' 1690 grt, 940 nrt, 2 compound engines, twin screw, 1500 ihp, 12 kn.
Early 1918 nationalyzed by Soviets, summer 1918 returned to owner in Baku, then requisioned by Britains as auxilliary cruiser of RN Caspian Sea detachment (Commodor Norris), armed 1 6inch and1 4inch (another source - 1 4,7inch and 1 75mm)
20.05.1919 took part in the battle with Red flotilla in the Tub-Karagan bay, without hits and damages.
Late 1919 transferred to Whites. Captured at Enseli 18.05.1920 by Reds.
25.06.1920 transferred to Kaspmortran, port of registry Baku.
1922 State Caspian SS Co, Baku.
1923 A/O 'Kaspar', Baku
Early 20s renamed SLAVA TRUDU
1930 A/O 'Sovtorgflot', Baku
1934 Caspian State SS Co, Baku
1935 at Makhachkala exploded, broke on two and sunk. Stern part was refloated and broken up.

Hi Klaus,
That is fantastic. Many thanks for solving the 2 year old mystery for me! Could I ask what your sources of references were? I am always after good books of reference (or websites these days).
Best regards

Hello Graybeard.
I used some russian shipping registers, books and articles about Civil war. If you interesting detailes, write me PM or by e-mail - I will answer you what you need.
Best regards,
K.