My grandfather Chee Tin HO with other Hong Kong naval ratings while based in Japan. I believe they were serving with HMS Ladybird in Sasebo naval base.
In 1950, at the outbreak of the Korean War, the Royal Navy bought her, refitted her with communications equipment, renamed her HMS Ladybird and sent her to be moored at the US naval base at Sasebo, Japan, as the Naval Headquarters and Communications vessel for the Commonwealth Blockading forces. At the end of the war she was returned again to CNCo which sold her for breaking up.
So this photo of the men from HMS Ladybird on an outing to Ureshino should have been taken between 1950 and 1953.
Many thanks for this research. I have applied to the Ministry of Defence to see my grandfather's service records, however it may take many months to get them. It's also interesting to see that HKD was needed for payment aboard HMS Ladybird!
Comments
1950-1953
Notes on HMS Ladybird at Wikipedia:
So this photo of the men from HMS Ladybird on an outing to Ureshino should have been taken between 1950 and 1953.
I wonder if it is possible to get a copy of your grandfather's service records, which could clarify when he was at the different locations: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/requests-for-personal-data-an…
HMS Ladybird in Sasebo
An article in the China Mail dated 21 February 1951 here The same photo of the Ladybird in the IWM archives: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205162805
Mentioned at https://www.navy-net.co.uk/community/threads/hms-ladybird.37660/ that Ladybird was in Sasebo between August 1950 and April 1953. The latter date was when she was paid off.
HMS Ladybird
Many thanks for this research. I have applied to the Ministry of Defence to see my grandfather's service records, however it may take many months to get them. It's also interesting to see that HKD was needed for payment aboard HMS Ladybird!