This page is part of the fuller description of Ray Rigg's early life and his war time role and experiences, to return to the shorter version click here.
The Troopship Cameronia's 1941 Glasgow to Suez Voyage
HMT Cameronia in war-time service
Note that in this photograph, additional lifeboats and rafts are being carried following the increase in The Cameronia's passenger carrying capacity when in use as a troop ship. This photograph was taken later in the War - at anchor possibly in the Grand Harbour at Valletta, Malta.
A small number of documents have survived in my Father's papers from his voyage to Suez on the Cameronia.
They are;
A small number of documents have survived in my Father's papers from his voyage to Suez on the Cameronia.
They are;
- Eight Bells 22 February 1941
- Eight Bells 1 March 1941
- Grand Finale Concert Programme 1 March 1941
1. Eight Bells - Saturday 22 February 1941
The Troopship Cameronia evidently had a printing press on board and produced a number of double-sided, single foolscap sheet magazines during the voyage, possibly published weekly on a Saturday. Here are two copies, I am particularly drawn to the list in this edition of the over the counter sales of the ship's canteen at the foot of page 2.
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2. Eight Bells - 1 March 1941
3. Grand Finale Concert Programme 1 March 1941
Shortly before arrival at Suez, the Royal Engineers Company of which my Father was part, held a musical evening. Here is a copy of the programme from the evening.
Convoy WS 5B - the Dutch SS Pennland (16,332 Gross Tons) en route from Freetown to Durban February 1941. Following the completion of convoy WS 5B duties, this ship was attacked and badly damaged by German dive-bomber aircraft off Suda Bay in the Gulf of Athens on 25 April 1941. Four of her crew were killed, but there were no casualties among the troops then on board. The derelict Pennland was shelled and sunk by HMS Griffin.
The Rigg Family of Southwestern Lakeland © Michael Rigg 2021