208640 PO. Robert Springett Royal Navy HMS Malaya My father, P.O Bob Springett, served on HMS Malaya from 1937 until 1941, finally leaving her whilst she was in Brooklyn Navy Yard for repair after being torpedoed. Just after he joined her in '37 she was in collision with a merchant ship off Oporto and they came back to the UK for repairs. Whilst repairs were being carried out Dad was transferred to HMS Revenge which took part in the Review of the Fleet at Spithead. My mother, brother and I were taken around the assembled ships before having tea on board Revenge.
A commission in those days was for 2 1/2 years and Dad was due home in '39 to come out on pension. However, the war changed all that, and the next time I saw him was in 1941! I should be pleased to hear of anyone else with family connection with the Malaya at about this time.
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