228097 CPO Arthur Pownall Royal Navy HMS Ranpura My grandfather, CPO Arthur Pownell, served on HMS Ranpura in 1939/40. He was recalled to service as a reservist, having served in the Royal Navy from the end of the South African war through WWI. The Ranpura went out to India in September 1939 and spent Christmas out there, returning to Atlantic convoy duty in early 1940. My grandfather (who died in 1950) told one sea tale of this ship. One voyage involved a night-time sailing from Liverpool under high security and a very public welcome in New York. He reckoned that they were taking the Crown Jewels! There is often some truth in these tales and I believe it is possible that they were moving gold bullion.
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