HMAS Cessnock (l) after a collision with a dhow in the Red Sea between Aden and Suez on 8 May 1943
It was in 1943 that HMAS Cessnock escorted convoys between the Persian Gulf and Alexandria. The painting shows the corvette’s searchlights shining on a two-masted dhow.
- About John McBryde
Little is known of John Smyth McBryde who was born in Port Logan, Scotland on 30 May 1896.
During World War 2 he served in numerous ships including HMAS Ipswich.
At the time of Cessnock’s collision on 8 May 1943 HMAS Ipswich was serving in the same theatre of operations. That is, on escort and anti-submarine patrol duty in the western Indian Ocean and between the Persian Gulf and India. In May 1943 she was transferred to the Mediterranean for service as a unit of the 21st Minesweeping Flotilla. In the Mediterranean she took part in the Sicily campaign and on escort and patrol duty she steamed over a wide area of the Mediterranean.
There is a strong possibility that John McBryde either witnessed the collision or had first-hand knowledge of this event in the Red Sea.
- About HMAS Cessnock (l)
HMAS Cessnock was one of sixty Bathurst Class, Australian Minesweepers (commonly known as corvettes) built during World War 2 in Australian shipyards. Cessnock was engaged escorting convoys throughout WW 2. Cessnock was constantly in service as an escort vessel over the entire length of the Mediterranean including participation in the Allied invasion of Sicily. She was involved in a collision with a dhow in the Red Sea between Aden and the Suez.
More reading
- Additional resources for John McBryde
- Additional resources for HMAS Cessnock (l)