HMAS Ipswich off Ras el Tin Alexandria 1943
The corvette HMAS Ipswich anchored off Ras el Tin, Alexandria, North Egypt, September 1943. This particular image depicts the Ispwich before it embarked upon the journey between Alexandria and Gibraltar. Ipswich played an important role as an escort vessel during the Second World War.
- 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 Ipswich (l)
HMAS Ipswich was one of fifty-six Bathurst Class, Australian Minesweepers (commonly known as corvettes) built during World War II in Australian shipyards. Ipswich was almost constantly at sea on escort and anti-submarine patrol duty in the western Indian Ocean and between the Persian Gulf and India.
More reading
- Additional resources for John McBryde
- Additional resources for HMAS Ipswich (l)
