- Author
- Letter Writer
- Subjects
- History - WW1
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 2011 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
I enclose the Holy Bible of HMS K13 which sank during trials in Gare Lock Scotland on 29 January 1917. Mr Charles Freestone was Leading Telegraphist on K13 at the time of sinking and one of the men to survive. Charles Freestone later transferred to HMA Submarines J2 and J4. At the end of his service in the RAN he remained in Australia. I was in the British Merchant Navy in the Second World War serving from 1942 to 1966 with the P&O Company. I served in the troopship Strathaird and came to Australia many times. Before going to sea I worked at a hospital at Chelmsford in Essex and here I met Charles’s sister who was a Nursing Sister.
After the death of Charles in May 1958 his wife Mrs M F Freestone gave me the Holy Bible from K13. I have recently spoken to my doctor about the Bible and he suggested I send it to you.
Yours faithfully
Geoffrey Gordon, Bowen Qld 4805
A letter of thanks was sent to Mr Gordon on 23 August 2011. In part this states: ‘We are honoured that you have presented this historic Bible gifted to you by Mrs Freestone into the safekeeping of our Society’. Mr Gordon was also sent a copy of a previous edition of the Review which contained an article Sydney Memorial to HM Submarine K13. He will also receive a copy of this edition of the Review. Editor