HMAJ Leicestershire

[Raaf Hornet]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has any info on the Leicestershire. I have a WW1 ration biscuit with the ship painted on it, as well as the crews autographs in a autograph book from the same era. Any info would be much appreciated, Jeff

[Raaf Hornet]

Photo 2

Front and reverse

[Tim]

The LEICESTERSHIRE was built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast in 1909 for the Bibby Line and was a sister ship to the GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

Her details were - 8,059 gross tons, length 467.2ft x beam 54.3ft x depth 31.7ft, one funnel, four masts, twin screw and a speed of 15 knots. There was accommodation for 230 single class passengers. She sailed from Birkenhead in September 1909 on her maiden voyage to India.

In August 1914 she was taken over as an Indian Expeditionary Force transport until November when she was returned to her owners. In 1917 she was again taken over under the liners requisition scheme, and in 1918 spent some time carrying troops to North Russia to fight the Bolsheviks. She then made a voyage to Melbourne repatriating Australian troops.

After this service she was returned to Bibby Line, rebuilt from coal to oil burning and modernised. Resumed service on the Rangoon route until 1930 when she was sold to the British National Exhibition Ship Co Ltd, who intended to run her round the Empire as a floating exhibition of British goods.

Converted by Cammel Laird, Birkenhead, she was renamed BRITISH EXHIBITOR and in 1931 was opened in the Thames for inspection. However, in 1932 the company went into voluntary liquidation and the whole scheme was abandoned.

The ship was then laid up at Southampton Water until purchased by Egyptian owners in 1933 to be used in the pilgrim trade between Egypt and Jeddah. Renamed ZAMZAM, she continued in this trade until 1941 when, although a neutral ship and having stopped on demand, she was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic by the German raider ATLANTIS (ex-Hansa Line's GOLDENFELS) with loss of one life. 320 survivors transferred to German ship DRESDEN. [bibby Liner "Leicestershire" by Capt.J.H.Isherwood, Sea Breezes Magazine, April 1951]

Cheers,

Tim

[Raaf Hornet]

Many thanks for all of the info Tim , you've been most helpful. My dads foster father came home to Australia on this ship after the war. The Autograph book is littered with pictures, songs, ditties and anecdotes, mostly by men of the battery howitzers, AIF. Thanks once again for you help , Jeff