Warship forum
A forum for the Allied Warships section.
Re: HMS Ibis
Posted by:
ian preece
()
Date: May 26, 2007 09:14PM
Hello,
My late father,Geoff Preece,served and survived the sinking of HMS Ibis.As being part of Operation Torch,Dad always claimed that they were sent out as decoy to prevent Axis aircraft from attacking HMS Sheffield(?)and due to the weaving of the ship at speed he was unable to lower his guns (Oerlikeon?) enough to fire at the incoming torpedo bombers.He was in the water for about 4 hours, helping to save 2 mates but was unable to reach a 3rd who was calling out his name.A few years before he died,Dad received a picture(water colour or oil) of HMS Ibis to sign as he was one of about seven remaining ships crew still alive.This was done by a son of a lost sea mate from HMS Ibis. Dad put his signature to the picture and received a print at a later date with all the signatures on it,which he proudly hung on a wall at home.Unfortunately this picture was left in the house that he lived in with his wife of 2 years(he got married again at 80) and she has refused all the family access to the house since Dad died.I very much hope to be able to own that picture one day,along with one of HMS Opportune and his WW2 medals,which included one presented to him by the Russian Ambassador onboard HMS Belfast in recognition of the part played by the Russian Convoys that Dad was involved in.I realise it has been a year or so since you logged in but I hope you receive this comms,regards, Ian Preece
My late father,Geoff Preece,served and survived the sinking of HMS Ibis.As being part of Operation Torch,Dad always claimed that they were sent out as decoy to prevent Axis aircraft from attacking HMS Sheffield(?)and due to the weaving of the ship at speed he was unable to lower his guns (Oerlikeon?) enough to fire at the incoming torpedo bombers.He was in the water for about 4 hours, helping to save 2 mates but was unable to reach a 3rd who was calling out his name.A few years before he died,Dad received a picture(water colour or oil) of HMS Ibis to sign as he was one of about seven remaining ships crew still alive.This was done by a son of a lost sea mate from HMS Ibis. Dad put his signature to the picture and received a print at a later date with all the signatures on it,which he proudly hung on a wall at home.Unfortunately this picture was left in the house that he lived in with his wife of 2 years(he got married again at 80) and she has refused all the family access to the house since Dad died.I very much hope to be able to own that picture one day,along with one of HMS Opportune and his WW2 medals,which included one presented to him by the Russian Ambassador onboard HMS Belfast in recognition of the part played by the Russian Convoys that Dad was involved in.I realise it has been a year or so since you logged in but I hope you receive this comms,regards, Ian Preece