Description
Object description
Photographic negatives and associated contact strips of photographs taken by T/Surgeon Lieutenant Robert Anthony (Tony) Rowan RNVR when Junior Medical Officer on HMS BELFAST during the Korean War, taken between July 1950 and September 1952. This candid and intimate collection shows operations with South Korean and other United Nations' naval forces as well as the crew at work and rest on board the ship.
Negatives (35mm, mixed strips and individual frames) depicting: HMS BELFAST proceeding through icy seas; officers relaxing in the wardroom-anteroom; the anteroom bar manned by a Chinese crewman; performing a variety show in the on-board theatre; sailors at 'all hands to bathe'; patrol vessel ROKS CHUNGMUGONG I (PG-313) alongside HMS BELFAST; sailors outside in cold weather clothing; HMAS BAATAN underway; Wave Class oiler refuelling HMS BELFAST as seen from the quarterdeck of BELFAST; view of mine-laying ship, probably ROKS DAEGU (JMS 303); views of HMS BELFAST including forecastle looking aft and from the open bridge looking forward; view of shell-fire on shore; scenes on shore including South Korean naval officers with Royal Navy, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserves and Royal Marines officers; HMNZS TUTIRA, United States Navy Iowa class battleship and landing ship (if taken at the same time these frames could depict the Battle of Pusan, 1950); portrait of R A Rowan; personnel at rest in mess; an open day on board HMS BELFAST, probably in Sasebo, Japan, where visitors including civilians, school children and naval personnel explore areas of the ship; HMS BELFAST proceeding through the Suez Canal, in Grand Harbour, Malta with other vessels, and passing Gibraltar on return from the conflict (October 1952). Scenes on HMS BELFAST prior to a formal VIP event, arriving by helicopter, greeted by the RM band on the quarterdeck, going ashore by BELFAST's motor boat; officers milling around the deck in No 1 uniforms prior to arrival of the motor boat; scenes in Hong Kong including aircraft carrier HMS GLORY, views around HMS TAMAR (c.1951), Rowan on a hill overlooking HMSB at anchor.
Negatives: (83mm x 57mm); scenes on and around HMS BELFAST including the flag deck, the bridge wings, views towards another cruiser (probably Colony Class), 40 mm Bofor anti-aircraft gun, view over the boatdeck looking aft from the superstructure.
Slides: crewmen wearing anti-flash protective clothing seated in a mess playing cards; Canadian Tribal class destroyer HMCS NOOTKA (213) as seen from the topedo tube flat on HMS BELFAST; Wave Class oiler refuelling HMS BELFAST as seen from the quarterdeck of BELFAST; an open day on HMS BELFAST, probably in Sasebo, Japan, where visitors including civilians, school children and naval personnel explore areas of the ship including the bridge; portrait of an unknown commander; the Royal Marines band on the quarterdeck during a VIP visit; Sikorsky H-5 helicopter of the US Navy's Helicopter Utility Squadron One hovering over HMS BELFAST's icy forecastle; view of submarine chaser ROKS JIRISAN (PC 704); officers and a chief petty officer in mess-dress at a function; HMS BELFAST proceeding through icy seas as seen from the bridge; HMS BELFAST lowering the motorboat; proceeding through rough seas; Chief Petty Officer (possibly Sick Berth Attendant) at desk on board; interior of the sick bay with SBA tending to patient in bed;
Contact sheets (35mm): The crew at rest on deck: walking, relaxing in the sun, bathing in the sea and in makeshift swimming baths; performing a variety show in the on-board theatre, in Victoria harbour, Hong Kong; viewing fighting on shore; officers relaxing on the quarterdeck.
Physical description
Two hundred plastic 35mm negatives in strips and individual cut frames; six plastic negatives measuring 83mm x 57mm, twenty-five 35mm slides in plastic apertures and sixty 35mm contact prints.
History note
Photographs taken by Temporary Surgeon Lieutenant Robert Anthony 'Tony' Rowan (RNVR), junior medical officer on HMS BELFAST during the Korean War, 1950-1952.