75th Anniversary of Royal Family Visit to South Africa Day 101 inc sketches by Frank Beresford

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 Day 101:11th May 1947

Captains Diary

HMS Diadem re-joined at 0200.

1000 the King gave a speech to the ship's company on the Quarter Deck and thanked the crew and granted 3 days extra leave to each watch.

I then (Captain) presented to the King and the other members of the Royal Family a souvenir gift from the Captain, Officers and Ships Company.


Sketches of the HMS Vanguard returning by famous artist Frank Beresford. Sketches A3 in size.





Beresford info from Wikipedia

Beresford was born in Derby in 1881 and had a long artistic education. He first studied at the Derby School of Art, then St John's Wood Art School, and finally at the Royal Academy Schools. His talent was rewarded with a travel scholarship that took him to Asia. From 1906 he returned to exhibit at the Royal Academy.

In 1936, Beresford made the only painting of the Princes' keeping vigil with their father's body overnight. It was titled The Princes' Vigil: 12.15am, January 28, 1936, and it was bought by Queen Mary who gave it to King Edward VIII on his birthday. Before the war started, Beresford's first wife, the artist Daisy Radcliffe Clague, died.

During World War II, Beresford was only the second person to be awarded an Exceptional Service Award from the United States Air Force, which also has some of his paintings on permanent display. Beresford was a war artist for both the American and British air forces. His portraits include those of the Spitfire designer, Reginald Joseph Mitchell and during a 14-month painting tour to South Africa he painted General Jan Smuts.

Beresford married again in 1949. He repeated his pre-war painting of royalty lying in state when the King died in 1952, but tastes had changed and this time they were not exhibited.


Captains Diary continued

The ship stopped to pick up the pilot at 1715 and at same time HMS Cleopatra and Diadem steamed past, cheered and parted company. As the ship entered the harbour the Royal Family was greeted with a tremendous welcome from the crowd on the beaches. The ship turned and secured at South Railway Jetty at 1845. The Duke of Gloucester came on board and dined with the Royal Family

Pictures of the HMS Vanguard coming into berth at Portsmouth.




HMS Vanguard at Berth





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