TOPIC:

A lady has written to me asking for info on the following.

It appears that a flag from HMS Spitfire was used by troops in the Relief of Ladysmith because they had lost theirs.

I though I had read it all with regard to the Siege & Relief of Ladysmith but evidently not. Please can anyone help here?

Morning Brian

I don't recall a ship by that name involved in the ABW, although the RN had such a ship at the time.

Regards
Meurig

Thanks Meurig, you and me both!

Kaigs,

There was a Swordfish class destroyer called HMS Spitfire, launched in 1895 by Armstrong Mitchell. She was sold off in 1912.

This class of vessel had a speed of 27 knots and were armed with one twelve pounder and two torpedos. There seems to have been only two ships in the class, HMS Swordfish and HMS Spitfire.

I also don't think she served in the Boer War but would need a Navy List to see where she operated.

Kind regards
David

Good morning,
Flags from Royal Navy ships were indeed carried and flown ashore during the war, the one below, a small linen white ensign, came from Powerful and was actually flown at Cove Redoubt by the Naval Brigade during the awful seige.
Regards Frank