H.M.S. ACTIVITY Gallery

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HMS ACTIVITY gallery

Images and memorabilia from the private collection of JX 189540 Leading Seaman William H (Bill) Powis are marked †. Additional Images, marked © IWM, are reproduced under the terms of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

Most of these images are sized to fit the screen, however where possible those containing groups of personnel will open large enough to see individuals. Many, but not all, of these images are available in larger, high-res versions and copies can be supplied upon receipt of a photo request. If you have pictures or other memorabilia that you can contribute to this project please contact the Webmaster using the Offer of assistance form.

The Royal Navy Research Archive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License See our terms of use for conditions regarding using these images in other works.

Sea trials and work up , 824 squadron joins the ship for flying training

HMS ACTIVITY Starboard quarter view, underway in Firth of Forth., possibly on her sea trials. Note she has very few aerials mounted on her mast in this image. © IWM (FL 137)

HMS ACTIVITY Port side view, at anchor.

Captain Guy Willoughby (right facing) with visiting officials on the bridge during her work up period.

Members of the flight deck handling party pose with their flight deck tractor during the ship's work up in late 1942

Members of the flight deck handling party put through their paces with a flight deck tractor during the ship's work up in late 1942

Members of the Fighter Division.

July 1943, a Swordfish takes off from HMS ACTIVITY on a deck landing training sortie. © IWM A 18267

Keeping a watchful eye on proceeding from the bridge Captain Gut Willoughby, on the right, is an old Fairey Swordfish pilot, and the Commander (flying), Major W G Aston of the Royal Marines, seen on the left, is also a fully qualified naval pilot. © IWM A 18268

July 1943, the view from the cockpit of a Swordfish approaching the deck of HMS ACTIVITY (1). © IWM A 18257

July 1943, the view from the cockpit of a Swordfish approaching the deck of HMS ACTIVITY (2). © IWM A 18254

July 1943, the view from the cockpit of a Swordfish approaching the deck of HMS ACTIVITY (3). © IWM A 18256

July 1943, the view from the flight deck as the 'Batsman' guides a Swordfish to a successful landing on the deck of HMS ACTIVITY (4). © IWM A 18269

July 1943, the view from the flight deck as the Swordfish successfully lands on the deck of HMS ACTIVITY (4) Note the crash barrier across the centre of the deck. © IWM A 18263

July 1943, flying is over and the Swordfish are being returned to the hangar for maintenance.© IWM A 18271

ACTIVITY at sea with 2 Martlets and 1 Swordfish of 819 squadron ranged on the front of the flight deck Date unknown. †

HMS ACTIVITY at anchor at Greenock. Three Fairey Swordfish aircraft can be seen on the flight deck with their wings folded. This is a post refit image, note the extra antennae and aerials on the mast. © IWM (A 21849)

Ships Company and recreation

The Captain has an audience with King Neptune and his court. †

The list of Polliwogs (those who have never crossed the Equator before) is read out by the clerk. (1) †

The list of Polliwogs (those who have never crossed the Equator before) is read out by the clerk. (2) †

The Barber at work †

Further scrutiny and he's nearly reedy... †

The order of the bath, the Bears have him! †

Boxing match (1) †

Boxing match (2) †

Boxing match (3) †

Weight lifting completion (1)†

Weight lifting completion (2) †

Weight lifting completion (3) †

Victory over Japan - the the scene from ACTIVITY in Trincomalee harbour on the night of August 15th 1945. The CVE HMS STALKER can be seen at anchor on the left. †

Victory over Japan - the scene from ACTIVITY in Trincomalee harbour on the night of August 15th 1945. The Battleship HMS NELSON is in the distance, left, and the light cruiser HMS SWIFTSURE nearest the camera. †

The ship's company of HMS ACTIVITY pictured C.1945

ACTIVITY crossed both the Arctic Circle (the order of the Bluenosea) and the Equator (the order of the Shellback)

Certificate awarded for crossing the Arctic Circle. †

Certificate awarded for crossing the Equator. †