Ja Worsley
December 15, 2010 at 6:09 am

The search for HMS Troutbridge

Some of you in England and some who may have served in the Navies of the world may have come across a Radio Show call The Navy Lark, staring of all people, Jon Pertwee (Dr Who fame), Ronnie Barker (the Two Ronnies, Poridge and many others) and Leslie Phillips (Oldest British film actor alive who saw the opening of the Pinewood Studios and BAFTA nominee).

The series is a spoof of life in the navy and typifies service humor across the world. I’ve always wondered what Troutbridge was, she is basically the core of the entire show. She’s listed as having the following features:
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Radar mast atop the Main mast (left on London bridge in one episode after it clouts a No:39 bus)
Radio mast up high (often left on the end of the Gas Works Crane when leaving dock after refit)
Look outs on each wing (above the bridge)
Twin 4.5 inch guns (who’s barrels are left in a harbour during a rather nasty storm when trying to pick up the Admiral)
Squid Anti-Sub mortar (used to do fishing in one episode for a private venture)
Helo deck (refitted in a later series)

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I’d also like to get a picture of other vessels mentioned in the show:
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Uncle Ebaneezer’s tug
Commander Povey’s Destroyer “Makepeace”
The Potarnyland Frigate “Pompadom” (later refered to as a paddle steamer Gun boat, which differs from the early series which says it’s a Frigate transfered directly from the RN)
A French Frigate
A German Fleet consisting of four Mine hunters and a Depot Ship (also named Troutbridge but in German)
The Admiral’s Bardge (often turned into firewood by Troutbridge as Mr Phillips tries to navigate)
SAR Helo (Takes Murray, Phillips and Pertwee for a spin)

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The link above shows a couple of vessels that MAY be Troutbridge, but I don’t think they fit the bill:

The Leander class ASW frigate, HMS Arethusa
Where are the twin guns up front???

The modified Leander class frigate INS Nigiri
Close but see the Radar mast is lower, thus I discount this one as well

I feel that this vessel is more akin to Troutbridge

The Australian River class Destroyer Escort HMAS Parramatta

The second candidate would be this one

The Leopard class frigate HMS Jaguar

Of all of the above vessels, I feel that the Leopards could be the closest because of service dates- the show aired from March 59 to July 75.

Maybe someone out there might be so inclined to turn the adventures of Troutbridge into a Sim game or something- I know I’d buy it!

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By: Orion - 15th December 2010 at 18:25

Weren’t the Troubridges a Naval family?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troubridge_Baronets

Regards

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By: Ja Worsley - 15th December 2010 at 10:56

Caps off, Caps off lads, we have a man here we are not worthy of!

Ok then smarty pants, fine the other vessels I mentioned 😛
:dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2::dev2:

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By: Bager1968 - 15th December 2010 at 10:37

http://navylark.0catch.com/navy/troutbridge.html

Information on the actual HMS Troubridge that was in service in the Royal Navy, and which the Navy Lark’s Troutbridge is based upon, can be found at David Axford’s Webpage, who served aboard HMS Troubridge.

http://www.axfordsabode.org.uk/troudet.htm

Now they had (as converted) 2 x 4″/45calibre guns in a twin mount amidships, but were originally fitted with 4 single 4.7″ guns, mounted 2 fore & 2 aft.

Note that two, Grenville and Undaunted, were fitted with a helo landing deck.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_15_frigate

HMS TROUBRIDGE was originally built as a ‘T’ class destroyer (1,730 tons) built and laid down by John Brown on 23rd September 1942 and was completed in 1943. (Ship adopted by Walthamstow London). During 1955-57 she was converted to a Type 15 frigate (2,240 tons). I served on her from 5th September 1964 to 4th February 1966, once again mainly in the Mediterranean.

The BBC radio comedy team (Leslie Phillips, Jon Pertwee, Ronnie Barker etc.) of the “Navy Lark” (HMS TROUTBRIDGE) were closely linked with the ship. Their “Ships Badge” was very similar to ours with the exception that the bridge in the centre of the badge was broken! The tapes of the “Navy Lark” were specially sent to the Troubridge and were often played over the SRE.