Last month, on 15 August, the Nation celebrated VJ Day, the 80th Anniversary of Japan’s surrender, ending War in the Far East. 15 August was also HRH The Princess Royal’s 75th Birthday – and Boleh, with her Jap fighter screen deck-lights, has links to both these events.
Boleh’s creator, Robin Kilroy, and fellow Naval aircrew served with distinction in the war against Japan. Later, in the 1950s, some of these veterans sailed with Robin in Boleh, including his friend Ronnie Hay, Royal Marine fighter ace and Battle of Britain pilot. Robin and our Ops Director Craig’s grandfather, Douglas, were also shipmates in HMS INDEFATIGABLE (pictured under Kamikaze attack) whose aircraft destroyed Japanese oil depots in Sabang, Boleh’s first port of call on her epic 1950 voyage to the UK.
And HRH’s Birthday – towards the end of Boleh’s passage from Singapore 75 years ago the ship’s log has the following entry:
“Tuesday, 15th August 1950. Position: 37deg 44′ N., 39deg 10′ W. Run: 38. The barometer was climbing higher and higher, while the varnish and paint situation became critical. We celebrated the arrival of Princess Elizabeth’s daughter.”
When HRH visited Boleh in 2021 we were able to show her this entry at page 197 of the book ‘Boleh’ and present her with a copy. Boleh’s visit to Sabang is covered at page 66. To read more go to “Boleh” by Robin Kilroy
