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NavSource Online: Escort Carrier Photo Archive

BLOCK ISLAND (ACV-8) /
HMS HUNTER (D80)

Photos from the collection of Louis Pryor

Submitted by his son, Michael

Louis Pryor

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NS-03-cve8-p52

Louis C. Pryor was a Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., one of the Fighter Direction Officers serving on the HMS Hunter in the Indian Ocean in 1945. He collected many photos from that time. Now, Louis and his son, Michael, have kindly decided to share their photos with us.

Thank you very much, Louis; thank you very much, Michael.

Louis C. Pryor passed away in November 2020, aged 97. "He had a life full of adventure, with personal, family and professional achievements he was very proud of. And one which was a big part of it was the time he spent aboard HMS Hunter," said Michael.

Fair winds & following seas, Louis.

HMS Hunter
110K 807K NS-03-cve8-p01 "Aerial view of the assault carrier H.M.S. Hunter in the Indian Ocean early 1945"	131K 838K NS-03-cve8-p02 "Aerial view of the assault carrier H.M.S. Hunter in the Indian Ocean early 1945"	95K 499K NS-03-cve8-p04 "King Farouk I of Egypt paid an official visit to H.M.S. Hunter in Alexandria (c.Jan.1945)." (Read complete, handwritten caption, including identification of those present, in .PDF format [213K]). Get FREE Adobe Reader
Japanese Surrender, Singapore, September 12, 1945
99K 372K NS-03-cve8-p43 "Handing over of Japanese mine charts at Penang prior to official surrender at Singapore."	100K 403K NS-03-cve8-p46 "Handing over of Japanese mine charts at Penang prior to official surrender at Singapore."	108K 415K NS-03-cve8-p45 "Japanese officers at Penang." Photo by Louis Pryor
108K 509K NS-03-cve8-p03 "H.M.S. Hunter (foreground) entering Singapore harbour in early September 1945. The formal surrender ceremony of all Japanese forces in S.E. Asia took place there on 12 September."	109K 430K NS-03-cve8-p05 "The six most senior officers of the Japanese High Command in S.E. Asia arriving at the Singapore Municipal Building for the 12 September 1945 unconditional surrender of their half million soldiers, sailors and airmen to Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander for South East Asia. A contingent from H.M.S. Hunter formed part of the Honour Guard at the ceremony."	90K 411K NS-03-cve8-p41 "General Slim and Naval and Air Force SE Asia Command at Japanese surrender in Singapore." Photo by Louis Pryor (See also NS-03-cve34-tp0005004, from the album of Chris Thomas).

Photos by Louis Pryor
The Ship
77K 511K NS-03-cve8-p30 "After the end of the war in heavy seas in the Bay of Biscay."	212K NS-03-cve8-p32 "Sponson on HMS Hunter."	58K 259K NS-03-cve8-p38 "HMS Hunter."
	110K 557K NS-03-cve8-p54 "HMS Hunter bridge."
The Aircraft
46K 181K NS-03-cve8-p06	54K 145K NS-03-cve8-p07 "I'm afraid I'm not allowed to mention the date or place of this. Chap landing on went over the side — luckily I had my camera waiting in my hand & I was able to take this as the 'plane hit the water. The pilot escaped miraculously being picked up by a destroyer."	87K 202K NS-03-cve8-p08
74K 345K NS-03-cve8-p09 "This chap crashed on landing (pilot —still in flying clothes— is marked with an X) — plane was more badly damaged than appears in the photo, so over the side it had to go (here they are pushing it) because space is precious in a carrier. Notice cruiser in background, darling. Russell, my best friend of the pilots, marked with an O."	96K 364K NS-03-cve8-p10 "The Walrus — an old 'plane but still the very thing for air-sea rescue as she is amphibian."	98K 226K NS-03-cve8-p11 "Oh, my poor nose! A fire started but was quickly extinguished by foam — that is the white stuff you can see on the engine & on the deck."
92K 223K NS-03-cve8-p12	73K 175K NS-03-cve8-p13 "Notice batsman behind screen"	63K 166K NS-03-cve8-p14 "Notice batsman behind the screen"
115K 388K NS-03-cve8-p15 "Bad landing off Mergui Peninsula. Japs in the islands showing in the background!"	95K 337K NS-03-cve8-p16	122K NS-03-cve8-p25 "Inspecting a damaged plane."
65K 429K NS-03-cve8-p26 "At the airfield in Trincomalee"	89K 567K NS-03-cve8-p53 "Sunderland flying boat"
People
202K NS-03-cve8-p18 "On HMS Hunter - on the left 'Bluey' Wilson, Lt. Com. in charge of Fighter Direction Group, plus another FD officer (name unknown)."	59K 258K NS-03-cve8-p19 "Same person as NS-03-cve8-p18."	41K 238K NS-03-cve8-p20 "Unknown, HMS Hunter."
129K NS-03-cve8-p21 "On left is a pilot, on right unknown."	89K 516K NS-03-cve8-p51 "Fellow officers."	55K 252K NS-03-cve8-p23 "Unknown."
56K 258K NS-03-cve8-p24 "Visitor to HMS Hunter."	76K 428K NS-03-cve8-p27 "Pilot on HMS Hunter."	84K 417K NS-03-cve8-p28 "At Trincomalee airfield."
78K 365K NS-03-cve8-p29 "Pilots' briefing in Trincomalee."	51K 207K NS-03-cve8-p33 "LCP and visiting Argentine fellow officer."	50K 247K NS-03-cve8-p34 "Fellow officer in HMS Hunter."
181K NS-03-cve8-p36 "Officers on leave at South American volunteers house - London (LCP on right)."	52K 229K NS-03-cve8-p37 "Fellow officer on HMS Hunter."	102K 567K NS-03-cve8-p39 "Fellow officer on HMS Hunter."
52K 221K NS-03-cve8-p40 "Unknown."	106K 1.4M NS-03-cve8-p47 "Fighter direction team of HMS Hunter (LCP 4th from left in middle row)" Sixth from left, third row, framed by the two officers in front (with glasses & beard, respectively) is Able Seaman Samuel Leslie (Les) Large. Thanks to his son, David, for the identification. Author unknown	83K 568K NS-03-cve8-p48 "HMS Hunter pilots."
	64K 373K NS-03-cve8-p55 "Fellow officer on HMS Hunter."
Places
47K 205K NS-03-cve8-p31 "Going through the Suez Canal."	129K 785K NS-03-cve8-p49 "Gibraltar?"	106K 676K NS-03-cve8-p50 "Gibraltar?"
	112K 684K NS-03-cve8-p17 "Gibraltar?"
Other Ships
67K 275K NS-03-cve8-p35 "Troop ship in Alexandria."	111K 363K NS-03-cve8-p42 "Helping HMS Nelson tie up at Penang docks?"	98K 706K NS-03-cve8-p44 "French battleship Richelieu which formed part of Allied Indian Ocean fleet." (Author unknown)