Frances Welch's next book: on H.M.S Marlborough

[Janet Ashton]

Dear all
      I am posting this here, hoping it's the best place, although I will make the same post under discussion related to the Dowager Empress, in case people miss this section.

Frances Welch, author of "The Romanovs and Mr Gibbes" and of "A Romanov Fantasy: life at the Court of Anna Anderson" is now researching a book on the voyage of H.M.S. Marlborough from Yalta to Malta in 1919.

If there is anyone in this forum who has an interest in this topic - ranging from ancestors in some way involved in the voyage to contacts with others whose families played a part - and is willing to talk to Frances, please send me a PM with your contact details, and I will pass them on.

With many thanks

Janet

[s.v.markov]

Excellent news! And for those who want to anticipate Ms Welch's book by reading about HMS Marlborough and other vessels' rescue work in the Crimea, the following two books will be of interest (if you can find them!) :
1  Close of a Dynasty by Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Pridham (Wingate, 1956) : Pridham was 1st Lieutenant on 'Marlborough' in 1919, and his book has several chapters on the rescue of the members of the IF, and their voyage. One of the appendices has a list of all those embarked on the vessel 7th - 9th April 1919. Many photos taken on board during the voyage. I think this book is on the AP book page.
2  Goodbye Russia by Capt Evan Cameron (Hodder & Stoughton, 1934) : A lesser known book, detailing the adventures of H.M. Transport 'Rio Negro' during the evacuation of so many thousands of Russians from ports in the Crimea. A look at the way in which 'ordinary' Russian families were rescued from the perils of the Revolution. Well illustrated.

I look forward to more news of Ms Welch's book.

[Joanna]

Another interesting source is the diary of Charles Bertram Jones - '...In 1919, the Marlborough was assigned to the Mediterranean where she took part in Black Sea operations, most notably the evacuation of surviving members of the Russian royal family from Crimea during the Russian Revolution. Thus, Jones had the opportunity to see such figures as the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna and Grand Duke Nicholas gracing the deck of the Marlborough...'

http://pw20c.mcmaster.ca/content/charles-bertram-jones-and-hms-marlborough

Joanna