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The Manchester Regiment: Troopships That Were Used In Malaya - Part 2 - MS Dilwara

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Subject :The Manchester Regiment: Troopships that were Used in Malaya - Part 2 - MS Dilwara
Published By : None 
Location : Malaya
Estimated Year : 1954
Media Type : Photograph
Source : Tom Turnbull & John Harding, Australia
Remark : This series of photographs shows the MS Dilwara another transport ship used by the Manchester Regiment when they sailed to Malaya.

From left to right the photographs show:

  • The MS Dilwara was a 12,555 GRT ocean liner which was built by Barclay Curle & Company in Glasgow, The ship was completed in 1935 Delivered to the British India Steam Navigation Company Ltd, London. The Dilwara was the first purpose~built British troopship since 1867 and she was chartered to the British Government together with her three nearsisters, the Devonshire (Bibby Line, Fairfield, 1939), Dunera (BI, Barclay Curle, 1937) and Ettrick (P&O, Barclay Curle, 1939).

    The Dilwara could accommodate 104 First Class passengers, 100 Second Class, 164 troops' families and 1154 troops. She cost £403,700 and spent part of her first summer operating school cruises.

    In 1942 she took part in the evacuation of Greece, she was also involved in the Sicilian campaign in 1943 and in 1945 the liberation of Burma. During the Japanese surrender of Singapore, the Dilwara was used as a headquarters ship.

    She was sold to China Navigation Co Ltd (John Swire & Co) in 1960 and renamed the KUALA LUMPUR. As how old ships meet their fate she was sold to ship breakers in Taiwan in 1972 to be broken up.

  • The Dilwara is farewelled from Singapore by Gurkha pipes and drums.

    • To go to Part 1, click here
    Filename : 20100224-006