Lindisfarne Historical Society Inc | Community organisation

Lindisfarne Historical Society Inc

Phone: +61 439 379 640

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24.01.2022 Today is the 75th Anniversary of the D Day landings in Normandy, France on 6 June 1944 - Operation Overlord. This was, and still is, the greatest amphibious as...sault in history. And today we can honour the efforts of one Tasmanian who helped to ensure the invasion of France was successful. Kenneth ‘Ken’ Hudspeth was born in Echuca, Victoria in 1918. In 1919 his family moved to Tasmania, where his father became Principal of Hobart Technical College. Ken trained as a teacher before joining the Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve in July 1940. He transferred to the UK in early 1941 and was on corvettes on North Atlantic convoy escort duties until mid 1942. He volunteered for ‘hazardous service’ and commenced training in the new midget submarines known as X Craft. As lieutenant, he was made CO of X-10. His first major action was Operation Source in September 1943, using X Craft to attack the German battleships Tirpitz, Scharnhorst and Lutzow in Norwegian fjords. X-10 suffered significant equipment failure approaching the Scharnhorst, which almost crippled the sub, forcing Hudspeth and crew to withdraw. He was awarded the DSC for his efforts, while two Victoria Crosses were awarded to other skippers. Hudspeth (in X-20) was involved in preparations for Operation Overlord. Surveys of the proposed Normandy landing beaches were done in January 1944. Periscope reconnaissance of the shoreline and echo-soundings were carried out and at night, X-20 would approach the beaches. Divers swam ashore and collected beach samples in condoms! For this work, Hudspeth was awarded a bar to his DSC. Two days before D Day, X-20 and X-23, were in position off the French Coast, to act as navigational beacons for invasion fleet and help them land on the correct beaches. This was Operation Gambit, where the X Craft had radio beacons and echo sounders to help direct Canadian and British ships to the beaches. At 0500 on 6 June 1944, X-20 raised its periscope and mast with navigation lights (facing seaward) and waited. The X Craft were in danger of being hit by German artillery fire directed at the approaching Allied fleet as well as the risk of being rammed by Allied landing craft heading for the beaches. Yet their mission was a complete success. Ken was awarded a second Bar to his DSC ‘for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy'. He was demobilised in 1946. Ken returned to his occupation as a teacher and retired in 1979. He was a long time member of the Maritime Museum, being a made a Life Member in 1996. He died in December 2000. See more

22.01.2022 Are you awaiting the The LHS 2019 calendar?. Stock will arrive in our History Room and the LCAC Community Library soon. Cost $15. If you would like to pre order a copy please message below. Thank you to all our loyal members and others who with your purchase, support our local Lindisfarne Historical Society.... The photo below is old Franklin St, now the site of Woolworths.

19.01.2022 lindisfarne 60 years ago photo wallace proctor

19.01.2022 30 Calendars are left from our final order... We hope that we have been able to supply a calendar to everyone after a fantastic response from all our Facebook followers. They are available from the Lindisfarne Community Library 10-2pm weekends and until this Saturday 10-12noon. The Lindisfarne Historical Society 2021 Calendar is a wonderful present idea for all who love Lindisfarne. Each month showcases a nostalgic photo from the societies collection....just $15

15.01.2022 Come join us on Monday 26th November at 2pm @ Lindisfarne Community Activities Centre Guest: Dr Christina HenriCome join us on Monday 26th November at 2pm @ Lindisfarne Community Activities Centre Guest: Dr Christina Henri

12.01.2022 just a bit of memorabilia back in the day when my dad had the Ampol The good old service with a smile

11.01.2022 Cars heading towards the Floating Bridge from the Eastern Shore. Rose Bay High School under construction on the hill. Linc AA116_1_132

07.01.2022 Annual General Meeting Monday 25th March 2pm@LCAC, Lincoln St Guest Speaker Reg WatsonAnnual General Meeting Monday 25th March 2pm@LCAC, Lincoln St Guest Speaker Reg Watson

07.01.2022 OUR CALENDARS HAVE ARRIVED AND ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE HISTORY ROOM. THEY COST $15.00. DON'T MISS OUT

07.01.2022 The talk and the book both sound most interesting

05.01.2022 Wow - Hobart has changed a whole lot since then! #alwayslocal #pulsefmtas

04.01.2022 The new full colour book The Sorell Line: Return Trip covers the history and stories of the railway that linked Sorell and Bellerive from 1892 to 1926. This 132... page book presents the story of the Line as a return trip. Available for $29.99. Two Book launches with the first at 11am at Holts Mitre10, 1 Gordon St, Sorell on Saturday 12 October with guest speaker Chris Wisbey. The second at 3pm at the Waterfront Hotel, Cambridge Road, Bellerive on Tuesday, 22 Oct with guest speaker Doug Chipman. See more

01.01.2022 What a great year it was!