El ALAMEIN > RANUI – On Lake Taupo
The 32’ launch El Alamein, later renamed Ranui, that was built and launched by Supreme Craft in 1945 and has made several appearances on WW (links below to those stories).

Recently I was contacted by Paul London, in regard to Noel East, a previous owner of the launch. Paul has many fond memories of times on the launch at Lake Taupo. Paul was motivated to contact WW to re-connect with a Terry Arnold, a ‘distant’ cousin of his and grandson of Noel East.
Terry Arnold made contact with WW and shared the photos above El Alamein during Noel and Grace East ownership period. In the first photo the lad with the red cap holding a trout is Terry, as Terry commented the trout in those days were both plentiful and stout. 

In the photo below we see the Lake Taupo marina, where El Alamein / Ranui was berthed when owned by Noel & Grace East. There are some grey area’s as to when the name changed from El Alamein to Ranui but the boats know places of residence are summarised below:

• 1945 – Lake Rotoiti • 1949 – Lake Taupo. Possibly when the name change occurred 

• 2020 – Hokianga Harbour. Presently a inner-harbour charter boat.

The clinker dinghy photo sees the grandchildren Terry, Clfiton and Raewyn Arnold out on Lake Taupo in the launches tender.

WW STORY LINKS

August 2015   https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/03/el-alamein-ranui/
October 2016 https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/10/12/el-alamein/
December 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/12/05/ranui-rejoins-the-work-force/