This page contains a selection of feedback responses

5th October 2006 HMS SPHINX I was so touched to read for the first time the true fate of HMS Sphinx. My maternal grandfather Lt. A L Tessier was on board and sadly perished with the ship.   Your website is facinating. Thank you for all your hard work. It has meant a lot to my mother and aunt.   kind regards Alejandra Morales Tessier London

 

4th October 2006 HMS SPEEDWELL I have just found your web pages on HMS Speedwell. My Dad served on the ship during the war so it was very interesting to find so much information.  I would be very pleased if you could add my Dad to the crew list, his details are as follows:  Henry Thomas Meek Brown born 1911 died 1965 Rank Sickberth Attendant Joined the ship 22/5/1942 Left the ship 14/2/1946 Mentioned in Dispatches 8th June 1944 (ref AFO 3248/44)  Unfortunately he died when I was quite young so I never really had the chance to talk to him about his war service, he did however leave a photo album of pictures and other memorabilia from his war service. I have put these on my own web site if you want to look at them. The link is www.richardandterri.org.uk   Regards Richard Brown

 

1st October 2006 HMS SHARPSHOOTER Thank you very much for making a rainy Sunday a most enjoyable day.  I am Alan James Keech the Leading Writer on HMS Sharpshooter from 3rd Jan 1946 to 13th July 1947; my official number was C/MX.753425 and my date of birth is 23rd Nov 1927. I am extremely proud to have served on Sharpshooter and to have been connected, in a small way, with the brave history of the Halcyon class minesweepers. Is there anything you would like me to contribute to your fascinating website? Regards, Alan Keech

 

27th September 2006 HMS HAZARD Thanks for the inclusion of our Dads name in the crew list of HMS Hazard, it's an excellent site not only for the historical and family history aspect but it's also a memorial to these ordinary yet extraordinary people.   You asked if there was any photos or documents we would like to be included so I've sent a couple of attachments, one is a photograph of our father and the other is a poem. You tell the story of the freighter Harmatris which concluded on the 20/1/1942, well the next day was Dads birthday and to celebrate his shipmates held a little party for him. The present they gave him was the attached poem which he kept tucked away in a safe place for the rest of his life. I still have the original, a little fragile now but still tucked away in a safe place.   Lastly Bill, in memory of Dad, my brothers and myself are going to apply for the Artic Emblem and would be very grateful if you'd give us the ok to copy some of the pages that refer to the Hazard. We do have Dads service sheet, which the MOD require, but we thought some of the facts you have collected could also be attached. Roger Betts Webmaster: I am always very keen to add personal details of crew members to the site, especially when they include little snapshots of their life on board such as the poem ('Ginger' Betts details have now been added to the site). Of course, anyone can use sections of the site in support of their applications for the Arctic 'Emblem'.

 

15th September 2006 HMS JASON I just found this site yesterday by chance.  I had long given up that there would be much on HMS Jason on the internet.  Great news for you and I hope it will be of help, my uncle William Arthur Bromley, RCN, served in the Jason in 1942, as a stoker I believe.  Dates (other than just “1942”) I am not sure of as of yet but I know that after surviving the sinking of HMS Broadwater, October 18, 1941, he went on leave then on his return Jason became his 2nd ship.  Uncle Art went on to HMS Limbourne in 1943, went on leave 1 week before it was torpedoes and served to Dec 1945 in the HMCS Milltown.  Uncle Art passed away in 1997, I inherited his service medals, some memorabilia, and his naval photo album.  This is where you come in, in that album are at least 4 photos that actually are captioned “Jason”, 1 is of the ship but the other 3 show crew – 1 of Art alone on the deck, another with all the stokers on the deck , and the last one 2 crew member friends with names shown.   There are also about 6 other photos of sailors (named) but at HMS Davenport (I think), these photos are in the same area of the album as Jason but have no way of confirming what ship assigned to at that time.   I noticed in your listings for crew in the source section no Navy list for 1942 (any month), is that still being researched? Or was it just not available?  Anyway I will sometime this weekend or very soon scan for you those photos mentioned and email them on to you.  With the amount of info I have found on your sight for the Jason that gives me a good deal about Art’s second ship.  I have with the help of Ronald (Chalky) White in England been able to collect a lot of info on HMS Broadwater.  That leaves me the Limbourne to research as I have lots on the Milltown.  Peter Bromley Webmaster: The details have been added and I look forward to seeing the photo's. More details from the Navy Lists will be added in the future.

 

28th August 2006 HMS HEBE My father, Robert McLoughlin was a Petty Officer on board HMS Hebe.  He was a radar mechanic and ship's writer and actually ashore at the time Hebe sank.  The date of the sinking was his first wedding  anniversary. I think most of his watch died. He didn't  speak much about the  events of that day, but did tell a remarkable story.  As he was  ashore he wasn't listed among the survivors and the worst was  feared.  By coincidence, his lifelong friend George McFee was in  Bari. George was in the Marines and I think a Commander. When he  learned of the Hebe's sinking he tried to find my father, but with no  luck. George was trying to work out a way of contacting my mother to  tell her the bad news when my old man appeared having just heard that  the Hebe had gone down.  In all the years I knew George, I never  heard him swear, but my father said he'd never heard so many swear  words in one sentence. George managed to send a telegram,  bearing in  mind censorship, it read: Wished Bob a happy first anniversary when I  saw him on the 24th. Happy anniversary, Margaret  from George. The telegram arrived before the news of the Hebe's sinking and my mum  knew my father was okay. My father died in 2000, and George in 2002, but to the end these two friends did everything together. Probably not much good to you, but I'm proud of my old man and proud to have been one of George's friends as well. Bill McLoughlin Webmaster: The information has been added to the website. It is these very human stories that help to bring the site to life. Many thanks.

 

27th August 2006 HMS HUSSAR I wish to update the details of my uncle Cornelius Conway as follows.  Cornelius was 19yrs old and the son of Michael and Sarah Conway of Liverpool. The details of just how Cornelius died have just come to light and I'm trying to find out as much information as I can in order to paint a picture.  Your website is a great help because I now know there is a memorial out there with his name on it.   Paula Braby Webmaster: The website has been updated. Many thanks

 

24th August 2006 HMS BRITOMART My father-in-law, Frederick Martin Seaward, was a crew member of HMS Britomart. He was born 5/7/19 at Brixham, Devon. He joined the Navy at Devonport in 1938 as an Officer's Steward. His service number was D/LX22489.He made 3 trips to North Russia, including PQ17. At the time of the convoys he was Leading Steward on HMS Britomart. He applied for the medal issued by the Russian Embassy, but sadly his application was received too late and he never received a medal. Mr. Seaward died in 1991. Fiona McGregor Webmaster: Many thanks, the details have been added to the site. You should be able to apply for the new Arctic Star.

 

13th August 2006 HMS SEAGULL A/B LESLIE JOHN EARP. (SERVED ON HMS SEAGULL) FEB. 1942 TILL APRIL 1943. CONVOYS PQ15, I6 , 17. JOINED HMS SLINGER 1943 THEN HMS SYLVIA TILL 1946 ,STILL GOING STRONG AGED 82! ... HE SAW PLENTY OF ACTION ON THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS. THESE SAILORS WERE INDEED SUPERMEN! L W EARP Webmaster: Yes, they were indeed. Many thanks for getting in touch, I have added Leslie's details to the site.

 

2nd August 2006 HMS HARRIER Just found your excellent web-site having been looking for details of my late father in law's ship, HMS Harrier.  His name was John Swanson and was born in Liverpool, Lancashire July 13th 1921 and passed away (Liverpool) March 18th 2001 John was a stoker aboard Harrier, but at this moment in time I cannot assist with a service number or dates of service aboard. I do know that he joined the vessel in Russia having travelled out aboard HMS Argus.  Amongst others aboard 'Argus' travelling to join ships, he spoke of a young man en route to join the ill fated Destroyer 'Matabele' He explained that 'Matabele' was lost soon after and his new found friend was amongst those who perished. Sadly he did not speak in great detail of his exploits, save to mention that they were based in Murmansk(?) during his time aboard and shared many of the hardships of the local population, poor rations, black bread etc. He also spoke of the rescue of survivors from an American ('Liberty'??) ship, when a keen eyed lookout spotted their lifeboat as dusk was falling and they were about to abandon the search. After service in 'Harrier' John returned briefly to the UK (means of transport unknown?) and then travelled to the US to 'standby' the building of new LSI's under construction in Virginia(?)  On completion they sailed the vessels back to Europe where they participated in the Sicilian landings.  Wounded (by 'friendly fire' the LSI silhouette was not unlike that of a submarine to a nervous gunner!!) he was hospitalized in Malta, following which he spent further time on a rocket armed landing craft, bombarding the Italian mainland, before rejoining his original LSI for 'D' Day. In the closing months of the War the vessel was engaged ferrying personnel etc. from UK to Antwerp(?)   It had been our intention to mark his 80th birthday with a return to Caen and the Normandy beaches, but sadly this was not to be.  John did apply for and receive his Russian Convoy medal which is displayed along with his other medals in a small cabinet featuring a photograph of 'Harrier'  I hope this may be of interest.  With best wishes  Neil Marsden (Wirral)

 

30th July 2006 I have enjoyed looking at your web-site - obviously a lot of work has been put into it, and you can be proud of your efforts to honour the memory of the ships and the men who manned them. Whilst I have no links to the RN I am very interested in its history, and sites such as these make knowledge about types of vessels and their classes accessible to all. Many congratulations on your fine work, I shall certainly drop by again. James Walker Hong Kong

 

28th July 2006 HMS GOSSAMER Thank you so much for this website. It is both enlightening and humbling. I came across it in the search for my Grandfathers' naval history. He was Petty Officer Steward (Samuel) Arthur Hockney C/L. 14824. I had been told (and your site clarifies) that he had served on HMS Gossamer between 1940 and 1942. Here my problem begins. I do not know onto which ship my Grandfather was stationed after the sinking of the Gossamer. My father thinks it may have been HMS Leda. Sometime in 1942, my Grandfather was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (London Gazette, issue 35841, 29/12/1942), for what I have no idea. The story goes that during WW2, he was in fact sunk twice. Any help in this matter, or pointers in the right direction would be most appreciated Steve Hockney WEBMASTER: PO Steward Hockney was also mentioned in despatches for calming French troops at Dunkirk bu singing to them!. Leda was in the first convoy to return to the UK after Gossamer's sinking so he may have been on board as a 'passenger'. To find out which ships he served on a copy of his service record should be obtained, the Veterans Agency website includes the form to be used.

18th July 2006 HMS HEBE My Grandfather, George Kirk. served on HMS Hebe during its last voyage. My father and myself and brothers have all been to visit his grave in Bari. Are there any records or photographs of crew where my grandfather may be mentioned or pictured. Any more information would be wonderful as my father was only 5 years when his father died. Jason Kirk WEBMASTER: All information is added to the site as soon as it is found. There is a steady flow of information from other relatives so hopefully we will learn more about the crew in time.

 

Under Belgian flag SPEEDWELL was renamed TOPAZE owned by SA John Cockerill, Antwerp. She was converted into a general cargo ship (not fruit carrier). She was aligned on the Ostend-Tilbury line operated by her owners. The SPEEDWELL was rebuilt at Hoboken by the SA J. Cockerill. She arrived at Ostend on 19.12.1947 and entered into service for her new owners on 20.12 (Capt. Tabary) her new tonnages were: 1032 grt  485,41 n  1532 dwt  15 kn 11.5.1954 wrecked en route to Dutch shipbreakers (Arie Rijsdijk) Reported sold and delivered to Dutch breakers at Hansweert May 1954. BU at Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht 1955 by NV Rijsdijk Boss & Zonen , work began on 14.11.1955 Maurice Voss Belgium WEBMASTER: Great! Many thanks for this extra information, the site has been updated and as a result, new photo's have been found of Speedwell as Topaze.

 

28th June 2006 HMS SHARPSHOOTER My father Vic Webster and his twin brother Ron Webster both served on H.M.S. Sharpshooter together. Vic's service No was JX397458 I am unsure of Ron's at this time but will let you know if I find out. Vic and Ron joined together at Chatham 4th Jan 1943 and both joined the Sharpshooter on 29th April 1943 and remained with her until 2nd May 1946 as boatswains.  Being twins they used to get up to all sorts of mischief. Attached is a photo of them both ( Vic on the left ) somewhere in the Med Mark Webster WEBMASTER: Great to hear from another Sharpshooter relative. A page containing the photo has been added to the 'Sharpshooter Crew' page.

 

21st June 2006 HMS BRITOMART My uncle was on the Britomart when she sank. His name was William Stanton (sub RNVR Lieut) and he died aged 22 on 26/6/47. As far as I know he never really recovered from the oil in his lungs when he was in the sea and was in some kind of naval convalescent home from then onwards. Any information about what happened to those who survived (where they went, any compensation etc) would be great to know about. Belinda Stott WEBMASTER: I will keep adding information to the site as I find it. I have no information about the survivors at present.

 

4th May 2006  HMS GOSSAMER Thanks for doing this web-site. I'm delighted that you've already included my notes about my Dad (Colin Page AB ASDIC HMS Gossamer). When I think of the remarkable achievements of those who served, and how ordinary they appeared in later life it makes me feel humble (and proud at the same time) to be related to them. I think the web-site is wonderful, and I think Dad would be touched to see it. I have been in touch with my brother who has recalled some tales of Dads, so I'll compile them into a little history for you. Please keep up the good work. Mark Page

 

14th April 2006  HMS HUSSAR As a daughter of one of the crew of HMS Hussar (AB William George Frederick Sandell) who was lost on that dreadful day in August 1944, I can offer nothing but praise to you Bill for the preparation of this site. I have been spellbound for a couple of hours reading all that you have collated.  If anyone from the Hussar has any crew photos, I would of course be delighted to receive a copy.  I am also going to collate some details of my own father's service with the Halcyons to add to the site as soon as I can, and I look forward to reading other comments.  CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BILL.  Eileen Carpenter nee Sandell

 

13th April 2006 HMS HUSSAR I wonder if you can help me. For many years my family have been under the impression that my mum's uncle went down on the HMS Hood until I mentioned to my mum that the Hood went down in 1941 and my grandma had letters from him in 1944 from the HMS Hussar and he was lost at sea in August 1944 which ties in with the Hussar's dates.  If you have any information on the Hussar and what actually happened i would greatly appreciate it. Kind Regards Zoe Bradshaw Webmaster: Information was supplied to Zoe showing that her relative was one of those who died in the friendly fire attack on HMS Hussar. That's fantastic, so he did go down with the Hussar at last the mystery is solved. Just want to congratulate you on your website it is fantastic and more information that we could have wished for.  Those poor men and what they must have suffered. Thanks again Zoe

 

11th April 2006 HMS SPHINX (Brian Walker's father was a crew member of HMS Boreas which attempted to save Sphinx) I must congratulate you on a superb website. It is excellent in every way and a very fine addition to the RN history of WW2 plus a fitting memorial to the crew who lost their lives in service of their country. I noted on the HMS Sphinx casualty roll that two of the men were from my hometown of Gillingham. You may be interested to know that my father is alive and well and will be 88 in June. I guess he must be one of a few participants still alive who witnessed the final moments of the Sphinx and the rescue of some of her crew.   Best wishes and thank you. Brian Walker, Adelaide

 

21st March 2006 HMS BRITOMART My father Lieut P A BLOCK served on Britomart until his death when the ship was bombed at Portsmouth? Rye Bay? in 1941. I am seeking further information about this incident. If anyone can help please could they contact me. Christine Mayhew-Smith (née BLOCK) Webmaster: Details of the attack were supplied to Christine (they have now been put on the web site) 27th March 2006 It was very kind of you to go to all that trouble but I am indebted to you as I am afraid I know very little about my father. His life and death were something of a closed book and I've had to glean details here and there...Anyway I'm much obliged and thank you very much indeed. 10th April 2006 (Christine was notified that the web site had been launched) Thanks for the details of the Halcyon website. It looks very good and altho' I don't have the time right now I'm looking forward to settling down and reading the lot over Easter. I don't suppose there are many officers and crew left to appreciate the magnificent work you have put in but perhaps there are plenty of families to thank you for the work you have undertaken.