Family & Friends

Since the launch of this website in April 2006 there has been a steady number of e-mails from relatives of crew members and, indeed, former members of the crews of the Halcyons themselves. Details have been included here of those contacts relating to HMS Gossamer, although e-mail addresses are excluded for privacy and to avoid spam messages. Please contact me if you would like to contact anyone listed here.

Crew Member	Contact	Relationship	Information
Colin Page	Mark Page	Son	I saw your web-site while doing a little research about my Dad. He was an ASDIC operator on the Gossamer, and survived the bombing in 1942. He was mentioned in despatches for saving the life of a crew member during the sinking of a ship – I’m almost certain it was the Gossamer. He was on the ship when she assisted the Edinburgh, and told tales of helping my uncle (who was an officer on the Edinburgh) onto the Gossamer. He also said that the heard the final torpedo through the earphones, as it missed the Gossamer by a fraction before hitting the Edinburgh. He told me that there was a print out of the sound of the torpedo, and he intended to keep it (to assist him as a raconteur) but lost it in the sinking. As an ASDIC operator he assisted in the sinking of a U-boat while on the Gossamer. (He told the tale of him and the depth charge layer tossing a coin for a Soviet medal which was awarded to the ship for the sinking of the U-Boat. Dad said he lost.) Dad died in 1992. His name was Colin Kennedy Page, 24/0218 to 25/03/92. He joined the RN as a regular in 1936, and served until 1946 – when he left to go whaling in the south Atlantic.
George Foster	David Foster	Son	My name is David Foster the son of the late George Foster and the last year or so I’ve been trying to track down some of my father’s war and service history. I’ve finally come to the end of the line and have gone about as far as I can and have gathered a lot of information. I have been greatly assisted by Lt Cdr Rob Hoole and he steered me in your direction in regards to H.M.S. Gossamer. I saw with interest that the WWII veterans and their relatives were now entitled to the Artic Star. I would deeply like to add this to my father’s medals as I think he justly deserved that little bit of recognition. Your Website is fascinating and I instantly located my father’s mention in H.M.S. Gossamer.
Samuel Arthur Hockney	Steve Hockney	Grandson	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
Albert Stanton	Cheryl Edwards	Granddaughter	My Grandfather was killed on the HMS Gossamer in 1942. His name was Albert Stanton. My Father and I have been told very little about Albert as his widow never talked about him. We would very much love to find out some more about him as my Father was only 4 years old when Albert was killed. Could you give me any idea where to start as I have no idea how to trace records etc.