|
12.2.200
HMS
Eagle and Trawler Stoke City - WW2
Harry
hope served in both. Now 78 and would love to hear from old
shipmates, Contact son Andy Hope, Ham Mills Yard, Bowlish, Shepton
Mallet, Somerset BA4 5JH
email: andy@greenroadshow.demon.co.uk
17.2.2000
Hi
Nick,
Ex-Merchant
Navy myself but that is another story later. This story I hope you
will post because he was a very modest fellow, anyway this is what
was said of him:
This article taken from the News Desk Aylesbury
( 318333:Thame 260490.
Arthur Hook, who was
86, moved to Thame in 1948 with his wife Aileen after working in
London and Oxford, and was a member of the Thame Players. The couple
has one son, Arthur who lives in Thame with his wife Pam, and two
Grandchildren.
Arthur’s war story, which was reproduced
for Thame’s 50th.anniversary celebrations of VE
Day, was one of remarkable courage in conditions, which tested the
limits of human endurance.
In 1942, Arthur was called up to the Royal
Navy and was posted with his wife and baby son to Glasgow to be
the ‘Jack Dusty’ in charge of stores on the new destroyer,
HMS Cassandra. The ship was part of the Arctic Convoys, which
protected ships carrying essential supplies to Russia’s only
ice free port, Murmansk.
They faced every hazard known to seamen, including
bitterly cold and violent weather which froze sea spray into huge
blocks of ice, as well as making the ship lurch and roll, the ice
rendered the ship dangerously top heavy and it had to be hacked
off with axes by the crewmen.
The convoys also had to face enemy action
from air attacks as well as German war vessels and U-boats, and
in December 1944, one of them torpedoed the Cassandra as she ploughed
through the sleet and snow in a fierce gale. The front of the ship
was completely destroyed; killing 62 men and leaving Arthur perched
on the open front of what was left of the ship.
Miraculously, the ship remained afloat, and
despite the appalling conditions, an escort vessel took the ship
in tow and hauls it for four days and 400 miles back to Russia.
When it was in port, the crew remained on board in what turned out
to be the equivalent of a gigantic fridge for six months while repairs
were carried out. By the time the ship was ready to sail, peace
had been declared.
Are there any old shipmates out there who
would like to contact me for further information that could be passed
on to Arthur Hook’s Family? Arthur sadly passed away on Christmas
Eve 1999, and this story was unknown to me although having been
a friend for quite a few years. This is a small piece of Arthur’s
life that I am sure you will agree should be told.
Alf Clark.
30 Lemana Street,Miandetta,Devonport. 7310, Tasmania.
email:
Alona@microtech.com.au.
1/5/2000
From Roger
Mason Tom Webster Benbreace and Siesta
based at Swansea would like to make contact with: Dick Taylor (Stoker)
(originaly from middlesboro) and George Morton of MFV1109 (originaly
from south sheilds). also would like to hear from anyone else who
knows him.
email: Roger Mason
17/6/00
I wonder if anyone can help trace, or know what has become of a
shipmate of my father. My fathers name is Arthur Layer (
known as chubb) and he served with the R N P S around 1940
- 1941. His friends name is Christopher Congreve ( not sure
of the spelling of the surname,) and he probably came from Lincs.
My father served on Q1172 and was at HMS Bembow in Trinidad. Details
are very sketchy but if anyone knows Christopher or my father ,
he would love to hear from them.
Thank you . Mrs V Craigie. Craigie@tesco.net
5/6/00
Dear Nick,
I would be grateful if you have any information/photos of HMT
Reboundo FY902. My father served on her during the war.
Also if you have anything on the :- Ascona, MMS 225
or MMS 1076. Excellent site. Best regards Julian Brown julian.dj.brown@talk21.com
My
name is Joe
Steele and I would like some help in tracing the following
shipmates: -
Walter Ross Mersey Div. RNVR was called up with me August
1939. I last saw him aboard a drifter in North Shields just after
Dunkirk and all efforts to trace him have failed.
George
Begley Belfast RNVR, Telegraphist who served with me on HM trawlers
"Dalmatia" and Darthema" in 1940/1941
Lt Cdr Benson DSC (RNVR Mersey Div) who was my C/O aboard
"Dalmatia" and "Darthema" as above. I last saw him when a ships
company photograph was taken at Portsmouth prior to him joining
a Fleet Sweeper. Any information can be emailed to me at address
CGWilliams53@realmail.co.uk
|
.6.3.2000
From David Hutchins
I would like to contact anyone who served on HMS Pleiades between
10th Feb 44 to 12 Dec 44 with my Father, Harry Hutchins
email: xlr74@dial.pipex.com
6.3.2000
From Phil Hannah
Does any one know my dad George Henry (Harry) Hannah who
served RNPS at sparrows nest 1939 -1945 (demob 1947) He was skipper
Lt on discharge. He died 10 years ago but regaled me when I was
little with tales of minesweeping and german air attacks. He stayed
in lowestoft-trawling until late 1960s
Statement of Service RNR (issued by MOD 2/6/1988
Name: George Henry Hannah DOB 1.1.1912 POB Hessle, Humberside
Ranks and Seniority dates:
21/2/41 Entered RNR as seaman for 2ndHand (Service No.Lt/JX242624)
01/5/44 Promoted Temporary Skipper
Appointments
-/02/41 HMS Our Bairns
-/05/43 HMS Oaklea
-/02/44 HMS Sir EP Willis
01/05/44 HMS Europa for course
12/08/44 HMS Chiltern as 2nd Skipper
14/08/45 HMS Europa
21/10/45 HMS Ben Medic as 2nd Skipper
8/12/45 HMS Europa
27/1/46 HMS Martello for MMS 233 as 1st Lt.
-/10/46 HMS Wildfire
21/03/47 Released Class 'A' on completion of mobilised service.
email:phil@philhannahpics.sol.co.uk
6.3.2000
From Patrick
Dennehy
As the son of one of your members but even worse an ex pongo myself,
I can readily admit that this site could be the answer to a long
standing puzzle shown in my fathers Certificate of Service. But
firstly I have to publicly state my thanks to Steve Drever (Grimsby)
for guiding me to Harry Tate's. If anyone remembers my father, Percy
Dennehy, could they provide the answer to this entry in the
aforementioned Record: "Recipient refused DSM (acknowledged)" The
only other clue there is the pencilled entry "U1 Guernsey 88012".
email: phil@philhannahpics.sol.co.uk
2/6/2000
Len
Forsythe
I joined the RNPS in 1943 and served on MMS 302, MMS84 and then
2 trawlers HMT Gateshead and HMT Acacia. I served in the 132nd MSF
flotilla on D-Day and thereafter. I would like to hear from ship-mates.
email:Mike_Hare@btinternet.com
8/6/00
This message
sent in by Jim White for his father who is looking for a photograph
of his beloved trawler HMT Ben Glas. Message reads;
HMT Ben Glas
Aberdeen Trawler sweeping out of Queenborough. If any one has a
photograph could I borrow to copy. All postage will be refunded,
and originals returned. Shipmate Maurice "Knocker" White, 8,Nottage
Road, Newton, Mumbles, Swansea. SA3 4SU. Telephone: 01792 368098
e-mail djw351@yahoo.com
FY 808 Ben
Glas 234 tons built 1917 requisitioned November 1939 as an Auxiliary
Patrol vessel and minesweeper. She was returned to her owners
in October 1944.
Many thanks,
and congratulations on a superb web site. Jim White
3/6/00
Anyone know anything about HMS Cutty Sark or her crew? Built as
a destroyer in 1920 but completed as a yacht for Henry Keswisk,
Jardine Matheson. Maiden voyage to Far East 1920/21. Duke of Westminster's
No 2 Floating Gin Palace 1925-1939, when requisitioned by RN. Anti-submarine
work 1939/1940; then submarine escort work out of Holy Loch (mentioned
in "One of Our Submarines"). (Captain RH Mack; navigating officer
Lt Cdr L H de Chateleux). Jewish Marine League training ship 1946/47
in King's Lynn (as TS Joseph Hertz). Broken up 1948.
Any information gratefully received robin@rihm.freeserve.co.uk
2/7/00
Ex Royal Naval Patrol Service Assn Scarborough
branch. If you live within 60 miles of scarborough make a signal,
your shipmates want to get in touch, time is running out.
thanks
John Judge hmsc@lineone.net
|
