212629 Sea. Harry Bean Robinson Royal Navy HMS Achates (d.31st Dec 1942) My grandfather once had a cousin, Harry Bean Robinson. He used to visit regularly with his mother weekly and they got on like best friends. When war broke out they both joined the Royal Navy and both allocated to different ships, my grandfather to the Warspite and Harry to the Achates. The war carried on for a further 2 years and my grandfather would often hear how Harry was getting on via his mother my great grandmother. Until 31st December 1942 when the Achates, Harry,and the rest of the crew onboard, encountered the German ships the Lutzow and Hipper whose objective was to sink the convoy to Russia they were escorting along with other destroyers.Whilst laying down a smoke screen for the convoy the Achates came under fire. As far as I know Harry was on the guncrew and was killed instantly and the Achates was so badly damaged that she had to be abandoned with 81 survivors being rescued. Harry along with other brave and honourable crew went down with the ship. My grandfather still can remember the day he found out about Harry's death and told me he was onboard the Warspite when he was called to speak to an Officer from which the news was broken to him. I asked him what his reaction was and his words were; 'I didn't have time to grieve it was war and I was expected to carry on with my duties.' A while later my grandfather received a letter from his mother. To my grandfather's shock he found out that Harry in fact was not his cousin at all, but his half brother. My grandfather, who is still with us, has a photo of Harry on his wall and speaks about him all the time. I am so proud of my Grandfather and Great Uncle Harry Bean Robinson and not to forget all those that fought in the Great War. Every 31st December I raise a glass to Harry and will always remember him through my grandfather's stories and will pass them on to both my sons so as they remember the sacrifices that all those that took part in the war will not be forgotten.
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