HMS Acheron
|
HMS Acheron was an A-Class Fleet Destroyer, launched on 18th March 1930, built by John I Thornycroft at Woolston. Atteh outbreak of war she was undergoing repairs at Portsmouth and did not join the 18th Destroyer Flotilla based at Portsmouth for patrol and convoy defence in the English Channel until October. However further repairs were needed and on the 12th of December she was taken back into the dockyard. She was not deployed again until April of 1940 when she joined the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow for Convoy defence and screening duties in support of the landings in Norway.
She took part in Operation Alphabet, escorting Ark Royal in June and at the end of the month returned to Portsmouth to have 3inch high angle guns fitted. Soon after returning to duty in the English Channel she was damaged during a dive bomb attack 10 miles south of St Catherine's Point. Once again she returned to Portsmouth for repairs and whilst there was seriously damaged in an air raid, with two crew members being killed and another three injured.
Repairs were completed in December but she hit a mine off teh Isle of Wight during post refit trails and sank quickly. 167 of the ship's crew and 25 Dockyard workers who were onboard for the trials were lost, only 19 survivors were rescued.
|
List of those who served on HMS Acheron during The Second World War
|
Able Seaman Thomas Plimmer Spratt HMS Acheron (d.17 Dec 1940) This is my Uncle Tom who went down on the Acheron in 1940. he was 21 years old. I think it is now too late to contact anyone who might have served with him. He was also on the HMS Hood for a while. |
Stoker 1st Class Frederick James Thomas " " Doust (d.17th Dec 1940) Frederick Doust was my Great Uncle who served on the destroyer HMS Acheron. He was stoker 1st class and went down with the ship at the age of 39 leaving behind sisters, wife and children. |
Able Sea. Alfred Worthington HMS Acheron (d.19th Dec 1940) |
Able Sea. Reginald William Matthews HMS Acheron (d.17th Dec 1940) Able Seaman Reginald Matthews was my Grandfather. He served with the Royal Navy since the age of 16. He left in 1935 when my father was born. He was called up at the start of WW2 and served on HMS Acheron as a stoker until his death in December 1940. He was 35 years old and left behind his wife and my fathe. |
PO Stwd John Charles Kelly HMS Acheron (d.24th Aug 1940) John Kelly was my uncle, he was one of the three casualties when HMS Acheron was bombed whilst in Portsmouth Harbour. John was an orphan at birth having been abandoned by his mother. His wife was Dorothy Kelly (nee Mellor). He had four children, John, Keith, Joan and "Dinks" who lives in New Zealand and is about 85 years young. I am researching the family tree so any info would be appreciated. |
Able Sea. Joseph "Forger" Dobson HMS Acheron (d.17 Dec 1940) Joseph Dobson was my mam's brother and he was killed on the Acheron, I don't know too much, despite my searching. I'm not sure if he was killed in the initial air raid at Portsmouth, or when the Acheron went down off the Isle of Wight. He was an Able Seaman, so would have been known to some of the survivors; infact, seeing how small the crew was, he was probably known by all of them. I've only seen one photograph of him, and he passed before my mother was born.
My brother and I (Joe's nephews) both went on to serve in the RN, so maybe it's in our blood after all. I wish I'd known him, but I would also like to know more about him. RIP those who were killed.
|
Able Sea. Ronald Allenby Crunden HMS Acheron (d.17th Dec 1940) Ronald Allenby Crunden was my great uncle serving on HMS Acheron. He also
served on HMS Hood at some point. His two brothers, Frederick (my grandfather) and Sydney, were also killed in action. |
Sea. Chapman Ireland HMS Acheron My uncle, Chapman Ireland, who is now nearly 95 was aboard the Acheron when it was sunk. He was one of the survivors. He went on to serve in the Far East with the Royal Navy. He has the Atlantic star and the Burma star. |
Can you help us to add to our records?
The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them
Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial?
Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area?
If so please let us know.
Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice.
Celebrate your own Family History
Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc.
Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.
|
| 
