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HMS Cossack
HMS Cossack F03 was a Destroyer of the Tribal class. Cossack was built by Vickers Armstrong and launched on the 8th of June 1937 HMS Cossack was lost on the 24th October 1941 having left Gibraltar escorting a convoy to England. Cossack was at the rear of the convoy on the 23rd Oct when a torpedo from U-563 hit just forward of the bridge killing Captain Berthon and 158 of his officers and men. A further 29 were injured. The crew were rescued by other ships of the convoy. HMS Cossack did not sink as a result of the torpedo, but was lost in bad weather as an attempt was made to tow her back to Gibraltar.
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List of those who served on HMS Cossack during The Second World War
- A.b. Stanley Cowan (d. 8 nov 1939 )
- Stoker Alan d. Abery (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- Writer Ronald w.h. Adams (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- L/steward Joseph Aquilina (d. 12 nov 1940 )
- Chief stoker James Atherton (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker p.o Arthur h. Attfield (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker Lawrence s. Avory (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/telegraphist Edward f. Baker (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Leonard Barton (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker p.o. James Baxter (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- Capt. E.L. Berthon, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN (d. 23 Oct 1941)
- O.d. Leslie j. Mck. Bodle (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker Charles e. Bond (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Roy g. Bonner (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d., rnsr Herbert Boucher (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- Stoker 2c John d. Briggs (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/signalman William g. Brighton (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Arthur Broxham (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker Lawrence Butler (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy 1c Leslie Call (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. William t. Cave (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Canteen asst, Andrew h. Clark (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- O.d. William h. Clarke (d. 8 nov 1939 )
- Supply p.o. James f.s. Clarke (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. John w. Clarkson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/stoker p.o. Ronald c. Coggins (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/stoker Patrick Collins (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Signalman, rnvr Alexander b. Colthart (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/stoker John Connelly (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Thomas Cook (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/telegraphist Percy Corry (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Telegraphist Desmond p.l. Costello (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Yeoman of signals Leonard c. Cranham (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 2c James w. Creighton (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- E.r.a. 5c Charles Cullen (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- P.o. telegraphist Alfred e. Curry (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b., rfr Francis a. Dauviin (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Vivian m. Davies (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Sidney r. Dawson (d. 14 apr 1940 )
- Boy William Day (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c Cecil w.o. Delara (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/telegraphist James a. Dilks (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- P.o. Frederick c. Doe (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/p.o.telegraphist Richard f. Dorricott (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/stoker Cyril h. Downs (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c George Duncan (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Signalman Edward Earl (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Robert c. Earle (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. William a. Edinborough (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- L/telegraphist Ronald r. Elms (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/yeoman of sigs Alfred g. Emmens (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Telegraphist Eric Farmer (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Ralph m. Forbes (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. George r. Ford (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy 1c James j. Fox (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- L/seaman Alfred b. Fox (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy 1c Mervyn g. Fradley (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Chief stoker Douglas m Gammack (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Samuel g. Gates (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Writer Alfred Goble (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Charles h. Good (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 2c Walter h. Green (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- E.r.a. George a. Griffiths (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- O/coder John g. Hamlet (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy 1c James Hannah (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/coder John Hargreaves (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy Dennis Harvey (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/signalman, rnvr Stanley s. Hawes (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Jack Heather (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Joseph f. Heatherley (d. 8 nov 1939 )
- O.d. Charles l. Hewitson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Frank p. Higson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/signalman Harold Hill (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Stanley Hilton (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Electrical 4c Norman Hirst (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/signalman Alan n. Hodgkinson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Watson Horseman (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d., ranr. Frederick w. Howell (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b., rnvr John g. Howison (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Charles c. Howman (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Prby supply asst John a. Hughes (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Alfred Hunter (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- P.o. Leslie j. Hutchins (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c George Illingworth (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Lt Max f. Isaac (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- C/electrical Geoffrey h. Jackson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/seaman John h.w. James (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Claude w. Jenkins (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker p.o. Hubert i. Jenkinson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Alan b. Johnson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/yeoman of signals Alfred e. Jones (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Frederick s. Keenes (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/signalman Harold b. Key (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Cecil h. Knight (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/signalman Herbert Knight (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/seaman Cyril f. Lambe (d. 24 oct 1941 )
- Seaman, rnr Ernest Lander (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy Reginald a. Lawrence (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- E.r.a. 3c., rnr Matthew m. Liston (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker Alfred a.c. Lowe (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Robert l. Macdonald (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/seaman John n. Macleod (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/seaman Albert w. Marshall (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker Stanley a. Marshall (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- P.o. cook John a. Mayes (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 2c Albert Mcgowan (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- P.o. Frederick a. Miles (d. 10 nov 1940 )
- O.d. Anthony w. Millard (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Cyril f. Mitchell (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Telegraphist William p. Mumford (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- L/stoker Francis Nee (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c Wallace p.g. Newman (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/e.r.a. 4c Thomas Nimmons (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/cook, rnsr Robert O'hara (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Cecil h. Patterson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. John w. Pattinson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c Leonard Pawsey (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- L/telegraphist John Payton (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- C/ordnance George e. Perryer (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Robert k. Piper (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Roy Popple (d. 8 nov 1939 )
- O/coder Arthur l. Proctor (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/signalman Thomas r. Rainford (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- L/stoker Eric Ray (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c Abraham Readey (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Surgeon-Lieut. Ranyl Rhydwen R.N.V.R. Read his story
- A/p.o.telegraphist Edward g. Riall (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Thomas c. Richmond (d. 8 nov 1939 )
- A.b. Alan Rimmer (d. 10 nov 1940 )
- L/seaman Charles w. Robinson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Shipwright 4c John s. Rodger (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Lt Hugh w.m. Rose (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/telegraphist Donald Ross (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- L/s.b.a. Eric g.h. Rumsey (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Arthur w. Salter (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/telegraphist Stanley w. Saunders (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- P.o. Arthur g.a. Saunders (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 2c Eric Savory (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy Frank Shaw (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy Geoffrey f. Simmons (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Dennis f. Smith (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/stoker p.o. John h. Smith (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Telegraphist John Smith (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O/telegraphist Kenneth Southworth (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c, rfr Henry J. Springall (d. 27 oct 1941 )
- C.p.o.telegraphist George w. Starkiss (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Chief yeo. Of signals Sidney w.p. Stone (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c Harold v. Sutton (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. David c.r. Swabey (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy 1c James t. Tanner (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Ernest l. Taylor (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/ord.art. 4c Arthur Taylor (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Frank h. Taylor (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. John Taylor (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 2c John Taylor (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker p.o. Joseph e. Templeman (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- Stoker 1c John Thomas (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Philip Thompson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Peter a. Thomson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Alexander Tischler (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/l/stoker John h. Tribe (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Herbert g. Turk (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Reginald f. Turner (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Thomas h.c. Tyrell (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- Signalman Cyril w. Venning (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Cook Arthur r. Walker (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A.b. Reginald t.g. Wallace (d. 3 nov 1941 )
- O.d. David Wallace (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Herbert w. Ward (d. 13 apr 1940 )
- Boy 1c Douglas c. Weaver (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Boy 1c Richard a. Wesson (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Lt, ran William g. Wheeler (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c David Whitehall (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Canteen mgr Jack a. Williams (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- A/p.o. John a. Wood (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Canteen asst John Wood (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. Malcolm Wornell (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- O.d. John a. Yarhan (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- Stoker 1c Harold Yates (d. 23 oct 1941 )
- P.O. John William "Lofty" Butler DSM. Read his Story.
- Ray "Taff" Davies Read his Story.
- Lt. Cmdr. John Donald Flint Read his Story.
- QM. Raymond Snow "Snowy" Phillips Read his Story.
- Ken Robinson Read his Story.
- Ernest Lyndon Taylor (d.23rd October 1941) Read his Story.
- Ernest Lyndon Taylor (d.23rd October 1941) Read his Story.
- Lt. William Wheeler DSC. MID. (d.23rd Oct 1941) Read his Story.
Ray "Taff" Davies HMS Manchester
My first ship was the destroyer HMS Cossack (LO3)and I was aboard when she was sunk by a German U-Boat in the North Atlantic in 1941. I was one of 58 survivors out of a ship's complement of 240. I spent 6 hours in the water and was able to help rescue a young Lieutenant who went on to become Rear Admiral Anthony Davies. Rear Admiral Anthony Davies eventually became the President of the Swindon Branch of the RNA and stayed in contact with me and my family until he passed away a few years ago. We were eventually rescued by HMS Legion, which was under the command of Commander Jessel.
My next ship was the cruiser HMS Manchester that was sunk whilst escorting a Malta convoy in August 1942. We were in the water for 12 hours and eventually picked up by an Italian E-Boat and taken to Tunis. We were then tranferred by train to Algiers and truck to Laghouat POW camp, which was 320 miles into the Sahara desert. I spent 5 months in Laghouat and was then repatriated to Algiers where I took passage aboard the troopship Arundel Castle back to Rosyth in Scotland. I then travelled back to RNB Portsmouth before taking 2 weeks leave.
I then joined the light cruiser HMS Emerald and sailed for the Far East in January 1943 and patrolled the Indian Ocean for about 18 months before being recalled post haste back to the UK. We went straight back to Rosyth, we were not allowed any leave and once back at sea the ship's company was informed that it was D-Day - Operation Neptune to the navy. Our beachhead was 'Sword' and 'Juno' where we were attacked by a German bomber. The bomber dropped 5 bombs, 2 to port and 2 to starboard, buckling the port and starboard plates. The fifth bomb landed on a gun deck and remarkably did not explode. We spent 10 days on the beachhead.
In 1944 I joined the Hunt Class destroyer HMS Talybont (L18) and saw out the war in Europe. We then sailed to the med' for 2 1/2 years service on Palestine patrols. After the war I was called but because of the Korean war and I saw out my service until 1951 on HMS Battleaxe.
Ernest Lyndon Taylor HMS Cossack (d.23rd October 1941)
My father's brother Ernest Lyndon Taylor died on H.M.S. Cossack 23/10/1941. My father would like to get in contact with anybody who knew him
Ernest Lyndon Taylor HMS Cossack (d.23rd October 1941)
My father's brother Ernest Lyndon Taylor died on H.M.S. Cossack 23/10/1941. My father would like to get in contact with anybody who knew him
QM. Raymond Snow "Snowy" Phillips HMS Cossack
I am trying to find out information about my uncle, Raymond Snow Phillips. I understand he served on HMS Cossack and was in the boarding party that boarded the Altmark, but beyond a couple of news paper cuttings I have no other information. I anyone could contact me if you know anything about him.
Ken Robinson HMS Cossack
Ken is still alive and kicking, just got back from Norway where he was involved in the boarding of the prison ship the Altmark.... 70 years ago. They have just had the memorial service there. He was also involved in further action in Norway and Malta convoys. He also saw the sinking of the Bismark as the Cossack was mine sweeping and covering the battle from behind. He was posted to pom pom 4, which I understand is the big guns, 4 personnel on each one.
I love to hear his stories, each time we visit he recalls something new. Like the time he was training the mounted machine gun on a diving Ju44 as the ship was flung to starboard, one minute he is shooting at a plane, the next he is looking at the sea. Or the time he asked to jump from the row boat to the mooring in Scapa Flow with the rope... just because he got a tot of rum for doing it. He was unfortunately... or fortunately as it turned out, injured during re-arming the pom pom at Grangemouth. As he damaged his shoulder, he missed the next posting, where the Cossack was lost in 1941
Lt. William Wheeler DSC. MID. HMS Cossack (d.23rd Oct 1941)
William Wheeler was one of two sons of Harold Fearon Wheeler and Thelma Harrard. He would have been born in Australia, possibly Sydney. Sadly his brother James Wheeler was also serving and lost his life in New Guinea in the same year, 1941.
Lt. Cmdr. John Donald Flint HMS Cossack
Lt Cmdr J. D. Flint was on HMS Cossack for the second Battle of Narvik.
P.O. John William "Lofty" Butler DSM. HMS Cossack
My Dad, J.W.Butler joined HMS Cossack in 1938 as an AB and left as Petty Officer, Capt 'B' MTG. He recieved the DSM for action in Second Battle of Narvick, when he was responsible for putting out of action an effective shore battery when Cossack was aground and on fire, his gun crew were dead or injured and he had to move some bodies to be able to fire his gun. Dad was also a member of the boarding party which rescued the British prisoners aboard the Altmark.
I am very proud of my Dad xx
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