The Wartime Memories Project - H.M.S. Penelope

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Information. H.M.S. Penelope was launched on the 15 October 1935, having been built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She saw active service through out the war. On the 11th of April 1940 she was badly damaged when she ran aground off Fleinver in the Vestfjord, when she was on her way into Narvik to support the attack of British destroyers. She was towed clear by HMS Eskimo. HMS Penelope was again damaged on the 18th of December 1941, as part of the British K force she, along with HMS Neptune, HMS Aurora, HMS Kandahar, HMS Lance, HMS Lively and HMS Havock encountered an Italian minefield off Tripoli. HMS Neptune and HMS Kandahar sank while HMS Aurora was badly damaged and HMS Penelope was lightly damaged. HMS Penelope was repaired at Malta but was bombed during the repairs on 26 March 1942. She left Malta on 8 April 1942 for full repairs at the New York Navy Yard in the USA, setting sail again in September 1942. HMS Penelope was nicknamed 'Pepperpot' by the crew. She was torpedoed by the German submarine U-410, on the 18th Feb. 1944 and sank west of Naples, Italy. 415 men including the captain were lost, there were 206 survivors. List of those who served on HMS Penelope during the Second World War. C.P.O. Wilfred "Tim" Burton Read his Story. Able Seaman. Elijah Cheetham Read his Story. Steven Hildrew Read his Story. Douglas Holmes Read his Story. James Kerr Read his Story. Stan Lake Read his Story. Iain Palmer Read his Story. Harry Pugh Read his Story. William "Bill" Raper Read his Story. CPO Richard Patrick Richards DSM & Bar, BEM C.P.O. Joseph Rowley Read his Story. James Alfred Sams Read his Story. Ronnie Strike Read his Story. Ablett J.C.   SHPWT 4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Adlam W.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Aimes W.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Aitchison G.R.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Allan D.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Anderson A.S.   PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Anderson J.J.   Ldg. Cook (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Armitage J.D.   Wireman (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Arnold J.J.   SHPWT 4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Ashworth J.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Ashworth P.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Atkinson D.J.   Wireman (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Attridge J.F.M.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Aulton W.W.   ERA 4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Bailey T.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Barnes C.H.C.   Asst (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Barrass W.W.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Beevers A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Capt. G.D. Belben RN, DSO, DSC, AM. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Bell E.E.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Beresford J.E.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Bidwell F.R.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Biss A.G.   Mech 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Blackburn I.A.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Blandford L.W.   Musician (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Blann S.C.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Borkett H.G.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Boutell R.G.   STWD (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Bracey C.G.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Branford W.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Brant J.A.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Bray A.H.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Bridgen H.A.   CPO Ck (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Brindley G.A.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Briscoe A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Bristow N.A.J.M.   YEO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Brook A.J.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Brown A.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Brown A.F.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Brown D.G.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Brown E.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Brown-Greaves T. de B.H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Brownsdon S.J.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Buckle C.E.   Sup Asst (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Buckley R.   Ldg Wtr (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Burbeck H.K.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Burdett F.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Burrell P.D.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Butcher A.C.   PO STWD (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Byron E.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Bywater H.G.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Caddy E.J.   PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cairns F.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cammis J.W.   CPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Canham W.H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Carter G.R.   Act Ldg Seav (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Carter J.W.   Act Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Carter M.C.B.   Lieut (E) (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cartledge D.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Chambers L.C.   Gunner (T) (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Chant C.A.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Chapman E.   Sup Asst (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Chapman E.W.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Charlesworth E.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Chilvers K.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Clark R.R.N.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Clark W.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Clarke F.J.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Claydon L.   Mech 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Clewer J.T.   Corp (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cobb G.E.V.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cogger A.E.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cole A.C.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Collins R.K.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Coltart C.R.   Sub Lieut (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cook C.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cook S.C.W.B.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Coombe C.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cooper A.   Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cooper R.N.   PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cooper S.F.   Ldg Cook (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cott C.H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cottrell T.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Coughlin D.W.H.   COMMANDER (E) (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Coulter T.H.V.   EA3 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Coulthurst L.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Courts A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cousins F.A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Covey W.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cox J.H.   CODER (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cox R.F.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Craig J.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Cresswell T.J.   aB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Crispin H.T.   LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Culshaw J.   SA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Curl H.S.   MAA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Davenport A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Davies F.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Davies L.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Davies L.G.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Davies T.J.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Deacon L.T.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Dickens B.H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Dickins F.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Dickson J.T.   SCHOOLMASTER (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Doran J.J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Doyle W.A.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Draper E.E.   Sub Lieut (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Drew R.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Duckworth K.   Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Andrew Duncan Read his story Dutton S.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) East F.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Easterbrook G.E.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Eaton A.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) English P.H.   Cook (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Ensor K.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Evans G.J.   aB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Evans K.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Exelby W.T.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Fairhurst N.F.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Farmer J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Felgate P.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Field C.G.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Finigan F.R.   LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Flude T.E.   Ldg Tel (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Ford G.S.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Fox G.H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Francis G.C.   Ldg Sup Asst (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Fraser J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Freemantle H.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) French R.   PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Friar N.W.   Act Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Friend G.A   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Frost W.H.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Furness J.   CH STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Fysh L.T.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Gartry S.   Ldg Cook (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Gibson J.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Giles W.T.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Glover I.C.   ERA3 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Godfrey W.J.   ERA4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Gomm J.   Mech 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Gordon J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Gordon W.H.R.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Gould T.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Goulden A.V.J.   CERA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Grant S.A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Green K.   Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Green W.S.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Greenfield B.   Asst (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Greenhalgh R.T.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Greenham R.F.J.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Greenway A.E.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) AB Harry Grimshaw. (d. 18 Feb 1944) Read his Story Groves O.A.   Sig (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Guest C.W.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hack F.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hall E.N.   OA3 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hallett J.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Handley J.P.   WRITER (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Harding E.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Harman D.J.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Harold J.M.   ERA4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Harpman K.R.   ERA5 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hartley J.L.   Cook (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Harvey I.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Haskell F.I.   Lag STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Heath E.R.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Heath J.W.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Heather E.C.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Heddon H.R.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hender D.T.   ERA4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Henwood R.W.C.   Lag Sig (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Herbert P.G.   PO Cook (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Herrick P.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hewitt J.A.   Sub Lieut (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Higgins J.   Elect Mech (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hirst E.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hoadley C.D.   Sig (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hodges D.J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Holness N.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Homer W.T.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hornby J.J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Horton J.V.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Houldsworth S.H.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Huddleston A.V.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Humphreys C.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hunter W.J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hurst K.W.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Hutchings A.W.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Irving J.C.   ERA3 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Jackson B.F.   Surg Lt Commander (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Jago D.C.T.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) James F.H.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Janes A.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Jenkins M.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Reg J M Jenkyn. Chief ERA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Read his Story Jenkyn R.J.M.   CERA Johnson A.L.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Johnson G.E.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Jones D.E.   Supply PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Jones G.   Ch STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Jones J.   CODER (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Jones J.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Jones K.C.   EA3 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Kelford W.D.   Tel (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Kelly H.   CH STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Kelly T.B.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Kendall V.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Keylock W.H.   CPO Tel (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Kidd J.   Tel (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Kinder S.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Kirtley R.W.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Kitchen H.H.   SBA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Knight D.R.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Knight H.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lamb P.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lamb S.M.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Langford C.J.   Bandmaster (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Latham T.R.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Law J.W.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lawrence E.R.   CODER (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Oshbert Davis Le Britton. AB Leach A.   Ldg Sig (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lear R.E.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lee M.A.   PAY SUB LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Leigh J.W.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Llewellyn H.C.   SURGEON LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lloyd J.   Ldg Radio Mech (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lock M.J.   PAY LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lockyer C.J.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Loxam H.P.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lucas M.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Lyons F.W.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) MacAvoy J.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Alex McDonald AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Read his Story MacGregor T.W.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) MacKinnon R.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Male L.N.   Corp (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Manning W.A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Mantell J.A.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Marrion P.L.   LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Marsh H.W.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Marsh L.H.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Martin J.C.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) McClarnon E.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) McLachlan R.A.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) McNally A.E.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) McNeill A.J.   Act Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Mellor H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Merricks G.   Ldg Cook (d. 18th Feb. 1944) George Measey. diver. Read his Story Middleham C.   Ldg Cook (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Miles G.V.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Mills R.   STWD (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Mingay D.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Minto G.H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Mitchell R.   TEL (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Moore A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Mordey M.M.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Morton R.R.   Tel (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Munby P.L.   CHAPLAIN (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Naylor H.   Wireman (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Needham D.A.   Wireman (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Nevitt F.H.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) New R.J.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Newall V.   EA3 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Nicholls L.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Nicholson W.   Musician (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Nicklinson T.R.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Nixon M.T.   Wireman (d. 18th Feb. 1944) O'Hagan J.M.   Sig (d. 18th Feb. 1944) O'Neill J.S.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) O'Penshaw P.G.   LIEUT (E) (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Oram R.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Orrick T.I.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Orton S.D   SBA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Packman J.A.   MECH 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Palethorpe J.W.   Sig (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Parker W.W.   ERA4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Parkes L.T.P.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Parratt C.A.   PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Pendered G.S.C.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Perry F.K.  AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Phillips D.D.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Pickering J.W.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Pickett H.E.   Musician (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Pinnock H.   ERA4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Pinyon F.C.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Piper R.E.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Plane A.A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Plumford S.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Porter L.G.   WARR. ENG (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Potter D.A.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Potter W.J.   Sig (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Price W.J.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Pym W.H.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Pyne N.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Quartermaine F.   CODER (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Quinn R.A.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rainey J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rathbone J.P.   DSO LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rattigan J.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Ray G.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Raymond A.J.   Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Reader J.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Reed C.J.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Reed D.C.G.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Renew G.M.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Renouf J.   PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Reynolds E.   CODER (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rhoads R.W.F.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rice J.   ERA2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Richardson A.C.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Richardson F.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Richardson S.A.   EA1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Robertson R.McI.   PAY LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Robinson B.W.P.   Serg (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Robinson E.W.J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rock R.H.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rodgers S.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rogers J.W.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rosam A.C.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rouse C.F.   Lag Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rowland W.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Rowsell S.F.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Russell A.J.   Act Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Sanderson F.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Saunders R.T.   ERA4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Sayers S.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Scobie J.C.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Seddon A.E.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Shepherd H.B.   PO Tel (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Shepperd L.   Act Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Shipley E.J.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Don Short. Engine Room Artificer. Read his story Simcox J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Simmonds J.J.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Leading Seaman Gordon Skea. Gunners mate Read his story Skene G.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Skinner P.G. STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Skinner S.A.   LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Smith A.E.   Act PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Smith J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Smith J.W.J.   SCPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Smith R.J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Smith W.A.B.   CERA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Smith W.S.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Smith W.W.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Spooner R.H.L.   Sup PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Sproul J.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Stacey F.W.   CEA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Stephens G.J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Stillman P.H.G.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Stone G.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Stubbings R.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Stubbs H.   ERA4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Sunderland G.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Surr M.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Sutton A.E.   Act Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Talkington F.   CH YEOMAN (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Tasker J.S.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Tate W.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Taylor C.J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Taylor G.G.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Taylor J.H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Taylor S.J.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) TaylorH.J.   PO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Thompson L.V.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Tickridge A.C.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Tilbury D.G.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Tinsley W.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Tizzard W.R.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Townsend R.J.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Trent A.C.   CH MECH (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Trevett C.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Trill R.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Tulk L.A.   LIEUT (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Turner R.S.   Manager (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Turrell L.   TEL (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Vaile F.R.   WARR MECH (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Valentine H.   O.D. (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Read his story Vautier F.J.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Villers R.H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wadham H.F.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Waldegrave Hon. J.M.G.   COMMANDER (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wale H.T.   Ldg STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wales C.W.   Ldg Cook (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wallis W.I.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Walshe P.G.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Watkins J.   CH STO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Watson G.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Watson J.   ERA4 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Webber S.H.   STWD (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wenman H.A.   TEL (d. 18th Feb. 1944) West E.H.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wheatley A.N.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Whelan J.   STO 2 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) White C.F.   TEL (d. 18th Feb. 1944) White C.F.O.   SBCPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) White W.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Whiteley G.T.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Whooley M.G.   SPO (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wildin H.R.   SBA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wilkins W.   aB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Willcox L.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Willett S.A.   Ldg Sea (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Willmer J.A.D.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wills S.   PO TEL (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wilson G.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) James Wilson. Read his story Wood F.   AB (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Woodhouse J.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Worley J.   COA (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wyatt J.F.   STO 1 (d. 18th Feb. 1944) Wylie P.   Marine (d. 18th Feb. 1944) If you have any names to add to this list, or any recollections or photos of those listed, please get in touch. C.P.O. Wilfred "Tim" Burton HMS Penelope I have, along with my son, been discussing HMS ‘Pepperpot’ with my 87 yr old mother. We have 2 family members (now deceased) served as Chief Petty Officers on Penelope during the 2nd World War. The strange thing is though that they had never met each other within the family. Wilfred (Tim) Burton from Nottingham, was my Mother’s sister’s husband and Joseph Rowley from London was my husband’s father. C.P.O. Joseph Rowley HMS Penelope Joseph Rowley from London was my husband’s father. My Mother’s sister’s husband Wilfred Burton, also served on the Pepperpot, though they never met within the family. James Alfred Sams HMS Penelope I am trying to find details of my Father serving on HMS Penelope. He had pretty bad scars on his body caused him swimming in the water with burning fuel oil. It is my understanding that James Alfred Sams was a Chief PO or Chief Stoker. I am not sure whether he could be both. Unfortunately he died of a heart attack back in 1971, so I did not have too much of an opportunity to talk about his service days. He de-mobbed out of the Navy after seeing out the 50’s based in Malta. He then worked as a civil servant in Portsmouth dockyard in an accounts department until his untimely death. If anyone can remember him I would be obliged for any information. Able Seaman. Elijah Cheetham HMS Penelope My brother Elijah Cheetham, served on HMS Penelope and was onboard when she was sunk on the 18th of February 1944. I was 8 years old at that time. Recent documentarion has come to light confirming his service record. He volunteered for the Navy on the 28th of July 1943, his service is listed as comencing on 17th of December 1943, his 18th birthday. However he began his training at HMS Raleigh on the 28th of July 1943, transferring to HMS Victory on the 5th of October. He joined HMS Penelope on the 12th of November 1943 and served onboard until she was lost in Feb 1944. He survived the sinking and sent a letter to his mother two weeks later. Here are some extracts from that letter: From Mess 1, Ferdola Barracks, Malta. I'm terribly sorry I haven't written to you for the last fortnight, I have been rather ill in hospital. I am a survuivor of HMS Penelope. As you know we have been doing a lot of work on the 5th Army front and our rewards was as follows: It was Friday morning Feb 18th and we were well on our way to Anzio to give Jerry another suprise packet, but it was us that received the suprise. All of a sudden there was a terrific explosion and everyone dived for the gangway to get on the upper deck to see what was happening. We had been torpedoed but the ship was not sinking, although it had listed badly to starboard. No one was in a panic because there were too many lads injured to start worrying about ourselves, so we did the best we could to get the injured lads to sickbay. Shortly afterwards there came two more explosions (torpedoes) and the ship split in two so it was everyman for himself. I didn't hesitate because before I knew where I was I hit the water fully dressed, including sea boots, stockings and overalls. I tried to swim for it but couldn't because my sea boots seemed to be dragging me under. I kicked these off and my overalls. Much to my relief I was able to keep my head up even though the sea was rough. I swam about for a bit but I soon got fatigued and felt myself slipping. Family came to mind and I struck out with renewed strength. After three hours I was finally picked up and dragged aboard absolutley naked apart from my waist belt and ring. Three tots of rum sent me to sleep. We were taken to a hospital in Naples and there I have been for the last fortnight. We were then drafted to this camp once more and I was told that I should be going home. The big nobs think otherwise. I haven't done enough time out here yet, so I must stay. That's how you get treated as a survivor. All we have been issued with is toilet gear and battle dress, so it looks as if I shall have to buy new kit myself. There were 750 in the ships company and only 200 were saved. Terrible isn't it. I am pleased to say that Stan Lake survived. I couldn't write to you seperatley. I have had to smuggle this into the country, the ship hasn't been announced as sunk yet. We are not allowed to mention that we survived. Paddy is going home so I have asked him to post this for me in England. It doesn't get sensored there, but he insists on bringing this personally. I do hope he makes it becasue I know he will get a great welcome. Please try not to worry too much about me I'm ok now and believe me I'm willing to go back and give Jerry exactly what I received and more. Even though I'm not coming home I still have that consolation of squaring things up. Cherrio and God bless you all. Your loving son Lidge xxxx. Elijah joined the Black Prince in July 1944 and served onboard for the remainer of the war, he was discharged on the 8th of December 1946 as having served with very good character. Harry Pugh HMS Penelope Harry survived the sinking of HMS Penelope, he served on her with my brother Elijah. Stan Lake HMS Penelope Stan survived the sinking of HMS Penelope, he served onboard her with my brother Elijah. Stan is mentioned in a letter Elijah sent home after the loss of the ship. Douglas Holmes HMS Penelope Douglas survived the sinking of HMS Penelope, he served onboard her with my brother Elijah. Steven Hildrew HMS Penelope My Uncle Steven Hildrew was on the Penelope when it sunk. He was in the water for 3 days and was picked up by the Americans and taken to America. Can anyone provide any information to help with my family tree? Ronnie Strike Aurora Penelope Spartan I believe my father, Ronnie Strike, who was a Radio Office "sparkie" sailed and was sunk on Aurora. Unfortunately he now has Alzheimer's. I can't be sure, but I believe he once told me that he sailed on: Aurora, Penelope, Spartan and (I think) one of the "Tonipandy Class." Does anyone know of anyway I can confirm this? Sometimes he can talk quite lucidly of his Royal Navy days. James Kerr I have just found out through tracing my tree that my Grandfather James Kerr served on the HMS "Pepperpot" Penelope. My mother always mentioned a story about the ship which mentioned my Grandfathers name in it. By doing some research I have heard of a book called HMS Pepperpot by Ed Gordon. If anyone has this book, or indeed has an information relating to my Grandfather I would love to hear from you, merely to see if he is actually named in it. Iain Palmer HMS Penelope My uncle, Iain Palmer, was a survivor of the sinking of H M S Penelope off Anzio in 1944. Iain I believe was a signalman. He was born in Borgue, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. William "Bill" Raper HMS Penelope My grandfather William Raper (known as Bill) served on the HMS Penelope during WW2. He was one of the survivors when she sank in 1944. Unfortunately I don't know what his rank or number was at this point. My great Uncle Harry Grimshaw, died at 20 years and seven months old, when the ship he was on, H.M.S. Penelope, went down. I have a view point from his sister Elizabeth Floyd, formerly Grimshaw, about what she did to keep his name alive and how she instilled that in family and people she met. I have a few photos and would love to find more. Alex McDonald, from Scotland, was my cousin and I would like to hear from anyone who knew him. He went down with the ship in 1944 when I was 4 years old. My father, George Measey, served on HMS Penelope as a diver during WW2 and was on board during its sinking on Feb 18th 1944. I printed off your story regarding this ship and took it home for him to read. He was fascinated at such information being available on the internet! He has passed on many stories to me of his time on “Pepperpot” and despite the tragic loss of life those memories are still very close to his heart. We used to attend the yearly get together in Blackpool which was always a success. My father died on HMS Penelope and he was a Chief ERA so you can imagine how much I read and read again the account of Don Short who was also a Chief and therefore would have known my father extremely well. I would dearly like to contact Don as he is the last surviving (I hope) link to my father, Reg Jenkyn. My father, taken in Singapore just before the war. The sinking of HMS PENELOPE by Gordon Skea (A survivour now aged 85years ) SAINT VALENTINE Perhaps the thoughts that St Valentine's Day brings are somewhat different to everyone's mind. It is the chance to get even with somebody to bring them down to earth, as it were. Or on the other hand an opportunity to declare a love that has lain dormant for a long time. A card or gift sent to a loved one, anonymously of course, usually has the recipient in a state of excitement or in a quandary, or both: My thoughts on St. Valentine's Day are perhaps unusual and for me it is difficult to bring to mind anything but thoughts of the eighteenth of February and not the fourteenth, thoughts of a boyish face that had yet to grow the full bristles of manhood. You, the reader of this narrative, will no doubt form your own conclusions as to whether my own very personal St. Valentine's Day should fall on the eighteenth and 1 leave it to you. The ship, a six thousand ton, six inch gun cruiser lay alongside the quay in Naples Harbour. The ammunitioning, oiling and provisioning completed, it was now ready to sail to the Anzio Beachhead where it had been before the all too brief spell, without shore leave, in Naples. I say "spell", but anything that granted us a relief in harbour away from the monotonous bombardment of unseen targets, and being bombed ourselves, was a bonus. To be able to sling our hammocks for a change and to have a good night's sleep was indeed a luxury. We had left harbour and were steaming towards our allotted posi-tion, when the first two torpedoes struck us port side aft. Luckily my mates and I were "watch below" at the time. After the "tinfish" had struck our action station, the after director, or master sight, was blown from its mounting about fifteen feet above the upper-deck. …. If we had been on it? Being a leading-seaman I formed a party to shift top-weight, the ship having taken a heavy list to port, to get her on an even keel once again. Having moved, or ditched the heavier stuff from the portside over to starboard, I began to get the ship ready for the tow back to Naples. It is the practice when paying-out a large crippled wire to stand on the coil and release one turn at a time in order not to end up with - the saying is international among the sea-going fraternity '~a bunch of bastards'. The coil was stowed just forward of the after funnel, and the task of standing on the wire, a menial one which a most junior seaman can do with ease, was given to my relief, a young ordinary seaman, whilst I moved a few feet to the ship's side, to see if the working-party were coiling the wire correctly. They were in fact in the act of passing the wire over the side. Perhaps my instructions had not been clear, however! It was an easy task to haul it back and to coil it down again ready for use. This was being carried out, when another two torpedoes struck the other side of the ship in almost the same place as before and opposite to where I was standing. Fortunately I was standing close to the ship's side whilst directing the party coiling down the wire, and I found myself being blown or thrown into the sea, and then swimming upwards to the surface. I must have gone down some distance for when I broke surface again the ship was in two pieces, the stern showing her rudders and screws and the red-leaded bottom of the main part of the ship rising to an almost vertical angle before taking her final plunge. Striking out to try and put as much distance between me and the ship in case of further explosions from depth-charges etc. and getting a fair distance away I treaded water and watched as she disappeared. Seeing a Carley-Float come to the surface and having no life belt I struck out for it forgetting in my haste about the dreaded oil-fuel till it was too late.... It stank and stung the eyes, clogged the nostrils and if one swallowed it, it was almost certain death, for many men died that day from oil-fuel poisoning. The stark reality was forced upon me a few years later whilst watching the television news of the sea-birds covered in oil in the Gulf-war and how we must have looked that fatal day. The U-boat commander certainly knew his business and carried out his attack in almost copy-book style, for the ship having lost-way and had almost completed a full circle he fired his second two torpedoes which tore the ship in half. The young ordinary-seaman I never saw again, with the ship breaking in two almost at the point where he was standing, I only hope his end was swift. It was February the 18th 1944… The ship was HMS Penelope also known as the' Pepperpot ' from her previous commission. Out of a complement of 618 officers and men only 203 survived, she sank in one minute twenty-five seconds after the second two torpedoes hit, the U-boat 410 had done her work, her commander was Otto Fenski aged 25 years. The name of that young ordinary-seaman was Valentine, St. Valentine the second.... I often wonder! Gordon Skea This is a message on behalf of my friend, Ann Gibb [nee Duncan] Her Dad served in the Royal Navy in WW2 He was on the HMS Penelope Is there anyone out there who has any info? His name was Andrew Duncan. He was from Aberdeen, Scotland and was married to Ella. He had a daughter named Joyce. Would love to hear from anyone who knows anything about him Marie Claxton Joined H.M.S. Penelope in Portsmouth and after a week or so steaming off Portland and where, incidentally was issued with cold weather clothing, so we had a fair idea that we would be going somewhere warm and we were right, we were soon to be back in Gibraltar and operating in the Med. It was the start of a new year, January 1943, and we became part of the 12th Cruiser Squadron based at Bone in North Africa, the squadron had been formed to act as a striking force to harass enemy convoys ferrying troops across to take part in the North African campaign. By the 12th of May the whole of North Africa was in Allied hands, the war in the desert was over and that was the start of the partnership that was to be so successful between the "Penelope and Aurora". The captain of Aurora, Captain Agnew was promoted to Commodore and took over in command of the 12th Cruiser Squadron. We could leave Bone now from where we had operated and operate from Malta, a much better run ashore although there was not to be many of them. The other cruisers that made up the squadron were Dido, more about Dido later, Sirius, Cleopatra, and Euryalus with Orion and Newfoundland joining us in the overall task of capturing Sicily. But first we needed to occupy the small islands of Pantellaria and Lampedusa and in early June we were bombarding targets on Pantellaria. When steaming within six thousand yards from the shore we were hit by a shell in the forward superstructure but luckily the shell did not explode and there were no casualties. On the 9th of June, with Orion, Euryalus and Newfoundland, and a number of destroyers we made one of the final bombardments before the landing due to take place the next day, this went on until noon when Flying Fortresses thundered over to add their contribution to the softening up process. It was then a quick return to Malta to top up with fuel and ammunition before resuming patrol the next day. Following a morning of bombardment and bombing the landing craft filled with troops zigzagged their way to the beaches. Then, early afternoon, it was reported that the signal tower was flying the white flag, the war was over for the eleven thousand troops, mostly Italian, who were found on the Island. After another quick dash to Malta it was back the following day to carry out a night bombardment and after more heavy raids by Allied bombers the white flag was again to be seen, hoisted after only twenty four hours. On this occasion we had a BBC reporter on board and he reported on local radio that evening that Lampedusa had surrendered to HMS Penelope whose ship's company, keeping themselves fit had broken off doing their knee bending exercises to the tune of "Daisy Bell" to accept the surrender. It was not entirely unexpected that we would hear from the crews of other ships that had taken part but we did not expect to see the crew of Newfoundland, when fell in to enter harbour that evening, suddenly start to do knee bending exercises and singing Daisy. As we always felt that when we were bombarding in company with Newfoundland she was always further out to sea than we were it was no surprise that ashore in Malta that evening there were more casualties between the two ship's companies than there had been on Lampedusa. Whilst in Malta the Aurora had been sent to Algiers to pick up King George VI and bring him back to visit Malta. As she steamed into Grand Harbour on that sunny Sunday morning of 20th June, it was a memorable scene with the Royal Standard flying at the masthead and the King standing on a platform that had been erected in front of the bridge. I had a particularly good view as my duty was to man the motorboat and cruise around the harbour in case we were needed, and of course the full white uniform was given an airing. It seemed that the whole Maltese population had lined themselves around the Grand Harbour cheering wildly and as the King landed the church bells rang out. There was one notable exception, the old lady who used to wave bed sheets to the ships passing, was missing, her waterfront bar was a heap of rubble. The next job on the agenda was to be "Operation Husky", the landings on Sicily, programmed for 10th July. At the beginning we were part of Force H, which was led by the battleship Nelson, our aim to protect the landing forces in the event of the Italian fleet putting to sea but before the landings took place we were detached together with Aurora to carry out tip and run raids on Catania and Taormina. These raids were very effective, we lit up the area with star shells and followed with boardsides, the Italian search lights would criss cross in the sky followed by ant-aircraft fire, they did not seem to realise that the attack was coming from the sea. During these operations we did eventually come under air attack from the Italian bombers and on one occasion we were very lucky as a string of bombs fell between the two ships. Then on the 20th the two ships again together with six destroyers were off on another 250 mile trip to make a night attack on the port of Crotone, in the Gulf of Taranto. After over a thousand shells were fired it was reported that the harbour area and the chemical works were well alight we turned and headed back to Malta without meeting any opposition. It is strange that we all felt a lot better and safer when we were with Aurora with Commodore Agnew making the decisions than when we were left with our own captain. The only escape route for the enemy troops on Sicily was across the Straights of Messina and it was here that we patrolled to strike at shipping and rail traffic using the coastal routes. We did have a diversion by calling in to Augusta for a quick run ashore after its capture. It was incredible that we were able to stroll along the road picking oranges from the overhanging boughs and to call into the local bar for a wine or two, the locals seemed to be quite pleased to see us. During the time up to the withdrawal of Axis troops from Sicily which was completed by 17th August we bombarded selected targets up and down the Italian coast up into the Bay of Naples, into the Bay of Salerno with a good view of the Isle of Capri and as far back again as the Gulf of Taranto. The next excitement was a dash to Bizerta on the North African coast, together of course with Aurora, to join up with Dido, Sirius, the fast minelayer Adbiel and the US cruiser Boise and to embark nearly five thousand paratroopers and land them at Taranto by 9th September. On that day the Italian warships were due to leave Taranto to surrender in Malta and also the allied armies were due to land at Salerno so it appeared to be a good opportunity to capture the important port of Taranto. We had on board six hundred and forty paratroopers, wearing their familiar red berets, with their commanding officer Brigadier John Hacket. We left Bizerta late afternoon and were soon doing thirty knots and whilst we were at sea it was announced on the radio that Italy had surrendered. On arrival at Taranto on the 9th we anchored outside the harbour and watched the Italian battleships Caio and Andrea Doria, two cruisers and a destroyer on their way to Malta escorted by the two battleships HMS King George V and HMS Howe. In the early hours of the following morning, whilst we were all at anchor in the harbour, there came a shattering explosion from Abdiel whilst her paratroopers were being ferried ashore. A brilliant orange flash from the ship lit up the harbour, she had swung with the tide whilst at anchor and struck a mine laid by German E-boats the previous evening, the explosion then detonated mines in the ship and in minutes she was listing badly, broke into two and sank quickly. Returning to Bizerta many of the wounded were cared for in our sick bay and on arrival were transferred to a hospital ship in the harbour. During this time more of the Italian fleet led by the battleship Conte di Cavour were on their way to Malta to surrender and on the 11th September the signal "Be pleased to inform their Lordships that the Italian Battle Fleet now lies at anchor under the guns of the fortress Malta" was made by Admiral Cunningham. A few weeks later he was promoted to First Sea Lord. From Bizerta we had steamed back to Taranto with more of the "Red Devils" who had been held in reserve and then with Aurora on to Augusta but there was no rest, on the same day we were ordered to steam at high speed to the Gulf of Salerno where troops had landed in the early hours a few days previously but were now in danger of being pushed back into the sea. We joined up with the monitor Roberts and other cruisers and destroyers bombarding set targets, the return fire was spasmodic but it was difficult to manoeuvre freely to avoid bombs where the fighter bombers and JU88s made their raids. With the situation ashore still critical we were joined by the old battleship Warspite whose eight fifteen inch guns had been most successful but was put out of action by a radio controlled guided bomb down her funnel the next day and she was towed back to Malta. The shelling continued and with the help of the Allied bombers the German counter attack was repelled and so began the long push north and the continuing bombardment of targets along the coast. On 26th September, having run out of ammunition we, with Aurora, left the area for Malta, we had been promised a rest period which really meant boiler cleaning, changing gun barrels, making good defects and painting the ship, but who cared? A few bottles of "Blue" and a glass or two of "Ambete" the sailors' favourite Maltese red wine and the cheapest and all was right with the world again. On the 4th October together again with Aurora we were on our way to the Aegean to join the 12th Cruiser Squadron, British forces had already taken over some of the islands such as Kos and Leros but the big one Rhodes was still in German hands. Our first task was to reinforce Leros, destroyers were to land troops and supplies at night, with two cruisers operating as anti-aircraft support, then the squadron, still under cover of darkness would make a hasty retreat to Alexandria mainly because we had little or no aircraft cover. We were in trouble from the beginning before the first patrol had started. Aurora from Malta and Dido from Alexandria were to rendezvous and proceed together with destroyers on the first patrol, but not only did they rendezvous, they collided and as Dido bounced off she left half her anchor embedded in Aurora's bow. So we, separated from our 'chummy ship', and at the mercy of our own Captain's decisions joined with Sirius and set off as replacements on the first patrol, steaming at full speed to intercept a convoy of German troops on their way to recapture Leros. This part of the exercise was very successful, we sank an armed anti-submarine trawler, blew up a German freighter carrying ammunition whilst the destroyers rounded up the landing barges, we left leaving hundreds of German troops in the water. The rout had only taken an hour but having waited for the convoy to appear the dawn had come and gone and we were left in broad daylight, with no air cover, at the mercy of the Luftwaffe and they were well and truly ready to pounce. The first attack by Ju88s lasted about an hour and was concentrated on us and at the end of it, when presumably they had to return to base to refuel we had our steering motors out of action and our tiller flat flooded. With steering difficult we were still able to increase speed but the second attack was not long in coming, Ju88s kept coming, diving out of the sun and culminating in a concentrated blitz by diving Stukas. We suffered a direct hit which went through the quarter deck, the wardroom and lower compartments hit the port outer propeller shaft and ended up in a fuel tank but thankfully didn't explode and was followed by two near misses. They were thousand pound bombs and although they didn't hit us they caused much damage and had the damage control parties working overtime. We lost ten killed and fifty six wounded, one wonders if it was worth it, staying on in daylight inviting air attacks and taking such a risk of losing the ship and with the consequent loss of life, maybe it is worth a mention that the captain was awarded the D.S.O. for that decision. We arrived back in Alexandria early the next day steering by main engines needing, of course, examination by divers to ascertain the full extent of the damage. The Egyptian divers did not spend a lot of time looking, they surfaced and pulled away in their boat, reporting that the bomb must have hit the shaft and gone back up into the tank. It was just as well they were proven to be mistaken, but it was agreed that we required a new shaft fitted and this meant that until one could be transported to Alexandria we were of little use as a fighting unit so we were ordered to make our way as best we could to Haifa where we were to wait until full repair could be undertaken at Alexandria. It was a great relief to be alongside the wall again and in comparative safety and after being in constant action to be able to visit such places as Bethlehem, and those which were just names that one had read about in the Bible, even spending the night in a ramshackle old coach that had broken down crossing the Plain of Armageddon on the way back to Jerusalem. Too soon it was time to return to Alexandria, into dry dock, and fitting the new shaft together with all the work necessary to bring the ship back to a fighting unit. Whilst we were there the entertainer George Formby was entertaining the troops in Alexandria and he was invited aboard, we were out in the harbour at anchor at the time so he arrived by ships boat, stepping aboard he made his way straight to the wardroom, probably for a few pink gins, anyway he left the ship without contact with the lads and they didn't think much of him and a few of them around the 'spud' locker on the upper deck decided to throw a few of the overripe ones at the boat as it was leaving, of course the culprits disappeared quickly leaving a very angry Captain who promptly cancelled all leave for the whole ship's company, he probably thought that they would be taking a few more 'spuds' along to the NAAFI where he was performing that evening. Back to sea again, and at this time Mr Churchill had been meeting Mr Roosevelt in Cairo, he had gone on to Bizerta but had expressed the wish to board Penelope and as we all hoped, to take passage home, but it was not to be, he was taken ill with pneumonia and so it was no trip back to U.K. for us. Instead we spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day in a stormy Atlantic, in the Bay of Biscay searching for a German freighter and her destroyer escort, we heard later that she had been sunk by a Liberator bomber. By early January we were back on familiar ground, we were back in Malta, this time to take part in the landings at Anzio. After the early landings, which had been very quiet, with no sign of enemy troops, came the long struggle to maintain a footing in the face of fierce enemy resistance and counter attacks. We spent our time bombarding enemy positions along the coast and when the air raids became so intense we were forced to move out to sea at top speed to have a chance of manoeuvring and dodging the bombs. After almost continuous bombarding, on 17th February we withdrew at dusk and made our way to Naples to replenish with oil and ammunition, we were due our well-earned forty eight hour rest period. I had kept the first watch, eight o'clock until midnight, it was a great relief going off watch, having a shower, a quick look around on the upper deck, we were alongside the wall and then after weeks of being closed up at action stations with short snatches of sleep, to be able to get into my hammock and within minutes I was in the land of dreams dreaming that I was at home in bed. Suddenly, what was happening? I was awakened by - was it noise or unusual movement of the ship? Why didn't someone switch on the lights?, it was obviously time to get up, and fast. Overalls, torch, lifebelt were all handy and looking around the mess one could see the same puzzled looks, all hurriedly dressing and because it was the natural thing to do, rush to close up at action stations, but first what was the time? One's action station changed depending on the watch one was on last, I couldn't believe that it was gone 7 o'clock, I had slept solidly for seven hours but it was no dream now. My engine room watch keeping chum and I decided that we should get right aft and we hurried out of the mess which was forehead under the forecastle, through the marine's mess deck and out on to the port waist. We were hurrying aft, still unaware of what was happening and couldn't believe our eyes when we discovered that we were no longer in the comparative safety of Naples Bay but out at sea, in the distance we could see snow capped mountains. Halfway along the waist we met two of our mess mates squelching along, their shoes and overalls oozing oil fuel; they told us that they had come up out of the after engine room as it flooded up and that the after flat was flooding fast, that was where we were making for, they went down the hatch in the cross passage to go to the bathroom. Suddenly there was a huge explosion I fell back against the superstructure, I lost sight of my chum as he disappeared through the cross passage. Then just in front of me I saw a rope dangling from a boat's davit, I clutched at it and hauled myself up to the ship's side, grabbed the guardrail, I remember how it was so difficult to get over it, and slid down the side as it was moving over and upwards. As this was happening I saw the funnel just fall over the side, it seemed in one piece. I suppose I expected to fall straight into the water but somehow I was laying face down in the bilge rail, that contraption built into the ship's side, then, suddenly and so thankfully something or somebody landed in the middle of my back and over I went into the icy sea. As I had been hurrying along the upper deck I had tied my lifebelt on but now it was a question of getting some air into it. I tried hard to get away from the ship but in no time at all the bows seemed to be towering above standing vertical and then it slid slowly out of sight. Then spars, which must have been stored on the upper deck came shooting up out of the water and rose high in the air before crashing back into the sea, with them came large bubbles which burst scattering oil fuel everywhere. Eventually I was thankful for one of the spars, our Chief G.I. who was a strong swimmer pushed one over to me, which I was pleased to hang on to and was able to put some more air into my lifebelt. He swam off I am sure to help any one he could and I was left as far as I could see all lone and for nearly two hours in water which seemed to get colder and colder. I didn't see or speak to anyone, and then it seemed quite literally from out of nowhere there was a landing craft almost alongside me with scrambling nets over the side. The sight could not have been more welcome but getting aboard would have been impossible but for the invaluable help of some of the crew who had jumped in the water themselves to help those like myself. Carried on board we were given blackest, a bunk to rest in and a most welcome tot and for the second time had cause to thank a crew for their thoughtfulness at such a time and to thank God for the umpteenth time for still being alive. After a check on numbers a signal was sent back to Naples giving details of survivors and injured, when I had been asked and guessing that the survivors would be sent back to Malta I said that I would be fine after a clean up, but when we arrived back in Naples and I tried to stand up they quickly had to find room in an ambulance and I was on my way to hospital, later I was to learn that I had suffered a fractured spine and ankle. I do not remember a lot about my first couple of days in hospital except that they must have cleaned me up, I had been soaked in oil fuel and now I was in a nice clean bed and I do remember being wheeled on a hospital trolley down a long passage with a priest alongside and some nuns chanting. Back in the ward I was encased in plaster, which was to remain with me for many months to come. And of course I remember the Salvation Army lad who gave me pyjamas with odd trousers, the hospital or at least the British part of the hospital didn't seem to have any, the hospital was divided into three - British, Italian and American, of course the American patients could be seen parading around in their new dressing gowns but they did share their cigarettes and "nutty". The Salvation Army did great work out there in places one would least expect to find them and I have never failed to give to the Salvation Army since that time. Whilst I was in hospital I was interviewed by a naval investigation team, I think I learnt more from them than they did from me, how we had been torpedoed by a U-boat, initially on the stern and whilst lolling around unable to move we had been hit again midships and the ship had gone down in less than a minute. Their questions had been mainly about the Captain, had I seen him in the water? Had I spoken to him? I was not to learn until much later the significance of such questions. It was after a matter of only a few days that the Germans launched another counter attack and as there was the possibility that they might reach Naples it was decided to evacuate the hospital. Very hurriedly, one night, we were put on stretchers, put into ambulances and taken to the airport to board a Dakota and take passage to Tunis. It was pointed out during the flight that we were flying over Etna, at any other time I suppose it would have been very interesting, but just then we were not very comfortable and all we wanted was to get a bed somewhere a little safer. We soon arrived at a very modern Italian hospital in the middle of Tunis with first class facilities, it was being run by the Americans so we did not want for anything. I was able to take on a very interesting job, to pass the time away, working with a young American doctor sorting out and matching glass eyes and as we were next to the American Broadcasting Station, our requests for records were always met so there was lots of Frank Sinatra played. All good things must come to an end and after two or three weeks of luxury we were back on stretchers and loaded on to what looked and smelt like cattle trucks to make a long journey to Algiers, eventually to reach the British General Hospital. What a difference it was any army hospital with army discipline even the bed one occupied depended upon one's seniority, I was lucky, being Navy, I was different and being a chief, I occupied bed No 1 but everyone seemed just content to be away from the war. It was not long before a hospital ship the "Amarapoora" arrived to take us back to U.K., sailing with all lights blazing, a few hearts beat a little faster when we were "buzzed" by a German U boat on our way back across the Bay of Biscay but luckily they accepted that we were in fact genuine. Docking in Bristol I was transferred to Barrow-Gurney Hospital which was a general services hospital, quite comfortable, and by this time I was more mobile, I was in a small ward with five others, no television to watch in those days, so it was listening to the radio and playing cards mostly but we were allowed out of the hospital, unfortunately for me it was a bit difficult because I was still encased in plaster, I could only stand up or lie down and as the plaster didn't show I got some funny looks when I continued to stand when there were plenty of seats on the bus to Bristol. The other problem of course, I still didn't have any clothes to wear except the blue hospital trousers and coat and we were not allowed to go into Bristol like that. On one particular occasion I borrowed the uniform of a fellow patient, it didn't seem to matter much that he was a Royal Marine and it was just unfortunate that when in Bristol I should happen to pass a Marine Officer, I saluted him without thinking that the marines did not salute in the same way as the navy. He stopped me and after my explaining he saw the funnyside and we ended up having a pint together. One of the other patients in the ward was a young lad of nineteen, very outgoing and full of self importance, whatever anyone else had done had had done it, wherever anyone else had been he had been there so when we read in the paper that Joe Loss would be appearing with his orchestra at the local theatre in Bristol it was no surprise to hear him say that Joe Loss was a friend of his. That being the case, we said that he ought to go into the theatre and ask Joe Loss to pay us a visit in hospital and maybe bring his band. Off he went in to Bristol and on his return informed us that he had spoken to his old friend and that we were to prepare the hospital for a visit by the band later that week. We thought that this time he had gone a little too far but imagine our surprise when later that week a coach arrived and out stepped Joe Loss and the band, and that was not all, he announced that our young know all had been a vocalist with him before joining the Navy, lots of red faces. From Barrow Gurney I was sent to a large house in the country in its own grounds, owned by Lord and Lady Rose, which had been taken over as a recuperation hospital, patients to use the house and part of the grounds whilst the owners took over the Lodge. It seemed to work alright, the old boy liked to come into the house to talk with the lads but his wife kept herself very much to herself. Whilst here I was able to take part in games even playing cricket of a sort as much as being in a plaster jacket would allow but came the day for the jacket to be removed. They brought out the sheers and cut the jacket up each side, lifting the top half off, I saw my stomach for the first time in over six months. What I didn't expect was, after being so active, with the top half of the jacket removed I was helpless, unable to move at all, so began the long road to build all the muscles back up, tying the top back on and gradually, day by day, removing it for short periods whilst doing gentle exercises. It was a long business but eventually came the time to join the working Navy again although on seeing the Surgeon Captain before leaving he had given me a certificate to ensure that I would be on light duties and unfit for sea for a further six months. That was to prove very useful, as soon as I returned to barracks and had been kitted up fully I was drafted to a corvette, thankfully that was cancelled but only after a struggle. It was during this time, home again in Portsmouth with my wife that when we were out one evening, actually in a queue going to the pictures that who should walk by but a young sub-lieutenant, also a survivor from the Penelope so it was cancel the pictures and lots of talking in the nearest pub. It was from him that I learnt why I had been questioned in the way I had at the enquiry in hospital in Naples. It appears that the Captain was seen resting on a spar as the L.S.T. came in sight and swam strongly towards it, although still wearing his thick reefer jacket but after being assisted on board was examined by a crewman who exclaimed "He's dead". This obviously caused a lot of speculation and as far as I know the result of the inquest has never been published. The Board of Enquiry into the loss of H.M.S. Penelope was held on board M.V. Winchester Castle at Naples on 20th February 1944 some of the findings being that the first explosion occurred at 0700 while the ship was proceeding from Naples to Anzio unescorted at 26 knots, after the second explosion at 0716 the ship listed heavily to starboard and sank in less than a minute. After further detailing of the extent of damage it makes a point:- "It is considered inadvisable that hands should be sent to action stations in an emergency of the type that will not require the ship to go into action. The consequent opening of doors giving access to magazines etc. is as undesirable as placing the men in a position from which escape is very difficult" Penelope's former commanding officer Captain Nicholl, as Director of operations at the Admiralty commented after reading the report on 1st May 1944; 'There seems little doubt that the Ship's Company was closed up at action stations contributed to the heavy number of casualties'. There are questions which are difficult to answer - Why let a cruiser steam unescorted in such dangerous waters? Why was the order "Abandon Ship" - not given when it was obvious that with the stern hit, no power, and a sitting target a second and maybe a third torpedo was certain? I have gone past asking why but would mention that the Captain was given a "Mentioned in Despatches" for his part in the action at Anzio. I wonder what was mentioned? I mentioned earlier that I would refer to 'Dido' again, we took her place during the action in the Dodecanese because she had been in a collision and needed to return to harbour, now again when we returned to Naples she had been due to relieve us after her rest spell but on her way to the beach head she collided with a landing craft which necessitated her return to Naples and of course we had to return to Anzio right away. This is why we were alongside the wall when I turned in and miles away at sea, unescorted, when the German U-boat put an end to Penelope. Don Short worked at Portsmouth Dock Yard. Read his story Prior to these events Don served aboard HMS CairoRead his story

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