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- HMS London during the Second World War -


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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

HMS London




If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.



Those known to have sailed in

HMS London

during the Second World War 1939-1945.

  • Benton Albert Frederick.
  • Clack Harold George. AB
  • Flood Douglas. Petty Officer
  • Owens William George. Stokers Mate
  • Powell Robert. Telegraphist.
  • Prest Stanley.
  • Robinson Robert Benjamin. PO.
  • Smith Frederick. PO

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of HMS London from other sources.



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Want to know more about HMS London?


There are:-1 items tagged HMS London available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.


Albert Frederick Benton Turret Gunner HMS Mauritius/HMS London

I learned recently that my wife's uncle - Albert Frederick Benton - served in the Royal Marines (turret gunner) on HMS Mauritius and on HMS London. I would love to know more, as would his son who never managed to talk to Bert about his war service.

Mark Bale



PO. Robert Benjamin Robinson HMS Pembroke

Petty Officer Bob Robinson

Robert Robinson

Bob with Jos and Florrie, leaving photo 1943

Robert and George Robinson

My grandad, Robert Robinson, was in the Royal Navy from 1933 until discharged in 1945. He was sunk twice. He was mostly on board HMS Pembroke but also served on HMS Apollo, HMS Calliope, HMS Ferret, HMS Valiant, HMS Ramillies, HMS Dolphin, HMS St Angelo, HMS London and HMS Asphodel from his hand written certificate of service. Bob had scarring on his lungs from the bronchitis caused by his time adrift after being sunk and this contributed to his death in 1995.

Lisa Robinson



AB Harold George Clack HMS London

I served in Royal Navy on HMS London between 1942-1946. I had about 12 duties to carry whilst serving these included Electrician, Crane driver. I was also with the Anchor crew but mainly worked as an Electrician.

Dawn Pither



Stanley Prest HMS London

My dad, Stan Prest, joined HMS London at Chatham as a 17-year-old in 1941. He was on Russian convoys to Archangel, receiving the Atlantic Star and I'm in the process of applying for the Arctic Star. He was also awarded the Burma Star for their work in the Pacific and steamed down to Perth or Freemantle for a refit. I have pictures of the Japanese surrender at Sabang and a photo of what my dad called the big four in Alexandria. He definitely got around.




Telegraphist. Robert "Sandy" Powell HMS London

Robert Powell is a survivor of the terrible tragedy that occured on 27th of March 1943. As of today's date (30 January, 2015) is very much alive and well - living in Christchurch, New Zealand.

HMS Dasher was built in the USA as a merchant ship, but converted to an escort aircraft carrier and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 2 July 1942. Dasher had a complement of 555 men and carried 15 Sea-Hurricane aircraft. After doing some aircraft ferry operations in the Mediterranean, Dasher sailed to the Clyde in March 1943 and, having had her flight-deck lengthened by 42 feet, she embarked Fairey Swordfish aircraft. She escorted one convoy successfully, but shortly after leaving with the second, Dasher suffered engine trouble and turned back. Shortly after getting to the Firth of Clyde on 27 March 1943, she suffered a major internal explosion and sank.

Dad survived the sinking by leaping into the sea when the Dasher was almost upright. He found a cannister amongst debris which kept him afloat in the cold, rough waters until he was eventually picked up. The most terrible memories for him are the moments he spent under the water, trying to surface; the horror when the fuel on the water ignited - killing so many of his colleagues; and the task of trying to identify bodies in the days that followed. He was just 19 at the time.

Dad did as he was told and never really spoke of the Dasher however, for his 80th birthday, I gave him a journal. As a result we learned so much about my father that he had not spoken of. What became very clear was that he wanted to go home; and he wanted very much to visit the site of the sinking of the Dasher. Dad had until then, never returned to the UK since leaving in 1960.

In 2009 at almost 86, we sent him by himself, to the UK. He joined one other survivor in Ardrossan for the annual commemorative service, hosted by the HMS Dasher Association and he would dearly love to go back one last time. We are hopeful for next year. In April 2013, Dad very proudly attended my son's Passing Out Ceremony in Auckland, New Zealand. He was asked to sit with the VIPs that day - I think that only fitting.

Rose Powell



Petty Officer Douglas Flood Seamans Branch (Gunnery) HMS Nigeria

My Father Douglas Flood, served in the Royal Navy on board both HMS London (Dec.1940-Feb.1943) and HMS Nigeria (Sep. 1943-Mar.1946). He is now 83 and living in Ontario, Canada. He has a lot of photographs and notes from the war. We have visited many websites about the Royal Navy and are looking for information on any surviving members from both ships, who may be living in Canada. My father served in the Seamans Branch (Gunnery) and left the Navy as a Petty Officer. If there are any reunions or gatherings in the near future please let us know.

Duane Flood







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    The free section of the Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers. We have been helping people find out more about their relatives wartime experiences since 1999 by recording and preserving recollections, documents, photographs and small items.

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