HMS Nigeria


HMS Nigeria (pennant number 60) was a Crown Colony-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy completed early in World War II and served throughout that conflict. She was named for the (then) British territory of Nigeria.
Nigeria served in Home waters and off the Scandinavian coast for the early part of the war. On 28 June 1941 Nigeria, in company with HMS Bedouin, HMS Tartar and HMS Jupiter intercepted the German weather ship Lauenburg in thick fog north-east of Jan Mayen Island. The German ship was detected through the use of HF/DF. The crew of the Lauenburg abandoned ship after they were fired upon, allowing the British to board her. Valuable codebooks and parts of the Enigma machine were found aboard and recovered. This was one of the earliest captures of Enigma material of the war, and came a few weeks after HMS Bulldog had captured the first complete Enigma machine from the German submarine U-110 on 9 May 1941.
In July 1941, Nigeria became the flagship of Force K, commanded by Rear Admiral Philip Vian. During this period, Force K made two expeditions to Spitsbergen (Norwegian territory), the first to ascertain the situation and the second, in September, to escort a troopship, Empress of Australia,[1] with Canadian troops and a team of demolition experts (see Operation Gauntlet). Their task was to evacuate Norwegian and Soviet personnel from the archipelago and destroy coalmines and fuel stocks that might be of use to the enemy. Bear Island was also visited to destroy a German weather station. The two cruisers of the task force, Nigeria and HMS Aurora diverted to intercept a German convoy. During this action, Nigeria sank the German training ship Bremse, but suffered serious damage to her bow, possibly having detonated a mine. On return to Britain, she was sent to Newcastle for repairs.
The Mediterranean and Far East
Nigeria was then assigned to operate in the Mediterranean. On 12 August 1942 she was participating in Operation Pedestal, escorting a convoy bound for Malta. She was the flagship of the close escort group, commanded by Admiral Harold Burrough. Nigeria was torpedoed and damaged by the Italian submarine Axum but managed to make it back to Gibraltar escorted by three destroyers. Admiral Burrough meanwhile transferred his flag to the destroyer HMS Ashanti whilst Nigeria returned to Gibraltar. p> She was sent from there to the United States for repairs, which took nine months to complete. After these were complete, she operated off the South African coast, and on 12 March 1943 she picked up 30 survivors from the American merchant James B. Stephens that was torpedoed and sunk on 8 March 1943 by the German submarine U-160 about 150 nautical miles (280 km) north-east of Durban. Nigeria was then assigned to operate with the Eastern Fleet from February 1944 until December 1945, when she returned to the UK to be refitted. During her time in the far east, she participated in raids on Sumatra.
Nigeria survived the war and continued in service with the Royal Navy until 29 August 1957 when she was sold to the Indian Navy, who renamed her Mysore. During her time with the Indian Navy, she collided with the destroyer HMS Hogue, severely damaging the Hogue's bow. Mysore was in service with them for a further 28 years until she was decommissioned on 20 August 1985.



HMS Nigeria 1942.

The crew chipping the ice of the superstructure to prevent capsizing. Early in 1942 just before the Malta Convoy on PQ16 to Archangel in Northern Russia.

HMS Nigeria near Archangel.

HMS Nigeria near Archangel.

Catapult

A Walrus seaplane

2nd Aug 1942 HMS Nigeria sails from the Clyde  HMS Nigeria sailed from the Clyde 2 August 1942 in company with a large number of other ships.

2nd Aug 1942 HMS Nigeria sails from the Clyde

9th Aug 1942 HMS Nigeria joins convoy  HMS Nigeria arrived off Gibraltar on the 9th of August 1942 to join the escort to convoy WS21S, designated Operation Pedestal. The convoy consisted of 14 ships bound for Malta, escorted by 2 battleships, 3 cruisers and various destroyers, with other forces (aircraft carriers mainly) providing distant support.

9th Aug 1942 HMS Nigeria joins convoy

10th Aug 1942 Convoy WS21S passes through straights of Gibraltar

11th Aug 1942 HMS Eagle lost  In the Mediterranean, Convoy WS21S (Operation Pedestal) was located by the Italians and came under sustained and heavy attacks after that. Aircraft Carrier HMS Eagle was sunk 70 miles south of Cape Salinas, Majorca, by four torpedoes from the German U-73 (Kptlt. Helmut Rosenbaum). Of her crew of 1,087 a total of 160 perished, two officers and 158 ratings.

11th Aug 1942 HMS Eagle lost

12th Aug 1942 HMS Nigeria, HMS Cairo and tanker Ohio damaged  During the 12th of August, air attacks and submarine attacks caused damage and numerous casualties to Convoy WS21S. At sunset the Italian submarine Axum successfully penetrated the defence screen and fired a torpedo salvo which made two hits on cruiser Cairo, one on Nigeria and one on tanker Ohio. Position was then 37.40N 10.06E. Nigeria turned back to Gibraltar. After temporary repairs at Gibraltar, she went to Charleston Dockyard, South Carolina, USA, where she stayed for about 9 months. The crew were put up in barracks for 4-5 months, they were then sent to New York to pick up a Merchant vessel to take back to Scotland.

12th Aug 1942 HMS Nigeria, HMS Cairo and tanker Ohio damaged

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

Those known to have sailed in
HMS Nigeria
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

Aberdeen Jock. Cook
Abrahams Jack.
Alsop Christopher T. A.B (d.12 Aug 1942)
Aris John G. Ord. Tel. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Armstrong Kenneth. Ord. Sea. (d.12 Aug 1942)
Arnold J.
Ashling Anthony Douglas. PO
Ashton William. Able Sea.
Ashton William Patrick. Able Sea.
Baker Arthur Henry. PO.
Barritt William. MA.
Bellamy Thomas Leslie.
Bellamy Thomas Leslie.
Bergen J.
Betts Charles George. A/Ldg.Tel. (d.12 Aug 1942)
Biggam Alex. Able Seaman
Bott . (d.12th Aug 1942)
Bowers G L.
Box John T. Able.Sea. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Boyce Gordon C.. Ord.Tel. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Bradshaw Kenneth Thomas.
Brand DSC David. Lt.
Brawn Cecil G. PO. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Bray Eric N.. Able.Sea. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Brown Eric Wilfrid.
Brown Harry. PO.
Bull Johnny. RDF Op. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Burns Edgar. Able.Sea. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Burns Geordie.
Burrows William.
Carrington J B. Midship. (d.26th Feb 1942)
Castle William E.. Able Sea. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Chapman A.
Chapman D.
Charlton Alfred Osborne. Stk.
Charlton Alfred Osborne. Stoker.
Cleary T.
Coe G F. A.B (d.15th Aug 1944)
Coleman Herbert E. A.B (d.12th Aug 1942)
Coleman Herbert E. A.B (d.12th Aug 1942)
Collis Peter. AB.
Conn Frederick W. J. Musician
Coote Eric H. A.B
Coxton Kenneth N. Tel.
Croft William. Cpl.
Croft William. Bandsman
Crozier Hugh Montgomery. AB.
Crozier Hugh Montgomerie. Able.Sea.
Culver Eric R. A.B
Darby BEM. Charles. EA.
Deeley Basil Keith.
Dicks Derek .
Dixon John Kenneth.
Dixon John Kenneth.
Downes G W.
Dundas MID John George Lawrence. Capt.
Ebbage Herbert S. Ldg. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Edwards Jack.
Ewing Andrew.
Ewing Andy. RDF Op.
Farrow George Geoffrey. Sig.
Fisher H J.
Fisher R E.
Fleming Robert.
Fleming Robert. Steward.
Fletcher Aldene. Ord.Sea.
Flood Douglas. Petty Officer
Fox Ernest. Able Seaman. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Fox Ernest. A.B (d.12th Aug 1942)
Fulcher F J. Bo'sun 1st Class
Gifford .
Gilbert W L.
Gillborn John Leonard. PO
Green John Frederick. E.A (d.6th Sept 1942)
Greenhouse Norman. Ldg.Sea.
Groom Jeff.
Grose Henry. Ord. Sea. (R.D.F) (d.12th Aug 1942)
Gross Jock. RDF Op.
Harris R J.
Harris Ron.
Harris Ronald Walter. PMR Mid.
Hart Reginald T. A.B (d.12 Aug 1942)
Hoare James. A.B (d.12 Aug 1942)
Howman Robert.
Huckle Peter.
Huckle Peter.
Hughes D.
Hunter Thomas Kirkwood. AbleSea.
Irving Norman. AB. (d.12th August 1942)
Isaac Douglas John. Able Sea. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Jackson Arthur Frederick.
Jones Arthur Leonard. Chief Stoker (d.Aug 1942)
Jones Arthur L.. PO
Jones Charles Edward. LdgSea.
Jordan . ERA.
Jordan . ERA
Keld Peter. Musician (d.26th Oct 1914)
Kennedy Richard.
Kennedy William. PO.
Kent G.
Kent G.
Lacey Sydney. Stoker
Lambert Edward Robert. Ldg. Sgnlmn.
Locklear H.
Lockyear Henry Horace.
Longbottom Alfred.
Makinson Richard Alexander. Able Sea.
Martyr Alfred Arthur. WTel. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Mercer D.
Mercer William Henry. Stoker
Nolan Leo.
Norman William. L/Sig.
Nuttall John Croft. Marine
Palmer Blimp.
Perry Alfred J. P.O. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Pollard Richard.
Powell Brinley.
Price Joseph Evans. PO.
Rayment P.
Rayment Philip. Able.Sea.
Reeves Arthur William. Able Sea. (d.12th Aug 1942)
Riley R E.
Robertson J.
Robinson George.
Rouse Alfred Price. Able Seaman (d.11th March 1942)
Selfridge Linton. Stoker 2nd Class.
Simmonds James. Stk.
Steadman Robert Ernest.
Stevens John Walter. CPO Stoker.
Stocker R G.
Stocker Ronald James.
Strachan Ian Douglas .
Summers Reginald Harry. Ldg Tpdmn
Sweeney D P.
Tervit Robert. Ldg.Torpedo.Op.
Thompson Ralph. L. Sea.
Ticehurst E.
Turnock Clifford. Gunner
Tutty Kenneth.
Van_Niekerk Jan David.
Walton John Henry. C.Stkr.
Webster Benjamin George Charles.
Welch F C.
Wheatley W.
White Norman.
Whitehead A.
Wiley Edmund. A/Ldg Sea.
Willats Alfred.
Wilson Leslie. Able Seaman
Wilson Rex Allen.
Wood James Richmond. PO
Woodfine William John. Mst at Arms.
Woodhall James William. Ldg.Sea.
Woodruff Stanley John. CPO
Wright Les.
Little Archibald James.

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

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L/Sig. William Norman HMS Nigeria

My sisters, Margaret and Elizabeth and I spent our childhoods during World War 2 in a small village in the hills behind Perth and the port of Fremantle in Western Australia. My cousin Edna, and mother Ethleen billeted crew members from British ships when they called at Fremantle. Among the ships that called were HMS Kenya - and, memorably, HMS Nigeria.
I was 9 years of age, Maggie was 7 and Liz was 4. Commander Oliver was first billeted with us in our big airy house on the hills above Darlington. We have fond memories of him - my sisters remember seating this senior serviceman on the floor of their playroom and dressing him in their play-clothes! Then came Bill. We have never forgotten him. He became an embedded part of our memories of our childhood. We were deeply fond of 'our sailor Bill' Nigeria was in port for 3 weeks I think and Bill stayed for about a week. Mum and Dad served him breakfast in bed. We roamed our orchard picking fruit from the trees. We went for long walks in the hills - I remember taking him on one of my 'secret' tracks to see what I regarded as my own discovery of a glade of rare spider orchids. We knew that he enjoyed the dances held in the tiny local hall when all his shipmates from the billets in the districts had a chance to meeti some of the local girls - and, I imagine a doughty cohort of watchful local matrons as well!. The Japanese war was threatening Australia at the time - Darwin had already been bombed among some 15 air raids in the north-west - but our childhood focus was very much on England, and Bill in his smart uniform represented everything heroic we imagined of the Empire, though I am sure he would not have regarded himself as a hero.
Many years later I realized he was only 18 at the time - a boy himself, swept up into the maw of that dreadful war. In a letter to my Mother (Ethleen) and Father (Ted), after leaving Fremantle, he called us 'my three children'. I am now 74 and If Bill is alive he would now be about 83 years of age. We only know he came from Kings Lynn in Norfolk.
This request is inspired by the fact that 60 years on, my great niece and god-daughter is in a primary school in rural Oxfordshire and I have been asked to provide a few memories of a childhood in Australia during WWII. I would be a wonderful convergence of time and fate if someone among your membership remembered 'our Bill' and could direct us to him or his descendants. Whatever happens - or doesn't happen as a result of this request, please accept it as a modest but heartfelt tribute to a fine young man and to his years of service for his country.

Storry Walton

The Wartime Memories Project - HMS Nigeria during the Second World War -

HMS Nigeria

Those known to have sailed in HMS Nigeriaduring the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

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- HMS Nigeria during the Second World War -

Those known to have sailed in
HMS Nigeria
during the Second World War 1939-1945.