a primer on that handsome lad, james clark ross
here’s a bunch of stuff that i’ve learned the past year about the handomest man in the navy, sir james clark ross. we don’t know about him much, and from what we do know, it’s all in relation to the franklin expedition. so here’s a long list of trivia about the man who located the north magnetic pole, the “discoverer” of the antarctic, and francis crozier’s best friend.
feel free to use excessively (i.e. pls write him in fanfic tnx)
early life:
was born on 15th april 1800 to george and christian clark ross. his siblings were andrew clark, george clark, isabella, and marion, and two siblings who died in infancy.
his mother died in 1808 and the ross children were raised more by their uncles than their father.
career:
joined the navy at 11yo. his first ship was the hms briseis, with his uncle john ross as captain, was promoted to midshipman and master’s mate
moved with his uncle to hms actaeon then hms driver
joined john ross’s first and last navy-backed arctic expedition in 1818 (hms isabella)
joined three arctic expeditions under william edward parry (hms hecla, hms fury) from 1819 to 25, was promoted to lieutenant aged 22, then to commander aged 27. this was rather quick by navy standards. in comparison, fitzjames was dodgily promoted to commander at age 29.
joined parry’s 1827 attempt at the north pole as his second (hms hecla, endeavour)
joined john ross’s privately funded arctic expedition in 1829-33 (victory), then was promoted to captain at age 34. for reference, crozier was made captain at 44yo.
embarked on a magnetic survey of great britain from 1835 to 38
was briefly sent on a rescue mission in 1836 to save 11 trapped whalers in arctic waters (cove). he was offered a knighthood afterward but he declined.
led an exploratory voyage in 1839 to antarctica, which lasted four years (hms erebus and terror)
retired from active service at age 43 and was knighted the following year
was the first choice for the 1845 arctic expedition but declined
led an 1848 rescue attempt for the franklin expedition (hms enterprise and investigator), which was almost catastrophic and ended prematurely
was promoted to rear admiral of the red in 1856
physicality:
nearly had his spine crushed while hauling when a boat slipped and pinned him against an outcrop. jcr and the 1827 crew endured hauling boats through uneven ice, large floes, thin surfaces, slush, and rain.
broke two ribs during one of the many sledging trips he took during 1830 and still managed to walk for nine hours the following day
casually walked away from his group to survey an inlet. alone! in the arctic!!! and came back exhausted around midnight. he had travelled 50 miles that day.
spent twenty three days sledging in the area of boothia peninsula. jcr gazed out across the ice from cape felix and remarked on the heavy stream of pack ice (which will trap the franklin expedition years later).
he further sledged west and named his farthest point victory point. *dun dun*
jcr and crozier developed a hand tremour after a fierce gale hit the ships during their final retreat from the antarctic.
returned from the antarctica expedition exhausted mentally and physically
in his late 40s, jcr was described by francis mcclintock as “a very quick, penetrating old bird, very mild in appearance and rather flowery in his style. he is handsome still…and has the most piercing black eyes.”
travelled and hauled approximately 500 miles in 39 days and was in the sick list for 2-3 weeks thereafter. jcr returned from the failed rescue attempt even more exhausted.
science acumen:
natural history
collected birds, mammals, marine life, and plants during his early expeditions. jcr shot down and stuffed a gull (ross’s gull - rodostethia rosea) and later on a penguin. he also discovered a new species of bird (white-billed diver).
provided the the zoological and natural history appendices for the 1824 and 1829 voyages.
assisted joseph hooker in collecting and laying out sea plant specimens for hooker to draw
had a plethora of animals/pets onboard the ships in the antarctica expedition, including goats, rabbits, chickens, and cats.
jcr himself was “an indefatigable collector of marine animals” that he intended to analyze and describe himself. jcr spent hours up to his knees in water and elsewhere dredging.
due to the stress of later years, jcr never got to analyze his collection. it was found as rubbish in his backyard after his death. the loss is considered to have held back oceanography for thirty years or so.
magnetic observations
was allowed to take lunar observations while he was still a midshipman, something that only the most experienced officers carried out
also tested the thickness of saltwater ice, recorded temperatures, checked longitudes, and went on land excursions
!!! located the north fricking magnetic pole !!! on 1st june 1831. he wrote a paper about it titled on the position of the north magnetic pole and read it to the royal society. the paper was eventually printed.
from 1835 to 39, together with edward sabine, jcr conducted the first systematic magnetic survey of great britain. he would also assist in the 1861 ordnance survey.
chaired a committee examining the accuracy of the magnetic compasses supplied to the navy
along with crozier, was lauded as the finest scientific navigators of the age. scholars say that by 1845, crozier was second only to jcr in seamanship and magnetic observations.
scientific involvement
served as “chief scientist” in the antarctic expedition. together with his captain’s duties, this was considered arduous work.
in kerguelen islands, jcr took personal charge of the observatories with crozier, living ashore, and going back to the ships on sundays for inspection and divine service.
was criticized by hooker for not encouraging scientific learning among his officers. jcr said that he and crozier were suitably qualified to handle tasks such as magnetic calculations, water samples and astronomical readings.
he just really wanted to *clenches fist* hoard all the science.
despite that, hooker did positively remark that jcr was uncommonly involved in the scientific activities of the expedition.
recognitions
was elected to many societies; including the linnaean society, royal society, royal astronomical society, and royal geographical society
received a medal from the royal geographical society and its counterpart in paris
received an honorary doctorate of common law from oxford university
finally published his book “a voyage of discovery and research in the southern and antarctic regions during the years 1839-43″ in 1847. the four years it took was a sign of jcr’s mental sluggishness.
although the expedition itself was groundbeaking, the book fell short, and it is of the scientific community’s opinion that jcr didn’t do himself justice.
was chair of the geographical section of the british association for the advancement of science. by god’s own hand probably, jcr was present when the association received a telegram on sept 1859 with the news of the discovery of the victory point note.
seamanship and other skill sets:
arts and languages
was often cast in the female roles in parry’s arctic theatre. 👀 he played corinna in the citizen, mrs. bruin in the mayor of garrett, poll in a musical entertainment called the north-west passage; or the voyage finished, and colonel tivy in bon ton; or high life above stairs.
contributed poetry to the north georgia gazette winter chronicle, a ship’s publication during the first parry expedition in 1819. one poem attributed to him was about the beauty of the aurora.
picked up enough of the inuit language from igloolik and was able to converse with the inuit they met in boothia
like many explorers, dabbled in art and painted sceneries from his voyages
hunting
shot a polar bear which made his crew very ill, either because of overeating or the bear’s poisonous liver
also shot a musk-ox at a range of 15 yards. it didn’t die and jcr had to shoot it again from five yards away. the moment is captured in one of john ross's sketches.
was given the chance to kill a 46ft whale, which his uncle found a distasteful sight. john ross didn’t mind the supply of blubber though.
led fishing expeditions and during one haul baited 3,378 salmon in a single net. he was really out there performing jesus miracles in the arctic.
sledging
readily picked up dog sledging from the inuit, with packs and equipment being pulled by a dog team of 12 while travelers walked. he ended up overworking the dogs and killing all but two of twelve. D:
in some of these sledge journeys, he was accompanied by thomas blanky.
he did pass on the rudiments of sledging to his protege mcclintock, who would perfect the technique and revolutionize british arctic sledging.
was able to sledge and chart peel sound and most of north somerset. he opined that franklin’s ships couldn’t have passed through peel sound because of the heavy ice. but that was exactly what they did.
seamanship
with jcr’s guidance and with the ships’ reinforced hulls, erebus and terror repeatedly rammed against pack ice so they could penetrate into the antarctic circle. they were the first ships to do so.
had an uncanny knack for spotting icebergs
spotted pack ice ahead of their ships and turned erebus away sharply, ramming directly to terror. the two ships were entangled then separated, with erebus's bowsprit, foretopmast, and other spars ripped away.
with the ship in bad condition, jcr executed a complicated manoeuvre to cross a narrow gap between icebergs. the move is like a car going in reverse, braking, and then drifting so the front swings right through an alley. the gap was “not twice the breadth of the ship”.
command:
charisma
was more popular than his uncle in the 1829 expedition, and often received the crew’s complaints
an officer in cove wrote of him: “the captain is, without exception, the finest officer i have met with, the most persevering indefatigable man you can imagine. he is perfectly idolized by everyone.”
quelled a mutiny twice in his career--first in 1829, then in 1836. in 1836, the cove seamen refused to sail after they were hit by a fierce storm, but were convinced when jcr addressed them in the quarterdeck.
had a sort of falling out with the falklands’ governor richard moody. hooker described it as: “they quarrelled most grievously, so that i was often unpleasantly situated.”
administration
was considered parry’s right-hand man though still a middie. as a lieutenant, jcr was was increasingly delegated scientific and other administrative duties that were meant for the captain.
left most of erebus and terror’s fitting out and recruitment to crozier while he finished with the 1839 magnetic survey.
wanted james fitzjames as his gunnery lieutenant for the antarctica expedition but was denied by the admiralty
just can’t do the damn grocery for some reason??? in hobart, van diemen’s land, crozier was “always starved” when it was jcr’s turn to purvey for the table, so crozier always had to eat his fill at franklin’s.
was prone to secrecy. the antarctic crew often had no idea where they were headed until they got there.
lashed out at his officers over minor issues following their second failed attempt at the south pole. robert mccormick wrote: “so strong were his prejudices, and... so difficult to reason with.” one wonders how he and crozier got on during this time.
while jcr did write to his superiors to report on the antarctica expedition, he did not publish a report in the papers. this would be a misstep as the expedition had lost public interest by the time they returned.
decision-making
like crozier, jcr didn’t trust steam engines and even gave it as a half-hearted reason for him to not command the 1845 expedition.
during the franklin expedition, crozier missed jcr’s captainship and expertise. he wrote of his misgivings and said: “james, i wish you were here, i would then have no doubt as to our pursuing the proper course.”
while the enterprise and investigator were stuck in port leopold, jcr ordered that foxes be trapped and fitted with collars carrying details of the relief expedition. they were entirely in the wrong island ofc.
reputation:
in society
described by michael smith as “a charismatic, popular figure with a flair that made him one of the greatest polar explorers of all time--something that more than compensated for his streak of vanity (five portraits), arrogance and occasional sharp tongue... displayed a breezy self-assurance and a strong sense of destiny”.
described by fergus fleming as “politically astute and had the knack of making himself popular”.
was initiated as a freemason, possibly on the recommendation of felix booth
a play was staged in the shady part of hobart about jcr and crozier's first venture in the antarctic. they did not attend. the play was reviewed as “better written than acted”.
hobart liked to throw jcr and crozier parties. one in 1840 displayed flags with jcr and crozier’s heraldry, with mottos written by jane franklin.
jcr’s read: “that flag so nobly won, shall wave once more / waved by thy hand, on th’ antarctic shore”.
in return, jcr threw a huge fricking party with erebus and terror strapped together and used as dance hall and dinner area. the place was decked with mirrors, flowers, swords, and candles.
was bestowed the title of handsomest man in the navy by jane franklin. jcr remained close friends with jane and acted as her advisor following the disappearance of the franklin expedition.
became a kind of recluse in 1844, writing: “my extreme abhorrence of public dinners, of which i have seen so much, has occasioned me to entirely give up attending them”.
became more of a recluse (an alcoholic recluse, sound familiar?) when his wife died
self-worth
in his expeditions to furthest north and south, jcr carried a little red book from his sister titled the economy of human life.
was the typical entitled british explorer afaict. jcr’s reaction to france and america pursuing antarctica can be summed up as: “how dare they? antarctica belongs to britain”.
when jcr received a well-meaning letter from charles wilkes enclosed with a map of the antarctic coastline he managed to chart, jcr decidedly didn’t take the route that his rivals had taken.
later on, he would reply to wilkes and tell him that the chain of mountains he named wilkes land was a mirage and did not exist. jcr is that petty bastard and he wants you to know it.
wilkes land did absolutely exist though, just not in the precise location that wilkes charted it. what did not exist--the mountains beyond the ross ice shelf that jcr named parry mountains. he was not beyond error.
tried to plant the union jack flag on a flat site in possession island, which turned out to be a massive bed of penguin guano. jcr is said to have sworn a blue streak.
cursed roundly at his publisher when he asked why jcr’s book was so delayed and that he would have to sell at a sale-or-return arrangement
influence
recommended john franklin as the commander of the 1845 expedition, but only after crozier told him that he felt he wouldn’t be up to it. several polar veterans tried to sway jcr but he stuck to his recommendation.
was generally optimistic even when the the franklin expedition hadn’t been heard of for almost two years. his opinion was highly valued may well have influenced the admiralty’s decision to stall a rescue effort.
disagreed with richard king’s recommendation to send a small party to back’s fish river since the small party wouldn’t be able to support 100+ survivors. we now know the survivors did make for the river.
was publicly criticised by king and his uncle on his management of the 1848 franklin search. historians are divided on this.
encouraged mcclintock to accept jane franklin's offer for him to lead the fox expedition. the fox expedition would end up finding the victory point note.
personal life:
courting and marriage
met his future wife while visiting isabella and her husband. ann coulman’s parents did not approve of jcr because of their age difference (16 yrs), jcr’s profession, and jcr’s “very uncertain and hazardous views”.
jcr was undeterred and wrote to a friend that “if ann can love me sufficiently to cheer with her smile the hour of difficulty tho’ a host were to rise up against us, in the name of cupid we would destroy them.”
docked a boat opposite ann’s house and met her in secret. the stuff of novels, i tell you.
brought scientific instruments to ann’s house and taught her how to measure terrestrial magnetism
supposedly rebuffed sophia cracroft’s advances in hobart. at this time, he was already engaged to ann.
named geographical features in antarctica after his fiance (cape ann) and his future father-in-law (coulman island)
settling down
with crozier as his best man, jcr married ann shortly after he returned from antarctica in 1843, and then promised to retire from active service. they settled in eliot place, blackheath, london.
crozier stayed with them in blackheath before he left for the franklin expedition in 1845. he described blackheath as “comfortless” and “scorching” and was very glad that the rosses moved to the country.
retreated to a country estate in buckinghamshire in 1845
jcr welcomed his first child james in the autumn of 1844, his second child ann in 1846, third child thomas in 1850, and last child andrew in 1854
the rosses’ married life were described as “a more perfect state of married felicity could not be imagined…if ever an observer could affirm there were two human sympathies concentrated in one, it might have been affirmed of sir james and lady ross....”
duty calls
was offered a baronetcy, a pension, and a year’s postponement if he would agree to lead the 1845 expedition. he turned it down to honour his promise to never sail again.
he probably also turned it down because he hadn’t recovered from four years in the antarctic and had taken to drinking to cope. the drinking probably hastened his death.
athough jcr had promised that he would no longer sail, ann gave jcr her blessing to lead a rescue attempt in 1848 and find their “dear frank”. in! this! house! crozier! was! loved!!
last years
ann died in jan 1857 of pneumonia, and jcr would never recover from the loss.
after his wife’s death, jcr rewrote his will and named edward bird and charles beverley as executors to look after the children. jcr knew bird since 1821 and beverley since 1818. bird, jcr, and crozier were middies together in 1821. ToT
the will was never legally executed and jcr’s sister marion became guardian of his four children.
burned his papers before he died. this one haunts me... why did you do that, james? what did you not want found?
jcr died on 3rd april 1862 and was buried beside his wife. he was 61yo.
after the stress of antarctica, of the franklin searches and public criticism, of the deaths of parry, ann, and most likely crozier and franklin, friends said that jcr died of a broken heart.
strained relations:
testified in a panel that sabine had done more of the 1818 expedition’s magnetic readings than his uncle, calling into question his uncle’s competency, thereby cooling their relations
frequently fought with his uncle regarding the running of the 1829 expedition. one of their arguments was likened by william light/robert huish to lavas bursting from a volcano. take with a grain of salt.
jostled with his uncle for recognition for locating the north magnetic pole and commanding the expedition. the whole affair was m e s s y and the admiralty opted to let it alone and let the family settle their own squabble.
hinted that he would not allow his uncle's account of the expedition to be published if his contribution to the book would be in any way altered (some places jcr named had been rennamed, removed, or added to).
supposedly placed a public advertisement telling the public that the appendix of his uncle’s book was written by jcr but he was not being paid for it
claimed that he was even offered money to publish his own account of the expedition but refused as he didn’t want to interfere with his uncle’s intentions
was accused by his uncle of giving up too soon in 1848 and using the franklin search as a pretense to find the passage. historians have defended jcr as his crew was hit with an early onset of “debility”.
scientists would later theorize that this debility was lead poisoning. six men died during jcr’s 15-month voyage. by contrast, he only lost three men in the four years he sailed with crozier to antarctica.
while their relationship was not entirely strained, jcr’s father george ross is an enterprising character, and would probably be a cause for embarrassment. george ross applied for bankruptcy thrice in his life.
george ross was secretary of the committe to collect donations for the 1829 expedition’s rescue. george back was to attempt an overland rescue, and george ross proposed himself to lead an attempt by sea. he had no sea experience whatsoever.
bestest friend in the whole wide world:
parry days
in 1821, jcr met and became firm friends with francis rawdon moira crozier and their friendship would last the rest of (one of) their lives. jcr was one of the few people who were allowed to call crozier “frank”.
when jcr married, this privilege extended to his wife. crozier often inquired after ann in his letters away, calling her “kind dear ‘thot’”.
franklin describes them as “it is truly interesting seeing them together. the same spirit animates each.” jcr and crozier were also described as “like brothers, so attached by their mutual tastes and dangers shared together.”
found several notes from crozier in supply caches in 1827. one of these charmingly read: “i cannot explain the mingled sensations i experienced the day i parted with you at walden isle. i did not think i was so soft...god bless you my boy and send you all back safe and sound by the appointed time is the constant prayer of your old messmate.”
another note read: “we think of you sometimes, always at dinner time. how much we would give just to know whereabouts you are....”
golden years
jcr’s first command was a rescue effort to save 11 whalers trapped in the arctic circle. many arctic veterans volunteered, but he enlisted crozier as his second in cove.
cove was supposed to be escorted by two bomb class ships in case they overwintered, but plans changed and they were not sent out. the ships were jcr and crozier’s future ships--hms erebus and hms terror.
although he declined the first offer of knighthood, jcr urged for his homie’s promotion to commander. he wrote: “the zealous and efficient manner in which he has fulfilled his trying and difficult duties makes me anxious that an officer of such high reputation and who has given so many instances of distinguished merit should receive that promotion which it has been the invariable practice of the admiralty to bestow...”
endearingly referred to in hobart as “the two captains”. eleanor franklin wrote of them as “very nice people”. bless
at the hobart temporary headquarters, jcr strung his sleeping hammock right next to crozier’s (ToT)
became “comically serious and meditative” when he thought that crozier was considering leaving the antarctic expedition and staying in hobart.
named a headland in ross island as cape crozier.
celebrated new year’s day of 1842 by throwing a party in an improvised ballroom in a nearby iceberg. a throne was chiselled from the ice for jcr and crozier.
“captain crozier and miss ross” sang and danced a quadrille, and when they made their way back to the ships, they were pelted with snowballs by the crew.
it’s all downhill from here
after antarctica, a depressed crozier left london without saying farewell to jcr and ann. he wrote to them while in france: “it has caused me much pain, but the truth is i could not make up my mind to visit london now.”
recommended crozier or edward bird as franklin’s second. when the admiralty asked for his opinion on crozier’s fitness, jcr eagerly supported his friend’s appointment.
crozier reaaaallly missed jcr while he was out on the franklin expedition. in his last letter to jcr ever, crozier wrote: “how i do miss you. i cannot bear going on board erebus. sir john is very kind and would have me dining there every day if i would go... all goes smoothly but, james dear, i am sadly alone, not a soul have i in either ship that i can go and talk to... i am sadly lonely & when i look back to the last voyage i can see the cause and therefore no prospect of having a more joyous feeling.”
while the rescue ships were being fitted, jcr sent an advanced note to crozier via hms plover. he wrote: “we are settled very quietly in the country and it will be a great happiness to us to see you again at our fireside... the command of the expedition is to be in my hands & with old bird as my second i feel satisfied that we shall not be found wanting....”
ann ross also sent a note, displaying the friendship that developed in their brief acquaintance. both letters were returned undelivered.
legacy:
jcr’s coat of arms includes a dipping needle pointing north and the union jack flag flying above it with the date 1st june 1831. his heraldry also includes a fox’s head.
when the entirety of the antarctic expedition’s validated findings were finally published in 1868, six years after jcr’s death, there was little public fanfare, but it’s worth was well-known in the scientific community.
some errors in jcr’s scientific recordings were eventually found, but scientists say that considering his basic, sometimes faulty, equipment, it was a wonder he didn’t have more.
other wildlife named after jcr are flowers, a seal, and a squid.
helped esther blanky and ann reid get their widow’s pensions by testifying that ice masters were indispensable in expeditions. blanky and reid were not technically in the navy. jcr said that not granting the pensions would be “an act of injustice”.
hooker remembers jcr as “really the greatest by far of all our scientific navigators, both in point of length of service and span of the globe. justice has never been done to him.”
robert falcon scott said about jcr’s antarctic achievements: “it might be said that it was james cook who defined the antarctic region, and james ross who discovered it.”
and there it is!!! sir james clark ross is undoubtedly brilliant--even his uncle can’t contest that--but he is also far from perfect. he was a complicated man and certainly had his share of mistakes and character failings. of his grave mistakes, i can say that they were born out of lack of information, and none at all of malice or ambition like many of his contemporaries.
-- -- -- -- --
this is messy and is all in good fun so if there are any mistakes, please let me know. if you want specifics for a certain thing hmu, but i can’t promise i’ll remember the source for all of them.
in general though, i got these from: fergus fleming, michael smith, m.j. ross, owen beattie & john geiger, and of course from several posts and links provided by @tttack @indifferent-century @ltwilliammowett @handfuloftime @skazka @hangingfire
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There is a very big elephant in the room when it comes to the South African Naval fraternity’s commemoration and remembrance undertakings. Very often in veteran fraternity and South African Navy circles there’s a raging argument – why does the South African Navy and SANDF only commemorate the sinking of the SS Mendi during World War 1 when scant attention is given to the sinking of the SAS President Kruger? It’s ‘political’ is the universal chant of disbelief and failed honour, a travesty of the African National Congress’ (ANC) rhetoric of constantly vanquishing the ‘old’ navy and SADF statutory forces.
But they are ignoring a very big ‘elephant’, something that began as a travesty long before the ANC came to power in 1994. It’s an elephant that sits squarely at the door of the old Apartheid Nationalist government and is entirely their doing. When they came to power they began vanquishing anyone who supported ‘Britain’ during World War 2 as some sort of traitor, made worse because the South African Navy was so intrinsically tied to the Royal Navy via the Simonstown agreement that they never really instituted memorials or commemorations to them. To the old Afrikaner nationalists this was ‘Britain’s problem’ to remember them.
As a result the scope of our World War 2 sacrifice barely gets a mention in the ‘Mendi vs. President Kruger’ argument. In fact the scope, the size of this sacrifice will come as a surprise to many South Africans – including our Naval veterans fraternity and current Navy personnel.
The ‘elephant’ of sacrifice
To give you an idea of just how BIG this ‘elephant in the room is, lets cover the Honour Roll – it far outstrips any South African Naval sacrifice in the post world war era. Yet the South African Navy and the current government gives absolutely no attention to it, not at all – not one single official South African Navy (SAN) parade or ceremony. Not even a dedicated Naval memorial is given to these men.
We start with South Africa’s own ship’s lost in World War 2, all of them minesweepers. (Note on the honour roll when reading it SANF means the member was part of the ‘South African Naval Forces’ and MPK means ‘Missing Presumed Killed’).
The first South African ship lost in the Mediterranean near Tobruk was the HMSAS Southern Floe with its remarkable tale of a single survivor (see this link for a full story – click here: The HMSAS Southern Floe was the SA Navy’s first ship loss & it carries with it a remarkable tale of survival.).
HMSAS Southern Floe
The Honour Roll of sacrifice on the HMSAS Southern Floe as follows:
ANDERS, John, Steward, 69637 (SANF), MPK
BOWER, Robert, Stoker 1c, 69935 (SANF), MPK
BRAND, Leslie A, Able Seaman, 69828 (SANF), MPK
CAULFIELD, Patrick, Steward, 69802 (SANF), MPK
CHANDLER, Charles R D, Cook (S), 69613 (SANF), MPK
CHENOWETH, Richard, Stoker 1c, 67420 (SANF), MPK
FAIRLEY, Alexander E, Sub Lieutenant SANF, MPK
FRIEDLANDER, Cecil A, Able Seaman, 114703 (SANF), MPK
GARDINER, Elliott, Able Seaman, 67260 (SANF), MPK
GREENACRE, John H, Leading Seaman, 69677 (SANF), MPK
HEASMAN, Gratwicke E E, Engine Room Artificer 4c, 69784 (SANF), MPK
HOGG, Roy S, Sub Lieutenant, SANF, MPK
INNES, Ian Mck, Sub Lieutenant, SANF, MPK
LEWIS, John Edward Joseph, :Lieutenant, 70019 (SANF), MPK
MARSH, Reginald H Y, Able Seaman, 69911 (SANF), MPK
MITCHELL, William N, Able Seaman, 69787 (SANF), MPK
NEL, Eloff R, Able Seaman, 69635 (SANF), MPK
NICHOLSON, Douglas O, Able Seaman, 66833 (SANF), MPK
PUGH, John R, Able Seaman, 66877 (SANF), MPK
RYALL, David R, Able Seaman, 69999 (SANF), MPK
SHIMMIN, William, Leading Stoker, 69661 (SANF), MPK
SIENI, Joseph F, Able Seaman, 69788 (SANF), MPK
SNELL, Harold W, Leading Telegraphist, 69827 (SANF), MPK
STANLEY, Gordon J, Able Seaman, 66963 (SANF), MPK
WALTON, Dudley N, Sub Lieutenant, SANF, MPK
The second ship lost was the HMSAS Parktown, which went down fighting during the Fall of Tobruk in Libya, with the HMSAS Bever fighting at her side out the port (see this link for a full story – click here: The feisty South African minesweeper that went down fighting – HMSAS Parktown).
HMSAS Parktown
The Honour Roll of sacrifice when the HMSAS Parktown sank on 21 June 1942 as follows:
BROCKLEHURST, Peter S, Able Seaman, 70457 (SANF), MPK
COOK, John A, Stoker 1c, 70256 (SANF), MPK
JAGGER, Leslie J, Lieutenant SANF, 70016 (SANF), MPK
MCEWAN, William A, Steward, 69686 (SANF), MPK
TREAMER, Arthur P, Petty Officer, 71109 (SANF), MPK
The third ship to be lost was the HMSAS Parktown’s sister ship, the HMSAS Bever which went down later in the war during the liberation of Greece when it struck a mine, and carries with its story a tale of miraculous survivors (see this link for a full story – click here“Under a hail of shells”; Recounting the bravery and loss of HMSAS Bever).
HMSAS Bever
The Honour Roll of sacrifice on 30 November 1944 when the HMSAS Bever sank as follows:
ARMERANTIS, Sideris, Stoker 1c, 282953 V (SANF), MPK
DE PACE, Luigi S, Petty Officer, 66539 V (SANF), MPK
DE REUCK, Leslie B, Telegraphist, 75320 V (SANF), MPK
DREYER, Peter, Leading Cook (S), 585236 V (SANF), MPK
HIGGS, George E, Stoker 1c, 562712 V (SANF), MPK
HUSBAND, Charles A, Stoker 1c, 280098 V (SANF), MPK
KETTLES, John D, Engine Room Artificer 3c, 562458 (SANF), MPK
LAWLOR, Robert J, Act/Chief Motor Mechanic 4c, P/KX 127225, MPK
LINDE, Carl M, Able Seaman, 71194 V (SANF), MPK
LYALL, John D R, Stoker 1c, 562179 V (SANF), MPK
MATTHEWS, William R, Leading Wireman, 562794 V (SANF), killed
PHILLIPSON, Joseph H, Signalman, 181160 V (SANF), MPK
RODDA, Harold J, Stoker 1c, 70451 V (SANF), (served as Harold J Andresen), MPK
SCRIMGEOUR, Quintin, Petty Officer, 69691 (SANF), MPK
TRUSCOTT, E (initial only) W, Able Seaman, 585184 V (SANF), MPK
WHITE, Claude, Leading Seaman, 586420 V (SANF), MPK
WILLIAMS, Desmond, Able Seaman, 70433 V (SANF), killed
The final minesweeper to be lost was the HMSAS Treern, it was tragically lost right at the end of the war with only one single survivor, and it remains the last South African vessel to be lost in action, even to this day, yet hardly anyone is aware of her history (see this link for a full story – click hereThe last South African Navy ship to be lost in action; HMSAS Treern).
HMSAS Treern
The Honour Roll of sacrifice on the 12 January 1945 when HMSAS Treern sank follows:
ANDERSON, Robert D, Engine Room Artificer 2c, 71067 V (SANF), MPK
BARKER, Ronald E, Sub Lieutenant, SANF, MPK
BLAKE, Robert E, Petty Officer, P 6572 (SANF), MPK
BROWN, Ian H, Able Seaman, 71719 V (SANF), MPK
BYRNE, Patrick, Lieutenant, SANF, MPK
DAVIE, William, Stoker 1c, 70681 V (SANF), MPK
ENGELBEEN, Leslie C, Able Seaman, 562235 V (SANF), MPK
JACOBZ, Frank H, Stoker 1c, 70374 V (SANF), MPK
MATTHEWS, George A, Stoker 1c, 70728 V (SANF), MPK
MCINTYRE, William G, Cook (S), 585360 (SANF), MPK
MCLARTY, William D, Leading Stoker, 562246 V (SANF), MPK
MCLEAN, Godfrey, Able Seaman, 562455 V (SANF), MPK
NILAND, St John E, Able Seaman, 209905 (SANF), MPK
PERRY, Desmond A, Petty Officer, 71211 (SANF), MPK
REID, Kenneth H, Signalman, 562143 V (SANF), MPK
SALCOMBE, Francis R, Stoker 1c, 58589 V (SANF), MPK
STAPELBERG, Willem J, Steward, 562221 V (SANF), MPK
SUTTON, Donald A, Able Seaman, 70426 (SANF), MPK
SUTTON, George A M, Leading Seaman, 586403 V (SANF), MPK
TRAFFORD, William O, Able Seaman, 71222 V (SANF), MPK
VILJOEN, Dennis A, Telegraphist, 70984 V (SANF), MPK
WHITE, Charles W, Petty Officer, 562200 V (SANF), MPK
WULFF, Emil F, Leading Seaman, 562466 V (SANF), MPK
Then there is the loss of Rear Admiral Guy Hallifax, the most senior South African Naval Officer to be lost during World War 2, he counts himself as one of the founders of the modern South African Navy and yet he is hardly remembered at all. (see this link for a full story Guy Hallifax, the most senior African Naval officer lost during WW2). He is recorded here:
Director of South African Forces
HALLIFAX, Guy W, Rear Admiral, SANF, air accident, killed
Then, consider these South African Naval Force casualties on other South Africa ships and in other South African operations during the war:
LUCAS, E W R, Chief Engineman, 66756 (SANF), died 4 October 1939
NICOLSON, Andrew, Cook, 63827 (SANF), died 13 October 1939
BESTER, A T, Leading Stoker, 6640 (SANF), died on the HMSAS Africana
HUGHES, T J, Stoker, 71383 (SANF), died 10 May 1941
CASSON, William, Able Seaman, 252935 V (SANF), died on the HMSAS Tordonn
HOLT, Albert E, Telegraphist, 69576 (SANF), killed on the HMSAS Southern Maid
VAN NOIE, Norman, Able Seaman, CN/72134 (SANF), died 20 September 1941
ST CLAIR-WHICKER, Willie H, Able Seaman, 67292 (SANF), died on 21 September 1941
SMITH, P, Able Seaman, CN/72263 (SANF), died 7 April 1942
RUITERS, Walter, Stoker, CN/72081 (SANF), died 21 July 1942
MURPHY, J, Able Seaman, CN/72256 (SANF), died 16 August 1942
FROST, M L, Able Seaman, CN/71804 (SANF), died on the HMSAS Receiffe
PETERSON, W J, Able Seaman, CN/72184 (SANF), died 4 September 1942
REHR, Cecil, Able Seaman, 69877 (SANF), died on the HMSAS Roodepoort
CARLELSE, Frederick, Able Seaman, CN/72004 (SANF), died on the HMSAS Soetvlei
PETERS, Norman, Leading Stoker, 66847 (SANF), died 3 January 1943
DELL, Rodney, Able Seaman, 68866 (SANF), killed 24 March 1943
HENDERSON, Alexander P, Chief Engine Room Artificer, 562099 (SANF), killed at Benghazi, Libya
JAMES, H, Steward, CN/72252 (SANF), died 9 May 1943
ORGILL, C B, Able Seaman, CN/71947 (SANF), died 14 May 1943
LA CHARD, Edwin, Lieutenant Commander, SANF, died 20 May 1943
LUCAS, A W, Able Seaman, 152875 (SANF), died 28 May 1943
BATEMAN, T, Chief Engine Room Artificer, 71627 (SANF), died 30 June 1943
ROBBERTS, Kaspar, Petty Officer, P/5285 (SANF), died 1 July 1943
BOSHOFF, Christofel J, Able Seaman, 70339 (SANF), killed on HMSAS Blaauwberg
LENZ, William, Able Seaman, 69544 (SANF), died on 29 August 1943
BESTEL, Emmanuel A N M, Lieutenant, SANF, died on 21 September 1943
HARLE, Paul A, Petty Officer, 71796 (SANF), died on 3 October 1943
STEELE, Ewen, Able Seaman, 71272 V (SANF), killed on HMSAS Southern Sea
BETTS, Robert, Able Seaman, 68900 (SANF), died 18 November 1943
PAGE, Robert, Sub Lieutenant, SANF, died 29 November 1943
MCLEAN, Richard, Stoker, 562567 (SANF), died 29 November 1943
HARRIS, R H, Telegraphist, 330488 (SANF), died 16 December 1943
NICHOLLS, John, Yeoman of Signals, 66824 V (SANF), died 19 December 1943
FLORENCE, John, Stoker, CN/71982 V (SANF), died 18 January 1944
DANIELS, Adam, Stoker, 72034 (SANF), died 28 January 1944
RAVENS, Albert, Able Seaman, CN/72213 V (SANF), died 31 March 1944
DE KLERK, John, Ordinary Seaman, 585868 V (SANF), died 4 May 1944
BOTHA, Herkulas, Cook, 562093 V (SANF), died 8 May 1944
BISSETT, Alexander, Lieutenant, SANF, died 16 June 1944
JENKINS, Edward G, Engine Room Artificer, 66720 V (SANF), died 14 September 1944
KEMP, Thomas, Able Seaman, CN/71015 V (SANF), died 20 September 1944
WATSON, George, Lieutenant, SANF, died 15 October 1944
BOSWELL, Louis F W, Chief Engine Room Artificer, 69756V (SANF), MPK on the 14 November 1944 on the HMSAS Treern
ABRAHAMS, Henry, Able Seaman, CN/719204 (SANF), died 19 November 1944
BERMAN, Nicholas, Ordinary Seaman, 616728V (SANF), died 22 November 1944
DIXON, Robert, Able Seaman, CN/584276 (SANF), died on 11 January 1945
TREISMAN, Gerald, Steward, 584730 V (SANF), died on 10 February 1945
LAMONT, J, Steward, 71402 (SANF), died 24 February 1945
HORNE, P D, Chief Petty Officer, 66661 V (SANF), died 31 March 1945
POVEY, Leonard, Able Seaman, 71182 V (SANF), died 31 March 1945
PFAFF, C E, Petty Officer Stoker, 562721 V (SANF), died 20 April 1945
CHRISTIAN, J W, Able Seaman, CN/71965 (SANF), died 5 May 1945
SIMON, Frederick, Stoker, CN/72046 V (SANF), died 8 May 1945
VAN AARDT, S, Stoker, CN/721490 (SANF), died 22 May 1945
CLARE, Frederick W, Chief Petty Officer, 69599 V (SANF), died 3 June 1945
KEOWN, R J, Able Seaman, CN/71845 (SANF), died 9 June 1945
WELCOME, J J, Able Seaman, CN/72270 (SANF), died 19 July 1945
VAN WYNGAARDT, F A, Able Seaman, 585610 V (SANF), died 21 July 1945
HEARD, George A, Lieutenant, SANF, died on the HMSAS Good Hope
COOK, W, Leading Stoker, 70527 V (SANF), died 8 August 1945
As if the above loss of South African Navy personnel is not large enough and the lack of recognition by the Navy not bad enough, there is an even bigger ‘elephant in the room’, a key factor completely overlooked by the South African Naval fraternity and the navy itself, and that’s the South African Navy personnel seconded to the British Royal Navy and lost in the Royal Navy’s ships and shore facilities during the Second World War.
South African Naval personnel were lost on the following significant British vessel losses. Consider this very big ‘elephant in the room’ for a minute, because its getting BIGGER. The losses of these Royal Navy ships carries long lists of South African sacrifice.
We start with all the ships containing South African Naval Forces personnel sunk during the Imperial Japanese Air Force ‘Easter Sunday’ raid on the British fleet in Colombo (this is regarded as the British ‘Peal Harbour’ just off modern day Sri Lanka) and it’s the darkest hour in terms of losses for South African Navy, yet it is neither recognised as such nor is it remembered. (See this link for more depth: The South African Navy’s ‘darkest hour’ is not recognised and not commemorated)
During this attack Japanese airman flying Japanese D3A-1 ‘VAL’ dive bombers flying from the Japanese Imperial fleet, dropped their bombs on the HMS Dorsetshire, who had a very large contingent of South African Naval personnel, she simply blew up when a detonated an ammunition magazine and contributed to her rapid sinking. Click here for a full Observation Post report on her sinking: “They machine gunned us in the water”; Recounting South African Sacrifice on the HMS Dorsetshire
HMS Dorsetshire
The Honour Roll of South African Naval sacrifice on the 5 April 1942 when HMS Dorsetshire sank follows:
BELL, Douglas S, Ty/Act/Leading Stoker, 67243 (SANF), MPK
BRUCE, Alexander M, Stoker 2c, 67907 (SANF), MPK
CONCANON, Harold Bernard, Surgeon Lieutenant (Doctor)
EVENPOEL, Albert, Stoker 2c, 67909 (SANF), MPK
GEFFEN, Sender, Stoker 1c, 68035 (SANF), MPK
HOWE, Horace G, Ordinary Seaman RNVR, 68680 (SANF), MPK
KENDRICK, George, Stoker 2c, 67910 (SANF), MPK
MCINTYRE, Norman G, Able Seaman, 67446 (SANF), MPK
MCLELLAN, Robert, Ordinary Telegraphist, 67897 (SANF), MPK
MILNE, Lawrence Victor, Able Seaman
MORROW, Douglas E, Able Seaman, 67989 (SANF), MPK
ORTON, Charles P, Able Seaman, 68009 (SANF), MPK
REDMAN, Roland A, Leading Stoker, 67406 (SANF), MPK
SCOTT, William J, Able Seaman, 68007 (SANF), MPK
SEVEL, Harry, Stoker 1c, 68100 (SANF), MPK
VAN ZYL, David Isak Stephanus, Stoker 1st Class
WILLETT, Amos A S, Stoker 1c, 67240 (SANF), MPK
WILLIAMSON, Walter N, Able Seaman, 67803 (SANF), MPK
The second British ship in this particular Japanese air attack, on the same day and within range of one another was the HMS Cornwall, also stuffed full of South African Naval personnel seconded to her. The HMS Cornwall was hit eight times by the same dive bombers who sank the Dorsetshire and sank bow first in about ten minutes.
HMS Cornwall
The Honour Roll of South African Naval sacrifice on the 5 April 1942 when HMS Cornwall sank follows:
BESWETHERICK, Hedley C, Ordinary Seaman RNVR, 86671 (SANF), MPK
BOTES, John S, Stoker 2c RNVR, 68924 (SANF), MPK
COMMERFORD, Noel P, Able Seaman RNVR, 66493 (SANF), MPK
CRAWFORD, Cecil E, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c RNVR, 67922 (SANF), MPK
DU PREEZ, Charles P H, Able Seaman, 68175 (SANF), MPK
DUTTON, Charles C, Stoker 2c RNVR, 68949 (SANF), MPK
HANSLO, Raymond F, Able Seaman RNVR, 68295 (SANF), MPK
KEITH, Kenneth I B, Able Seaman RNVR, 66742 (SANF), MPK
KENYON, Graeme A B, Able Seaman RNVR, 68002 (SANF), MPK
KIRSTEN, Monty G W, Able Seaman RNVR, 68917 (SANF), MPK
LAW, Edward, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c RNVR, 66760 (SANF), MPK
MCDAVID, William K, Stoker 2c RNVR, 69138 (SANF), MPK
MITCHELL, William A, Stoker 1c RNVR, 68796 (SANF), MPK
PALMER, Walter A, Able Seaman RNVR, 68344 (SANF), (rescued, aboard HMS Enterprise), Died of Wounds
SPENCE, Noel W, Ordinary Seaman RNVR, 68732 (SANF), MPK
SQUIRES, John E, Ordinary Seaman RNVR, 68728 (SANF), MPK
STEPHEN, Eric B, Ordinary Seaman RNVR, 68861 (SANF), MPK
SWANN, Lawrence T, Stoker 1c RNVR, 68710 (SANF), MPK
THORPE, Maurice, Stoker 2c RNVR, 69140 (SANF), MPK
VERSFELD, Peter H S, Able Seaman RNVR, 68859 (SANF), MPK
VINK, Benjamin F, Ordinary Seaman RNVR, 68860 (SANF), MPK
WILLSON, Gerald F, Stoker 2c RNVR, 69006 (SANF), MPK
WRIGHT, Thomas H, Able Seaman RNVR, 68039 (SANF), MPK
In earlier incidents on HMS Cornwall two South Africans lost their lives they are also remembered here:
AINSLIE, Roy, Petty Officer, 66382 (SANF), died on 5 September 1940
HAWKINS, Reginald D, Able Seaman, 66700 (SANF), died of illness 4 March 1942
The Easter Raid later offered a great prize for the Japanese, an aircraft carrier, the HMS Hermes, this massive aircraft carrier was sunk a week later by the Japanese near Colombo (now Sri Lanka), the pride of the British Pacific fleet became an inferno after it was dived bombed a number of times. It too had a long association with South Africa and a very big contingent of South African Naval Personnel. (see this link for a in-depth article on the South African Navy sacrifice abound her “Dante’s Inferno”; Recounting South African sacrifice on the HMS Hermes).
HMS Hermes
The Honour Roll of South African Naval sacrifice on the 9 April 1942 when HMS Hermes sank follows:
BRIGGS, Anthony Herbert Lindsay Sub-Lieutenant (Engineer) Royal Navy (South African national), MPK
BRYSON, Neil W, Ordinary Telegraphist, 69147 (SANF), MPK
BURNIE, Ian A, Able Seaman, 67786 (SANF), MPK
CLAYTON, Frederick H, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, 68102 (SANF), MPK
DE CASTRO, Alfred T, Stoker 1c, 67914 (SANF), MPK
KEENEY, Frederick W, Able Seaman, 67748 (SANF), MPK
KEYTEL, Roy, Able Seaman, 67296 (SANF), MPK
KIMBLE, Dennis C, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, 67600 (SANF), MPK
KRAUSE, Frederick E, Able Seaman, 68321 (SANF), MPK
RAPHAEL, Philip R, Able Seaman, 67841 (SANF), MPK
RICHARDSON, Ronald P, Able Seaman, 67494 (SANF), MPK
RILEY. Harry Air Mechanic 2nd Class, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy (South African national), MPK
TOMS, Ivanhoe S, Able Seaman, 67709 (SANF), MPK
VICKERS, Colin P, Able Seaman, 68296 (SANF), MPK
VORSTER, Jack P, Able Seaman, 67755 (SANF), MPK
WHITE, Edward G, Stoker, 68026 (SANF), MPK
WIBLIN, Eric R, Able Seaman, 67717 (SANF), MPK
YATES, Philip R, Supply Assistant, 67570 (SANF), MPK
Included is also a South African who served with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm on the HMS Hermes.
RILEY, H, Air Mechanic, Fleet Air Arm, HMS Hermes, died 9 April 1942
Next on the list of ships lost during the Easter Raid which contained a high number of South African Naval personnel on board was HMS Hollyhock, sunk on the same day as the HMS Hermes by the same Japanese Dive Bombers on the 9th of April. Click here for a full Observation Post report on her sinking “She immediately blew up”; Recounting South African sacrifice on the HMS Hollyhock
HMS Hollyhock
The Honour Roll of South African Naval sacrifice on the 9 April 1942 when HMS Hollyhock sank follows:
ANDERSON, Henry G, Able Seaman, 67501 (SANF), MPK
BASTON, Douglas T, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, 68600 (SANF), MPK
BUITENDACH, James M, Stoker 2c, 69223 (SANF), MPK
JUBY, Kenneth J, Ordinary Seaman, 69211 (SANF), MPK
LEACH, Peter A D H, Stoker 2c, 69225 (SANF), MPK
It was not just the Japanese Imperial Fleet, the German Navy also took its toll on the Royal Navy, and once again we find South African Naval Personnel seconded to serve on these famous ships sunk during the war.
We start with the HMS Gloucester lost on the 22 May 1941 during action off Crete. They HMS Gloucester, along with HMS Greyhound and HMS Fiji were attacked by German “Stuka” Dive Bombers. The Greyhound was sunk and Gloucester was attacked and sunk while they attempted to rescue Greyhounds survivors in the water (see this link for a full story – click here A “grievous error”; Recounting South African Sacrifice on the HMS Gloucester).
HMS Gloucester
The Honour Roll of South African Naval sacrifice on the 22 May 1941 when HMS Gloucester sank follows:
ANGEL, Walter J H, Able Seaman, 67351 (SANF), MPK
AUSTIN-SMITH, John R, Ordinary Seaman, 67336 (SANF), MPK
BAGSHAW-SMITH, Philip R, Ordinary Seaman, 67337 (SANF), MPK
BAGSHAWE-SMITH, Sydney Q, Able Seaman, 68454 (SANF), MPK
BARBER, Edgar F, Able Seaman, 67302 (SANF), MPK
BRUCE, John, Able Seaman, 67355 (SANF), MPK
CARTER, Frederick G, Able Seaman, 67345 (SANF), MPK
CHILTON, Ronald H D, Ordinary Seaman, 67335 (SANF), MPK
EDWARDS, Ronald E, Ordinary Seaman, 67384 (SANF), MPK
ELLIOT, Edward R, Leading Seaman, 66584 (SANF), MPK
GERAGHTY, Herbert C, Able Seaman, 67338 (SANF), MPK
GROGAN, Graham B, Able Seaman, 67343 (SANF), MPK
JAMES, Victor F, Ordinary Seaman, 67303 (SANF), MPK
JENSEN, Niels P, Able Seaman, 67347 (SANF), MPK
MCCARTHY, Henry F, Ordinary Seaman, 67223 (SANF), MPK
MOORE, Albert, Able Seaman, 67416 (SANF), MPK
SLATER, Bryan M, Able Seaman, 67358 (SANF), MPK
SMITH, Matthew S, Able Seaman, 67359 (SANF), MPK
SONDERUP, Arthur W, Able Seaman, 67356 (SANF), MPK
STADLANDER, Rowland C, Stoker 1c, 67400 (SANF), MPK
STOKOE, Cyril A M, Act/Leading Seaman, 67264 V (SANF), MPK
SYMONS, Maurice M, Able Seaman, 68245 (SANF), MPK
THOMPSON, Walter E H, Able Seaman, 67360 (SANF), MPK
VAN DYK, Cecil H, Able Seaman, 67404 (SANF), MPK
WEBBER, Reginald, Able Seaman, 67361 (SANF), MPK
WILLIAMS, Dastrey S, Leading Seaman, 67047 (SANF), MPK
WRIGHT, Gerald V, Act/Ordnance Artificer 4, 67375 (SANF), MPK
The HMS Gloucester was involved in earlier combat on the 8 July 1940 when it was bombed, the South African casualties are remembered here:
ALLISON, Oswald H, Able Seaman RNVR, 67349 (SANF), killed
NOWLAN, Francis C, Able Seaman RNVR, 67409 (SANF), DOW
Tragedy struck the South African Naval Forces seconded to the HMS Barham when she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-331, Three torpedoes hit HMS Barham’s port side causing it to list heavily and spread fire towards the ammunition storages. Only 2 and a half minutes passed from the torpedo impact until the ship rolled onto its side and capsized as the aft magazine exploded in an almighty explosion (see this link for a full story – click here “She blew sky high”; Recounting South African sacrifice on the HMS Barham!)
HMS Barham
The Honour Roll of South African Naval sacrifice on the 25 November 1941 when HMS Barham sank follows:
BAKER, Dennis E W, Ordinary Seaman, 68617 (SANF)
GLENN, Paul V, Ordinary Seaman, 68906 (SANF)
HAYES, Richard T, Ordinary Seaman, 68499 (SANF)
MORRIS, Cyril D, Ordinary Seaman, 68932 (SANF)
UNSWORTH, Owen P (also known as R K Jevon), Ordinary Seaman, 69089 (SANF)
WHYMARK, Vivian G, Ordinary Seaman, 69024 (SANF)
The Italians also took a toll of British shipping, again with ships with a South African contingent and this is brought to home on the 19 December 1941, when the HMS Neptune, struck four mines, part of a newly laid Italian minefield. Neptune quickly capsized (see this link for a full story – click here South African sacrifice on the HMS Neptune).
HMS Neptune
The Honour Roll of South African Naval sacrifice on the 19 December 1941 when HMS Neptune sank follows:
ADAMS, Thomas A, Able Seaman, 67953 (SANF), MPK
CALDER, Frank T, Ordinary Seaman, 67971 (SANF), MPK
CAMPBELL, Roy M, Able Seaman, 67318 (SANF), MPK
DIXON, Serfas, Able Seaman, 67743 (SANF), MPK
FEW, Jim, Able Seaman, 67744 (SANF), MPK
HAINES, Eric G, Able Seaman, 67697 (SANF), MPK
HOOK, Aubrey C, Able Seaman, 67862 (SANF), MPK
HOWARD, Harold D, Signalman, 67289 (SANF), MPK
HUBBARD, Wallace S, Able Seaman, 67960 (SANF), MPK
KEMACK, Brian N, Signalman, 67883 (SANF), MPK
MERRYWEATHER, John, Able Seaman, 67952 (SANF), MPK
MEYRICK, Walter, Ordinary Signalman, 68155 (SANF), MPK
MORRIS, Rodney, Ordinary Signalman, 68596 (SANF), MPK
RANKIN, Cecil R, Signalman, 67879 (SANF), MPK
THORP, Edward C, Signalman, 67852 (SANF), MPK
THORPE, Francis D, Able Seaman, 67462 (SANF), MPK
WILD, Ernest A, Able Seaman, 67929 (SANF), MPK
Other South Africans who had enlisted into the Royal Navy were also lost on HMS Neptune, these include (and by no means is this list definitive) the following:
OOSTERBERG, Leslie W, Stoker 1c, D/KX 96383, MPK
TOWNSEND, Henry C, Stoker 1c, D/KX 95146, MPK
On the 30 April 1942, on her return leg from Murmansk, the HMS Edinburgh was escorting Convoy QP 11 when a German Submarine U-456 torpedoed into her. The Edinburgh was carrying gold in payment by the Soviets for war equipment and she is the subject of a remarkable gold salvage after the war. Again, she had a compliment of South African Naval Personnel (see this link for a full story – click here “Gold may shine; but it has no true light” South African sacrifice on the HMS Edinburgh).
HMS Edinburgh
The Honour Roll of South African Naval sacrifice on the 30 April 1942 when HMS Edinburgh sank follows:
DRUMMOND, Valentine W, Able Seaman, 68043 (South African Naval Forces), Missing Presumed Killed
VAN DORDRECHT, William H, Able Seaman, 67851 (South African Naval Forces), Missing Presumed Killed
On the 12 November 1942, the HMS Hecla was torpedoed by a German submarine, U-515 hitting her in the engine room. The U-boat then hit the ship with three coups de grâce sinking the vessel west of Gibraltar. Again there is South African Naval casualty list (see this link for a full story – click here “Every man for himself” … South African sacrifice and the sinking of HMS Hecla).
HMS Helca
The Honour Roll of South African Naval sacrifice on the 12 November1942 when HMS Helca sank follows:
BENNETT, John F, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, 330351 (SANF), MPK
LLOYD, George H, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, 330353 (SANF), MPK
PEERS, Charles V, Able Seaman, 562653 (SANF), MPK
SMITH, Ian R, Electrical Artificer 4c, 68478 (SANF), MPK
And there’s more ,,,,, many South Africans served on a variety of Royal Navy ships and many were lost, here’s an indication which just captures South African Naval Forces personnel alone, let alone those who volunteered directly for the Royal Navy, the Honour Roll follows:
ANDERSON, Richard W N, Able Seaman, 86082 (SANF), killed 21 May 1941 on HMS Syvern
WESTON, Grant E, Ordinary Seaman RNVR, 68498 (SANF), killed 27 August 1941 on HMS Phoebe
RASMUSSEN, Victor J S, Leading Telegraphist, 66920 (SANF), MPK 24 November 1941 on HMS Dunedin
ADAMSON, William D, Ordinary Seaman RNVR, 69001 (SANF), MPK 10 December 1941 on HMS Repulse
BECKER, Stanley H, Able Seaman, 67474 (SANF), road accident, killed 5 January 1942 on HMS Carnarvon Castle
DRURY, Frederick, Ordinary Seaman, 68315 (SANF), MPK 29 January 1942 on HMS Sotra
SCOTT, Clifford, Ordinary Telegraphist, 66973 (SANF), MPK 26 March 1942 on HMS Jaguar
BUCHANAN, Alexander, Able Seaman, 67934 (SANF), died 20 April 1942 on HMS Birmingham
COMMERFORD, Terence, Ordinary Seaman, 330258 (SANF), died 21 June 1942 on HMS Express
PRICE, David, Able Seaman RNVR, P/68529 (SANF), MP 6 July 1942 on HMS Niger
TROUT, A (initial only) N, Able Seaman, CN/72133 (SANF), died 4 August 1942 on HMS Stork
JOHNSTONE, Henry N, Lieutenant Commander (E), SANF, 66727, died 18 August 1942 on HMS Birmingham
BAWDEN, Wilfred R, Stoker 2c RNVR, 330425 (SANF), DOWS 16 September 1942 HMS Orion
NIGHTSCALES, Norman, Writer, 68148 (SANF), MPK 30 December 1942 on HMS Fidelity
GITTINS, Victor L, Ordinary Seaman, 69325 (SANF), died 27 January 1943 on HMS Assegai (training base)
PLATT, Ronald M, Petty Officer, 67160 V (SANF), accident, killed 26 February 1943 on HMS President III (shore establishment)
CROSSLEY, Alfred H, Sub Lieutenant, SANF, MPK 7 March 194 on HMS Saunders
DE KOCK, Victor P De C, Ty/Lieutenant, SANF, MPK7 March 194 on HMS Saunders
LOUW, Joseph, Stoker, CN 72175 (SANF), illness, died 2 December 1943 on HMS Stork
ATKIN, William B, Lieutenant SANF, illness, died 26 January 1944 on HMS Northern Duke
SHIELDS, Eric E M, Lieutenant, SANF, died 12 April 1944 on HMS Pembroke IV
HOWDEN, Russell K, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, SANF, MPK 4 January 1945 HMS ML 1163, Harbour Defence Motor Launch
CLARKE, Reginald E, Ty/Lieutenant Commander, SANF, air crash, MPK 24 July 1945 on HMS Adamant
LIDDLE, John, Lieutenant, SANF, MPK 8 August 1945 on HMS Barbrake
Then lets consider the South African Naval Personnel serving in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm (the Royal Navy’s own Air Force separate to the Royal Air Force), and here the following South Africans are on the FAA Honour Roll (excluding Air Mechanic Riley from the Fleet Air Arm, recorded on the HMS Hermes loss). For a full story of these South Africans lost in the FAA see this link – click here South African sacrifice in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm
BOSTOCK, R S, Lieutenant, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm 800 Squadron, HMS Ark Royal, died 13 June 1940
BROKENSHA, G W, Lieutenant, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm 888 Squadron, HMS Formidable, died 11 August 1942
CHRISTELIS, C, Sub/Lieutenant, Royal Navy Reserve FAA 803 Squadron, HMS Formidable, died 1 August 1942
JUDD, F E C, Lieutenant Cmdr, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm 880 Squadron, HMS Indomitable, died 12 August 1942
LA GRANGE, Antony M, Sub Lieutenant (A), SANF, Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy)1772 Sqn HMS Indefatigable, air operations, MPK 28 July 1945
MACWHIRTER, Cecil J, Ty/Sub Lieutenant (A), Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy) 851 Squadron HMS Shah, air crash, SANF, MPK 14 April 1944
O’BRYEN, W S, Sub/Lt Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm 762 Squadron, HMS Heron, died 26 November 1942
WAKE, Vivian H, Ty/Lieutenant (A), FAA Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy) 815 Squadron HMS Landrail, air crash, SANF, MPK 28 March 1945
Finally there are South African Naval personnel found in the Merchant Navy, to which they were also seconded and again the Honour Roll lists:
SS Tunisia, ship loss
ADAMS, Douglas E H, Act/Able Seaman RNVR, 66378 (SANF), (President III, O/P), MPKST La Carriere, ship loss
DORE, Frank B, Act/Able Seaman RNVR, 67218 (SANF), (President III, O/P), MPKSS Laconia, ship loss
ROSS, Robert, Stoker 2c, 69119 (SANF), (Victory, O/P), DOWS
SS Llandilo, ship loss
CRAGG, Ronald F, Able Seaman (DEMS), 66488 (SANF), (President III, O/P), MPK
SS Ceramic, ship loss
MOSCOS, John G, Leading Writer, 66786 (SANF), (SANF, O/P), MPK
SS Empress of Canada, ship loss
COCHRANE, Joseph, Engine Room Artificer 3c, P 68947 (SANF), (Pembroke, O/P), MPK
SS Empire Lake, ship loss
FLINT, John M, Act/Able Seaman (DEMS), P 562749 (SANF), (President III, O/P), MPK
More names…
Now consider this, we have not even begun to scratch properly at the honour roll, this above list is still highly inaccurate with many names missing. We have no real idea of the thousands of South Africas who volunteered and died whilst serving in The Royal Navy Reserve and the Royal Navy itself, in fact we’ve barely got our heads around it. Fortunately a handful of South Africans are working on it, almost daily, but it’s a mammoth task as these names are found on Royal Navy honour rolls and it’s a matter of investigating the birthplace of each and every British casualty. The records of South African volunteers joining the Royal Navy lost to time really.
In conclusion
The only other ship the South African Navy has lost since the HMSAS Treern at the end of the Second World War in a more modern epoch was the SAS President Kruger, and unlike the Treern, whose loss was in combat, the Kruger’s loss was due to a tragic accident at sea (see “Out of the Storm came Courage” … the tragedy of the PK).
These combat losses were one thing, however the same erasing of history is currently happening with the accidental loss in more recent times of SAS President Kruger (the PK), the ‘old’ SADF were very embarrassed by the loss (in effect by tragedy and circumstance we sank our own flagship) and the SADF never really got around to undertake a National Parade to commemorate and remember it. Also in comparison to the bigger picture the loss of 16 South African Navy personnel on the PK is very small indeed, however no less important – and here’s the inconvenient truth, they were ‘swept under the rug’ by the old SADF and remain conveniently swept under the rug by the new SANDF.
On the World War 2 losses, the incoming ANC government from 1994 have fared no better than the old Nat government – they have merely lumped all the wartime combat losses of the HMSAS Southern Floe, the HMSAS Parktown, the HMSAS Bever and the HMSAS Treern into a ‘colonial’ issue not of their history or time, and as for the SAS President Kruger that was part of the ‘Apartheid’ forces in their minds, and as such to be vanquished.
The net result is the South African Navy simply does not have any national parades to commemorate or recognise any of its major losses at sea. The South African Army at least has the Delville Wood Parade (the South African Army’s biggest singular combat loss, a WW1 incident), the South African Air Force has the Apline 44 Memorial Parade (the SAAF’s biggest tragedy, a WW2 incident), the South African Navy …. nothing!
Instead the South African Navy (SAN) focuses on the loss of the Mendi as a SAN Maritime loss, even though the Mendi was under commission to the Royal Navy, and rather inconveniently the South Africa Navy did not really exist in World War 1, it was only really created just before World War 2. Then again, the SS Mendi was also carrying South African Army troops in the form of the South African Labour Corps, not South African Navy personnel (the SAN didn’t exist in any event).
The Mendi is a both a wartime and political tragedy, The silence and subsequence recognition is a National healing one (see Let us die like brothers … the silent voices of the SS Mendi finally heard ). As such it’s now a National Memorial Parade, part of ‘Armed Forces Day’ and one for the entire SANDF to commemorate and remember – and rightly so. But is it a SA Navy specific commemoration – not really – no.
In all this the Navy still dogmatically refuses to host its own National Commemoration to its own naval actions and tragedies, it’s just too politically inconvenient, and wouldn’t it be nice if South African Navy can see past it and see its Naval sacrifice on its own ships, and those of SAN personnel on Royal Navy ships and finally just institute an ‘All at Sea’ Naval Memorial Parade in Remembrance or erect a full Naval memorial (similar to the erected by the Royal Navy in Portsmouth)?
Very small ‘All at Sea’ commemorations are done by the odd South Africa Legion branch and off MOTH Shellhole, on a very local basis – driven by a tiny group of individuals. Nobel in their undertakings no doubt, but these remain very small private initiatives attended by only a handful and is it really enough?
As demonstrated, The South African Navy’s honour roll for World War 2 is a staggering and very long list – it’s an elephant, a very big one at that and it’s a growing elephant, even to this day. It’s well time we seriously look at ourselves, examine our values as to what constitutes sacrifice for the greater good of man and acknowledge it properly.
Written and Researched by Peter Dickens. The honour roll extracted from ‘Casualty Lists of the Royal Navy and Dominion Navies, World War 2’ by Don Kindell. Additional names gleaned from honour rolls published by Col Graham Du Toit (retired).
The South African Navy’s ‘elephant in the room’ There is a very big elephant in the room when it comes to the South African Naval fraternity's commemoration and remembrance undertakings.
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