HMS Kent 1926-1948 [Archive] - World Naval Ships Forums

janer6156

30-09-2007, 16:08

I was just wondering whether you know if HMS Kent's home port was actually in Kent i.e Chatham? I have actually joined this forum to trace my grandfather's (on the meternal side) Naval history but I had a great Uncle (on the paternal side)called John Henry Lake -known as Jack (His father was also John Henry) who lived in the Medway towns. We know he had family and any sons would have been the right age to have served in the second World War. Jack himself had been a soldier but other mebers of the family were connected with the sea. The likelihood of there being a connection I know is fairly remote but possible. Jack had broken off contact with his family when his wife died (there was obviously a reason for this) and therfore I have no records of any names.

Kenco

28-01-2008, 16:41

HMS Kent was based at Chatham during ww2. My Father served on her from 1942 until 1944. He was a Petty officer sick berth attendant.
While browsing this forum i came across `Reindeer sub` which reminded me that my late father has photos of a Reindeer on board HMS Kent when she was on the Russian convoys. According to a little poem obviously written by a member of the crew, the reindeer was offloaded on Orkney.

blackshuck

20-05-2008, 12:53

Following my posts re HMS Exmoor, I thought this may be of interest. I came across it whilst sorting paperwork belonging to my late mother.

astraltrader

20-05-2008, 13:02

Thanks a lot for that Blackshuck - most interesting and very much appreciated. This is a photo of HMS Kent a couple of years before the tour...

ANDY1212SNOOKER

14-07-2008, 18:21

I am looking for anyone who may have served or knows someone who served on HMS KENT in WW2. My father John LAKE served as a Royal Marine on the Kent.

Regards, Richard Lake

hi my father served on the kent as a marine too from 1937 to 1949 his name was sid kennedy, hope this helps,regards,andy.

Stan.J

14-07-2008, 18:48

Richardlake posted his only post in Aug 2007. He hasn`t come back, so he obviously won`t know there has been some answers? (Unless of course he contacted via Personal post???

cissystar650

15-07-2008, 04:52

Richardlake posted his only post in Aug 2007. He hasn`t come back, so he obviously won`t know there has been some answers? (Unless of course he contacted via Personal post???

I always think it's such a shame when people post asking for information, people give what they can, but never know whether their answers have been read.

cissy x

John Brown

15-07-2008, 07:23

I always think it's such a shame when people post asking for information, people give what they can, but never know whether their answers have been read.

It's particularly annoying when people who do still visit and post to the forum do not bother to acknowledge the efforts of others on their behalf.:mad:

Regards...John

astraltrader

15-07-2008, 16:10

Couldn`t agree more John. Still the way I look at it is that one appreciative comment from someone we have helped in someway is worth ten of the sort you so correctly describe...

historydavid

15-07-2008, 23:43

Terry, I believe that is the way to think about it, but it is still galling that people are not polite enough to acknowledgethe information given in response to their request.

astraltrader

16-07-2008, 00:23

I do agree David - but it is my way of keeping positive about it!

bankholiday

23-09-2008, 18:46

Hello,

My Grandfather John Williams served on HMS Kent in WWII. I have a picture of him dated Dec 1942 (he is in the back right), his two companions are unkown. Picture is attached. If anyone recognises the other two please let me know!

Alan

10-11-2008, 21:39

I have a photo of HMS Kent Ship's Company, including my father William Thompson Kerr of Belfast. He served from 1939 to 1959, retiring with the rank of Lieut Commander. Would anyone know the date and place of this photo? It looks official. Maybe you can spot your relative. Dad's 2 up from the left hand side capstan.

Vern53

10-11-2008, 22:28

Hello Allan,
Good photo of Kent's crew. As there seems to be quite a few pics of the ships crews mustered, I was wondering if there is a formal layout of the crews which they all follow, it would make it easier to find individuals.
My uncle(dad's brother), served on Kent, as his first commission, on leaving HMS Ganges, back in the early thirties, 1931 I think, 2 years or so to the far east.
Regards Vern.

bankholiday

11-11-2008, 07:02

Hi Alan,

I agree that is a brilliant photograph!

Wombat

11-11-2008, 11:47

My father was a stoker on HMS Kent, James Ellis. I have posted a couple of photos and stories in the Arctic Convoys Thread.

Alan, I grew up with the same photograph of the ships company on the wall. It must have been taken towards the end of the war, or just after.

Kenco, I remember my father telling me about the Reindeer, he had to clean up after it. He said it made quite a mess.

HMS Kent spent a good deal of time at Scapa Flow, and had a re-fit on the Clyde. While this was taking place, my father met my Mother, she came from Glasgow. My Mother used to tease my father, saying that the only action he ever saw was on Sockeyhall Street, Saturday Night! The Glasgow Constables used to escort the crew members back to the ship after the pubs had closed.

Another of my father’s stories was about the Kent steaming into a Norwegian Fjord. He said they went in doing about 10 knots, but came out at twice that speed, as the German Shore Batteries had caught them in the Fjord and opened fire on them. The Captain made an announcement to say, “Well done, we will do a better job next time”. I am lucky enough to have the original signal sent back to the home fleet by the Captain, reporting this action. I have attached a copy for those interested.

I also have some photographs of sailors being buried in Russia, they must have been HMS Kent Crew, I can’t think of any other reason why my father would have kept them.

Wombat,
(James).

gordon agan

01-12-2008, 22:11

Hello James, my father-in-law, Taylor McCall served aboard the Kent as P.O.from 30th June 1938 till Jan 1st 1941. Among his service papers I found a "roll of honour" dedicated to the 33 souls who were killed in action on 17th Sept. 1940. I wondered if you had any info about what happened that day and which ships were involved.
Ted came back to Pembroke 1st Jan 41 and immediately joined the Suffolk and was involved in the skirmish with the Bismark.any info gratefully received. kind regards Gordon.

Wombat

01-12-2008, 23:45

Hello Gordon,

Sorry I don’t have any information that would relate to your father-in-law.

The only things I do have are the ships Battle Honours:

ATLANTIC 1940
MEDDETERANIAN 1940
ARCTIC 1942-43
NORMANDY 1944

Your father-in-law would have been involved with the first two.

I can remember my father telling me that HMS Kent had been attacked in the Mediterranean by Italian bombers, and the ship sustained casualties, but I don’t have any further information. I am sure there will be other members following this thread that could help.

I am like you, I am only just learning about what my father actually did during the war. Like so many children of my generation my father went to work in the dark, and came home in the dark. The only time we saw him was at the weekend, and as children we had other things to do rather than sit and listen to war stories, (which my father very rarely told in any case). Its only as you get older you wish you had taken the time to ask more questions.

The only time my father took any interest in what we were up to, was when the “Local Bobby” brought you home by the ear, with the threat, “wait until your dad finds out what you’ve been up to!”

My father was only 17 yrs old when he joined the Navy, and was posted to HMS Kent. I know that he was on the Russian Front. It’s sad that it has taken me so long to realize all the crap he had to put up with, and he never complained. My son was still in school when he was 18 yrs old.

I have attached two old photographs that my father had, taken in Russia. They were taken at a funeral for sailors who had lost their lives on the Artic Convoy and were buried in Russia.

There is also another telegram, received by HMS Kent and dated, 4.5.45.

Wombat,
James.

gordon agan

02-12-2008, 16:31

James, thank you for that,it looks like a bleak, desolate place to have a burial for our heros , I suppose "needs must" under the circumstances. Sounds like you had the same kind of upbringing as I did and having researched both of our family histories(wife's and mine) I agree with your sentiment...why didn't we ask all of the questions we want answered now,when they were all here ???
My own link to the R.N. comes from the fact my own father transfered out of the royal artillery into the R.N. in 1941. He was at the training establishment at Dartmouth before doing atlantic escort duties on destroyers.I have two photos which he took, one of the Beagle and one of the Bulldog as they made their way to liberate the channel islands.
once again thank you for your reply kind regards gordon.

Topcat

02-12-2008, 21:07

Interesting reading about the various links to HMS Kent, was quite interested in the last post by Gordon agan where he mentioned the photos of HMS Bulldog and Beagle on their way to liberate the Channel Islands, a point to note was that when the ships arrived off Guernsey, a German rep. from the German Commander Admiral Huffmier (ardent nazi) warned the ships that the ceasefire was not until 0000hrs and that their presence meant they could be fired upon by the German shore batteries, the British commander, Brigader Snow, decided it was better to withdraw but only after telling the German naval officer to tell Admiral Huffmier that if his ships were fired upon they would hang him tomorrow, by all accounts the German officer was somewhat shaken by this comment.
So whereas Europe celebrates VE day on the 8th May, we in the Channel Islands celebrate it on the 9th as the Royal Navy returned to moor outside St Peter Port at 0230hrs, the surrender was finally signed in the early hours and the British task force landed to liberate the Islands after 5 years of occupation
May 9th is still celebrated as Liberation day and is a public holiday with many events taking place.

Wombat

07-12-2008, 05:14

Terry,

Here is a photo of HMS Kent 1762. That puts it a couple of years before yours! :D:D:D:D

Actually it is a model of course card dated 5th Aug 1930. (Sorry);)

Wombat,
(James)

astraltrader

08-12-2008, 00:52

Has to be said James it is indeed a fine model.

gordon agan

15-12-2008, 19:02

hello all, I wonder if anyone on this forum can help with this, My late father -in-law served aboard H.M.S.. Kent from June 1938 to Dec.1941 as acting P.O.amongst his papers is a roll of honour for 32 men who were killed in action Sept.30th 1940.I understand this battle was at a place called Bahia or Baria can anyone enlighten me as to where Bahia is and what were the circumstances regarding this loss. many thanks and kind regards. gordon

SCRG1970

15-12-2008, 19:27

Kent took part in the air-strikes and bombardment of Bardia on Sept 9th and on 17th Sept was torpedoed and disabled. On Sept 30th she was on her way to Simonstown from Alexandria.

Perhaps there is a mix up on the dates ???

regards

gerry

gordon agan

16-12-2008, 14:17

Gerry, thank you for that and of course you are right it was the 17th Sept.I was reading two documents and got the dates mixed.Regards gordon.

Kenco

25-01-2009, 16:04

James, very interested in your photo`s of a sailor`s funeral in ' Russia',as I have the exact photo`s in my late father`s album in somewhat better condition in which he relates as the funeral of BOB CRESSWELL. However these are a series of 5 photo`s among others taken by my father while stationed at HMS Baldur, shore establishment of Nissen huts in Iceland.
Therefore I do believe that the funeral is actually in Iceland. My father also served on HMS Kent on the Arctic convoys. I will gladly post the photos but I cannot find how to upload them, can you help please. I also have other photos relevant to HMS Kent. many thanks. Kenco.

SCRG1970

25-01-2009, 19:53

K

To post your photos click on "Manage Attachments", this is under the reply box you are typing in.

Click on first "Browse", open your file where photos are ie MY PICTURES, select photo and click "Select".

Click on second "Browse" ad repeat for your second photo.

Repeat until you have selected all photos.

Click on "Upload File"

On completion of this you can click "Preview Post" and your photos should appear as thumbnails.

Look forward to seeing them

Regards

gerry

Wombat

25-01-2009, 20:54

Kenco,

Please persevere with posting your pictures; I was very interested to hear about your father’s album.

I didn't know that my father had ever been to Iceland, he mostly only talked about Russia. I am now puzzled as to how he came by the photographs, and why he kept them all those years.

Do you know anything about "Bob Creswell"? I don't recall ever having heard his name. There also appears to be more than one person being buried at the same time, but obviously the photographs I have are in very poor condition and not very clear.

Please post everything you know, there are a few of us trying to fill in some of the gaps in family history. As stated we always leave it too late. It doesn't matter how insignificant you may think your information is, there is always someone who will be glad to hear it, and make a connection as you have done for me with the photographs. I now know that my father must have been to Iceland.

I don’t know where this photograph was taken but my father was a stoker (front left) and the insignia being worn would suggest they were all part of the same engine room crew on HMS Kent. My father would have been around 20 years old at the time.

Wombat,
(James)

historydavid

26-01-2009, 00:21

Gordon, the story of KENT's torpedoing taken from ub.net:

17 Sep, 1940 British raid on Benghazi;
Aircraft from the British aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (Capt. D.W. Boyd, DSC, RN) attacked Italian ships in Benghazi harbour. Also mines were laid off the harbour. The destroyer Borea was sunk by torpedo, The destroyer Aquilone was mined and sunk. The merchants Gloria Stella (5490 GRT) and Maria Eugenia (4702 GRT) were also sunk during the attack.

Illustrious was escorted by the British battleship HMS Valiant (Capt. H.B. Rawlings, OBE, RN) the British heavy cruiser HMS Kent (Capt. D. Young-Jamieson, RN), the British light cruisers HMS Liverpool (Capt. P.A. Read, RN) HMS Gloucester (Capt. H.A. Rowley, RN), HMS Orion (Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN) and the British destroyers HMS Nubian (Cdr. R.W. Ravenhill, RN), HMS Mohawk (Cdr. J.W.M. Eaton, RN), HMS Hero (Cdr. H.W. Biggs, DSO, RN), HMS Hasty (Lt.Cdr. L.R.K. Tyrwhitt, RN), HMS Hyperion (Cdr. H.St.L. Nicolson, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Hereward (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Greening, RN), HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN), HMS Jervis (Capt. P.J. Mack, DSO, RN) and the Australian destroyer HMAS Waterhen (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Swain, RAN).

After the attack HMS Kent, escorted by HMS Nubian and HMS Mohawk, was detached to bombard Italian positions at Bardia early on the 18th. However before this could materialise HMS Kent was torpedoed and heavily damaged by Italian torpedo bombers (two S.79 of 278th Squadriglia Aerosiluranti: pilot lieutenant Guido Robone is Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia) just before midnight. Kent was hit in the stern and badly damaged. Kent was towed to Alexandria by HMS Nubian, escorted by light cruiser HMS Orion, AA cruiser HMS Calcutta (Capt. D.M. Lees, DSO, RN) and destroyers HMS Mohawk, HMS Jervis, HMS Juno (Cdr. W.E. Wilson, RN), HMS Janus (Cdr. J.A.W. Tothill, RN) and the Australian destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. R. Rhoades, RAN).

HMS Kent arrived at Alexandria early on the 19th. Emergency repairs were carried out and Kent departed for the UK (around Africa) on 26 October 1940. Kent arrived at Plymouth on 27 December. Repairs were completed in September 1941.

historydavid

26-01-2009, 00:29

I can't find Bob Cresswell in the Admiralty casualty records, which suggests that Bob was a nickname or he wasn't RN.

Wombat

26-01-2009, 04:59

David,

Bob is short for Robert.

Wombat,
(James).

Kenco

26-01-2009, 14:03

Thank you Gerry for help with uploading photos, I am well past my use by date and am unfamiliar with using forums,but here goes with a bit of luck. Now for James I have found two extra photos relating to Bob Cresswell`s funeral which shows the Icelandic flag inside the church which leaves me in no doubt that the photo`s were in fact taken in Iceland. The original photo`s were taken by my Father, PO SBA John Herd who developed and printed his own photo`s so I assume that he made copies for other people. In fact I have found other examples of copies on the BBC WW11.website.
On a lighter note I will upload a couple of reindeer pics which your father had to clean up after it. If I am successful I will scan a few more of his photo`s.
cheers, Kenco.
Success, but my thumbnails look rather big ! are they OK ? if not perhaps I need more advice.

Wombat

26-01-2009, 23:26

Kenco,

Thanks for the excellent photo's, they are as you say in much better condition than the couple I have.

Your father must have known mine, I expect the SBA would have known everybody on the ship. Did your father have previous service?

If you have any stories about his time on HMS Kent, I am sure we would enjoy hearing them, I know I would.

Thanks again,
Wombat,
(James).

Kenco

27-01-2009, 19:03

James, so pleased you managed to view my photos. in answer to your query about my father`s service record. He was I believe RNVR as he would go to Plymouth for two weeks training every year before the war. He was called up in Sept.39 as Leading sba. At first stationed at the RM infirmary,Deal, Kent.
His first ship was Hms London,then Kent and finally Swiftsure.Demobbed 1945.
I have attached a few items of interest, a xmas menu,an ode to "olga" and a snippet I found on the web about Kent ship`s bell. Also I will give you a link which has 15 photos of kent on arctic convoys and another which you may know about which lists the complete history of Kent`s campaigns along with dates.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/31/a8003431.shtml

http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CA-Kent.htm

I will endeavour to scan a few more photos relevant to Kent shortly.
May I use my christian name? 'Ken'. I find these user names very impersonal. cheers.

Stan.J

27-01-2009, 20:12

Ken, Your Father may have been on board H.M.S.Swiftsure when she was the first Capital ship to enter Hong Kong harbour on the 30th August 1945.
She was flying the flag of Admiral Harcourt and was there to take the surrender of the Japanese of the Colony.
The war had been over for two weeks but the reception of the Swiftsure was of unknown quality. As it turned out no shots were fired and the surrender took place.

Wombat

27-01-2009, 21:44

Hello Ken,

Thank you for the pictures and links, this will certainly go into my fathers history, and be treasured and kept for family reference.

James.

Kenco

28-01-2009, 15:59

I can't find Bob Cresswell in the Admiralty casualty records, which suggests that Bob was a nickname or he wasn't RN.

David, I have looked again on the reverse side of photos and 'Bob Cresswell'
written by my father could possibly be 'CrOsswell'. I am sure my father would have known him personally to refer to him as 'Bob', and to take the trouble to photograph the coffin and funeral. Also would the union flag be draped over the coffin of non service personnel ?
Would his relatives be informed that he was buried in such a desolate place ?

regards, Ken.
Kenco.

Kenco

04-02-2009, 15:01

Re funeral `Bob Cresswell,` I too have searched the records at Fossvogur cemetery, Iceland and can find no record of that name, therefore I must conclude that my father made a mistake when he wrote that name on the back of the photos.
I attach the remaining photos that I have relevant to Hms Kent and regret that I have no further Items or anecdotes of interest, The photo of Anthony Eden has been posted on the BBC ww2 website as a cropped copy,another case of copies being handed out to whoever wanted them.Other photos that I have relate to Hms Swiftsure and Hms London. Which I assume have to be posted elsewhere.( Any advice gladly received )
I found a snippet somewhere on the web regarding Kent ship`s bell. this is a shortened version QUOTE: There is a ceremony in Rochester Cathedral every Saturday morning at 11 A.M. The ship's bell of the 8" cruiser Hms Kent. (County Class) is in the Rochester Cathedral and preceding a short ceremony 8 bells are sounded on the bell. From time to time various veterans of the wartime crew attend the ceremony, as occasionally have members of the present ship's company.END. ( 8 bells at 11am ? ) not when I was in the RN.!
Thanks to all of you for your interest and advice. Ken.

Rob Flood

05-02-2009, 09:15

What a great thing. My dad's uncle Ron Willmott was a Petty Officer aboard the Kent on her tour of the Far East. I have a fantastic leather bound photo album from the tour - mainly pictures of the sights although there is an 8"x10" of the Kent herself and one of the crew on parade somewhere.

alanbenn

05-02-2009, 09:46

Rob, welcome to the forum. I'm sure your post will interest many who would love to see the photo of the crew from that tour and also the photo of the ship...they are the 2 most common things our members ask for.

Any chance you could upload a few photo's from the album?

Regards
Alan

Rob Flood

06-02-2009, 15:09

Hi Alan

I'll have a go. The pictures are all stuck in the album but with a bit of jiggery pokery, I should be able to balance it on my scanner. If not, I'll get my digital camera on the go.

Cheers

Rob

Wombat

02-03-2009, 21:47

Ken,

I have been in touch with Miss Hayley Williams at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who was very helpful. This is the only Creswell they have listed who was burried in Iceland.

Able Seaman CRESSWELL, ELIJAH JAMES
Unit: H.M.S. Kent.
Regiment: Royal Navy
Service No: C/JX 277806
Age: 34
Date of Death: 27 January 1944
Commemoration: AKUREYRI CEMETERY
Iceland
Mil. Plot. Row B. Grave 9.
Additional Information: Son of Elijah and Ethel A. Cresswell. of Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

Location: Akureyri Cemetery lies high up on a hillside, near the head of the Eyjafjordur overlooking the fjord. The graves are to be found in Plot H 15, the military plot, in the north east corner.

Historical: Iceland was under Allied occupation for much of the Second World War, primarily to guard against possible German invasion, but the considerable air and naval forces based there also provided an important link in the defensive chain across the Atlantic for the protection of shipping. Commonwealth land forces were relieved by the Americans in October 1942, but the naval and air force presence was maintained until 1945. Akureyri Cemetery contains 17 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.

I don't know if this is the right chap, but it could well be. "Bob" could have been some sort of nick name.

Regards,
Wombat,
(James).

Kenco

04-03-2009, 15:46

Hello James,

Thank you very much for taking the trouble to try and locate ("Bob") Elija Cresswell`s grave.
It certainly does seem possible that this is the right man as nicknames are very common in the services, also as my father was in the medical branch he may have nursed him during an illness thereby getting personally involved.That would account as to why he photographed the funeral.
All this of course is pure conjecture but I would like to think that it is a satisfactory explanation of a very sad event even though it happened many years ago.

Thanks again, Ken.

blackshuck

14-05-2009, 10:30

Hi Rob I just picked up your post re the Kent and I wondered if you had any luck with uploading the pictures yet ?
regards
Alan

Vern53

22-05-2009, 23:52

Hello all, for your interest here is photo of Kent that my aunt had on her wall. My uncle's first commission was aboard Kent to China in early thirties.
Regards Vern

Vern53

22-05-2009, 23:54

Whoops, got that wrong, try again.

SCRG1970

23-05-2009, 20:53

harry.gibbon

23-05-2009, 21:46

Vern

Great shot of Kent leaving Malta.

I find it strange that so many photos of 1930 vintage show ships leaving harbour with awnings spread. Certainly in the 60s this was not so when I was in the med. Awnings were spread only at anchor or berthing. Anyone else noticed this ??

Regards

gerry
YES!!! and I have noticed it was the practice for a good while later than that, however our colleagues must have an answer for it??? Little h

Larapexton

01-11-2010, 12:49

seaJane

01-11-2010, 16:25

I too wish I had found this thread earlier - in time to show my Mum before she died in 2008. Her father was a CPO Gunner (T) aboard KENT at some point in his career - R.W. (Bill) Marsh.

Wombat

02-11-2010, 10:42

What lovely photos to be able to look at!

my grandad richard (dickie) Pexton served on HMS kent. I have photos of the reindeer (olgar) and various others but I am really trying to find anyone who may have any stories or memories of him.

I would love to be able to find someone who knew him.

I live in chatham in Kent now too so it would be amazing to find a link to my dear Grandad who i sadly will never get to explore his past with.

Any help I would be glad of.

Thank you

Lara

Lara, I think we all wish we had hind-sight.

My father served as a stoker aboard HMS Kent when he was only 17, he was with her for three years and experienced the convoys. In later years he used to say it was all a waste of time, he didn't want to talk about it, and I didn't know the questions I should have been asking.

Now that I am older, and I know the questions to ask, I have no one to answer them as he passed away a few years ago. At least I know the time my father spent was not a waste of time.

Wombat,
James.

Kenco

09-11-2010, 18:18

What lovely photos to be able to look at!

my grandad richard (dickie) Pexton served on HMS kent. I have photos of the reindeer (olgar) and various others but I am really trying to find anyone who may have any stories or memories of him.

I would love to be able to find someone who knew him.

I live in chatham in Kent now too so it would be amazing to find a link to my dear Grandad who i sadly will never get to explore his past with.

Any help I would be glad of.

Thank you

Lara

Hi Lara, This is a very long shot but my late father also served on HMS Kent and I do remember him referring to a colleague as "Dickie". Of course on a ship of that size there were probably a lot of "Richards", commonly known as "Dickie". I do have a photo of my father sitting with a medical CPO captioned "Dickie". As I say , a very long shot but one never knows. Regards Ken.

Kenco

12-11-2010, 14:58

Lara, Have just found your post 2-11-10 and realise the "Dickie" in my fathers album cannot be your Grandad. So sorry, Ken.

Catweazle

03-01-2011, 11:51

Hi, I've just found this forum and I thought it would be worth posting some details about my great uncle (my father's mother's brother), William Ernest "Ernie" Thompson whom I believe was a Chief Petty Officer on HMS Kent in the 1930s. I've attached a photo of Ernie which is annotated with the text "HMS Kent, China Station 1934-36".

Unfortunately, I never met Ernie and my father doesn't remember much about him - his mother didn't talk about her brother much either, it seems. I have tracked down his birth certificate (born on 23 Dec 1900 in Newington, Surrey/London) and what I believe to be the first part of his service record (ref. Z8430 and K59096), although this shows his date of birth as being altered to 23 April 1900, perhaps to allow him to take part in WW1. The record shows that he joined the RNVR in January 1918, was demobbed in Jan 1919 and then joined the RN in August 1920; his rating is shown as "Sto II" and "Sto I", so I guess that means he was a stoker. Ernie served on several ships until Dec 1928 (when the record ends), including the Pembroke, Repulse, Calliope, Birmingham, and Ark Royal.

I would like to get the post-1928 service record but I need a death certificate before I can apply to Navy Search for this. Unfortunately, I haven't yet managed to track the death certificate down as I don't know where Ernie was living after he left the navy - he might have emigrated for all I know. I'm still pursuing other lines of inquiry but I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone who knew Ernie, or have friends or relatives that knew him.

Thanks,

Steve

spruso

03-01-2011, 18:00

Catweazle

04-01-2011, 04:58

Thanks for the offer, Bruce - much appreciated. Ernie's parents were William James Thompson (1871-1936) and Alice Rhoda Ling (1869-1956). Ernie turns up on the 1901 census (at 20 Hurlbatt Place, Newington, London) and in 1911 (at 22 Cator Street, Peckham, London), but I can't find anything after that (apart from the first part of his service record).

There are a couple of potential death certificates that may be worth purchasing (William Ernest Thompson d. Jan-Mar 1976 in Chatham, Kent - location looks good, but date of birth is wrong i.e. 28 Oct 1900) and (Ernest William Thompson d. Apr-Jun 1978 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire - date of birth looks promising (23 Apr 1900) but location and name look unlikely; there's also an Ernest William who has a birth certificate for that area in 1900). I'll probably take a chance on the Chatham death certificate if I can't find anything else soon i.e. on the basis that Chatham was HMS Kent's home port.

I did find an Ernest Thompson on an Incoming UK Passenger List for 29th July 1938 - he was travelling back to Chatham on the Rajputana from Shanghai with a number of other RN personnel, but I'm not sure this is "my" Ernie Thompson. The age is right (38), but there's no rank information or anything else to help. Other RN personnel travelling at the same time were:-

Ewart S. Baker (aged 25, travelling to RN Barracks, Chatham)
Leonard Bennett (aged 29, travelling to RN Barracks, Portsmouth)
Denis Connelly (aged 24, Chatham)
Kenneth Gardiner (25, Chatham)
Frederick Milne (25, Chatham)
Alfred Rowlands (24, Chatham)
Ernest Shaw (24, Chatham)
Albert Soane (37, Portsmouth)
George Southall (23, Chatham)
Patrick Whalin (27, Chatham)
Frederick Woolford (23, Chatham)

I checked these names against those on HMS Kent's crew list for the 1934-36 cruise (see http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_kent.htm - need to scroll down a bit for the list), but I drew a blank on all of them. Incidentally, I had another look at Ernie's photo and I think he may have the insignia of a Stoker Petty Officer, although it's a bit hard to see for sure; maybe he was promoted later? This view is reinforced by the 1934-36 crew list i.e. there's a W.E. Thompson listed as an SPO.

jbryce1437

04-01-2011, 08:50

Hello Steve and welcome to the Forum. I should point out that the photo of Ernie that you have posted shows him dressed as a Stoker Petty Officer, rather than Chief Petty Officer. Hence him being listed as SPO on the crew list. He may well have been promoted to Chief Stoker later.

Jim

Catweazle

04-01-2011, 09:03

Thanks, Jim - appreciate the confirmation.

Steve

spruso

04-01-2011, 19:21

Hi Steve,

Re William Ernest Thompson

Nothing on any of these sites:-
Queensland BDM between 1938-1964 (Last year available)
NSW 1938- 1980
West Australia 1938-1965
Victoria 1938-1990

South Australia, Tasmania, and Northern Territory don't seem to have online search.

Australian Cemeteries Index has one entry D. 14 May 1975 (Casino Lawn Cemetery) but born in 1889.

Ryerson index, which is more recent, has no matching entries.

If he died after the dates above you would have to contact the individual BDM Offices. Have you tried www.rootschat.com. I have found them very useful and there are people who will do lookups for you.

Cheers
Bruce

Catweazle

04-01-2011, 20:40

Many thanks, Bruce - much appreciate you taking the time to do the searches.

I've not come across RootsChat before so I'll give it a try later.

By the way, I've just posted Ernie's service record (1918-1928) in the Crew Database forum in case it's of interest to anyone.

Steve

romaedro

06-10-2011, 05:25

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum so please bear with me!
According to the CWGC, someone I am researching for the family tree died on HMS Kent on the 17th November 1940. He was an able seaman.
According to the family his body was never found, and he was declared lost at sea.
Can anyone shed any light as to what happened to the ship on that day, and how he was likely to have died ?
Many thanks.

Clive 58

06-10-2011, 08:13

According to Naval Histroy;

http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CA-Kent.htm

en route from Mombasa to Simonstown

romaedro

06-10-2011, 16:24

Thanks Clive 58 for that link and prompt reply.

It's given me more questions though, as nothing seemed to happen upon that date, according to the link they were a day away from arriving at Simonstown, and nothing else is listed.
The date on the CWGC and the War Memorial give the date of the 17th Nov 1940 when he was lost at sea, but it seemed as if the 17th of Sept 1940 was when the ship was hit.
How strange, can anyone offer any other explanation ? Do you think it could have been that he went overboard for some reason, and was lost at sea that way, rather than down to enemy action ?

hallamj

04-01-2012, 19:52

Hello all, my Grandad served on the Kent in the Second World War, on the Arctic convoys. His name was Eric Chambers Erickson. I don't know if he was of rank but he was the ship's barber. Not sure this was official but he cut all the sailors' hair as he was a barber by trade back in Civvy Street (Nottingham). I was wondering if this name rings a bell for anyone. Also, does anyone have a record of the ship's crew during this time and the ship's movements or can advise where to obtain these from. I will try to upload some photographs. An interesting document I have is a printed certificate, "the order of the blue nose", presumably a rites of passage/inititiation.

Kenco

07-02-2012, 14:34

Hi Hallamj,

You can find all of Kent`s movements during WW2 at NAVAL-HISTORY.NET
Unfortunately I have never found a crew listing. I also have my father`s 'Blue Nose" certificate dated July21st 1942, when the Kent crossed the Arctic Circle.
Hope this will be of help.

malpal

21-02-2012, 17:06

Originally posted by Kenco

The original photo`s were taken by my Father, PO SBA John Herd who developed and printed his own photo`s so I assume that he made copies for other people. In fact I have found other examples of copies on the BBC WW11.websiteHi Kenco
In my Dad, Don Brown's, album are the four funeral photo's 'Bob Cresswell 4, 5, 6 & 7'. It's quite likely he knew your father John Herd because I have a Report of Wound or Hurt dated 14th August 1942 detailing a 'Fracture of Right Scaphoid' sustained while starting a protable diesel pump and witnessed by Stoker Petty Officer Harry Dancer C/KX 79232. The document is signed by . . it looks like J.E.J Nottidge, Lieutenant RN and the captain Commander Oswald, whose initials I cannot make out and the Surgeon Commander T.J.Pusack or Busack ?
I have posted some crew photos at World Naval Ships Forums > New Members > Service Records / Naval Relatives and Friends>
Service Record: Donald Brown - HMS Escort HMS Curacoa HMS Kent and here are a couple of shots of the Kent from his album.

astraltrader

21-02-2012, 21:53

Mal - Thanks for showing us these photographs of Kent from your Fathers album. Please feel free to post as many of them as you have, they will always be well appreciated by all of us. :)

hallamj

25-02-2012, 09:15

Thanks Kenco,
Don't suppose you have any pictures of the Kent's crew during that time?
Jim

Kenco

26-02-2012, 16:39

Hi Malpal, Many thanks for posting the "report of wound" which naturally I would find very interesting as it is quite possible that my father may have been involved in his treatment. I am amazed that you also have photos of 'Bob Cresswell`s' funeral. Are they by any chance noted to be 'Bob Cresswell' as there seemed to be some discrepancy over his name. See James (Wombat) post number 43. this thread. Thanks also for the Photos, alas my Father is not among them.

Regards Ken.

Kenco

26-02-2012, 16:54

Hi Hallamj, Jim, I regret that I have no more crew photos from HMS Kent. The only ones I have are posted on number 39. of this thread. The majority of photos I have are of views of places that my father visited which unfortunately are not noted where they are, or of which ship he was serving on at the time.Ie: KENT,LONDON,or SWIFTSURE.

A lesson for all of us that take photographs !!

Regards Ken.

malpal

28-02-2012, 15:22

I am amazed that you also have photos of 'Bob Cresswell`s' funeral. Are they by any chance noted to be 'Bob Cresswell' as there seemed to be some discrepancy over his name. See James (Wombat) post number 43. this thread. Thanks also for the Photos, alas my Father is not among them.

Regards Ken.

Hi Ken
Yes I was surprised to find that I wasn't the only one with those funeral photos. I called them 'Bob Cresswell' pictures because of that name in your's and Wombat's posts. All my Dad has written in the album is 'A shipmate's funeral in Iceland' so I am sorry I cannot throw any illumination on the topic.

I have more shipmates' photos to scan and post when I get round to it !
Cheers
~Malcolm

BCRenown

29-02-2012, 02:25

Nice shot of HMS Kent - circa 1943.

Monty

malpal

01-03-2012, 15:58

I attach the remaining photos that I have relevant to Hms Kent and regret that I have no further Items or anecdotes of interest,.

Hi Ken
It seems I have more photographs similar to your own. In this case, HRH The King.
Did your Father go to the Mediterranean on the Kent ? I have some photos of crew members in whites which I shall post asap.
Cheers
~Malcolm

malpal

01-03-2012, 16:13

Nice shot of HMS Kent - circa 1943.

Monty

That is a splendid photo of HMS Kent, Monty.

And here are a couple of photos of your namesake aboard the very same vessel.
Could it be May 1944 when he was welcomed aboard the cruiser HMS KENT by Rear Admiral R R McGrigor, CB, DSO ?

Cheers
~Malcolm

BCRenown

02-03-2012, 10:43

Malcolm, I think you are absolutely correct. And it's also nice to see a photo of "Wee Mac" McGrigor, who skippered Renown in 1941.

Monty Mills

malpal

02-03-2012, 16:52

I have photos of the reindeer (olgar) and various others . . . Lara

Lara writes of Olgar the reindeer aboard HMS Kent and Kenco has posted a photograph of same but has anyone any recollection or reports of Daphne ?

From my Dad's album a picture of her reclining on a pillow !

Cheers
~Malcolm

Kenco

03-03-2012, 16:12

Lara writes of Olgar the reindeer aboard HMS Kent and Kenco has posted a photograph of same but has anyone any recollection or reports of Daphne ?

From my Dad's album a picture of her reclining on a pillow !

Cheers
~Malcolm

Hi Malcolm, A stranger pet than a reindeer!!
I have never heard of Daphne before.
Yes my Father went to the Med but I`m not sure if on the Kent or Swiftsure.He was drafted to the Swiftsure in July 1944. I believe when she was commissioned.
Interesting photo`s you have posted. thanks.
cheers Ken.