HMS Collingwood 1908-1923

[HMS]

I am looking for photograghhs of crew of HMS Collingwood aswell as any photos taken on board HMS Collingwood. Interested also in any information from famalies of ex crew members. Thanks for any help offered
HMS

[Dreadnought1908]

Dear Cyber Shipmates

I was wondering if anyone has a photograph or information about a relative with A Turret, Maintop Division, HMS Collingwood - and regarding Prince Albert? My grandfather AB John Campbell, and Prince Albert the present Queen's deceased father, served in the same gun crew for 3 years, 1913-16, before 'P.A.', aka 'Mr Johnston' was transferred to the Q. E., after Jutland.

My grandfather, Chief Health Inspector, Portadown, at the time, publicly spoke highly of His Majesty when he visited Belfast in July 1937 during His Majesty's Coronation Visit to the province. AB gunner John Campbell formed the key member of a 3 man honour guard outside Belfast City Hall, July 1937 (2 Pathe News clips, 'Their Majesties in Ireland', on the Pathe website). When they were introduced the King said, 'Hullo Campbell, I haven't seen you for a long time..."

His Majesty then promptly halted the proceedings for 5 minutes (only a monarch can do this) in front of a cheering, singing crowd of 150,000 loyal subjects, brass bands and a coterie of Ulster dignitaries, to speak to his old gun crew mate about their times together and share old memories of their experiences, inform him of the illness of their former captain, James C Ley (later HMS Canada), and recall the whereabouts of old ship mates in the Collingwood... glory days.

A framed page of the broadsheet Portadown News record of the event, with a large headed photograph of my grandfather shaking hands with his old crew mate King George VI, was displayed in the Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Rd, Belfast, for over 20 years. Headline, 'ULSTER JUTLAND HERO MEETS KING'.

(He called himself a "very ordinary person"; it was not easy for him to be a King. His health was poor, he was shy and awkward, he stammered. His youth was spent in the shadow of his comparatively dashing elder brother (Edward The Abdicator). Of all King George V's sons, Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George, known to his family as "Bertie," was the most unassuming. (As) "Mr. Johnston," he was second-in-command of "A" turret aboard H.M.S. Collingwood. "The King," remembered Turret Commander W.E.C. Tait years later, "made cocoa as usual for me and the gun crew during the battle." ." On the eve of their wedding in 1923, the London Times looked right past the royal couple and remarked, with more meaning than good manners, that the public awaited, "with still deeper interest," the marriage of the Duke's "brilliant elder brother.") (compiled extract, brackets mine) Monday, Feb. 18, 1952, TIME - the day after my birth.

My grandfather John Campbell served in her as a boy and later as an instructor when she was demoted to a gunnery training ship. If any old salt or son/daughter of a tar has any information about the Collingwood or Jutland please kindly get in touch. hmscollingwood@aol.com.

Thank you for reading this.

Paul

[Harley]

There is a book written by the CPO who looked after Prince Albert on "Collingwood", covering his time on the ship. I've only seen it once and that was on eBay last year - I was outbid much to my chagrin. Maybe your grandfather is mentioned?

Harley

[Joseph]

The book 'Royal Sailors' A Cecil Hampshire, has a chapter on Mr Johnston it does mention 'A turret' and a number of bets being placed by the turrets crew but no mention of John. A good read if you have not seen it, includes times, dates, places and a piece from Prince Alberts journal about the battle from his position in A turret.

Regards Charles

[martinclift]

How about this one?
The picture was taken between 26th March 1912 & 30th September 1917
Able Seaman John Thomas Saxton J.834 is sitting on the right.
This is all I know, so if you can shed any light I would be grateful.

Martin

[martinclift]

I have been told that HMS Collingwood was at the Battle of Jutland 93 years ago yesterday.
John served on this ship at that time.

Martin

[Dreadnought1908]

Dear Martin

She was with Jellicoe's Grand Fleet:

Battle of Jutland, June 1916

As an element in the Grand Fleet, the Squadron participated in the Battle of Jutland. During the Battle of Jutland, the composition of the 1st Battle Squadron was as follows[2]:
Sixth Division
HMS Marlborough Flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Burney; Captain G. P. Ross;
HMS Revenge Captain E. B. Kiddle;
HMS Hercules Captain L. Clinton-Baker;
HMS Agincourt Captain H. M. Doughty;
Fifth Division
HMS Colossus Flagship of Rear Admiral E. F. A. Gaunt; Captain A. D. P. R. Pound;
HMS Collingwood Captain J. C. Ley;
HMS St. Vincent Captain W. W. Fisher;
HMS Neptune Captain V. H. G. Bernard;

At approximately 7.15 pm when The Grand Fleet crashed into the German battle cruiser squadron and battleship fleet for the second 'turnaround manoeuvre' by the Germans. HMS Collingwood fired several salvoes at the DMS Derfflinger ripping a hole in her forward port superstructure and setting her on fire. Two German salvoes straddled the Collingwood but registered no hits. Prince Albert was apparently sitting on 'A' turret at the time "in order to get a better view of the battle" and jumped down "like a shot rabbit" (his words). Apparently knocking over a fellow seaman as he forced his way back inside the turret through the rear doorway! Soaked through I would imagine.

[Dreadnought1908]

http://www.sms-navy.com/bc/SMS_Derfflinger-BatDam_21Jun1916-4.jpg

The upper forward section of the ship, a big black rectangular hole, was the Collingwood's contribution, with a 12" H.E. shell fired at 7.15pm, 31 May 1916. Unfortunately, for the Germans, I imagine, it was a sick bay. In a more detailed example you can see an upended bath standing erect and the outer plating concertinaed to the forward.

[Bob Clarke]

My Grandfather William H Clarke served as Signal Boatswain on HMS Collingwood from June 1912 until June 1914. During that time both the Prince of Wales and Bertie (Mr Johnson) were on board. I have a large photo of the Officers with the Prince of Wales on board Collingwood which I will get copied and post on here. Circa 1913.

My Father had a complete photo album on many of Collinwood's voyages (including action and the crews) taken by Grandfather but unfortunately it was stolen in a burglary and never to be seen again.

Later, Grandfather served on HMS Castor during Jutland and received the Russian Order of St Annes. Why he recieved the award, I have not been able to establish, perhaps any member can through some light on this.