Arch Elsey: HMS ACASTA

[Colin Hawken]

Hi All! I'm new to this site. My Uncle,PO Arch Elsey was lost along with a lot more good men when HMS Acasta was sunk in 1940. He spent all his life in the RN,had 6weeks left to serve when WW2 broke out. He spent a long time in HMS Hood,did two stints on China Stations.Transferred to Acasta early 1940.
He was a gunnery PO,if he had stayed in Hood he wouldn't have survived I guess.A common enough story I know, I'm still very proud of him after all these years and all the other good men who gave everything for us.

[herakles]

Welcome to the forum Colin. It's good to have you here.

We are all proud of the unstinting service given by our armed forces of course and fondly remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

[historydavid]

Welcome aboard Colin.

Don't know if you have all this info:

ELSEY, ARCHIBALD F.E., P.O., P/J 69373, ACASTA, 8-Jun-1940, M.P.K., SHIP LOSS.

[astraltrader]

Welcome to the forum Colin...

[Colin Hawken]

Thanks for the welcome every one.I think I've got all the info I'm going to get now. I've just finished reading the book "The man who hit the Scharnhorst," by Leading Seaman Nick Carter,the man who fired the torpedo that damaged the Scharnhorst. What a struggle that man had to get the Admiralty to put the record straight.

[John Brown]

Welcome to th forum Colin.

I for one, would be interested to read of your uncles time on the Hood if you'd care to share it with us.


Regards.....Bob

[Colin Hawken]

I can tell you very little. WW2 started on my seventh birthday. I really only have very vague memories of the Uncle I am so proud of. Most of what I know came from my Mother. I know he did China Stations twice.I believe these were of three years duration each time. Although I can no longer find it,there was a photo of me on a gun turret? of HMS Hood.I think this may have been the last Navy Days(Pompey) 1939 prior to the outbreak of WW2.

[Colin Hawken]

Thanks for the picture of Acasta. I already have it. They don't build them like it any more,do they? More's the pity.

[Colin Hawken]

I know his name is on the memorial at Southsea. I'm a Southampton man,I'm told I'm supposed to hate eveything to do with Pompey.How stupid is that?

[historydavid]

Colin, this is the record from the Portsmouth Memorial listing:

ELSEY, Petty Officer, ARCHIBALD FREDERICK EDWIN, P/J 69373. H.M.S. Acasta. Royal Navy. 8th June 1940. Age 38. Son of Edwin and Alice Elsey, of Southampton; husband of Violet Maud Elsey. Panel 37, Column 2

[Colin Hawken]

Thanks for that. I was only seven years old at the time. Memory of my Uncle is somewhat hazy.:confused:

[baffins]

my grandad was the man who wrote a book about the last battle in which it was sunk there were not many of the crew to lived after that day