HMS Scylla and HMS Kelly WWII: Information Required

[katemacvicar]

Hi all,

I am looking to find out some more information from anyone who might have been on or knows of anyone who been on the HMS Scylla (dido-class) or the HMS Kelly (Destroyer).

My grandfather (John MacVicar) is alive and well (84) and served on both of these ships during the war. He is currently living in New Zealand and I would love to hear from anyone who can tell me any history of these ships or knows anything about them.

[Batstiger]

Here is a good place to start Kate.

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_kelly.htm

Bob.

[Batstiger]

Pictures of the Scylla and Kelly.

Bob.

[John Brown]

Kate

HMS Kelly was a K Class destroyer built as a flotilla leader and commissioned in August 1939. She was built at Hawthorne Leslies yard in my fathers home town of Hebburn on Tyneside. Throughout her short but eventful career she had only one Captain....Lord Louis Mountbatten. The Kelly, known affectionately by residents of Hebburn as 'wor lass', was damaged several times during ww2. She suffered severe storm damage and was involved in a collision with HMS Gurkha. One of her more famous actions was during the battle for Norway in 1940 when she was torpedoed in 'E Boat Alley' by the German S 31. 27 of Kellys crew were killed and it took four days to tow her back into the river Tyne where she was repaired. Most of the dead were buried in a Hebburn cemetary and are referred to, by locals, as 'The Kelly Lads'

The Kelly was sunk by bombs during the battle for Crete in May 1941. She was executing a sharp turn when a bomb landed beside her and caused her to capsize. It is said that she went down with 'all guns firing'. Half her crew were lost.

A 1942 film called 'In which we serve' starring Noel Coward and John Mills depicting the career of an HMS Torrin was based on HMS Kellys service.

Many years after the war a pub was built in Hebburn and named 'The Kelly'. Several renunions of the HMS Kelly Association were held in the pub and Mountbatten himself attended some of them.

Hope this helps...John

[davey]

Hi all,

I am looking to find out some more information from anyone who might have been on or knows of anyone who been on the HMS Scylla (dido-class) or the HMS Kelly (Destroyer).

My grandfather (John MacVicar) is alive and well (84) and served on both of these ships during the war. He is currently living in New Zealand and I would love to hear from anyone who can tell me any history of these ships or knows anything about them.
Hi
Would your granfather know Commander Edgar Woolridge Cole who died onbaord in 41.
best regards
David cole

[BARBARA NEE COPPARD]

Hi,
My father was on HMS KELLY leading seaman Reginald (Reg) COPPARD? He died in the Battle of Crete 23 May 1941. Mr John Macvicar may have know him at that time.
Best regards
Barbara