HMS Vanessa

[sarah]

My Father in Law served on HMS Vanessa during the second world war as a doctor. He is now sadly dead but I have his medals and would very much like to find out the rank he attained before the end of the war. Could anyone help? His name was Michael Hudson-Evans and he trained at Guys Hospital and was a G.P. in Lewisham, SE London.:)

[stontamar]

Hi Sarah

All officers, including surgeons (naval doctors) service details are to be found in the Navy List. These documents are the starting point for anyone wishing to follow an officer's career from Midshipman to Admiral of the Fleet.

During the First and Second World Wars there were two separate editions of the Navy List, one of which was for official use only, the other being an expurgated version available to the public. The official edition indicates where individual officers were serving, with the names of ships and establishments. A complete list of all ships in the Royal Navy is included, together with details of tonnage and armament. Those that you will be interested in are held by The National Archive at Kew under files ADM177/19 - ADM 177/61 Admiralty: Navy Lists, Confidential Edition 1939-1945.

For HMS VANESSA's war record please see the attached link http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DD-09VW-Vanessa.htm

You will note that she took part in a number of the major North Atlantic convoy battes of the war SC.107, HX.219 in which ,along with HMS HESPERUS, she was credited with sinking U.357 and convoy SC.118.

Earlier in the war she had been bombed and damaged whilst escorting Convoy CW.6 and she had also sustained damge in collision with HMS TURQUOISE. Unfortunately you give no dates but you should be able to piece together an account of Michael Hudson-Evans war service by reference to the links.

Please note the photograph of HMS VANESSA shows her in her original confiiguration, from August 1941 to August 1942 she was converted to a Long Range Escort which significantly altered her appearance. If I find a photograph of her in this configuration I will post it in this thread.

Regards

stontamar

[Batstiger]

Here's the port side.

[tonclass]

A modified 'Vanessa'.

[sarah]

Thank you so much. It's all proving fascinating
Sarah

[Andy Barons]

My father served for a time on HMS Vanessa and, shortly before he passed away in 2009, wrote an account of his war service. He recounted sailing on HMS Vanessa in 1942 and that on return to the UK, she had to undergo repairs to heavy damage. He was then transfered to HMS Sweetbriar, a flower corvette in the same escort group. I have concluded that the damage may have taken place when she rammed U357 during escort of convoy HX 219. He did not return to HMS Vanessa but later served with HMS Tavy (frigate) where he achieved officer of the watch status before transfering to HMS Gloxinia. He ended the war on HM LST 3504, being flown home from Singapore on compasionate leave.

[nick60]

Hi

My Dad served on the Vanessa in 1942 as a Seaman Torpedoman. He joined soon after the refit. I recall him telling me the story of the ramming of the U - boat. He's sadly recently passed away, and my mother unearthed a diary of his from his time in the Royal Navy.

He goes into the sinking in vivid detail in his diary. Quite something to try to comprehend...