HMS Berwick 1926-1948

[Peter]

My father, Bernard McCormick Smith, known as "Bemax", joined HMS Berwick as a Midshipman on 31st January 1926, while she was still commissioning.
I have his Midshipman's Log, which gives many details of the ship and her organisation, and records her voyage to China.
My father was an avid photographer, and I have hundreds of photographs of the ship and (mostly) the officers, many of them named.
I have attached a couple of them - one of the 8" guns firing, and one of the funnels during speed trials.
He left the ship in about 1935 and had a brief tour on submarines, then transferred to HMS Medway, a submarine support ship.
Most of his subsequent Naval career was on anti-submarine work.

[allan paul]

:) Dear Peter,

I am researching my uncle Ronald Frank Paul He searved on the Berwick 30/10/1934 to 18/08/1935 as a BOY1 according to his navy record I would be interested to see if any of photos show a young boy seaman.

Regards
Allan

[Peter]

Dear Allan,

I have a number of pictures of personnel on Berwick, but I don't think anyone called Paul. Mostly pictures of the other Midshipmen and junior officers.
I will upload some of them in due course, and will keep a lookout for your uncle. I have masses of photos all jumbled up, and am slowly sorting them.

Best regards, Peter

[Peter]

Effectively the Midshipmen's mess.
I have attached 2 photos.
The first is captioned "The Gunroom. The stork on the mantlepiece is made from the root of a tree, bought in Miyajimi; on shelf to left are some of the 'nodding' dolls given us at Jokka-ichi".
The other is captioned "The Gunroom at tea time".

[Peter]

Some pictures of the seaplane that HMS Berwick evidently carried.
1. Seaplane waiting to be lowered into the water at Kai Tak
2. Seaplane being lowered into the water at Kai Tak
3. The seaplane

[Peter]

Descriptions given are my father's comments written on the backs of the pictures.
1. The Captain (Lt. Cdr. Baker)and Seale
2. Seale & Captain on the bridge (reversed)
3. Lt. Seale - our Navigation & Correspondence Officer on hid way to golf - now at Peking, leaving me to do both my own job and his
4. Lt. Comdr French (commonly known as Peter) and Lt. Kendall on the quarter deck. P.S. They can't help it.

[Peter]

Some fairly formal shots.
1. Mid. Pennefather
2. Mid. Thompson
3. Leading Seaman Baron, Quartermaster, and Corporal Gill
4. Lt. Lemon

I haven't fully deciphered the plaque in the background, but it appears to be the battle honours of previous Berwicks.

[stontamar]

Hi Peter

Regarding your picture of the aircraft, serial number S1021, which is about to be hoisted; this is a Fairey IIID Mk II fleet reconnaissance seaplane delivered to the Fleet in August 1925.

Sturtivant and Cronin note that this aircraft was embarked on HMS ARGUS as part of Flight 443B in May 1927 and disembarked a year later in May 1928. They also record that Flight 443B operated out of Kai Tak without making specific reference to S1021 but it is clear that during this period HMS ARGUS visited the Far East and was in Hong Kong during July/August 1927.

The aircraft however does not appear to be carrying the standard green diagonal bands with number that was painted around the fuselage forward of the roundels of those IIID’s embarked on HMS ARGUS but the identification marking may have been deleted during any period operating out of Kai Tak.

The aircraft may have also been embarked on HMS HERMES as part of Flight 442 in March 1929. During this period HERMES was in Hong Kong. It is therefore possible that the photograph may date to c1929.

The third of the photographs shows a seaplane in flight and this appears to be a Fairey IIIF, the three photographs are not of the same aircraft as was possibly thought to be the case. The photograph is too blurred to allow any further identification

HMS BERWICK is recorded as having embarked a Fairey IIIF in November 1932 but there is no record, which I am aware of, of her embarking a Fairey IIID. HMS BERWICK sailed from Devonport on 16 November 1932 to join the China Station and remained in the Far East until July 1934.

Regards

stontamar

[stontamar]

Hi Peter - regarding the photographs showing the ships Battle Honours, the board appears to read; BARFLEUR 1692 - GIBRALTAR 1702 & 1782 - TOULON 1744 - USHANT 1778 - DOGGER BANK 1781.

'Battle Honours of the Royal Navy' (Wardlow), which is published as the authorised and complete record of Battle Honours, list HMS BERWICK's Battle Honours as; BARFLEUR 1692 - VIGO 1702 - GIBRALTAR 1704 - VELEZ MALAGA 1704 - DOGGER BANK 1781 and then the Second World War additions ATLANTIC 1939 - NORWAY 1940 - SPARTIVENTO 1940 - ARTIC 1944 which of course do not feature on the board at the time the photographs were taken.

An earlier work 'British Warship Names' (Manning & Walker) provide a different list of pre 1939-45 battle Honours and these included BEACHY HEAD 1690 - BARFLEUR 1692 - VIGO 1702 - GIBRALTAR 1704 - VELEZ MALAGA 1704 - TOULON 1744 - USHANT 1778 - DOGGER BANK 1781.

Finally 'Battle Honours of the Royal Navy' (Warner) lists BARFLEUR 1692 - VIGO 1702 - GIBRALTAR 1704 - VELEZ MALAGA 1704 - DOGGER BANK 1781 agreeing with the Wardlow list

So it appears that depending on the source of information the Battle Honours awarded, at least to HMS BERWICK, could change and perhaps what was considered a Battle Honour in the 1920/30's later was ruled inappropriate to be classed as such!!

Regards

stontamar

[Batstiger]

Hi Peter, I took the liberty of modifying a few of your pictures.

Bob.

[Batstiger]

I should really have reduced them so that they are easier to look at!

[Batstiger]

I've just had a go at the seaplanes Peter. Not quite as good as the others but I tried.
Tell me, is the picture of the plane flying a different one to the others? It looks more like Picture 4 which is the seaplane off HMS Sussex. You can just see the Sussex beneath the port wing.

Bob.

[stontamar]

Hi Peter - to add to your father’s pre-war service career, I note that you have him joining HMS BERWICK as a Midshipman on 31st January 1926 and then leaving the ship in about 1935. This seemed a rather long time for him to have served on the one ship so I looked him up in several editions of the Navy List in an attempt to verify his service record.

HMS BERWICK was launched on 30 March 1926 and if your father’s joining date was 31 January 1926 as stated he must have joined the ship in build at the Fairfield Yard in Govan. I doubt if the dates are correct as Captain R.S. Wykes-Sneyd RN DSO was appointed to the ship in build on 19 April 1927. Note the reference in one of the photographs to The Captain (Lt. Cdr. Baker); this is obviously some kind of private comment.

HMS BERWICK arrived at Devonport on 30 June 1927 and was ordered for commissioning on 1 November 1927 with a Devonport crew for service with the 5th Cruiser Squadron, arriving on the China Station in April 1928. Incidentally HMS BERWICK and HMS ARGUS had met each other at Colombo, Ceylon on 31 March 1928 (re reply relating to the photograph of the Fairey IIID - see reply above).

Midshipmen Pennefather and Thompson were appointed to HMS BERWICK at the end of November 1927 but unfortunately I cannot substantiate a date for your father’ appointment to the ship. Without further details of the other officers mentioned it is not possible to trace their service record to help and establish a relevant date.

I also found that your father was promoted Acting Sub Lt on 1 May 1930 and was attending the course for rank of Lt at the RN College Greenwich (October 1930 Navy List corrected to 18 September 1930).

Promoted to Lt on 1 October 1931 and serving as 1st Lt on HM Submarine H.50 which was operating with the 6th Submarine Flotilla, tendered to HMS TITANIA at Portland.

By 1939 Lt Smith RN was appointed to the Anti-Submarine School, HMS OSPREY, Portland.

Regards

stontamar

[stontamar]

I thought some readers might find the background information to Bob's photograph (Picture 4 - seaplane off HMS Sussex) of some interest. Yes this is a Fairey IIIF Mk.IIIM, Serial No. S1395.delivered to Andover in March 1930. This aircraft was attached to the 1st Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean from June 1931 to at least August 1932 firstly embarked in HMS SHROPSHIRE (Jun 1931 – Jan 1932) and later in HMS SUSSEX.(Jan – Aug 1932).

This aircraft had also embarked on HMS FURIOUS attached to 443 Flight, HMS GLORIOUS 447 and 448 Flights prior to joining the 1st Cruiser Squadron and later embarked on HMS GLORIOUS as part of 823 Squadron. In January 1936 the aircraft returned to HMS FURIOUS as part of 822 Squadron before sustaining damage in landing in rough seas off Gibraltar in March 1936. The aircraft was struck off charge on 30 November 1936 beyond repair, for conversion to catapult dummy.

Sturtivant & Cronin records that the aircraft was fitted with floats on this last deployment to HMS FURIOUS in January 1936 and makes no mention of this conversion at any earlier date. It should however be noted that conversion from undercarriage to floats and visa versa was within the capabilities of ships staff.

The interesting thing about this photograph is that on first inspection the aircraft appears to be carrying the red aft sloping diagonal type identification markings with the roundel placed forward as carried by aircraft operating from HMS FURIOUS. However when enlarged it appears that the number 815 is just visible and if this is the case the diagonal stripe is yellow with black numerals as carried by 447 Flight HMS GLORIOUS Fairey IIIF’s during the period January to August 1932. It also appears that during this period the aircraft was attached to HMS SUSSEX and they retained the number 815 as the Catapult Flight Code. Previously when the aircraft had been attached to HMS SHROPSHIRE it had carried the catapult Flight Code number 40.

Regards

stontamar.

[Batstiger]

Many thanks for that Stontamar your input to this forum is 1st class!

Bob.

[jamesking]

Hello folks,

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/images/berwickcrew.jpg

The linked photo above appears on this page (http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_berwick.htm) with the following caption:

Photos of some crew members of HMS Berwick, my father is the one on the far right

Image provided by Mark Thomson

Does anyone know how I can get hold of Mr Thomson or a larger version of the photo? My grandfather served aboard the Berwick and the man on the far left bears a striking resembelance but with the resolution we cannot tell with certainty.


Thank you for your time, have found the site very useful this evening.

James

[jamesking]

PS - Having read some of stontamar's information-filled posts, I'll add the following in case it is any help in retrieving any information about his service. We believe he joined the crew in 1942. He had the same name as me (as per my username) :)

[stontamar]

Hi James

Thank you for your complement and may I also extend this comment to Bob.

You mention that your grandfather may be one of the men in the photograph and from this I presume he was a rating rather than an officer. Unfortunately without access to the man’s service record it is much harder to track a ratings service than that of an officers. Presumably you have your grandfather’s service record but as you mention that you believe he joined HMS BERWICK in 1942 this may not be the case. If not please let me know?

I realise your interest in HMS BERWICK possibly starts in 1942 when your grandfather may have been drafted to this ship but I have included a quick plotted history of HMS BERWICK’s war record from 1939 to 1945 as it may be of some interest to other readers.

September 1939 (Capt Irving Montgomery Palmer, DSC, RN. 17 October 1938 – 22 June 1940) in company with HMS YORK provided ocean escort cover to convoys HX.1 and HX.2 and also HXF1.

October 1939 escorted convoy KJ.3 in company with HMAS PERTH, which was relieved mid ocean by HMS EFFINGHAM.

February/March 1940. Northern Patrol.

2 March 1940 stopped the German blockade-runner WOLFSBURG (6201 tons), which was then scuttled by its crew.

6 March 1940 stopped the German blockade-runner URUGUAY (5846 tons), which was also scuttled by it crew.

April 1940 operations against German forces invading Norway and by the end of May was under repair.

November 1940 (Capt. G.L. Warren, RN. 22 June 1940 – 2 May 1941) deployed with Force F as part of the reinforcement of the Mediterranean Fleet.

14-16 November 1940 in company with HMS GLASGOW, HMS YORK and HMAS SYDNEY transported troops from Alexandria to Piraeus.

27 November 1940 in company with ships of Admiral Somerville’s force, HMS BERWICK in action against the Italian Battle Fleet commanded by Squadron Admiral Campioni. During the hour-long engagement BERWICK was hit before the Italian fleet broke off the engagement.

December 1940 operated as one of the escorts for the British troop convoy WS.5A in company with HMS BONAVENTURE and DUNEDIN. On 25 December engaged the German heavy cruiser HIPPER. BERWICK suffered two hits and two of the ships in the convoy were also damaged before HIPPER withdrew.

HMS BERWICK was in dockyard hands for damage repair until June 1941 after which she joined the Home Fleet and the remaindered of her war time career was spent escorting convoys to and from Russia or in support of Home Fleet operations off Norway and in the Artic (Capt. George Haines Faulkner, DSC, RN. 2 May 1941 – February 1943).

November 1941 escorted convoy PQ.4.

February 1942, whilst serving with the Home Fleet under Admiral Tovey, attempted to intercept German fleet reinforcements transferring to northern Norway.

March 1942 during operations in support of convoys PQ.12 and QP.8 HMS BERWICK was forced to return to Base due to engine problems.

HMS BERWICK was in refit during 1942 at which time her hanger, catapult and associated aircraft handing equipment were removed and enhancements were made to the surface and air warning radar fit and also with the addition of directors for the close range anti-aircraft armament. Your grandfather may have joined this ship as part of the draft that brought her out of refit and into commission.

December 1942 escorted convoy RA.51.

February 1943 (Capt. Norman Vere Grace, RN. February 1943 – January 1944) provided distant cover for convoy JW.53 as part of the Home Fleet in company with HMS KING GEORGE V and HMS HOWE.

January 1944 (Capt. Stephen Harry Tolson Arliss, DSO, RN. January 1944 – 10 August 1944) was detailed to provide cruiser cover for JW.56A but had to return due to defects. Was back in operation to provide cover to the next convoy JW.56B that had left Loch Ewe on 22 January 1944.

February 1944 formed part of the cruiser covering force for convoy JW.57 in company with HMS JAMAICA.

February 1944 formed part of the cruiser covering force for convoy RA.56 along with her sister ship HMS KENT and HMS BERMUDA.

May 1944 took part in the carrier raids on northern Norway in company with HMS FURIOUS and SEARCHER.

August 1944 (Capt. Stephen Harry Tolson Arliss, DSO, RN. 10 August 1944 – still in command in October 1945 according to the Navy List) took part in the Fleet carrier attacks on the German Battleship TIRPITZ.

October /November 1944 part of the escort to convoy JW.61A consisting of two large transports (EMPRESS OF INDIA and SCYTHIA) carrying 11,000 liberated Russian prisoners of war. HMS BERWICK had also transported a contingent of Norwegian troops who were landed in Murmansk in order for them to ensure sovereignty of Norwegian territory as the Russian’s were planning to enter northern Norway. HMS BERWICK also escorted the two vessels back to the UK under the convoy designation RA.61A.

30 January 1945 took part in the carrier raid on the Stadlandet area of Norway in company with HMS CAMPANIA and HMS NAIRANA.

May 1945 to Trondheim in company with HMCS HAIDA and HMCS HURON and the 30th Escort Group to take over and transfer U-Boats in that port (29-31 May).

HMS BERWICK was paid off to Reserve in 1946 and sold for scrap on 15 June 1948. She arrived at Blyth to be broken up by Hughes Bolkow on 12 July 1948.

Hope this helps.

Regards

stontamar

[jamesking]

Hi Stontamar. Thanks again for all the info,

My father has some information on my grandfathers service somewhere but he is not sure where. The information on the ship is great.

I will post back in this thread once my dad has had a chance to dig out some info. I have no idea about rating/officer ranks etc and I am not sure what my grandfather was. He was only 17 when he joined the Berwick in '42 if that gives any clue.

PS - yes I had seen about the refit before and assume that is when he joined. He was definitely on board when they escorted the RMS Queen Mary (?) to Canada (or part way when they couldn't keep up!) which I beleive was Sept of 1944?

[jbryce1437]

What a great thread, with lots of information and photos.
Thanks to all


Jim

[cherspatch]

This is a xmas card sent to my mother in 1931 from her mothers brother Amos jenkins who died at Malta in 1942 on board the H.M.S Badsworth. Also a photo of Amos and two of his mates Diek and Sam (anybody now them) on the Berwick.

[camargue]

New member, just found this great site while trying to figure out date I was hosted aboard HMS Berwick in Montreal. She still had an aircraft on deck so my guess is circa 1940 41. Memory of occasion bit fuzzy as I was only 4 or 5 at the time. Thanks for listening, any info appreciated here in Toronto Can.

[SCRG1970]

Camargue

I think it was a bit earlier than 1940. This was her cruise in 1939 before she left the area and to the best of my knowledge she wasnt out there in 1940-42

As you can see from the card she visited Montreal 26 June to 4 July 1939.

Regards

Gerry

[camargue]

I much appreciate this info, but have difficulty accepting it . That means my memory of having tea with sweet tined milk was from an age of about 2.5 years. The event took place in a well appointed dining room, "officers ward room" ?. I later recall my mother having a silver tea trivit with the ships crest on it, sadly lost long ago.
Again thank you for the reply. John R

[doyster]

my father in law recently gave me a bundle of photos that were taken by his father Leslie Prentice who had a long naval career.Most of these photos are taken from hms berwick during the second world war and are of several actions,i have tried as hard as i can with my limited knowledge to put them in order but hms berwick seems to have been quite busy and only a few are written on so forgive me if some are mixed.Where any information has been added to the photos i have included it.

[doyster]

hello again
these are more of the photos taken from hms berwick by Leslie Prentice

[tim lewin]

absolutely excellent pictures of the realities of life at sea in those bleak times, a world away from the idyllic pictures of Calcutta cruising in the '20s, thanks for posting them.
tim

[tomsam]

Hi Doyster, I can put dates to some of the pictures as in March 1940 she was on routine northern patrol duty as part of the 1st Cruiser Squadron
( Home Fleet ). On the 2/3/40 she stopped and boarded the Geman Freighter SS Wolfsberg which was on fire and which she eventually sank by gunfire. On the 5/3/40 she intercepted the German freighter Uruguay which she dispatched in the same way. HMS Berwick ( Motto:- Victoae gloria merces " Glory is the reward for victory " should have been named HMS Hot and Cold as she spent most of her war years between ice around Scapa Flow and the heat of the Med as part of the 3rd Cruiser Squadron at Alex. On Christmas Day 1940 she engaged and was hit by four shells from German cruiser Hipper.
These are just some snippets, i'm sure other members will contribute.

[tim lewin]

wonderful pictures, thanks again.
tim

[Batstiger]

Great pictures Doyster, many thanks for sharing them with us.

Bob.

[tjstoneman]

Doyster - thanks for posting these interesting photos. Particularly interested to see the He115 floatplane (Norwegian, presumably) with DEVONSHIRE in the third photo. I think the first shot was taken during the Battle of Spartivento, the fourth one shows ILLUSTRIOUS under attack in January 1940, the fifth (GLORIOUS with partially complete camouflage) may have been taken off Norway a few days before her encounter with the German battleships, the sixth is probably of BARHAM, and the eighth is almost certainly VICTORIOUS (certainly VIC, LUST or FORMID, and only LUST had the mainmast in the position shown; the others had it right at the after end of the island).

Tim

[astraltrader]

As has been said already great pictures Doyster.

I have combined the two threads to make viewing easier.:)

[mik43]

Really brilliant pix Doyster, I hope you don't mind but I've added them to my collection as my late Dad was on Berwick from July 1940 to October 43

Once again many,many thanks for posting them

Mik

[mik43]

Bit more info, and as usual on this forum raises more questions than answers!! The pix taken in Kirkenes must have been taken sometime in the first three months of 1940 as in April 1940 Germany invaded Norway and almost certainly secured the airfields as a first priority. The 'Wolfsburg' was a German blockade runner and was intercepted in the Denmark Strait however the information I have is that she was scuttled in order to avoid capture, the same tactic used by the 'Uruguay'. The pix of the sea boats has me puzzled as they don't appear to be loaded with armed matelots!! Also the crew leaning over the side seems to be more relaxed than an action stations shot.

The possible shot during the Battle of Spartivento would have been on the 27 November 1940.

On the 21 December 1940 Berwick left Gibraltar as one of the escorts to Convoy WS 5A - one of 'Winston's Specials - so named as they were fast convoys thought up by Winston Churchill. The convoy was bound for the Middle East via the Cape. One of the convoy was the P&O troopship Empire Trooper which was astern of the convoy due to engine problems with the Flower Class corvette CLEMATIS riding shotgun on her. The Admiral Hipper under the command of Kapt.z.S Meisel had been shadowing the convoy and opened fire on the Empire Trooper. Needless to say the Clematis turned to attack and the Hipper was then surpised by Berwick and the other escorts appearing out of the murk. Berwick was indeed hit 4 times which necessitated her returning to Gib for temporary repairs before she returned to the UK.

My Latin disappeared down the plug hole ages ago, but the translation of the motto I have of the Berwick is 'Victory and glory are the reward'!!

Hope that is help

Regards

Mik

[tjstoneman]

:oThe carrier under attack in Doyster's post #2 (fourth photo) is ARK ROYAL, (not ILLUSTRIOUS as I put in post #7). As RNFanDan has pointed out to me, the configuration is wrong for ILLUSTRIOUS.
Tim

[mik43]

Hi Doyster

Bit more info on Cdr Cyril BristowTidd, the last pic in your first post, he was the Executive Officer (XO, Number 1, the Jimmy) on Berwick. He left Berwick in April 1940.

Regards

Mik

[docjj]

A great set of photos- many thanks for posting! JJ

[mik43]

Further to my post #10 I have done a bit more digging and as I mentioned in that post it raises further questions!! It appears that the Wolfsburg was set on fire by her crew and attempts made to scuttle to avoid the ship being captured. Obviously this must have been in 'Standing Orders for Blockade Runners' as the same action was taken when Berwick met the SS Uruguay a short while later. In both cases the ships were sunk by gunfire from Berwick.

Having had a closer look at pic 7 in post #1 - coming alongside - I think this may be the crew of the Wolfsburg in their ships lifeboat as the style of dress would indicate merchant marine rather than service. Also looking more closely at the pic of Berwick's crew watching what was happening, you can just make out what would appear to be some of the Wolfsburg's crew arriving on Berwick's deck. Obviously the captain of Berwick was sure there were no U-boats around to allow the crew to congregate as they did!!

That's all I've been able to turn up this time around

Mik

[BarbaraAnderson]

My great uncle, Catain Sidney Greville West O.B.E., D.S.O., RN was on the Berwick in 1934 bound for China - I think as Chief Engineer.
Would love any photos
I have cousins that were in the navy - they would be thrilled
Barbara Anderson nee West

[jbryce1437]

Hello Barbara and welcome to the Forum, hope someone can help with a photo of him.
Not sure if you have seen this piece about him, by which time he was retired:

http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/issues/36033/supplements/2423

[derekw]

Hi Stontamar. Thanks again for all the info,

My father has some information on my grandfathers service somewhere but he is not sure where. The information on the ship is great.

I will post back in this thread once my dad has had a chance to dig out some info. I have no idea about rating/officer ranks etc and I am not sure what my grandfather was. He was only 17 when he joined the Berwick in '42 if that gives any clue.

PS - yes I had seen about the refit before and assume that is when he joined. He was definitely on board when they escorted the RMS Queen Mary (?) to Canada (or part way when they couldn't keep up!) which I beleive was Sept of 1944?

Hi Jamesking . We kept up alright , all the way to Halifax and all the way back . Derekw ,ex crew member .

[BarbaraAnderson]

Thank you for this!
Best Wishes
Barbara Anderson (West)

[derekw]

Hi James

Thank you for your complement and may I also extend this comment to Bob.

You mention that your grandfather may be one of the men in the photograph and from this I presume he was a rating rather than an officer. Unfortunately without access to the man’s service record it is much harder to track a ratings service than that of an officers. Presumably you have your grandfather’s service record but as you mention that you believe he joined HMS BERWICK in 1942 this may not be the case. If not please let me know?

I realise your interest in HMS BERWICK possibly starts in 1942 when your grandfather may have been drafted to this ship but I have included a quick plotted history of HMS BERWICK’s war record from 1939 to 1945 as it may be of some interest to other readers.

September 1939 (Capt Irving Montgomery Palmer, DSC, RN. 17 October 1938 – 22 June 1940) in company with HMS YORK provided ocean escort cover to convoys HX.1 and HX.2 and also HXF1.

October 1939 escorted convoy KJ.3 in company with HMAS PERTH, which was relieved mid ocean by HMS EFFINGHAM.

February/March 1940. Northern Patrol.

2 March 1940 stopped the German blockade-runner WOLFSBURG (6201 tons), which was then scuttled by its crew.

6 March 1940 stopped the German blockade-runner URUGUAY (5846 tons), which was also scuttled by it crew.

April 1940 operations against German forces invading Norway and by the end of May was under repair.

November 1940 (Capt. G.L. Warren, RN. 22 June 1940 – 2 May 1941) deployed with Force F as part of the reinforcement of the Mediterranean Fleet.

14-16 November 1940 in company with HMS GLASGOW, HMS YORK and HMAS SYDNEY transported troops from Alexandria to Piraeus.

27 November 1940 in company with ships of Admiral Somerville’s force, HMS BERWICK in action against the Italian Battle Fleet commanded by Squadron Admiral Campioni. During the hour-long engagement BERWICK was hit before the Italian fleet broke off the engagement.

December 1940 operated as one of the escorts for the British troop convoy WS.5A in company with HMS BONAVENTURE and DUNEDIN. On 25 December engaged the German heavy cruiser HIPPER. BERWICK suffered two hits and two of the ships in the convoy were also damaged before HIPPER withdrew.

HMS BERWICK was in dockyard hands for damage repair until June 1941 after which she joined the Home Fleet and the remaindered of her war time career was spent escorting convoys to and from Russia or in support of Home Fleet operations off Norway and in the Artic (Capt. George Haines Faulkner, DSC, RN. 2 May 1941 – February 1943).

November 1941 escorted convoy PQ.4.

February 1942, whilst serving with the Home Fleet under Admiral Tovey, attempted to intercept German fleet reinforcements transferring to northern Norway.

March 1942 during operations in support of convoys PQ.12 and QP.8 HMS BERWICK was forced to return to Base due to engine problems.

HMS BERWICK was in refit during 1942 at which time her hanger, catapult and associated aircraft handing equipment were removed and enhancements were made to the surface and air warning radar fit and also with the addition of directors for the close range anti-aircraft armament. Your grandfather may have joined this ship as part of the draft that brought her out of refit and into commission.

December 1942 escorted convoy RA.51.

February 1943 (Capt. Norman Vere Grace, RN. February 1943 – January 1944) provided distant cover for convoy JW.53 as part of the Home Fleet in company with HMS KING GEORGE V and HMS HOWE.

January 1944 (Capt. Stephen Harry Tolson Arliss, DSO, RN. January 1944 – 10 August 1944) was detailed to provide cruiser cover for JW.56A but had to return due to defects. Was back in operation to provide cover to the next convoy JW.56B that had left Loch Ewe on 22 January 1944.

February 1944 formed part of the cruiser covering force for convoy JW.57 in company with HMS JAMAICA.

February 1944 formed part of the cruiser covering force for convoy RA.56 along with her sister ship HMS KENT and HMS BERMUDA.

May 1944 took part in the carrier raids on northern Norway in company with HMS FURIOUS and SEARCHER.

August 1944 (Capt. Stephen Harry Tolson Arliss, DSO, RN. 10 August 1944 – still in command in October 1945 according to the Navy List) took part in the Fleet carrier attacks on the German Battleship TIRPITZ.

October /November 1944 part of the escort to convoy JW.61A consisting of two large transports (EMPRESS OF INDIA and SCYTHIA) carrying 11,000 liberated Russian prisoners of war. HMS BERWICK had also transported a contingent of Norwegian troops who were landed in Murmansk in order for them to ensure sovereignty of Norwegian territory as the Russian’s were planning to enter northern Norway. HMS BERWICK also escorted the two vessels back to the UK under the convoy designation RA.61A.

30 January 1945 took part in the carrier raid on the Stadlandet area of Norway in company with HMS CAMPANIA and HMS NAIRANA.

May 1945 to Trondheim in company with HMCS HAIDA and HMCS HURON and the 30th Escort Group to take over and transfer U-Boats in that port (29-31 May).

HMS BERWICK was paid off to Reserve in 1946 and sold for scrap on 15 June 1948. She arrived at Blyth to be broken up by Hughes Bolkow on 12 July 1948.

Hope this helps.

Regards

stontamar

Hi stontamar . Just a slight correction . It was ' Empress of Australia " not " Empress of India " on convoy JW 61 A . Regards , Derekw

[iain mchenry]

Hello,

HMS Berwick was my Grandfathers first ship. He joined the RN at 15 years old in 1929 and went in as a signaller. I remember him telling me she was on "China Station" or something like that. I have few of his photos from the Berwick and I will try to post them here:

[iain mchenry]

The top left and top right photos were in an envelope marked Berwick when I received his photos, as were the center left and center right photos. I am not sure which ship is on the center left photo. The center right photo is of my grandfather in a room full of flags, he was a signaller.
The bottom photo is of HMS Fantome, and Algerine Class Minesweeper he was on in WW2

Regards Iain

[iain mchenry]

Here are two photos of my Grandfather on the off chance someone may recognise him. The one of him as a young sailor is annotated "December 1929". I know that is when he joined. The other much older photo of him is just before he left the navy, at the Recruiting Office in Belfast, 1969. He is on the left of the photo. I am not sure who the other chaps are.

Regards

Iain

[Guz rating]

Here are two photos of my Grandfather on the off chance someone may recognise him. The one of him as a young sailor is annotated "December 1929". I know that is when he joined. The other much older photo of him is just before he left the navy, at the Recruiting Office in Belfast, 1969. He is on the left of the photo. I am not sure who the other chaps are.

Regards

Iain


It was your Grandfather Iain he was thirteen years younger when I saw him, I saw him twice once at the interview and the second time when I was processed. I met another guy Andy he was from Belfast City, and we became good mates.

Alan

[tjstoneman]

Thank you for posting the photos. Of the ships shown in post #28, the destroyer alongside BERWICK in the first shot is the Chilean ship HYATT. The foretop of the ship astern of BERWICK in this one looks like that of the Chilean battleship ALMIRANTE LATORRE (ex-HMS CANADA).
The battleship in the third picture is ALMIRANTE LATORRE. No sign of a catapult on the quarterdeck, so she was probably photographed after about 1938.
Tim

[iain mchenry]

Tim,

Many thanks for the info on the other ships in the photos.

Regards

Iain

[sheemee]

Hello all.
I am new to this forum. I would like to know if anyone is interested in a photo album in my possession. The album is full of photos from the south china fleet circa 1932-34
in command was Capt. C. G. Sedgwick RN
It starts with a map of the tour and names the ships in the fleet one of which is HMS Berwick. Also all the ports visited 16 in all.
There are lots of photos very neatly titled and are of the ships crew on board showing boxing matches etc, even the ships cat named Fly Blead.
There are photos of the ship lit up at night and photos of nagasaki and hiroshimo before the A- Bomb. It belonged to my Husbands Mother who married one of the crew but subsequently died of T.B. soon after they were married. We would like it to go to someone whos relative served with the south china fleet. If you are interested please contact me
sheilaatrill@yahoo.co.uk

[steve roberts]

Hi SHEEMEE. First of all welcome to the forum,hope you enjoy your stay with us.Before you decide what to do with the photo album.Is there any chance of posting some of the photos for the forum to have a look at?
Regards Steve.

[qprdave]

I have joined three "Berwick's" together to keep everything in one place.

It's always a good idea to do a search before posting. Who knows! Someone might have already answered your question or at least part of it in an earlier post.

Dave

[Phil Reeder]

If anyone has any info regarding the above vessel,I would be pleased to hear from them,I particularly need details of her decks ,were they teak or painted?
TIA Phil

[jbryce1437]

Merged into Berwick thread.

[GaryH]

Some terrific photos there - thank you for sharing :)

[spruso]

I much appreciate this info, but have difficulty accepting it . That means my memory of having tea with sweet tined milk was from an age of about 2.5 years. The event took place in a well appointed dining room, "officers ward room" ?. I later recall my mother having a silver tea trivit with the ships crest on it, sadly lost long ago.
Again thank you for the reply. John R


BERWICK left the West Indies Station in Nov 1939 and doesn't appear to have returned.

I can recall things that happened back to the age of 3 years old so you may well have been 2.5 (6?) at the time of the event especially if it had a profound impact on you at the time.

Cheers
Bruce

[GaryH]

I'm being greedy here but does anyone happen to know of any photos of the damage Berwick recieved from Hipper?

[RayBurfield]

Hi everyone. My name is Raymond Burfield and I served on HMS Berwick as Leading Seaman on the boatswains party (in charge of cables and wires). I joined Berwick in 1941 and left at the end of war in 1945 just before she sailed for Australia. Been fascinating looking through all these photos, and it jogged a dusty old memory. Would be interested to find more photos, or hear of any crewmates still surviving.

[Phil Reeder]

Hi everyone. My name is Raymond Burfield and I served on HMS Berwick as Leading Seaman on the boatswains party (in charge of cables and wires). I joined Berwick in 1941 and left at the end of war in 1945 just before she sailed for Australia. Been fascinating looking through all these photos, and it jogged a dusty old memory. Would be interested to find more photos, or hear of any crewmates still surviving.

Hi Ray,
Our local branch of the RNA,has a member who served in HMS Berwick in 1945.To contact the Hon. Sec,please email bob_reeves130(at)yahoo.co.uk
hope this helps.
Phil

[les teague]

My dad (Stoker first class) was a crew member of Berwick from 1-10-27 till 30-3-30.
He was part of the Devonport crew that sailed Berwick from the UK, arriving at China Station in April 1928. Attached is a photo of Berwick's football team. He is the goalkeeper standing between the gun barrels.

[les teague]

Another HMS Berwick football team photo. This team played a team from the Bed & Herts Regiment in Kowloon sometime between 1928 and 1930. Dad is again the goalie.

[skalauk]

Hi Everyone,
I'm trying to find any information about my father, who served on HMS Berwick in 1945, as I am lead to believe a stoker. Unfortunatly that is about all the info that I have, he died 10 years ago now and didn't talk about his life in the Navy very much. I know that he joined up underage but I guess that was pretty common in those days, and that he was on board when Berwick sailed to Colombo and Sydney.
His name was Charles Harold Farmery, and came from Hull in East Yorkshire.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[ludsie]

In the last photos it looked like there was a picture of a d class cruiser am I right with this

Trent

[chompfest]

My Stepdad served on HMS Berwick - joined up in 1942 also aged 17.

Eric Parsons from Headington Quarry in Oxfordshire. He talks of being one of a only a couple of dozen 5 who did not get seasick on choppy seas on the days when 'fatty mutton' was served for dinner!

[dennis a feary]

Lots here & WS5A Thread re HMS BERWICK and the Christmas Day action of 1940. The uncle of my local Royal British Legion Branch President was lost in `X' (RM) Turret of the ship. Have been putting the story together for him as he did not how the loss & whether uncle was KIA or Died of Wounds, or, indeed, sickness.
You will see that he was sadly buried at sea.
LOGS can sometimes be most informative !! This is my `summation :

Details from LOG of HMS BERWICK ; PRO File ADM 53 / 111569 reads ;

Wednesday, 25 December 1940 ;
0618 Hands to Action Stations.
0640 Enemy opened fire A/C towards course as required.
0642 Opened fire.
0642 – 0715 Firing intermittently when enemy in sight.
0705 `X’ Turret hit.
0707 Hit abreast `B’ Turret below water line.
0710 Hit through mounting. L.S.P Flooding. Changed over to U.S.P
0837 Changed to after S.P
0847 Set Course 117° Speed 20 knots.
0917 Altered course 133°
0928 Resumed cruising stations.
1003 Increased speed 25 knots.
1010 Decreased speed 20 knots.
1013 Bulkhead in L.P.R giving way. Decreased speed 15 knots.
1053 Altered course 126°.
1150 Changed over to U.S.P.
1400 Altered course 160°.
1454 Altered course 139°.
1630 Altered course 100°.
1635 Decreased speed 12 knots.
1630 Burial of 4 Royal Marines killed in action, committed to deep.
1745 HMS BONAVENTURE parted company.
1750 Hands to action stations.
1800 Secured. Resumed cruising stations.

Sadsac

[RayBurfield]

Regrettably, I would like to inform the forum that Raymond Burfield, Leading Seamen HMS Berwick (1941-1945) passed away peacefully a week before his 95th birthday on 9th December 2010.

Barry Burfield
(G. Nephew)

[jbryce1437]

Hello Barry, that is very sad news. Many thanks for informing us of your sad loss.

Jim