Able Seaman Colin Grazier, GC; (HMS Petard/U559/Enigma) World Naval Ships Forums Archive

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Able Seaman Colin Grazier, GC; (HMS Petard/U559/Enigma) World Naval Ships Forums Archive

Able Seaman Colin Grazier, GC; (HMS Petard/U559/Enigma)

Posts 1 to 8

[B]Able Seaman Colin Grazier [/B]paid the ultimate sacrifice for his heroism on 30th Oct 1942 when he drowned retrieving two code books from Nazi U-boat U-559. These code books enabled Britain to crack the Enigma Code and shortened the time it took to decipher coded messages by as much as a year! U-559 was fatally damaged by Allied forces off the coast in Egypt and its crew captured. Though he was just an ordinarry sailor, Seaman Colin Grazier accompanied First Lt Tony Fasson in swimming to the wounded submarine. With the clock ticking, they swam naked into the vessel's entrance in an attempt to retrieve the crucial Enigma documents inside. Lt Fasson and Colin Grazier were able to retrieve the items - and pass the code books to Canteen Assistant Tommy Brown, who took them back on board the ship, the HMS Petard. However, at this point, the U-boat finally sank, taking both Colin Grazier and Lt Fasson down with it. They both died. Colin Grazier was born in Tamworth in 1920, and enlisted in the navy serving on board the HMS Petard, a Class P Destroyer, at the age of just 21. [B]For the price he paid, Colin Grazier was posthumously awarded the George Cross[/B], but the incredible sacrifice he made for his country was shrouded in mystery for years. The Enigma Code was a matter of the most crucial national security, and was kept secret until 1974! Now, he is remembered each year on the anniversary of his death in his home town of Tamworth and if you head to the Church Square, you will find a monument erected in his memory, which is the focal point of the day's celebrations. These extracts are from an article in the BBC Home site - Stoke & Staffordshire - History - Local Heroes. The full article and pictures are included in this link:- [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2009/10/13/colin_grazier_feature.shtml[/url]

Another link complete with article and details of the Memorial erected in Tamworth:- [url]http://www.urldir.co.uk/?p=26[/url] Little h

Harry, here are some details of the `career' of U 559 ; U 559 Type: VII.C, ocean-going. Constructor: Blohm und Voss, Hamburg. Armament: 14 Torpedoes, 1 x 88mm, 1 x 20mm. Commissioned: 27.2.41. Operational: June, 1941. Service Life: 20. Operational Life: 16. Patrols: 10. Theatres: Atlantic, Mediterranean. Sank HMAS Parramatta (DD) on 27.11.41, escorting c/v to Tobruk; 4 m/vs (11,781 grt) and damaged 1 (5,917 grt). On 19.8.41 attacked by 3 British destroyers, with 180 DC's. Departed: 29.9.42, Messina; for East Mediterranean. Last Action: 30.10.42, 29.U-Flotille, sunk by Wellesley N/47 Sqd. RAF, based at Landing Ground 87, Egypt, HMS Pakenham (DD Capt E.K.B. Stevens), HMS Dulverton (DD L.Cdr W.N. Petch), HMS Hurworth (DD Lt D.A. Shaw), HMS Hero (DD L.Cdr W. Scott) and HMS Petard (DD L.Cdr P.C. Egan), with 288 DC's, at 32.30N 33.00E, near Port Said, Egypt. A boarding party from HMS Petard swam across and code books were recovered, which enabled the decryption of the German `Shark' Enigma code. The first two to board, who had swum across were Lt.A. Fasson (the 1st Lt.) and Able Seaman C. Grazier, but after recovering the documents went down with the craft, both were posthumously awarded the George Cross. 8 crewmen were lost, the Commander and 37 others were made POW. Commander: KL H. Heidtmann 02.41-10.42. M/V attacked/damaged/sunk : Alva(S), Shuntien(S), Warszawa(D), Athene(S), Brambleleaf(S), (Heidtmann). Sadsac

[QUOTE=harry.gibbon;105081]Another link complete with article and details of the Memorial erected in Tamworth:- [url]http://www.urldir.co.uk/?p=26[/url] Little h[/QUOTE] I am doing some research and assisted by Ralph Erskine into this and I checked this link. It shows a picture (in reverse) if HMS Petard but then tells me that no post matches my criteria??? To Dennis: Sunk by Wellesley? (and ships) but I am under the impression it was a Sunderland Flying boat, that's what I have found out.

Hi All Not forgetting 16 year old canteen assistant Tommy Brown who was awarded the George Medal for his part in the action. Mitch Hinde

[quote=red devil;10017666]I am doing some research and assisted by Ralph Erskine into this and I checked this link. It shows a picture (in reverse) if HMS Petard but then tells me that no post matches my criteria??? To Dennis: Sunk by Wellesley? (and ships) but I am under the impression it was a Sunderland Flying boat, that's what I have found out.[/quote] If you click on the name Colin Grazier, to the right of the inverted photo of Petard, his details will load on a new page, or try this link, which should take you straight to it. [URL]http://www.urldir.co.uk/644/featured/colin-grazier-able-seaman/[/URL] Jim

Just a snippet of information, whilst serving on Ulysses we hit a submerged rock off the channel island and had to re-commission Petard from reserve this would have been september 60. Very basic accommodation with hammocks and seat lockers. Derek (Bunts)

Red Devil, my `U559 sunk by Wellesleys of 47 Sqdn RAF', and yours that it was a Sunderland Flying Boat that was involved in the sinking. Believe mine to be correct as 47 Sqdn never flew Sunderlands. In 1942 the Sqdn transferred to Beau's, but not (I believe) in time for the U559 sinking. Only just returned to this Thread after `peeping around' in Forum. Sadsac

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