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This PAGE is dedicated to the memory of
David W. Hoyle
June 1925 - March 2009
HMS PRINCESS BEATRIX
A short history based on the Wartime Memories of David “Yorkie” W. Hoyle.- Edited by R.S. Richardson (Some minor additions by myself Peter Lee)
INTRODUCTION
David Hoyle November 1999
David Hoyle decided, in November 2000, to gather information about the ship on which he had served during the Second World War. Little seemed to have been written about HMS Princess Beatrix and so the task was something of a challenge.
This document is the result of both the research done, as well as the personal reminiscences of David.
David Hoyle was born at Hessle, East Riding of Yorkshire, on the 19th of June 1925. He has spent most of his life at Cowling, a village perched on the Pennines above Keighley, North Yorkshire. He lived in Foulridge, Lancashire, a short distance from Cowling until shortly before Crossing the bar in the year 2009 (Naval term for Passing on RIP). On the 19th of July 1942, a month after his seventeenth birthday, David volunteered and joined the Royal Navy. After ten weeks of training, he sailed for Egypt and HMS Nile. Shortly afterwards he sailed for Gibraltar on the Fleet Aircraft Carrier HMS Indomitable. On arrival in Gibraltar in October 1942, he joined HMS Princess Beatrix and became probably the youngest member of the crew.
HMS PRINCESS BEATRIX: - AN OUTLINE VIEW OF HER WARTIME SERVICE
HMS Princess Beatrix was a Landing Ship (Infantry) during the Second World War (1940-1946).
Originally built in Holland by De Schelde as a Cross-Channel Ferry and launched by HRH Princess Beatrix, then a child and heir to the Netherlands throne, on 23.3.39.
As the Germans invaded the Low Countries in 1940, she was sailed at short notice to avoid capture from the Hook of Holland to Harwich. The Royal Navy quickly converted her into a Carrier able to land 372 troops in eight Assault Landing Craft. Each craft was capable of carrying 36 troops together with a crew of four (Coxswain, engineer, bowman and sternsheetsman).
Specifications: -
Specifications: -
Displacement: 4136 tons
Length: p.p. 350ft/o.a.380ft/Draught 15ft
Two Shaft Diesel: B.H.P. 12700 = 23 knots
Wartime Armament: Two AA 12 pdr. / Two AA 2 pdr. /Six 20mm AA
Complement: 227
HMS PRINCESS BEATRIX IN SCOTTISH WATERS (Scapa Flow) 1941
Below are three drawing done by David Hoyle of the boat and fittings.
THE WARTIME SERVICE OF HMS PRINCESS BEATRIX
THE WARTIME SERVICE OF HMS PRINCESS BEATRIX
RAID ON LOFOTEN ISLANDS "'OPERATION CLAYMORE”
RAID ON LOFOTEN ISLANDS "'OPERATION CLAYMORE”
3rd and 4th March 1941
The Princess Beatrix took part in the successful British Commando raid on the Lofoten Islands. No. 4 Commando was landed and the fishery processing installations at Stamsund, Henningvaer, Svolvaer and Brettesnes were destroyed and seven merchant ships sunk. 213 Germans were taken prisoner along with 12 Norwegians
ATLANTIC OPERATIONS
November 1941
Following a report from the British oiler "Olwen" that she was being attacked by a German Surface Raider, the Princess Beatrix was ordered to depart Freetown, Sierra Leone to join in the subsequent search. No survivors were found.
THE BRITISH RAID ON DIEPPE "OPERATION JUBILEE"
19' August 1942
The Princess Beatrix was involved in the landings at Dieppe. After heavy losses, the raiding party began to re-embark at mid-day. The Princess Beatrix was involved in a minor collision with RMS Invicta.
AB Hoyle (PJX 522068), joined the Princess Beatrix at Gibraltar in October 1942.
He was to serve on this ship for the next three years.
NORTH AFRICAN LANDINGS "OPERATION TORCH"
November 1942
Landings in daylight, only resistance, from Vichy French gun which were quickly silenced. Rest period followed in Gibraltar until we were required for transportation of troops from Algiers to Bone. Maximum numbers were carried. Our sailings were easily detected for Stuka squadrons based in Corsica. Frequent dive-bombing was experienced and good luck combined with good seamanship saw us safely through. This ferry service continued day and night for several weeks and was probably our most hazardous period of the War.
Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham of the Allied Expeditionary Force remembered Princess Beatrix and her sister ships with great pride: -
"Always under air attack and sometimes under U Boat attack as well, their regular voyages were rarely uneventful". (The Captain of the Beatrix at this time was Capt. Joe Brunton DSC).
SICILLY LANDINGS OPERATION "HUSKY”
July 9th 1943
Princess Beatrix landed troops in the initial stages of this invasion. From here the ship sailed to Malta, which became her base for a lengthy period, experiencing frequent enemy bombing raids. The ships armament was often used to supplement Malta's air defences. Preparation and organisation for the landings at Salerno on mainland Italy then became part of the ship's activity, rehearsing with uninitiated troops. Nighttime "dummy runs" with these troops took place over several weeks.
SALERNO LANDINGS
September 9th 1943
As the enemy anticipated our arrival, nighttime landings of British Commandos in the first wave were met by heavy fire from the shore. As the LCA'S approached the beach, trench mortars were employed by the German defenders in an attempt to stop the Landings. Number 4 LCA on approaching the beach opened the bulletproof doors and the Bowman, in the course of his duty, began to lower the ramp. Finding that the ramp was jammed and holding a cleat, attempted to kick it open. In doing so, a nearby explosion, threw him several yards into the water. Waiting for the commandos to disembark, he clambered back aboard and obtained assistance from the coxswain to re-wind the ramp. This was completed in double quick time and we returned to the ship with the remainder of the Beatrix's flotilla. During the course of reinforcing the beachhead the Beatrix was employed in landing further loads of troops. On the 29th December 1943, Princess Beatrix was involved in a Commando raid carried out on the Garigliano River in an attempt to form another beachhead.
ANZIO LANDINGS
January 22nd 1944 (0200 hrs)
As the LCA's were approaching, the crews and landing parties experienced their baptism of fire as LCTs equipped with rocket launching racks laid a barrage on the beaches to explode mines. To be underneath this series of salvos was a novel and extremely noisy event, which unnerved the majority of participants. Eventually realizing that it was friendly fire passing over our heads we were reassured that the German defenders must be having a very hard time.
During the course of reinforcing the beachhead, Beatrix was once again employed in landing further loads of troops.
Small Photograph available for crewmembers to purchase.
David Hoyle sent this photo home to his parents.
On the reverse of the photo there is written "Suitable for transmission through post but not for Publication"
OPERATIONS IN THE ADRIATIC
1944
HMS Princess Beatrix was employed for several months in clandestine commando raids on the Yugoslav and Albanian coasts. The troops were landed and the Landing Craft waited offshore until the recognition signal was received from the troops to be re-embarked. All these raids were carried out in darkness. On occasions, the crews witnessed explosions and flashes as a result of the mission. The crews were invariably impressed by the coolness and professionalism of these forces.
During this period, HMS Princess Beatrix sailed into Lake Bizerta and moored alongside at Ferryville for several weeks. A French dockyard, where routine maintenance and the general welfare of the crew were looked after. This period was a welcome relaxation for the crew, when regular shore leave was available. The ships company were able to take advantage of the usual port amenities, most of which were "Out of bounds" and under the jurisdiction of an American Provost Marshall.
THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE – OPERATION "DRAGOON"
August 12th 1944
HMS Princess Beatrix was involved as part of a large naval Task Force in the initial landings of three American and two French Divisions.
The following extract is taken from the Log of the USS Augusta: -
14th August 1944: Anchored as before. At 1030 underway from Propiano, Corsica enroute to assault area off Ile du Levant, Southern France. USS Augusta steaming as guide of Sitka Assault Group, consisting of USS SOMERS, GLEAVES, OSMOND, INGRAM, GREENE, TATTNALL, BARRY, ROPER, H.M.S. DIDO, PRINCE HENRY, PRINCE DAVID, PRINCE ALBER T, PRINCE BAUDOWIN, PRINCESS BEATRIX, and fifteen (15) PT boats. At 21.55 arrived in the Assault Area. Left formation and commenced steaming on various courses at various speeds to remain in Fire Support Area THREE of Sitka Assault Area.
After these operations, she sailed to Home Waters and well deserved leave, mooring for fuel and water at Gibraltar on the way.
"Make and Mend. New Mail Aboard" Picture
David's watercolour represents the Mess Deck of HMS Princess Beatrix and the typical activities which would have taken place during 1942 and 1943 in Mediterranean Waters.
The Mess Deck was approximately 60 feet long and 40 feet wide, tapering to perhaps 18 feet in width at the bow. It was on the second deck. Here, the crew had their personal lockers (with padlock) and their hammock space. The deck was covered with Battleship Linoleum, three - eighths of an inch thick. The picture attempts to capture the atmosphere below deck during a period in port, when the mall has recently been delivered. Hence the title.
1. Sitting and talking whilst the washing steeps in the enamel bucket.
2. Reading home mail.
3. Three "Townies" (men from the same locality) reading their local newspaper which has arrived with the mail.
4. Two "Fannies"(dixies) and a kettle, used for washing up and dishing up, stand on a sliding door locker with anti-roll plate racks.
5. Legs of sailor reading a letter
6. "Dhobeying", usually done whilst in harbour. The sailor is washing in his own white enamel bucket with a red handle. The soap was made from carbolic soap, which was flaked and then boiled in water.
7. Stowed hammock nettings, with the sailor's names on.
8. Replying to a letter, with an arm screen to give some secrecy!
9. A man looks at a picture of his sweetheart in his locker.
1 0. The tea and coffee chests.
1 1. Ironing. There was only one iron on the Messdeck..... all had to share.
12. "Watchkeepers" (Special Sea Duty men, gangway in harbour and wheelhouse at sea), with their "Heads down".
13. Lashed up hammock ready for stowing. 14. Dhobeying. 15. Rolling "ticklers"(hand made cigarettes made from the monthly tobacco ration. 16. Dejected ...... bad news from home! Above him, a seaman's collar can be seen drying.
17. Peeling spuds and smoking ... ash in spuds! Above the table where 1 & 2 sit, there is a notice saying, "Keep the Deadlights Closed at Sea". The ventilation system, with its moving orbits can also be seen.
The After 12 Pdr Gun Crew Adriatic May 1944
Front left Taff Hughes with Eddic Graham standing behind him. J.T.Emerson with arm around gun barrel and Jack Watson standing on the right.
On the reverse of the photograph the caption reads "Barletta to Chicona May 1944"
HOME WATERS: - GLASGOW - Late 1944
Arriving in Glasgow and remaining for a period of several months, when minor modifications were made to the ventilation system. Brief forays into the Atlantic were made at short notice. The ship, being powered by twin diesels, could sail at two hours notice, an advantage over the twelve hours needed by steam-powered vessels, to "flash-up." This resulted in the crew having a chip on their shoulders as being too handy for the shore authorities. Foreign Service leave was given prior to sailing for the Far East.
It is important to recognize that up to this time, Princess Beatrix had always been a happy ship. We returned from leave to find the ship in dry dock. The mess deck, heated only by inefficient coke stoves vented through the scuttles (port holes) causing a heavy, smoke filled atmosphere. Our commiserations were brief as the advent of our new First Lieutenant pouring verbal abuse on our miserable condition met with a lasting discontent. The camaraderie previously enjoyed was destroyed by this officer.
The voyage followed to Bombay via the Suez Canal.
THE FAR EAST
1945
Based in Trincomalee, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), the ship was involved ferrying troops across the Bay of Bengal to Akyab in Burma, generally from either Calcutta or Madras. The crew were to become quite familiar with Bombay, Columbo, Calcutta and Madras during this period. The experience of the humidity along with temperatures ranging from 90 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, resulted in several cases of dysentery and loss of weight (D. Hoyle being a victim)
Extract from the History of HMS Ceylon. (Colony Class Cruiser)
"February (1945) saw her at Madras and Calcutta, returning to Trincomalee in the March. April she carried out a strike against Car Nicobar, and in May was cruising off the Andaman Islands. At the end of July, the Marine Detachment with those from the NELSON, NIGERIA and PHOEBE, were embarked on board the L S Is Queen Emma and Princess Beatrix, and as Force Roma (some 400 Marines) under the command of Lt. Col. G B Grant, headed for Penang with the intention of invading a reported 3000 Japanese. Fortunately the intervention of the atom bomb raids on Hiroshima and Nagasaki forestalled this.
The Force then landed on the 3rd September for a formal takeover. During this same period, CEYLON carried out various war patrols, until the Japanese surrender, CEYLON then proceeding to Singapore for the formal surrender of the Japanese in South East Asia to Lord Louis Mountbatten on the 12thSeptember 1945. Selected members of the ship's company, formed part of the guard of honour for the ceremony. Later in the month she supported the occupation of Western Malaya."
Half way across the Bay of Bengal, the convoy anchored off the Andaman Islands, pending further orders in view of the uncertainty about entering Malaya. On two consecutive days the convoy came under attack by Kamikaze dive-bombers. This was during the "ceasefire". One attack was successful in destroying an American Oil Tanker. The second attack on the Following day was not so successful as radar warnings were efficient enough to allow time for gun crews to respond and destroy the single incoming enemy aircraft before his attack
The convoy dispersed and Princess Beatrix was detached and proceeded to Penang where on the morning of 12th Sept. 1945, Captain J.D. King, (Commander RNR) accepted the surrender of the Japanese Garrison by the symbolic surrender of Samurai swords by Commissioned Officers of the Garrison.
Lined up on the quayside were upwards of thirty plywood kamikaze speedboats. The ships company then received the hospitality of the City. Shore leave was manifested in many ways. Civilians were only too happy to receive servicemen into their homes.
Princess Beatrix following the surrender was hastily dispatched to Batavia in Java. This was the first of several voyages between Singapore and Javanese ports rescuing Dutch civilian internees. The condition of these civilians was distressing in the extreme. Only women remained, men and children had been killed. The ladies were carried aboard by members of the ship's company who; on witnessing the results of Japanese barbarity, found it extremely traumatic.
On return to Singapore with some of these survivors, a detachment of Gurkha's was shipped to return to Sourabaya. Having witnessed the condition of these civilians must have registered strong emotions in the Ghurka ranks. Several days after landing the Ghurkas in Sourabaya, AB Hoyle was sent with a message to the Ghurka Commander. Finding an old bicycle, he rode towards the city passing the former internees compound. The Gurkha's, in a summary act of revenge, had pursued the Japanese soldiers beheading each in turn. Scores of headless bodies were strewn around.
Further missions between Singapore and Java, were made by the Beatrix, where we witnessed the beginning of the Javanese Revolt against the Dutch pre-war administration which was trying to re-assert its authority after the end of the hostilities with the Japanese.
HMS Princess Beatrix pictured at the end of the War
HMS Princess Beatrix spent Christmas 1945 tied alongside in Batavia. During Christmas in Batavia the whole ship's company were invited to the camp of one of the Regiments we had transported from Singapore. This, the First Lieutenant turned down flat, saying that the non-duty part of the non-duty watch could go (this amounted to one quarter of the lower deck). Preceding months of misery boiled over and the lower deck cleared itself and broke ship. Returning in an inebriated condition, the majority were greeted by the First Lieutenant on the gangway. He berated the returning men with threats of being mutineers and the possible consequences. One burly AB from Eccles felled him with a blow and the men went below. This rebellion resulted in a hastily convened Court of Inquiry in Singapore Headquarters. AB Hoyle was the elected representative of the lower deck and attended the Inquiry to give evidence. Confronted by more gold braid in one small room than he had ever seen before, the testimony he gave resulted in the First Lieutenant's dismissal. The AB concerned in the affray was sentenced to 90 days cells in Changi gaol.
HMS Princess Beatrix then sailed for Colombo and then to the UK for repatriation. AB Hoyle, being too young to be repatriated because of his age group, went into transit camp, HMS Mayina in Ceylon and his service on HMS Princess Beatrix ended.
Mention should be made of regular and up to date "Movies" which were invariably well attended in the "Ritz" troops Mess Deck. A good supply seemed to be available at most shore bases.
Soon receiving a draught to HMS Cavendish (CA Class Destroyer), David Hoyle joined her in Batavia and an enjoyable six months was spent "Showing the Flag" in Trenganu (Malaya), Saigon (French Indo-China), Hong Kong, Manila (Phillipines), Port Moresby (New Guinea), several anchorages in the Halmahera and Celebes Island groups. Then sailing to Singapore to pick up the "White Rajah" of Sarawak, (Sir Vyner Brooke?) and taking him and his entourage to Kuching, the capital of Sarawak.
He was received by an exuberant throng and the ship's company were allowed shore leave. Mooring was particularly complicated in the narrow river, two anchors having to be streamed on a mooring swivel.
Receiving sailing orders for the UK, HMS Cavendish proceeded at economical cruising speed via the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, sailing up Plymouth Sound flying the Paying Off Pennant.
AB Hoyle then had home leave, returning to HMS Victory in Portsmouth awaiting demobilization, which came in October 1946. The last four weeks of naval service were spent acting as a temporary guide to Nelson's Flagship, HMS Victory which had just been reopened to the public. This proved to be both profitable and enjoyable. Normal distribution of civilian clothes, gratuities and prize monies were gratefully accepted and AB Hoyle resumed his civilian life in his native village of Cowling in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Letter sent on August 24th 1944
David wrote home as often as possible. The letters were written on airmail paper and were subject to the censor. Many of the letters he wrote are now back in his possession.
This postcard was sent home after hostilities had ceased
David Hoyles Certificate of Service
POSTSCRIPT
After her role in the Royal Navy, HMS Princess Beatrix was returned to her original role of Passenger Ferry, operating for the Zeeland Steamship Company. The picture below is a post war Postcard.
This drawing below was done by myself - Peter Lee, (August 2003), loosely based on a 1/72nd scale kit by Armagedon, it shows D. Hoyles version was not to far adrift.
Below is a LCM (Landing Craft Mechanised) picture found on the web, another of HMS Princess Beatrix’s “cargo”?
Below is David Hoyle's Drawing (see top of this Article) - updated and amended by myself (with David Hoyles backing) as & when we spotted errors during our research not only on the World Wide Web ,
but the close study of Photographs given by Marine Museums and Hull only drawing supplied by De Schelde her original Constructors, on which we loosely based our 100th Standoff scale model
This additional material posted on BBC People at war site: - Hard Times on Hard Ships
People in story: David Ware Hoyle
Location of story: Mediterranean and the Far East
Unit name: HMS Princess Beatrix and HMS Cavendish post war
Background to story: Royal Navy
This is a rèsumè of David Ware Hoyle’s time serving in the Royal Navy from July 1942 to October 1946 in his own words.
Joining Royal Navy July 1942, trained ten weeks at H.M.S. Collingwood, thence to Egypt, back to Gibraltar joining H.M.S. Princess Beatrix late October for North African landings in November. The Ship then did ferrying troops along the North African coast known as “Moonlight Squadron” along with two other ships. Constant dive bombings by Stukas based in Sicily. – Sicily landings back to Malta the repairs at Ferry Ville N.A. prior to Salerno and Anzio Landings. Several Commando Support for Tito raids in Adriatic. “Beatrix” carried 8 L.C.A’s landing craft for infantry generally first waves we were able to land approximately 320 combat troops per trip. Much running about carrying different nationalities of troops from Africa to Italy. Being referred to as “ D.Day Dodgers” we landed troops in Southern France before brief trip back to U.K. for refit. This amounted to installation of larger fems for the Far East climate. Arriving Bombay April 1945 for approximately three weeks witnessing Aga Khan being weighed own weight in diamonds! Carried regular trips, troops from Madras to Akyat in Burma until assembled in Trimcomaler for Mountbatten’s force for landings on Malaya. Waited in Nicobars until Japs accepted Unconditional Surrender after which our skipper accepted Jap garrisons surrender at Penang. Sent down to Java with troops to relieve Japs second trip to Sourabaya to bring Dutch ladies (very emaciated) for flight back to Netherlands from Singapore. Christmas in Bataria, ship’s company mutinated after 1st Lieutenants refusal to allow acceptance of troop’s hospitality ashore. Back to Singapore where I was called as Lower Deck representative at Court of Inquiry re mutiny. Resulting in dismissal of 1st Lieutenant! Drafted to H.M.S. Cavendish as Beatrix was bound fro U.K. “Cavendish showed the Flag” to New Guinea, Halmatera and Philipinnes, Sumatra, Celebes. Then to return the “White Rajah” to Kuching in Sarawak. “various visits courtesy” before sailing for U.K. for foreign service leave. Portsmouth barracks for 5 weeks prior to demob where six of us conducted the public around H.M.S. Victory on first opening after War.
Demob October 1946.
AB David "Yorkie" Hoyle (original B/W image re-coloured and Tweaked by Rick Smallman (Austrialia)
This site is dedicated to Uncle Stanley Lee, David Hoyle, Fred Moore and any other shipmates who have sadly "Crossed the Bar" - RIP -
If you have any further information or Questions feel free to contact us - @ntlworld.com preceded by - peter.lee47
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