The World War Two Royal Naval Service History of Jack Roughley

M.X.63140 - 1939 -1946

by his son David Roughley 2012

Printed here with his permision

This little booklet came about after deciding to clear out the loft and start to catalogue some very old photographs that belonged to my parents Jack & Lucy Roughley. I was amazed of how many photographs there were and also how much information relating to Jacks service record I had discovered. All this information needed collating and putting into some sort of order. I felt a task coming on and decided to “investigate‟ my father's contribution to the war efforts during those dark years of World War 2.

It's been said many times by many people that those who served in the war never spoke about it and indeed this was true of my father. I can count on one hand the times he mentioned the war during my childhood and as a young boy I never asked him about his experiences. To be honest, it never really crossed my mind, it may sound strange but it really didn't – it was something I never gave a thought of doing, possibly the lure of Hornby Doublo toy trains were far more exciting back then. But to ask about the war was a no-no.

From as far back as I can remember my Dad had a “demob‟ suit – dark blue double breasted pin striped suit and “demob‟ coat (long greyish gabardine type Mac) and I suppose I had grown up knowing he had been in the Navy. There were photographs in the house showing my Dad in uniform and indeed I can remember my maternal Grandfather having a photograph on the mantelpiece in the front parlour, of him taken on board ship signalling with a Morse lamp during service.

So back to Jack, in 1939 Britain started to prepare for war and the people at the time deep down knew war was looming. My Grandfather had served in the Navy during the First World War, but for some reason decided he was going to enlist in the Army and off he went to Clifton Barracks to sign up as a signalman. Apparently after a couple of weeks the Army turned out to be a complete shambles with the left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing and promptly walked out to re-enter service in the Navy. He advised Jack not to bother with the army but if he was to enlist then join the Navy.

Jack's father “Billy‟ was a superintendent with the St. John's Ambulance and also served with the Miners Rescue Station over in Boothstown. Putting the two things together it was decided the Jack would sign up in the Navy has a sick berth attendant.

His call up papers arrived possibly around the 6th December 1939 with a medical examination on the 11th December at 3.45pm at Hulme Town Hall, Manchester. On Christmas Day in 1939 Jack received word that he had to report for duty on Boxing Day ready to go to HMS Royal Arthur.

On the reverse of the paper shows travelling expenses that could be claimed

Jack's first port of call was HMS Royal Arthur in Skegness. HMS Royal Arthur was a shore establishment of the Royal Navy, initially at Ingoldmells near Skegness, and later at Corsham, Wiltshire. It was previously a Butlins holiday camp and was commissioned as a training establishment on 22^nd September 1939. It served during the Second World War, becoming the central reception depot for new naval entries after HMS Raleigh was transferred to the Army in February 1944. Royal Arthur continued in service until being paid off in 1946.

The Petty Officer in charge meets trainee Belgian sailors as they arrive at HMS ROYAL ARTHUR, an Allied training camp in Skegness, Lincolnshire. The men have already been issued with their bedding and stand in rows with blankets piled in their arms and their suitcases beside them. The camp was originally the Butlin's holiday camp.

Jack was at Royal Arthur from the 4th January 1940 until 18th January 1940 from where he moved to HMS Drake a naval base at Devonport.

HMS Drake –Devonport Circa 1933

Possibly the first photograph taken of Jack in uniform January 1940 at HMS Royal Arthur or HMS Drake

Jack is 20 years of age.

Telegram sent 26th December 1940 from HMS Drake

Jack first person top left at HMS Drake Devonport

Jack continued his training at HMS Drake until 13th January 1941. On the 14th January 1941 he was called to serve on HMS Prince of Wales, but at the eleventh hour the instructions were changed and Jack joined HMS Princess Beatrix, who was on her first commission with the Royal Navy having been in Belfast's Harland & Wolfe being re-fitted. Jacks roll was that of a sick birth attendant being made up to leading sick birth attendant on the 7th August 1941.

HMS PRINCESS BEATRIX

Originally built in Holland by De Schelde as a Cross-Channel Ferry and launched by HRH Prinses Beatrix, then a child and heir to the Netherlands throne, on 23.3.39. Prinses Beatrix entered service on 3 July 1939, but after the outbreak of war on 1 September 1939, was withdrawn, and remained in port. On 10 May 1940 the Germans launched their invasion of the Netherlands, dropping mines in the Schelde estuary, and bombing and strafing shipping. Prinses Beatrix promptly fled, arriving at London on the 15th May.

Jack Roughley 1941 ready for service aboard HMS Princess Beatrix

One of the first “big raids‟ Princess Beatrix took part in was with her sister ship HMS Queen Emma in “Operation Claymore‟ also known as the “LOFOTEN ISLANDS RAID”. This was on the 3rd & 4th of March 1941.

Operation Claymore was the 1st Lofoten Islands raid off the Norwegian coast just north of the Arctic Circle. It achieved a good measure of destruction of German ships and fish factory oil and it gave free passage to the UK to over 300 Norwegian volunteers and a few Germans and Quislings. It was, however, most notable for giving a great boost to flagging morale within the ranks of the Commandos and later the country as news of the raid was made public.

This successful raid involved naval and land forces - HMS Queen Emma, Princess Beatrix and a naval escort of 5 destroyers + No3 & 4 Commandos. The primary targets were Norwegian fish oil factories. Their destruction would be a blow to German Glycerine production. 11 factories and 5 ships were destroyed, 225 Germans & 60 Quislings taken prisoner and 314 volunteers given passage to UK based Norwegian forces. There were no losses.

HMS Princess Beatrix and HMS Queen Emma off Norway March 1941

Beatrix and Emma returning to Scapa Flow after raid on Norway

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.

December 1941

Jack sent home a Christmas card & telegram from HMS Princess Beatrix

Jack sent home a Christmas card & telegram from HMS Princess Beatrix

1941 telegram wishing Merry Christmas & Happy Birthday to Lucy Arnold

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

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).

HMS Princess Beatrix & HMS Queen Emma off North Africa 1943

Captain “Joe‟ Brunton on the bridge of HMS Princess Beatrix

SICILY 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. Night-time "dummy runs" with these troops took place over several weeks.

SALERNO LANDINGS

September 9th 1943

As the enemy anticipated our arrival, night time 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 bullet proof 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.

HMS Princess Beatrix in Malta 1943 - in foreground right belief ship next but one to its left is the Belgium Ferry conversion HMS Prins Albert a regular companion

Newspaper cutting from the Swinton & Pendlebury Journal 27th August 1943

Jack describing his experiences with HMS Princess Beatrix in the Mediterranean.

Article from The Journal, (Swinton) Friday, August 27, 1943

Swinton Sailor's graphic story Aboard Landing Craft in the Mediterranean

A graphic story adventures aboard an invasion craft with the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean during the invasion of North Africa, Pantellaria and Sicily is told by a Swinton man, Leading Sick Berth Attendant Jack Roughley, second son of Mr. And Mrs. Roughley, of 83, Shaftesbury Road, Swinton, in a letter to his wife, Mrs. Lucy Roughley, of 87 Cheetham Road, Swinton.

Called up in January, 1940, Leading S.B. Attendant Roughley was formerly employed as a warehouse clerk at Dean Mill, Swinton.. He will be 24 on Sunday. It is now nearly a year since he left this country and he writes: “It wasn't until we were half-way there that we were told we were bound for North Africa.” After describing the landing near Oran in which his ship took part, “one of the quietest we have done, in which we didn't even so much as a flash-light.” He tells of visits to Algiers, Oran, Bougle and Phillipperville, and then relates how they started to run “Bomb Alley Taxis” along the North African coast, a stretch of about 200 miles which took them within close range of the Germans.

A Near Miss.

“We did that run about 20 times,” he writes, “and didn't we know it!It put me in mind of those shooting booths where a line of ducks go sailing, waiting to be shot at. We were likes that, sailing along and shot at, bombed, and attacked with torpedoes. We beat Jerry, though and came through without a scratch every time. Once or twice it was a pretty close things, watching those 'black eggs' come sailing down asking oneself, 'Is this it?' We had many 'do' with the torpedo bombers. One night about half a dozen of them started after us. You should have seen our ship shift! She broke all records, but one bright Wop (Italian) got round us and let his tin fish go. What a sigh went up when it passed through the wash at our stern.”

Leading S. B. Attendant Roughley, describes visits to Souse,Sfax, Bizerta and Malta – he had earlier taken part in the fighting of Crete, raids of the Norwegian coast and the Dieppe “raid in force” - and goes on:- Our next step was the 'sinking' of Pantellaria. It was a walk over. We arrived there about 11 in the morning, and then the fun began. The 'battle-wagons' started by smashing a few shells into the place and then others followed suit until everybody was having a go. Just imagine yourself at the receiving end when the Mediterranean Fleet get to work'. Then to make things go a bit faster, a couple of hundred Flying Fortresses came over to join in. What a sight that was, and soon the island was completely covered by smoke. The sky was covered with our planes and the sea with our ships. The enemy soon packed up.

Sicily Next Stop

“We did not stay there very long, but soon got back ready for the next job. That was not long in coming and then we were ready for Sicily. To me I think that was the best landing we have ever made. There were enough ships and material there to take half the world, never mind a small Island. We saw only a fraction of them, because they were spread out for hundreds of miles. It was about two in the morning when we got there, a place at the very south-astern tip. The moon just about gone down and there was a kind of pale light from millions of stars. The place soon got lit up, though, for we heard our bombers coming over. That was the beginning. Searchlights went on and shells were bursting, bombs dropping, and tracers floating through the air. Belle Vue fireworks weren't in it. The enemy didn't know we were waiting a couple of miles off shore or things might have got a bit hotter. At one time I though at he had nabbed us. A searchlight came sweeping across the water and I said to myself, 'I wonder what will happen if he spots us?' Still the light came on and I was ready to duck, not that would have been much use, when all of a sudden it swung up into the sky and went out. I often wonder why it did that. Maybe it was our Paratroopers that had landed and shoved a grenade into it. “It was now time we took a hand, and before long there must have been thousands of troops pouring up that beach. After a time, things cooled down, but there were still bombers going over, and having their own way too. When dawn came, our big ships started to shell a few places and we watched the burst as the shells fell. Once again our fighters had the air to themselves and we had very little trouble from enemy planes. Sometime afterwards, we went further up the coast and visited Syracuse – a very nice place and hardly touched, from we could see of it. Augusta was another place we went to, but after a day or so, we got out, for it was getting a bit too warm – and I don't mean the weather.

“Now we are still 'somewhere in the Mediterranean,' waiting and wondering where we will be sent next. One place I like to invade is Swinton.”

LSBA Jack Roughley on board HMS Princes Beatrix 1941

Sicilly landings Operation 1943

The Funnel of HMS Princess Beatrix

Looking towards the bridge

PB at anchor off Sicilian coast

HMS PRINCESS BEATRIX

The Crew

Order not known but the names I had were: - Lt Licehurst, Victor White, George Hyde,Tommy Roberts, Fred Heywood, Ginger?

Tommy Martin Unknown – note the depth charges

SPBO Paddy Burke Jack Roughley (Sitting) with Ces Brunell & Paddy Burke

Unknown, Jack, Tommy Martin and Len Ogbourne Jack

Captain ‘Joe’ Brunton DSC Naval History

So what happened to HMS Princess Beatrix?

Prinses Beatrix after the war – returned back to ferry duties.

Princess Beatrix operated for a time between the Clyde, Avonmouth and Liverpool before she was decommissioned to be adapted for service in tropical waters at D & W Henderson Ltd., Glasgow. She then sailed to the Indian Ocean, arriving at Trincomalee on 15 July 1945. A few days after the Japanese surrender she then took part in "Operation Jurist" - the reoccupation of Penang by British Marines.

Princess Beatrix then acted as troop transport, sailing to Colombo, and taking French troops to Saigon. On 29 September the ship entered the port of Tanjung Priok to take Dutch women and children from Japanese concentration camps. In early January 1946 she was ordered to return home, arriving at Portsmouth on 15 February.

Return to the Netherlands

Decommissioned the next day, she was disarmed at Greenock, and on 13 April 1946 arrived at her home port of Vlissingen to be returned to the Dutch government. She served as a military transport for a time before being handed back to SMZ, and assumed her original name MS Prinses Beatrix.

Post-war shortages of materials and labour meant that it was 31 May 1948 before Prinses Beatrix could return to service, sailing for the first time to Harwich from the Hook of Holland. She remained in service on the same route until 1968, when she was replaced by a new generation of roll-on/roll-off ships. The thirty year old Prinses Beatrix was taken out of service and sold for scrap just before the year's end in Antwerp.

HMS Laforey

L-Class destroyer ordered from Yarrow at Scotstown, Glasgow on 31st March 1938 under the 1937 Programme and laid down on 1st March 1939. She was launched on 15th February 1941 as the 2nd RN ship to bear this name, introduced for a destroyer built in 1913 and sunk by a mine in 1917. The name commemorates the service of Sir Francis Laforey (1767 - 1835), who was Captain of HMS SPARTIATE during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Building of this ship was completed on 28th August 1941 and she fitted for use as a Flotilla Leader. The Tender cost was £445,684 which excludes items such as weapons and communications equipment supplied by the Admiralty. After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in November 1941 this destroyer was adopted by the civil community of Northampton.

Battle Honours

HELIGOLAND 1914 - DOGGER BANK 1915 - DARDANELLES 1915-16 – MALTA CONVOYS 1942 - ATLANTIC 1942 – DIEGO SUAREZ 1942 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1842 - MEDITERRANEAN 1943-44 - ANZIO 1944

Heraldic details - Badge: On a Field Blue, a lion's gamb Gold holding a torch in flamed Proper.

Details of War Service

1 9 4 1 August Contractor's trials and commissioned for service in 19th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet

21st Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.

On completion of trials and weapon calibration passage to Scapa Flow for work-up with ships of Home Fleet.

September On completion of work-up joined 19^th Destroyer Flotilla as Leader for duty with Home Fleet.

17th Nominated for support of planned Malta relief (Operation HALBERD) and joined military convoy WS1 IX with HM Battleships PRINCE OF WALES, RODNEY, HM Cruisers EURYALUS, KENYA, SHEFFIELD, EDINBURGH, HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, ORIBI, Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS, Polish destroyers ORP GARLAND and PIORUN.

24th Escort joined by destroyers from Gibraltar and Force H ships provided cover for passage in western Mediterranean of re-identified Convoy GM2. Nominated for transfer to Force X as escort for GM2 during transit of Sicilian Narrows.

27th Under air attacks during which HM Battleship NELSON was hit by torpedo but remained with convoy. (Note: Threat of surface attack by Italian warships did not materialise.) Joined HM Destroyers COSSACK, ORESIGHT, FORESTER, FURY, ORIBI. ZULU, FARNDALE and HEYTHROP with HM Cruisers EDINBURGH, EURYALUS, HERMIONE and SHEFFIELD as Force X when Ships of Force H, designated Force A detached from GM2 west of Sicilian Narrows.

28th Sailed from Malta with Force X after safe arrival of convoy.

29th Rejoined Force A ships west of Sicily. Detached with HMS PRINCE OF WALES, HMS KENYA, HMS SHEFFIELD, HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, ORIBI, FORESTER and FURY and took return passage to Gibraltar. October Transferred to Force H based at Gibraltar for screening duties, patrol and convoy defence.

November 10^th Deployed with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, LEGION, SIKH, ZULU, GURKHA and Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS as screen for HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carriers ARK ROYAL. ARGUS and HM Cruiser HMS HERMIONE during provision of cover for Malta aircraft delivery from the two aircraft carriers (Operation PERPETUAL).

13th Carried out unsuccessful anti-submarine operations after suspected contact. Under attack by U81 during which HMS ARK ROYAL was hit by torpedo and disabled. Stood by stricken ship with HMS LIGHTNING.

14th HMS ARK ROYAL sank during tow to Gibraltar by two tugs.

1 9 4 2

January Deployed with Force H and formed part of Anti-submarine Striking Force with HM Destroyers CROOME, HESPERUS and WESTCOTT.

(Note: Extensive anti-submarine patrols had been instituted at Gibraltar after loss of HMS ARK ROYAL in intercept attempts by U-Boats to pass through the Straits.) Despatched to carry out operations after U-Boats attacked convoy.

18th Took part in sinking of U93 with HMS HESPERUS in defence of Convoy SL97. (Note: Sinking was after depth charge and surface gun attacks. 41 of crew survived

8th Reinforced escort of Atlantic convoy. Passage to Clyde for escort of military convoy WS16 during Atlantic passage.(Note WS16 was taking troops to Middle East and India.)

17th Joined Convoy WS16 with HM Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, BLANKNEY, CROOME, DUNCAN, FIREDRAKE and LIGHTNING and took passage as escort.

21st Detached from WS16 with same ships and returned to Gibraltar.

(Note: HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS was part of WS16 and on passage to Gibraltar to carry out Malta aircraft delivery. It may be assumed that the destroyers detached as escort for HMS ARGUS.)

23rd Arrived at Gibraltar.

27th Deployed with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, ACTIVE, ANTHONY, WHITEHALL, WISHART, BLANKNEY, EXMOOR and CROOME as screen for HMS ARGUS, HMS EAGLE, HMS HERMIONE and HMS MALAYA providing escort for Malta aircraft delivery from carriers (Operation SPOTTER I)

28th Operation cancelled due to aircraft fuel tank defects and returned to Gibraltar

March 6th Deployed for Operation SPOTTER II with same ships as SPOTTER I

8th Arrived at Gibraltar after successful launch of aircraft.

19th Nominated for support of planned landings in Madagascar with other ships of Force Hon completion of planned aircraft delivery (Operation IRONCLAD)

20th Deployed with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, ACTIVE, ANTHONY, WHITEHALL, WISHART, BLANKNEY, EXMOOR and CROOME as screen for HMS MALAYA, HMS ARGUS and HMS EAGLE during Malta aircraft delivery by the two carriers. (Operation PICKET I)

22nd Return passage to Gibraltar with same ships when operation cancelled due to defects in aircraft fuel tanks

27th Deployed with same ships for repeat aircraft delivery (Operation PICKET II)

April 1st Passage to Freetown to join military convoy WS17 for IRONCLAD

6th At Freetown

9th Sailed from Freetown as screen for HMS MALAYA and HMS HERMIONE with HM Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, INCONSTANT, JAVELIN, LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT and PAKENHAM.

18th Arrived at Cape Town with WS17.

22nd Arrived at Durban with WS17. (Note: Some mercantiles in WS17 were destined for the Middle East and Indian detached at ports in South Africa and

continued passage as WS17.)

28th Deployed with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT and other destroyers as escort for Convoy Z during passage to Diego Suarez, northern Madagascar. (Note: HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, HMS HERMIONE

May 2nd Carried out bombardment exercise in preparation for support of landings.

3rd Convoy Y merged with Slow Convoy Y which had taken passage 10 days earlier

4th Deployed with HMS ANTHONY and HMS LIGHTNING to mark and buoy approach channel to landing area at Diego Suarez.

5th Led HMS LIGHTNING and HM Landing Ship (Infantry) into Courier Bay for landings. Provided naval gunfire support during assault.

6th Deployed with HMS LOOKOUT and HMS LIGHTNING as screen for HMS RAMILLIE during search for Japanese warships reported in area.

7th Provided naval gunfire support during landing by Royal Marines from HMS ANTHONY on Antisirana Peninsular

8th At Diego Suarez and deployed periodically for anti-submarine patrols with HMS LIGHTNING and HMS LOOKOUT until released from IRONCLAD.

27th Released from IRONCLAD with HMS LOOKOUT and HMS LIGHTNING.

29th Took passage Colombo to join Eastern Fleet.

31st At Seychelles to refuel.

June 1st Joined HM Aircraft Carriers FORMIDABLE, ILLUSTRIOUS and HM Cruiser GAMBIA for exercises in Indian Ocean

5th Arrived at Colombo.

12th Deployed with HMS LIGHTNING, HMS LOOKOUT and two other Eastern Fleet destroyers as screen for HM Battleship WARSPITE, HMS FORMIDABLE, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS and HMS GAMBIA during offensive sweep in Indian Ocean as Force A.

18th Returned to Colombo with Force A.

22nd Deployed with HMS LIGHTNING for exercises off Colombo.

23rd Took passage from Colombo as screen for ships of Force A during passage to Mombasa.

28th At Seychelles to refuel.

July 1st Arrived at Mombasa with ships of Force A

9th Transferred to South Atlantic for trade defence and interception of commerce raiders. Took passage with HMS INDOMITABLE, HMS LIGHTNING and HMS LOOKOUT.

19th Nominated for service in Mediterranean in support of Malta relief operation, (Operation PEDESTAL)

20th Passage to Freetown.

23rd Detached from HMS INDOMITABLE with destroyers to refuel at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa and rejoined on completion.

27th Joined by HM Cruiser PHOEBE.

28th Arrived at Freetown.

August 1st Sailed from Freetown for Gibraltar as screen for same ships.

5th Deployed with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT, FURY, ICARUS, INTREPID, LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT, VANSITTART, WESTCOTT and WRESTLER as screen for HM Aircraft Carriers ARGUS, EAGLE, INDOMITABLE, VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers PHOEBE , CHARYBDIS and SIRIUS during Exercise BERSERK west of Gibraltar to carry out tactics for use during planned defence of PEDESTAL

convoy.

10th Refuelled and nominated with HMS LOOKOUT for escort of HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS during aircraft delivery to Malta. (Operation BELLOWS - Coincident with PEDESTAL)

11th During screening of HMS FURIOUS detached when HMS EAGLE was hit by torpedo fired by U73 and sank within eight minutes. Carried out rescue work with HMS LOOKOUT and HM Tug JAUNTY (Note: These ships rescued a total of 927 survivors from a ships company of 1160.) Transferred survivors to HM Destroyer KEPPEL and refuelled from tanker in Force R Took passage to join ships covering passage of PEDESTAL convoy after refuelling. Carried out successful anti-submarine operations against Italian submarine BRIN with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT and FURY and attack failed.

12th Under series of air attacks throughout the day during which HMS INDOMITABLE was badly damaged and HMS FORESIGHT had to be sunk following damage. Detached from PEDESTAL Convoy with part of Force Z on arrival at Sicilian Narrows. (Note: These were HMS NELSON, HMS VICTORIOUS, HMS PHOEBE, HMS SIRIUS, HM Destroyers LAFOREY, LIGHT. Remained in area to provide cover for ships of Force X which had remained as escort for PEDESTAL convoy for passage into Malta.

14th Passage to Gibraltar as part of screen for ships of Forces X and Z.

15th Arrived at Gibraltar

16th Deployed as screen for HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS and HMS CHARYBDIS with HM Destroyers LOOKOUT, LIGHTNING, ANTELOPE, WISHART, MALCOLM, KEPPEL, ESKIMO, SOMALI, VENOMOUS and BICESTER during Malta aircraft delivery from HMS FURIOUS (Operation BARITONE).

18th Returned to Gibraltar with same ships on completion of BARITONE. 21st Deployed for anti-submarine operations off Gibraltar

September 3rd Deployed with HMS LOOKOUT to provide escort for ss LEINSTER into Gibraltar (Note: ss LEINSTER was part of military convoy WS22 during passage in Atlantic from Clyde to Freetown.

4th Met WS22 and escorted detached ss LEINSTER to Gibraltar with HMS LOOKOUT.

12th Passage from Gibraltar to Southampton for refit.

17th Taken in hand for refit in commercial shipyard

October Under refit

November 20th Carried out post refit trials and took passage to Scapa Flow for work-up prior to resuming Flotilla duties at Gibraltar.

23rd Worked-up at Scapa Flow with HM Destroyer LIGHTNING.

December Nominated for escort of military convoy during passage to Gibraltar.

7th Sailed from Scapa Flow for Greenock on completion of work-up.

12th Took passage to Liverpool with HMS LIGHTNING to escort troopship DUCHESS OF ATHOL during passage from Liverpool to join military convoy KMF5 during passage in Atlantic from Clyde to Algiers.

5th Joined KMF5 Ocean Escort with HMS LIGHTNING and DUCHESS OF ATHOL

20th Arrived at Gibraltar after stormy passage.

21st Took part in rescue operations with HMS LIGHTNING after troopship STRATHALLAN was hit by torpedo from U562 off Algerian coast. (Note: STRATHALLAN was taking 4.408 troops and 296 Nurses to North Africa and sank on 23rd after fires became uncontrollable.)

1943 January

1st Arrived at Bone for duty with Flotilla as part of Force Q. (Note: Force Q included HM Cruisers AJAX, PENELOPE, AURORA, SIRIUS, HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, LOOKOUT and LOYAL.) Under heavy air attacks at Bone.

6th Sank tanker EMPIRE METAL which had been hit and set on fire during air raid.

February Deployed for screening duties with Force Q during interception patrols and convoy defence to off North African coast in western Mediterranean.

March

April Based at Bone for Force Q deployment and interception patrols.

28th During patrol with HM Destroyer TARTAR in action against six E-Boats and a submarine in position 37.46N 01.33E. Sank one E-Boat by ramming and damaged two others. Sustained damage to forepeak.

May Deployed with HM Destroyers LOYAL, TARTAR, ZETLAND, LAMERTON, ALDENHAM, BICESTER, HURSLEY, DULVERTON, LAUDERDALE, OAKLEY, WILTON, ZETLAND and Polish destroyer BLYSKAWICA to intercept craft evacuating troops from Cape Bon area after defeat of the Afrika Korps . (Operation RETRIBUTION) -

8th Deployed with HMS TARTAR and intercepted two mercantiles.

9th During RETRIBUTION under fire by shore battery near Cape Bon and hit in engine room causing damage with some serious injuries Took passage to Malta for repair.

10th Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard

15th During passage to resumed Force Q duties investigated Plane Island and found 23 enemy soldiers who were taken prisoner.

23rd Deployed with HM Destroyer LOOKOUT for patrol in central Mediterranean and sank supply ship.

June Nominated for support of planned landings in Pantelleria (Operation CORKSCREW). Note: Other ships involved included HM Cruisers AURORA, NEWFOUNDLAND, ORION, PENELOPE and EURYALUS, HM Destroyers LOOKOUT, LOYAL, JERVIS, TARTAR, NUBIAN, TROUBRIDGE and WHADDON.) Provided cover for minesweeping operations prior to CORKSCREW.

8th Bombarded positions in Pantelleria.

11th Provided naval gunfire support during landings on Pantelleria by 1st British Division. On release from CORKSCREW took passage to Alexandria to provide escort for assault convoys on passage to Sicily for planned allied landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY)

July 8th Deployed with HM Destroyers LOOKOUT and LOYAL for escort for military Convoy KMF36

9th Detached from KMF36 and took passage to BARK Beach Head in British Sector.

10th Joined support Force East and deployed for screening duties on passage to assault area. Provided naval gunfire support during landings

15th Embarked General Alexander for passage to Augusta.

16th Deployed with HMS NUBIAN for screening of HMS ORION and HMS UGANDA during passage from Malta as relief for HMS NEWFOUNDLAND.

18th Carried out bombardment in support of military operations in eastern Sicily.

23rd Deployed for anti-submarine operations after HMS NEWFOUNDLAND had been torpedoed off Augusta by the Italian submarine ASCIANGHI Sank ASCIANGHI with HM Destroyer ECLIPSE.

August Nominated for support of planned allied landings on Italian mainland at Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE)

21st Deployed with four other destroyers for offensive sweep off Italian mainland near Straits of Messina. (Note: Landings at Salerno were preceded by bombardment operations between Reggio Calabria and Pessaro prior to British landings on Italian mainland (Operation BAYTOWN).

September Deployed at Malta and prepared for AVALANCHE. (Note: See above references. Planned deployment with Flotilla and HUNT Class destroyers of 21st Destroyer Flotilla as part of Northern Attack Force for screening of HM Cruisers MAURITIUS, UGANDA, ORION, DEHLI and HM Monitor EREBUS during passage and support bombardments)

9th Under fire during support bombardment ansustained damage by return fire. Hit by five shells one of ships company was killed and two other injured. One Boiler Room was unusable. Passage to Malta for repair including structural damage. Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard.

October Under repair On completion resumed Flotilla duties in support of military operations.

13th Provided naval gunfire support for military operation near Volturno with HMS LOOKOUT and Dutch Gunboat FLORES.

November 1st Escorted two mercantiles during passage from Malta to Naples.

3rd Deployed as escort for military convoy during passage to Augusta.

4th Deployed at Augusta for patrol duties off western coast of Italy.

5th November Assisted US mercantile aground NE of Augusta and towed vessel clear before taking passage to Malta to refuel.

6th Carried out anti-submarine exercises on passage.

December Deployed intermediately at Malta for R&R and to replenish.

It was on the 6th December 1943 Jack Joined HMS Laforey

23rd Took passage from Malta for Naples.

25th Passage to Bay of Naples for anti-submarine patrol duty. Intercepted two E-Boats by radar contact and engaged with main armament but enemy ships escaped.

29th Deployed with Dutch Gunboat FLORES, HM Destroyers FAULKNOR and LOYAL to carry out bombardment.

30th Took part in bombardment of Gaeta. On completion returned to Naples to re-ammunition. Nominated for support of planned allied landings at Anzio (Operation SHINGLE). Passage to Ajaccio from Naples.

1 9 4 4

January 4th Deployed for patrol off Corsica with calls at Ajaccio and Sartene

5th Passage from Maddalena for patrol in Bay of Naples.

6th During patrol sank hulk of US LIBERTY Ship by gunfire and torpedo.

7th Deployed at Naples and despatched to Capri area to search for lifeboat.

16th Deployed for patrol of Bay of Gaeta.

18th Sailed from Naples with HM Cruiser SPARTAN, HM Destroyers JERVIS and FAULKNOR for bombardment duties in Gaeta area. Joined by HMS Cruiser ORION and HM Destroyer JANUS and carried out bombardment of shore targets. Under air attacks and fire from shore batteries.

19th Returned to Naples to replenish ammunition.

20th Sailed for Anzio as part of escort for Assault Convoy with HM Destroyers JERVIS and LOYAL.

21st Joined by HMS JANUS, US destroyers and Landing Ships for passage to Anzio. (Operation SHINGLE)

22nd Deployed with HM Destroyer LOYAL to lead Assault Force to P Beach landing areas. Detached after nightfall to carry out patrol south of Anzio to intercept any attempt to attack ships off Anzio beaches.

23rd Provided gunfire support and defence against air and surface attacks on assembled ships. Assisted in rescue of survivors from HMS JANUS which sank after being hit by radio controlled bomb.

24th Provided naval gunfire support.

27^th Returned to Naples to replenish.

28th Passage to resume duties off PETER Beach.

29th Support deployment off Anzio in continuation. Assisted in rescue of survivors from HMS SPARTAN after the cruiser had been hit by radio controlled bombs. Under air attacks and near missed. Deployed for night interception patrol with other destroyers.

February SHINGLE support in continuation. Transferred to 14th Destroyer Flotilla.

18th Carried out bombardment of Formica.

21st Return passage to Naples to replenish.

25th Deployed for patrol with HM Destroyer FAULKNOR to intercept E-Boats. Detached to assist Landing Ship (Tank) aground at Sabaudio but unable to help. During continued patrol with HMS FAULKNOR carried out depth charge attacks on possible submarine contact.

26th Joined in anti-submarine search by HM Escort Destroyers LAMERTON and HAMBLEDON. Under attack by Acoustic torpedo which exploded in wake.

27th Anti-submarine operations in continuation Two additional destroyers joined.

28th Anti-submarine operations abandoned and ship returned to Naples to replenish and fuel. Took passage to Malta with survivors from HM Destroyer INGLEFIELD which had been sunk by a Glider Bomb off Anzio on 25th February.

March Passage from Malta to Naples to resume support duties at Anzio.

9th Deployed off Anzio for support and patrol duties until 19th

23rd Returned to Anzio for support and patrol duties.

24th Deployed for night interception and anti-submarine patrol with HM Destroyer GRENVILLE.

25th Engaged E-Boats after radar detection. Took passage to Naples from Anzio on completion of patrol.

28th Deployed for patrol off west coast of Italy.

29th Carried out hunt for U223 north of Palermo with HM Destroyers TUMULT and WILTON. Joined HM Destroyers TUMULT, TUSCAN, URCHIN, HAMBLEDON and BLENCATHRA.

30th After several hours of depth charge attacks the submarine surfaced and was engaged by all ships by surface gunfire at a range of about 1,500 yards. Despite being hit repeatedly U223 fired three torpedoes which hit the ship and quickly sank her.

Only 65 of the ships company survived out of a total of 247 on board. The commanding officer and Senior officer of Flotilla, Captain HT Armstrong, DSO, DSC*RN was one of the ships company killed.

U223 also sank soon afterwards and survivors from both the destroyer and the submarine were rescued by HMS HAMBLEDON, HMS TUMULT and HMS BLENCATHRA.

HMS Laforey in Malta 1944

HMS Laforey at the bombarding of the Anzio beachead Italy 1944 with guns in full fury

HMS Ark Royal sinking after being torpedoed by U-81. HMS Legion is alongside to take off survivors.

HMS Laforey is approaching to aid in providing water and power to the few remaining personnel on board.

Since the Laforey was lost at sea there are very few photographs available of her, but I have managed to find on the web photograhs of a model giving some idea to her looks.

Notes on the loss of HMS Laforey

On 29 Mar, 1944, U-223 was located by asdic from HMS Ulster (R83), which was carrying out a routine Anti-Submarine sweep together with two other destroyers of the 14th Flotilla, HMS Laforey (G 99) and HMS Tumult (R 11). The U-boat was heavily depth-charged, but managed to carry out many evasive manoeuvres in an attempt to evade destruction. In the early morning on 30 March, the U-boat was forced to surface and was attacked by the destroyers with gunfire, which now included HMS Hambledon (L 37), HMS Blencathra (L 24) and HMS Wilton (L 128), which had replaced HMS Ulster (R 83).Shortly before being sunk, U-223 fired a Gnat and hit HMS Laforey (G 99), which sank about 60 miles northeast of Palermo, Sicily. Among the 189 who lost their lives was the commanding officer of the destroyer and the 14th Flotilla, Capt H.T. Armstrong, DSO, DSC, RN.

U BOAT U-233

These are the details of the U-boat that sank HMS Laforey

U-223 Type VIIC

Feldpost Number M 01 671

Construction F.Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel-

Yard Gaarden

Yard Number 653

Ordered 15th Aug 1940

Keel laid 15th Jul 1941

Launched 16th Apr 1942

Commissioned 6th Jun 1942

Baubelehrung Kriegsschiffbaulehrabteilung für

Unterseeboote Ostsee, Kiel /

1.KLA, Kiel

Training, Flotillas and Duties

06.42 - 01.43 8.U-Flottille, Danzig

Ausbildungsboot (under training)

02.43 - 10.43 6.U-Flottille, St.Nazaire

Frontboot (operational)

10.43 - 03.44 29.U-Flottille, Toulon

Frontboot (operational)

Commanders

06.42 - 01.44 OL Karl-Jürg Wächter

see also: U-2503

01.44 - 03.44 OL Peter Gerlach

see also: U-37

Operations information for U-223

12.01.1943 - 06.03.1943

First - Sailing - active patrol

U-223 left Kiel under the command of Karl-Jürg

Wächter on 12th Jan 1943 and arrived at St. Nazaire on 6th Mar 1943 after seven and a half weeks.

At 1242HRS on 1st Mar 1943 U-223 came under attack from an aircraft of RAF 59 Squadron. U-223 was only slightly damaged in the attack. The boat defended itself with flak without destroying the aircraft.

Karl-Jürg Wächter hit two ships on this patrol and both of them were in convoy: One was from convoy ON-166 and one was from convoy SG-19.

On 3rd Feb 1943 he sank the American 5,649ton Dorchester, sailing with convoy SG-19.

On 23rd Feb 1943 he sank the Panamanian 6,907 ton Winkler, a member of convoy ON-166.

15.04.1943 - 24.05.1943

Second - Sailing - active patrol

On the 15th Apr 1943, U-223 left St. Nazaire under the command of Karl-Jürg Wächter and returned to St. Nazaire on 24th May 1943 after five and a half weeks on patrol.

4.09.1943 - 16.10.1943

Third - Sailing - active patrol

U-223 departed under Karl-Jürg Wächter from St. Nazaire on 14th Sep 1943 and arrived at Toulon on 16th Oct 1943 after four and a half weeks. Karl-Jürg Wächter hit one ship on this patrol from convoy MKS-27.

On 2nd Oct 1943 he fatally damaged the British 4,970ton Stanmore, part of convoy MKS-27.

20.11.1943 - 17.12.1943

Fourth - Sailing - active patrol

U-223 left Toulon under the command of Karl-Jürg Wächter on 20th Nov 1943 and returned nearly four weeks later to Toulon on 17th Dec 1943.

Karl-Jürg Wächter hit one ship on this patrol from convoy KMS-34.

On 11th Dec 1943 he fatally damaged the British 1,300 ton HMS Cuckmere, from convoy KMS-34.

19.01.1944 - 12.02.1944

Fifth - Sailing - active patrol

On the 19th Jan 1944, U-223 left Toulon under the command of Peter Gerlach and arrived back at Toulon three and a half weeks later on 12th Feb 1944.

16.03.1944 - 30.03.1944

Sixth - Sailing - active patrol

U-223 departed under Peter Gerlach from Toulon on 16th Mar 1944. The boat was lost on 30th Mar 1944.

Peter Gerlach hit one ship on this patrol. On 30th Mar 1944 he sank the British 1,935 ton HMS Laforey .

After the sinking of Laforey, Jack one of 65 survivor's spent some time in hospital at Malta. There he sent a telegram to his wife, Lucy that same day saying he was well and not to worry.

The Royal Navy Hospital Mtarfa was a United Kingdom naval hospital in Mtarfa, Malta. It was the main hospital for British Forces in the eastern Mediterranean until the British finally left the independent Malta in 1979.

The hospital was commissioned in 1912 as a replacement for the then aging Valletta Hospital. It was used during World War I to hold injured Australian and New Zealand troops from the failed 1915 landings at Gallipoli. It may not have been much of a Hospital at that point, but demand was high and it was convenient for the Mtarfa Naval cemetery. It was expanded enormously during World War II.

HMS Wayland

Next ship for Jack was HMS Wayland, this was classed as a repair ship although some research suggests she also served ferrying injured sailors to and fro.

In October 1940 the passenger ship Antonia of the Cunard White Star Ltd., Liverpool was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to an armed merchant cruiser. This conversion was completed in March 1941. On 24 March 1942 she was sold to the Admiralty and conversion to a repair ship began. This conversion was finished in 1944 and the ship was renamed HMS Wayland. Wayland was scrapped at Troon, Scotland in 1948.

As Repair Ship;

Displacement: 18750 tons.

Armament: 4 4" guns, 8 2pdr AA, 8 20mm AA.

Speed: 15 knots.

Cunard White Star Liner RMS Antonia 1940

Jack served on this ship until 5th April 1945 when he return to HMS Drake at Devonport carrying out a further 12 months nursing until his release from service on the 24th March 1946.

This certificate allowed Jack to work as a qualified nurse in any hospital, but nursing in 1946 wasn't zeemed to be a “done thing‟ like it is today and his previous employer Simpson & Godlee were obliged to keep his job open for him. This coupled with the fact that my mother Lucy had “secured‟ a mill house for them to live in meant the decision for Jack had been made for him to returned to his old job at the mill in 1946.

Jacks release documents dated 16th January 1946.

Below is a copy of envelope which contained various booklets and information welcoming you back into “civvy street‟

Jack’s War Gratuity Payment Slip 1946

(Post Office Savings)

At 12/- a month payment or in today's rates (2011) 60p per month or £7.20p per annum

This must be an allowance Jack put into the Post Office savings account when he started in the Navy

War Medals

Shortly after the war Jack received through the post his war medals for 1939-1945.

Medals received in box through the Royal Mail

The 1939 - 1945 Star and the Atlantic Star.

The Atlantic star was awarded to navy personal who served 6 months service in the Atlantic Ocean from 3rd September 1939 to 8th May 1945

The North Africa Star with clasp and the Italian Star

The Africa star was awarded to forces who served from 10th June 1940 to 12th May 1943 the clasp worn on the ribbon is for personal who took place on landings in North Africa. The Italy Star was awarded to personal who served from 11 June 1943 to 19 September 1943

The Burma Star and the War Medal 1939 -1945

Royal Navy and Merchant Navy personnel qualified through service in an area restricted to the Bay of Bengal from 26th December 1941 to 2nd September 1945. The 6 months service for the 1939- 1945 Star had to be earned, before service could count towards the Burma Star.

Bits & pieces of interest discovered whilst researching this booklet

During my research of various ships of WW2 I came across on the web many snippets of information relating to HMS Princess Beatrix and HMS Laforey. To my surprise I hit upon a web site showing HMS Princess Beatrix sailing in Stockport? (See photograph below). My thanks go to Peter Lee who runs the appreciation society (World wide) for HMS Princess Beatrix and HMS Queen Emma. The information we exchanged proved to be invaluable and now some of the photographs in this booklet are on the world wide web.

Peter has been busy building a 100^th scale replica of PB and here she is sailing in a park in Stockport.

Apparently during her service in the war PB sailed with a Dutch Crewe in the engine room since all of the dials and instructions were in Dutch and it was easier for the Admiralty at the time to keep the same crew.

700th Scale HMS Princess Beatrix

When built in 1939 both Queen Emma & PB were the fastest passenger ships on the North Sea with a speed of 24 knots. The fastest ships the admiralty had were capable of 28 knots (with 4 screws) but even today the new aircraft carrier being built at present ready for service in 2015 will be capable of 25 knots. In 1939 these little passenger ships were a good asset and it's no wonder they were used for various raids where the necessity for speed was vital.

On 30th April 1946, the Motor Ship arrived at the docks of the Royal de Schelde Shipyard in Vlissingen after an absence of over 6 years. The ship was prepared for peacetime service.

Brochure in 1939 of Queen Emma showing her facilities

The follow crew photographs are kindly reproduced by the permission of Peter Lee who has extensive knowledge of the ship and is in contact world wide with the “HMS Princess Beatrix Appreciation Society”

THANKS DAVID WE DID NOT HAVE A NAME FOR OUR LITTLE GROUP, BUT THAT SEEMS A GOOD ONE :-) PETER

see home Page

Rear Gun grew of the Princess Beatrix

Shipmates of the Princess Beatrix circa

More crew photographs – unfortunately no names

Additional pay and Allowances

Bibliography and Acknowledgements

My thanks go to Peter Lee and his various web sites on the Prinses Beatrix and Koningin Emma and to the use of various images.

Wikipedia. This was a valuable web site for researching various subjects from The Royal Naval Hospital at Devonport and Malta to Pay scales in the navy during the second world war. Also all of the ships mentioned can be found on Wikipedia.

Uboat.net Information on HMS Laforey was found on this site. It holds many of the WW2 naval ships details and descriptions of ships sunk by U Boats.