HMS Bedouin

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Katharine, Sep 19, 2019.

  1. Katharine

    Katharine Member

    My Grandfather was a survivor of the sinking of HMS Bedouin on 15th June 1942. Like 209 others, he was then a POW until the end of the War. At the time the Bedouin was taking part in Operation Harpoon and was part of the escort for Kentucky, Chant, Troilus, Orari and Burdwan taking supplies to Malta.

    In July 2019 I made a long awaited trip to Malta, my first ever, and visited St Paul's Pro Cathedral which has listed on Memorial boards the names of the ships which took part in the Malta Convoys. I was looking forward to seeing my Grandfather's ship there-imagine my disappointment when it was not, especially when other ships of the same convoy were.
    Those mentioned above, as well as Partridge, Welshman and Liverpool are listed. Kentucky, Chant and Burdwan even sank the same day as Bedouin.
    I have written to request that Bedouin's name is added, but have been met with a lukewarm response.
    If anyone has a father/grandfather who served on HMS Bedouin, especially when it was sunk, please can you send me their names and service number if possible to strengthen my case. Thank you.
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  3. Mark. Towers

    Mark. Towers New Member

    Hi Katharine,

    I will report back with my Grandads service number …. He was on the Bedouin when she sank.

    Brian Marshall Towers was his name .. He was picked out of the sea by an Iatalin hospital ship and spend the rest of the war as a POW

    I have just joined this forum - i appreciate your post is a few years old now - well done for fighting to have Bedouin’s name put on the plaque- how are things going ? I have always wanted to visit - My grandfather passed away in 1997 - he was a great man … kind regards
    Mark Towers
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  4. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Mark
    Welcome to the forum

    i have sent a messag to Katharine on your behalf

    regards
    Clive
     
  5. Katharine

    Katharine Member

    Hello Mark,

    Thank you for your message with respect to your Grandfather. Did he tell you much about his WW2 service?
    The Italian hospital ship was called the Meta as far as I know.
    With respect to the lack of Memorial in Malta, I was eventually making some progress with the matter and had got as far as a Memorial plaque would be added in St Paul's Pro Cathedral, separate to the oak Memorial boards already in situ. They were not prepared to add Bedouin's name to those even though there was space to do so. Their reasoning was that because Princess Elizabeth(HM Queen Elizabeth now) unveiled them in 1949, they could not be altered. I don't see that, but anyway...
    Then the pandemic hit and apart from one email in June 2020 from them, to which I replied, adding further information in a 2nd email, which I had stumbled across, I have heard nothing further.
    In May 2021, quite by accident, I discovered that a Veteran of HMS Bedouin still resides near Dublin. I have been in regular contact with him since and later this month myself, one of my brothers and a daughter of another Bedouin survivor are going to meet him.
    By what name was your Grandfather known, Brian? or a nickname. Let me know and I will ask when I see him. He knew my Grandfather!

    Regards,
    Katharine
     
  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  7. Mark. Towers

    Mark. Towers New Member

    Thank you Clive,

    It is much appreciated.

    kind regards

    Mark
     
  8. Katharine

    Katharine Member

  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    My niece is called Katherine - so its natural for me to spell it that way - especially at my age and also being a bear of very little brain
     

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