Remembering Today 22/10/43 William Forsyth, HMS Hurworth

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by La-de-da-Gunner Graham, Oct 22, 2012.

  1. La-de-da-Gunner Graham

    La-de-da-Gunner Graham Senior Member

    Remembering today:
    William Forsyth
    Stoker 1st Class D/105419
    Royal Navy, HMS Hurworth
    Died: 22/10/1943
    Commemorated: Plymouth Memorial
    Son of William and Charlotte Forsyth, of Gorebridge, Midlothian.

    :poppy: Remembered with honour.
     
  2. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    (info from naval-history.net)

    HMS HURWORTH (L 28) - Type II, Hunt-class Escort Destroyer

    September Convoy defence in continuation.

    15th Detached from escort of military convoy MKS24 in Eastern Mediterranean and transferred to assist in defence of Aegean Islands.

    Passage to Haifa.

    (Note: Following the Italian surrender German troops were known to be wanting to replace the Italian Garrison and British Troops were being landed to prevent any invasion attempt. See WAR IN THE AEGEAN by P Smith and E Gray)

    16th Joined HM Escort Destroyer CROOME, and both ships embarked 300 troops for passage to Leros.

    17th Landed infantry at Leros.

    On completion deployed with Fleet units in support of shore operations in Aegean area.


    October Aegean defence role in continuation.

    19th Provided naval gunfire support bombardment at Kos with HM Destroyers FURY and BEAUFORT.

    Hit by return fire from shore which killed one of ship’s company and injured three others.

    20th Returned to Alexandria with HM Cruiser PHOEBE.

    21st Passage to Leros with HM Destroyers JERVIS and PATHFINDER.

    22nd Searched for invasion craft at Port Vathi and Port Atkl with Greek Escort Destroyer ADRIAS.

    During diversionary operation south of Leros with HHelMS ADRIAS ran into new minefield East of Kalymnos Island.

    After ADRIAS was damaged by mine ship closed to investigate and struck another mine.

    Ship broke in two sections which broke ship in half and started serious fire.

    Within three minutes forward section had sunk and stern followed 15 minutes later in position 36.59N, 27.06E.

    113 of ship's company were lost and 85 survivors taken to Turkish waters where British ships took refuge during daylight.

    Those rescued later returned to Alexandria in allied warships.

    (For details of Aegean operations in 1943 see above reference and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY).

    (Note: Casualty List was published on 6th August 1945.)
     
  3. La-de-da-Gunner Graham

    La-de-da-Gunner Graham Senior Member

    Many thanks, Dave.

    Keith
     

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