A rare photograph from this short lived Destroyer which was launched on the 10th June 1941 and commissioned 31st August 1942. Hit by a torpedo from U-602 whilst escorting the depot ship H.M.S. Maidstone from Gibraltar to Algiers on the 9th December 1942. H.M.S. Porcupine was badly damaged with her back broken but was towed to Oran where she was cut into two halves. Both halves were then towed to Portsmouth and reconfigured into two separate accommodation hulks. One of these sailors, (second from left, back row) is wearing the cap tally of H.M.S. Jason. The others all have H.M.S. Porcupine on their tallies.
The post card was sent from from a sailor called Jack to his sweetheart, wife, girlfriend May. The photograph was taken in Grimsby.
REGINALD WALTER GEORGE EARL. Able Seaman. Service Number: C/J 94390. H.M.S. Porcupine. Royal Navy. United Kingdom. Died 09 December 1942. 44 years old. LE PETIT LAC CEMETERY. Plot E. Row B. Grave 9. Algeria ANGUS MACAULAY. Stoker 1st Class. Service Number: C/KX 121270. H.M.S. Porcupine. Royal Navy. United Kingdom. Died 09 December 1942. 27 years old. LE PETIT LAC CEMETERY. Plot E. Row B. Grave 12. Algeria DANIEL LEWIS WHITE. Leading Stoker. Service Number: C/KX 95815. H.M.S. Porcupine. Royal Navy. United Kingdom. Died 09 December 1942. 22 years old. LE PETIT LAC CEMETERY. Plot E. Row B. Grave 11. Algeria NORMAN CLIFFORD WHITEWOOD. Stoker 1st Class. Service Number: C/KX 145283. H.M.S. Porcupine. Royal Navy. United Kingdom. Died 09 December 1942. 29 years old. LE PETIT LAC CEMETERY. Plot E. Row B. Grave 14. Algeria LEONARD SOPER. Leading Stoker. Service Number: C/KX 104884. H.M.S. Porcupine. Royal Navy. United Kingdom. Died 09 December 1942. 25 years old. LE PETIT LAC CEMETERY. Plot E. Row B. Grave 8. Algeria HENRY ALBERT STONE. Stoker 1st Class. Service Number: KX144438. H.M.S. Porcupine. Royal Navy. United Kingdom. Died 09 December 1942. 31 years old. LE PETIT LAC CEMETERY. Plot E. Row B. Grave 10. Algeria CHARLES ERIC CANNING. Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class. Service Number: MX57846. H.M.S. Porcupine. Royal Navy. United Kingdom. Died 09 December 1942. 26 years old. LE PETIT LAC CEMETERY. Plot E. Row B. Grave 15. Algeria
