A g-uncle of mine served in these ships in WW2 (died 16th March 1945). I've come across a very informative website about HMS Attacker, but not much on HMS Corfu and Mersey. Does anyone know where I can find out info on these vessels and their service? Many thanks.
Munce, I can't find them in either Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy or Jane's Fighting Ships, 1944-5. Perhaps they were shore stations? What info do you have? Regards, David
Thanks for looking David. The only info I have is from his service record from the MoD, which lists these ships and the dates served. Looking again at the pitifully small transcript I was sent, it does say 'Ships / Shore establishments', so you're probably right. He was an engineer in the RNR, so perhaps his first posting (HMS Corfu) could have been some kind of engineering school designed to bring RNR people up to speed?
HMS Corfu Navy: The Royal Navy Type: Armed Merchant Cruiser Penant: F 86 Built by: A. Stephen & Sons Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland) Ordered: Laid down: Launched: 1931 Commissioned: 25th November 1939 End service: 17th February 1944 History: laid down as Chefoo, completed as Corfu. On 14 Sep, 1939 the passenger ship Corfu of the P. & O. Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to an armed merchant cruiser. Displacement: 14170 BRT Armament: 9x 152mm, 4x 102mm (2x2), 2x 40mm, 19x 20mm Oerlikon and a catapult with seaplane Speed: 17 knots Career: Dec, 39 - Jun, 40: Northern Patrol Jun, 40: Western Approaches Command Jul, 40 - Sep, 41: Freetown Escort Force Oct, 41 - Feb, 42: East Indies Station Mar, 42 - Aug, 42: Eastern Fleet (Indian Ocean) Sep, 42 - Apr, 43: South Atlantic Station May, 43 - Feb, 44: West Africa Command On 17 Feb, 1944 returned and used as troopship by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). On 31 Jul, 1947 returned to owner.
HMS Attacker Navy: The Royal Navy Type: Escort Carrier Class: Bogue / Attacker Penant: D 02 Built by: Western Pipe & Steel (San Fransisco) Laid down: 17th April 1941 Launched: 27th September 1941 Commissioned: 30th September 1942 History: 30th September 1942. Aquired for the Royal Navy. Ex USN ship Barnes.
I didn't find any ship called Mersey, which was a ship-class. Of the 11 Mersey class ships, none is named so.
Friedrich, Interesting about the Corfu. What is your source? Does it list all merchant ships and their voyages? David
Forgot about the source, David... <_< Allied War Ships Has a nice search engine to look for specific ships —more than 6.000 from around the world.
Originally posted by munce@Feb 22 2004, 08:06 AM A g-uncle of mine served in these ships in WW2 (died 16th March 1945). I've come across a very informative website about HMS Attacker, but not much on HMS Corfu and Mersey. Does anyone know where I can find out info on these vessels and their service? Many thanks. Regarding HMS Mersey, there are two possibilities. 1:The Great Northern Hospital in 1940 became a RN Hospital entitled HMS Mersey. 2: For five years before being named HMS Amerton was called HMS Mersey. With your great-uncle being an engineer, the latter seems to be more probable. However, the date which Great Northern reverted to civilian status would be of interest to determine which is the more likely. Does anyone know?
From Shore Establishments of the Royal Navy Complied by Lt Cdr B Warlow RN HMS MERSEY Liverpool/Neston T124X Depot Commissioned 25/12/1940 ex EAGLET II Paid Off 31/12/1946 In David Lewis Northern Hospital December 1940 to Neston Camp, Wirral December 1945 to Royal Liver Buildings July 1946 Nominal Depot Ship:- Harbour Launch SCOUT 25/12/1940 - Steve
