Having just found a Cockermouth chap who was tragically killed on the HMS Duchess on the night of the 12th December 1939. I will share what I've just googled. Sadly, there were only 23 survivors of the crew of 153. HMS Duchess (H 64) of the Royal Navy - British Destroyer of the D class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net Duchess was transferred back to the Mediterranean Fleet just before the Second World War began in September 1939. While escorting the battleship HMS Barham back to the British Isles, she was accidentally rammed by the battleship in thick fog and sank with heavy loss of life on 12 December 1939. HMS <i>Duchess</i> (H64). A nice piece of information as well on this forum. HMS Duchess sinking 1939. https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?394 This lists the crew that perished. https://www.wrecksite.eu/peopleView.aspx?88ovLMwwqPaZ/U9YDjXNtw== And sadly the HMS Barham was to have a tragic end in 1941 Barham was sunk off the Egyptian coast the following November by the German submarine U-331 with the loss of 862 crewmen, approximately two-thirds of her crew. HMS <i>Barham</i> (04) Remembering Able Seaman Davidson Bell Barnes and the crew of the Duchess Fell free to add anything else. Regards Mike.
HMS Duchess (H 64) of the Royal Navy - British Destroyer of the D class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net HMS Duchess, destroyer TD Scroll down for the listing of casualties and survivors Royal Navy casualties, killed and died, December 1939
