Willcock aboard HMS Bellwort

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Overpromoted, Aug 13, 2013.

  1. Overpromoted

    Overpromoted Member

    Hello,

    I recently discovered my grandfather's RN Certificate of Service and his Gunnery record by a stroke of luck in my parent's garage. I've researched as far as I've been able so far, but would like to reach out for some help. My grandfather was Able Seaman William David Willcock, JX189762.

    He served onboard HMS Paris (from Drake) from 17/4/40 until transferred to HMS Bellwort (Flower class corvette) on 12/11/41. On 24/2/44 he then transferred to HMS Drake and subsequently to various hospitals.

    The main help I seek is:

    1. The information on the Flower class corvette is plentiful, but I've found very little on Bellwort - though interestingly the vessel was involved in the ill-fated convoy TS.37. I've also been able to find an incomplete list of convoys Bellwort was escort for, it appears most of the war service was in the West African Command. Any help, photos, guidance as to where I could go next would be appreciated.

    2. There's a family belief that my grandfather served in the Russian convoys for a while, and that he told various stories about them. However I can't find any reference to Bellwort or Paris (I think Paris was a depot ship, an old French battleship) being involved in the Russian convoys. I'd be very interested to get to the bottom of this to establish if it's a myth or fact!

    3. I know that he qualified as AA3 just prior to transfer to Bellwort. From what I understand AA3 is light calibre AA qualified - does that mean he was actually an AA gunner on the vessel, or purely qualified to do the job?

    Thank you in advance, I've several other questions but these are the main ones for now!

    Dave
     
  2. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    Have you tried the Naval Net website it is full of information on ships and the men who sailed in them, also thre are members who have a nautical interest who will help with your questions
     
  3. Overpromoted

    Overpromoted Member

    Thanks Oldman, I hadn't found that site yet, I'll give it a go.
     
  4. Staffsyeoman

    Staffsyeoman Member

    Obliquely you should also try uboat.net which lists British ships which attacked or were attacked by U boats. It's a rich resource and confirmed and added the commanding officers of a Flower we were researching.
     
  5. Overpromoted

    Overpromoted Member

    Thanks Staffsyeoman, yes I'd found that one useful and also managed to find quite a lot on navy-net - the extracts of the Admiralty War diaries have been very useful, which I've referenced below. I'm sure you'll have also read M Gannons "Black May" - good read, with some interesting Flower info.

    SOURCE: HMS Bellwort specific abstracts from Naval-history.net, ‘West Africa Command, Freetown, January – April 1943’ Admiralty War Diaries of World War Two (Trans. D. Kindell)
    Original data: TNA. Flag Officer in Charge, West Africa War Diary – January 1943. ADM 199/635.
     

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