Queen Elizabeth

A MIDSHIPMAN’S WAR
A young man in the Mediterranean Naval War 1941 - 1943

In Memorial

Neptune

Sinking of the Neptune

The cruiser Neptune sailed at evening leading her gallant
ships:
Two cruisers and four destroyers. For some it would be their last trips.

The weather was wild, a howling gale and spuming spray
But the crews thought only of their countries and winning a great day.

By midnight they would sink an enemy convoy, and become part of yore
Bringing the names of their islands, England and New Zealand, to the fore.

By the expected time, the enemy failed to show its face,
So the squadron would soon turn and head for safety in its base.

Speed was reduced to avoid a dangerous enemy shore
And, to catch mines, paravanes were set from the bows directly before.

Suddenly, the leading Neptune hit a mine, its explosion causing harm
And the squadron was alerted of a deadly and serious alarm.

The cruisers Aurora and Penelope following Neptune close behind,
Although not seriously damaged, were also indirectly mined.

After midnight, still in storm, Neptune hit second mine leading to more fear.
Alas, in going astern she was hit again, blowing off her
stern and steering gear.

An aiding destroyer is damaged too, and Captain O’Conor, so well known,
Ordered all ships from the minefield to head north for Malta
then home.

Just before dawn, the helpless Neptune sinks quietly beneath the waves
Taking her brave crew with her to their tragic watery graves.

Seven-hundred and sixty-five gone to their maker, such an awful blow,
Xmas cards from crew arriving later, doubling family woe.

Some sixteen men and captain, too, would reach a nearby float,
But none lived except for a leading seaman in that ill-starred boat.

This was the most dreadful ship sinking in the Mediterranean by far
With only one seaman survivor and a famous captain crossing the bar.

By Frank Wade, December 2002

 

To think of our brave shipmates...

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them

HMS Queen Elizabeth

Killed in the engine room on the morning of 19 December 1941 in the Italian Navy underwater craft attack on Alexandria harbour, Egypt :
Atkinson, Bridgland, Gardner, Hatt, Hodgson, Smith, Stock and Winterburn.
  

HMS Neptune (New Zealand Naval personnel only)

Killed when HMS Neptune sank on 19 December 1941 in a minefield off Tripoli, Libya .
Alder, E.P. AS; Anderson B.H., AS; Anderson W.J., AS;Andrew, N.R.,AS; Andrews, A.G.R., shpt; Armfield, H.G., LSig; Ashton,L.R., A.S., AS; Atkinson, B.M., AS; Atkinson R., LSea; Ball, J.P., AS; Barford, J. AS; Barker, F.R., AS; Barron, AS; Barstow, K.J.A., Sy Asst; Baskett, G.R., AS; Biggs, H.W., AS; Birss, J.A., AS; Blackley, J.B.,AS; Boaz, E.G.,AS; Brackenridge, I.H., AS; Brookes, N.G., Sig; Brown, A.H., Sy Asst; Brown, J. ,ERA; Brown, W.W., AS; Brownie, E.R., LSea; Buckley, R.B., AS; Burt,I.A., Cook; Button, K.A., Sig; Calvert, J.W., AS; Campbell, A.E., AS; Campbell, W.A., PO; Capon, A, AS; Carr, P., Sto2; Carrigan, J., AS; Carter, A.H.J., AS; Christie, H.H., Elec.Art; Clark, R.H. AS; Collins, T., AS; Cook, N., AS; Cooper, H., Sy Asst; Coote, J.M.,AS; Corbin, D.H.H., OS; Cormack, C.A., AS; Cosgrove, C.A., AS; Cronquest, R.M., AS; Dawson, G.D., Sto1; Dennison, G.S., AS; Denton, L.R., AS; Diehl, A.E., AS; Dimmock, J.B., AS; Dobbs, R.P., Tel; Dousett, E.D., AS; Dyer, R.F., ERA 4; Elstob, N.J., AS; Evans, G.D., Act; Evans, V.R.D., Tel; Evercoe, H., Painter; Forgie, K.S., Sy Asst; Friedman, M.W., Sy Asst; Garlic, B.C., AS; Garmson, A.F., Cook; Garrett, K.E., LSea; Gibbs, W.H., ERA4; Gillan, R.C., AS; Gregory, D.A., Sto1; Hansen, G., AS; Hardie, G.B.,ACook; Harris,H., AS; Harvey, H., AS; Heeney, A.J., OS; Hook, R.D., AS; Howlison, J.R., AS; Hubbard, S.J., ERA4; Hubble, L.E., OS; Hull, G.B., As; Jenkins, A.W., Sig; Johns, J.W., AS; Jones, M.G., elect Art; Johnstone, S., Jnr3; Kennedy, I.A., Sig; Kingdon, S.L.AS; Knewstubb, J.W., ERA; Land, A.C.,AS; Leckie, J.C., Tel; Leyland, F.., Writer; Lord, L.M., AS; Lovett, A.F., AS; McCabe, G.,AS; McCallum, F.G.,ERA4; McCaulay, D.G., ERA; McComish, T.J.ERA4; McGee, N.F., ERA4; Mackintosh, I.W., Sto2; McIver, A.H.M., Sto1; McKinnon, P., Sy Asst; Mcleod, A.J., ERA4; McPherson, B.E., Midshipman; Marett, H.W., AS; Marsden, H., AS; Moore, J.E., Elect Art; Morley R.R., Tel; Mosley, T.J.P., AS; Murray G., OS; Munro, D.P., OS; Nalder, L.N., ERA4; O’Connell, L.J., ERA4; O’Neil, W.J.,Cook(o); Patterson, S.J.S., PO; Payne, S.R.A., Painter; Percival, R.S., LSea; Perry, R.J., AS; Perry, W.G., AS; Petherick, J.D., AS; Quin, J.B., AS; Quin, R.F. AS; Raper, A.S., AS; Reid, J.R.. Sto 2; Riley, B.D., AS; Robertson, M.D., AS; Rodgerson, G., Jnr4; Ross, J.V., AS; Rowe, F.F.,Cook; Ruddisk, E.W., AS; Scott, J.G., AS; Simpson, J.G., AS; Simpson, J.A., ERA4; Smith, E., Elect Art; Steedman, J.J.G., Painter; Steward, J.E., Sig; Sturgeon, A.V., ERA4; Tamplim, E.H., AS; Thompson, B.M., Pay Lt; Toomey, A.K.M., Writer; True, J.G., AS; Vazey, E.H., AS; Vercoe, H.B., plbr; Walker, A.J., AS; Walkinshaw, L.R., Sig ; Walpole, H.E., Sy Assist; Wangford W.B.., shpt; Wardle, J.C., AS; Watson, D.M., L Tel; West, S.F., AS; White, M.A., OS; White, W.B., Sto1; Wilson, S.G., AS; Wood, C.J.B.,AS; Wright C.G., AS; Wright, E.E., Sig.

AS-Able Seaman, OS-Ordinary Seaman jnr - Joiner plbr - Plumber PO - Petty Officer ERA - Engineroom Artificer Sy Asst - Supply Assistant L Sea - Leading Seaman Sig - Signalman Sto - Stoker Tel -Telegrapher Elec Art - Electrical Artificer Shpt - Shipwright Pay -Paymaster


crown

© Frank Wade 1998 - 2006