HMS Leda - Crew Halcyon Class Minesweeper

This page contains all the names of crew members that have been found so far. If you can add to the information please contact me.

COMMANDING OFFICERS	FROM	TO

Lt.Cdr. N.R. Courthope-Munroe, RN	4 May 1938	7 March 1940
Lt.Cdr. Harold Unwin, RN DSC awarded on 7 June 1940	7 March 1940	October 1940
Cdr. Richard Cyril Vesey Ross, DSO, RN	October 1940	22 July 1941
Cdr. Alan David Hastings Jay, RN DSC awarded on 24 March 1942	22 July 1941	15 May 1942
A/Cdr. Arthur Hugh Wynne-Edwards, RN (retired)	15 May 1942	20 September 1942

HMS Leda Admiralty regrets

Crew Members who lost their lives while serving on HMS Leda
LAST NAME	FIRST NAMES	RANK	SERVICE NUMBER	DATE OF DEATH	AGE	FAMILY DETAILS	COMMEMORATION DETAILS
ADAMS	Albert Sidney	Able Seaman	C/J 87487	20th September 1942	41	Son of Albert Swinton Adams and Florence Adams, of Homsey, Middlesex	CHATHAM Panel 52, Column 3
BEARD	William Henry	Telegraphist	C/JX232227	27th September 1942	25	Son of Jane Beard, of Chelsea, London	LYNESS CEMETERY, Orkney Plot P, Row 4, Grave 15
BLAKE	Alfred	Petty Officer Stoker	C/K 61527	20th September 1942	42	Son of Robert and Edith Blake; husband of Hilda Mary Blake, of Norwich	CHATHAM Panel 60, Column 3
BRYDON	William George	Able Seaman	C/J 81919	20th September 1942	40	Son of William George and Jessie Gertrude Brydon; husband of Saverina Brydon of Valetta, Malta GC	CHATHAM Panel 53, Column 1
BURRELL	Cyril John	Leading Seaman	C/SSX 20942	20th September 1942	23	Son of Mr and Mrs Frederick J Burrell, of Boreham, Essex	CHATHAM Panel 52, Column 1
CHRISTISON	Alexander	Leading Steward	C/LX 24621	20th September 1942	21	Son of Norman and Mary Ann Birse Christison, of Carmyllie, Angus	CHATHAM Panel 64, Column 3
COOK	Herbert Thomas	Petty Officer Stoker	C/K 60248	20th September 1942	42	Son of William and Agnes Cook; husband of Kitty Louise Cook, of Gillingham, Kent	CHATHAM Panel 60, Column 3
COVER	Harold	Stoker 1st Class	C/KX 129155	20th September 1942	29	Son of Reginald and Theresa Cover, of Blackley, Manchester	CHATHAM Panel 62, Column 1
COYLE	Bernard	Stoker 1st Class	C/KX 129152	20th September 1942	-	-	CHATHAM Panel 62, Column 1
CROFT	Alfred Ernest	Petty Officer	C/JX 135839	20th September 1942	33	Husband of Violet Grace Croft, of Gillingham, Kent	CHATHAM Panel 51, Column 3
DAVIES	William	Petty Officer Stoker	C/K 63125	20th September 1942	-	-	CHATHAM Panel 60, Column 3
EYDEN	Walter James	Stoker 1st Class	C/KX 130357	20th September 1942	?	Son of George and Ada Eyden, of Northampton	CHATHAM Panel 62, Column 1
FULLER	Albert Samuel	Cook (S)	C/MX 65890	20th September 1942	25	Son of Samuel George and Ethel Lilian Fuller; husband of Doris Ethel Fuller, of Gillingham, Kent	CHATHAM Panel 64, Column 2
FURNISS	Cyril George	Leading Steward	C/LX 26520	20th September 1942	26	Son of Charles Matthew and Caroline Alice Furniss, of Watford, Hertfordshire	CHATHAM Panel 64, Column 3
GERMANY	William John	Able Seaman	C/J 111937	20th September 1942	39	Son of Mr and Mrs William J Germany; husband of Gladys H Germany, of Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk	CHATHAM Panel 54, Column 1
GOSLING	Henry Frank	Petty Officer Steward	C/L 15164	20th September 1942	37	Son of Henry Charles and Alice Mary Gosling; husband of Louisa May Gosling, of Hendon, Middlesex	CHATHAM Panel 64, Column 3
HEAD	Leslie John	Able Seaman	C/SSX 34027	20th September 1942	21	-	CHATHAM Panel 54, Column 2
HIGGS	Edward William	Petty Officer DSM	C/JX 133416	20th September 1942	28	Son of Edward William and Marion Sabina Higgs; husband of Daphne Joan Higgs, of Cosham, Hampshire	CHATHAM Panel 51, Column 3
HOBSON	John Alfred	Stoker 1st Class	C/KX 123510	20th September 1942	26	Son of Charles William and Alice Wilson Hobson; husband of Mrs W L Hobson of Grimsby, Lincolnshire	CHATHAM Panel 62, Column 1
HOPPER	William George	Chief Engine Room Artificer Mentioned in Despatches	C/M 37917	20th September 1942	34	Son of James Stephen and Maud Mary Hopper; husband of Edith Mabell Hopper, of Bapchild, Kent www.royalnavaldivision.co.uk	CHATHAM Panel 60, Column 1
HOWELL	George Edward	Petty Officer Stoker	C/KX 85369	20th September 1942	28	Son of Albert Edward and Alice Howell; husband of Jessie Howell, of Torry, Aberdeenshire	CHATHAM Panel 61, Column 1
JAGO	Frederick	Shipwright 2nd Class	C/M 34875	20th September 1942	45	Son of William and Lavinia Jago; husband of Ivy May Jago, of Cowes, Isle of Wight	CHATHAM Panel 63, Column 2
LAHEE	Bernard William	Able Seaman	P/J 94396	2nd July 1940	38	Son of Bernard William and Rosina Mary Lahee, of Pimlico, London	GRIMSBY (SCARTHO ROAD) CEMETERY Section 116, Row G, Grave 2
LEARMOND	Adam Clarkson	Steward	C/LX 24931	20th September 1942	29	Son of Walter and Annie Learmond, of Edinburgh	CHATHAM Panel 64, Column 3
MAIR	James	Stoker 1st Class	C/KX 122442	20th September 1942	28	Son of Francis and Georgina Mair	CHATHAM Panel 62, Column 2
MARSH	Albert Charles	Petty Officer Stoker	C/K 66776	20th September 1942	36	Son of Mrs S L Marsh, of Folkestone, Kent	CHATHAM Panel 61, Column 1
McHATTIE	Neil	Leading Seaman	C/SSX 17227	20th September 1942	-	-	CHATHAM Panel 52, Column 2
McLEISH	Robert	Engine Room Artificer 4th Class	C/MX 62565	20th September 1942	25	Son of John G and Elizabeth Ann McLeish, of Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland	CHATHAM Panel 60, Column 2
MIDDLETON	Harry William Thomas	Stoker 1st Class	C/KX 105320	20th September 1942	21	Son of Richard and Susan Fanny Middleton; husband of Christina Margaret Middleton, of Birmingham	CHATHAM Panel 62, Column 2
MUIR	George Goldie	Able Seaman	C/JX 259806	20th September 1942	28	Son of David and Mary Muir; husband of Annie Young Muir, of Glasgow	CHATHAM Panel 55, Column 2
O'BRIEN	John	Leading Seaman	C/SSX 30067	20th September 1942	22	Husband of Florrie O'Brien, of Radcliffe, Lancashire	CHATHAM Panel 52, Column 2
RICHARDS	David Ivor	Stoker 1st Class	D/KX 117129	20th September 1942	32	Son of David and Nellie Richards, of Tonmawr, Glamorgan; husband of Irene Richards, of Tonmawr	PLYMOUTH Panel 70, Column 2
RIVERS	Albert Francis	Stoker 1st Class	C/K 63850	20th September 1942	41	Son of George and Emily Rivers; husband of Eleanor Amelia Rivers, of Shepherd's Bush, London	CHATHAM Panel 62, Column 3
ROBERTSON	Harry	Ordinary Seaman	C/JX 319164	20th September 1942	19	Son of William and Gertrude Ellen Robertson, of Sharnford, Leicestershire	CHATHAM Panel 58, Column 1
ROSEBLADE	Eric	Able Seaman	C/JX 317785	20th September 1942	20	Son of Joseph, Claridge Roseblade and Mary Ellen Roseblade, of Nuneaton, Warwickshire	CHATHAM Panel 56, Column 1
SCULLION	John	Stoker 1st Class	C/SKX 1604	20th September 1942	-	-	CHATHAM Panel 62, Column 3
SKINNER	Hugh	Canteen Manager	C/NX 2166	20th September 1942		Son of Mr & Mrs H Skinner, of 10 Acre Rd, March. Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. www.roll-of-honour.com
SMITH	Henry Laurence	Leading Seaman	C/JX 235199	20th September 1942	27	Son of Henry Percy and Lillie Smith, of Brighton, Sussex	CHATHAM Panel 52, Column 2 H.L. Smith (Leading Seaman, H.M.S. Leda) who was reported lost with his ship, a minesweeper, was at School from 1929 to 1931, the elder of two brothers at the School. He gained his School Certificate in 1930, and left from viSc.B. He was a member of East House. WE extend our sincere sympathy to his relatives.' Source: Reading School Magazine Vol. XVII, No 1 (December 1942. John Oakes Hon. Archivist for Reading SchooL
SOLE	Horace Douglas Lancelot	Able Seaman	C/JX 317799	20th September 1942	20	Son of Sarah Sole, of Ingatestone, Essex	CHATHAM Panel 56, Column 2
SPENCE	George Craigie	Ordinary Seaman	C/JX 317869	20th September 1942	18	Son of Thomas and Jessie Spence, of Glasgow	CHATHAM Panel 58, Column 1
STEVENS	Frederick	Stoker 1st Class	P/KX 65044	21st January 1940	-	Son of Mr and Mrs F Stevens, of Reading	READING CEMETERY, Berks. Division 10, Grave 12293
STOKES	John Finlay	Engine Room Artificer 4th Class	C/MX 66756	20th September 1942	25	Son of John and Mary Stokes, of Little Easton, Essex	CHATHAM Panel 60, Column 2
TENNANT	William Wilson	Surgeon Lieutenant	-	20th September 1942	-	M.B., Ch.B.	CHATHAM Panel 66, Column 2
WRIGHT	Wilfred Cecil	Leading Seaman	C/JX 165493	20th September 1942	23	Son of William James and Mabel Elizabeth Wright, of Norwich, Norfolk	CHATHAM Panel 52, Column 3
YOUNG	James	Petty Officer Stoker	C/K 60995	20th September 1942	39	Son of James and Emma Langtry Young; husband of Mildred Doris Young, of Wickhambreaux, Kent	CHATHAM Panel 61, Column 1
YOUNG	Kenneth Stanley	Ordinary Seaman	P/JX 260381	20th September 1942	31	Son of Joseph and Annie Young; husband of Muriel Grey Young, of Hoylake, Cheshire	PORTSMOUTH Panel 66, Column 2

HMS Leda. John Deal (second from left) HMS Leda. John Deal (first in second row) HMS Leda. John Deal (third from left)

HMS Leda. John Deal, June 1940 (first from left in third row from end) Probably taken at HMS Royal Arthur (Butlin's Skegness)

PHOTO'S OF JOHN ROBERT DEAL

I am attaching six photographs of my grandfather in uniform, which he gave me and which I treasure. In photo No. 1 (below) you can just about distinguish the name “LEDA” on the ribbon of his hat and in photo No.2 my grandfather is first in the second row. In photo No.3 he is third from the left. In photo No.4, which is dated June 1940, he is first from the left in the third row from the end. In photo No.5 he is second from the left and in photo No.6 I think, but I’m not sure, he is on the left side in the second row from the rear part of the boat.
Nomicos Roussos, Grandson. Dec 2008

Other Members of the Crew of HMS Leda
LAST NAME	FIRST NAMES	RANK	SERVICE NUMBER	DATE	AGE	SOURCE
Aall	Hans Cato	Lieutenant		Seniority 24.4.41 Appointed 17.11.41	36	‘PQ17’ by Godfrey Winn (Later died on Bramble)
Boyce	Reginald George					I believed my Father Reginald George Boyce served on the HMS LEDA in 1942 , when it was torpedoed in September 1942 ,he survived was injured and picked up , have been trying to find out any information on him as a survivor but have not come across any so far. Reg Boyce (Son) July 2008
Bradley	Frederick	T/Lt		12.12.39 - 4.40		http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RNVR_officersB.html
Champion	H J	Warrant Engineer		Seniority 14.5.41 Appointed 2.6.41		List of officers in 1st and 6th Minesweeping Flotillas 18th May 1942 IWM 92/50/1
Collins	John	PO	P/J90457	1940		Dunkirk - Orde Awarded DSM - Supp to London Gazette 16th Aug 1940, No.34925
Courthorpe-Munroe	N R	Lt Cdr		4.5.38 -7.3.40		Navy List for Dec 1939
Deal	John Robert			14.5.40 - 13.12.40		My grandfather, John Robert Deal, was born in Leigh-on-sea, Essex, on 1^st February 1913, enrolled in the Royal Navy on 14^th of May 1940 and served on HMS ‘’LEDA’’ as able seaman until the 13^th of December 1940. On that particular date he was admitted to Londonderry Emergency Hospital with early symptoms of pneumonia, after he and many other fellow crew members were washed overboard due to bad weather conditions while sailing in the North Sea. Eventually he was diagnosed with right chronic emphysema, which resulted in a complete collapse of the right lung. He was discharged from the Royal Naval Hospital in Barrow Gurney, Bristol, on 30^th September 1942, that is after over 2 ½ years. Most of his life he lived in Southend-on-sea, Essex, with his wife Doris their two daughters, Jacqueline (my mother) and Carol and their son, Malcolm. He survived his wife and on the 14^th of December 2000 he sadly passed away, at the age of 87. He always told me how very proud he was to have served his country and I would very much appreciate it if you would be kind enough to add his name alongside the names of his fellow crew members. Source: Nomicos Roussos (grandson) Sept 2008
Dinwoodey	W C	Cd Eng		17.4.39		Navy List for Dec 1939
Foster	George Campbell	PO	P/JX153809	1940		ADM 116/5233 See 'Gossamer Crew' for more details
Head	George Bertram	CERA	P/M 34498	1940		Dunkirk - Orde Awarded DSM - Supp to London Gazette 16th Aug 1940, No.34925
Jay	Alan David Hastings	Cdr		22.7.41 - 15.5.42
Jones	Peter Morgan	Lt		21.5.41 - 14.12.41		www.unithistories.com
Lambrick	N R	Lt		Seniority 1.12.41 Appointed 1.12.41		List of officers in 1st and 6th Minesweeping Flotillas 18th May 1942 IWM 92/50/1
Mather	D B	Tempy Sub Lt		Seniority 17.7.41 Appointed 11.2.41		List of officers in 1st and 6th Minesweeping Flotillas 18th May 1942 IWM 92/50/1
McKee	William	Lt		1940		Dunkirk - Orde. Mention in Despatches: Supp to London Gazette 16th Aug 1940, No.34925
Milward	R H	Sub Lt		26.4.39		Navy List for Dec 1939
Mosley	Ernest	Stoker/ Chief Stoker PO				My late father, Ernest Mosley 1915 - 1995 was a stoker on board HMS Leda when she was torpedoed. He said he was fortunate to be off watch when she was hit. He was picked up by HMS Seagull. It was when she came to Grimsby in 1940 that he met my mother Laura Haddock and I was born in 1941 so it could be said that HMS Leda is be reason for being. Dad signed on for twelve years in 1938 after watching HMS Ramilles exercising off Shoeburyness one Sunday afternoon. He said the crew were wearing whites so they were probably recruiting. At that time he was working for Fords of Dagenham. Other ships which I know he served on are HMS Sussex, HMS Belfast, HMS Carron and finally HMS Anson in the Far East. I don't know, there may be others. When his 12 years were up he was kept in because of the Korean War and was finally discharged in 1952 as a Chief Stoker Petty Officer. The attached photograph of my Aunt Gladys Haddock age 13 wearing dad's HMS Leda cap alongside her is my grandmother Isabella haddock holding me in her arms. the photograph was taken in the garden at no 35 Cooper Road in Grimsby. Graham Mosley Feb 2009
Pengelly	B	Lt (Gunnery Officer)		1942 Seniority 4.1.42 Appointed 10.2.42		‘PQ17’ by Godfrey Winn List of officers in 1st and 6th Minesweeping Flotillas 18th May 1942 IWM 92/50/1
Pilkinton	Alfred Edward	Chief Stoker	C/K61728			Alf was fortunate to survive the Leda's sinking and was able to help save the lives of several of his fellow crew members, he was mentioned in dispatches for his efforts and reported in the London Gazette. Alf was born and died in Gravesend; 1905 to 1949. He was survived by his wife Cissie and four children, Cissie died in 1997, again in Gravesend. Source: Paul Crowhurst, Grandson
Pratt	N R	Tempy Lt		Seniority 24.8.41 Appointed 2.3.42		List of officers in 1st and 6th Minesweeping Flotillas 18th May 1942 IWM 92/50/1
Ross	Richard Cyril Vesey	Cdr	10.40 - 22.7.41
Unwin	Harold	Lt Cdr		7.3.40 - 10.40		Dunkirk - Orde. Awarded DSC - London Gazette Issue 34867 published on the 7 June 1940
Watson	F A L H	Lt		9.3.38		Navy List for Dec 1939
Wynne-Edwards	Arthur Hugh	Commander		15.5.42 - 20.9.42