HMS Speedwell - Crew Halcyon Class Minesweeper

Henry Brown HMS Speedwell
Henry Brown, Sickberth Attendant HMS Speedwell

Other Members of the Crew of HMS Speedwell
LAST NAME	FIRST NAMES	RANK	SERVICE NUMBER	DATE	AGE	SOURCE
Allen	Alfred William	Lt	-	1942	-	ADM199/347, ADM116/4544 http://www.unithistories.com/ Mention in Despatches for distinguished services in taking convoys to and from Murmansk, through the dangers of ice and heavy seas and in the face of relentless attacks by enemy U-boats, aircraft and surface forces: Third Supplement to London Gazette of 21.8.42, dated 25.8.42, Issue 35679 'My recollection of the watchkeepers in Speedwell is that the RN two stripes were jolly good chaps with whom it was a pleasure to serve, especially Stoner and (Darby) Allen' -Letter from Lt Cdr J K Neale DSC (IWM 92/50/1)
Alvis	Claude					Info from Alan Lawrence (Grandson)
Ball	Reginald Herbert (Bert)					I believe that my father Reginald Herbert [Bert] Ball served on HMS Speedwell during 1944. I understand that he was in crew on D-Day. Both my Mother and Father are now dead so cannot get more information. Bob Ball Feb 2009
Bartlett	John Douglas	Able Seaman	C/JX171167	1942	-	ADM199/347
Bevan	Frederick William	CPO	C/JX143371	1941	-	16th May 1941 Mention in Despatches for good services while salvaging Atheltemplar March 1941 (London Gazette Issue 35164)
Black	J	Tempy Lt	-	14.9.43	-	Navy List for July 1945
Bowens	Robert	Ordinary Seaman	C/JX238833	1942	-	ADM199/347, ADM116/4544
Bradshaw	J	Tempy Lt	-	25.5.45	-	Navy List for July 1945
Brennan	Terence James	ERA	C/MX51247	1942	-	ADM199/347
BROWN	Henry Thomas Meek	Sickberth Attendant		22.5.42 - 14.2.46		Mentioned in Dispatches 8^th June 1944 (ref AFO 3248/44) Source: Richard Brown (son) http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/rjtmbrown/speedwell/slide01.htm
Campbell	'Doc'	Sickberth Attendant	-	-	-	http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ron6a/navy/hms%20cumberland-speedwell-musketeer-ww2-wwII.htm
Carson	Charles					My father was born in January 1925, and was called up into Naval Service sometime between 1941 and 1943, and after a spell at HMS Ganges, he was posted to the Speedwell. My father is now terminally ill, but when I visit him in hospice, he likes to talk about his navy days. When called up he lived in Glasgow (125 Norfolk Street) and he was the second brother to be called into the service (his brother was Jim, now deceased). Before I read your web-page, my father had told me the story of the U-Boat, which your page states took place in 1941, hence my belief that my father may have been called up earlier than his 18th birthday. He may of course simply have heard the story from others after he joined and adopted the tale as one of his own. He does however definitely recall the 'running aground' incident in September 1943, and tells me that the Commander freed the ship by ordering the ranks to jump up and down in a unified fashion, and on a particular area of the ship. My father ultimately finished his naval service on HMS Farndale, on which he was posted to the Far East after the end of the war in Europe. Apparently when I was very young I succeeded in losing all of his campaign medals, therefore verifying his naval progress through the war is difficult. I do not know what his rank was (he was however only a seaman, not an officer). Source: Alan Carson, son Jan 2007
Cobley	Albert William	CPO	C/J22075	1940	-	Orde - Dunkirk Awarded DSM - Supp to London Gazette 16th Aug 1940, No.34925
Coote	Horace William	Acting Stoker PO	C/K62920	1941	-	Mention in Despatches for good services while salvaging Atheltemplar March 1941 (London Gazette Issue 35164)
Corney	Lesley	Telegraphist	-	-	24	http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A2748855
Cox	James Frederick	Able Seaman	C/JX264983	1942	-	ADM199/347, ADM116/4544
Crowden	H	Tempy Act Sub Lt	-	10.3.44	-	Navy List for July 1945
Curran	A	AB	-	15.12.41	-	RHS Bronze Medal, Greenock, Case No 56787 http://www.lsars.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bronz42s.htm
Dickinson	N V	Cdr	-	4.9.36	-	-
Dickson	J E F	Sub Lt	-	4.10.39	-	Navy List for Dec 1939
Dorrell	Richard William	ERA	C/MX56192	1942	-	ADM199/347, ADM116/4544
Edwards	Walter James	PO				17th August 1942 When Parliament next reassembles, the dockers, garment workers and munition makers of Whitechapel, in London's squalid East End, will be represented in the House of Commons by Petty Officer Walter James Edwards, stoker in the Royal Navy's mine sweeper H.M.S. Speedwell. In an uncontested by-election last week Stoker Edwards, former dockers' union leader and ardent piano thumper, won his seat. Next day he returned to active duty at sea. Cracked his constituents: "0l' Walt'll build some fires under them Whitehall toffs." http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,932808,00.html
Flint	Alfred Harold	Leading Signalman	C/J100550	1941	-	Mention in Despatches for good services while salvaging Atheltemplar March 1941 (London Gazette Issue 35164)
Francis	Albert Charles	Leading Seaman	C/J95851	15.6.39 - 10.11.39	36	He enlisted into Royal Navy HMS Ganges August 1919 Boy II leaving 1933 (leading seaman) joined RFR for the next five years, enlisting again June 1939 demobbed October 1945 Petty Office. Robin Francis - son
Gladwish	Ray	AB	C/JX 558723	1942 - 1945		My father, Ray Gladwish, served on the "HMS Speedwell" during WW2 as an Able Seaman. He has, in the past, talked a little about N. Atlantic trips to Iceland & Russia. I'll see if he's will to share a few more of his memories before they're lost to all. Dave Gladwish
Green	Cyril	PO Telegraphist	-	18.11.41	-	http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ron6a/navy/hms%20cumberland-speedwell-musketeer-ww2-wwII.htm
Gunn	P L	Cdr	-	9.9.35	-	-
Hendry	Peter John	Able Seaman	C/J48846	1941	-	Mention in Despatches for good services while salvaging Atheltemplar March 1941 (London Gazette Issue 35164)
Hickling	Bill		-	-	-	http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ron6a/navy/hms%20cumberland-speedwell-musketeer-ww2-wwII.htm
Hockey	F	Tempy Sub Lt	-	9.8.43	-	Navy List for July 1945
Holden	Stanley Robert	Ldg Seaman	C/J106164	1940	-	My late father Stanley Holden who joined the R.N as a boy recruit was a leading seaman on the Destroyer Speedwell when it was sent to Dunkirk to pick up the B.E.F. from the beaches. He was awarded the D.S.M. for his bravery during the Dunkirk evacuation The Medal Citation reads: CH/J.106164. Holden. Stanley Robert. Leading Seaman, Royal Fleet Reserve. For outstanding ability, coolness and consistent devotion to duty. On the morning of June 1st. 1940 just before daylight four volunteers were called for to man the ships two whalers. Leading Seaman Holden immediately came forward and took charge of one boat. Under the very trying conditions of heavy machine gunfire, he was responsible for the transporting of a large number of B.E.F. Troops from La Panne Beach to his ship. He worked untiringly until eventually the boat sank under him. Throughout the operation the beach was heavily being shelled. Leading Seaman Holden also showed outstanding ability and devotion to duty whilst embarking French Troops at Dunkirk, under very trying conditions on the nights of June 2nd -3rd. and June 3rd -4th. On both occasions Leading Seaman Holden leapt ashore, secured the ship's wires, received the brows from the ship and generally supervised the embarkation from the jetties Orde - Dunkirk. Awarded DSM - Supp to London Gazette 16th Aug 1940, No.34925 http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A2291663
Hornwill	C H	Cd Eng	-	3.7.39	-	Navy List for Dec 1939
Hyland	R J	Sub Lt	-	1.9.39	-	Navy List for Dec 1939
Kesby	James Thomas	Able Seaman	C/J87250	1942	-	ADM199/347. Dunkirk - Awarded DSM - Supp to London Gazette 16th Aug 1940, No.34925
Knowles	Frances Aubrey	Sick Berth Attendant	MX49386	17.12.41 - 26.5.42
Lavender	George David	Chief Stoker	C/K64349			Mention in Despatches for good services while salvaging Atheltemplar March 1941 (London Gazette Issue 35164)
Lee	John Stuart	Able Seaman	C/J110593	1941		Awarded BEM for resource and devotion to duty while salvaging Atheltemplar March 1941 (London Gazette Issue 35164)
Lowe	'Speaky'	Coder	-	-	-	http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ron6a/navy/hms%20cumberland-speedwell-musketeer-ww2-wwII.htm
Marsh	T W	Cdr	-	23.8.37	-	-
Mason	Sydney Herbert	Able Seaman	C/J96766	1942	-	ADM199/347, ADM116/4544
Maunsell	Frederick Richard Guy	Lt Cdr	-	1940	-	Orde - Dunkirk. Mention in Despatches London Gazette Issue 34925 published 16 August 1940 Mention in Despatches: London Gazette Issue 36815 published 24 November 1944. 'A visit to the National Archives produced an extremely interesting career history for Frederick. He was a Midshipman in 1917, Sub Lieut. in 1918, Lieut. in 1920, Lieut. Cdr. in 1928 and Commander (retd.) in 1941. Unfortunately an indiscretion over the management of the wardroom wine accounts in 1935 saw him dismissed from the Royal Navy and placed on the retired list! However - Frederick was to redeem himself in style - with the outset of hostilities in 1939 he was re-instated and became the Skipper of HMS Speedwell (15 June 1939 to 26 February 1941). He was mentioned in despatches twice in the London Gazette in 1940 and again in 1944.' Andrew Leftley http://www.timeworldservices.co.uk/Research-items/The-Lt-Cdr-Frederick-Maunsell-Sextant
McGlynn	N F	Tempy Sub Lt	-	20.8.44	-	Navy List for July 1945
Mitchell	Cyril Charles	CPO	C/J99549	1942	-	ADM199/347
Moorman	William Joseph Henry	Midshipman	-	17.4.42	-	http://www.mcdoa.org.uk/ww_ii_awards_for_rn_minesweeping_M.htm 'Willie Moorman was also a thoroughly reliable and likeable man.' Letter from Lt Cdr J K Neale DSC (IWM 92/50/1)
Murray	J R	Midshipman	-	29.12.44	-	Navy List for July 1945
Neale	Jack K	Lt	-	-	-	IWM 92/50/1
Newman	Edward Alfred	Able Seaman	C/SSX29534	1941		Awarded BEM for resource and devotion to duty while salvaging Atheltemplar March 1941 (London Gazette Issue 35164)
Oliver	R C	Lt Cdr	-	20.6.45	-	Navy List for July 1945
Pickard	Harold			13.10.35- 14.4.37		On 13.10.35 Dad joined the Minesweeper HMS Speedwell arriving Gibraltar on 17.10.35, then to Malta arriving 22.10.35. Here Dad took the opportunity to visit Mums brother, Cyril, and his family. The ship left Malta on 27.10.35 for Alexandria arriving 31.10,35 where it stayed for 6 months apart from exercises and a visit to Famagusta On 20,1.36 there was a special memorial service on the Quarter Deck for the interment of King George V. On 8,2.36, two of Dads former ships arrived at Alexandria ‑ Queen Elizabeth and Berwick. The Minesweeping Exercise "Oropesa" took place on 6,4.36 after which Speedwell left Alexandria on 28.4.36 arriving in Malta on 1.5,36, leaving again on 3.5,36 via Gibraltar arriving at Devonport on 26.6,36, The ship later spent some time at Portland which included cleaning and painting work. From 6,7 to 31.7.36 a series of Minesweeping exercises took place off the coast of Portland, Seaton and Teignmouth, eventually returning to Devonport on 31.7,36 for a welcome period of leave. On 7,9.36 the ship sailed back to Portland for more Minesweeping exercises but on 13.11.36 King George VI visited the ship. Two further exercises were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. On 10.12.36 the ship sailed for Torbay, then on to Devonport arriving 12,12.36 for Christmas and New Year, More exercises between Portland and Weymouth from 15.1.37 to 1.4.37 and the whole crew was discharged to Royal Naval Barracks, HMS Drake, on 14.4.37. http://www.navynews.co.uk/letters/2006/0605/060524_01.asp
Russell	G V B	Lt	-	1.6.39	-	Navy List for Dec 1939 Navy List for July 1945
Smith	Walter	Engineer Officer		3.4.40 to 1.10.43		Grandson - Bill Smith
Stoner	Percival John	Lt				Mention in Despatches for good services while salvaging Atheltemplar March 1941 (London Gazette Issue 35164) 'My recollection of the watchkeepers in Speedwell is that the RN two stripes were jolly good chaps with whom it was a pleasure to serve, especially Stoner and (Darby) Allen' -Letter from Lt Cdr J K Neale DSC (IWM 92/50/1)
Stolley	George		-	-	-	http://www.ronsite.port5.com/navy/hms%20cumberland-speedwell-musketeer-ww2-wwII.htm http://www.riposte.demon.co.uk/warspiteHistory.htm
Vallings	Robert Archibald	Lt	-	1940	-	Orde - Dunkirk. Awarded DSC (London Gazette No. 34932, 27 8.40)
Walter	Jack Vernon	PO	X7596C	1941	-	Mention in Despatches for good services while salvaging Atheltemplar March 1941 (London Gazette Issue 35164)
Webb	Tony	Midshipman Tempy Act Sub Lt	-	2 May 44	-	http://www.owa.org.uk/obituaries.htm Tony Webb RIP - David Webb wrote in February informing us of the death of his eldest brother Tony, on 10^th February 2000. Tony left the College in 1943 and was a midshipman on HMS Speedwell, a fleet minesweeper on D Day. He was demobbed in 1946 and went to Kings College London where he graduated in French in 1949. He spent the rest of his working life in Barclays International and retired in 1985. Tony had four sons and two of them followed him into the College Navy List for July 1945
Wells	Arthur	Ldg Steward	C/LX23783	1942	-	ADM199/347
Williams	T E	Lt Cdr	-	Jan 42 - Mar 43	-	-
Youngs	John Joseph	Lt Cdr	-	26.2.41	-	ADM116/4544 Awarded DSC: London Gazette Issue 35679 published 21 August 1942.