Halcyon Class Minesweepers HMS Sphinx - Crew
 
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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 OFFICER FROM TO
Cdr. John Robert Newton Taylor, RN 28 July 1939 3 February 1940+

 

HMS Sphinx Admitralty regrets

Crew Members who lost their lives while serving on HMS Sphinx
* see 'Reports of HMS Sphinx' ADM 1/10785

LAST NAME

 FIRST NAMES RANK SERVICE NUMBER DATE OF DEATH AGE

FAMILY DETAILS

 COMMEMORATION DETAILS
ADCOCK  Bernard  Stoker 1st Class  C/KX 88505 4th February 1940 22 Son of William and Agnes Amelia Adcock, of Gooderstone, Norfolk WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 15
ASHDOWN*  Stuart Horace  Leading Stoker Mentioned in Despatches  C/KX 83393 4th February 1940 24 Son of Horace James and Caroline Louisa Ashdown CHATHAM Panel 38 Column 1

Stuart Horace Ashdown HMS Spninx

Photo: Christine Simpson
BELL  Denis Desmond  Able Seaman  C/JX 143652 4th February 1940 21 Son of Mrs E P Bell, of Beverley, Yorkshire LYNESS ROYAL NAVAL CEMETERY Orkney Plot P, Row 2, Grave 6
BELL  R  Petty Officer Telegraphist  C/JX 135463 4th February 1940 24 Son of Sarah Bell; husband of Hilda Winifred Gertrude Bell, of Pocklington, Yorkshire WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 10
BEVERLEY  Thomas Alfred  Ordinary Seaman  C/LDX 4846 4th February 1940 19 Son of Thomas E and Daisy E Beverley, of Manor Park, Essex CHATHAM Panel 40, Column 3
BRAHAM*  Francis Arthur  Commissioned Engineer Mentioned in Despatches - 4th February 1940 42 Son of Edward and Sarah Braham; husband of Elizabeth Braham, of East Cosham, Portsmouth WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 12
CARROLL  Robert Charles  Stoker 1st Class  C/KX 75266 4th February 1940 -

-

  WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 8
CHALMERS  William Cameron  Ordinary Seaman  C/JX 152079 4th February 1940 - Dundee WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 16
CONFORT*  John Seaton Guy
 		  Sub-Lieutenant Mentioned in Despatches - 4th February 1940 39 Son of Edward James and Hannah Mary Confort; husband of Evelyn Clara Confort, of Chesham Bois, Buckinghamshire CHATHAM Panel 40, Column 2
COOPER  Joseph  Able Seaman  C/SSX 19003 4th February 1940 24 Husband of Jane Hayes Cooper, of Standtown, Belfast HMS Sphinx AB Joseph Cooper
CHATHAM Panel 35, Column 2
CRAYSTON  Leonard  Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class  C/MX 47979 4th February 1940 -

 -

 CHATHAM Panel 37, Column 2
DUCE  Henry  Telegraphist  C/JX 133853 4th February 1940 -

-

 WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 9
DUNELL  Eric John  Able Seaman  C/JX 139875 4th February 1940 21 Son of Maurice Dunell, and of Ethel Dunell, of Great Bardfield, Essex; husband of Kathleen Elizabeth Dunell HMS Sphinx Able Seaman Eric Dunell
WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 7
FLANAGAN  Gordon  Ordinary Seaman  C/SSX 27930 4th February 1940 21

-

 CHATHAM Panel 36, Column 2
GARTHWAITE  John  Stoker 1st Class  C/KX 85634 4th February 1940 23 Son of Cleminson and Christiana Jane Garthwaite; husband of Amelia Maud Garthwaite, of Barking, Essex CHATHAM Panel 38, Column 2
GOODBAN  Frank  Stoker 1st Class  C/K51768 4th February 1940 39 Son of Thomas C Goodban and Alice L Goodban, of Martin Mill, Kent  WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 8
GREGSON*  Charles Kerr  Able Seaman  C/JX 130572 4th February 1940 -

 -

 CHATHAM Panel 35, Column 2
GRIMSON  Ernest Edward  Petty Officer Stoker  C/K56747 4th February 1940 38 Son of Francis and Florence Grimson; husband of Ivy Louise Grimson, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire  WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 17
HARDY  William George  Leading Cook  C/M38185 4th February 1940 34 Son of Henry and Eliza Mary Hardy; husband of Ruth Hardy, of Chatham WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll grave 9
HOBBS  Harry Frank  Leading Stoker  C/KX 86188 3rd February 1940 23 Son of Alfred and Emma Hobbs; husband of Clarissa May Hobbs, of Hunton, Kent CHATHAM Panel 38, Column 1
HOLMES  George Thomas  Able Seaman  C/JX 128152 4th February 1940 28 Son of William and Edith Hannah Francis Holmes, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex CHATHAM Panel 35, Column 3
JARMAN  Frederick  Petty Officer Stoker  C/K60070 4th February 1940 -

-

 WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 14
KENNY*  James  Chief Stoker  C/K 64651 4th February 1940 39 Son of James and Annie Kenny; husband of Elizabeth E Kenny, of Manchester CHATHAM Panel 37, Column 3
MAYES  Leslie Frank  Stoker 1st Class  C/KX 81076 4th February 1940 25 Son of Charles and Harriet Mayes, of Willington, Bedfordshire WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 15
McDOWELL*  Charles William  Chief Petty Officer Mentioned in Despatches  C/J 96677 4th February 1940 37  Son of John Frederick and Rose McDowell; husband of Winifred Violet Amy McDowell, of Gillingham GILLINGHAM (WOODLANDS) CEMETERY Kent Naval Reservation, Grave 1230
McKESSICK  John Patrick  Leading Supply Assistant  C/MX 52826 4th February 1940 23 Son of James and Matilda McKessick, of Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland LYNESS ROYAL NAVAL CEMETERY Orkney Plot P, Row 2, Grave 4
MURRAY*  Donald Frederick  Able Seaman  C/J81418 4th February 1940 37 Son of Frederic and Harriet Murray; husband of Alexandra Wilgress Murray, of Otley, Suffolk WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 11
NICHOLLS*  Anthony Holbech  Lieutenant (Navigating Officer) Mentioned in Despatches - 4th February 1940 26 Son of the Revd Canon Reginald Morton Nicholls M.A. and Phyllis Nicholls, of Wendover, Buckinghamshire CHATHAM Panel 34, Column 1
NICKELLS  Cecil Alfred  Stoker 1st Class  C/K 62212 4th February 1940 37 Son of Alfred and Ethel Nickells; husband of Grace Ethel Nickells, of Brighton, Sussex CHATHAM Panel 38, Column 3
POULSON*  Clifford Warren  Writer Mentioned in Despatches  C/MX51565 4th February 1940 26 Son of Sidney Herbert and Lily Poulson, of Hounslow, Middlesex WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 1
RALLS*  Harry  Ordnance Artificer 1st Class  C/M 35339 4th February 1940 35 Son of William Pewsey Ralls and Annie Ralls; husband of Anne Beatrice Ralls, of North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire.  Represented England at Rugby Football CHATHAM Panel 39, Column 1
REGAN*  John Henry  Steward Mentioned in Despatches  C/LX 22743 4th February 1940 34 Son of John and Ellen Regan, of East Molesey, Surrey WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 14
ROFFEY  Henry William John  Stoker 1st Class  C/KX 96207 4th February 1940 20 Son of John G W Roffey and Ruby L Roffey, of Streatham, London LYNESS ROYAL NAVAL CEMETERY Orkney. Plot P, Row 2, Grave 2
RUTHEN  Bert Frederick  Leading Stoker  C/KX 86866 3rd February 1940 - Son of Bert Edmund and Alice E  Ruthen, of Lowestoft, Suffolk CHATHAM Panel 38, Column 1
RYALL  Ronald  Ordinary Seaman  C/SSX 29226 4th February 1940 18 Son of George and Rose Ryall, of Friern Barnet, Middlesex WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 10
SKIGGS  Leslie Arthur Sidney  Able Seaman  C/JX 148335 3rd February 1940 19 Son of Albert Edward and Mary Skiggs, of Southend-on-Sea, Essex CHATHAM Panel 36, Column 1

My uncle Leslie Skiggs was the first casualty of the attack. He was only 19 and was a much loved older brother e to my father.  Sadly my father passed away some years ago and we scattered his ashes at sea as he wanted to be with his brother.

Source: Allan Skiggs (Nephew) April 2008
SMITH  Norhan  Ordinary Seaman  C/SSX 29551 4th February 1940 19 Son of William Edward and Susanah Smith CHATHAM Panel 36, Column 3
SMITH  Thomas Andrew  Petty Officer Stoker  C/KX 75331 4th February 1940 35 Son of Mr and Mrs Walter Smith; husband of Ivy Smith, of Gillingham, Kent CHATHAM Panel 37, Column 3
SMITH  William Walter Henry  Petty Officer Stoker  C/K 63153 4th February 1940 36 Son of Steven William and Mercy Eliza Smith; husband of Doris May Smith, of Birchington, Kent CHATHAM Panel 37, Column 3
SNOOK  Frederick  Petty Officer Stoker  C/K 64452 3rd February 1940 34 Son of William Warden Snook and Rose Caroline Snook, of Folkestone HAWKINGE CEMETERY, Kent Plot BB, Section B, Grave 770
STIMPSON  Frederick Victor  Leading Cook (O)  C/L 14079 4th February 1940 37 Son of Frederick and Ada Stimpson; husband of Winifred Helen Stimpson, of Dunfermline, Fife CHATHAM Panel 39, Column 2
SURGEON  James Brown  Stoker 1st Class  C/KX 85039 3rd February 1940 25  Son of Isabella Surgeon, of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire CHATHAM Panel 38, Column 3
TAYLOR*  John Robert Newton  Commander - 3rd February 1940 42 Son of Lieut-Colonel Charles Newton Taylor and Helena Taylor; husband of Joyce Mary Taylor, of Drayton, Somerset CHATHAM Panel 34, Column 1
TAYLOR  Robert  Leading Stoker  C/KX 80708 4th February 1940 31 Son of Thomas and Margaret Taylor of Gateshead, Co. Durham CHATHAM Panel 50, Column 1
UPSALL  Kenneth  Stoker 2nd Class  C/KX 95972 4th February 1940 22 Son of John Fredrick and Bertha Maria Upsall, of Witham Bank, Boston, Lincolnshire HMS Sphinx. Stoker 2nd Class Kenneth Upsall
Photo from Susan Donovan (nee Upsall), niece.
WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 11
WALSH  Ernest Frederick  Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class  C/M 38791 4th February 1940 31 Son of Frederick F and Florence E Walsh, of Forest Hill, London CHATHAM Panel 37, Column 3
WEBSTER  Ernest Arthur  Steward  C/LX 22427 4th February 1940 18

-

 LYNESS ROYAL NAVAL CEMETERY, Orkney. Plot P, Row 2, Grave 3
WENTWORTH*  George Edward  Able Seaman Mentioned in Despatches  C/JX 156232 4th February 1940 18 Son of Thomas J Wentworth and Edith M Wentworth, of Charlton, London WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 14
WHEELER  Harry Nathaniel  Leading Steward  C/L 13711 4th February 1940 35 Son of Albert and Eliza Richardson Wheeler; husband of Janet Kier Wheeler, of Rosyth, Fife CHATHAM Panel 39, Column 2
WOOD  Dennis Arthur George  Signalman
Mention in Despatches		  C/JX 147608 4th February 1940 -

 -

 CHATHAM Panel 36, Column 3
WOOD  William John  Ordinary Seaman  C/SSX 29519 4th February 1940 - Son of Archibald James and Susan Jean Wood, of Edson, Alberta, Canada CHATHAM Panel 36, Column 3
WOOLTORTON  William  Ordinary Signalman  C/JX 152600 4th February 1940 19 Son of Frederick and Winifred Wooltorton, of Little Ormesby, Norfolk WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Section O, Coll Grave 7
YORKSTONE  William Gordon  Petty Officer Steward  C/L 13751 4th February 1940 36 Son of William and Alice Yorkstone; husband of Charlotte Morran Yorkstone, of Edinburgh HMS Sphinx PO William Yorkstone

CHATHAM Panel 39, Column 2
TESSIER*  Albert Louis  Lieutenant  - 4th February 1940 50 Son of Eugene Louis Tessier and Elizabeth McKnight Tessier; husband of Minnie (Major) Tessier of Ferring, Sussex. Mentioned in Despatches 1914-18 War.  WICK CEMETERY CAITHNESSHIRE Sec. O. Coll. grave 13.

 

Other Members of the Crew of HMS Sphinx
LAST NAME FIRST NAMES RANK SERVICE NUMBER DATE AGE

SOURCE
Amery Parkes Guy Beresford Cdr   7.39 - 8.39   (CO) http://www.unithistories.com
Ashby   Chief ERA   Feb 40   ADM 1/10785
Bell Norman PO   3.11.39 - 4.2.40 34
HMS Sphinx Norman BellMy father was petty officer Norman Bell. He joined the Sphinx on the 3rd of November 1939 until it was attacked 4th February 1940. Fortunately he survived and was posted as a Chief Petty officer to the Pembroke. Invalided out on the 10th May 1943 as a result of an injury he had received  in 1940. Went on to train sea cadets as a hobby and died age 72 in 1977 being age 39 when he joined HMS Sphinx. Married to Ruby  with 2 children all of whom lived in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Source: Doreen Jackson, daughter
Bellars Anthony Gerald William Sub Lt   15.10.39   Navy List for Dec 1939. Awarded MBE (London Gazette No 34868 of 7th June 1940)
Blackburn   Sto   Feb 40   ADM 1/10785
Caple R L Lt   7.2.39   Navy List for Dec 1939
Dow J Surg Lt   June 39   Navy List for Dec 1939

My Grandfather was James Dow who had served on board the Sphinx as the ships doctor for some period in its short time in service. I don't believe he was on board when it was struck but I will look a little further into this to see if I can get more info.
 
You may or may not be interested but I attach a photo of a model of the sphinx which I can only presume was made on board; some of the materials used are old sea charts. Rumour has it that whilst the Sphinx was clearing mines, my Grandfather was offered a shot at a mine and successfully hit it. The amusement of the ship's doctor blowing up a mine resulted in him being presented with a model of the
Sphinx. I have no idea if this is true but there certainly must have been a talented model maker on board.

Source: Andrew Dow, Grandson (Feb 2009)

Model of HMS Sphinx
 
Fayers Edward (Ted) Andrew Stoker I Class,

Acting Ldg Sto

 C/KX 86110 27.7.39 - 4.2.40  
Dad had joined Pembroke 13th May 1935.  Apart from Shore Establishments (Pembroke I , II and Seaborn ,Nova Scotia) he served on Scarborough, Pegasus, Sphinx, Sussex, ML170, ML 174, Lookout, Leamington, St Albans, Courier, Marmion, Franklin, Cleopatra, Whirlwind, Obdurate.
 
At his retirement in 1957 he was CPO Chief Stoker.

Source: Tony Fayers (Son) May 2008
Fedarb Arthur Stanley PO  (Chief Boatswain’s Mate) C/JX128670 Feb 40   ADM 1/10785. Awarded BEM (London Gazette No 34868 of 7th June 1940)
Foster Henry John Ldg Sig JX 134032    

I have recently received my late uncle’s RN service record, Henry John Foster JX 134032 Chatham Port Division. Date of Birth 2 June 1914 at Woolwich, Kent. The record shows the following:

Ship in which Serving    From   Rating and Discharge

Boscawen (Sphinx)    26 Jul 1939        Ldg. Sig.
Boscawen (Sphinx)    10 Oct 1939      Over 1 yr.
Pembroke.1.              5 Feb 1940        Over 1 yr.

My uncle went on to serve in HM Ships Naiad, Dido, Nile, Canopus? Chevron, Virago, Gillingham? and Superb to name the ones I can read on his record. He continued to serve until 27 Oct 1954 when he discharged with the rank of CCY. 

Barry Morgan (nephew) April 2008
Heathcote Dennis Willoughby Day Paymaster Sub Lt   Feb 40   ADM 1/10785
Mention in Despatches (London Gazette No 34868 of 7th June 1940)
Panton   AB   Feb 40   ADM 1/10785
Parsons N R Tempy Lt   8.11.39   Navy List for Dec 1939
Poore   AB   Feb 40   ADM 1/10785
Walls James Chief Shipwright M38469 27.7.39 - 4.2.40   ADM 1/10785
My father, who was one of the survivors of the sinking of the Sphinx in 1940. He always said he was the last to be picked up alive from the water. He was Chief Shipwright James Walls, Official Number M 38469. According to his naval record, he served on the Sphinx from 27th July 1939 to February 4th 1940, when she went down. He returned to service at HMS Pembroke (Chatham) immediately afterwards, and then to HMS Pelican for the next couple of years. In 1945, shortly before the war ended he was considered physically unfit for further service and was granted a disability pension, a result, he maintained, of the time he spent in the freezing water.  After the war and his recovery from illness, he returned to light duties in Chatham Dockyard. He passed various exams, and subsequently had a successful career in the Admiralty. He died in 1982 at the age of 73
Source: Angela Sheahan, daughter
Yallop Charles Frederick Acting Yeoman of Signals C/J 73977 Feb 40   ADM 1/10785. Awarded BEM (London Gazette No 34868 of 7th June 1940)
             
             
             
     

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This site was last updated 17 Januar 2012