General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: Q ship HMS Stonecrop v U boat? 17th Sept 1917
Posted by:
maccad23
()
Date: February 23, 2011 11:27AM
Hi Nigel,
Not sure my previous reply arrived!
Yes, I have your Great Grandfather on the records I obtained from the National Archives as receiving a DSC for the same action as my Great Uncle - they were involved in operating the gun together under fire.
Unfortunately my Gt Uncle William was killed the following day when the Stonecrop was torpedoed by U43. Family hearsay was that he went back into the engine room to save colleagues when it exploded, but I have seen nothing to confirm this. There is quite a range of sources detailing the actions of Maurice Blackwood and Nicholas Smiles for both the engagement and survival of some of the crew after the sinking - do you have any more information about our relatives?
The remaining crew surviving on rafts under those conditions was quite a feat of endurance and bravery - it was a shame that your Gt Grandfather didn't live that much longer thereafter.
Regards,
Keith
Not sure my previous reply arrived!
Yes, I have your Great Grandfather on the records I obtained from the National Archives as receiving a DSC for the same action as my Great Uncle - they were involved in operating the gun together under fire.
Unfortunately my Gt Uncle William was killed the following day when the Stonecrop was torpedoed by U43. Family hearsay was that he went back into the engine room to save colleagues when it exploded, but I have seen nothing to confirm this. There is quite a range of sources detailing the actions of Maurice Blackwood and Nicholas Smiles for both the engagement and survival of some of the crew after the sinking - do you have any more information about our relatives?
The remaining crew surviving on rafts under those conditions was quite a feat of endurance and bravery - it was a shame that your Gt Grandfather didn't live that much longer thereafter.
Regards,
Keith