|
The steam trawler Fleming was built by Cook, Welton & Gemmill in 1929 for F&T Ross of Hull. On Aug. 15, 1934 she ran down and sank the motor fishing vessel Boys Own, the accident was deemed to have been the fault of the Fleming, fortunately no lives were lost. In August of 1939 the 35 ton trawler was requisitioned by the Admiralty for use as a minesweeper. Her last day came on January 24, 1940 when HMT Fleming and another M/S trawler HMT Berberis were in the Thames Estuary when they were attacked by four German aircraft. The Germans split up and two aircraft attacked each vessel. Bombs soon hit Fleming amidships and she quickly sank. The gunners on Berberis reportedly shot down one of the aircraft and possibly damaged a second. Nineteen of Fleming's crew were lost in the attack, the survivors, including the skipper, were picked up by HM Trawler Corena. I have been able to locate just this small amount of information on this event, but I am sure there is far more of a story here. Several men were decorated for "courage and resource in repelling enemy air attacks", two in Fleming and four in Berberis. Their exact actions are unknown, but must have been quite courageous. |
© 2012 Michael W. Pocock MaritimeQuest.com |
Roll of Honour |
In memory of those who lost their lives in HM Trawler Fleming "As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us" |
Name |
Rate |
Service |
|
Drayton, William F. A. |
Stoker 2nd Class |
Royal Naval Patrol Service |
|
Forden, Richard |
Seaman |
RNR (Patrol Service) |
|
Hills, Herbert E. |
Telegraphist |
RNVR |
|
Jones, Hugh V. R. |
Chief Engineman |
RNR (Patrol Service) |
|
MacAngus, Alexander |
Ordinary Seaman |
Royal Naval Patrol Service |
|
Maltby, Montague M. |
Seaman |
RNR (Patrol Service) |
|
Marshall, Horace |
Seaman |
Royal Naval Patrol Service |
|
* |
Milner, D.S.M., Edward |
Seaman |
RNR (Patrol Service) |
Newton, John |
Stoker |
Royal Naval Patrol Service |
|
Noble, Thomas R. S. |
Seaman |
RNR (Patrol Service) |
|
Porter, James G. |
Seaman |
RNR (Patrol Service) |
|
Pound, Philip J. |
Ordinary Seaman |
Royal Naval Patrol Service |
|
Smith, Charlie |
Able Seaman |
Royal Navy |
|
Smith, George |
2nd Hand |
RNR (Patrol Service) |
|
Smith, Joseph |
Stoker 2nd Class |
Royal Naval Patrol Service |
|
Swann, Thomas A. |
Seaman Cook |
Royal Naval Patrol Service |
|
Towers, William |
Seaman |
Royal Naval Patrol Service |
|
Underwood, Ernest C. |
Engineman |
RNR (Patrol Service) |
|
Walker, Andrew |
Stoker |
RNR (Patrol Service) |
|
* |
D.S.M. Posthumously |
||
Skipper Ernest G. Gurney, R.N.R., who was wounded in the attack, was awarded the D.S.C. |
|||
Men of HM Trawler Berberis who were decorated |
|||
Skipper Lewis Grace, R.D., R.N.R. (D.S.C.) |
|||
Seaman Harry Thornley, R.N.R. (D.S.M.) |
|||
Sub-Lieutenant (Temp.) Vivian A. Mawson, R.N.V.R. (Mentioned in Despatches) |
|||
Assistant Cook Frank L. Ely, R.N. (Mentioned in Despatches) |
2007 Daily Event |
||
2008 Daily Event |
2009 Daily Event |
2010 Daily Event |