10.
Feb. 11, 2012

My grandfather was on the Windsor Castle when it was torpedoed in 1943. His name was Bernard Ashby. If anyone reading this knew of anyone who knew Bernard then I would love to get in touch.

Thanks,
Paul Gurney

9.
Jan. 22, 2011

My father was on board the Windsor Castle when it was torpedoed. I have read many accounts of the sinking and all maintain only one man was lost. However, my father said that Canadian troops were sleeping in the part of the ship that received the direct hit and they were trapped. He was forever after haunted by the memory of their screams as they tried to escape. It seems it was common practice to seal off the damaged section of a torpedoed ship in order to slow the rate of sinking and allow more time for the survivors to escape. The Windsor Castle took either 9 or 15 hours to sink, depending on which report you read, which appears to support this theory and the photograph of the sinking shows only the stern below water. Can anyone provide any more information on the fate of the Canadians ?

(Mrs) D. Jones
Wales

8.
Oct. 25, 2010

I have used it to find information about the sinking of the Windsor Castle in March 1943. I particularly like the photo of the sinking troopship with destroyers gathered around.

My interest lies in the fact that my aunt, Lucy Cockeram, was a WREN (W.R.N.S.) passenger during this incident. She and her colleagues were rescued by a destroyer and transported back to Algiers.She mentioned that climbing the scrambling net up the side of the destroyer seemed like ascending a house wall, and at the top a sailor shouted out "Bloody Hell, it's a WREN." Which received the comment from someone behind "That's no WREN, that's Lucy Cockeram from down our street!"

I believe there were 14 WRENS in her party, and they lost everything, escaping in their pajamas. However they were provided with bits of kit, and a couple of weeks later my father who was serving with the RAF in Algeria, met up with her and the rest of the group.

I understand Lucy became a pay-clerk on a submarine depot ship which operated out of Algiers, and later Malta. She was only 19 years old at them time and was a gregarious and social person. She made friends easily, but never really said much about the details of her war experience. My father said she had many acquaintances on the submarines who didn't come back from operations and found it very upsetting to remember them.

Lucy is still alive, but unfortunately now suffering from alzheimer's. However I will be meeting her, and my cousins tomorrow for a day out, and I am told that since she has recently moved into a home, more information about the event has come to light. Thanks again for you efforts in producing such a useful resource.

Tom Cockeram

The group of WRENS who survived the sinking of Windsor Castle, Lucy Cockeram is seen in the front row, third from the left.

7.
Nov. 28, 2008

I was a soldier on the Windsor Castle. The night before she was torpedoed, I was on guard duty till midnight, I went below deck to sling my hammock but there was no where to hang it, as below deck was full of troops. I went back on the top deck to sleep on the lid of the holds but there was no room either. I found another space when the ship was hit, the lids were blown off, men as well. Being that there was no room below deck it saved my life returning to the top deck?

A destroyer (The Whaddon) came alongside the Windsor Castle, I was standing at the bow, as the ship was listing, I couldn't swim so I stayed put? I was told to jump by the crew of the destroyer, so I jumped and was caught by members of the crew. We were then taken to Algiers.

Fred Dinham 14250866 103rd RAMC
Earlsfield, UK

6.
Nov. 18, 2008

My late father (Flt Lt J.C.F.Thompson RAFVR) was Adjutant of 283 ASR Squadron, and was on his way east as a passenger on RMS Windsor Castle. They were shadowed all day by an axis plane, and in the early morning  one aircraft dropped one torpedo which struck home, leading to the slow sinking of the ship. Luckily he and many
others were saved by HMS Eggesford and her sister ships, which raced out to pick them up.

Father only got his feet wet, and I believe there was only one casualty out of nearly 3,000 passengers and crew. (Mother complained when she received a water-stained letter from him – apparently someone grabbed the mail as the ship sank, and she did not realize the significance of the stains!)

On board the Eggesford, they were thrust down hatches to keep the ship stable, and she then set off at high speed for Alexandria. Dad remembers the plates rippling due to the speed and load. The incident has always
been part of my childhood, and it is so interesting to find your site.

HMS Eggesford was sold to the German Navy (as the 'Brommy') after the war and lasted into the late seventies.
There are several web-site references one can look up.

Mike Thompson,
Cemaes Bay, Anglesey

5.
Dec. 5, 2007

Delighted to come across your website. My father James Culham aged 87 had recently joined REME and recalls the sinking but was amazed to see the photo. He was fortunate in being on B Deck so he didn't have far to climb to escape but remembers men standing patiently waiting for rescue like there were on parade. He thought there were attacked by a plane but as your other correspondent says it was a long time ago.
(Sinking of the Windsor Castle)

Janis Kirby (nee Culham)

4.
July 17, 2007

I have a close family friend who was on board the Windsor Castle when it got torpedoed of the coast of Algiers on March 23rd 1943. His name is George Honan. He was part of the Royal engineers who where dispatched to North Africa on mine clearing duty. You wouldn't believe the look on his face when I showed him your
pictures of the vessel going down. The look of emotion will last with me for a long time
and for this I need to thank you.

According to the stats the ship was hit at 02:30 and never sank until 17:30 a total of fifteen hours. George himself couldn't remember it taking so long but I'm guessing with sixty-four years passing and the obvious hysteria time didn't really come into it. He does remember the call going up for the abandonment of ship which was much to his dismay as he couldn't swim a stroke. However that order was cancelled out as there was a destroyer not to far away by the name of HMS Whodden/Whoddan (can't really remember exact spelling). The troops then climbed down a cargo net on to the above mentioned vessel and proceeded to circle the doomed Windsor Castle as it was eventually engulfed by the vast Mediterranean Sea.

He believes the fatalities on board where RAF troops who's quarters the missile hit. Eventually all the survivors where ferried to safety to the nearest port which was Algiers. I would be forever grateful if you have anymore information regarding this event and in particular information about the HMS Whodden as it would make an elderly man very happy.

Yours Gratefully
Damien Quinn

3.
Feb. 5, 2007

Hi all! I found this photograph of a Fancy Dress Ball on the RMS Windsor Castle in my grandfathers collection of photographs. He went to work in South Africa in 1930. He is the 3rd person from the right Percy Green. I have no other details of any of the other "fancy dressers". Hopefully you might enjoy the photograph.

Geoffrey R. Green

2.
Dec. 9, 2006

I was intrigued to read your message relating to Princess Marie Louise and the Chief Officer of RMS Windsor Castle because I, too, have just purchased 2 letters and 3 telegrams from the Princess. I wonder just
how many more are on the market? I have had no luck so far in establishing how their relationship evolved, but if I discover anything I will let you know. I would also appreciate it if you would kindly reciprocate with any relevant information you might unearth.

Kind Regards,
John Crowther

1.
October 9, 2006

I understand that H.R.H. The Princess Marie Louise was a supporter of this ship, and regularly wrote to, and sent telegrams to, the Chief Officer, Mr. C. Steer. The Steer correspondence recently came onto the philatelic market from a descendant, and is now being sold by a postal history dealer. I was able to obtain one letter and envelope to the Chief Officer from Marie Louise, and a good luck telegram sent before a voyage, as well as a Christmas card to him entitled‘M.L.’. I wonder if anyone reading this website knows anything more about the Chief Officer, and why this special relationship the Princess had with the Windsor Castle.

Dane Garrod
Wallingford, England