17.
Nov. 12, 2021

Following the recent death of my mother I have been sorting through years of documents and letters and have come across many personal letters from my Grandfather, Bernard Ward, who served on Valiant in 1944 before being drafted to HMS Malaya. I have a couple of photos, but more poignantly he appears to have drawn many pictures/cartoons of events during the trips. The most significant is a crossing the line picture with a ships sails and a poem in the sails down the mast. I would like to find out more, but where does one start? I never met him as he died before I was born and very early in my fathers life. I also served in the Navy for 4 years from 1974-78 as a stoker on HMS Ark Royal, Dundas and Glamorgan.

Bernard Simon Ward
Previously Oxford (Granddads birth city) now Dorset

16.
Mar. 3, 2021

My partner's grandfather, William Henry Dickson, served on HMS Valiant from November 1939 to 1942 and I was wondering if there was anywhere where we can access his Naval records. I have a certificate of service and perhaps this is all that would be available. Is there somewhere that there is a list of crew members of HMS Valiant?

Thanks,
Sarah Atcheson

15.
Sept. 17, 2020

We are looking for reference to my wife's father, William Osborne Fagg, who was part of the crew of H.M.S. VAliant during WWII.

William Clark

14.
Feb. 12, 2020

I am wondering if there are any photos of the crew members who were onboard the Valiant during the Second World War? My father, Tom Pearce, was in the Navy during the war and didn't tell us much of this time period. He did however relate a story of being in Egypt and then Italy, when two Italian frogmen were discovered while strapping explosives to the ship's hull. Thankfully the ship survived that possible disaster. I'd love to know other stories of what the crew endured. Photos would be fantastic! I'd be grateful for any information.

Many thanks,
Madeleine Pearce

13.
Nov. 22, 2018

My field of research is Operation Chariot, the 1942 Combined Ops raid on the port of Saint-Nazaire (operation-chariot.org ). We recently learned that one of sailors on HMS Campbeltown, originally posted as missing, but later revised to PoW, had, prior to his assignment to Campbeltown, served on board HMS Valiant as an Able Seaman. He was David George WHITE, known as  'Knocker ',  D/J112406, born 4/05/1909 Portsmouth. He served on Valiant from March  '39 to April  '41. As the source of our information has original images of 'Knocker' he would particularly wish to be put in touch with either a relative, or a shipmate. From our own, Chariot, point of view, any additional information about Knocker would be an invaluable addition to our records.

Many thanks,
James Dorrian

12.
June 19, 2018

I have aquried a HMS Valiant naval sword. It has on the scabbard inscribed, Presented by the Stokers of HMS Valiant, possibly a chap called Jenkins. Looking to find anything out.

Regards,
Adam Lowe

11.
Jan. 10, 2017

So happy to have found this site! My father, James Edward Kidd, served on HMS Valiant from October 1943 to March 1945, rank Leading Seaman, role I believe was range finder and radar operator. I would be most grateful if anyone has crew photos, memories or other connections which they would be willing to share with me; my father died in 1995, but my interest in his career has only recently been rekindled following the awful discovery that an unscrupulous family member had sold all of his medals.

Whilst I have now become resigned to the fact that I will never recover them, I am determined to map out my father's career and crystallise it with the help of replica medals, so that his years of service to his country will be appropriately commemorated and preserved for my children and theirs.

My dad was born in Wolverhampton and joined the navy in 1938, completing his training on HMS Ganges in November 1939. Other ships he served on were HMS Berwick, Newcastle and Malaya. He continued to serve in the navy until 1953 - post war service included the Korean conflict. Thank you so much for any information you can give.

Sincerely,
Judy Phazey
Wolverhampton, U.K.

10.
Sept. 3, 2014

I am thrilled to find your site. My father C. H. Burd (Clarence Harding) was 3rd Writer O.N. M.5330. H.M.S. VALIANT. JUTLAND 3rd May 1916 as engraved on Jutland Medal along edge. Which I have to hand and often wear on a chain. The cover of the booklet reads "The Battle of Jutland May 31st, 1916 by R. H. Malden. M.A. F.R. Hist. Soc. (Chaplain to H.M.S. Valiant) was priced sixpence. The proceeds of the sale of this pamphlet will be given to Naval Charities. The final line on page 47 is H.M.S. VERNON April 7th 1918.

I understand that my father also served in the Pay Branch on H.M.S. Renown. During WWII he served at Falmouth, Cornwall H.M.S. Fort III on shore. This building was formally Taylor's Garage by the water side. My Mother served in the WRENS at the Imperial Hotel as a Coder. This building was HMS Fort I or II. She had served in WWI in the Air Flying Corps.

Sincerely,
Clare Pover (mrs.) nee Burd
Isle of Man

9.
Dec. 14, 2013

My grandfather served on HMS Valiant during the Battle of Jutland. He would only have been 16 years of age and I wonder if he had to lie about his age? His name was Thomas George Aisthorpe. If anyone has any information about him I would be very grateful to hear from you.

Gordon Buckley

8.
Sept. 5, 2012

I have picture of my great grandpa, John MacKay from Golspie, Scotland, and was on this ship. He is the man with his arms folded. Any information about this photo would be greatly appreciated.

Kayleigh

7.
June 21, 2011

I have just discovered the Valiant message board . I think our grandad was a gunner so mum says!  

Maria Bristol
(Pat's daughter)

6.
May 17, 2011

I was given this picture of the men that built HMS Valiant 1915 by a niece of a great aunt. My Grandfather is probably in this photo and sadly I cannot figure out which person he is. In 1960 I was a Sea Ranger at Trinity Memorial Anglican Church in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  The name of the "ship" was SRS Valiant, I know this is just a coincidence, but it made me wonder at it all.  I wouldn't think that anyone would know who these men are in the picture attached..it would be nice to know if one is John McDermid McCaskill who lived in Govan, Scotland with his family before they immigrated to Montreal in 1923.

Regards,
Judith McCaskill Harris

Some of the men who built HMS Valiant seen in 1915.

5.
Nov. 23, 2009

My grandfather James Cusick served on HMS Valiant during the battle of Jutland 1916 I have his pocket watch & chain which he had at the time along with a lot of memories of talks I had over a beer at the Queens Head in Sheffield with him sadly he died in 1997 at 103 yrs old I never what rank he held.

Alan Littler
Australia

4.
May 30, 2009

My grandad ARTHER JAMES MARSH served on HMS Valiant, I only met him twice as I was born in Australia. My dad only met him twice also. I'll pay for whatever costs I just want to see pictures or email someone who has info on my grandad please. Thank you very much.

Kate Marsh

3.
Apr. 25, 2009

My father served on this ship during 1943 as an anti aircraft gunner, and whilst trawling the internet I came across this website. Thank you. As I have fond memories of my father telling me about his time aboard the Valiant. I went on to serve in the forces myself and I can understand how something so simple as a few pictures can jog peoples memories, those were hard times and they happened for a reason.

In memory to all that sailed on her, including my father, William Turnbull (1920 - 2000).

Andrew Turnbull

2.
Dec. 20, 2008

I was aboard Valiant when she was part of the Stokers training establishment at Devonport in 1946. She was anchored close to Salt Ash bridge. Lots of Royal Navy ships were in the river at that time and if my memory serves me right we were right opposite The battleship  H.M.S. Renown. We visited H.M.S. King George V while
we were there.

Fredrick Simpson

1.
Apr. 6, 2008

My mother collected the black silk ribbons from Naval sailors hats when she lived in Alexandria, I have one with HMS Valiant in gold lettering thereon plus 20 others with different ships' names, including 2 HMAS ones.  Sadly my mum died last month aged 92 and I found this collection of ribbons amongst her souvenirs.

Georgine Grey