10.
Oct. 16, 2011

I discovered during researching my family history that my uncle, Thomas David Arthur Waldock, Stoker first Class, C/KX97148 died on H.M.S. Hecla on the 12/11/1942. He was only 22 yrs old, but sadly not the youngest crew member. I think he was a keen boxer by all accounts. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who may have any recollections of my uncle, or any information, photos etc.

Many Thanks,
David Waldock

9.
Oct. 4, 2011

My father's war record indicates that he served on the HMS Hecla which was sunk in 1942. He survived the war which means he was a survivor of the sinking. He was Harold Alfred Lewis Kirk. Is it at all possible to confirm the above?

Many thanks & kind regards,
Pat Kirk
 

8.
July 4, 2011

My father Kenneth Charles Collings (b. 7/11/1909 – d. 7/11/1989) was a Petty Officer (Hospital/Sick Bay) on HMS Hecla when she hit a mine off South Africa and was billeted with a South African family for the five months it took to repair the ship.

He was back on the ship when she was sunk by U-515 on 11/11/1942 off Gibraltar. My father was disgusted and horrified by the war and was extremely reticent to speak about it. He did tell us that he'd been torpedoed twice and that he spent most of his time “repairing men's jaws and faces, so that they could eat after being injured.” Thank you for your website.

Regards,
Bruce C. Collings
Collingwood, UK

7.
June 2, 2011

I lost my uncle Able Seaman William Veighey on the HMS Hecla in 1942.  I was wondering if there was anyone out there who might remember him.  I am trying to find out as much information on him as possible and unfortunately I have no contact with this side of my family (my father's)  so if anyone out there could help me it would be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Suzanne Veighey

6.
Feb. 26, 2011

My late uncle, James William Donaldson 18 years, an Ordinary Seaman, was on board HMS Hecla when it was sunk on 12 November 1942. He did not survive. I was wondering if there were any survivors of HMS Hecla who knew him.

Kind regards,
John H. Donaldson

5.
July 5, 2010

I am a retired academic publisher whose father served on HMS VENOMOUS, the V & W Class destroyer which rescued 500 survivors of HMS HECLA when it sank on the 11 November 1942. There is a detailed account of the disaster in Chapter Eight of: A HARD FOUGHT SHIP: THE STORY OF HMS VENOMOUS. It includes photographs and paintings and first hand accounts of survivors. I set up my own imprint to publish this book which is dedicated to the memory of all those who served on VENOMOUS. The book was launched at the RN Museum in Portsmouth.

Bill Forster

April 14, 2010: George Male (left) survivor of HMS Hecla seen shaking hands with Harry Haddon, one of the crewmen of HMS Venomous D-75 which rescued him and hundreds of others after Hecla was torpedoed seen at the National Museum of the Royal Navy during the launch of the book A Hard Fought Ship: The Story of HMS Venomous.

April 14, 2010: George Male and Portsmouth News Defence Correspondent Matt Jackson seen at the National Museum of the Royal Navy during the launch of the book A Hard Fought Ship: The Story of HMS Venomous.

4.
Apr. 14, 2010

I lost my uncle Brian Moss (Cook O) in the Second World War when HMS Hecla sank. If it were possible that someone is still alive that knew him then I would love to hear from them. I have been told that when visiting my grandparents the captain said he was a lovely man and stayed to help people off and was too late to rescue himself.

Andrew Clark