HMS Rodney (1925)
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Messages 25 through 49

 
49.
Feb. 24, 2024

The picture below has been in my family for over 80 years now. I don't know the location where it was taken, but possibly Cambridge/Somerville Massachusetts. The civilians in the picture are (left to right) Ed Silveira, my father, John "Huck" Finn, and Johnny Hardy. After the war broke out, my father was an essential wartime worker in the food industry. Huck Finn went into the army and landed in Holland in a glider. Johnny Hardy was KIA while in the tank corps in North Africa during the second battle of El Alamein. I was about 18 months old around the time this picture was taken, but I vividly remember the four fellows at our house, laughing and joking, I especially remember hearing them pronouncing 'bycon and eygs'. In later years I surmised that they must have lived near Bow's Bells. I know its a longshot, but  is there a possibility anybody can identify these chaps?

Greatly appreciated,
Ed Silveira
 
Probably taken during Rodney's refit at Boston, June-Aug. 1941. The sailors are wearing the rate of Leading Stoker / Stoker First Class. Note that "Rodney" is covered on the cap tally.
 
 
48.
Apr. 6, 2022

I have been trying to find information on my grandfather, John J. Flanagan, who served on HMS Rodney when it hit the Bismarck.It seems as though he came to New Hampshire, while there was a refit in the Boston Harbor area. I have been unable to find any type of immigration paperwork, so I can only assume he never went back to the ship, after repairs. I am wondering if there is a roster for 1941, that would indicate that he was present? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Melissa Seppala
47.
Jan. 20, 2022

I was named after HMS Rodney so was my dad and my so. My grandfather served on her and I know very little about his service as he died at the age of 52. I do know he was a gunner that is all. If you have any information on him I would really appreciate it. His name was John Adamson and his date of birth was 04/04/1916.

Kind regards,
Rodney Adamson
46.
Feb. 24, 2020

This is just pot luck but my Dad (who's 89) has said one of his uncles, Ikey Guy (not even sure if that's the right spelling) was a crew member on HMS Rodney during WWII. If anybody can help with any information or put me in the right direction, I would be very grateful.

Regards,
Paul Hudson


45.
Feb. 5, 2016

My father, John (Jack) Doleman, born in Derby, was on the Rodney from early 1941 to October 1941. He was part of the gunnery though his name was not on the list of crew members I found.

Glenn Doleman


44.
Aug. 23, 2015

My farther, Able Seaman Arthur Jackson, any info would be great. He's sadly not with me anymore. In 1965 he reached five men who were in trouble after there ship was sinking. He was awarded medals for his bravery.

Susan Glover


43.
Aug. 14, 2015

I wonder if you could help me find my father Ronald Foster DOB 17.06.21. He served as a Chief Petty Officer on HMS Rodney. We have photos of Sir Winston Churchill on board the ship. I know my dad was stationed in Greenock and served in Africa. Sadly he passed away 24 years ago, and told us very little about the war.

Regards,
Julie Broadhead


42.
July 17, 2015

I know this is a long shot but has anyone ever served with my father or have a family member serve with him. His was on the boat when they sank the Bismarck. His name was Peter Willie Wakeham from Petite Forte, Newfoundland.

Gerald Wakeham


41.
Feb. 21, 2015

My husband is looking for any records of his uncle, George Henry Andrew, born 7-3-1917 at Truro, Cornwall who served on the Rodney. He sent my husband and his brother a Christmas card showing a picture of the Rodney. We think this was about 1941/43. Have you any record of him please.

Thanking you,
Jeannette and Philip Rutter


40.
Nov. 18, 2014

I've been researching the naval heritage of my Uncle, Kenneth Williams, and came across the crew photos taken while the ship was being refitted in Massachusetts post the Bismarck sinking.
I'm pretty sure he's in the photos! He passed away in 1978, but I can recall his description of Rodney closing in to finish off the Bismarck, I believe he was in one of the 5" crew.

Rob Davies


39.
Aug. 1, 2014

My father, Peter (Willie) Wakeham, served on the Rodney when the Bismarck was sunk. Does anyone know where one can view the crew list and can one for the lack of a better word order or view the medals they/he received as he destroyed them when he came back from the war.

Robert Wakeham


38.
June 6, 2014

Has anyone any information about my father, Frank John Skinner, who served on the Rodney during the Second World War. Unfortunately he passed away in 1967 when I was 21. He never said too much about the war and at the time I wasn't really that interested. However I am now. Any information would be gratefully received.

Michael Skinner
Basingstoke, Hants, U.K.


37.
Jan. 31, 2014

I'm looking for information about my grandfather Orval John Latchford who served aboard the Rodney during WWII. If anyone has information on how to obtain a crew list or has information on my grandfather that would be much appreciated.

Matthew Smith


36.
Feb. 26, 2013

Very interesting for me to see the Christmas menus for the Rodney, as my grandfather Kenneth Caleb George Hunt was one of the chefs on board. So he would have cooked that menu. It's nice that the crews of the Russian convoys will now be getting medals for their service and sacrifice.

Myke Day


35.
Nov. 26, 2012

I am trying to find out about my father Frederick Jack Billen who served on board HMS Rodney as an 18 year old telegraphist I think around 1940/ 41. How do I find a crew list please.

Regards,
Dr. Andrew Billen


34.
Nov. 17, 2012

I am the grand daughter of Samuel Bowden, who I believe was on board HMS Rodney as one of the chefs. Can you give me any information please?

Yours hopefully,
Jackie Davis


33.
Oct. 24, 2012

My father Mr Ernest James Woodcock joined HMS Rodney in 1940 as gun layer 3 after completing a training course in Plymouth. Prior to this he trained on HMS Raleigh at Torpoint. He served in the navy for the duration of the war on the Rodney taking a part in the sinking of the Bismarck. He was also transferred to the submarine service. He was demobed in Feb 1946.

My father is still alive and well at the great age of 91 years! I suppose I have contacted MaritimeQuest as a talking point for dad and as a point of interest for any one out there. Would any one be able to tell me of other serving sea men of that time? There may be questions my dad my be able to answer from a personal point of view.

Thank you,
Val Blank


32.
Oct. 14, 2012

We understand my grandfather Thomas Barton born 2.11.1910, served on the HMS Rodney in WW2, in the Marines as a Sergeant. We do not know his regiment or army number. He was posted in Plymouth and went out to Africa under Captain of 8th Army Montgomery.  Does any one have any information or photos?

Tina Salmon


31.
Aug. 6, 2012

Many people on your website seek an HMS Rodney crew list.  There is one at:

http://www.geocities.ws/Pentagon/Quarters/4433/crewlisting/crewlisting.htm


It gives about 550 names with rank and also period of service on the ship. My father is Burton A.  He is 92 but only leans slightly in a Force 10 gale. I cannot understand all these other people claiming that their fathers sank the Bismarck. My father always tells me he did it single-handed.

Yours sincerely,
Rodney Burton


30.
June 7, 2012

I was very excited to find this site, as when I was seven years old I lost my dad so any information I have on him would be gratefully received. He served on board the Rodney in the Second World War, I believe he was a stoker in the engine house. Does any body remember him? his name was Hedley John Harris, known to most as Jack. He lost two of his brothers in the Second World War, but managed to survive it himself and go on to have five children, we lost him when he was in his early fifties. Please anybody that may have known of him or any info about him would be very precious.

With very kind regards,
Jackie Simlett-Nee Harris

Reply 1
Jan. 22, 2014

I have been searching for my mother's brother who was also on the HMS Rodney during WWII. His last name is Harris. My mother (Barbara) was born in Exeter in 1924 and I believe her brother followed very soon after in 1925. The parents were William James Sydenham and Mary Harris. My mother was brought up in a children's home in Torquay and I believe the brother was either adopted or also went into a children's home.  I know this is a long shot but I just wanted to check with you if you could shed some light on this. I know Harris is a very common name so I am sure there was more than one Harris on HMS Rodney, but I thought there was no harm in checking with you.

Kind regards,
Mandy Harris


29.
June 1, 2012

I am looking for any information on my dad, Herbert Brearley, he was on HMS Rodney. I don't no much as he didn't like talking about it, all he would say was he was shooting the guns. I also know that he was on the ship when it was involved in the Battle with the Bismarck. if you can help with this i would be very grateful.

Yours sincerely,
Ms. Carole Spence


28.
May 26, 2012

My uncle, Edgar Skinner, served on the Rodney during the final Bismarck battle. He got hit by shell shrapnel and ended up in a hospital in Canada-he lost two thirds of his stomach. Would like to see a list of the crew for that period to confirm him being there.

Thanks,
Lewis Skinner
St. Johns, Newfoundland


27.
Apr. 22, 2012

My granddad served on the HMS Rodney I think between 1939 and 1945. Is it possible to find out more information crew list, battles ect?

Regards,
Philip O'Regan


26.
Apr. 19, 2012

I understand my father-in-law Thomas Bell was a gunner on HMS Rodney at time of the sinking of the Bismarck - anyone alive who remembers him?

Melvyn Emmett


25.
Mar. 16, 2012

Below are photos of a vase I found in a second hand shop. The vase is 4.5 inches tall. There is no personal story behind it. Probably sat on a dinner table on the ship. If anyone can provide any information about it it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike Webber

 




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Messages 25 through 49
Message Board
Page published June 5, 2012