During the 2nd WW the ship was adopted by Beckenham, Kent. As the sister of Lt Cmdr P Vian (Later Admiral) – Marian Vian had a school in Beckenham named after her. Reg Morrison passed the 11 plus whilst attending in 1942. A plaque marking the adoption was put up in the town hall. This building was demolished in 1991 to make way for a supermarket. The area is now under the London Borough of Bromley.

HMS Cossack F03

Ships Company

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Rank: Warrant Telegraphist

Remarks: Warrant Telegraphist. Appointed to Cossack 13 May 1940.

Rank: Leading Seaman
When Allotted: January 1939
Rank: Stoker

Remarks: Stoker. October 1939 to March 1940?

Pay Book Number: P/KX 119351
Rank: Stoker

Remarks: Stoker 2nd Class. P/KX 119351. (Missing presumed killed 23.10.41)

Brighton, William George
Pay Book Number: P/SSX 18484
Rank: Acting Leading Seaman. Signalman.

Remarks: Missing presumed killed 23.10.41
Parents George and Doris Brighton.
Married at the Barony Church in Glasgow 27 August 1941 to Janet Harby who worked in munitions.

Documents:

Gallery:

Rank: Canteen Asssitant

Remarks: Canteen Assistant. October 1939 to March 1940?

Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. October 1939 to March 1940?

Rank: Leading Signalman

Remarks: Leading Signalman. January 1939 to March 1939?

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/JX 156413. Attended Alma road and Talbot Village Schools. Joined RN 1937 at HMS Ganges. Onboard as a Boy Seaman at October 1939 Joined at Malta. X gun crew (At BISMARCK action, Narvik and ALTMARK incident) (Survivor discharged to HMS Victory age 18 at the time). Picked up by CARNATION (Returned onboard to attempt salvage of L03- Mentioned in Dispatches) Returned to Gibraltar in JONQUIL. Left the RN as commissioned Gunner in 1951 to become aircraft electrician, planning engineer, technical author. Son of Mr and Mrs Broom formally of 66 Eldon Road Winton, Bournemouth. His father was employed by the local electric light company and in the Home Guard. His mother in the ATS.
Wife Audrey died 1991. Died 10 August 2009 age 86 leaving son David and daughter Gale.

Quote from his son “At Buckingham Palace he proudly showed the Duke of Edinburgh Cossack's battle ensign that he had salvaged after the 2nd battle of Narvik

The D of E said " You nicked that!.....it should be in the Naval Museum " as witnessed by my Sister, Dad's reply in the face of such authority was simply

" When I am dead and gone, my son will follow my instructions and see to it, that together with my other mementos and documents it is made available to the Cossack Association!"
The D of E smiled and walked on.........”
These mementos consisting of the 5ft sq remains of the L03 battle ensign from the 2nd Battle of Narvik and bits and pieces of the ship have been framed and are in the HMS Cossack Association Archives.

Gallery:

Pay Book Number: P/JX 148652
Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/JX 148652. (Survivor discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney)

Hidden Gems

The HMS Cossack 1938-1941 was accepted on 10 June 1938 and dented, whilst coming alongside the jetty in Portsmouth on 12 June 1938.

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1806-1816

This is the account of the first vessel named HMS Cossack, a title that would be passed on to five later ships and commemorated by the Royal Navy in the Cossack Building at HMS Raleigh.

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1854-1875

The second Cossack was originally ordered by Russia for the Black Sea Fleet in December 1852 at a cost of 290,000 silver roubles. However, when relations between Britain and Russia deteriorated, Russia sold the vessels to the Hamburg trading firm Henry Mersk & Co.

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1886-1905

This account covers the third vessel named HMS Cossack. Launched on 3 June 1886 and in service until 1905, she spent the majority of her career in the Far East, calling at India, Aden, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and other ports.

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1907-1919

The fourth HMS Cossack received the first Battle Honour for participating in operations along the Belgian coast from 17 October to 8 November 1914. This section contains copies of the original construction contract and detailed plans showing her launch, deck arrangements, and machinery.

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1938-1941

Credited with battle honours including Baltic 1855, Witu 1890, Dover Patrol 1914–1919, Narvik 1940, Norway 1940, Atlantic 1940–1941, the Bismarck Action 1941, and the Malta Convoys 1941, the HMS Cossack in service from 1938 to 1941 was a formidable presence.

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1944-1960

During Warship Week in February 1942, the town of Esher raised £1,192,211, contributing to the construction of the warship HMS Cossack. The funds were collected by the public depositing money into a rubber-type float in a pool. Remarkably, the surplus was enough to fund a submarine as well. The story continues.

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