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

Start typing to discover family names.

Pay Book Number: P/KX 106415
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Relation: Son of John and Janet Butler of Clayton-le -Moors. Lancs

Remarks: Stoker 1st Class. 2nd Class P/KX 106415. (Missing presumed killed 23.10.41)Age 23 (single) Son of John and Janet Butler of Clayton-le -Moors. Lancs

Rank: Leading Seaman / Petty Officer
When Allotted: 1938

Remarks: Joined as a Leading Seaman 1938.
Left as a PO 1940.
DSM. BEM. (Still onboard at March 1940)
Member of boarding party for ALTMARK.
Captain of B Gun at 2nd Battle of Narvik.
Took over from A/Petty Officer Scott.
Died 14 June 2001. (Age 87)

Rank: Boy Seaman/Ordinary Seaman
When Allotted: January 1939

Remarks: Boy Seaman/Ordinary Seaman. January 1939 to March

Pay Book Number: P/JX 184676
Relation: Boy 1st Class

Remarks: Boy 1st Class. P/JX 184676. (Missing presumed killed)

Pay Book Number: E/LX23039
Rank: Steward. E/LX23039
When Allotted: 29 July 1938

Remarks: Steward. E/LX23039 (Maltese) (29 July 1938 to July 1941) (39/40 Star. Atlantic Star. Africa Star. Italy Star. Defence Medal. War Medal – Mention in Despatches (London Gazette 14 October 1941 Bismarck Action) Oak leaf. Naval General Service Medal (Palestine). Long Service Medal. Good Conduct Medal. Krzyza Walecznych – The Cross of Valour. The Cross of Freedom and Independence. Medal Marynarki Wojennej - The Naval Medal 1939/1945. Certificates in respect of Polish Cross of Valour and the Naval Medal.

Rank: Able Seaman.
When Allotted: January 1939
Rank: Stoker

Remarks: Stoker. Altmark Incident. (Information from a Mr Jeffs)

Rank: Steward.
When Allotted: January 1939
Rank: Temporary Paymaster
When Allotted: 22 August 1941

Remarks: Temporary Paymaster Sub. Lt RNVR Appointed to Cossack 22 August 1941. (Survivor discharged to HMS Cormorant)

Pay Book Number: P/JX 127747
Rank: Able Seaman
When Allotted: January 1939

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/JX 127747.
Onboard January 1939.
‘A’ Gun Turret (Missing presumed killed 23.10.41) Age 30 (married to Lily Maud) Son of David Thomas and Emma Cave

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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