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 110833
Rank: Stoker 2nd Class. 1st Class

Remarks: (Presumed killed 23.10.41) Age 21 (single) Son of James Frederick and Florence Kate Creighton of North Kensington, London

Creswell. Lawrence Herbert Cotton
Rank: Commissioned Gunner (T).DSC

Remarks: (London Gazette 14 October 1941 for Bismarck Action) MBE
Appointed 17 August 1937 to June 1941? Died 24 February 2017

Rank: Signalman
When Allotted: October 1939
Rank: Lt. Navigator

Remarks: Appointed to Cossack 11 July 1941
(Survivor. Wounded 23.10.41 & discharged
to HMS Cormorant) (Died in Salerno Operation) Made Lt Cdr.

Pay Book Number: P/KX 94768
Rank: Stoker 1st Class

Remarks: (Survivor discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney)

Pay Book Number: P/JX 274539
Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: (Survivor discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney)

Rank: Able Seaman
When Allotted: October 1939
Pay Book Number: P/MX 78628
Rank: Engine Room Artificer 5th Class

Remarks: Missing presumed killed 23.10.41) (Born Glasgow)

Rank: Stoker
When Allotted: October 1939
Pay Book Number: P/JX 134082
Rank: Petty Officer Telegraphist

Remarks: (Missing presumed killed 23.10.41) Age 27 (single) son of Alfred Edwin and Daisy Ethel Curry of Bembridge, Isle of Wight

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

Anchor crest

Receive our newsletters?