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.

Rank: Ordinary Seaman
When Allotted: January 1939
Pay Book Number: P/JX 151534
Rank: Ordinary Signalman

Remarks: On loan from AFRIDI for Altmark Incident. Granted DSM

Pay Book Number: P/JX 171890
Rank: Boy Seaman

Remarks: Stationed on X gun. Went back onboard from CARNATION. (Survivor discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney). Died 10 June 1994

Rank: Ordinary Seaman
When Allotted: Commission 1938

Remarks: Was a member of the boarding party at the Altmark incident. At Bismarck incident. Died 1990

Dawson, Sidney Reynold
Pay Book Number: P/SX 152539
Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: HMS Royal Oak 7 June 1939 to 14 October 1939 when she was sunk and then joined COSSACK.

Died of shrapnel wounds to his back on 14 April 1940 during the 2nd Battle of Narvik
Age 33 and was buried at sea from HMS Warspite on the same day. (married to Winnie Emily of 4 Kingston Road, Gosport.

There were two children) Eldest son of William George and Florence A. Dawson of 49 Fellows Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Born in Chiswick, London 15 June 1906 and was a messenger before joining up. Ships include. GANGES, VICTORY, IRON DUKE, QUEEN ELIZABETH, WEYMOUTH, EXCELLENT, NELSON, EGMONT, ROYAL

Documents:

Gallery:

Rank: Sub Lt.(Seaman Executive)
When Allotted: 14 May 1941

Remarks: Joined RN April 1938.
Appointed 14 May 1941 and joined 16 May 1941

AT Dartmouth to 23 October 1941 (At BISMARCK action).
Survivor-found at foot of bridge ladder-seriously injured 23.10.41 with multiple burns, broken leg, fractured scull and concussion.
Discharged to HMS Cormorant. Took passage back to UK in Manxman after 2 months in Gibraltar. (Made Lt Cdr) Left RN June 1967 and became a master thatcher for 15 years.

Ships include EREBUS, VINDICTIVE, CUMBERLAND, DRYAD, EXCELLENT, DOLPHIN, S/M TAKU, NIGERIA, ROMOLA, URANIA, ULLYSES, RESOURCE, SLUYS, COLLINGWOOD, PHOENIX, GLORY, DAEDALLUS, COLL, MELITA, MEDITATOR VANGUARD, SHEFIELD, MULL of GALLOWAY-

Died 21 February 2007.
Wife Betty died 29 March 2014.

Pay Book Number: P/JX 171766.
Rank: Boy Seaman Ordinary Seaman
De Pass. Daniel. ‘hard over Danny’
Rank: Captain
When Allotted: 28 December 1937

Remarks: Captain
28 December 1937 – 28 December 1939
(Incurred their Lordships Displeasure for the collision with SS Borthwick 7.11.39) (Superseded by Captain R. St. V. Sherbrook VC).
Before acceptance from the builders the ship sailed down the Tyne to the North Sea where the ship builders transferred to a tug. De Pass then ordered ‘Full Steam Ahead’ As the engines had not been run in serious damage was caused to the engines and L03 had to return for repairs.
15 October 1911 Sub Lt
15 October 1913 Lt
15 October 1921 Lt Cmdr
31 December 1926 Cdr
31 December 1934 Captain

Retired 8 January 1944

Pay Book Number: P/MX 68640
Rank: W/Man

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

Rank: Lt.
When Allotted: October 1939

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?