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.

Relation: Son B.A. Eames was christened onboard Cossack

Remarks: Warrant Engineer. (Commander (E) ) Accommodated in ZULU. Chief Engineer to Captain Vian.. Served on Afridi and for a while on Cossack (Appointed 20 May 1940). Was in Bismarck chase but not Altmark incident. Son B.A. Eames was christened onboard Cossack.

Rank: Warrant Engineer. Commander (E)
Relation: Son B.A. Eames
When Allotted: 20 May 1940

Remarks: Accommodated in ZULU. Chief Engineer to Captain Vian.. Served on Afridi and for a while on Cossack (Appointed 20 May 1940). Was in Bismarck chase but not Altmark incident. Son B.A. Eames was christened onboard Cossack.

Left the Navy in the early 50’s, after serving in the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After a brief spell in the MoD he joined the British Oxygen Company as a Senior Research Engineer.

The company had built a cryogenic air distillation plant for experimental work but it had failed to operate, when he applied for the position, the departmental head, hearing of his RN background and experience with air enrichment plants, took him on at once. His Navy approach worked and the plant was successfully commissioned.

He then had a leading role in research projects centred around the plant which included liquid oxygen tank control for the Blue Streak rocket, miniature cryogenic coolers for heat sensors in the Black Knight rocket, a key role in developing helium gas lubricated bearings for a shaft speed of 250,000 rpm, air separation plant automation and many more technical advances.

Pay Book Number: P/JX152760
Rank: Signalman
Relation: Son of Mary Catherine of Chobham, Surrey

Remarks: Signalman.P/JX152760. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 20 (single) Son of Mary Catherine of Chobham, Surrey

Pay Book Number: P/JX152760
Rank: Signalman
Relation: Son of Mary Catherine of Chobham, Surrey

Remarks: (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 20 (single) Son of Mary Catherine of Chobham, Surrey

Pay Book Number: P/JX 188879
Rank: Able Seaman
Relation: Son of Henry and Violet Earle of Portugal Cove, Conception Bay, Newfoundland

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/JX 188879. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 20 (single). Son of Henry and Violet Earle of Portugal Cove, Conception Bay, Newfoundland

Pay Book Number: P/JX 188879
Rank: Able Seaman
Relation: Son of Henry and Violet Earle

Remarks: (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 20 (single)Son of Henry and Violet Earle of Portugal Cove, Conception Bay, Newfoundland

Rank: Chief ERA

Remarks: Chief ERA. January 1939 to March 1940?

Rank: Chief ERA
When Allotted: January 1939
Edinborough William Allan
Pay Book Number: P/JX 274223
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Relation: (married to Elsie of Tilehurst, Berkshire) son of James Samuel and Kate Elizabeth Edinborough

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 274223. Served as an able seaman with the Holt Line. Joined RN 3 June 1941 Joined LO3 26 August 1941 (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) (RN Records spell as Edinbrough) (married to Elsie of Tilehurst, Berkshire) son of James Samuel and Kate Elizabeth Edinborough

Rank: Telegraphist

Remarks: Telegraphist. October 1929 to March 1940?

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?