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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Hargreaves, John

Pay Book Number: P/JX 229764
Rank: Ordinary Coder

Remarks: Ordinary Coder. P/JX 229764. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Joined RN in November 1940. Age 36 (single) Elder son of John and Emma Hargreaves of 114 Poolstock Worsley Mesnes. Wigan. Lancs. Attended St James’s School and then worked for the Wigan Examiner before entering service with the LMS Railway as a clerk. He was connected with St James’s Church and Sunday School.

Harmer, Clifford George Leon

Pay Book Number: P/SSX 22856
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Relation: Survived by son Paul.

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/SSX 22856 Onboard at January 1939. (Lost most of left hand in collision with SS Borthwick 7.11.39. Invalided out 25.9.40) Was a member of the running team. Died 4 September 2014. Survived by son Paul.

Documents:

Clifford George Harmer

Harmon, W L

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. January 1939 to March 1939?

Harper, James

Pay Book Number: P/JX 126321
Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/JX 126321 LTO. DSM (London Gazette 12 April 1940) January 1939 to March 1940? At 2nd Battle of Narvik. Boarded Altmark on his 30th birthday. Tasked with finding and guarding the main electrical switch. A German fired at his foot as he entered hatchway. He disabled the German by hitting over the head with the butt of the revolver he had been issued with. Retained the bullet splinter from his foot as a souvenir.

Hart, Sydney E

Hart Sydney E

Rank: Ordinary Telegraphist/Leading Telegraphist

Remarks: Ordinary Telegraphist/Leading Telegraphist. Joined RN February 1939. Onboard at January 1940 (Altmark Incident) to April 1940. Served on ZULU until she was sunk September 1942. Left RN 1956 to become GPO Telegraphist, Counter Clerk. Post Office Manager. Died 14 January 2000 aged 78.

Documents:

Sydney Ernest Hart

Harvey, Dennis

Pay Book Number: P/JX 171859
Rank: Boy Seaman

Remarks: Boy Seaman. Boy 1st Class P/JX 171859. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 17 (single)

Hatherley, J F

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. October 1939 to March 1940?

Hauxwell, Stanley

Hauxwell Stanley

Pay Book Number: P/J 114183
Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/J 114183. Onboard at October 1939.
Discharged to HMS Victory 30. 09.41)
David Grant referred to a John Hawkswell - is this the same person?

Hawes, Stanley Sidney

Pay Book Number: P/LD/X 4757
Rank: Ordinary Signalman
Relation: Son of Stanley Amos and Bertha Hawes. Daughter Mrs. L.J. Bladon, and a son Eric Vernon Hawes.

Remarks: Ordinary Signalman RNVR. P/LD/X 4757. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 25 (married to Joan Elizabeth of Tottenham) Son of Stanley Amos and Bertha Hawes. Daughter Mrs. L.J. Bladon, and a son Eric Vernon Hawes.

Haynes, W W

Rank: Midshipman

Remarks: Midshipman. January 1939 to March 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.

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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