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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Pay Book Number: P/SSX 29693
Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/SSX 29693. Joined the RN in 1937 and was serving in RAMILIES when war was declared. Attended Whale Island to become a AA3 before joining L03. 1940 – 1941 (At Altmark Incident,2nd Battle of Narvik, Malta convoys and Bismarck action) Gunner (POMPOM) (Survivor picked up by CARNATION and discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney). Qualified as a AA2 and drafted to HYTHE a Bangor class minesweeper operating out of Malta during the siege. Mentioned in despatches. He took part in the Italy / Sicily campaigns until HYTHE was sunk by U371 off Bougie, Algeria whilst escorting convoy GU18 from Malta to Gibraltar. Fed was one of 14 to survive. Drafted to VERNON he was on landing craft for the D day landings. 1945 saw him drafted to FISHGUARD an American built Banff class sloop operating out of Freetown as an escort to convoys in the Indian Ocean. However he did not make it as the war ended and he returned to the UK for demob in 1946 and went on to 5 years with the Reserve. Married Phyllis in 1944 and had 7 children. Married 65 years - known each other for 70 years. Became a milkman until he retired. Diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2009. Died at 2130 10 November 2009 five weeks after his wife. Two of their sons joined the RN each serving 23 years as a CPO Caterer and CPO PTI

Pay Book Number: PO P/K 62175
Rank: Stoker

Remarks: Stoker PO P/K 62175. Onboard 1938? On ships books at January 1939. Died 13 April 1940 (2nd Battle of Narvik) Age 39 (married to Ida Flora of Buckland. Portsmouth) Son of George and Ruth Baxter

Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. January 1939 to March 1939?

Beach, Peter John
Pay Book Number: P/JX145239
Rank: Leading Seaman
When Allotted: October 1939

Remarks: Onboard at October 1939. (Able Seaman. DSM – Altmark- London Gazette 12 April 1940) (Acting Petty Officer Temporary at sinking – 1 Mess) (Survivor. Picked up by HMS Carnation & discharged to HMS Victory)
Came from Portsmouth.
Died aged 72 -date unknown.
Known for a good temper and cheery tact.
Lived at Havant, Hants.
Mother lived at 21 New Road Bedhampton.

Documents:

Rank: Cook

Remarks: Cook. January 1939 to March 1940?

Rank: Boy Seaman/Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Boy Seaman / Ordinary Seaman. Joined L03 1938? On ships books January 1939 to March 1940. At ALTMARK Incident. Went below with Jim Halliday to free two officers from the cabins – Captain Starr and Captain Brown. Joined RN aged 16. Left Navy as a Petty Officer and joined the fire service Believed to have died in 1991.

Rank: Telegraphist

Remarks: Telegraphist. January 1939 to March 1939?

Rank: Sub Lt

Remarks: (Sub Lt.) (Lt Sept 1938) Onboard as a Lt Cdr. at January 1939 (Gunnery Officer)

Pay Book Number: P/KX 84108
Rank: Stoker Petty Officer

Remarks: Stoker Petty Officer. Temporary. P/KX 84108 Onboard as a stoker January 1939. Was in No 1 Boiler room at the time of the explosion. Despite the inrush of oil through the broken bulkhead turned off all the sprayers before leaving the compartment thus preventing a further fire. (Survivor discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney)

Rank: Stoker

Remarks: Stoker. October 1939 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.

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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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