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: Petty Officer. (Gunners Mate)

Remarks: Petty Officer. (Gunners Mate) January 1939 to March 1940?

Rank: Telegraphist

Remarks: Telegraphist. January 1939 to March 1939?

Pay Book Number: P/JX 156300
Rank: Able Seaman
Relation: Foster son of Mr and Mrs F.W. Smith of Sutton, Surrey

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/JX 156300. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 19 (single) Foster son of Mr and Mrs F.W. Smith of Sutton, Surrey

Pay Book Number: P/SSX 16210
Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. P/SSX 16210. Shown on ship’s books at January 1939. Y turret? (Wounded 23.10.41 and discharged to HMS Cormorant)

Pay Book Number: P/J 103577
Rank: Petty Officer

Remarks: Petty Officer. P/J 103577 January 1939 to March 1940? Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 3 December 1940.

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. January 1939 to March 1939?

Pay Book Number: P/JX 136854
Rank: Telegraphist
Relation: Son of W. J. and Mrs K. Smith of Hove. Sussex

Remarks: Telegraphist. P/JX 136854. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 25 (single) son of W. J. and Mrs K. Smith of Hove. Sussex

Pay Book Number: P/KX 79618
Rank: Acting Stoker Petty Officer

Remarks: Acting Stoker Petty Officer. P/KX 79618. (Missing presumed killed 23.10.41)

Rank: Gunner
Relation: Wife Caroline Mabel Pemberton

Remarks: Gunner. On loan from AURORA for ALTMARK incident where he was shot in the arm. Initially treated by Dr Tyrolt of the ALTMARK. Recommended for DSC.
( The following supplied by Humphrey Palmer)
Born 19.12.1904
Died 08.01.1973
Buried12.01.1973 Durrington Cemetery: Section No 14: Row No 2: Grave No 22
Probate record Lived at 112 Marlowe Road Worthing

RN Record see separate sheet
From 1911 Census JJF Smith was 1 of 8 children living at 1 Victoria Villa Northbrook Road Worthing
Son of Thomas Smith born 1879 at Peckham London and Emma born 1877 at Petwoth Sussex

Married 1927 Registered East Preston
Wife
Caroline Mabel Pemberton
Born 16.10.1906
Died 18.11.1998
Buried 25.11.1998 Durrington Cemetery: Section No 14: Row No 2: Grave No 22

Pay Book Number: P/J 82983
Rank: Able Seaman/Leading Seaman
Relation: Married to Helen

Remarks: Able Seaman/Leading Seaman P/J 82983. Quartermaster 14 June 1938 remaining on ships books until 1 April 1941. May have done the dhobing for PO Writer Yell.
(Survivor discharged to HMS Victory) Born 28.10. 1901 Ware Hertfordshire. (GRO reference number is 3a 610) Lived in Bognor Regis. Now deceased. Married to Helen

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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