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: Leading Seaman/Petty Officer.
When Allotted: January 1939
Pay Book Number: P/JX 211970
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Relation: Son of Norman and Madeleine Hodgkinson

Remarks: Ordinary Signalman. P/JX 211970. (Missing presumed Killed 3.10.41) Age 20 (single) Son of Norman and Madeleine Hodgkinson

Pay Book Number: P/JX 274216
Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 274216. (Survivor discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney)

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. October 1939 to March 1940?

Pay Book Number: P/JX 160613 and MX766244
Rank: Boy Seaman/Ordinary Seaman
Relation: Wife Jean. Sons Donald and George (Now deceased) Grand Daughter Linda Callaghan.

Remarks: Boy Seaman/Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 160613 and MX766244. Born 25 May 1923 in St Pancras London. His father had been gassed in WW1 and died before Donald was born and his mother not being able to cope gave him up for adoption. Barnardo Boy. Attended naval school aged 8 (Holbrook?) and at 12 joined HMS Ganges as Boy sailor. Joined RN 21.11 1938 and left 13.10 1953 as EM 1. Onboard Cossack from commissioning to 27 October 1941. Was member of boarding party to try and save her. (Survivor discharged to HMS Victory). Third man aboard Altmark but broke ankle and was carried back to his position on AA gun to give covering fire if needed.
Was a member of a working party on HMS HOOD returning ashore on last boat before she sailed for the final time. Served in HMS AJAX. Transferred to the Electrical Branch. Was an electrician with music and computers for hobbies. Holidayed in Southport. Lived at 14 Oxford Street Glasgow before retiring to Troon. Died 11 February 2014.
Wife Jean. Sons Donald and George (Now deceased) Grand Daughter Linda Callaghan.

Documents:

Rank: Telegraphist

Remarks: Telegraphist. January 1939 to March 1940?

Remarks: No further information to date.

Pay Book Number: P/JX 171854
Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 171854. Joined 1940 as a Boy Seaman. Y Gun crew. Survivor picked up by Legion discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney) Left the Navy as a Leading Seaman October 1953. Died 23 July 1996

Pay Book Number: P/JX 171854
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
When Allotted: 1940

Remarks: Joined 1940 as a Boy Seaman.
Y Gun crew. Survivor picked up by Legion discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney.
Left the Navy as a Leading Seaman October 1953.
Died 23 July 1996

Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. (Joined L03 early 1941) Ships included RAMSEY. Died 11 July 2000

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?