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

Remarks: Leading Seaman. January 1939 to March 1939?

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. October 1939 to March 1940?

Rank: Stoker

Remarks: Stoker. October 1939 to March 1940?

Rank: Leading Seaman
When Allotted: January 1939
Pay Book Number: P/KX 80332
Rank: Leading Stoker. Stoker Petty Officer
Relation: (married Eileen Monica) Son of John and Mary Nee. Daughter Patricia Lavender.

Remarks: Leading Stoker. Stoker Petty Officer P/KX 80332. Date of birth 4.6.1910. Joined RN 15 April 1930. Was a professional boxer from Southsea Hants. Joined L03 15 August 1941 (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 31 (married Eileen Monica) Son of John and Mary Nee. Daughter Patricia Lavender. Other ships included VICTORY,WARSPITE,CHAMPION, RESOLUTION, SATRE?, WELDSORAN? , HEREWARD, SALTASH, MAIDSTONE, MALAYA, DRAKE

Rank: Acting Leading Telegraphist/L Tel.

Remarks: Acting Leading Telegraphist/L Tel. January 1939 to March 1940?

Pay Book Number: P/KX 97836
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Relation: Son of Isaac and Florence Newman of Poole, Dorset.

Remarks: Stoker 1st Class. P/KX 97836. Joined January 1940 (Missing presumed killed 23.10.41) Age 20 (single) Son of Isaac and Florence Newman of Poole, Dorset. Born in 1921. Lived in Poole. Portsmouth Naval Memorial - Hampshire Column 2. Panel 55.

Rank: Boy Seaman

Remarks: Boy Seaman. (Information from Dusty Rhodes)

Pay Book Number: P/JX 166806
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Relation: Wife Joan

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 166806. Joined RN 1939 Onboard LO3 January 1941 at Southampton. At time of sinking was leader on the single pom-pom on the flag deck. (Wounded 23.10.41 and discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney) Left RN 1953 and became a metal finisher at Gillette UK. Wife Joan.

Rank: Boy Seaman/Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Boy Seaman/Ordinary Seaman. January 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.

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?