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.

Pay Book Number: P/JX 161658
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Relation: Son of Joseph and Hetty Taylor of Baghill, Pontefract. Yorkshire

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 161658
Born 11 March 1923 at Knottingley. Yorks. Joined Ganges 14 February 1939. (Grenville House). Joined L03 9 February 1939.. Telephone Boy No. 1 Gun. Present at Atlmark Incident. 1939 Star. Atlantic Star. Victory Medal. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 18 (single) son of Joseph and Hetty Taylor of Baghill, Pontefract. Yorkshire

Pay Book Number: P/JX 139122
Rank: Leading Seaman
Pay Book Number: P/K 63082
Rank: Stoker Petty Officer

Remarks: Stoker Petty Officer. P/K 63082. Onboard at January 1939. Died 13 April 1940 (Battle of Narvik)

Rank: Shipwright

Remarks: Shipwright. January 1939 to March 1939?

Pay Book Number: P/KX 107399
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Relation: (married to Dwynwen of Cymmer, Rhondda, Glamorgan) Son of William and Ruth Thomas. Sister Mrs Iris Tilly.

Remarks: Stoker 1st Class. P/KX 107399. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 24 (married to Dwynwen of Cymmer, Rhondda, Glamorgan) Son of William and Ruth Thomas. Sister Mrs Iris Tilly.

Pay Book Number: P/JX 274215
Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 274215. (Survivor discharged to military hospital and HMS Cormorant) (Not mentioned under the injured or wounded in the Official Admiralty Communique of 1941)

Rank: Telegraphist

Remarks: Telegraphist. Joined Royal Navy 20th March 1932. Onboard at January 1939 and still onboard at time of Altmark incident. Left the RN 15th May 1946. On the 17th January 1946 received the B.E.M. "for zeal and wholehearted devotion to duty". Joined the RNZN on 9th August 1948 leaving 9th August 1958. On retirement from the RNZN became Superintendent of the British Sailors' Society in Lyttelton, New Zealand. (It has since changed name). He then became Manager of the Montecillo War Veterans Home in Dunedin New Zealand. Died 1984 aged 68.

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Able Seaman. January 1939 to March 1939?

Pay Book Number: P/JX 274423
Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 274423. (Wounded 23.10.41 and discharged to military hospital and HMS Cormorant)

Pay Book Number: P/JX 262841
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Relation: Son of George and Annie Thompson

Remarks: Ordinary Seaman. P/JX 262841. (Missing presumed Killed 23.10.41) Age 27 (married Louie of Gomersal, Yorkshire) son of George and Annie Thompson

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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