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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Yell Don A
Pay Book Number: P/MX 58765
Rank: Petty Officer Writer
Relation: Born in Penang of an East London Mother and an East Anglian Father. Had a brother and sister. Had a fiancée in Rosyth.

Remarks: Petty Officer Writer. P/MX 58765. Capt D’s Writer.
Joined the RN 3 January 1939. Joined LO3 at Southampton 22 May 1940 as a Leading Writer to 1941. Relieved PO Writer Tibbs. At BISMARCK action) Was put on First Lieutenant’s Report after breaking out of ship just after joining at Southampton. Claimed to be none au fait with the shipboard routine regarding liberty boats as they applied to writers who worked all hours. Was given a caution by Lt Gretton DSC (First Lieutenant) after Lt Wheeler RAN (OOD on the day in question) spoke up for him. Survivor – Left his white shoes by the guard rail and swam to a Carley float throwing his cap away whilst doing so. Was picked up by HMS Legion which was detached to relieve the escorts to The Prince of Wales and the Repulse. On the escorts return the Legion went to the Azores for refuelling and landing the injured returning to Gibraltar. Was then discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney (His brother was onboard) to Loch Ewe. Was loaned a No 3 uniform by PO Writer on HMS Rodney. Was transported with other survivors to Inverness in open Army trucks. A good meal was made available at the Caledonian Hotel by the station and some survivors found partners to dance with to the music. It was then a train South to Royal Naval Barracks. Born in Penang of an East London Mother and an East Anglian Father. Had a brother and sister. Had a fiancée in Rosyth.
Owned or used the following cameras that have been mentioned in other reports – 16mmCine camera bought with money from ‘Aunt May’ of America. A Leica belonging to the ship and his own Agfa Karat. Invalided out of the RN 1947. Worked for Hoover Ltd, 1948 –1956 WNLA Nyasaland. 1956 – 1960 Mine Secretary Dalnu Mine S Rhodesia. 1960 –1961 Accountant in Fort Pictoria. 1961-1962 Mine Secretary in various asbestos mines in Southern Rhodesia. 1982 – 1984 Head Office of African Mines Association. Born in Penang. Died 19 November 2004 in Newcarron, Falkirk.

Rank: Acting Cook. (Leading Cook?)

Remarks: Acting Cook. (Leading Cook?) (July to October 1941?) No number shown. Borne for victual charges only. No pay documents. Survivor discharged to HMS Victory taking passage in HMS Rodney)

Rank: Canteen Manager

Remarks: Canteen Manager. 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.

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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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