Hi, Can anyone help me with the movements of the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable during 1945/46? My late uncle Joseph Devlin (1925-1998) was a stoker in Mess 352. Thanks.
Hi Tullybrone, the following link will get you started: HMS Implacable, British fleet aircraft carrier, WW2 Regards, Jack.
Jack, Thanks very much. Very interesting reading. Below item re Canadian Victoria Cross winner gives me a feel for what Pacific aircraft carriers were doing in latter stages of WW2 off Japan. Lt. Robert Hampton Gray Onagawa Wan, Japan August 9th, 1945 Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve 'For great bravery in leading an attack to within fifty feet of a Japanese destroyer in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, thereby sinking the destroyer although he was hit and his own aircraft on fire and finally himself killed. He was one of the gallant company of Naval Airmen who, from December 1944, fought and beat the Japanese from Palembang to Tokyo. The actual incident took place in the Onagawa Wan on the 9th of August 1945. Gray was leader of the attack which he pressed home in the face of fire from shore batteries and at least eight warships. With his aircraft in flames he nevertheless obtained at least one direct hit which sank its objective. Lieut. R.H. Gray, D.S.C., R.C.N.V.R., of Nelson, B.C., flew off the Aircraft Carrier, H.M.S. "Formidable" on August 9th 1945, to lead an attack on Japanese shipping in Onagawa Wan (Bay) in the Island of Honshu, Mainland of Japan. At Onagawa Bay the fliers found below a number of Japanese ships and dived in to attack. Furious fire was opened on the aircraft from army batteries on the ground and from warships in the Bay. Lieut. Gray selected for his target an enemy destroyer. He swept in oblivious of the concentrated fire and made straight for his target. His aircraft was hit and hit again, but he kept on. As he came close to the destroyer his plane caught fire but he pressed to within fifty feet of the Japanese ship and let go his bombs. He scored at least one direct hit, possibly more. The destroyer sank almost immediately. Lieutenant Gray did not return. He had given his life at the very end of his fearless bombing run.' Steve Y.
Hi, Does anyone know whether the crew of HMS Implacable would be entitled to the Arctic Star if they were serving aboard during the ship's service at sea off northern Norway in 1944? Thanks Steve Y
Steve, The medal was awarded for any length of operational service north of the Arctic Circle by members of the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy. The qualifying area is defined as 66° 32’ North. So if he met that criteria then you should pursue it. Regards Hugh
Name: Robert Hampton Gray Birth Date: 2 Nov 1917 Birth Place: Trail, British Columbia, Canada Death Date: 9 Aug 1945 Death Place: Onagawa Bay, Honshu, Japan Robert Hampton Gray in the UK, Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007 TD
Hi, Thanks for the info Hugh & TD. HMS Implacable link above describes actions "off" Bodo which is slightly above 67 degrees North so the ships company aboard there may qualify. I'll advise my cousins accordingly. Thanks Steve Y
I've emailed them and just got the generic - apply and see response, nothing exact. I'm applying for his naval records at the minute and I've ordered a copy of the ship's log from the National Archives. I'm quite confident as the ship was involved with some raids which were in the qualifying area. I just need to research the ship's coordinates during the raids.
I enjoyed the research, from hearing stories to then applying for his records and then finding our where the ship was actually at.
