Hms algerine

My wife's father, Lieutenant K G Butler was killed when the HMS Algerine was sunk on November 15, 1942 off Bougie by the Italian submarine Ascianghi.

I have been looking at the ship's company and he is the only one listed as "killed." Four or five others were listed as DOW (Died of wounds) and the other 78 or so were MPK (Missing presumed killed).

Now my query is this. How does anyone know if a person was killed as opposed to MPK or even DOW if the entire ship's company was lost?

Is there any possibility at all of any actual graves anywhere as opposed to the general memorial at Southsea?

Of course, any information at all would be much appreciated

 

Welcome to the forum cameronuk.

If someone is posted KIA it usually means there's an identified body.

DOW is usually a known survivor who later dies i.e. there is a body.

Anyone else is 'missing', but MPK would be on intelligence that a ship had beenn sunk and no survivors or no further survivors were found.

I understand that 32 survivors from HMS Algerine were rescued by HMS Cadmus and taken to Bougie. Of these 32 survivors 24 later died due to internal wounds caused by the the detonation of HMS Algerine's own depth charges, which detonated at their preset depth. The remaining 8 survivors were on a raft and thus were not wounded when the depth charges exploded.

I'll have a look at the graves scenario and post again; but I think there will be graves, but not all with the same date of death.

Best,

Steve.

 

Here's your wife's father's CWGC entry:

Name:BUTLER, KENNETH GEORGE
Initials:K G
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Lieutenant
Regiment/Service:Royal Naval Reserve
Unit Text:H.M.S. Algerine
Age:31
Date of Death:15/11/1942
Additional information:Son of Charles and Elizabeth Butler; husband of Irene M. Butler, of Newton, Porthcawl, Glamorgan.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:Panel 70, Column 3.
Memorial:PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

 

Here's a list of 84 KIA from the Algerine; courtessy of Geoff's search engine.

A few - 6 - have graves. Maybe others were MPK, buried at sea i.e. those who actually died on board HMS Cadmus and possibly others were put into a common grave at Bougie?!? I will check this out, as far as I am able!

001 ANDERSON WH P/KX 91956 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 68. COLUMN 2.
002 BARKER JE P/SSX 24105 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 62, COLUMN 3.
003 BATES DJ P/MX 67566 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 69, COLUMN 3.
004 BAXTER J P/JX 301162 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 1.
005 BIZLEY EW P/MX 50133 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 2.
006 BLAKE WJ P/J 68137 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 66, COLUMN 2.
007 BRETT WAJ P/K 64858 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 3.
008 BROWN EM P/JX 288243 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 63, COLUMN 2.
009 BUCKLEY ES P/MX 69228 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 69, COLUMN 3.
010 BURDON RW P/MX 60163 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 2.
011 BUTLER KG - HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE PANEL 70, COLUMN 3.
012 CASE RA P/KX 83155 HMS ALGERINE 20/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY 3. D. 6.
013 CHAMBERLAIN RS P/JX 195416 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 63, COLUMN 2.
014 CHAPMAN RA P/JX 298829 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 65, COLUMN 2.
015 COCKINGS DL P/JX 217636 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 63, COLUMN 2.
016 CONN AS P/JX 298828 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 65, COLUMN 2.
017 COOKE WA - HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 61, COLUMN 3.
018 COOKSON W P/JX 297715 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 65, COLUMN 2.
019 DALBY R P/CD/X 3000 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVAL VOL RESERVE PANEL 71, COL 2.
020 DAY FJ P/MX 116730 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 69, COLUMN 2.
021 DICKINSON J P/JX 173948 HMS ALGERINE 22/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY 3. A. 4.
022 DOW C P/KX 84115 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 68, COLUMN 1.
023 DRISCOLL WJ P/KX 78828 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 3.
024 EAGER SA P/KX 85478 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 3.
025 EVANS WJ P/LX 21618 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 70, COLUMN 1.
026 FLYNN JEK P/SR 16036 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 2.
027 FOTHERGILL RD P/JX 293465 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 1.
028 GARBUTT GC P/JX 298823 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 63, COLUMN 3.
029 GARDNER R P/K 59979 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 2.
030 GARRETT CE P/LX 26271 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 70, COLUMN 1.
031 GILBERTSON TF P/J114166 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY 5. B. 6.
032 GOODHAND J P/KX 147445 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 69, COLUMN 1.
033 GRANDET R P/KX 116239 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 68, COLUMN 2.
034 GRIFFITHS JJ P/JX 154241 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 62, COLUMN 3.
035 HARDING JHJ P/JX 309488 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 66, COLUMN 2.
036 HARRISON G P/LX 26863 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 70, COLUMN 1.
037 HARVEY TA P/K 65236 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 3.
038 HUMPHRIES CE P/JX 134633 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 66, COLUMN 3.
039 HUNT W P/MX 60579 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 69, COLUMN 3.
040 HURLEY FM P/JX 298818 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 65, COLUMN 3.
041 JONES CE P/JX 318229 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 65, COLUMN 3.
042 KEMSLEY D - HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE PANEL 71, COLUMN 1.
043 KENNEDY AB - HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE PANEL 71, COLUMN 2.
044 LAMBERT KR P/JX 358793 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 65, COLUMN 3.
045 LEES D P/SR 16338 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 69, COLUMN 2.
046 LOTT LWG P/KX 80685 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 3.
047 LOVEGROVE CW P/KX 82922 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 3.
048 MARRIOTT KF P/KX 137199 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 69, COLUMN 1.
049 MORBEY JW P/MX 101198 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 70, COLUMN 1.
050 MULLEN JM P/JX 296685 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 64, COLUMN 2.
051 NORRIS JM P/MX 89392 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 2.
052 PAGE LE P/JX 293467 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 1.
053 PEARMAIN AW P/KX 137943 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY 5. B. 2.
054 PERROTT E P/JX 324696 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 66, COLUMN 1.
055 PERRY VAC P/JX 298796 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 66, COLUMN 1.
056 PORTER J P/JX 262059 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 64, COLUMN 3.
057 PRICE EH P/KX 99303 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 68, COLUMN 1.
058 PRINGLE GSH P/SSX 19331 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 64, COLUMN 3.
059 QUINNEY J P/SSX 25611 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 62, COLUMN 2.
060 RADCLIFFE RRC - HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE PANEL 71, COL 2.
061 RAYMENT JR P/JX 298825 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 64, COLUMN 3.
062 READ AF P/JX 132254 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 62, COLUMN 2.
063 REYNOLDS TK - HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 62, COLUMN 2.
064 RICHARD E P/KX 117508 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 68, COLUMN 3.
065 RICHARDS JF - HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE PANEL 71, COLUMN 2.
066 RICHARDSON CW P/SSX 21574 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 64, COLUMN 3.
067 RICHES WH P/JX 295379 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 64, COLUMN 3.
068 ROBERTS JDW - HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE PANEL 71, COL 2.
069 SAVAGE LH P/KX 77018 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 3.
070 SHORT WA P/J 37158 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 63, COLUMN 1.
071 SIMPSON AL P/MX 65482 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 2.
072 SKINNER MJ C/NX 1414 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVAL CANTEEN SERVICE 66, 3.
073 STATHER F P/KX 150027 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 69, COLUMN 1.
074 STEVENTON JF P/JX 271517 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 65, COLUMN 1.
075 TEAGUE J - HMS ALGERINE 03/05/1942 ROYAL NAVY SEC. A. GRAVE 52.
076 THOMAS AS P/KX 129829 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 68, COLUMN 3.
077 TURNER JW P/JX 252744 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 67, COLUMN 1.
078 URQUHART G P/MX 78759 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 70, COLUMN 1.
079 WELLINGTON MA - HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE PANEL 76, COL 3.
080 WELLS FW P/LX 21199 HMS ALGERINE 16/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY 5. B. 8.
081 WILLIAMS KJ P/LX 22522 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 70, COLUMN 1.
082 WILLOUGHBY RT P/MX 88140 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 69, COLUMN 2.
083 WINFIELD AR P/JX 296288 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY PANEL 66, COLUMN 2.
084 WISNIESKI JA P/KX 117345 HMS ALGERINE 15/11/1942 ROYAL NAVY 5. B. 4.

 

Hello cameronuk,

The 6 graves are at La Reunion War Cemetery, Algeria.

CWGC write-up here:

Cemetery:LA REUNION WAR CEMETERY
Country:Algeria
Location Information:The cemetery is approximately 14 kilometres south-west of Bejaia on Route N12 to Algiers, which is approximately 250 kilometres west of Bejaia. GPS Co-ordinates: 36.706253, 4.972770#
Historical Information:Allied troops made a series of landings on the Algerian coast in early November 1942. From there, they swept east into Tunisia, where the North African campaign came to an end in May 1943 with the surrender of the Axis forces. Bejaia (formerly Bougie) was the landing place of the 36th Infantry Brigade Group on 11 November 1942. La Reunion War Cemetery contains 211 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
No. of Identified Casualties:209

There are only two 'unidentified' burials, so no common grave. We have a mystery - what happened to the 24 who DOW at Bougie? La Reunion War Cemetery is the local CWGC Cemetery and you would expect them to have been buried there!

Best,

Steve.

 

Steve Mac

Thanks very much for the information.

We weren't even certain that there were any survivors of the Algerine.

I am assuming that the information that my wife's father had been killed must have come from them.

 

Hello cameronuk,

More information from this link: http://naval-history.net/xDKCas1942-11NOV2.htm#algerinelost

ANDERSON, Walter H, Stoker 1c, P/KX 91956, MPK
BARKER, James E, Act/Leading Seaman, P/SSX 24105, MPK
BATES, Douglas J, Supply Petty Officer, P/MX 67566, MPK
BAXTER, John, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/JX 301162, MPK
BIZLEY, Edward W, Engine Room Artificer 2c, P/MX 50133, MPK
BLAKE, Walter J, Yeoman of Signals, P/J 68137, MPK
BRETT, William A J, Stoker Petty Officer, P/K 64858, MPK
BROWN, Ernest M, Able Seaman, P/JX 288243, MPK
BUCKLEY, Eric S, Sick Berth Attendant, P/MX 69228, MPK
BURDON, Richard W, Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 60163, MPK
BUTLER, Kenneth G, Ty/Lieutenant, RNR, killed
CASE, Robert A, Act/Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 83155, DOW
CHAMBERLAIN, Ronald S, Able Seaman, P/JX 195416, MPK
CHAPMAN, Richard A, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 298829, MPK
COCKINGS, Donald L, Able Seaman, P/JX 217636, MPK
CONN, Alan S, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 298828, MPK
COOKE, Wilfred A, Lieutenant Commander, MPK
COOKSON, William, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 297715, MPK
DALBY, Robert, Able Seaman, RNVR, P/CD/X 3000, MPK
DAY, Frederick J, Leading Radio Mechanic, P/MX 116730, MPK
DICKINSON, John, Able Seaman, P/JX 173948, DOW
DOW, Charles, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 84115, MPK
DRISCOLL, William J, Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 78828, MPK
EAGER, Sydney A, Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 85478, MPK
EVANS, Wilfred J, Leading Steward, P/LX 21618, MPK
FLYNN, James E K, Engine Room Artificer 4c, RNSR, P/SR 16036, MPK
FOTHERGILL, Richard D, Coder, P/JX 293465, MPK
GARBUTT, George C, Able Seaman, P/JX 298823, MPK
GARDNER, Robert, Chief Petty Officer Stoker, P/K 59979, MPK
GARRETT, Colin E, Leading Steward, P/LX 26271, MPK
GILBERTSON, Thomas F, Act/Chief Petty Officer, P/J 114166, DOW
GOODHAND, Jack, Stoker 2c, P/KX 147445, MPK
GRANDET, Raymond, Stoker 1c, P/KX 116239, (Frenchman, served as Frank Grayson), MPK
GRIFFITHS, John J, Leading Seaman, P/JX 152241, MPK
HARDING, John H J, Signalman, P/JX 309488, MPK
HARRISON, George, Leading Steward, P/LX 26863, MPK
HARVEY, Thomas A, Stoker Petty Officer, P/K 65236, MPK
HUMPHRIES, Charles E, Petty Officer Telegraphist, P/JX 134633, MPK
HUNT, Wilfred, Leading Cook (S), P/MX 60579, MPK
HURLEY, Frederick McC, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 298818, MPK
JONES, Clive E, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 318229, MPK
KEMSLEY, David, Ty/Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
KENNEDY, Alastair B, Ty/Surgeon Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
LAMBERT, Kenneth R, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 358793, MPK
LEES, Douglas, Electrical Artificer 4c, RNSR, P/SR 16338, MPK
LOTT, Leonard W G, Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 80685, MPK
LOVEGROVE, Cecil W, Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 82922, MPK
MARRIOTT, Kenneth F, Stoker 2c, P/KX 137199, MPK
MCPHERSON, Harold, Stoker 1c, V 26554 (RCNVR), DOW
MORBEY, James W, Assistant Cook (S), P/MX 101198, MPK
MULLEN, James McI, Able Seaman, P/JX 296685, MPK
NORRIS, John McG, Engine Room Artificer 5c, P/MX 89392, MPK
PAGE, Laurence E, Coder, P/JX 293467, MPK
PEARMAIN, Alfred W, Stoker 1c, P/KX 137943, DOW
PERROTT, Ernest, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 324696, MPK
PERRY, Victor A C, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 298796, MPK
PORTER, James, Able Seaman, P/JX 262059, MPK
PRICE, Edward H, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 99303, MPK
PRINGLE, George S H, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19331, MPK
QUINNEY, Jack, Act/Petty Officer, P/SSX 25611, MPK
RADCLIFFE, Raymond R C, Ty/Electrical Sub Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
RAYMENT, John R, Able Seaman, P/JX 298825, MPK
READ, Albert F, Petty Officer, P/JX 132254, MPK
REYNOLDS, Thomas K, Commissioned Engineer, MPK
RICHARD, Emile, Stoker 1c, P/KX 117508, (Free French), MPK
RICHARDS, James F, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
RICHARDSON, Charles W, Able Seaman, P/SSX 21574, MPK
RICHES, Walter H, Able Seaman, P/JX 295379, MPK
ROBERTS, John D W, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
SAVAGE, Leonard H, Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 77018, MPK
SHORT, William A, Act/Leading Seaman, P/J 37158, MPK
SIMPSON, Arras L, Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 65482, MPK
SKINNER, Mervyn J, Canteen Manager, C/NX 1414, MPK
STATHER, Frank, Stoker 2c, P/KX 150027, MPK
STEVENTON, John F, Able Seaman, P/JX 271517, MPK
THOMAS, Arthur S, Stoker 1c, P/KX 129829, MPK
TURNER, James W, Telegraphist, P/JX 252744, MPK
URQUHART, George, Cook (O), P/MX 78759, MPK
WELLINGTON, Michael A, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
WILLIAMS, Kenneth J, Petty Officer Steward, P/LX 22522, MPK
WILLOUGHBY, Reginald T, Motor Mechanic, P/MX 88140, MPK
WINFIELD, Albert R, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 296288, MPK
WISNIESKI, John Alphonse, Stoker 1c, P/KX 117345, (Frenchman, served as John Talbot), MPK

Thos shows ony 83 fatalities, your wife's father being the only one listed KIA, 5 DOW and the rest MPK. This is at odds with some of the information, but nearly fits with the CWGC information.

More investigation...

Best,

Steve.

 

Thanks again Steve.

My wife's father isn't one of those buried at La Reunion cenmetery.

Would I be right in assuming the rest were either buried at sea from HMS Cadmus or their bodies were never recovered.

What happened to those bodies that were landed I wonder?

One sad note. He is included on the CWG memorial at Southsea but not on his local memorial.

He moved from Cardiff to Porthcawl when he married my wife's mother and his name isn't recorded on the memorial at Porthcawl or those in Cardiff.

They definitely lived for a while in Porthcawl where my wife was born but must have slipped through the net as he was originally from Cardiff.

 

Hello cameronuk,

I hope you don't mind the amount I'm posting; I'm enjoying this thread...

There are a few inconsistancies between the two lists above:

1) J Teague - CWGC list, died circa 6 months prior to the sinking;
2) FW Wells - CWGC list, is not on the Naval-History list; and
3) H McPherson - Naval-History list, is not on the CWGC list.

Noticing that Harold McPherson was Canadian (RCNVR), I did an independent search for him and found that he is also buried at La Reunion War Cemetery.

Name:McPHERSON, HAROLD GEORGE
Initials:H G
Nationality:Canadian
Rank:Stoker 1st Class
Regiment/Service:Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text:H.M.S. Algerine
Age:21
Date of Death:17/11/1942
Service No:V/24554
Additional information:Son of George and Bella McPherson, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:5. C. 4.
Cemetery:LA REUNION WAR CEMETERY

I agree with what you say, I believe most of these men were either buried at sea from HMS Cadmus, etc. or their bodies were never recovered - most the latter. Strange though that one report has 24 men landed in Algeria before DOW, but there are no graves. I believe that these 24, amongst others, were probably buried at sea.

For your father in law to have been confirmed KIA but with no grave, he was either buried at sea or seen dead by a survivor. I don't know a lot about Royal Navy service records or War Diaries/logs, but maybe the answer may lie therein. Do you have copies of these?

As for the non-inclusion of Lieutenant K G Butler's name on the local memorials', why not lobby to get it included. Use the local Navy (et al) veterans bodies for assisting in the process, get the local press involved...whatever it takes.

Best,

Steve.

 

Thanks again Steve.

I notice that Harold McPherson actually died two days after the Algerine was sunk. RA Case is shown as having died on 20th November, FW Wells on November 16 and J Dickonson on November 22.

The mysteries go on!

Is there any way of determining the ship's complement as opposed to the list of those who died?

 

I stumbled across this website which is remarkable in collating much of the missing information around HMS Algerine. My wife's grandfather was T.K. Reynolds who died when she sank in 1942. We are both resident in South Africa.

Of interest his (T K Reynolds) daughter is living in Simonstown SA and he has a grandson in Cornwall, one in Johannesburg and grand daughters in Monaco and Sweden.

 

I stumbled across this website which is remarkable in collating much of the missing information around HMS Algerine. My wife's grandfather was T.K. Reynolds who died when she sank in 1942. We are both resident in South Africa.

Of interest his (T K Reynolds) daughter is living in Simonstown SA and he has a grandson in Cornwall, one in Johannesburg and grand daughters in Monaco and Sweden.

Welcome to the forum Simonstown. I am pleased that you found the information in this thread useful.

Do you have any information about the Algerine that cameronuk would find useful, for example, a full list of the ships complement, stories of actions, etc.?

Best,

Steve.

 

Re further info - there is more detail in a book "With utmost Spirit" and I summarise a small extract below;

The fleet was part of Operation Perpetual and was commanded by Captain N.V. Dickinson and Brig A L Kent-Lemon. The assault force consisted of LSI’s “Marnix van St Aldgegonde”, “Karanja”, and “Cathay” transporting the 36th Infantry Brigade Group. The operation was shielded by the flagship “Sheffield”, AA Cruiser “Tynwald” and Monitor “Roberts” plus destroyers. Sailing independently “Awatea” lifted RAF supplies and commandos for the operation. “Algerine” and “Cadmus” were designated minesweepers.
“With Utmost Spirit”. Author: Barbara Brooks Tomblin

 

The reference to the book is much appreciated, Simonstown. I will send a PM to cameronuk about this; he hasn't visited the forum for a while!

As an aside, I am sure there has been a thread on the forum about the Tynwald as well...

Best,

Steve.

 

Steve Mac - I have just stumbled across this thread while doing research on the Algerine. Your information was greatly appreciated as I have started tracing my family tree. James Porter was my maternal grandfather's brother. I have been to his memorial at Portsmouth having traced that much but didn't know he was MPK until I read your information in this thread. Thanks

 

Steve Mac - I have just stumbled across this thread while doing research on the Algerine. Your information was greatly appreciated as I have started tracing my family tree. James Porter was my maternal grandfather's brother. I have been to his memorial at Portsmouth having traced that much but didn't know he was MPK until I read your information in this thread. Thanks

You are welcome Colette!

And a warm welcome to the forum...

Best,

Steve.

 

Just an aside. I used to be a ship modeller and I once (many years ago) made a model of one of that class. HMS Algerine was the name ship of the Algerine class of Fleet minesweepers.

Chris

 

I’ve been surfing the net and found a few photos of HMS Algerine which I had not previously seen on the link below. Pics are © David King from ‘Queen of Thanet’ 41-47 section of this site.
http://www.grantonhistory.org/ships_and_boats/queen_of_thanet_41_47.htm
There are also some ship plans which, albeit a bit faint, are ideal for modelers to get perspectives correct on HMS Algerine - on the link;
http://www.hnsa.org/doc/plans/j337.pdf

 

A tenuous link to HMS Algerine

My late Mum had a 'crush' on her older brother's best friend, he was

GARBUTT, George C, Able Seaman, P/JX 298823, of Thornaby on Tees,

always known as COLIN hence my first name - fortunately Dad (who had met Garbutt briefly} had an older brother also Colin so accepted Mum's choice!!!

PZULBA - Out of Africa (Retired)

 

Also a tenuous link to HMS Algerine, but an Algerine class vessel..HMS Pelorus...hot off the press in South Africa.

It has been brought to the attention of the Society and the Civic Association that a salvor has been cutting and recovering steel from the wreck of the SAS Pietermaritzburg.
This ship was scuttled off Miller's Point to act as an artificial reef. Apart from serving the South African Navy for many years the Pietermaritzburg, originally named HMS Pelorus, led the D-Day Invasion fleet on the 6th June 1944. Many feel that in the light of this ship's history it should be left as is.
In order for a provisional protection order to be placed on the wreck it requires a meeting to be held at which the public must express their desire in this respect,.
A meeting will therefore be held at the Simon's Town Museum and to which all interested parties are invited to attend.
Venue: Simon's Town Museum - Date: Monday 30th July 2012 - Time: 17h30
Eric Mawhinney –Chairman - Simon's Town Historical Society