HMS Elfreda

This thread is going to contain everything I find out about HMS Elfreda, which is the ship that my grandfather served on between 4th November 1943 and 4th May 1945. I would be very grateful if you knowledgable people would comment on/explain anything I find out, as I am very new to this.

She began life as HMS Elfreda (BAM 16) on 7/9/1942 in the U.S. but was renamed, reclassified and launched as USS Overseer (AM321) in Jan 1943. In June 1943 she reverted back to her original name and class.

On 22nd Dec 1943 she was completed, delivered and transferred to Great Britain as HMS Elfreda (J.402), a Catherine Class Minesweeper. She had a crew of 105.

She was struck from the Naval Register in Dec 1946, returned to the U.S. in June 1947, sold to Turkey in Nov 1947 and renamed TCG Cesme (M505). In 1974 she was struck from the Turkish Navy List and her fate is sadly unknown.

Commander between 21st Dec1943 - 21st Sep 1946 was T/A/Lt.Cdr. Leonard Jolly, RNVR.

Other crew:
Charles E. Phillips - On board 10/2/1944-15/03/1944
Ken Worthy - A Sonar Operator on board 20/4/1944-25/11/44
My Grandfather, William Gedge - an Ordinary Telegrapher.

Attached is her movement log for 1944-1945. Any explanations and comments on this would be gratefully received.
View attachment Elfreda movement sheets.pdf

I have also ordered the log for April, May, June & July of 1944 from the National Archives (Very expensive!!)

I have also attached a picture of her between 1947-1974, when she was in the Turkish Navy - I don't know if there would have been many changes made to her.

 

Hi Claire ,

My father also served on HMS Elfreda , he was Jasper Joseph Moody and CMX97262 , Leading Wireman , I have been trying to find out more about the ship , his mates and also why he was mentioned in dispatches in the London Gazette 7th Dec 1945 page 6004 but I still don't know what for and sadly he has passed away now
Any information would be most welcome

Thanks
Tim

 

HMS Elfreda (J 402) of the Royal Navy - British Minesweeper of the Auk class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net




TD

 

Thanks TD , I ordered one today off eBay and have added my fathers details on

Photos of the ship are like hens teeth , I have managed to find 3 on the web

Cheers

 

Yes I was having a look at Google images, but as you will know not every one is of the subject you want.

Happy hunting
TD

 

My father HORACE PRING was on HMS elfreda I don't know much other than he said they had mineswept ARROMANCHES during the war

 

I have the bell from the HMS Elfreda if you interested email me dave (at) davidhoyle.co.uk

 

Dave - not a good idea to give your email address out like that on a public forum - bet to replace @ with the word AT

Will see if mods can change it

TD

 

My father Harry Wedgbury served on HMS Elfreda and the family has a few photos of the ship and some crewe members, names of crewe members not known.

 

Hi helen i would love to have any information you have on HMS RLFREDA a
As my dad horace pring served on the ship

 

Hi Claire, as Tim my brother has said, our father Jasper Moody served on HMS Elfreda. I have been recording information on the ship for the last 20 or so years and would like anyeone who would like to contribute to a publication about the ship to get in touch. You can email me at

scaldwellmoody at beet tee inter net dot com

kind regards
Chris

 

HMS Elfreda & Cynthia

 

HMS Elfreda & Cynthia View attachment 275611 View attachment 275611 View attachment 275611 View attachment 275612 View attachment 275611 View attachment 275612 View attachment 275613 View attachment 275614

 

Hi Helen, I like the photos you have just posted. Would it be possible to email me so I could discuss using them in a publication about the ship? I'd also like to check to see if I have any of your father in my crew photos.
Chris Moody
email as the post above yours

 

Hi Helen, I like the photos you have just posted. Would it be possible to email me so I could discuss using them in a publication about the ship? I'd also like to check to see if I have any of your father in my crew photos.
Chris Moody
email as the post above yours

 

Hi Chris, sorry but any communication will need to be through this site.

 

That's not a problem Hellen. Would you be able to scan the images flat on so I can see the people in them better. I have a few photos of the crew and would like to cross check them with mine?
I presume your father is the gentleman next to the Elfreda sign. Can you let me know his full name and his position on the ship. I have a photo of a similar crew member but can't quite work it out yet.

 

Hi John check out my facebook page for further details collected over the years on HMS Elfreda. I will be adding photos, drawings of the ship and equipment, crew photos and recollections as time goes by. Please feel free to add any information you might have.
HMS Elfreda - J402 - Auk class Minesweeper

 

hi Chris i have just viewed your Elfreda facebook page, i was wondering if you have come across my fathers name at all his name is Horace Pring dont know what position he held tho

 

Hi John, can you post a photograph of your father and I can have a look through my crew photos to see if I can see him. I'm going to be loading crew photos onto the facebook site in future days as I get around to it. You should be able to find out about your fathers service through
Admiralty: Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services | The National Archives
They should have an outline of his position, rank etc.