M.V. Stork lost 23rd August 1941

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Steve49, Nov 23, 2021.

  1. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    On 23rd August 1941 M.V. Stork was sunk in the Atlantic by U201.

    Lloyd's war losses says 18 crew and 4 gunners, of whom 19 were lost. uboat.net says 19 lost, but lists 18 losses and 1 survivor. CWGC identifies 16 crew and 2 RN gunners as being lost in the sinking.

    Additionally CWGC lists as being killed on the same date, but with no identified ship;

    Supernumerary Deckhand George E. Ridley [Tower Hill Memorial]

    So was Deckhand Ridley the missing loss from Stork? Any ideas?

    Regards,

    Steve
     
  2. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hi Steve,

    I can confirm that Deckhand George Edgar Ridley Merchant Navy was lost aboard m.v. STORK.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    UK, Merchant Seamen Deaths, 1939 -1953
    Name: George Edgar Ridley
    Age: 34
    Birth Date: abt 1907
    Birth Place: London, England
    Death Date: 23 Aug 1941
    Death Place: At Sea
    Spouse: Ellen
    45947_0019-01295.jpg
     
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  4. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    In 2007 I met Amanda Davies, her grandfather had been Chief Officer of the Stork and who was lost when the ship was torpedoed. Amanda had gathered quite a lot of information about the ship's wartime, including its part in the post-Dunkirk evacuations. I will try to find what I have 'on file' (in inverts because my idea of filing is to stuff it in the right box!)
     
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  5. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    I am sure if my memory serves me correctly we did a lot of work on m.v. STORK on the old 'Mercantile Marine Forum' back in the day - that name sounds familiar Roy.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  6. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Panel from my collection Tower Hill Memorial with Ridley

    upload_2021-11-23_12-4-57.jpeg
     
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  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    m.v. STORK was torpedoed and sunk by U-201 of the coast of Portugal on 23 August 1941. Only 3 survived the sinking – Second Officer Wooley, Ship’s Carpenter Stanley Smart and Second Engineer Maxwell.

    Ship's Carpenter Stanley Smart jumped from the port bridge wing into the water, while Second Engineer Maxwell had to jump through a porthole to escape the burning vessel. Smart had to tow Maxwell out through a lane of burning petrol and place him on a raft. They were rescued by the corvette HMS CAMPION and eventually landed at Gibraltar – (Neutral Shores by Mark McShane)

    The ship had previously been bombed in Boulogne on 7 June, 17 May, 1940 (Master, Captain Robert James Carey).

    London Gazette 13 August 1940 – For services when the ship was bombed in Boulogne and for the destruction of an enemy aircraft. [Seedies List]

    MISSEN, James George Henry – MN Gunlayer – BEM(Civ)

    CAREY, Robert James – Captain – Commendation

    Kemp, Hubert Beaumont – Chief Steward – Lewis Gunner – Commendation

    MARYSON, William Harold – MN Gunner – Commendation.

    London Gazette 31 March 1942 – For services when the ship was torpedoed and sunk and particularly for the rescue of the only two other survivors. [Seedies List]

    SMART, Stanley Gilbert – Carpenter – Commendation.

    Sadly, Missen and Maryson were both killed when the ship was lost in 1942.

    Regards

    Hugh
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2021
  8. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    I see that Stork is listed in 'B.E.F. Ships before, at and after Dunkirk' as taking part in Operation Aerial civilian evacuation efforts from Jersey (20th June) and Alderney (23rd June).

    I'm not sure about the date in the citation, Boulogne had been occupied by German forces on the 23rd May, so the attack must have taken place before then.

    Regards,

    Steve
     
  9. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Sorry, you are quite correct, my mistake, that is the date of the Master's report. The ship arrived off Boulogne on the evening of 16 May - the attack started on the 17th.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2021
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  10. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Hugh, I am sure you are right that this investigation dates back to the Mercantile Marine Forum. Two bits that made itinto the book:

    'M/V STORK unloading at Boulogne, was continuously bombed and machine-gunned off that port. In the middle of a dive-bombing attack Gunlayer Missen, who had been on continuous duty at the ship's 12-pounder, succeeded in hitting a German bomber. The machine, on fire and out of control, swerved away, one of its crew using a parachute, falling into the sea. Further continuous raids, with dive-bombing and mine-dropping attacks, went on above and around "Stork" till her Master decided to try and save her. He was successful in this, and the ship eventually reached Southampton. Gunlayer Missen showed persistent devotion to duty and entire disregard of personal safety, and successfully replied to continuous attacks during three days and nights.' Gunlayer Missen was awarded the BEM and Captain Carey and Gunners Maryson and Kent were Commended.i

    i London Gazette for 13 August 1940, via Amanda Davies

    Lt Cdr T G Newby RNR Rtdi was rushed by car to Weymouth on 22 June, where he boarded m.v. Stork in the Bay. He was to be Commodore of a small convoy consisting of Camroux IV, Alnwick, Empire Jonquil, West Coaster and Suffolk Coast, which sailed for Alderney. They anchored off at daylight and went alongside at 0700. Newby met with the Seigneur, who announced that people could take one suitcase each. The bells were not rung, as that was to be the signal of invasion. Virtually all of the Island's population of 1,800 had been embarked by noon and the small fleet sailed for Weymouth.ii The Commodore transferred to the Alnwick, leaving the better accommodation on the Stork for mothers-to-be. Cdr Newby said ‘The legend re babies born springs from the fact that I did suggest that 'mothers to be' should travel on the Stork as she was the most comfortable.’ It has been suggested elsewhere that three babies were born en route; this sounds unlikely as the trip only took a few hours, perhaps the ship's name gave rise to the tale?

    i Two letters from Cdr. Newby June 1995, via Amanda Davies.

    ii Naval history says: ISLE OF SARK, ALDERNEY QUEEN and SHERINGHAM, escorted by the destroyer SABRE evacuated Alderney. Seems to be incorrect, these vessels were involved in the evacuation of other Channel Islands.

    Roy
     

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