Remembering Today 18/11/42 Musician H.S.Willmot RMB/X1449 Royal Marine Band H.M.S. Arethusa

WILLMOT, HENRY SWEPSON

Rank:
Musician
Service No:
RMB/X 1449
Date of Death:
18/11/1942
Age:
26
Regiment/Service:
Royal Marine Band

H.M.S. Arethusa
Panel Reference
Panel 70, Column 3.
Memorial
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of James Henry and Emily Willmot; husband of Doris Louise Willmot, of Southville, Bristol.
CWGC - Cemetery Details

 

http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Arethusa.htm

HMS ARETHUSA - Arethusa-class Light Cruiser

1942

November Nominated for escort of Malta relief convoy MW13 (Operation STONEAGE).

16th Joined convoy with HM Destroyers JAVELIN, JERVIS, KELVIN, NUBIAN, PAKENHAM, PALADIN and PETARD as escort after it left Port Said.

17th Relieved as escort by HM Destroyers ALDENHAM, BEAUFORT, BELVOIR, CROOME, DULVERTON, EXMOOR, HURSLEY, HURWORTH, TETCOTT and Greek destroyer PINDOS.

Returned to Alexandria with original screen.

18th Rejoined MW13 with HM Cruisers CLEOPATRA, DIDO and ORION and same destroyers.

After unsuccessful air attacks came under further by torpedo carrying aircraft at dusk.

Hit on port side abreast B turret and took on heavy list to Port.

Extensive fires in forward structure due to oil fuel together with flooding. 156 killed and 42 injured

Ship disabled.

(Note: Hole in structure was later found to be 53 ft long and 35 feet deep.

19th Fires under control and took passage under own power using emergency steering, escorted by HMS PETARD, HMS JERVIS and HMS JAVELIN.

Taken in tow by PETARD when damaged section bucking. Other destroyers detached to return to MW13.

20th Tow by HMS PETARD stern first in continuation.

21st Arrived at Alexandria and assisted to tugs to prevent further damage by use of main engines.


December Under temporary repair at Alexandria to allow ocean passage.

 

Full Honour Roll for that engagement plus photos of the ship -

Royal Navy casualties, killed and died, November 1942