Details

William F Bere, Leading Stoker P/KX 83940, H.M.S. Phoebe., Royal Navy. Died when Phoebe was torpedoed Wednesday 27th August 1941. Age 26. Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Bere, of Littlehampton, Sussex; husband of B. M. Bere, of Littlehampton. Buried in ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Grave 2. D. 1.

William Robert Chester, Boy 1st Class P/JX 171903, H.M.S. Phoebe., Royal Navy. Died when Phoebe was torpedoed Wednesday 27th August 1941. Buried in Cemetery: ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Grave 2. C. 19.

William Douglas Diehl, Able Seaman C/5428, (N.Z. Div.)., Royal Navy. Died when Phoebe was torpedoed Wednesday 27th August 1941. Age 21. Son of Alfred Emil Diehl and Gertrude Victoria Diehl (nee Stow), of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Buried in ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Grave 2. C. 16.

Elwyn Evans, Stoker 2nd Class D/KX 120022, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when Phoebe was torpedoed Wednesday 27th August 1941. Age 25. Son of John and Grace Evans, of Llanfairpwll, Anglesey. Buried in ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Grave 2. D. 5.

Edward Ernest Joyce, Boy 1st Class C/JX.164082, H.M.S. "Phoebe", Royal Navy. Died when Phoebe was torpedoed Wednesday 27th August 1941. Age 17. Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Joyce, of Norwich. Buried in ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Grave 2. C. 15.

Philip T Ward, Ordinary Seaman P/JX 240617, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when Phoebe was torpedoed Wednesday 27th August 1941. Age 20. Son of Philip Lionel and Dorothy Frances Ward, of Canton, Cardiff. Buried in ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Grave 2. C. 21.

Grant Weston, Orindary Seaman 68498, H.M.S. Phoebe, South African Naval Forces. Died when Phoebe was torpedoed Wednesday 27th August 1941. Age 18. Son of Edmund T. Weston and Gertrude H. Weston, of Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa. Buried in ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Grave 2. C. 13.

George Walter Wright, Able Seaman C/JX 168222, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when Phoebe was torpedoed Wednesday 27th August 1941. Age 23. Son of John Henry and Amy E. Wright; husband of Christina F. Wright, of Stratford, Essex. Buried in ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt. Grave 2. D. 3.

George Wright (above)

Both pictures Copyright © Darren Pinchback 2005

Certificate for 'Crossing the Line' awarded to George Wright (below)

George Alexander Austin, Stoker 2nd Class C/KX 121426, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Saturday 24th October 1942. Age 30. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred George Austin; husband of Lilian Maud Austin, of South Acton, London. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

William Henry Baker, Able Seaman C/JX 215547, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 21. Son of William Henry and Sybil Dorothy Baker, of Chatham. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Peter Bateman, Boy 1st Class C/JX 246268, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Lost when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 17. Son of John Robert and Margaret Eleanor Bateman, of Lewisham, London. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 58, 2.

Ewart John Charles Henry Bell, Electrical Mechanic C/MX 98051, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 22. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Kenneth Brown, Marine CH/X3175, H.M.S. Phoebe., Royal Marines. Died Sunday 12th July 1942. Age 19. Son of John Sinclair Gordon Brown and Edith Mary Molison Brown; nephew of Laura J. Scott, of Dundee. Buried in DUNDEE EASTERN NECROPOLIS, Angus. Sec. F.F. Grave 282.

George Carlton Brush, Chief Engine Room Artificer C/M. 6238, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 45. Son of Hiram Crane and Edith Emma Brush. of Sanderstead. London. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Oswald Clarkson, Stoker 2nd Class C/KX 113298, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 27. Son of Ralph and Margaret Anne Clarkson, of Burnhope, Durham. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Stanley Denton, Leading Stoker C/KX 111820, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 22. Son of Bertram Charles and Hannah Denton, of Kempston, Bedfordshire. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo. See Kempston War Memorial.

John Docherty, Petty Officer Stoker C/KX 76953, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Lost when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 40. Husband of Mrs. A. Docherty, of Rosyth, Fife. Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM). Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 60, 3.

Albert Henry William Drake, Supply Assistant C/MX 56335, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Last seen on deck just before midnight on the 26th August 1942 but was missing in the morning, there was a search for him but he was never found. Age 23. Son of William Francis and Elizabeth Frances Drake, of Willesborough, Kent. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 64, 1.

Herbert John Eames, Stoker 1st Class C/KX 130461, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Lost when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 32. Son of Herbert and Emily Eames; husband of Marian Margaret Eames, of Erith, Kent. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 62. 1.

Rowland Ernest Elcoat, Leading Seaman C/JX 170847, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died of MalariaFriday 18th December 1942. Age 34. Son of James and Alice Mary Elcoat; husband of Evelyn Elcoat, of Pontefract, Yorkshire. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 52.1, buried at sea.

William Albert Elliott, Petty Officer Stoker C/KX 84132, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 27. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Albert Charles Erridge, Bandmaster RMB/X 145, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Marine Band. Lost when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 29. Son of Benjamin George and Netha Elizabeth Erridge, of Portsmouth. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 70. Column 3.

Victor Douglas Horace Fairminer, Leading Seaman P/JX 195093, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Marine Band. Lost when torpedoed entering the harbour at Pointe Noire, French Equatorial Africa, Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 23. Son of E. G. Fairminer, and of Alice Fairminer, of Twickenham, Middlesex. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 62. Column 3.

Frank William Gooch, Able Seaman P/JX 321825, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 63, Column 3.

William Charles, Steward C/LX 24070, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 64, 3.

George Henderson, Ordinary Seaman C/JX 245694, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 17. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Stanley George Howe, Petty Officer Stoker C/K 61120, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 38. Son of Walter John and Alice Maude Howe; husband of Alice May Howe, of Colchester, Essex. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 61, 1.

Donald Edwin Jones, Able Seaman P/JX 271830, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 31. Son of Arthur James Jones and Lucy Jones; husband of Kathleen Jones, of Peverell, Plymouth. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 64, Column 1.

Ronald Vivian Lancefield, Marine CH/X1682, H.M.S. Phoebe., Royal Marines. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 23. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

John Lamprill, Electrical Mechanic C/MX. 89526, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 22. Son of Frank and Florence Lamprill; husband of Phyllis Rosina Lamprill, of St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 63, 3.

Alexander Anthony Little, Leading Radio Mechanic P/MX 93255, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 20. Son of Alexander and Annie Elizabeth Little, of Aston Manor, Warwickshire. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 69, Column 2.

Douglas William Lord, Ordinary Seaman 330439, H.M.S. Phoebe, South African Naval Forces. Died Saturday 24th October 1942 . Age 19. Son of H. V. and Maggie Lord, of Durban. South Africa. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Gordon Blair MacCallum, Able Seaman C/JX 172716, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 23. Son of Robert S. and Isabella MacCullum, of Broomhill, S'clyde. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Henry Arthur Mallett, Marine CH/X 100273, H.M.S. Phoebe., Royal Marines. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 28. Son of Arthur Ernest and Bertha Mallett; husband of Muriel Maud Mallett, of Thorneywood, Nottingham. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Peter Jack Martin, Boy 1st Class C/JX 246267, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 16. Son of Charles Herbert and Beatrice Martin, of Cumnor, Oxon. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

George Maw, Ordinary Seaman C/JX 319969, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 19. Son of Frederick and Florence Amelia Blake Maw, of Balby, Doncaster, Yorkshire. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 57, 3.

James Noel Maunder, Able Seaman P/JX 321559, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 33. Son of James Warren Maunder and Gertrude Mary Maunder; husband of Elsie Maunder. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 64, Column 2.

Geoffrey William Buchanan Miatt, Boy 1st Class C/JX 245631, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 17. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Arthur Ernest Wlater Millin, Able Seaman C/SSX 31112, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 23. Son of Walter and Agnes Millin, of St. Paul's Cray, Kent. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 55, 2.

Edgar Mills, Ordinary Seaman C/JX 319976, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 19. Son of Mrs. E. Mills, of Catford, London. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 58, 1.

George William Moulder, Ordinary Seaman P/JX 333355, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 20. Son of Horace and Agnes Moulder; husband of Louisa Irene Moulder, of Evesham, Worcestershire. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 66, Column 1.

Isaac Murray, Stoker 2nd Class C/KX 146830, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Saturday 24th October 1942. Age 20. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Walter Needham, Able Seaman P/JX 299460, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 21. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Ernest Sidney Paul, Able Seaman C/JX 197497, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 25. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Edward Isaac Pickett, Ordinary Seaman C/JX 350801, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 19. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Vincent Rawson, Ordinary Seaman C/JX 350811, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Saturday 24th October 1942. Age 19. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Victor John Riley, Ordinary Seaman C/JX 350813, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 19. Son of Charles and Eva Riley, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 58,1.

Alexander McGill Roberton, Ordinary Seaman C/JX 318173, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 18. Son of John Anderson Robertson and Catherine Willmot Robertson, of Corstorohine, Edinburgh. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 58, 1.

Ronald Sancto, Stoker 1st Class C/KX 115863, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 21. Son of James and Maud Sancto, of Middlesborough, Cleveland. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Bertie Wilfred Sewell, Able Seaman P/JX 260976, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 33. Son of Bertie Clare Sewell and Alice Louisa Sewell; husband of Ivy May Sewell, of Finchley, Middlesex. Commemorated on PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 64, Column 3.

Jack Sharpe, Boy 1st Class C/JX 246256, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 16. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

William John Slapp, Boy 1st Class C/JX 245976, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942 . Age 17. Son of Hannah Slapp of Overstrand, Norfolk. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Reginald George Squires, Able Seaman D/JX146515, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Sunday 4th January 1942. Age 21. Son of William Thomas and Mabel Lee Squires, of Whitleigh, Devon. Buried in LONG ISLAND NATIONAL CEMETERY, FARMINGDALE, New York, United States of America.

James Stirling, Able Seaman C/JX 316971, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Son of Thomas D. and Margaret R. Stirling, of Winchburgh, West Lothian. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 56, 2.

William Alfred Charles Swallow, Boy 1st Class C/JX 246270, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 16. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 16. Son of William and Elizabeth Swallow, of Southend on Sea, Essex. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Harold Taylor, Marine CH/X 104758, H.M.S. Phoebe., Royal Marines. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 21. Son of George Arthur and Alice Taylor, of Lightcliffe, W. Yorks. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Ernest Victor Tompkins, Stoker 1st Class C/KX 103946, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 24. Son of Alice May Tompkins, of Southall, Middlesex. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 62, 3.

Ernest William Tribble, Boy 1st Class C/LX 246271, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 16. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Horace Albert Turvey, Chief Mechanician C/K 52735, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Saturday 24th October 1942. Age 42. Son of Harry William and Adelaide Turvey; husband of Annie Elizabeth Pearn Turvey, of Crownhill, Plymouth. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Frederick George Wood, Able Seaman P/JX 321808, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 37. Son of William Edward and Charlotte Wood; husband of Dorothy Emily Wood, of Hammersmith, London. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Alfred Francis Woodfine, Stoker 1st Class C/KX 133932, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died Saturday 24th October 1942. Age 21. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Harold Frank Woodrow, Sergeant CH/24720, H.M.S. Phoebe., Royal Marines. Died Friday 23rd October 1942. Age 35. Son of James and Caroline Woodrow; husband of Olive Lilian Woodrow, of Rochester, Kent. Buried in POINTE NOIRE EUROPEAN CEMETERY, Congo.

Stanley Kemp, Stoker 1st Class, C/KX 158931, H.M.S. Phoebe, Royal Navy. Died while covering the assault landings on the coast of Burma and Rangoon Sunday 15th April 1945. Buried in KIRKEE WAR CEMETERY, India. Grave 10. AA. 6.

HMS Phoebe joined the 15th Cruiser squadron upon her completion and served with the Home Fleet. She operated in the North Atlantic on trade protection duties, but by April 1941 she had joined the Mediterranean fleet at Alexandria. She participated in the evacuation of Greece, Malta convoys and the evacuation of Crete; in June she covered operations against Vichy-French Syria as flagship. On 3rd July 1941 she was missed by torpedoes from Malachite, but on 27th August was hit by an aerial torpedo while on a trooping operation to Tobruk, 7 or 8 men were killed. After temporary repairs at Alexandria, full repairs were undertaken in New York between 21 November 1941 and 21 April 1942, but the ship did not retum to service until May 1942.

She returned to the Mediterranean and took part in Operation Pedestal in August, but the following month she and Sirius were ordered to Capetown to patrol against Axis blockade runners to and from the Far East. They had no success, and while proceeding to Pointe Noire in French Equatorial Africa on 23rd October 1942, Phoebe was hit forward and aft by torpedoes from U161; death toll heavy. The damage was severe, and after temporary repairs at Pointe Noire until December, the ship had to go back to the United Sates (New York) again for repair. This lasted from January to mid-June 1943, and the ship was not operational until July. Phoebe returned to the Mediterranean again and operated in the Aegean, and then supported the Anzio landings in January 1944.

Later that year she sailed to join the 5th Cruiser Squadron in the Eastern Fleet, and for the remainder of the war operated in the Indian Ocean, covering the carrier raids on the Nicobars and Sabang as a Fighter Direction ship. She also covered the assault landings on the coast of Burma and the Rangoon landings in April/May 1945; one man died. At this time she was Flagship of the 21st Escort carrier Squadron, until relieved by Royalist.