As one of my last duties as the PWSTS Standard bearer, I will be attending a small Memorial Service for the unvailing of a memorial plaque dedicated to the memory of the officers and crew of the cable layer "Alert", which was torpedowed off the North Forland, Broadstairs, Kent with the loss of all hands.
Many of the crew were from the east Kent area, and we felt it appropriate that some form of memorial be erected to these seamen, killed so near to their homes.
I shall be attending along with the Standard Bearer of the Vindicaterix Society, and some of their members, but as I shall be with the standard, I need someone to lay a wreath on our behalf, for me. Andy has very kindly given me a PWSTS wreath for this occasion.
The service will be held on Thursday 24th February at 13:00 Hrs. at Broadstairs Harbour. If any body is free on that day, and can to do this on behalf of PWSTS, can you please contact either Andy or myself.
Due to unforeseen circumstances Alan isnt able to make this event can anyone stand in to lay the wreath at short notice? Roger states that it will be a very informal affair.
BALDWIN, Seaman, FREDERICK SIDNEY BERTIE, B E M, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 47. Son of William and Elizabeth Baldwin; husband of Julia Edith Baldwin, of Dover.
BLAMEY, Assistant Steward, RONALD FREDERICK ROBERT, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 18. Son of William H. and Ruby G. Blamey, of Dartmouth, Devon.
BOOKER, Stoker, ROBERT ERNEST, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 29. Son of Alfred Edwin and Millicent Florence Booker; husband of Joyce Booker, of Dover.
BROOKSHAW, Seaman, JAMES CHARLES, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 23. Son of Charles Edmund and Florence Gladys Brookshaw; husband of Joyce Joan Brookshaw, of Woolwich, London.
BUTTON, Seaman, ROBERT STANLEY, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 39. Son of Jack and Susannah Button, of Lowestoft, Suffolk.
CANT, Assistant Steward, PERCY AUGUSTUS, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 62.
CASSINGHAM, Third Engineer Officer, JACK, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 39. Son of John Odion Cassingham and Kate Cassingham; husband of Violet Cassingham, of Folkestone.
CORNWELL, Seaman, WILLIAM FREDERICK, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 30. Son of William John and Ellen Susan Cornwell, of Dover; husband of Olive Cornwell, of Dover.
CRONIN, Purser, HENRY TREVERTON, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 35. Son of David Treverton Cronin and Priscilla Cronin; husband of Doris Jean Cronin, of Abbey Wood, Kent.
DELLOW, Second Officer, ERNEST GEORGE NORMAN, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 31. Son of Ernest Dellow, and of Ellen Dellow, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.
DEMELWEEK, Stoker, EDWARD JOHN, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 46. Son of George Thomas Demelweek and Elizabeth Anne Demelweek.
DOWLE, Storekeeper, CHARLES JOHN, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 65.
DRURY, Quartermaster, FRANK ARTHUR, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 40. Son of Walter and Emily Helen Drury; husband of Florence Lily Olivia Drury, of Dover.
ELLIS, Seaman, PERCY WILLIAM, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 38. Husband of Ruby Dorothy Ellis, of Buckland, Dover.
EVERALL, Seaman, FREEMAN JAMES, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 52.
GILCHRIST, Seaman, FRANCIS ALEXANDER, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 47. Son of Francis Alexander Gilchrist and Harriet Gilchrist; husband of Emma Elizbeth Gilchrist, of Deal, Kent.
GODDEN, Seaman, ALBERT VICTOR, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 29. Son of Fred and Jane Godden, of Dover; husband of Lilian G. Godden, of Efford, Devon.
GREGORY, Quartermaster, ALBERT REGINALD, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 40. Son of William Ernest and Florence C. Gregory, of Faversham, Kent.
HEMPSALL, Carpenter, FRANK ABDY, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 47. Husband of Gertrude Hempsall, of Dover.
HOPE, Engine Driver (Cable), FRANK, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 47. Husband of Florence H. Hope, of Perivale, Greenford, Middlesex.
HUNTER, Seaman, WILLIAM THOMAS CALEB, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 26. Son of Albert Thomas Hunter and Catherine Hunter, of Dover.
HURFORD, Seaman, HAROLD FREDERICK, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 18.
INSOLE, Cable Jointer, ALEC, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 39. Husband of F. M. Insole, of Dover.
JONES, Seaman, GEORGE HENRY, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 30. Son of George and Rose Jones; husband of E. R. Jones, of Dover.
KING, Leading Stoker, WILLIAM THOMAS, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 23. Son of William Thomas King and Mary Anne King; husband of Violet Rose King, of St. Paul's Cray, Kent.
KITT, Assistant Steward, EDWIN KENNETH JOHN, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 17. Son of John and M. K. Kitt, of Dartmouth, Devon.
MACKEY, Leading Stoker, VICTOR WILLIAM, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 27. Son of Albert and Mary Mackey; husband of Dorothy E. B. Mackey, of Efford, Devon.
MAPLE, Donkeyman, WILLIAM JOHN, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 62.
MARTIN, Assistant Steward, LIONEL SYDNEY, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 19. Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Martin, of Falmouth, Cornwall.
MILLAR, Surgeon, JAMES GRANT, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 64. Son of David Millar, D.D., and Gloriana Margaret Grant Millar; husband of Mary Graham Millar, of Glasgow.
MILLARD, Seaman, GEORGE HENRY, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 17. Son of James and Margaret Elsie Millard, of Woolwich, London.
O'BEIRNE, Assistant Cable Foreman, HENRY, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 58.
OATES, Master, JOHN GERALD BEVERIDGE, D S C, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 37.
PAYNE, Baker, FRANCIS WILLIAM, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 38. Husband of E. E. Payne, of Buckland, Dover.
PETERS, Seaman, GERALD RAYMOND, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 18. Son of Henry and E. M. Peters, of Dartmouth, Devon.
PHILLIPS, Quartermaster, DAVID COLENSO, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 44.
PRINCE, Third Engineer Officer, ERIC, M B E, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945.
ROBINSON, Fourth Engineer Officer, RONALD AMBROSE, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 30. Son of Frank and Anne Kathleen Robinson; husband of Gwendoline Mabel Robinson, of Littlehampton, Sussex.
SHARP, Seaman, FREDERICK STEVEN GEORGE, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 39. Son of C.P.O. Steven Richard Sharp, R.N., and Mary Ann Sharp; husband of G. Sharp, of Dover.
SHEPHERD, Boatswain, WILLIAM ERNEST SYDNEY, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 34.
SKELTON, Quartermaster, WALTER GEORGE, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 36.
SMITH, Assistant Steward, ERNEST JAMES, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 18. Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Smith, of Dover.
SMITH, Cable Foreman, WILLIAM, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 47. Husband of Florence May Smith, of Charlton, London.
STIVEY, Third Officer, JOHN CUTHBERT, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 35. Son of Comdr. J. Stivey, R.N.R., and Mrs. Stivey, of Towyn, Merionethshire; husband of Evelyn Stivey, of Cathcart, Glasgow. Master Mariner, Merchant Navy.
TICKNER, Chief Cook, WILLIAM JOHN, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 51. Son of Thomas Charles and Elizabeth Tickner; husband of Rosetta Tickner, of Dover.
WADE, Stoker, ARTHUR GEORGE, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 43.
WAKEFIELD, Steward, RICHARD CHARLES STEPHEN, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 43. Husband of Doris Wakefield, of Plumstead, London.
WILLIAMS, Assistant Steward, FRANCIS HENRY, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 17. Son of Walter G. and Elisa S. Williams, of Dartmouth, Devon.
Buried ashore
Oye-Plage Cemetery
DIXON, Second Officer, JAMES, H.M. Telegraph Ship Alert. Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 33. Son of George Dodds Dixon and Mary L. Dixon, of Stanmore, Middlesex; husband of Mildred Burrell Dixon (nee Waugh), of Durban, Natal, South Africa. Buried . Row 5. Grave 17.
FISHER, Chief Engineer Officer, HERBERT CHARLES, H.M. Telegraph Ship Alert. Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 46. Row 5. Grave 18.
TAWS, Fourth Officer, JOHN CROSBY, H.M. Telegraph Ship Alert. Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 30. Son of John and Rose A. Taws; husband of Peggy E. M. Taws, of Falmouth, Cornwall. Row 2. Grave 5.
Calais Southern Cemetery
MacLEOD, Radio Officer, NORMAN ANGUS, R.F.A. Alert. Merchant Navy. 24th February 1945. Age 30. Son of Malcolm and Mary Ann MacLeod; husband of Myra R. MacLeod, of Corton, Wiltshire. Plot S. Grave 6.
Llantrisant (Trane) Cemetery
MARTIN, Stoker, DAVID CHARLES, Cable Ship Alert (of United Kingdom). Merchant Navy. 22nd April 1945. Age 36. Son of William Henry and Elizabeth Ann Martin, of Gilfach Goch. Sec. D. Grave 220.
DEMS
BUNTING, Able Seaman, HARRY WILLIAM, C/JX267253. Royal Navy. lost in H.M.S. Cable Ship Alert 24th February 1945. Age 34. Son of Thomas and Lillian Bunting; husband of Hilda Marion Bunting, of Coventry.
CAMPBELL, Able Seaman, MALCOLM. D/JX 240087. Royal Navy. lost in H.M.S. Cable Ship Alert 24th February 1945. Age 29. Son of Malcolm Whitford Campbell and Anne Emily Campbell; husband of Doris May Campbell, of Clapham, London.
CLARKE, Able Seaman, FRANK JOHN ALLWARD, D/JX 291229. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in H.M.S. Cable Ship Alert 24th February 1945. Age 23. Son of Esmond and Mabel Clarke, of Pontypridd, Glamorgan; husband of Elsie Doreen Clarke, of Pontypridd.
RIVETT, Able Seaman, FREDERICK WILLIAM, P/JX 397466. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. (lost in S.S. Alert).24th February 1945. Age 21. Son of Robert and Annie Catherine Rivett, of Crayford, Kent.
STOYLE, Able Seaman, REGINALD PERCY. D/JX 29115. Royal Navy. (lost in S.S. Alert) .24th February 1945Son of Percy Frederick and Elsie Maud Stoyle, of Shaldon, Devon.
Buried ashore
HEALE, Petty Officer, SAMUEL D/JX 227670. Royal Navy. (lost in S.S. Alert). 24th February 1945. Age 31. Son of Henry and Sarah Heale; husband of Winifred May Heale, of Ottery St. Mary.
Barry thats great news thank you very much indeed. I will send a text message to Roger. I expect Roger will contact you via the forum mate. I will also send you a private message with his mobile number.
Once again our shipmate Phil Hughes has come up trumps.
Thank you very much indeed Phil, it really is appreciated:
Message from Phil >>>
I thought you might like to see these photos of mine taken at the unveiling of the plaque to the Cable Ship "Alert" which was sunk off the North Foreland by a torpedo in 1945 with the loss of all hands, 35 of whom came from the East Kent area.
I have sent copies to Roger as well as it appears to be his "final" stand as your Standard Bearer.
Best wishes,
Phil Hughes,
Secretary of the Independent Vindicatrix of East Kent.
Above photos (line of standards) - Roger Head with the Prince of Wales Sea Training School Standard is stood far right. Phil HughesSecretary of the Independent Vindicatrix of East Kent is stood next to Roger.
-- Edited by Andy on Friday 25th of February 2011 02:30:17 PM
Have just found a bit more information on the "Alert", also that 45 of the crew members are Commemorated at Tower Hill, panels 4 and 5.
Built by Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson of Wallsend on the Tyne in 1918, the 941 ton vessel H.M.T.S. Alert was working off the Dodman, North Goodwin Sands in the Straits of Dover, undertaking repairs to the Dumpton Gap, Kent to La Panne, Belgium undersea telegraph cable, when she was torpedoed by a German submarine and sunk with the loss of all of her 59 hands. It was not one of the large ocean going type of submarines which sank the Alert, but a Seehund (Seal) type. These submarines had a displacement of 17 tons when submerged, a crew of only two and carried two underslung G7e type torpedoes. The Seehund had the range of 300 kilometres at 7 knots, and could attack on the surface in weather up to 4 on the Beufort Scale, but had to be almost literally stationary for undertaking submerged torpedo attacks. About fifty Seehund submarines were built which had an additional fuel storage that gave them a range of 300 miles at 7 knots surfaced and 63 miles at 3 knots submerged. These types of midget German submarines were involved in a number of limited actions off Dungeness Point on the south Kent coast. On thOberleutnant zur See, Klaus Sparbrodt, and Masch Mt. Günter Jahnke claimed to have sunk a corvette northeast of the SouthFalls. Initially it was assumed by the Kriegsmarine that they had sunk the 1,050 ton French destroyer La Combattante, but this ship had been mined off the Humber estuary on the night of 23/24 February, by a mine laid on 16 February 1945 by German Motor Torpedo Boats (Schnellboots or E-boats), and the real victim of U-5330 was in fact the British G.P.O. cable layer Alert. Arguably one of the Post Office cable laying ship Alerts most important contributions to the Allied war effort took place surrounded in secrecy in Kent during May 1942. It had been realised that with her shallow draft and the crews expertise gained over many years cable laying for the General Post Office, that the vessel would be an ideal choice to take part in the embryonic Pipeline Under the Ocean (PLUTO) experiments. Resulting from the decision to use the Alert, she laid a fuel pipe across the river Medway, Kent, and fuel was pumped successfully at a pressure of 600lbs. per square inch. From observations and data collected the programme of experimentation and modification continued, and by the next month the system was ready for deep water trials which were conducted by another larger vessel in the Clyde estuary, and of course in June 1944 PLUTO proved to be invaluable.
