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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: kiwicatz on Wednesday 21 January 09 04:30 GMT (UK)
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My relative served on this ship between 1915 and 1919. He was apparently one of only a few survivors after the ship was sunk in the straits of the Dardanelles.
How can I read more about this?
TIA
Jan
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the last HMS Pembroke was sold in 1910, HMS Pembroke is a shore and training establishment.
Alan NZ
ps you will find some detail of the forcing of the straits here...
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/List_of_Allied_warships_that_served_at_Gallipoli
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Looks like Horton Henry Hitchon wasn't on HMS Pembroke. The following is what I got from another relative - and I'm trying to confirm it or not.
All I Have on Horton Henry. Left NZ at 15 and never returned. Joined The Aust. light horse and was sent to Egyptfor service in the Mediterranean region. This is where he asked to change to the British navy due to his mechanical background. His service started in the navy on 3/3/1915 and he was demobilised 18/5/1919. He served on 5 or 6 different ships and was one of only a few survivors when his ship the HMS Pembroke was sunk in the strait of Dardanelies. He served on this vessel between 12th Feb. and 18 May 1919. He was an engine room fitter to start and then moved to supervisor. Ratings of ERA4, ERA3 and last entry just say's super. He received several awards 1914, 1915,1916 chevrons. He also received naval prize money for the destruction of a ship - hard to make out, looks like Brislau sunk 20th January 1918. Ministry of defence CS(R)2 Navy records centre room, Boure Avenue, Hayes Middlesex UB3 1RF in July 1984.
Horton was 5ft 8in tall with hazel eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion, he was tattooed Kia-Ora on his forearm and had a scar on his nose. He served as engineroom artificer IV and 111 aboard Pembroke 11< Woolwich, and Swiftsure, Europa 11, as a R.A. between 3//3/1915 & 30/4/1919 (for hostilities). A note on his record dated 31/12/1918 granted certificatecapable of takin charge of a watch in engine room of a small ship. A.D.M. 188/1042 Horton Henry Hitchon M12424, fitter born 7/4/1892 Balclutha. Hitchon family newsletter 2006.
Can any help/make a suggestion.
Thanks for your time.
Regards
Jan
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Hi Jan
You can download your own copy of his papers here - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7265703&queryType=1&resultcount=1
Or get you relative to send you a copy of theirs.
Ken
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Swiftsure was a Battleship involved in the Dardanelles campaign
World War 1 Service:
Swiftsure
Flagship East Indies Squadron.
November 1914 escorted Indian Convoy.
December 1914 Detached to Suez.
February 1915 joined Dardanelles Squadron.
2 March 1915 attack on forts.
5-9 March 1915 attacks on forts at Smyrna.
18 March 1915 onwards supported landings at Helles. Galipole landing April 25th
18 September 1915 unsuccessfully attacked by German submarine (U21?).
18 January 1916 bombardment of Dedeagatch.
February 1916 attached to 9th Cruiser Squadron in the Atlantic.
11 April 1917 paid off at Chatham to release crews.
Mid 1917-February 1918 accommodation ship.
Autumn 1918 prepared for use as block ship but not used before the Armistice.
1920 sold for scrap.
Alan NZ
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HMS Pembroke II was a Royal Naval Air Station at Eastchurch between 1913 and 1918.
Alan NZ
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Ken
Thank you. I had tried to look in the Archives, but obviously was not using the right criteria. I do like to check things out for myself so I will order copy.
I had been told by someone else on this forum that HMS Pembroke couldn't have been the ship that was sunk, as the last one was sold in 1910, and after that it has been a shore and training establishment. (Thanks Alan in NZ)
regards
Jan
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Thanks Alan for both of those. I will send for the records now that I know where to find then.
Thanks again for your always excellent help.
Jan
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Hi
Have seen Alan's replies on here. My Grandfather's brother was on Pembroke I and II from Jan 1922- 28 as a cook. Presuming they were both training ships ?
Any help appreciated.
Jan
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http://www.chdt.org.uk/NetsiteCMS/pageid/802/The%20Royal%20Navy%20at%20HMS%20Pembroke%20and%20Royal%20Visits.html
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None of the boats were sunk in the Dardanelles.
It is unlikely that he served in the Dardanelles campaign as he only joined the navy in early/mid 15.
That looks like family stories.
Swiftsure and Europa both served in the North Atlantic when he on them.
Rog
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I have just found a war record for my grandfather and it states he served on Pembroke I during 1917 and 1918, though each time it appears to be for a couple of months.
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As has been explained, Pembroke I, II and so on were onshore establishments.
Imber