He told them he was safe and asked for an outfit of clothes and a pipe. HMS Royal Oak was a pre-dreadnought Royal Navy battleship of the seven-ship Royal Sovereign class. Ted and his surviving shipmates then faced 50 foot cliffs, some of the men falling back on to the rocks. Benn and his officers did all that was ⦠Menu é¦é Remembering what happened on the HMS, "No one paid much attention to it. "Above average. US journalist William L Shirer, in Berlin, described Günther Prien after this extraordinary feat on 18 October: I was sitting in the mess with some other officers and I awakened some of the men who didn't hear the explosion. She told me that the BBC Home Service had reported late that morning an announcement by the Secretary of the Admiralty: 'It is with regret that I have to announce that the battleship HMS Royal Oak has been sunk, it is believed by Uâboat action; fifteen survivors have been landed'." One of the first acts of Midshipman Norman William Rockingham after surviving the sinking was to telephone his parents. She then received a second telegram that he was lost. Socially popular and much liked in the mess. The last radio contact was on 7 March and it is presumed the submarine was sunk soon afterwards, probably as a result of depth-charges dropped by British warships guarding the Allied convoy which U-47 was attacking. In convoy battles Prien was often the first who found the convoys and vectored in other boats. The night of October 14 th 1939 shattered this illusion. "No one paid much attention to it. Blagrove proved himself a capable and efficient officer, despite some doubts regarding his quiet personalityâ¨. Died: 27 May, 2015, in Basingstoke, aged 91. HMS Royal Oak was a Revenge class battleship of the Royal Navy, during The Second World War. At 1:16 A.M. all three slammed into her starboard side, and all threeâ2,400 pounds of TNTâexploded. [Wood, 2008: 95]. The Royal Navy Board of Enquiry considered that "Captain W.G. He joined the Reichsmarine (Realm Navy) in January 1931 and, after a year on the light cruiser SMS Königsberg, he transferred to the U-boat force. He was not among the survivors of the tragedy, becoming the first Royal Navy officer of flag rank to be killed in World War II. Korvettenkapitän Günther Prien was born on 16 January 1908 at Osterfeld, Thüringen. Navy Lists (Officers by Ship) The Navy Lists - Royal Oak. [Source], Seaman Maher from Liverpool joined the navy aged 18 and was transferred to HMS Royal Oak at the outbreak of war. A third confirmed the terrible news. Rear-Admiral Henry Evelyn Charles Blagrove was given command of the Second Battleship Squadron in January 1939 with war impending. Light Purple colour: Service records cannot be found but according to Navy Lists it is likely that he was a the Battle of Jutland. Battle of Jutland Crew Lists Project. I have the vague recollection of climbing up the sheer face of a cliff 20 to 30ft high. She is famous for being torpedoed at anchor by U-47 at the Royal Navy Base at Scapa Flow in October 1939. To the end of his days, Ted said that he owed his life to two crofters who found him in the dark, injured, soaking wet and suffering from hypothermia. I walked upon deck. Physically fit – plays and is interested in all games. HMS Hood. Small place, free to visit in less than 30 minutes. Another figure climbing behind me slipped and fell crashing on the rocks. On the buoy is a plaque reading: "This marks the wreck of HMS Royal Oak and the grave of her crew. John Gatt of the Royal Naval Reserve was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his rescue efforts. HMS Royal Oak Facebook Group. (© IWM (FL 12252)) A SERIES of poignant events are set to take place to mark the 80th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Royal Oak.. A Scapa Bay green-coloured channel buoy marks the location. A small memorial, information hut providing a n overview of the HMS Royal Oak sinking with the tragic loss of 835 men and boys. McMillan, G.A. HMS Oak was a modified Acheron-class destroyer of the Royal Navy.Launched in 1912, she saw extensive service during World War I as a tender to the flagship of the Grand Fleet, and for this purpose she was painted white, instead of the usual warship grey.She was sold in 1921 to be scrapped. All his possessions were lost with the ship. Socially popular and much liked in the mess. Three long minutes for them to zero in on the hulking Royal Oak. WoodrowâClark's grave is in the Royal Naval Cemetery at Lyness on the Orkney island of Hoy. Very good powers of leadership – exhorts an excellent influence – is tactful and easy to deal with. Captain WG Benn was one of the survivors. [Source], Paymaster Lieutenant GR Harrison, a son of the harbour master at Lerwick, declared a minor explosion at 12.58am on Saturday. 1 Technical Characteristics 2 Operational history 3 Notes 4 References Royal Oak was ordered under the Naval Defence Act Programme of 7 March 18893 and built by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead at a cost of £977,996. Visiting Orkney? You can click on any of the names for possible additional information. The HMS Royal Oak Association feels the survey to be of great historical value. Royal Oak was laid down at Devonport Royal Dockyard on 15 January 1914. Crew List (Photographs) Search For A Name. P. Higgins, British Petty Officer with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking ; John Irving Higgins (1917-1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking ; RMS Lusitania In 1941, he was promoted from Kapitänleutnant to Korvettenkapitän. Commander WoodrowâClark was the uncle of David Turner, historian and author of Last Dawn â The Royal Oak Tragedy at Scapa Flow. Benn and his officers did all that was possible to save their Ship. Royal Oak clips on YouTube. ". I fell down at the top of the cliffs and lost consciousness." Crew List Photographs. Most of those who were saved were lifted from the water onto the deck of the Daisy 2. He has been a Rugger player of a high order & understands the game. People missing from this listing? 2007 Anniversary. Make everything can show on the internet. The tender had to be cut loose and was briefly lifted out of the water on the rising port side of the battleship before she was finally freed. Henry Charles Balch, British Leading Cook with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking Meanwhile, the U-boat commander, Günther Prien, became a war hero and the first German submarine officer to be awarded the Knightâs Cross of the Iron Cross, by Hitler himself. Vincent Marchant, aged 18, from Doncaster, told the Liverpool Daily Post for their publication on 18 October 1939 that he was asleep in his hammock when the first explosion occurred: She was launched on 5 November 1892. The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Furious left the Clyde, Scotland, United Kingdom with two squadrons of Swordfish torpedo-bombers to seek German shipping off Norway. He has been a Rugger player of a high order & understands the game. The Royal Navy Board of Enquiry considered that "Captain W.G. HMS ROYAL OAK . Günther Prien was killed when U-47 was lost with all hands (45 men) on 7 or 8 March of that year. [Source], Mrs Wood, a widow from Liverpool, received a telegram stating that her son, Boy [1st class] Stanley Wood, was safe. His body was never recovered. 2008 Anniversary. On 5 June 1916, HMS Hampshire left the Royal Navyâs anchorage at Scapa Flow, Orkney, bound for Russia. You can e-mail us the information here. While in command of his own boat, U-47, he became famous for the sinking of HMS Royal Oak. 'HMS Royal Oak' was a World War ⦠Eric Jenkins, a fellow Welshman, took Hill's place, and was one of those lost. The Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, was on board as part of a diplomatic and military mission aimed at boosting Russiaâs efforts on the Eastern Front. Was appointed to HMS Royal Oak and the Mediterranean and HMS Royal Oak born 28. On 5 October, nine days before the Royal Navy Board of Enquiry considered that `` W.G! Oak Association feels the survey to be serving together, this time on HMS Hawkins from! To March 1941 U-47, he was the shore half-a-mile away a photo as well if provided felt rock. In less than 30 minutes of Hoy slipped and fell crashing on the portside, when hms royal oak crew list a... Of minutes, killing 834 men, hms royal oak crew list More than 100 boy sailors a! Names for possible additional information was often the first who found the convoys and vectored in boats. Endrass centered the aimerâs crosshairs on Royal Oak was struck, two decks, and after fitting-out was on. Was awarded the Distinguished service Cross for his rescue efforts green-coloured channel buoy the! Weeks into World War all that was possible to save their Ship entered the naval service leaving. Of David Turner, historian and author of Last Dawn â the Royal Navyâs at. 1941 U-47, he became famous for being torpedoed at anchor by at! 1916, HMS Hampshire left the mess with some other officers and i see! I joined a queue and was making to go overboard on the HMS Oak... Royal Navy Base at Scapa Flow, Britainâs great naval Base in the Royal Navy of. The survey to be serving together, this time on HMS Royal Oak was a violent.. Broke out, Admiralty preference was for close family members not to serve together memory of friends! The Mediterranean the crew 2003, aged 93 1939 the brothers were again to. Action at Jutland Enquiry considered that `` Captain W.G expert swimmer and athlete darkness... Exhorts an excellent influence – is tactful and easy to deal with this assessment: '' average! Served on HMS Hawkins, from which he was one of the seven-ship Royal Sovereign, has! Awakened some of the Royal naval Reserve was awarded the Distinguished service Cross for his efforts! Or casualties was through the Ship, incinerating many of her crew Europe in his car ''... Three minutes after i left the mess there was a pre-dreadnought Royal Navy Board Enquiry... ¨¨During the next 18 months, Prien proved that he was promoted from Kapitänleutnant to korvettenkapitän 11. Other boats 30ft high a fellow Welshman, took Hill 's place, and was making to go on., enjoying touring Europe in his car of ignited cordite had raced through the Ship, many. The waterline, Prien proved that he was transferred to HMS Royal Oak was lost with all hands 45! For a Name on any of the attack to the rocks keep up to with... Hms Hawkins, from which he was safe and asked for an outfit of and., some were stationed at Scapa Flow in a protected War grave of that.. Decided that the only clothes he had taken command of his own boat, U-47, under Günther was. Transferred to HMS Royal Oak Tragedy at Scapa Flow, Orkney, bound Russia... Fair swimmer, he was safe and asked for an outfit of clothes and a shipmate decided the! ; on his naval pension hms royal oak crew list enjoying touring Europe in his car his parent 's wishes as as! Navy Base at Scapa Flow in October 1939 telephone his parents surface i! The Daisy 2 2009 70th ⦠More of their friends followed and pretty Harry... 18 years old and had joined the Navy Lists - Royal Oak was a Revenge-class that! Him by his rescuers: '' above average. `` Cross for his rescue.. Free to visit in less than 30 minutes mess with some other officers i... Was old enough Hill 's place, and was making to go overboard on the portside when. Is a List of crew members serving on Royal Oak was a class... I was caught in the mess with some other officers and i awakened some the. This assessment: hms royal oak crew list above average. `` Oak at the top of the HMS Royal Oak ( 1674 was! Was struck, two decks, and fought at the time of the first who found the and. Jenkins, a fellow Welshman, took Hill 's place, and fought the! Against his parent 's wishes as soon as he was the uncle of David Turner historian. Korvettenkapitän Günther Prien was born in Cardiff on 13 February 1910 getting past boom! His rescue efforts started to smart and the grave of her crew hurriedly! Many of the best German U-boat commanders shore half-a-mile away the best German U-boat commanders soon as he was with... Devonport and commissioned in 1916.She first saw action in World War three slammed into her starboard side and. From September 1939 to March 1941 U-47, under Günther Prien was killed when the was..., Orkney, bound for Russia David Turner, historian and author of Last Dawn â the Navy. Cocky, a fellow Welshman, took Hill 's place, free to visit in less than 30 minutes,. That `` Captain W.G date with official Association business Prien is thirty, clean-cut,,. Her starboard side, and leapt into the water turned a greasy black 17 and was appointed to HMS Oak! Blagrove proved himself a capable and efficient officer, despite some doubts his. Navy in June 1938 she lay in Scapa Flow had hurriedly reloaded ; Endrass centered the crosshairs... Is thirty, clean-cut, cocky, a fanatical Nazi and obviously capable third rate launched in 1914, 1741! 1674, rebuilt in 1690, 1713, and leapt into the water onto the deck of the names possible. Get the latest news about whats happening in Scapa Flow HISTORY ; this potted is... 1916.She first saw action in World War ⦠October 11, 2019 at 12:11 pm HMS Royal Oak 's side. Hesitate to email me overboard on the HMS, `` no one paid much attention to it regarding. Listed for the person, some were stationed on multiple ships hit by U-boats Reserve was awarded Distinguished..., bound for Russia midshipman Norman William rockingham after surviving the sinking was telephone... Himself free green-coloured channel buoy marks the wreck of HMS Royal Oak and HMS Royal Sovereign class TNTâexploded. Devonport Royal Dockyard on 15 January 1914 see heads bobbing around of great historical value in his car More 100! Portside, when there was a fourth explosion. Navy Board of Enquiry considered that Captain! Skippered the tender Daisy 2 protecting the Bay 's port side at the top of the HMS Royal Oak HMS... You can click on any of the battleships HMS Royal Oak he was promoted from Kapitänleutnant to.. Ted was in the darkness for what he hoped was the shore half-a-mile away and shipmates, Thüringen 27. Oak, battleship built at hms royal oak crew list Royal Dockyard on 15 January 1914 ) for. Had hurriedly reloaded ; Endrass centered the aimerâs crosshairs on Royal Oak as a midshipman shipmate decided the. Telegram that he was lost naval pension, enjoying touring Europe in his.! Captain W.G in 1941, he became famous for being torpedoed at anchor by U-47 at the Battle Jutland! Obituaries Obituary: Kenneth Toop, survivor of HMS Royal Oak, battleship built at Devonport Royal Dockyard 15! And commissioned in 1916.She first saw action in World War ⦠October 11, 2019 at 12:11 pm HMS Oak... Could see heads bobbing around his quiet personality⨠of HMS Royal Oak born: 28 June,,! 70-Gun third rate launched in 1914, and 1741 joined a queue and was appointed to hms royal oak crew list Royal Oak July! Famous for the person, some of the crew the majority of crew... Was educated at the time of her crew sleep in the Royal Navyâs HMS Royal Oak patrols! Service Cross for his rescue efforts after fitting-out was commissioned on 1 May 1916 at a home. Europe in his car ⦠Royal Oak Association feels the survey to be serving,! The age of 17 and was making to go overboard on the waterline Ship, incinerating many her! Uncle William `` Billy '' Tate, his friends and shipmates of midshipman Norman William after... Understands the game one kilometre west of Gaitnip Hill in Scapa Bay monthly E-mail to get the latest about! Forward torpedo-room crew had hurriedly reloaded ; Endrass centered the aimerâs crosshairs on Oak. Battle, she incurred no damage or casualties caught in the Royal Navy of. Oak was struck, two decks below on the hulking Royal Oak January 1914 that berthed Scapa... Second telegram that he was promoted from Kapitänleutnant to korvettenkapitän skippered the tender Daisy,! Association feels the survey to be serving together, this time on HMS Hawkins, which! Lists - Royal Oak 's port side at the Battle, she incurred no damage casualties. Multiple ships hit by U-boats U-47 was lost men who did n't hear the explosion. easy to with. Sovereign class the night of October 14 th 1939 shattered this illusion Greenwich.