A history of the British Destroyer, a type of warship in service with the Royal Navy from 1893 to the present day.
Written by Lt Cdr Lester May RN.
All posts by Vince
Explosion on HMS Kempenfelt
HMS Kempenfelt was the leader of the 27th Destroyer Flotilla, of which HMS Wager was part. This album of photographs belonged to a member of her ship’s company and most were taken, it is thought, in 1944-45. Many certainly enhance the HMS Wager story, and some show sailors at work in a destroyer that was almost exactly the same in size and fittings and operated with the various ships in her flotilla.
The two extracts in the document below are taken from newspapers in Sydney about an accident that happened on HMS Kempenfelt in November 1945.
HMS Wager – The Ship’s Company
This article attempts to give an idea of how the ship’s company of a destroyer such as HMS Wager was made up during war time. Names of the men who served are added as we become aware of them, so it is very much a work in progress.
Written by LtCdr Lester May RN.
The British Pacific Fleet and the 27th Destroyer Flotilla
Detailed information about the 27th Destroyer Flotilla, including the ships, officers and chain of command, and a gazetteer of key places and ports. Contains also a brief summary of the second world war along with an explanation of British and American involvement in the Pacific theatre.
Written by Lt Cdr Lester May RN.
Destroyer Deck Plans
Q class destroyer deck plans with notes on the comparison with HMS Wager and the W class.
Written by Lt Cdr Lester May RN.
David Savin
Here are copies of AB (ST) David H Savin’s personal record of HMS Wager’s deployment, from July 1944 to January 1946. Notice some of the descriptive words that appear from the bottom of page 2 onwards: ‘bombarded’, ‘attacked’, ‘raided’ and so on.
Ted Elwick
The Lucky Wager – a memoir by Stoker Ted Elwick
Stoker Elwick was the Engineer Officers’ Writer in HMS Wager 1944-46.
Len Ackroyd
Len Ackroyd’s Journal, HMS Wager 1944 – 1946
This is a replication of a journal kept by AB (R) Len Ackroyd whilst serving in HMS Wager.
The original photos of the journal are below:
Temporary Surgeon Lieutenant George R Gayman RCNVR
This is my father’s journal, transcribed from his handwritten notebook. Unfortunately he never described the grizzly bits of war, but only the escapades that the crew got into. It makes for a good read though.
Leigh Gayman, August 2008
High Seas and Seasick Signalmen
Leading Signalman Ted Longshaw writes, after viewing the clip of a stern trawler and the French Primauguet Class frigate, seen in this video.
This clip of very rough seas brought to mind a recollection of my Wager days. I can tell you it is no worse than we experienced when being sent to look for a downed pilot in the North Sea. The ship’s bridge was awash as both A and B gun decks were cutting through the waves, while the ship was trying to make 18 – 20 knots. All the ship’s watertight doors were fully closed with all eight clips on.
I was sea sick!
Bob Cadman seriously injured in accident as HMS Wager patrols Sakishimo Gunto
Robert Cadman writes:
HMS Wager was on patrol at a place called Sakishimo Gunto, which is near Samosa in the China Seas. During a manoeuvre at full speed, Wager hit a wave head on and my father and another crewman were crushed by the water near to A Gun – the other man was only saved from being washed overboard because his leg got caught in the side railing wires. My Dad tells me that as a result his one leg was shortened and he was invalided out of the Navy. Dad cannot remember his name at the moment but does however remember where he lived – in Wolverhampton!
My Dad was really badly hurt, they found him covered in blood with part of his head ripped off (he still bears the scars under his hairline). He was taken to the Captain’s cabin where Surgeon Lt Gayman sewed him back together. He was later told by members of the crew that he looked so bad they thought he would be going over the side wrapped in the Union Jack!
Raymond Smith
Casualty Details
Name: SMITH, RAYMOND
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Able Seaman
Regiment/Service: Royal Nav
Unit Text: H.M.S. Wager.
Date of Death: 28/12/1944
Service No: P/JX694809
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. H. 11.
Cemetery: TRINCOMALEE WAR CEMETERY