HMS Duke of York
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Messages 50 through 74

70.
May 31, 2022

I'm wondering if anyone has a photo with my farther in it. His name was Clifford Graham French. He was listed as a deserter in 1946 after he did not return to the ship to return to England after the war. Any help would be appreciated.

Colin French
69.
July 29, 2022

I am trying to find out more about someone who served aboard HMS Duke of York in 1945 and was present when the Japanese forces surrendered on board. Below is a copy of the letter issued to this (presumably sailor) at the time, but cannot clearly make out the name. I wonder if you have any information about this person. Thanking you in anticipation.

David Bunyard
68.
Nov. 23, 2021

My grandfather was called Ernest Cecil Stone. According to his naval records he served on the HMS Duke of York from 1941 through to May 1945. He was a Leading Able Seaman. Beyond this, I have no details about his service on board and I would welcome any information that anyone can provide either directly about my grandfather and/or the Duke of York's activity during the period my grandfather was on board. I so wish I had the opportunity to talk to him about his life at sea but regrettably this was not possible. I look forward to hearing further from anyone who can help.

Kind regards and thanks,
Andrew Stone
 
 
67.
June 25, 2021

Looking for info or a photo of my uncle, John Edward (Ted) Hester, who was telegraphist on DoY. I have the letter confirming he was aboard at the Japanese surrender and his ditty bag.

Thanks in advance,
Colin Wright


66.
Apr. 27, 2021

I have a photo with names of "New Zealanders on the Duke of York 1945" crew members. I obtained this information from my grand uncle, Brian Matthew Griffin, who also is present in the photo. I also took photos of his copy of the Daily Yorker which you have on your website. I believe that Uncle Brian created the name labels himself and therefore it is unlikely that this information is recorded anywhere else, although I am keen to share as much as possible. He has labeled it as follows:

Back row: JOHNSON, THOMPSON, MATTHEWS, KELSALL, MARA, BARCLAY, JEWEL, JONES, GRAHAM.

3RD Row: FAWKES, DEWES, EDMONDS, HUGHES, CHRISTENSEN, COLLINS, ANDERSON, GRIFFIN [Brian Matthew b1923], DEMPSEY.

2ND Row: GRAY, CLEMENTS, GRACE, DWYER, GRAHAM, HILL, FAWCETT, FYFE.

1ST Row: BUNTING, DAY, GUY, FALCONER, AVEY, KEMP.

Not in Photo: ASHTON, BOLGER, BUTLER, DOUGHERTY, DREAVER, IRVING, KENYON, O'CONNOR, PAGE.

Duke of York was the first ship to enter Tokyo at the end of the Japanese war. I am a family historian and believe that this information is valuable to preserve and share with others. I expect that it is not often that photos like this come along that contain all the names of the subjects, so I am keen to get it out on the internet for others.

Kinds regards,
Stacey Barlow
In honour of Brian M. Griffin

 

65.
Dec. 29, 2020

Looking for info or a photo of my Uncle John Edward (Ted) Hester who was telegraphist on DoY. I have the letter confirming he was aboard at the Japanese surrender and his ditty bag.

Thanks in advance,
J. Colin Wright


64.
Aug. 24, 2018

My father Donald (Danny) Warren RM - Duke of York Passed away on 22nd June 2018.

Paul Warren


63.
May 28, 2018

My Grandfather, John Reginald Watts, served on the HMS Duke of York for the most of WWII and was there for the sinking of the Scharnhorst, transporting Churchill to America and served under Captain Creasy. I have some fantastic photographs and would love to hear any new information on his service.

Dan Bell

Reply 1
Dec. 5, 2018

l also have an answer to message 63. [John Reginald Watts] from Grandson Don Bell. l very much enjoyed the photographs of the "Duke of York" and Capt. George Elvey Creasy. My late father Frank Shippey RM. served under Capt. Creasy on board HMS Duke of York. The command list for the  Duke of York were:
1. Capt. Cecil Halliday Jepson Harcourt RN  15Apr 1941 to 16 Jun 1941
2. Capt. Kenneth Mackintosh RN 16Jul 1941 to 01Aug 1941
3. Capt. Cecil Halliday Jepson Harcourt RN 01Aug 1941 to 02Sep 1942
4. Capt. George Elvey Cleary DSO NV  02 Sep 1942 to 06 Aug 1943
5. Capt. Brian Betham Schofield 06Aug 1943 to 09 Dec 1943
6. Capt. The Hon. Guy Herbrand Edward Russell RN 09 Dec 1943 to 01 Sep 1944
7. Capt. Angus Dacres Nicholl 01Sep 1944 to 31 Jul 1946

It is interesting to note that, prior to Cpt. George Cleary's appointment to the Duke of York he was cpt, of HMS Codringham. which was a destroyer, tasked with the evacuation of Princess Juliana of the Netherlands from Ijmuiden [near Amsterdam] around 12th May 1940, along with her 2 children. Her Mother Queen Wilhelmina was taken a day later from Walcheren, near the Hoek van Holland, along with the remaining members of the Netherlands Government  on board HMS Hereward. Princess Juliana would eventually leave England for Canada, where she would give birth to her 3rd Child in Ottawa. She would remain in Canada. Queen Wilhelmina, on arrival in Dover, would decide to remain in England, and bought a large property in "South Mimms", which was bombed several times by the Lufthwaffe. A Dutch government in exile was sent up in London. Winston Churchull remarked that Queen Wilhelmina was the "Only man in the Dutch government" Cpt. Creasy was not involved in the battle of the North Cape and the sinking of Battleship Scharnhorst.
 
My father was also on "Duke of York" when it sailed with Churchill to Norfolk, Virginia and back from Bermuda. Churchill decided he would fly back by flying boat from Bermuda. My father was happy to have some R & R in Bermuda. He spoke with great affection of Lady Mary Soames, [Churchill's daughter] when she waved him off from the D of Y on the start of his visit to meet President Roosevelt. My father returned having a great love, and respect for the American people, which he passed on to me.
 
Prior to the D of Y my father served under Robert Glunicke, in HMS Spartiate. This was not a ship, but a room in the Enoch Hotel in Glasgow, possibly part of Naval Intelligence. He never spoke of this, nor Commander in chief Sir Bruce Frazer, who was C in C on the Duke of York, during the sinking of the Battleship Scharnhorst. [Never referred to as a Battle cruiser by Deutsche Kriegsmarine.] 

Lance Shippey


62.
Jan. 4, 2018

I've just seen a picture on your site of Montgomery visiting the Duke of York in Scapa Flow 1944. (John Knowles Collection Page 2, photo 3.)There is alone of RM, my Dad is the last Marine in that picture. His name was Tony Diprose.

Jean Alden


61.
Nov. 13, 2017

My father, Ronald Frederick Buckingham, served on The Duke of York and is now 94 yrs old. He was in the radio control room and was on this ship when sinking the Battle cruiser Scharnhorst. In his memories are the way the ship rocked when firing its 10 14 inch guns when broadside then straightening up again, he said he always felt safe on this battleship because of its size and armour. He was on several ships in the war.

Regards,
Martin Buckingham
son of  R. F. Buckingham


60.
Nov. 13, 2017

My father in law served on board HMS Duke of York and was at the sinking of the Scharnhorst his name was William (Bill) Nuttall. Sadly no longer with us. Does anyone remember him, lived in Leyland, Preston.

Many thanks
Mark


59.
Aug. 15, 2017

Does anyone know or served with Harry Bristow. He is my Great Grandfather served on board the HMS Duke of York in WWII. He is from Cardiff, Wales. I know he was onboard during the Boxing Day skirmish. He married sometime in the 1940's in his naval uniform. I'm not sure of his position on board, but I am desperate to find stories. Unfortunately his wife passed in 1955 and himself in 2003.

Thanks,
Kamara Bristow


58.
Aug. 15, 2017

My late uncle Mihir Kumar Roy joined the Royal Indian Navy in April, 1946 and underwent training at Dartmouth. He passed away in May, 2013. My uncle retired rom the Indian Navy in 1984 with the rank of Vice Admiral. Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.

He served on board HMS Duke of York as a Midshipman and subsequently on HMS Frobisher and HMS Mariner on minesweeping duty off Murmansk. I have with me a dinner menu of the Duke of York dated 29th October,1947 and other documents, quite interesting. He is also the author of War In The Indian Ocean, about the 1971 conflict between India and Pakistan.

Warm regards,
Arup Kumar Roy
Calcutta, India

Vice Admiral Mihir Kumar Roy, PVSM, AVSM seen in full uniform.


57.
July 30, 2017

My, grandfather, Anthony "Dick" Mort, was Master at Arms on the Duke of York during and after the war. I would love to see more pictures of the ship and it's crew, especially if he was known by anyone.

Rich Rees


56.
July 6, 2017

Both my uncles served together on the Duke of York In the 2nd World War. Their names William and Fred Roost. William always known as Bill or Will became one of Bristol Rovers top players in the 50's, but I'm trying to find out about a friend of theirs know as Jimmy. James McCullock would like to know if his home Town was in Bristol like my Uncles or where did he come from. He always went on leave with my uncles and Stayed at my Gran and Gramps house with them. Any information would be so helpful and hope you can help.

Carol Wills,
Bristol UK 


55.
Apr. 19, 2017

My father, William Michael Webster Thomas (went by Michael), served as an officer on the HMS Duke of York during the later part of World War II and into the Korean War. I know he was on the ship during the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay. He passed away in 1996 and I feel very uninformed about this part of his life, but would be interested to hear if he is known to anyone and would love to see any old crew pictures he might be in or hear stories of things that happened during his time on the ship.

Regards,
Will Thomas (son)


54.
Nov. 16, 2016

My late husband, Anthony Winterbotham, served in the Duke of York at the end of WWII when the ship was present at the signing of the peace treaty with Japan. Just recently I was given a felt banner of his by his
niece. It has the ship's crest on it but no other information. Would this have been a memento of his time on board or perhaps something to do with the that day. I have a photo of the signing if this would be of any interest.

Regards,
Christine Winterbotham

 

53.
Nov. 7, 2016

My grandfather, Anthony (Anty) Hedley, served aboard the Duke of York during the sinking of the Scharnhorst. He was an anti aircraft gunner. I would appreciate any stories or anecdotes about him. He told me one or two funny stories when I was a child, but it wasn't until after his death that I heard some of the horrors he went through in his service on board.

Thanks,
Anthony Hedley
(grandson)


52.
Oct. 19, 2016

I'm wondering if you can help. My dad was in the navy and I am trying to to find out more about him. His name was Christopher George Henry Williams, he served on the HMS DUKE OF YORK from 1941-1944, but served from 1939-1953 including other ships. His No is160927. I only have one photo of my dad and I was hoping to find photos of the naval crews of his time in the navy or anyone he might of known. I would be grateful for any help you can give me as I don't have a clue how to get any further with my search.

Thank you,
Karen Jones


51.
July 31, 2016

I am sorry to have to tell you that my father, Stoker Arthur Ernest White, who served on the HMS Duke of York, HMS Furious and HMS Avon during WWII passed away on 6/7/2016. A representative from the engineering branch of HMAS Cerberus here in Victoria, Australia was present at the funeral and paid his respects to Dad on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy. I am very proud of the service Dad rendered for his country and I would like to thank your website for alerting me to the call for recognition for servicemen on Atlantic convoys. That information enabled me to apply for and Dad to receive The Arctic Star and the Ushakov Medal.
Keep up your good work Michael.

Kind regards,
David White


50.
June 12, 2016

I've just discovered that my grandfather was on board HMS Duke of York when the Scharnhorst was sunk, his name was John Frith. I never knew John, but family stories say that he was a Petty Officer, I don't know if this is true and due to family complications I'm unable to apply for his service record to gain any information about his service during the war. If anyone has any photographs or recalls a family member mentioning him I'd be most grateful if they would get in touch. Or if there are any of his shipmates that remember him I'd love to know more about him.

Thank you,
Jacqui Harris



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Page published June 13, 2016