Empire Javelin (1944)
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Messages 25 to 49

32.
Jan. 7, 2024

A new book on the Empire Javelin and the men that served and sailed on her will be published by Pen & Sword Books in the UK in May 2024. Please contact the author, Philip Kay-Bujak by email at PhilipKayb@gmail.com for further information. Much information from the archives of MaritimeQuest were used in this book.
 
31.
July 23, 2022

My father, PFC Louis Eugene Stork, survived the sinking of the Empire Javelin. I'm gathering info. Thank you for your efforts.

Janet Stork Mailer
30.
Aug. 19, 2019

Thomas George Hyde was a Quartermaster DOB 8th January 1913 British. His discharge number was R30029. He survived the Warwick Castle but was also on the SS Empire Javelin as Quartermaster and survived. Released from MN of war service on the 28th Sep 1945.

Kim Hyde


29.
Nov. 14, 2018

On August 17th 2018 my father Joseph W. Little turned 98 years old. He still remembers his shipmates on the Empire Javelin with fond thoughts. He wishes all the surviving members of the Javelin a happy Veteran's Day.

Joe Little

Joseph W. Little.


28.
July 22, 2018

My father - Len Newson - was onboard HMS Hargood - the Destroyer that came to the aid of the sinking ship. They took survivors onboard and help ferry them to LeHarve.   As they originally believed that the Empire Javelin was sunk by torpedo they also launched depth charges at sonar contacts. although it now appears that it struck a mine. I have put some details on a website about HMS Hargood
https://hargood.weebly.com/1944---d-day.html
I also retrieved the signals to SHAEF from the Nation Archives (showing below) that will be of interest. Thanks for maintaining such an interesting website.

Phil Newson

 

27.
Aug. 27, 2015

I recently read the article by Ellis Titche. My father Harry B Simpson, was on the SS Empire Javelin, and at Camp Beastly, as well as Pneumonia Palace. I have these sketches (showing here) my father had when he was alive. Sad to hear about Ellis.

Peter B. Simpson


26.
Aug. 9, 2015

In looking over your website I noted the memoirs of my father-in-law, Ellis M. Titche were included. Sadly I must tell you that Ellis died on July 16th 2015. He had 7 engravings by Major Hazen which have been in the family for over 50 years. I have been in the family for 49 and they have always hung in visible places. My wife, his daughter and her brother, have no interest in keeping them. I am curious if there is a market for them. If anyone is interested in purchasing them please contact the webmaster. (michael@maritimequest.com)

Lee Harrell
Santa Fe, NM


25.
Aug. 6, 2015

Joseph W. Little was on KP duty and at the end made bacon sandwiches to save for his buddies. He stored the sandwiches for later on when they were hungry and he went to his bunk. He was lying in his bunk at the time of the explosion. He fell three bunks down when the explosion happened - he thinks it was about 2 p.m. It was totally dark, and as he felt around the floor and his hand landed on a flashlight. He shined the light so that his buddies could find their way out of the darkness. He heading up to the top of the ship.

Leonard J. Cronnin (Joe) said he wanted to go downstairs because he forgot his wife's picture. Joe Little spent most of his time with Cronnin, Paterson, and Mueller. He recalls the rescue ship coming side by side to the sinking Javelin. He went to the far side of the Javelin and ran to jump over the railing to the other ship. He landed on his feet and skidded to the other side of the French ship. He recalls that everyone was feeling ill. Once at the "New Monia" hotel he recalls that there were three men to a room. The Germans were asked to leave so that the US soldiers could occupy the rooms. They each got a blanket and because they slept on the floor they overlapped their blankets together to keep from freezing. He remembers being served bread and sliced pineapple sandwiches upon arrival.

He turns 95 on August 17th and lives in Westwood New Jersey. He never speaks of the war, but his grandson, David T. Little, wrote an opera called "Soldier Songs" where the voices of many soldiers are woven throughout including his grandfather, Joseph W. Little. We are all very proud of him and all the soldiers who fought for our freedom.

Joseph Little



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Page published Aug. 30, 2015