HDML 1226

R A Newman, Hamworthy, Dorset 12/10/42

London Gazette 5/9/44 – For an action in the Mediterranean 9/3/44

  • DSC TSLt John Edward Hickford RNVR
  • DSM Sea Benjamin Grant Bremner LT/JX242826

Known Crew

  • TLt F C E Potter RNVR TSLt HMS St Christopher for MLs 1/6/42 TLt 26/2/43 HDML 1142 Commanding Officer HDML 1226 22/6/44 HMS Mosquito (Alexandria) HMS Hornet
  • TLt J A C Latham RNVR TSLt 23/2/42 First Lieutenant MTB 42 15/04/42 24th MTB Flotilla Based at Malta First Lieutenant MTB 85 23/07/42 TLt 30/4/44 28th ML Flotilla ML 295 28/10/44 Commanding Officer HDML 1226 15/4/45
  • TSLt John Edward Hickford RNVR TSLt 25/12/41 HMS St Christopher for MLs 9/3/42 Commanding Officer HDML 1226 14/9/42 For an action in the Mediterranean 9/3/44 DSC Commanding Officer ML 840 15/6/44 Wind up of the war in Europe MID TLt 25/6/44 Birthday Honours 1946 MID
  • SLt Newman HDML 1226 1944
    AB Herbert Stanley Crowe C/JX 658048 HDML 1226. Died killed 04/10/1945, aged 19, when HDML 1226 was mined off Alexandropolis (Aegean). Son of Ernest Robert and Gertrude Ethel Crowe, of Briston, Norfolk.
  • AB Flewin HDML 1226
  • Sea Stanley Cecil Barber LT/X 20851 HDML 1226. Died in action 07/03/1944, aged 30. Son of George and Kate Julia Barber, of North Shields, Northumberland; husband of Ina Barber
  • Sea Benjamin Grant Bremner LT/JX242826 HDML 1226 For an action in the Mediterranean 9/3/44 DSM
  • Sea Henry Edward Caton LT/JX 181775 HDML 1226. Died 04/10/1945 when HDML 1226 was mined off Alexandropolis (Aegean)
  • Sea Barry Downing Davies LT/JX 191696 HDML 1226. Died in action 07/03/1944, aged 23. Son of David and Eva Elizabeth Davies, of Swansea
  • Eng James Doig LT/KX 154283 HDML 1226. Died 04/10/1945, aged 23, when HDML 1226 was mined off Alexandropolis (Aegean)
  • Sto Challis

Wartime Activities

  • Aegean
  • 6-7/3/44 Landed party of commandos on island of Niseros
    HDML 1226 recovered equipment from another island and returned to Niseros. Commandos had captured two lighters and set sail in them for Deremen.
  • 7/3/44 On passage with five wounded German prisoners as stretcher cases on the upper deck and the mayor of Niseros and his family crowded into the wardroom. (Seven adults and two children).
  • 0146 “A schooner under full sail and burning navigation lights was sighted off Cape Krio. Action stations was sounded and I proceeded to close and board her. The boarding party under Sub Lieutenant Newman were satisfied she was a Turkish vessel with correct papers, and after an exchange of food and cigarettes we parted amicably”.
  • 0245 HDML 1226 sighted three lighters and a schooner.
    “I closed to investigate and the leading lighter attempted to escape inshore at maximum speed. I increased and closed her and boarded her. The crew of eight Germans and a naval officer immediately surrendered. The boarding party searched them for weapons. They had none and were forced into the bows and covered by Able Seaman Flewin with a 9mm Lanchester and a Greek from the Niseros party with a stripped Lewis. Stoker Challis investigated the engines and reported he could control the lighter from the wheelhouse. I then left the three of them on board and told them to follow us”.
  • HDML 1226 sheered off and other vessels opened fire, damaging HDML 1226. Ammunition in deck lockers began to explode and forward gun crew killed, with several German wounded. HDML 1226 broke off the action. Two ratings left on lighter were attacked by the crew and jumped over the side. The Germans opened up with a machine gun and killed one of the ratings in the water. The other rating reached the shore and went into hiding. He later contacted Greek partisans who returned him to Casteloriso.

Post War History

  • 4/10/45 Mined off Alexandropolis (Aegean)
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