HMS FIDELITY
In December 1942 Fidelity, with T Company, 40 Commando aboard, joined Convoy ON 154. The convoy was attacked by U-boats from 27 December while north of the Azores. On 29 December Fidelity, suffering from engine problems, fell out of the convoy. She launched her aircraft as an anti-submarine patrol while repairs took place. During this time her aircraft reported lifeboats to the southwest and her landing craft was sent to pick them up. These were 44 men from Empire Shackleton, the convoy commodore's ship. During the night Fidelity was making 5 knots towards the Azores, but came under attack twice. She was fired on by U-225, and later by U-615. Both U-boats were driven off when Fidelity fired back. On 30 December she was found by U-435, under the command of Siegfried Strelow at position 43°23′N 27°07′W Coordinates: 43°23′N 27°07′W and was torpedoed twice. Strelow observed the sinking, and estimated about 300 survivors in the water, but when he made his report later he was asked "whether their destruction in the prevailing weather can be counted on". This was some months after BdU’s infamous Laconia Order, instructing U-boat commanders not to assist survivors in any way, and regarded at the Nuremberg Trials as a tacit encouragement to ensure there were none. At the time of her sinking Fidelity had on board some 369 souls (274 crew, 51 Marines and 44 survivors from Empire Shackleton): All were lost. The only survivors were the eight crew of the motor torpedo boat, detached on anti-submarine patrol, who were later picked up by HMCS Woodstock (K238), and two crewmen of a seaplane that had crashed on take off on 28 December and been picked up by HMCS St. Laurent (H83). To this day 40 Commando has never reused T as a company designation in memory of the loss.
SURNAME
Hebden
FORENAME
Richard
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 4047
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
32
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire Panel 79 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 25.10.1919 Liverpool, Lancashire, UK
son of John...
SURNAME
Grant-Dalton
FORENAME
Harry Were Foster
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Captain
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
22
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire Panel 79 Column 2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 21.7.1920
son of Achille Foster and Gladys...
SURNAME
Goodyer-Kettley
FORENAME
Frederick Rex
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PLY/X 3095
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
20
GRAVESITE
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon Panel 83 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 12.05.1922, Chesterton, Cambridgeshire...
SURNAME
Fisk
FORENAME
George Ernest
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 315
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
34
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire Panel 79 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 28.11.1908, Birtley, Durham, UK
son of James...
SURNAME
Farrell
FORENAME
Robert
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 2501
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
23
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire Panel 79 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 04.12.1919, Manchester, Lancashire, UK
son of...
SURNAME
Edwards
FORENAME
Maurice Albert
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 4386
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
22
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial,Hampshire Panel 79 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 23.09.1920, Brockley, London, UK
lost on HMS...
SURNAME
Dixon
FORENAME
David George
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine (A/T/Corporal)
NUMBER
PLY/X 2699
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
22
GRAVESITE
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon Panel 83 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 10.05.1921, Neath, Glamorgan, UK
son...
SURNAME
Chapman
FORENAME
Charles Clarence
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
EX/1169
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
22
GRAVESITE
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon Panel 83 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 20.06.1919, South Shields, Co. Durham, UK
son of...
SURNAME
Brownbridge
FORENAME
Robert William
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
CH/X 1085
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
24
GRAVESITE
Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent 73.2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 09.09.1917, Tynemouth, Northumberland, UK
son of Robert...
SURNAME
Bradley
FORENAME
William Joseph
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PLY/X 3580
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
20
GRAVESITE
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon Panel 83 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 07.01.1922, Newry, County Down, Northern...
SURNAME
Boothroyd
FORENAME
Geoffrey
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 3189
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
22
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire Panel 79 Column 5
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 08.07.1920, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, UK
son of...
SURNAME
Basham
FORENAME
Cyril Edward
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PLY/X 3085
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
21
GRAVESITE
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon Panel 83 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 26.12.1921, Fulham, London, UK
son of J.E. and...
SURNAME
Appleby
FORENAME
William Thompson
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PLY/2597
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
22
GRAVESITE
Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon Panel 83 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 24.10.1920, Chester-le-Street, Lumley, Durham...
SURNAME
Anson
FORENAME
Harry Raymond Joseph
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PO/X 100156
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
20
GRAVESITE
Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire Panel 79 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 22.03.1922, Alveley, Shropshire, UK...
SURNAME
Andrews
FORENAME
Charles
UNIT
40 Commando (T Company)
RANK
Marine
NUMBER
PLY/X 1674
DATE OF DEATH
1st January 1943
AGE
27
GRAVESITE
Plymouth Naval Memorial,Devon Panel 83 Column 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
son of Ted and Annie Andrews,Tilehurst,Berkshire
lost on HMS...
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.