X CRAFT AND CHARIOTS Woollcott, Sydney (Butch)

[John Robertson]

• SURNAME

Woollcott ​

• FORENAME

Sydney (Butch) ​

• UNIT

R.N. HM Chariot Tiny ​

• RANK

A/Petty Officer ​

• NUMBER

P/JX 326938​

• AWARD

Distinguished Service Medal ​

• PLACE

Phuket Harbour 1944 ​

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

born 08.04.1919, Watford, Hertfordshire, UK​

pre-war employed as Policeman​

10.1946 married Lydia A. (nee Sweeting) (1923-1983)​

08.1956 emigrated Australia​

employed in forestry​

died 30.01.1993, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia​

London Gazette 36970, 2nd March 1945, Page 1265 (Sidney)​

​

1944
27 October-28: The British submarine Trenchant carried two Mk 2 Chariots (nicknamed "Tiny" and "Slasher"). Crewed by Sidney Woollcott, Sub lieutenant Tony "Lofty" Eldridge (aboard Tiny), Petty Officer Smith, Able Seaman Brown (aboard Slasher) to an attack on Phuket harbour in Thailand. They were released 6 mi (9.7 km) out from the harbour. The targets were two Italian liners, the Sumatra (attacked by 'Tiny') and the Volpi (attacked by 'Slasher'), each of approximately 5,000 tons. Both ships were put out of action (their masts were visible in Phuket harbour above the water until the early 1970s when the wrecks were salved). Six hours later, for the only time, the British charioteers rode back to their mothership. On the return journey the Trenchant jettisoned the chariots so it could travel faster, after receiving a report of a Japanese MTB in the area. The Trenchant carried the four charioteers back to Trincomalee. There were no further chariot operations in combat.​

 

[Ailuj]

Sydney (Butch) Woollcott

This is my Grandfather

 

[Ailuj]

Sidney Woollcott

 

[Craig Robertson]

Sidney Woollcott

Thanks for that, have added it to his record. Also got some vague biographical details via Ancestry. If you have anything else to add it would be much appreciated too.