In order to make this tribute, I spent hours in the library copying details of those who lost their lives as a result of World War II whilst on service to the United Kingdom. It is restricted to the Isle of Lewis only. For this conflict, each area has compiled their own Roll of Honour; only one village appears to have fallen by the wayside. Tong, located 4 miles north of Stornoway along the road to Tolsta.
Sometimes, you find that several people lost their lives in the same incident. One that jumped out at me was the sinking of HMS Rawalpindi on 23 November 1939.
Rawalpindi was an Armed Merchant Cruiser, converted from a passenger liner by adding 10 pieces of gunnery. While patrolling north of the Faroe Islands on November 23, 1939, she investigated a possible enemy sighting, only to find that she had encountered two of the most powerful German warships, the battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau trying to break out into the Atlantic. The Rawalpindi was able to signal the German ships' location back to base. Despite being hopelessly outgunned, Captain EC Kennedy of the Rawalpindi decided to fight, rather than surrender as demanded by the Germans. The German warships returned fire and sank Rawalpindi within forty minutes. Two hundred and thirty eight men died, including Captain Kennedy. Thirty seven men were rescued by the German ships and a further 11 were picked up by HMS Chitral (another converted passenger ship). Captain Kennedy, the father of broadcaster and author Ludovic Kennedy, was posthumously Mentioned in Dispatches. A detailed account, from the perspective of the Scharnhorst, can be read here.
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain spoke in the House of Commons afterwards: "These men might have known, as soon as they sighted the enemy, that there was no chance, but they had no thought of surrender. They fired their guns until they could be fired no more, and many went to their deaths in the great tradition of the Royal Navy. Their example will be an inspiration to thosse that come after them".
In spite of these fine words, and in spite of later German reports, captain Kennedy was 'merely' [not my words] mentioned in despatches, and the crew have not been posthumously rewarded for their bravery.
This entry is dedicated to the 238 that lost their lives that day, and to the bravery of all 276 crew.
You should be most proud of yourself with your work compling this tribute. Sad story about the Rawalpindi, even sadder is they've never been acknowledged for their bravery. Nice job Guido.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Guido
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lisa's comment, you should be very proud of all your work. These men gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives and, to my mind, should be called HEROS, and acknowledged as such.
Frances
It's just amazing to me when I read of the brave men (and women) who sacrified themselves for the freedom of future generations. It's hard to imagine what could have happened had the location and intent of these two German ships not been reported by the brave souls on the Rawalpindi. You must get a great deal of satisfaction researching these events. And thank you for sharing them with the rest of us. Linda in WA
ReplyDeleteI just thought I would thank you for commenting on and remembering the sinking of HMS Rawalpindi, as my grandfather was one of the many men killed during that last trip.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, he has only one surviving daughter who I believe is not aware of how terrible a fate he and all those with him suffered.
Fortunately, all those Merchant Servicemen have been recognised in the way for a new memorial down in Dover, Kent. Its been a long time coming but they will always be remembered for what they did.
Thanks again.