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Looking for any info on the RN. Patrol Services vessel named H.M. Trawler Tartan. She sank 18th May 1941 after being torpedoed. There was a service man who died named (ordinary seaman) Matthew Douglas Smith he was the father of a friend of mine. Thanks in Advance. Jeff Osborne
18 May 1941 Panel 6, Column 2. SMITH : Ord. Sea. MATTHEW DOUGLAS Trawler LT/JX. 258139. RN. Patrol Service. H.M. Trawler Tartan. 18th May, 1941. Age 25. Son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Smith; husband of Kate Smith, of Blyth, Northumberland. Royal Naval Patrol Service Memorial
1912: Launched Grimsby for Thomas Robinson & Son, Fish Docks, Grimsby. 115.3 x 21.6 x 11.5 feet. 202 gross. 84net. 1929: Sir Thomas Robinson &Son (Grimsby) Ltd., Fish Docks, Grimsby. 1940 Same owner, manager Frank W. Robinson. Vic
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I have a query - I could not find any trace of her or other vessel of the same name being sunk in 1941 and the U Boat site gives information on her HERE giving her as being returned to her owners in July 1945. It also states that she was not requisitioned by the Admiralty until March 1942 although other sites give her being requisitioned in 1939 - so she could not have been sunk in 1941. This begs the question was there another vessel of the same name ( which I cannot find any trace of ) or was perhaps the person killed without the vessel being sunk - eg by air attack, mine or other means. She was obviously not sunk at all, or possibly sunk and salvaged and returned to service, of which there is no mention that I can find. Mysterious.
Last edited by Chris Allman; 21st April 2019 at 10:26 PM.
When one door closes another one shuts, it must be the wind
Then 10 more drownings in 1941 one lost overboard from H.M. Tug “Tartan” - plus one poisoning from the inhalation of fumes from smouldering material - plus one death from colliding with a railway engine whilst cycling - and one suicide in H.M. Tug “Northern Lights” resulting in haemorrhaging infarction of the brain - suicide by {a word I cannot decipher ?} wound while [sic] mental temp [meaning mentally temporarily] upset and disturbed. ? HMS BEAVER OF WW2 TIMES Added: Recorded as: DOW (died of wounds) RN Casualties in WW2 by Name - Si .
Last edited by Keith at Tregenna; 21st April 2019 at 10:52 PM.
" My " Red List shows a mine sweeping drifter " TARTAN " at Londonderry as a part of the Western Approaches Command ( Clyde Area ) effective 5 PM on December 10, 1944...
Hi Kieth. Thanks for the information much appreciated. There are other replies to this thread that state the Tartan never went down, but as you say here there is a memorial to this event, so more questions than answers, as usual in finding family, eh? - - - Updated - - - Hi Vic. Many thanks for this information, adds more to the family mix. - - - Updated - - - Hi Doc. Thanks for your reply and will add the info to my family tree.
Originally Posted by Chris Allman I have a query - I could not find any trace of her or other vessel of the same name being sunk in 1941 and the U Boat site gives information on her HERE giving her as being returned to her owners in July 1945. It also states that she was not requisitioned by the Admiralty until March 1942 although other sites give her being requisitioned in 1939 - so she could not have been sunk in 1941. This begs the question was there another vessel of the same name ( which I cannot find any trace of ) or was perhaps the person killed without the vessel being sunk - eg by air attack, mine or other means. She was obviously not sunk at all, or possibly sunk and salvaged and returned to service, of which there is no mention that I can find. Mysterious. Hi Chris. Well such a lot of info and as you say more questions than answers? I will follow the link you have provided as well. There is a memorial to my person that states he died in May 18 1941, and that the Tartan was torpedoed? so, as you say mysterious? I'll keep on looking one more piece in the ever growing jigsaw. Thanks.
Much has been sourced via the CWGC, it is usual to attribute a person to the last known vessel, it may be possible for a ship to have been attacked, resulting in loss of life but, the vessel continuing to serve. I hope between us, we will discover more. This loss of life appears to have been overboard, due to enemy action. K.
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