211287 Sidney George Burgess Royal Navy HMS Hurricane from:Muswell Hill, London My father Sidney Burgess came from London, my mother from Wallasey, Merseyside. The Destroyer H06 HMS Hurricane came into Bidston Dock Wallasey. Whilst there
the crew held a St.Valentine's Day Dance at the local church St.Lukes,on 14th February 1941 Wallasey where my parents met and I have the original ticket from that dance. My father was the youngest crew member at the time of joining Hurricane only 18 as he had left Grenwich having been trained as a telegraphist and as new systems had been installed into the destroyers he had the new knowledge required. He was also on board at the time of the rescue of the passengers - mainly children, from the City of Benares taking evacuee children from Liverpool to Canada when she was torpedoed.
Unfortunately, my father died suddenly at the age of 62. I have always had an interest in wartime stories and still have today. I did meet the son of the Commander Simms some years ago as he never knew his father as he was transferred to the Lamerton and went down with all hands many who had been with him on Hurricane. He was transferred when Hurricane was refitted after she was bombed and sunk in a Liverpool Dock. My father stood by Hurricane as she was refitted and by then married to a local girl and I am proud to say I have the Brass Lamp pride of place in my lounge from the Captain's Cabin of Hurricane which he obtained during the refitment. I recently found that the Bell from Hurricane was at The Imperial War Museum so left the Wirral to view it with other memorabilia, very interesting.
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