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HMS Abdiel
HMS Abdiel was launched on 23rd April 1940, a Minelayer built by JS White at Cowes, Isle of Wight. She was awarded battle honours at Bay of Biscay in 1941. In May 1941 she was deployed on convoy duty with Mediterranean Fleet for Operation Tiger and supported the military defence of Crete. Later in the year she undertook support duties and troop movements from Tobruk. In December 1942 she transferred to Eastern Fleet and sailed for Trincomalee arriving on the 10th of January 1942. In Feburary she was damaged when she ran aground at Port Anson, repairs were made and in June she returned to the UK collecting a shipment of gold bullion from Cape Town enroute. This was delivered to the Clyde in July and Abdiel proceeded to the Tyne where she underwent repairs and a refit.
She resumed service in December, undertaking minelaying duties in the Mediterranean. In April 1942 she redeployed in Eastern Mediterranean for troop transport duties, in preparation for the allied landings in Sicily, which she supported later in the year.
HMS Abiel was lost on the 10th of September 1942 when a mine exploded in Taranto harbour, the protective de-gaussing equipment had been switched off on arrival. The ship sank very quickly, with the loss of 48 of the ship's company and 120 of the troops. A further 120 troops and 6 crew members suffered wounds.
9th Sep 1943 Explosion
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Those known to have sailed in HMS Abdiel during the Second World War 1939-1945. - Anderson George Yeoman. Able Sea.
- Bentley Eli Greenwood . Ldg.Sea.
- Oakford Eric Leonard. Able Sea. (d.10th Sept 1943)
- Shelley George. Pte. (d.10th September 1943)
- Watson Joseph. Pte. (d.10th Sep 1943)
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please
Add a Name to this List
Records of HMS Abdiel from other sources.
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Want to know more about HMS Abdiel? There are:2 items tagged HMS Abdiel available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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Ldg.Sea. Eli Greenwood Bentley HMS Abdiel Eli Bentley survived the sinking of both the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh and the minelayer HMS Abdiel during WW2.
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Pte. George Shelley 6th Battalion Parachute Regiment (d.10th September 1943) George Shelly drowned when HMS Abdiel was sunk in Taranto harbour. I believe he would have been part of Operation Slapstick.
The gausing equipment was turned off so as not to disturb the men's sleep. An American ship that was going to berth in the harbour moved off. HMS Abdiel took its place with the subsequent explosion as a result of German ships laying mines in the harbour. George, like so many others of the war was very young, aged 24 when he died. He is buried in Bari Cemetery in Italy.
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Pte. Joseph Watson 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment (d.10th Sep 1943) My Uncle, Joseph Watson, took part in the amphibious landings at Taranto Harbour, Italy in September 1943. He was on board the Minelayer HMS Abdiel. Unfortunately, two ground mines detonated beneath the ship and caused it to sink within 3 minutes. My uncle lost his life, aged 20, at sea on the 10th September 1943. He was among 58 from The 1st Airborne Division who unfortunately lost their lives during Operation Slapstick.
My grandparents were devastated by the loss of their son and I don't think my Grandma ever really got over her loss. My Mum, lost her only brother, who she had some fond memories of and loved dearly. I never knew my Uncle Joe, but am very proud of him as we all are. I am trying to gather together as much information as I can about his time serving in the British Army and if anyone has information, I would be very grateful if you could share it with me. He attended Parachute Training at RAF Ringway 5th April to 16th April 1943 (course number 59), previously serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
RIP Uncle Joe, we are immensely proud of you and how you served your country.
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Able Sea. Eric Leonard Oakford HMS Abdiel (d.10th Sept 1943) Eric Oakford would have been my uncle if he had survived the WW2. I do not have any photographs of him or much information but would like to hear from any other members that had relatives who served on the ship and who may have more information.
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Able Sea. George Yeoman Anderson HMS Abdiel This is my stepfather. He is now 87. Has just started talking about the War.Was on HMS Abdiel when sunk in Tarantino Bay. States many of Airbourne Div on board drowned because they jumped over with all equipment. Was picked up by tender from a warship nearby. Had been on HMS Manxman when it was torpedoed but not sunk earlier on.
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