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HMS Birmingham
HMS Birmingham, C19 was a Town Class light Cruiser, built at Plymouth and commissioned in November 1937.
At the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, she was with the 5th Cruiser Squadron on the China Station, she sailed to Malta for a refit then joined the 18th Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet in April 1940 to patrol the coast of Norway to prevent German fishing vessels operating in this area. In mid-April, Birmingham and HMS Manchester evacuated 1500 troops from Åndalsnes. HMS Birmingham was in refit between September-December 1940 then was engaged in the escort of troop convoys to the Middle East, around the Cape of Good Hope. In May she returned to the Home Fleet to join the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. HMS Birmingham escorted convoy WS-9A from the UK to South Africa arriving on 4 July 1941 and underwent a refit at the Selborne dry dock, Simonstown, where she was fitted with the Mk284 and 291 radars and several new Anti-Aircraft weapons.
In February 1942, Birmingham joined to the Eastern Fleet, sailing to South Africa in March. In June she joined the 4th Cruiser Squadron, in the Mediterranean, under Rear Admiral Tennant. She was involved in the the double convoy operation, from Gibraltar and Alexandria to supply the island of Malta, codenamed Operation "Harpoon" and "Vigorous". In March, she was damaged by 15 JU 87 and Italian Cant 1007 aircraft. In September Birmingham sailed for the Indian Ocean and was involved in Operation "Stream" to occupy Madagascar. Birmingham escorted a convoy to Mahajanga West Coast where the 10th Infantry Brigade was landed in November.
In April 1943 Birmingham underwent a refit in the UK, then returned to the Mediterranean in October. She was seriously damaged on the 28th of November when she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-407 off the coast of Cyrenaica. She limped back to Alexandria where temporary repairs were carried out and in June 1944, she sailed for the U.S.A. to be repaired. In November 1944, she joined the 10th Cruiser Squadron at Scapa Flow and in May 1945, she was part of a force which occupied ports in the Baltic and took control of the German cruisers Prinz Eugen and Nürnberg after their surrender. On the 13th of May HMS Birmingham was relieved by HMS Devonshire and she returned to the UK.
HMS Birmingham was decommissioned December in 1959 and sold for scrap in September 1960.
5th Apr 1940 Operations
6th Apr 1940 Orders
7th Apr 1940 Poor Conditions
8th Apr 1940 Attempt to head off enemy fleet
9th Apr 1940 Conditions Improving
9th Apr 1940 Poor Weather
Sep 1942 Preparations
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Those known to have sailed in HMS Birmingham during the Second World War 1939-1945. - Appleyard John Albert. PO.
- Botting Bernard Frank. Sig.
- Burgess DSM Harold. Mech1.
- Byard Frank. Leading Stoker
- Crilly Stephen.
- Fidling Harry Bernard. (d.15th Oct 1942)
- Fuller Albert James. Able Sea.
- Graves Leslie Reginald.
- Gregg William. Seaman
- Hillier Alfred Arthur Frank. Able Sea. (d.28th Nov 1943)
- Mackenzie Harold Matthew. Stok1.
- Maguire Joseph.
- Martin Cyril Henry. Ldg Sea
- Miller Frank Reginald. Able Sea.
- Mitton Leonard Henry. Ldg. Signalman (d.11 Nov 1942)
- Nevin Thomas. Ldg Seaman.
- Nixon George. Stkr.
- Northmore Frederick William. PO.
- Sutton Eric Cole. Lt Cmdr.
- Thorne Ronald Percy.
- Tomlinson MID Reginald. MidShp.
- Walls Alf.
- Walls Kenneth Wilfred. Petty Officer
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 Birmingham from other sources.
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Want to know more about HMS Birmingham? There are:8 items tagged HMS Birmingham 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 Seaman. Thomas Nevin HMS Birmingham An extract from the Diary of Leading Seaman Thomas Nevin during passage of HMS Birmingham from Scapa Flow to Alexandria, November 1943.
November 13th: Scapa -
Captain cleared lower deck- told us we were bound for Greenock, thence to await orders- no leave- great disappointment amongst crew- who expected at least a few days, especially as we were going on a foreign commission.
11.10am Weighed and put to sea. Wonder when and under what circs we shall see Scapa again? Not sorry to leave the place but guess we shall pine for it after a few weeks out East. Sea on beam- and rough as far as Cape Wrath. Once in Minches calmed down.
Sunday November 14th. -
Arrived Greenock 0800- morning cold but fine. Little doing in forenoon. Pm went ashore- first run since Devonport on September 19th. Place very dead- everything closed. Managed to get hold of a few Christmas cards. Leave expired 2300. Quite a few chaps adrift. Good luck to them.
Monday November 15th.
An uneventful day.
Leave to Port Watch- another crowd adrift. Number of passengers aboard including Admiral Cowie- a queer old bloke. Age 73- repatriated from Italy. Dressed in Commando uniform- rumour says his ambition is to die in action. He’s welcome to it!! Ship under sailing orders.
Tuesday November 16th.
The fateful day at last. Weighed 0245 and left the Clyde. Saw coast of Northern Island when on deck at 0800. Know that coast like the back of my hand now. Sea fairly calm- slight swell- but this ship exaggerates the smallest ripple.
1200. Captain spoke to Ships Coy. Over S.R.E. Told us we were convoying 43 000 troops and supplies for Algiers, Alexandria and Bombay. Pursuing westerly course 600 miles out to avoid enemy a/c. Speed of convoy 13 knots. About 40 U-boats.
Recognised Reina Del Pacifico, Duchess of Bedford, Dempo (Dutch- convoyed her in April ’42 from L’pool), Ranchi, Orion, Highland Princess, Monarch of Bermuda.
Bad start to trip- 2 0f escort had to turn back- owing to defects. Sea becoming rough- feel sorry for troops on transports. Some lads on board feeling pretty dicky.
Wednesday.
Sea calm- circled convoy, had good look at ships. Escort Spey joined us. That makes 5 not including us. “Progress Chart” informs us we have to go further west to avoid U-boats- putting 600 miles on our journey. Course about 270.
Thursday November 18th.
Sea calm. Turned back @ 0915 to await further escort Jed- but she didn’t arrive- did only 215. Unidentified a/c reported. I wonder did she spot us? Maybe “one of ours” on patrol. Innoculated- arm sore.
Friday.
Jed arrived early this morning- oiled 2 escorts after much difficulty. Arm still sore.
Saturday.
Convoy (slow) northbound east of us attacked by 15 U-boats. One escort hit and towed to Azores. Notice weather becoming warmer having turned south Now about lat. of Southern France but about 600 or more miles out. Sea very calm but sky overcast. Oiled two more escorts.
Evening.
Slight swell maybe caused by lightening of about 600 tons of oil.
Sunday November 21st.
Fine, heavy sea running, 150 miles west of Azores- Jed sighted unidentified 4-engined plane- maybe Fortress or maybe? Expect to reach Gib about Tuesday. All told a very quiet day.
Monday November 22nd.
Beam wind and sea.
Northbound convoy attacked by long range flying boats carrying ‘Chase-me-Charlies’- two hits out of 16 (Sunday). Attack continued this morning. Sea moderated towards nightfall.
Tuesday.
Fine-calm sea- left convoy 1800 and proceeded alone to Gib. Speed 26 Knots.
Wednesday.
Arrived Gib 0800- very fine weather. Leave pm- went ashore and walked around- visited church of Our Lady the Crowned- very nice but too dark. Walked to border at La Linea but too dark to see anything particular. Saw signs of much poverty- especially among people of La Linea who come into Gib every day. Prices in town exorbitantly high- most of stuff just cheap trash e.g. 2/11d silk stockings at 12/6d pair. Who said war doesn’t pay.
Thursday.
Still in harbour contrary to expectations. Dempo (one of convoy) arrived in am. And discharged passengers.
PM. Ship under sailing orders. Left 2200 at 26 knots- destination either Port Said or Alexandria. Apparently we are to proceed alone- for which many thanks. Have to pass dangerous area (a/c attack) during next 36 hours.
Friday.
Weather fine- sea calm- little to report. Evening- convoy ahead attacked by a/c. One ship which had joined convoy later (apparently off Gib) sunk- 700 survivors. 8 a/c shot down.
Saturday.
Sea calm- fine- in sight of land- stbd side- all day.
Sunday
Fine- calm- speed 24 knots. Prayers on qtr deck for ship’s coy. Letter from schoolgirl in Brum- must answer it.
1118 On Watch- down aft. Terrific bump- ship lifted. Thought we had hit a mine. Went up on deck to see what had gone in TX. Found explosion was forward. Hands on watch stand fast- off watch to emergency stations. Carried on- ship OK but speed reduced by half. Carried on watch- apparently we had been struck by submarine torpedo.
1230. Found my mess had been hit. Someone’s prayers have been answered. Four of my mess mates have been killed- and one radar operator, so far as we know. Lord have mercy on them. Quite a few casualties, some serious but many caused by gas from frig. and batteries. Five dead- about five blown overboard. Don’t know how many are down in messdecks. Everyone on ship shaken. Tried to scrounge something to eat- no mess left for us.
Escort of 2 destroyers and about 10 planes (one of which dropped depth charges). Stand by for further attack. Stand to at dusk. 5 buried at sea. About 7o’clock action stations again- suspected submarine following us.
Ordered to join slow convoy ahead. Present speed 10-14 knots. A nerve-wraking night- never knowing what to expect next minute. Slept in clothes with life belt blown up.
Monday
Stand to at dawn- convoy ahead. Still making 10 knots.
Damage mostly in W/T and Signalmen’s mess- about 14 still down there. Hopes of chaps overboard being picked up. 5 in one and two messes- thank God their death must have been quick.
PM Speed reduced- joined convoy- danger of forecastle giving way. Signalled for destroyer stand by to take us in tow- managed to keep going. Good escort now.
Dusk- stand to- mine sighted. Captain spoke on SRE. Death roll 27. To reach Alex 0800.
Tuesday.
Alexandria at last. Ship down about 12 feet by head…reach harbour safely. Expect to do temporary repairs here and proceed elsewhere for permanent one. Hope it is UK. Claimed for lost kit. Tried to get out remaining bodies but no success.
Wednesday. -
Can’t those chaps out of my head. Jump at slightest sound. I suppose I am beginning to feel reaction now. Ship’s coy. generally pretty subdued, especially our mess. Incidentally nearly everyone on Sunday complained of headaches. Two bodies got out - Hillier or a sparker. Coffined and taken to morgue. Apparently damage more severe than first estimated.
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Able Sea. Alfred Arthur Frank Hillier HMS Birmingham (d.28th Nov 1943) My uncle Alf Hillier was an able seaman on HMS Birmingham and he was one of the 27 men killed when the ship was torpedoed by U407.
He is buried in the war cemetery in Alexandria Victor John Alfred Hillier
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PO. Frederick William Northmore HMS Repulse My father, Frederick Northmore, served in the Royal Navy in WW2. Born 1921, he joined the Navy as a boy in 1937.
Dad served on HMS Repulse; MV Ulster Queen. HMS Orion, HMS Nile, HMS Dulverton, HMS Nile (Sphinx), HMS Birmingham and HMS Forth until his discharge in 1962. Unfortunately for me any medals he may have been presented with have been lost. Dad died in 1985.
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Stok1. Harold Matthew Mackenzie HMS Ceres My father, Harold Mathew Mackenzie, was on lots of ships as a Stoker 1st class. He was on board HMS Pembroke between September and November 1943 again in February 1944 and then March to November 1944 as well as October 1945 to January 1946. His first ship was HMS Ceres and he also sailed on HMS Birmingham 1943. HMS Marlborough, between 1943-1944 he was on Torpedo Training in Eastbourne, HMS Iron Duke. HMS Proserpine. They were involved in lots of escort duty. Between 1941 and 1943 on HMS Ceres he travelled in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. They intercepted a German ship Uckermark in Kismu that was scuttled. Then March 1941 through Aden to Mombassa and Trimcomalee for refit in Colombo. Still on HMS Ceres in April 1941 and from June in the Indian Ocean again until March 1943 for convoy defence, resting in Diyatalawa and Bombay. Then on Escort Duty from Sheerness, Dover and Devonport. His was a very busy war. He was also involved in a few scrapes. By all accounts these included detention quarters etc (sounds like a he was a naughty boy). He never spoke of the conflict but I'm sure someone can fill in the gaps and I would love to read about it I would like to see a photo if anyone has one.
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PO. John Albert "Happy" Appleyard HMS Birmingham My father John Appleyard used to tell me of the torpeadoing of HMS Birmingham and being towed into Alexandria. On disembarking his brother, who was in the Merchant Navy, was waiting. They had not seen each other in years a good time was had by all. Unfortunately, neither are still with us.
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Mech1. Harold Burgess DSM HMS Birmingham Harold Burgess is my father, from his service record it appeared he served on HMS Birmingham from 1941 to 1943 as Mechanic 1st Class with promotion to Chief Mechanic 2nd Class sometime in 1943.
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Able Sea. Albert James Fuller HMS Delhi Albert Fuller served on HMS Delhi from 14th Oct 1943 to 7th Jun 1945. During this time the ship was part of Operation Dragoon the allied invasion of the South of France. On her last deployment, she was left damaged after an attack on 12th of February 1945 by German explosion motorboats whilst in the harbour at Split, Croatia. This was her last deployment because of the damage sustained in the attack.Albert then went on to serve on HMS Birmingham from 12th Sept 1945 to 22nd Nov 1945.
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Joseph Maguire HMS Birmingham My grandfather, Joseph Maguire, was a carpenter on the HMS Birmingham when it was torpedoed on 28th November 1943 in the Mediterranean. He helped to repair the damage caused by the torpedo.
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Leslie Reginald Graves HMS Birmingham Leslie Graves served on HMS Birmingham.
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Sig. Bernard Frank Botting HMS Birmingham My father Bernard Botting died way back in 1978 and I never got the chance to write down any stories that he told. He did, however, secretly keep a diary - which I still possess.
One of his best friends on board was a seaman with whom he kept in contact after the war. I only knew him by his ship nickname of Sweeney - he was, of course, the ship's barber. I know that in 'civvie street' Sweeney worked at Buxton railway station in Derbyshire.
I know that, whilst near India, he and another member of the crew wrangled one of the petty officers (chief probably) enough for him to transfer them to a hulk in the bay off Bombay (in 1942?). The petty officer viewed it as a punishment but they actually had a great time! The hulk was used to transfer cargo from larger ships and was then transported into Bombay on some sort of landing craft. In quiet times they raced these craft! Plenty of warmth and sun, few storms, a lot of free time and no risk of being attacked - what was there not to like?
The only incident of consequence there happened at one Christmas when he and another crew member went some distance in a small boat which somehow overturned. They had no communication with the ship and the ship did not know their whereabouts so they had to swim many miles to return. My father was a strong swimmer and could float well in order to rest. The other chap was not so strong and my father had to assist him back. It was a near run thing as to whether they got back or not. When hauled back on board they could not even stand up. He was only about 22.
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MidShp. Reginald Tomlinson MID HMS Birmingham During his service on the ship, they where laying mines out into the sea. When this was happening the captain was shooting at them, as they exploded it made some of the mines get closer to the ship. What happened was that a mine hit the side of the ship but it did not explode, due to my great Uncle Reginald being the black smith his job was to deactivate mines, bombs and shells. What he did was that he jumped into the sea and deactivated it due to this he was Mentioned in Dispatches). Due to him doing this it caused serve problems with his chest and at which he died within the 1970s.
If you know of my great uncle Midshipman Reginald Tomlinson then please contact me.
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