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HMS Forfar    HMS Forfar was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd in Glasgow being launched in 1920 as passenger ship Montrose(II) of the Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd. In 1939 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to an armed merchant cruiser and renamed HMS Forfar. Many of the crew remained with the ship under the T124X agreement which subjected them to Royal Navy rules, but ensured they retained their Merchant Navy ranks and pay. On 2nd December 1940 HMS Forfar was torpedoed and sunk by 5 torpedeos from the the German submarine U-99. HMS Forfar had just escorted the convoy HX-90 and was about 500 miles west of Ireland. 36 officers, including her Captain and 136 men lost their lives. The survivors were rescued by the Canadian destroyer HMCS St. Laurent, the British destroyer HMS Viscount and the British merchant Dursley.   12th Sep 1939 Orders 6th Nov 1939 Conversion 29th Nov 1939 On the Move 16th Mar 1940 Patrol 29th Mar 1940 Patrol 10th July 1940 Sport 1st Dec 1940 Escort Duty 3rd Sep 1939 On the Move 2nd Dec 1940 Ship Lost If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Those known to have sailed in HMS Forfar during the Second World War 1939-1945. Adams John William Raymond. Sub Lt. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Aitken James. Assistant Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) Alexander . Lt Allden William Joseph. Signalman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Anderson A. E.. C.P.O. Antrobus Robert A.. Lt. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Arnot Reginald George. Cmdr Ashcroft Harold. Assistant Engineer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Ashcroft William. Lieutenant (d.2nd Dec 1940) Ashdown Morris C.. Midshpmn. Ashlee Edward William. P.O. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Askin . Sub Lt. Eng. Atlee C.. Ordinary Signalman Badcock Edward Charles. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Bailey E. J. L. . Temp. Sub Lt. Eng. Baker A. E.. C.P.O. Bamber Charles Harold. Lt. Cmdr.(E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Barnbrock J. J.. Asst.Steward Barnes J.. Trimmer Barnes John. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) Baron M.. Asst.Steward Barre James Gordon. Sub.Lt.(E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Bartlett E. C.. Bath Frederick Percy. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Beardsell T.. Able Seaman. Beecham Ernest Arthur. Assistant Engineer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Begg Jack William. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Bell Albert Thelus Farlam. Ornance Articifer 4th Cls (d.2nd Dec 1940) Bell Reginald Patterson. Ord, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Bell William Harold. Gunner (d.2nd Dec 1940) Bennett H.. Able Seaman. Bennett James. Assistant Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) Bennett T. J.. Asst.Stores. Bennie Allan. Trimmer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Blanchfield John. Ord, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Blood . Sub Lt. (E) Blythe H.. Ldg Seaman. Bolton Walter George. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Boulton Thomas. Carpenters Mate (d.2nd Dec 1940) Bowen John. Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) Boyd William Newell. Third Electrician (d.2nd Dec 1940) Bragg F.. Able Seaman. Branch C. B.. Seaman Bree . Mr. Breeze . Signaller. Brinston Henry Gordon. Able Seaman. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Britt J.. Able Seaman. Broadhurst Thomas A. V.. Sub Lt. Brocklebank G.. Asst.Steward Broome K.. Brown Charles Edward. Ord. Seaman. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Brown Edward Bernard. Officers Sterward (d.2nd Dec 1940) Brown J. S.. Chief Butcher Brown William Sherwood. C.P.O. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Brown William Sherwood. CPO (GI) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Brunson E.. Ord. Seaman Buchan T. R.. Midshpmn. Burke John Edward. Ordinary Signalman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Burkitt Leonard Henry. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Byrd Ronald Clifford. Acting Sub.Lt. (E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Cadden Charles Leo. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) Campbell A.. Carpenter's Mate Campbell Archibald Freebairn. Lt. Cmdr. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Campbell Archibald Freebairn. Lt/Cmdr. (d.2nd December 1940) Carmichael J.. Trimmer Carson William. Trimmer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Carter R.. Able Seaman. Casemore . Able Seaman. Catton Edward Albert. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Chafe E.. Able Seaman. Chattery W.. Ord. Seaman Christon James. Sub Lt. Christon James. Assistant Engineer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Chrystie John James. Lieutenant (E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Churchill Thomas. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Clark B. L.. Able Seaman. Coleman William Henry. Canteen Manager (d.2nd Dec 1940) Collins William Russell. Second Electrician (d.2nd Dec 1940) Combden E.. Able Seaman. Connolly John Marif. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Conolly John. Radio Cadet Conway H. . Able Seaman. Conway P.. Able Seaman. Coombes A.. Able Seaman. Coombes J.. Able Seaman. Cooper D.. Able Seaman. Cooper Peter E.. Temp Paymstr. Crane W.. A.M.B. Crocker William Charles. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Crockwell D.. Able Seaman. Crossley J. P.. C.P.O. Darigan Stanley. Darrington Walter H.. Able Seaman. Davies John Bertwell. Lt Cmdr. (E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Davis F. A.. Trimmer Dearing John. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Deighton George David. Ord, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Dewart James. Trimmer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Dewing H. J.. Act. P.O. Dickson Douglas. Ord, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Dillon E.. Trimmer Donnelly Leo Joseph. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Duffey Michael. Duffy M.. Greaser Earl L.. Ord. Seaman Earley James Peter. Ord, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Earley James Peter. Able Sea. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Evans William. Storekeeper (d.2nd Dec 1940) Everett Albert Henry. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Fairclough J.. 2nd Pantryman. Fairclough S.. Ships Cook. Farrel William Joseph. Able Seaman (d.9th Dec 1940) Farrell William Joseph. Able Sea. (d.9th Dec 1940) Farrow J. A.. Seaman Faulkner J.. Seaman Ferguson Albert. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Fiddaman Charles Richard. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Finnigan Thomas. Second Cook (d.2nd Dec 1940) Fisher Ken. Ord. Coder Forrest W.. Ord. Seaman Fowler . Ord. Seaman Franklin Cubert William. C.P.O. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Franklin Cubert William. Chief Petty Officer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Fraser Charles Hugh. Cadet (Radio) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Fryer L.. Ord. Seaman Gallacher W.. Fireman Gamman Charles. Ldg, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Garland John. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) Garlick G.. C.P.O. Garthwaite G. E.. Ord. Seaman Gaskell J.. P.O. Gee A. W.. Ldg Seaman. George J. C.. Engineer Wtr. George W. R.. Able Seaman. Gilbody George. Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) Gillen T.. Ord. Seaman Gillott John Albert, Charles. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Goldie Alexander John St.Clair. Lt. Golding H.. Able Seaman. Goldstraw Joseph Harold. Ord. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Gordon D.. Chief Baker Graham Henry Walter. Assistant Engineer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Graham J.. Able Seaman. Grant J.. Able Seaman. Grout Geoffrey Donald. Ord. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Haldenby Peter Frederick. Ordinary Seaman (d.2nd December 1940) Hall C.. S.B.A. Hand W. J.. Asst.Steward Hannan James Keenan. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hanson H.. Able Seaman. Hardy Norman Arthur Cyril. Captain (d.2nd Dec 1940) Harries Walter William. C.P.O. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Harris H.. Seaman Hartley Leslie David. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hawkins Richard John. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hawkksworth George Edward. Assistant Butcher (d.2nd Dec 1940) Haywood Joseph. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Henderson Archibald Hunter. Assistant Engineer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Henderson R. W.. Able Seaman. Hendry Thomas. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) Henrdrickson F. E.. Able Seaman. Herbert J.. Ord. Seaman Hewitt Albert. C.P.O. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hickey John. Scullion (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hicking George. Lt Higgins H.. Fireman Hobbs Harry Richard. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hobby Frederick Joseph. Lt. Cmdr.(E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hodgeson Edmund Allen. Assistant Cook (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hoffe E.. Able Seaman. Hogg H.. Ord. Seaman Holiday John. Lieutenant (E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Houghton G.. Trimmer Howard Frederick Ernest. Ord, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hudson RD. Harold. Lt Cmdr. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Hughes F. W.. R.P.O. Humphrey J. G.. Lt Hurley M.. Greaser Irwin William. Second Baker (d.4th Dec 1940) Jacobs W.. Ord. Seaman Jeffries Paul. Chief Cook (d.2nd Dec 1940) Johnson F.. Master at Arms. Johnston Frederick. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Johnston Frederick James. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Jones Charles Cunningham. Cmdr. (E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Jones Charles Cunningham. Cmdr(E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Jones David. WO. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Jones T.. Ord. Seaman Jordon Horace Frederick. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Kearns J.. Donkeyman Kearns John. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) Keating John Thomas. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Kelly Peter. Able Seaman. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Kennedy M.. Greaser Kenworthy RD James Henry Newton. Lt Cmdr. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Kernohan G. E.. Lt Kerr Allan. Midshpmn. Kerr Allan Weir. Mid Shipmn. King David. Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) Ladley DSC. George. Lt. Skipper. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Ladner Thomas Ellis. Sub Lt. Lake H. N.. Capt. Langley H. . Able Seaman. Lawrence Dennis Ernest. Ord, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Lazenby Charles H.. Act. P.O. Lewis David Glyndwr. Ord, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Lewis David Glyndwr. Ordinary Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Little James. Pantryman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Long Isaac Alexander. Assistant Cook (d.2nd Dec 1940) Lundrigan Harry J.. Able Seaman. Lusk Donald. Radio Cadet Lynn William. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) Lyons E.. Sto. MacDonald A.. Seaman MacDonald Donald. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) MacDonald Hugh. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) MacDonald John Mudo. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Machin . Lt Maciver John. Trimmer (d.2nd Dec 1940) MacIver John. Trimmer. (d.2nd Dec 1941) MacKarill Kenneth. Cdr. MacKay David Ronald. Midshpmn. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Mackay David Ronald. Cadet (d.2nd Dec 1940) MacKinnon J.. Seaman MacLeod John. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) MacLeod Malcolm. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) MacLeod Norman. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Mahon Denis. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) Major Edward James John. Lieutenant (S) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Marshall B.. Seaman Martindale George Robert. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Mayo Frank. Ldg Seaman. Mayo Robert William. Acting Sub Lt. (E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) McCulty P. . Diesel Greaser McDonal D.. Seaman McDonald J.. Able Seaman. McEwan . Lt Cmdr. Surg. McFarlane George. Assistant Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) McGee Patrick. Assistant Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) McGill G. G.. Steward McGinlay James Wilson. Assistant Cook (d.2nd Dec 1940) McGowan J.. Fireman McGowan L. C.. Lt. Eng. McInnes Angus. Lamp Trimmer (d.2nd Dec 1940) McIntyre Robert Gardner. Lt. Cmdr.(E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) McIvor W. J.. Asst.Steward McKenzie John. Assistant Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) McKinley T.. Sto. Trimmer McLaughlin J. G.. Lt McLeod D.. Seaman McPhail . Bosns-mate. McPhail John George. Ldg, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Mein James. Second Radio Officer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Mercer E.. Ord. Seaman Metcalfe Stanley. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Mills Walter Thomas. Able Seaman. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Mills Walter Thomas. Able Sea (d.2nd December 1940) Moore W.. Asst.Steward Morrison John. Seaman Moss W. R.. Ord. Seaman Moxon James E.. Midshpmn. Murphy J. J.. Able Seaman. Murphy Patrick. Assistant Cook (d.2nd Dec 1940) Narraway Victor Edward. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) NcLeod Roy. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) O'Brien F.. Able Seaman. O'Brien Maurice Francis. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) O'Hagan Michael. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) O'Hanlon Thomas. Trimmer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Oakman Joseph Cecil. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Olby . Signaller. Olley Alfred George. Signalman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Ormerod John. Midshpmn. Parley L. G.. Pearce A.. Able Seaman. Pegg J. G.. Ord. Seaman Penny Cyril Hedley. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Perham G.. Ord. Seaman Pilling John. Third Radio Officer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Pinkerton J. R.. Asst.Cook Porteous James. Sub.Lt.(E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Pragnell . Able Seaman. Prangnell Douglas. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Pratt E.. Ord. Seaman Prescott Jack. Ord. Seaman Rainey H.. Trimmer Rayment T.. Ord. Seaman Reilly James. Trimmer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Reilly John. Sub.Lt.(E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Rendell J.. Able Seaman. Repsch E. G.. Able Seaman. Rhodes C. F.. Ordinary Signalman Richards D.. Ord. Seaman Richardson Robert Henry. Assistant Storekeeper (d.2nd Dec 1940) Rimmer Richard. Engine Room Storekeeper (d.2nd Dec 1940) Ritchie . Midshpmn. Robinson G.. Ord. Seaman Rogers . Sub Lt. Ryce Angus. Fireman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Sanft William Robert, Roy. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Searle Geoffrey William. Service G.. P.O. Shierson Francis Robert. Carpenters Mate (d.2nd Dec 1940) Shone H.. Carpenter's Mate Simmonds A. G.. Trimmer Smith A.. Able Seaman. Smith Edward Albert. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Smith Edward Albert. Able Sea. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Smith Ernest. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Smith G.. Able Seaman. Smith J.. Asst.Cook Smith James B. F. . Midshpmn. Smith Richard William. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Smith Thomas. Acting Sub.Lt. (E) (d.2nd Dec 1940) Sommerton S. C.. Able Seaman. South H.. Seaman Sparks . Lt Steele I.. C.P.O. Stiff J.. Ord. Seaman Tait . Able Seaman. Tancock Frederick William. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Taylor A.. Ord. Seaman Taylor H. M.. Lt Cmdr. Paymstr. Tevenan Ernest. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Thelwell Sidney. Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) Thompson William James. Ldg, Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Tolhurst S.. Able Seaman. Torrance Frederick Norman. Able Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Tosdevin Frederick Gordon. Seaman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Turnbull . Sub Lt. Ventris G. A.. P.O. Vokey Leanord. Walker . Ord. Seaman Wallace David. Fireman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Wallace Robert. Greaser (d.2nd Dec 1940) Warren Harold Gervase. First Radio Officer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Watt Donald MacPherson. Fireman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Watts Frederick. Second Cook (d.2nd Dec 1940) Weale . Ord. Seaman Webb William John. Yeoman of Signals (d.2nd Dec 1940) West Haydn Peter. Able Seaman. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Whittle William. Hospital Attendant (d.2nd Dec 1940) Wilde J.. Trimmer Wiles J.. Ord. Seaman Wilkes P.. Saloon Steward Willis Gilbert John. P.O. (d.2nd Dec 1940) Wilson C.. Ord. Seaman Wilson Joseph Patrick. Fireman (d.2nd Dec 1940) Wilson T.. Writer. Womphrey Robert Roger. Fourth Engineer Officer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Woodhouse A. L.. P.O. Worthy T.. Ldg Seaman. Young Arthur William. Writer (d.2nd Dec 1940) Young Edwin Gordon. Odinary Coder (d.2nd Dec 1940) Young Edwin Gordon. Coder (d.2nd Dec1940) Young Ernest John. Chief Steward (d.2nd Dec 1940) Young J.. Ord. Seaman Young John Moore. Trimmer (d.2nd Dec 1940) 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 Forfar from other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. Announcements 1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. The Wartime Memories Project has been running for 25 years. If you would like to support us, a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting and admin or this site will vanish from the web. 18th Dec 2024 - Please note we currently have a huge backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 265120 your information is still in the queue, please do not resubmit, we are working through them as quickly as possible. Looking for help with Family History Research?   Please read our Family History FAQs The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the War? Our Library contains an ever growing number diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to WW2. We would like to obtain digital copies of any documents or photographs relating to WW2 you may have at home. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. World War 1 One ww1 wwII second 1939 1945 battalion Did you know? We also have a section on The Great War. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations. Want to know more about HMS Forfar? There are:1327 items tagged HMS Forfar 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. Able Seaman Maurice Francis O'Brien HMS Forfar (d.2nd Dec 1940) Maurice's brother, David also fell 28th Sept 1942 whilst serving on HM Rescue Tug Frisky. Their brother Michael was an Able Seaman in the Candian Merchant Navy fell on the 30th of March 1941 while on the SS Eastlea out of Newcastle upon Tyne. Add to this record. 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