Memorial Details
Memorial
Headstone HMS Kelly 1939-45 Cemetery
Reference
H93.01
Place
HEBBURN
Map ref
NZ 308637
Original Location
Hebburn Cemetery
Which war
1939-45
Memorial Description
Headstone of three upright panels, the centre one having a curved top. The centre panel gives the dedication, surmounted by an inscribed anchor whilst the two outer panels bear the names of the dead who are buried there.
In front of these, set at an angle into the ground, are three flat stone panels, each inscribed.
The first, rectangular, commemorates Earl Mountbatten.
The second gives details of the erection of the monument.
The third is dedicated to all who lost their lives when the "Kelly" was sunk.
The whole is surrounded by a low, square wall. All lettering is in Roman capitals.
In front of these, set at an angle into the ground, are three flat stone panels, each inscribed.
The first, rectangular, commemorates Earl Mountbatten.
The second gives details of the erection of the monument.
The third is dedicated to all who lost their lives when the "Kelly" was sunk.
The whole is surrounded by a low, square wall. All lettering is in Roman capitals.
Materials used
Stone
Inscription
On central panel at rear :
"H.M.S. Kelly" / Here lie / the mortal remains / of twenty members / of the ship's company / killed in action.
On first plaque:
In respectful memory of / Lord Louis / Mountbatten / later Admiral of the Fleet / the Earl Mountbatten / of / Burma / Captain of H.M.S. Kelly / who was killed at Mullaghmore / Co. Sligo. Monday 27th August 1973.
H.M.S. Kelly
On second plaque:
H.M.S. Kelly / In memory of the 27 men / Killed in Action with “E” boats off / The German Minefields In the North Sea / In the Night of 9th May 1940. / This Memorials was Erected by / Officers and Men of the Ship and / Workmen of Hebburn Shipbuilding Yard.
On third plaque:
Also / 9 Officers and 121 men / who lost their lives when / H.M.S. Kelly was sunk / in the Battle of Crete / 23rd May 1941
"H.M.S. Kelly" / Here lie / the mortal remains / of twenty members / of the ship's company / killed in action.
On first plaque:
In respectful memory of / Lord Louis / Mountbatten / later Admiral of the Fleet / the Earl Mountbatten / of / Burma / Captain of H.M.S. Kelly / who was killed at Mullaghmore / Co. Sligo. Monday 27th August 1973.
H.M.S. Kelly
On second plaque:
H.M.S. Kelly / In memory of the 27 men / Killed in Action with “E” boats off / The German Minefields In the North Sea / In the Night of 9th May 1940. / This Memorials was Erected by / Officers and Men of the Ship and / Workmen of Hebburn Shipbuilding Yard.
On third plaque:
Also / 9 Officers and 121 men / who lost their lives when / H.M.S. Kelly was sunk / in the Battle of Crete / 23rd May 1941
Names
Ownership and maintenance
South Tyneside Council
Notes
1. H.M.S. Kelly suffered damage by torpedo in the North Sea in 1940. The 27 who died were buried at Hebburn.
2 A further 121 were killed when the Kelly was sunk in the Battle of Crete in 1941.
Four destroyers were sunk by bombs dropped from aircraft during the Battle of Crete in 1941:
H.M.S. Juno (21st May);
H.M.S. Greyhound and
H.M.S. Kashmir (both on 22nd May);
H.M.S. Kelly (23rd May).
2. See also H93.13 and H93.28.
3. 2016 There are a number of flower blocks on the memorial - they all seem to belong to the nearby Commonwealth War Graves.
4. On September 13th 1993 the Shields Gazette carried a report that a new design, based on the Hebburn coat of arms is to be unveiled at the Kelly Grave. The design will incorporate the figure of the gryphon's head and will be a circular plaque, reflecting the shape of the memorial site.
2 A further 121 were killed when the Kelly was sunk in the Battle of Crete in 1941.
Four destroyers were sunk by bombs dropped from aircraft during the Battle of Crete in 1941:
H.M.S. Juno (21st May);
H.M.S. Greyhound and
H.M.S. Kashmir (both on 22nd May);
H.M.S. Kelly (23rd May).
2. See also H93.13 and H93.28.
3. 2016 There are a number of flower blocks on the memorial - they all seem to belong to the nearby Commonwealth War Graves.
4. On September 13th 1993 the Shields Gazette carried a report that a new design, based on the Hebburn coat of arms is to be unveiled at the Kelly Grave. The design will incorporate the figure of the gryphon's head and will be a circular plaque, reflecting the shape of the memorial site.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: C. Sanders; V. Mullen; N. Smith; James Pasby
South Tyneside Council collection of photographs and photocopies of news cuttings
The Kelly" Kenneth Poolman; Newcastle Central Library Photo c1939
British Vessels Lost at Sea 1939-1945 first published 1946 by HMSO. Republished by Patrick Stephens ISBN 0 85059 267 4
The Journal 21/08/1999 carries the story including an eye witness account of the damaged ship’s arrival back in harbour.
A Chronicle of St. Cuthbert's Church, Hebburn, 1872-1966. Alan James. Durham County Record Office Ref: EP/HebSC 14/293
South Tyneside Council collection of photographs and photocopies of news cuttings
The Kelly" Kenneth Poolman; Newcastle Central Library Photo c1939
British Vessels Lost at Sea 1939-1945 first published 1946 by HMSO. Republished by Patrick Stephens ISBN 0 85059 267 4
The Journal 21/08/1999 carries the story including an eye witness account of the damaged ship’s arrival back in harbour.
A Chronicle of St. Cuthbert's Church, Hebburn, 1872-1966. Alan James. Durham County Record Office Ref: EP/HebSC 14/293
External web link
Research acknowledgements
South Tyneside Council; P. Thirkell; C. Sanders; V. Mullen; J. Brown; Norman Smith; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Headstone HMS Kelly 1939-45 Cemetery (H93.01)
HEBBURN ON TYNE, Cemetery
Headstone center panel
H.M.S. KELLY
Here lie
the mortal remains
of twenty members
of the ship's company
killed in action
at sea
9th May 1940
--------------------------------------------------------
Headstone left panel Headstone right panel
Leading signalman Leading Stoker
A. Amos D. Kay
Boy 1st Class Yeoman of Signals
E.W.F. Bethell F.A. Kingsley
Leading Signalman Stoker 1st Class
W.T.J. Boxer C.J. Mower
Stoker Petty Officer Leading Telegraphist
A.W. Charman A.W. Palmer
Stoker Petty Officer Telegraphist
J.W. Dixon H.C. Pickering
Leading Telegraphist Able Seaman
H.B. Edwards L. Pridmore
Leading Stoker Leading Telegraphist
V. Gough L.F. Richardson
Stoker 1st Class
W.J.P. Jenkins
Stoker 2nd Class
J. Johnson Four unknown sailors
------------------------------------------------------
On first plaque
In respectful memory of
Lord Louis
Mountbatten
later Admiral of the Fleet
the Earl Mountbatten
of Burma
Captain of H.M.S. Kelly
who was killed at Mullaghmore
Co. Sligo. Monday 27th August 1979.
------------------------------------------------------
On second plaque
H.M.S. Kelly
In memory of the 27 men
Killed in Action with “E” boats off
The German Minefields In the North Sea
In the Night of 9th May 1940.
This Memorials was Erected by
Officers and Men of the Ship and
Workmen of Hebburn Shipbuilding Yard.
------------------------------------------------------
On third plaque
Also
9 Officers and 121 men
who lost their lives when
H.M.S. Kelly was sunk
in the Battle of Crete
23rd May 1941
NamesH93.01
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Parish Notes
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