Memorial

Plaque HMS Patia 1939-45 Lifeboat Station

Boulmer

Memorial Name: Plaque HMS Patia 1939-45 Lifeboat Station (B49.06)

NEWMP Ref No.: B49.06

Parish: Boulmer

Original Location:

In Lifeboat Station, Boulmer Volunteer Rescue Service, Beach View.

Which War:

1939-45

Dedication, Creation or Publication date:

Saturday May 23rd 1998, unveiled by Rev. Denis Sweetman.

Materials Used:

Teak plaque with brass plates.

How Money was Raised:

Fyffes

Inscription:

This commemorative plaque in honour
of the seamen who lost their lives when
HMS Patia was sunk by enemy aircraft in
April 1941, has been donated by Fyffes.
HMS Patia, one of the many Fyffes vessels
converted to armed merchant cruisers
by the Royal Navy for the war effort, was
acting as a fighter aircraft catapult craft.

Memorial Description:

Plaque approx 24 inches high x 30 inches wide (609 mm x 762 mm).

On it are five brass plates.

The bottom row has three of these in a row, approx. 10 inches high by 6 inches wide (254 mm x 152 mm), containing the lists of names of the crew members who died.

At top left is a smaller plate on which is engraved the symbol of Fyffe set in a blue oval.

Alongside this is another plate on which is the story of the HMS Patia.

All lettering is in blue Roman.

Names:

32 names and ranks of those who were killed.
3 officers, 1 died of wounds and 3 missing, presumed killed.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. H.M.S. Patia was bombed four miles off the coast near Boulmer. The villagers cared for the survivors.

2. A survivor came back to Boulmer in 1997 and proposed setting up a plaque to those who died.

3. Three survivors attended the unveiling. After the unveiling, they were taken out in the Boulmer Lifeboat to lay a wreath on the water.

4. There were plans to erect a monument on the sea front. This was proposed by a survivor of the wreck. However, there was some contention as some considered the proposals to be too large for a small fishing village, and that a simple plinth would be suitable. The man took his proposals to Amble, where they were again rejected.

Sources:

Photos including unveiling ceremony: J. Brown

Unveiling ceremony programme

Northumberland Gazette
22/05/1998 tells story of proposed unveiling;
29/05/1998 reports unveiling.

The Journal
25/05/1998 tells story of the unveiling.

British Vessels Lost at Sea 1939-1945 first issued by HMSO in 1947. Republished by Patrick Stephens ISBN 0 85059 267 4

Additional Research Documents

B49.06 Photos taken at dedication

Download

B49.06 Unveiling programme 1998

Download
Research Acknowledgements:

J. Brown

Research In Progress:

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk

Provide Details

If you know more about this memorial, please send the details to NEWMP.

Names Documents:

Boulmer Lifeboat Station.

Top left plaque                              

  

  Fyffes                               

  Logo.                                  

Top centre plaque

  This commemorative plaque in honour

  of the seamen who lost their lives when

  H.M.S. Patia was sunk by enemy aircraft in

  April 1941, has been donated by Fyffes.

  H.M.S. Patia, one of the many Fyffes vessels

  converted to armed merchant cruisers

  by the Royal Navy for the war effort, was

  acting as a fighter aircraft catapult craft.

—————————————-

Bottom left plaque  

 

  CREW MEMBERS KILLED:-                           

  Bartrom N. Petty Officer Steward T124X

  Cook W.C. Able Seaman C/SSX 20709

  Davis R. Acting Leading Seaman C/SSX 17314

  Day M.N. Fireman T124X

  Doherty J. Greaser T124X

  Downs J. Fireman T124X

  Ferguson J. Donkeyman T124X

  Gray, W. Carpenter T124X

  Godley, A.W. Ordinary Seaman C/JX 238148

  Hengler S. Storekeeper T124X

  Hughes G. Butcher 2nd Class T124X

  Huzzey W.A. Assistant Storekeeper T124X

  James J.E. Ordinary Seaman P/JX 243193

  Jennings N.  Electrician  T124X

  Jewers W. Greaser T124X

  Jones A. Ordinary Seaman C/JX 239066

—————————————-

Bottom centre plaque

  OFFICERS:-

  Commander D.M.B Baker R.D. R.N.R. (in command)

  Temporary Lieutenant C.S. Nicholls R.N.V.R.

  Temporary Sub-Lieutenant (F) B.K. Prim, R.N.R.

  DIED OF WOUNDS:-

  Temporary Acting Sub-Lieutenant (F) W. Kirkham, R.N.V.R.

  MISSING PRESUMED KILLED:-

  Lieutenant F.J. Owen, R.N.V.R.

  Temporary Lieutenant F.L. Riley, R.N.V.R.

  Probationary Temporary Lieutenant B.F.T. Williams R.N.R.

—————————————-

Bottom right plaque

  CREW MEMBERS KILLED:-

  Lawrence L. Greaser T124X

  Matcham A. Storekeeper T124X

  Mintern L.A. Ordinary Seaman C/JX 214897

  Neuling J. Greaser T124X

  Orman W, Fireman T124X

  Owen R. 2nd Writer T124X

  Parrish F.A. Able Seaman C/SSX 27926

  Pelling H. Fireman T124X

  Phillips G.S.P. Ordinary Seaman R.N.V.R C/LD/X 4484

  Rogers D. Fireman T124X

  Short C. Ordinary Seaman P/JX 243078

  Smith J. Ordinary Seaman C/JX 243090

  Smith W. Ordinary Coder C/X 229737

  Stafford G. Fireman T124X

  Tompkins F.P. Fireman T124X

  Voules R. 1st Writer T124X

NamesB49.06

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