Hello,i am seeking help concerning trying to find the circumstances of a death of a seaman on the 18th of April 1942 on H.M.S Sir William Hilary which was hired for Air-Sea rescue, part of the Naval Patrol Service.I am aware the Sir Hilary was taken on charge from 1941,until 1946 by the navy,but i am finding details of her service while in commission hard to come across.I understand she was the Dover lifeboat at the outbreak of the war but would really like to know more concerning the circumstances of the death of John Barnard Norton Whyte from Oban Scotland while aboard her on the 18th of April 1942.Did she serve at Dover through out the war ? etc.
Any help,leads etc,would be gladly welcomed.
Thank you H
By: Alan Clark - 26th November 2014 at 18:03
John Whyte’s death is registered in Scotland, and as he is buried at Oban. Your best starting point is to go onto Scotland’s People and look up his death registration (which will need credits) or find someone who has got credits for Scotland’s People who will look him. That will give the cause of death, though it might just say ‘war operations’ or similar.
By: Heavies - 26th November 2014 at 17:54
GOT HER :very_drunk: CHEERS EVERYONE !
A Motor boat of 40 ton, she was built in 1929. Requisitioned on 24th October 1940 and apparently used as an R.A. F. Air Sea Rescue vessel until 4th November 1940. From 5th November 1940 she was placed in Naval Service as an Air Rescue Craft based at Culver, Isle of Wight and was compulsorily acquired on 13th November 1940.
Re-allocated to Air Sea Rescue duties at Lyme Regis on 17th November 1943 and remained in service until handed over for disposal on 1st October 1946.
During her Naval Service she was manned by R.N. crew and is recorded as being at Southampton during January to July 1942, Yarmouth – July to October 1943 (refitting) Lyme Regis – November to December 1943. Portland -December 1943 to January 1944 (repairs) Lyme Regis – January to March 1944. Weymouth -March to May 1944 Padstow – May to June 1944. Falmouth – June to July 1944 (repairs) Lyme Regis July to October !944. Falmouth – October to December 1944 (repairs & refit) Clyde and Cambeltown until April 1946.
Shortly after World War II she was purchased by a Mr Muirhead and fitted out as a luxury cruiser powered by two Gardiner diesel engines and having no less than 10 berths, she was renamed ISLE OF COLONSAY and was used for some 30 years around the coasts of the British Isles.
In 1976 she was sold to a Mr Sim and again in 1984 she changed hands. On her way to the Mediterranean she went to the rescue of another vessel in the Bay of Biscay and towed her to Lisbon but shortly after leaving to resume her own journey she was struck by a large tanker and sunk without loss of life off Cape St Vincent.
Now the question,was she taking part on the 18th of April 1942 in the rescue of downed aircrew off Southampton ???
By: Heavies - 26th November 2014 at 12:39
Thank you mmitch.
By: mmitch - 26th November 2014 at 11:16
I have checked two local history forums I am a member of in Kent but neither have a thread on this vessel.
It may have occurred out of the area?
mmitch.
By: Heavies - 26th November 2014 at 10:14
Thanks SNAFU, thanks for that i have not come across that site.
Its the circumstances of his death i am trying to trace,hopefully if i can find where the boat was stationed during this period,rescues,etc.And tie his loss in.
(The interest is i have his medals).
Again all help appreciated H.
By: snafu - 26th November 2014 at 10:07
Sir William Hilary
WHYTE, John B N, Seaman, RNPS, LT/JX 203668, killed
Not much help, unless you didn’t have his service number…
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November 26, 2014 at 7:47 am