Aston Villa (converted Trawler) sunk at the Battle of Narvik during WWII
Phillip Rhodes
Greetings
I'm helping a friend research the sinking of his grandfather's ship - the
Aston Villa, which sank during the battle of Narvik in 1940?.
Because this was only a converted Trawler, finding information has been a
problem. Does anyone know anything about her and her sinking?
The Captain of the vessal was W J Jones, the only survivor.
Regards
Phillip Rhodes
John Clark
"Phillip Rhodes" <ra...@mailexcite.com> wrote in message
news:rafdm-25020...@10.0.0.6...
IIRC this was a joint RN/Army (pos Commando) raid in Norway.
I may have a book, will research!
--
John (Jock) Clark
ex R.E.M.E Cpl
Ruins Every Maiden Eventually
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A Thomas
news:200002271...@zetnet.co.uk...
> At present I have no details of her sinking but FY.261 Aston Villa
> was of 546 tons, gross tonnage. She was built in 1937, requisitioned
> in September, 1939, for A/S duties and was sunk on 3rd May, 1940. Ron
Skinner.
>
Are you sure about the FY, which I think may be Fowey? Her size and
name suggest a large-fleet, distant-waters vessel, poss. FD (Fleetwood) or
GY (Grimsby).
Regards, Tom
Neale Harrison
I don't think it was a Fleetwood boat. Can't find any mention in the
two local books written about the (fishing) fleet.
Neale
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Michael `Mike` Crowe
writes
>Ronald Skinner <ar...@zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:200002271...@zetnet.co.uk...
>> At present I have no details of her sinking but FY.261 Aston Villa
>> was of 546 tons, gross tonnage. She was built in 1937, requisitioned
>> in September, 1939, for A/S duties and was sunk on 3rd May, 1940. Ron
>Skinner.
>>
>Are you sure about the FY, which I think may be Fowey? Her size and
>name suggest a large-fleet, distant-waters vessel, poss. FD (Fleetwood) or
>GY (Grimsby).
>
FY 261 Aston Villa 546 tons 37 ft RN September 1939 Anti -Submarine
duties Lost 3.5.40.
Warships of World War II. H.T.Lenton and J.J.Colledge
Ian Allan publication 1964
Mike
Michael `Mike` Crowe R.N. Ship...@mikecrowe.demon.co.uk
H.M.S.Collingwood Assoc...@mikecrowe.demon.co.uk
Coming soon the Naval & Old Comrades Club (F.N.A.)
All Ex-servicemen should look at the newsgroup:- uk.people.ex-forces
Ronald Skinner
A Thomas
Michael `Mike` Crowe <mike...@mikecrowe.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Kv7NSHAd...@mikecrowe.demon.co.uk...
> > >>
> > FY 261 Aston Villa 546 tons 37 ft RN September 1939 Anti -Submarine
> duties Lost 3.5.40.
> Warships of World War II. H.T.Lenton and J.J.Colledge
> Ian Allan publication 1964
> Mike
>
Guiness,
perhaps...I've got the World Ship Socy. on the case, they may come up
with something. They gave me full life-story of a |Finnish ship which was
scuttled
'twixt Scotland and Ireland, loaded with "ordnance". Anyone at Stranraer/
Cairnryan in late 40s, early 50s would know about that sort of thing
Regards, Tom.
Michael `Mike` Crowe
Crowe <mike...@mikecrowe.demon.co.uk> writes
>>
>FY 261 Aston Villa 546 tons 37 ft RN September 1939 Anti -Submarine
>duties Lost 3.5.40.
>Warships of World War II. H.T.Lenton and J.J.Colledge
>Ian Allan publication 1964
>
>Mike
I have been corrected on the above statement as follows,
I think you'd better check the book again, where I think
you'll find that 546/37 is gross tonnage and year built, not length!
Oops. Yes I did read it wrong. Many thanks for poining out that 37 year
built, 39 transferred to R.N. and I would have got it if I read the
records right.
Apologies and sippers all round.
jon willsher
This shows picture of Grimsby Town - possible sister ship?
FX Killick
A Thomas
> >> >FY 261 Aston Villa 546 tons 37 ft RN September 1939 Anti -
> >Warships of World War II. H.T.Lenton and J.J.Colledge
> >Ian Allan publication 1964
> >> >Mike
>
No sarcasm intended, Mike, just 'eavy 'anded yooma!
I found a library book giving WWII Naval losses; Under 'trawlers', Aston
Villa' is bracketed with 'Gaul', a sad name from later years. Both sunk by
Aircraft action, same date.
Re jon Willsher's posting, I think that there was a company using football
teams as names theme.
I have an idea that trawlers, etc.,from civvy companies were known as
'Harry Tate's Navy'. Over to Old Salts for this, please?
TTFN, Tom
PS, FY = fishing reg. for Fowey; could there be a Naval meaning also?
Michael `Mike` Crowe
writes
>I have an idea that trawlers, etc.,from civvy companies were known as
>'Harry Tate's Navy'. Over to Old Salts for this, please?
They were indeed and they are still strong with their association,
Royal Naval Patrol Service J.J.Dunn (Hon National Sec.) Sparrows Nest,
Lowestoft, Suffolk. NR32 1XG.
The book I quoted from 'Trawler go to war' is subtitled "The story of
Harry Tate's Navy". The unlikely headquarters was a municipal pleasure
gardens by the sea at Lowestoft with the odd name of Sparrow's Nest.
They moved Gert and Daisy out when it was taken over, they were
appearing at the Nest's Concert Hall!
Mike, in contact with some of Harry Tate's Navy via the
H.M.S.Collingwood Association and R.N.Shipmates
jon willsher
grabs tin helmet, covers backside)
Reference states Aston Villa (spit) was disabled by enemy aircraft and
scuttled.
FX Killick
Tony Tamblyn
"jon willsher" <jwil...@wonchai.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8a484m$nfi$1...@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...
My system has dumped origional request, if someone has still got address of
who wanted the information, I will pass it on
I copy below the message, minus the phone numbers
""
I mentioned your search on the breakfast programme this morning and we
received two calls that might be of use to you. One lady rang to say that
her father served on the Aston Villa - he is Donald McClish and he lives in
Bournemouth The other call came from Clive Carter in Penzance who knows a
bit about her
- though he says she was far too big to have been a Fowey registered vessel.
.
Hope this helps you - in the meantime I live in Fowey and I will ask around
to find out if anyone remembers her.
Best wishes, Tamsin Thomas at BBC Radio Cornwall
Tony
ex RAF we try to help where poss