World War II Database

HMS Hermes was the first British ship to be built as a dedicated aircraft carrier, and was the second in the world to do so (after the Japanese ship Hosho). Due to the world's inexperience with carriers, which type is extremely new at the time of her building, Hermes suffered from some problems such as a small hangar and instability at high seas caused by the large starboard island.

During WW2, Hermes was originally assigned to the Home Fleet along with HMS Courageous, operating off the southwestern approaches to search for and attack German U-boats. She was transferred to the southern Atlantic later in 1939, where she would work with the French fleet at Dakar (French West Africa) until the Vichy government declared siding with Germany. Hermes then launched strikes against French ships, including launching Swordfish torpedo bombers against the French BB Richelieu on 8 Jul 1940, where one torpedo hit was scored against the battleship. In Jul 1940 she collided with the merchant vessel Corfu, and was sent to Simonstown, South Africa for repairs. After which, she would serve in east Africa and Middle East briefly before being reassigned to the British Eastern Fleet.

The British Eastern Fleet was recently devastated by the Japanese at this time. The HMS Repulse, a battlecruiser, was a symbol of British seapower. However, she was powerless against Japanese air superiority and was sunk alongside of the battleship Prince of Wales. With the assignment of the Hermes, along with the fleet carriers Indomitable and Formidable, the Hermes was supposed to provide the airpower necessary to challenge their Japanese counterparts.

On 9 Apr 1942, Admiral Nagumo of the Japanese navy launched an air raid on the British navy base at Trincomalee at the island of Ceylon. While Ultra decryption of Japanese codes gave Hermes advance warning, allowing her to flee the port for the base at the Maldives Islands, luck would run against her as she was spotted off shore off Batticaloa. She was attacked by 70 Japanese aircrafts, and was hit 40 times. She sank, losing 307 men in the process, alongside of her escorts DD Vampire and corvette Hollyhock. Two oil tankers were also sunk in the attack. The wreck of the Hermes is located in the Indian Ocean off Batticaloa, Ceylon.

Photographs

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Charles Cannan says:
   30 Mar 2006 08:30:33 PM
   
   My Uncle (Nic Raubenheimer) died this year (Feb 9th). He was a sailor on board the HMS Hermes when sunk by the Japanese. The survivors were strafed by the Japanese in the water. He did live to go to Colombo on a hospital ship. He was the radio or sparks operator. I doubt there are many survivors of this left alive but thought I would let them know.
2. George Horn says:
   6 Apr 2006 02:27:22 PM
   
   My father Harry Horn was one of those who lost their lives on 9th April 1942. I was 4 12 years and did not really know him but my brother Mike does.My brother has attended many of the reunions in Devonport. I have attended a couple and enjoyed meeting some of my Dads former shipmates.
3. Steven Clark says:
   25 Apr 2006 05:21:00 AM
   
   My father, Tom Clark, served on Hermes up until 1942. He had a fortunate escape from death as he was taken off ship to have an appendix operation shortly before the attack by the Japanese. Unfortunately the shipmate who replaced him lost his life. I remember him telling me that some of the survivors visited him after the disaster. Dad was never keen to talk about the war and so would be interested if there are any of the veterans still alive , and if they remember my Dad.
4. Anne Conder says:
   25 Apr 2006 04:57:19 PM
   
   My dad (Charles Waters)was a survivor on the Hermes when it was sunk. He was in the water for a long time before being rescued. He didnt talk about it that much, prefering to remember the comaraderie of the war. He passed away April 2003. Lived a full life, had 8 children, 16 grandchildren and lots of happy memories. He was one of the lucky ones.
5. carol marshall says:
   30 May 2006 03:21:24 PM
   
   My father was a Hermes survivor he was in the sea eight hours before a hospital ship took him to Colombo sadly his love of the sea still took his life when he and my brother both drowned while fishing localy in 1986.I love reading the HMS HERMES history and wish i had asked my Dad more these were very brave men.
6. Robert Crockett says:
   14 Dec 2006 06:26:38 AM
   
   My Father In Law (Fred Merritt)was a survivor on the Hermes when it was sunk. Still Living In Plymouth UK
   
7. Gerald Garth says:
   23 Dec 2006 10:42:09 PM
   
   My grandfather(Gerald Woodward)was a officer on HMS Hermes. He passed away in 2001. He didnt like to speak about the war. Wish I knew all his stories. He was a brilliant man.
8. steven vickery says:
   1 Jan 2007 05:05:07 AM
   
   my father is trying to trace any info on his father able seaman albert james william vickery who lost his life on april 9th 1942 when sunk by the japenese navy
9. Ann Lindop says:
   1 Jan 2007 10:19:39 AM
   
   My Dad was also a survivor of the sinking of HMS Hermes. His name is Ron Pitt and he was an engineer. He is 86 now and still in good health. It is only in recent years that he has described in any detail the events of that day to me. He had to make his way up from the engine rooms by clambering up a mangled lift shaft. I find the story profoundly moving, especially because of how young these brave men were. I am so proud of my Dad, and of his courageous generation.
10. Richard Faughey says:
    1 Jan 2007 03:25:35 PM
    
    my great grandfather Richard Faughey was on board the hermes,when it sank he was picked up by the vito.Ive got a few photos of the men on board but no names can anyone help?
11. Paul Watkins says:
    19 Jan 2007 08:57:05 PM
    
    To Richard Faughey, I have a friend Ian McDougall who was a 18 year old radio operator (I think) when the Hermes sunk. He was standing near Capt Onslow when they went under the water. He survived but the Capt. did not. There is a photo taken from a Japanese plane which shows the 2 of them on the bridge. Would you have it. I would also like to see your photos and pass them onto Ian... Paul
12. alexander r kallis jnr says:
    2 Feb 2007 03:57:58 PM
    
    my father alexander r kallis was also a surviver of the hermes.he was a helmsman but he was of duty when the ship was bombed.he died in 1981 in paarl.cape province.south africa
13. David Hoyle says:
    18 Feb 2007 01:00:49 PM
    
    My father was serving on HMS Hermes in 1942. He was a RAF Sergeant Air Fitter working on Swordfish. On 9th April 1942, he was sent ashore to pick up some aircraft spares. While ashore, Hermes was ordered to sea and subsequently sunk. Dad took the spares and traveled by train overland to Columbo, where he then spent over six months at the RN aircraft repair depot at Columbo, still working on Fairey Swordfish. Unfortunately Dad passed away in August 1999.
14. Anonymous says:
    12 Mar 2007 04:42:34 AM
    
    My husband, known as Jock McCreath was a signalman on the Hermes. He survived the sinking and is now nearly 85 and has written his memoirs. Do get in touch if you rmemmber him.
15. carol says:
    12 May 2007 01:30:45 PM
    
    My father was a survivor from Hermes sadly he died 20years ago when the love of the sea took his life along with that of my brother,this year I attended for the first time The HMS Hermes reunion at Devonport and it was a wonderfull experience that i will never forget,history and memories are kept alive I was very proud and deeply honoured to lay a memorial wreath alonside a fellow shipmate of my dad`s.
16. ALAN RICE says:
    7 Jun 2007 01:35:24 AM
    
    do anybody no what happend to HORACE DAVIS WHO WAS A SAILOR ON THE HERMES IN 1942
17. Ryan says:
    13 Jun 2007 05:35:01 PM
    
    My grandfather was also a survivor of the Hermes, he was a Pettie Officer at the time and remembers seeing chaft fall from allied planes just prior to being sunk Many of the men that survived jumped off ship prior to them even being hit. when they served off africa apparently 2 men where taken by sharks swimming in a near by bay. Later that week they where under heavy bombardment by a German Pilot ship and small battleship Which the Prince of Wales ended up sinking.
18. David Owen says:
    21 Jun 2007 07:46:36 PM
    
    My dad, Glyn Owen, survived that awful day and like so many others never liked to talk about his experiences. I have numerous photos of him and his shipmates. If anyone can suggest an organisation that may want them they can contact me david-o@xtra.co.nz
19. Richard Faughey says:
    23 Jun 2007 11:33:04 AM
    
    does anybody remember Richard Dick Faughey on the hermes,he died shortly after being picked up by the ship vito,what he did on the ship etc
20. Tony says:
    14 Jul 2007 02:17:10 PM
    
    I have what I believe is an old style British Navy hat with HMS Hermes on it. Is there any museum or anyone interasted in it
21. Anonymous says:
    14 Aug 2007 05:46:32 AM
    
    For all concerned, Alfred Webb from Plymouth, Devon passed away peacefully on 30th July 2007. One of the survivors of the sinking of HMS Hermes on 9th April 1942. Also involved in the normandy landings on Junno Beach. Please contact me if anyone has info on him or knew him personally. Interested to hear more about my Grandfather.
22. Duncan Rimmer says:
    29 Aug 2007 03:21:52 AM
    
    Thank you for the info on HMS Hermes. My great uncle Ronald Peter Richardson of the South African Naval Force died on board the Hermes. It must have been horrendous being attacked by 70 Japanese bombers with little or no defence. His name is on the Naval Memorial in Plymouth. Thanks again
23. Rob says:
    1 Sep 2007 12:12:14 PM
    
    Hi, does anyone have a list men that went down with the ship?
24. Sandy Grantham says:
    15 Sep 2007 02:26:04 AM
    
    My uncle, Archibald MacRae lost his life on the Hermes.
    I never knew him so know little about him. He was from Inverness Scotland and Id love to hear from anyone who knew him.
25. Bernard Richardson says:
    20 Sep 2007 01:21:19 AM
    
    My uncle Ronald Richardson was lost in the attack on HMS Hermes. In the lat 60s or early 70s the newer HMS Hermes was passing around the Cape and sailed into Algoa Bay (Port Elizabeth). As a tribute to those men from PE did a fly past over the bay. It was an emotional experience especially for my aunt who lost a husband.
26. John Pritchard says:
    12 Oct 2007 10:50:43 AM
    
    My wife is trying to find any information about her uncle Ronald Barnes who was lost on the Hermes. Can anyone help?
27. A r kallis says:
    24 Oct 2007 11:28:13 AM
    
    my father was also picked up by the vito after the hermes sunk.iwould like to see that foto
28. Andy Stracey says:
    29 Oct 2007 02:00:17 PM
    
    My fathers brother, who would have been my uncle was a Royal Marine on HMS Hermes, he lost his life on April 9th 1942 with so many of his ship mates. Any information or photos would be greatly appreciated.
29. Dharshana Jayawardena says:
    11 Nov 2007 08:44:36 PM
    
    I have dived the H.M.S Hermes many times. The experience has profoundly moved me and ever since I have been researching about this great ship. But until I read this page it had more or less been just a ship. It is only now that I feel empathy towards the sailors & all those who lost loves ones onboard and also feel the magnitude of this event which still connects so many people around the world.
30. Annie says:
    17 Nov 2007 06:32:14 AM
    
    My great-uncle, Charles Martin, went down in the Hermes in 1942. I know very little about him. If anyone has any info, I can be contacted via my family research site at www.hibbitt.org.uk
31. Garry Bachman says:
    22 Dec 2007 03:18:47 PM
    
    I am Canadian, met Lewis Price in Glasgow while on vacation in Scotland. Had a terrific leave togther. wine women and song. He left before I did. Not long after that the Hermes was sunk, Lewis was lost as well.
    Any info. would be welcomed.
    Garry
32. Judith Browne says:
    27 Feb 2008 06:06:27 PM
    
    My father was called Clifford Procter and he was a Chief Petty Officer on the Hermes. He collapsed with a burst appendix just before the Hermes was attacked and he was taken off to a hospital ship. I seem to remember him saying that he saw the Hermes go down from the hospital ship.
    My father died in 1986.
33. Christine Ross says:
    11 Mar 2008 02:51:39 PM
    
    My father Fred Warner was a survivor from HMS Hermes he never really spoke about it only to say that he had to swim for his life and lost alot of mates. I do have the origanal newspaper cuttings which I found among his things when he died.My Dad died in 1990.
34. ROY LOVERING says:
    12 Mar 2008 09:35:15 AM
    
    Hi Christine,my father was also on the Hermes but he was not so lucky and went down with her.If you happen to have any pictures from the Hermes I would appriciate it if you could send me a copy. Regards Roy
35. Ted Girtchen says:
    31 Mar 2008 11:38:46 AM
    
    I am the Vice pres of the Hermes Association. We have had reunions for over 20 years and meet in Plymouth . Our next reunion is April 10 to 13 2008 at the Royal Fleet Club Plymouth. We still have survivors attending. Visit our website hermes.org.com for contact details for our secretary. We welcome new members to our family associaton , my late father Ted Girtchen a stoker survivor founded the association. We may be able to help with far more info and photos as we have actual photos of the sinking of the ship. We now have a growing Hermes 10 membership, wives and partners join us for our packed, eventful reunions every year. Please contact us, Ted
36. Ted Girtchen says:
    31 Mar 2008 11:46:08 AM
    
    THe website for the Hermes Association has changed is name so look under
    hmshermes.org.uk Thanks hope to hear from you soon
37. Ted and Ann Girtchen says:
    6 Apr 2008 11:06:49 AM
    
    Ted is Vice pres if the Hermes association. for information please contact us at
    hmshermes.org.uk
    We welcome any queries, we are a family organsiation founded over 20 years and have regular reunions
38. Colin Bestwick says:
    1 Jun 2008 05:04:47 AM
    
    Perhaps this isnt the place but I have had difficultly finding information about the attack at Trincomalee (china bay). My wifes mothers first husband George Alexander Kyle was an anti aircraft gunner at Trincomalee and sadly died there. If anyone has information I would be so grateful.
39. Colin Brades says:
    20 Jun 2008 07:59:23 AM
    
    I have just found out my uncle died when the Hermes sank.
40. www.DiveSriLanka.com says:
    26 Jun 2008 07:15:36 PM
    
    I visited the H.M.S Hermes last week (June 18-22, 2008). The ship is very slowly sinking or being covered with sand. We disocvered one propellar, an anti air craft gun, lower deck gun, the bridge. The wreck lies on the deck. Penetration is not possible because of collapsation by bomb damage and being covered by sand. The dept it lies on is 53 Meters (175 feet). If anyone has a schematic diagram of the H.M.S Hermes please send it to support@divesrilanka.com. I would appreciate it very much so that we can understand the current state of the ship given that old photos never show much detail below deck. Which is what is mostly visible right now.
41. Irene Corbett says:
    29 Aug 2008 01:11:18 PM
    
    My Uncle,James Knight,aged 20,was an Articifer on HMS.Hermes and was killed 9 April 1942 when Hermes was sunk.He apparently made it from the Engine Room to the upper deck and over the side but was killed in the water swimming away from the ship,which makes his death even more tragic.God Bless.
42. Andy Russell says:
    2 Sep 2008 04:07:00 AM
    
    My father, Percy Russell died 12 years ago in 1996 . He was a survivor of the Hermes and I am sure would like to be remembered by other ship mates still living.
43. jayne frome says:
    28 Sep 2008 11:45:14 AM
    
    my god father william houghton was on the hermes when it went down,he was something to do with comunications.he talked about it quite often, i wish i had listed as he died in the 1980's.
44. Len says:
    4 Oct 2008 09:01:53 AM
    
    My Dad, Leonard John Hunter (a South African serving with the Royal Navy) was fortunate to have left the ship shortly before it was attacked. He spoke about the Hermes often, more so than any other ship he served on. I still have his photo albums of those times. He died in 1984.
45. Anonymous says:
    12 Nov 2008 02:18:11 PM
    
    I believe that my great grandad, Edward (Eddy)Clayson, was onboard HMS Hermes - we have a 5-a-side football medal (of all things!) that he won which has HMS Hermes engraved on the back of it.
    
    Would anybody happen to know anything about these medals or Eddy Clayson??
46. s vickery says:
    26 Dec 2008 12:48:11 PM
    
    Im looking for any information possible about albert james william vickery who served on the HMS Hermes, he was my grandfather and any information at all would be greatly appreciated.
47. David Scadding says:
    27 Dec 2008 01:08:21 PM
    
    Myfather, then Lt. Adrian G. Scadding, RNVR was a met. officer and on the bridge at the time of the attack and survived the sinking. He died on 31.12.2004 at the age of 93.
48. Anita Richardson says:
    29 Dec 2008 01:14:36 PM
    
    My Uncle George Thomas Henry Phillips lost his life with the sinking of the Hermes I long to see a photo of him are there any pictures out there please I am sixty five now and have been haunted by his death since the age of five which is when my mother spoke about him never to mention his name again.
49. David Bragg says:
    11 Jan 2009 01:01:57 PM
    
    My Dad is a survivor of the HMS Hermnes sinking, his name is Douglas Bragg. He spent hours in the water before being picked up, and sent to hospital on the mainland. He has actual photos of the boat sinking that were taken by someone onboard, they are quite amazing. They even have oil splatterings on them. I am very very proud of my Dad and cannot imagine the pain and suffering these brave men went through.
    
50. janet wood says:
    1 Feb 2009 01:47:15 PM
    
    My Dad Harry Pardoe was a stoker on board the Hermes when it was sunk & luckily was one of the survivors. He was swimming in the Indian Ocean for over 8 hours, the ships doctor was nearby & told him to make sure he kept swimming in the oil as sharks, that were nearby wouldn't come into oily waters.Dad died at the age of 59 in 1974, but not before writing a piece about his memoirs in a book entitled 'The Hermes Adventure' written by Rex Morgan, whose father was official photographer on board the Hermes. It is a great book with loads of pictures, & memoirs written by numerous survivors. My Dad's picture is on page 138, unfortunately he never lived to see the book in print, as I only managed to get hold of a copy in 1992. Any relations of men who served aboard the Hermes really must get hold of this book as it will give you some idea of the bravery of all who served on her.
51. jenna critchley says:
    29 Mar 2009 03:53:52 PM
    
    I,m trying to find information on my great uncle William/Thomas charles kennedy (billy), a stoker on HMS Hermes. He would have only been 18 when it was sunk in 1942. To this day we dont know what happened to him. my nan (his sister) got told he survived and was rescued but she hasn't heard from him since the ship was sank. Please can any surviors or anyone with any information please contact me by email.
    jennacritchely@hotmail.com
    many thanks
52. Norm King says:
    12 Apr 2009 06:29:19 AM
    
    My father survived the sinking & died in 1996 aged 76. I have some photos of him with shipmates which I would be happy to be forward if you are looking for relatives-no notations of names, sorry.
53. Nigel Bell says:
    6 May 2009 10:41:04 AM
    
    My father , Roy 'Dinger' Bell, was a survivor of the Japanese attack, on the Hermes.
    He never spoke much about it , but I seem to remember him stating , "the **** followed a couple of 'Stringbags', straight back to the ship". I believe, 'Stringbags' to be a nickname for the Fairey Swordfish. He was a very young man at the time , and this may not have been the case. He spent many hours in the water before being picked up, but I dont know by which ship.
    He passed away suddenly, Sept 1978,aged 54.
    
54. John Bowering says:
    10 May 2009 09:52:56 AM
    
    My late father was a Sub Lt on H>M>S> Corfu
    that collided with Hermes off West Africa. He left a sheaf of photographs of the damage sustained by the Corfu and details of her drydocking. Any information very welcome.
55. Dan Rushton says:
    10 Jun 2009 09:04:02 AM
    
    My Uncle Bill,William Rushton went down with the rest of the Hermes crew,all i know about him is that he was below deck level.Is there a list of casualties,a memorial to the casualties or any other information i can find on line please?
56. Anonymous says:
    12 Jun 2009 01:50:49 PM
    
    My grand-father, James (Jim) Houghton from Manchester survived the sinking of HMS Hermes in 1942. He retired from the Royal Navy aged 30 in 1949 after serving on several ships during WW2. HMS Ganges was one of the ships. He spoke fondly of his ship mates and like so many of those heroes of the 2 world wars, he was coy about his own heroism. A lovely man who, sadly is no longer with us. He passed away in 1980. He is still sorely missed to this day. I hope this information may assist someone out there who may be gathereing or compiling information relating to the crew of HMS Hermes. I have access to some old Naval photos belonging to my Grand-Father. I will look through them and if any of them relate to HMS Hermes I will post them.
57. Ian Kim McDougall says:
    24 Jun 2009 07:30:01 PM
    
    I am one of the Survivors of the Hermes. I was a seaman-first-class on the Bridge with Capt. Onslow when she sank. I now live in Corte Madera, CA, USA. I was wondering if there are any types of reunions for survivors of the Hermes.
58. Maggie says:
    2 Jul 2009 09:02:53 AM
    
    I am looking for information about Ernest Thomas Miles. Born in 1901 and when he married in 1925 he was a Leading Air Craftsman and was married in the parish of H.M.S. HERMES. He served in WW2 and ended up in Changi Jail a prisioner of the Japanese - he did survive. He is a member of my Family Tree and I would love some information on him,
    
59. Hal Clark says:
    28 Jul 2009 07:57:44 AM
    
    My brother Harry Clark (we all knew him as Chuck)was on HMS Hermes when she sank in 1942. He was picked up and died later. Now buried in the Naval cemetory in Ceylon. Is there anyone who can give me any detals of his service. Thanks Hal Clark
60. Anonymous says:
    24 Oct 2009 10:01:53 AM
    
    Any persons wishing any info on Hermes 9 & 10 please contact me.(lyn)Ref Hermes 9/10 Assoc. as yearly reunions are held and various ex crew from Hermes 9 & 10 attend

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