HMS SAUMAREZ

[MIKE29]

Hi
Has of late been doing some research into some WW2 items belonging to my late uncle,Vivian Beale
Items were given to me when I was around 8 years old,had them forever.
I thought it was time to look into uncles war experiences.
It seems my uncle had a long war,and served in many theatres of operations.
Present on most historical events of the times,many discussed in this section of the forum.
Naval history not a strong point of mine
I would very much appreciate some help from forum members clued up on this subject.
My uncle never talked about his time much in the navy.
I only wish he were alive today,the man would have been a walking history book.

Items include medals, photographs,postcards,original service record,the key to unlocking uncle's naval history.
I will try and post documents and personal objects in chronological order.

1. My uncles navy career began prewar.
Recruitment Communication Sheet Dated 3 May 1938, Charles St, Cardiff, South Wales, Great Britain.

2. Communication Sheet Dated 13 May 1938, detailing travel instructions by rail.

3. Burial Notice Local Newspaper Merthyr Express March 25th 1939
Vivian his home on leave due to his late Grand father's funeral.
This fellow also had an interesting military history.
Served with the 2nd Battalion 24th Foot Regiment (Zulu Wars 1877-1879 South Africa)

Many present at the funeral of my late Great Grandfather were in military uniform.
Some of his cousins served in the RAF, believed KIA later in the war.
Also present was Viv's,father who served with the Welsh Regiment 1st Battalion during WW1, yet more research.

I hope you like the post.
Mike

[MIKE29]

SERVICE PAPERS

Here are the original copies of my uncles service papers.
These include personal details, ships served on, this is the interesting piece in my opinion.
HMS Saumarez.
A ship with a colourfull history and a tragic end.
Involved in many major battles and actions in many theatres of operation.
Battles and engagements include,

26th Dec 1943
With the battle ship Duke of York cruisers, Belfast Jamaica, Norfolk, Shefield, plus seven other Destroyers engaged the German Battle Cruiser Scharnhost

6th June 1944
Took part in the D Day Landings,Operation Neptune giving anti aircraft protection to troop ships.

16th May 1945
Sank Imperial Japanese Navy Cruiser Haguro and damaged destroyer Kamikaze, hit at least once killing 2 crew members and injuring 3 others.

At present researching the other ships listed on uncles service sheet, this covers not a lot of ground but lots of ocean.

Page2 of Service Records
Details of land ships (Training) and actual ships served on,dates,Captain's signatures

Page 3 of Service Records
Details of examinations, medical.

Page4 of Service Records
Details of conduct, judge for yourselves, he seems to have been a good sailor.

Interesting comparasion between the Soldbuch/Wehrpass set up of the German armed forces, all the same details.

[MIKE29]

Here are where the items are stored.
Known has a ''Diddy Box'', made of pine.Lockable with sailors nameplate.
This box has a hidden history, was issued some time before it came into my uncles ownership.

Service Bible, issued to navy sailors, HMS Guardian.
Bosuns or Sailors hornpipe with issue broad arrow.
War time cap tally, any info on the Russian cap band much appreciated, probably exchanged on Artic Convoy duties, while on board HMS SAUMAREZ, frequent tours between Murmansk and Liverpool.
I have searched for some time for a HMS SAUMAREZ cap tally.
Unsure if one was ever issued, most wartime commisioned/built ships I believe only used HMS,to avoid disclosure to the enemy.

[MIKE29]

Some of the pictures, postcards and medals contained in the box.
Scrolls for crossing lines of latitude and longitude and the Artic Circle.

[MIKE29]

Some of the pictures and medals contained in the box.
Postcard of Scharnhost being sunk by ships of H.M. Home Fleet
Actual picture of HMS SAUMAREZ dated June 1943
Gun Crew, uncle Viv 2nd left
Undated Saumarez pic, gun crew, Ships Dance ticket dated 16July 1945

Medals and awards include
1939 Star
Atlantic Star with France and Germany Bar
Africa Star with North Africa 1942/43 Bar
Pacific Star with Burma Bar
Russian Convoy 40th Anniversary Medal and paperwork
Artic Emblem

I am at present working on a time line for my uncles navy service.
He left quite a good paper trail, which I cross check with dates and events.
Will take some time to complete, I hope the documents featured will be of help to someone else.
All documents and pictures are from my own personal collection given to me by my late uncle.
Images have not been scanned or lifted from other websites.
Some I believe are unique and have never been seen before.
I remember my uncle very well,allthough I was young at the time to quiz him or ask him about his war time experiences.
Current research shows he had a long and bloody war, facing threat from U boats,air attack and above all the sea.
This feels very different and more personal than just collecting militaria.
Gives the awards and medals more meaning of how they were earned and also how photographs are viewed.

Thank You For Looking
Mike

[MIKE29]

Some pics of Viv on the left with comrades.
Unsure if sailor standing is wearing a Russian navy uniform, might be related to the russian cap tallie
Sharnhorst destruction postcard closeup
Saumarez/fleet battle honours postcard, dated 23rd November 1945.

Still working and cross checking dates with all the paperwork.



Mike

[MIKE29]

Some pics of Viv with comrades.
Unsure if sailor standing is wearing a Russian navy uniform, might be related to the russian cap tally.
V Beale seated on right hand side.
Early pic approx 1938/39 HMS Drake (land ship)
On Deck,note good conduct stripe on left hand sleeve of sailor's uniform.
Sharnhorst destruction postcard close up.
Saumarez 26th Flotilla battle honours postcard, dated 23rd November 1945.

Still working and cross checking dates with all the paperwork so many.

[Andy H]

Thanks for sharing these personnel images Mike

Regards

Andy H

[MIKE29]

Hi,
Thank you Andy for the comments,very much appreciated.

Here are some of Viv's trade badges (Anti Aircraft Gunner)
Manufactured from dark blue/black wool with cotton stitched detail.
Not manufactured to the same standard has German insignia in my opinion.
He also appears to be a reasonable shot.
Responsible for some of the damage bestowed upon axis ships and aircraft.

Anti Aircraft Rating, 3rd Class single cannon Star above
Control Rating 3rd Class single cannon Star above
Anti Aircraft 2nd Class crossed cannons Star above
Anti Aircraft Crossed cannons, no star (unsure of this class or rating)

HMS Saumarez, Armament when built.
Main Guns 4x 4.7inch guns
2x 40mm Anti Aircraft Guns
8x 21inch torpedo tubes
Other weopons most likely added during service.

Some more original pics and postcards from the collection.
British Wartime Propaganda card, The Sinking of HMS COURAGEOUS 1939.
Posible pictures of RMS QUEEN MARY, or a very large troop ship.
During August 1943,HMS SAUMAREZ was involved in escorting Prime Minister Winston Churchill to the Quadrant Conference in Canada while he was on board the RMS QUEEN MARY.

Mike