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[Jim Carter]

Hello.

My first post on the forum.

I am writing a history of my Great Grandfather from his time in the RN from 1918 through to demobilisation in 1945. At present I am working on his time on the Tribal Destroyer, HMS Nubian, which he joined at her working up trials through to her stern being blown off during the Battle fo Crete in May 1941.

If anyone out there can help me with any aspect of Nubian I would be very grateful and obviously pleased to hear from you! You can email me or pm via the site or via this topic of course.

Also of interest will be any association with Nubian, such as from the other ships in D14 such as Jervis and Mohawk to name a few.

For those who are curious, my Great Grandfather served on a number of ships during his long career as an Able Seaman, most notably Effingham and Hawkins (both two and a half year commissions on the East Indies Station), Iron Duke when a gunnery training ship at Excellent and of course Nubian.

Thanks!

Jim

[Bob Coale]

Hello Jim,

Following up on your post of a few years ago, I hope your project has progressed. Just wondering, did you happen to get a copy of the HMS Nubian's logbook? I ask because I am researching an incident that took place at the end of the Spanish Civil War, 29 March 1939 to be exact, and one source I have just discovered mentions that the Nubian may have been involved.
Best regards,
Bob Coale

[Philip L]

I am unable to find HMS Nubian specifically in 1941 Australian Newspapers but this article in the Advocate, Wednesday, 28, May 1941, may be of interest in regard to list of Royal Navy ships lost and the minor damage suffered by two unnamed battleships and several other   
 unnamed Cruisers in the battle of Crete.

Philip L

APA citation
MEDITERRANEAN FLEET LOSSES (1941, May 28). Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68508976

[Philip L]

I noticed that Wikipedia has an article on HMS Nubian (F36). It refers to Nubian being involved in actions at Calabria, in July 1940, Metapan (March 1941), Sfax (April 1941) and Crete (May 1941). I had a look at newspaper articles around these dates. There are some articles about the British Royal Navy around these times (They seem to be fighting the Italians mainly before Crete). But there does not seem to be any names of the particular Royal Navy war ships involve. Other than this Article that mentions the British Destroyer Mohawk was sunk by a torpedo. (But Royal Navy otherwise annihilates enemy convoy).

Advocate, Burnie (Tas), Friday,18, April 1941, Page 1.

Philip L

APA citation
NAVY ANNIHILATES ENEMY CONVOY (1941, April 18). Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved August 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68502762

[Philip L]

Luftwaffe's fierce attack on Royal Navy Mediterranean fleet, 16, Jan 1941.
12 enemy planes shot down. Italian destroyer sank. Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier Illustrious, Cruiser Southhampton, and destroyer Gallant were damaged.

APA citation
12 ENEMY PLANES DOWNED; DESTROYER SUNK (1941, January 16). Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved September 7, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68488794

Philip L

[Philip L]

Crushing defeat of Italian Navy, Monday, 31, March 1941. From the Sun

And. Lone Cruiser Traps Italian Fleet, Tuesday, 1, April 1941. From The Sun. Royal Navy ships mentioned are, HMS Jervis, HMS Havock, British light Cruiser, Orion (Admiral Cunningham). Royal Navy Mediterranean Fleet.

After reading the newspaper articles again on 15 September 2024, I realize now that Royal Navy Battle ships, Warspite, Barham and Valiant were also involved. Side panel next to Article (May be referring to another article on same incident) states that HMS Warspite, whose 15-inch guns fired at two-mile range, practically blew the Italian Cruiser out of the water. The 2 photos from 31, March 1941 article are from the Sun newspaper (Not the Advocate)

APA citation
CRUSHING DEFEAT OF ITALIAN NAVY (1941, March 31). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 1 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved September 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231202495

APA citation
LONE CRUISER TRAPS ITALIAN FLEET (1941, April 1). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 1 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved September 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231207147

Philip L

[Philip L]

Mediterranean British Navy fleet reports in Australian Newspapers, 1940. May give some idea of what was going on with British war ships in the Mediterranean in general.

Advocate, Saturday, September 7, 1940. Naval forces shell Italian Naval base, Eastern Mediterranean. British cruisers and destroyers mentioned. HMS Orion, HMS Ibex and HMAS Sydney.

APA citation
Naval Forces Shell Italian Island Base (1940, September 7). Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68378748

The Argus, Thursday, October 17, 1940. Three Destroyers sunk by Ajax. British cruisers HMS Ajax (6985 tons) and HMS York mentioned. Correspondent with Associate press of America, with British Mediterranean fleet reports Australian Destroyer Vampire was with was with Ajax. HMS York was 8250 tons and carrying heavier guns than Ajax.

APA citation
THREE DESTROYERS SUNK BY AJAX (1940, October 17). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 1. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11316987

Philip L

[Jim Carter]

Hi Bob & Philip,

My apologies for only just picking up on your posts! I was just searching the net for something else and your replies both popped up.

Thank you very much for coming back to me and the info you have sent through. I have indeed finished the project which resulted in publishing a book, Hearts of Steel. It covers my great grandfathers time in the RN from 1918 to 1945. He was on Nubian from 1938 through to when she had her stern blown off during the battle for Crete. Do PM me if you would like any more info.

Bob...is the incident you are referring to the loss of one of Zulu's men (I think it was Zulu)? I didn't include this in the book in the end but I am aware of it and if I can help in anyway, let me know. I did download one or two of her logs but as far as I recall they did not provide a lot of detail. I'll see if I can find them in my archives.

Thanks again for your efforts and do not hesitate to get in touch.

Best,

Jim