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From Rich Luke on The Ship

My Stepfather, Jan Steven Roes (we called him Pop), was in the Dutch Naval Air Force and was stationed on The Netherlands Naval Air Base Morokrembangan near Surabaya, Java. Specifically, Pop probably worked at the Seaplane part of the base as he was a flying boat mechanic. Pop was wounded by shrapnel during a Japanese air attack. Although he never said, I assume he would have been evacuated from Tjilitjap, and was graciously spared in all that unlike so many others. I ask if any readers here might have any knowledge of Jan Steven Roes from this time in his life. Or, any idea where I might find such information. Many thanks.

2024/11/03 at 9:13 am
From Gill Pollock on Liverpool, Albert Dock. Refit for HMS Wallflower (K44)

My father was Lt George Richard Greaves
He died in August 2018 aged 104

2024/06/28 at 1:17 am
From Steve Wade on Route sixth voyage

Dear Peter,
Great website. Thanks for all the work. I too am the son of a sailor from that era who was on the Marblehead before, during, and after her bombing. As time permits, I write biographies on the sailors who were on Marblehead at that time. These are posted on http://www.ussmarblehead.com. I have not yet covered all of the info on your site, but I am wondering whether or not you have passenger lists for the Feb – Mar 1942 escape from Tjilatjap to Fremantle, if such were kept. If they were kept but you don’t have them, do you know who might have copies of them?
Many thanks again,
Steve, son of Frank V. Wade, BM2c, USS Marblehead, 1939-1945

2024/05/07 at 5:26 pm
From Eric on The Clyde, Glasgow, still at anchor

Do you think with a name like Walter McNabb, the sergeant was actually English? My guess would be that he was a Scotsman.

2023/11/25 at 11:50 pm
From R H Mai on The Ship

Hi,
My father James Lewis Hunt was one of the men who evacuated on the Abbekerk. He was an American who was doing road construction in Malaya when war broke out. He evacuated to Singapore and left Singapore on Feb 9, 1942. He made it to Batavia on Feb 13 and enlisted the next day with the American detachment of ABDA forces. I am presently working on a non-fiction article to publish about the other American civilians who also enlisted and evacuated with him. I’ll keep you posted when I finish the article (should be relatively soon–I have identified all 31 civilians who were appointed officers in the U.S. Army.)
Just in case you have not seen it: Have you heard of a book called “My Fighting Congregation” by Chaplain William C. Taggart, published by Doubleday, New York, 1943? Chaplain Taggart describes his unit’s escape on the Abbekerk.

2023/11/02 at 1:46 am
From Ivor Markman on contact

Hi there,
I was recently given a pile of photographs documenting many of the ships which called in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Unfortunately they are not dated but the photographer did write the name of the ship on the back of many of the photos. One of these is of the Abbekerk. Please let me know if you would like a copy f the photo but I should warn you it is not the sharpest of photos as it is a huge enlargement. The shot was taken from the shore of the ship at sea. However, you can still make quite a lot of detail. I see one of your readers was looking for a photo of the ship.
Kind regards,
Ivor Markman.

2023/01/01 at 7:05 pm
From Greg Bakker on - February 1942, Tjilatjap

My grandfathers ship was one of those sending out an SOS. Never seen or heard of again until remains dug up from mass grave at Kendari, Celebes in 1946. All decapitated. He ship was the MS Modjokerto sunk on the 1st of March.

2022/10/24 at 1:44 pm
From Eric Swenson on contact

If I understand correctly from this history video there were one German submarine sinking ships in the Mozambique channel. U862 captained by Heinrich Tim. Here is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5v1b4dBsgo

2022/05/28 at 11:19 pm
From Bruno Zaoral on Route sixth voyage

2022/04/18 at 6:40 pm
From Larissa on Saved by HMS Wallflower and radar

Hi S Watts could you please email me Larissa.mcconville2300@gmail.com

2022/03/16 at 7:40 am
From S watts on Saved by HMS Wallflower and radar

Larisa. I am sidney great niece in UK. Please get in touch. I can share story.

2022/03/15 at 11:49 pm
From Bob Benner on How it continued

I live in the past as an historian story an historian and I Thoroughly enjoyed this tale.

2022/02/25 at 4:16 am
From George Toms on Route first voyage

A fascinating voyage. The locomotives were destined for Persia. Those on deck removed at Durban, but were they returned to the deck? I can see none there in the March 1942 photograph taken at Fremantle.

2022/02/13 at 11:00 pm
From Alan on Saved by HMS Wallflower and radar

Hi Larissa
I have known the Sidney McConville mentioned here who died in 2012.
Found records stating he was in UK in 1949 and for years after WW2.
Sorry my knowledge is that he never went to New Zealand .
He did not have children.

I hope you find the person you are looking for.

2021/09/10 at 2:39 pm
From Sam on Saved by HMS Wallflower and radar

Hiya Larissa.

This Sidney McConville didn’t have any children as according to death notice below.

Also records indicate he never travelled to New Zealand.

He has only a niece Patricia and nephew Chris. Confirmed no children.

SidneyMCCONVILLE
McCONVILLE – SIDNEY, December 20, 2012, aged 89 years, peacefully in hospital. Sadly missed by niece Pat and nephew Chris. Ex M.N. Fireman. (Bon Voyage Sid.) Funeral Service at Anfield Crematorium on Monday January 28 at 10.00am.

2021/09/05 at 11:59 pm
From Larissa on Saved by HMS Wallflower and radar

The name on the elections 1949 books was Sidney Thomas Francis McConville is this the same one as this man? Would you know?

2021/09/04 at 3:38 am
From Larissa McConville on Saved by HMS Wallflower and radar

Yes that’s the same information I got but I found a elections book with names and addresses the name was Sidney Thomas Francis mcconville that lived there for a couple years in 1949 that election year was. I also found a timeliness of his life and during those years it is missing on there… I can’t find any death notice would you have a link?

2021/09/04 at 2:48 am
From Larissa on Saved by HMS Wallflower and radar

Hi yes that’s every information I’ve got also, it’s all matching up, 1949 was around the time he supposedly was with my great grandmother and had 2 children in new zealamd, I found his name on the elections follow with the address.
I can’t find his death notice anywhere at all? Do you have a link?

2021/09/04 at 2:37 am
From Sam O'Doherty on Saved by HMS Wallflower and radar

Hiya,
This seaman Sidney McConville was born 1924 in the UK and lived in the UK in the area of Liverpool for all his life and died there in hospital in 20 December 2012.
He had no children. Relatives are only a nephew and niece as listed on death notice.
Good luck in your research. I would try local New Zealand records.

2021/09/03 at 4:35 pm
From Larissa McConville on Saved by HMS Wallflower and radar

Hi, I’m just doing research about my great grandfather Sidney McConville, as our family know nothing about him or where our name is from, he 2 children in New Zealand in 1948 (the year my grandfather was born) he apparently lived here for 2 years, I think this Sidney McConville could be him would you have any idea where I could get more information about him to confirm its him…

2021/09/03 at 11:28 am
From Howard Statham on Liverpool, Albert Dock. Refit for HMS Wallflower (K44)

In 1944, Wallflower helped find and sink the U boat that sunk HMS Ganilly. I have a medal group from the Chief Engineman on Ganilly who went down with the ship on 5th July 1944 in the Channel..

2020/11/15 at 4:10 pm
From Harry O"Neill on contact

To Roy Terry, I note with interest that your father was a radio operator on HMS Wallflower..
My father was the leading telegraphist. I am wondering if your father kept any notes or diaries. Maybe he made mention of my father in them. My father was Harold Albert O’Neill, known as Alec..
Thanks

2020/10/05 at 12:00 am
From henry liffen on - February 1942, Tjilatjap

My father escaped on the Cote Gede too.

2020/08/16 at 1:16 pm
From Anthony Wege on The Crew

I have researched and authored two books about small AIF units in Singapore February 1942, the 2/4 Reserve Motor Transport Company and the 27 Independent Brigade Group Ordnance workshop. A few soldiers from both these units (24 from the 2/4 RMTC; 8 from the 27 IBGOW) sailed on Abbekerk from Java to Fremantle 27 Feb to 6 March 1942. Their names are in the appropriate book. Both books are in the National Library of Australia Canberra and the Australian War Memorial Canberra

2020/07/19 at 3:52 am
From Wyley Smith on Pictures Tjilatjap evacuation

Very interesting to see pics an read the stories of the Indonesian campaign, especially the Naval engagements near Java in early 1942. Similar problems today with poor communication or near total lack there of . Add to that of language differences to dramatically slow things up. Today we have near instantaneous interpretation.

2019/09/19 at 4:42 pm
From Mardiharjo on Tjilatjap evacuees list

Sayang bangkai kapal yang ditenggelamkan di pelabuhan cilacap sudah tidak ada.bekas-bekas pengeboman yang masih bisa dilihat mungkin tinggal pilar-pilar di stasiun kereta api cilacap,yang terletak tidak jauh dari pelabuhan .silahkan lihat di google

2019/08/24 at 6:01 am
From Mardiharjo on - February 1942, Tjilatjap

Saya lahir di cilacap,th.1954.sampai dengan th.tujuhpuluhan masih banyak bangkai kapal berserakan.sekarang sekali sudah dibersihkan untuk pengembangan pelabuhan

2019/08/23 at 9:45 pm
From Klaus Friedrich on The Ship

My uncle, the late Fritz Andreas, was machinist onboard the raider Atlantis.
When it was sunk it was disguised as Abbekerk.

Regards

2018/11/20 at 12:01 pm
From Pieter on Home

Hi Peter One of my old friends born around 1935 told me yesterday, during a sporting event in Switzerland of all places, that he and his mother boarded the Abbekerk for that memorable trip from Singapore to Fremantle, leaving his father, a British Oficer, behind to fight the invaders. This prompted me to google the name of the ship and become familiar with Adriaan Kik’s fascinating memoirs Thank you, also on behalf of my friend Nigel.

2018/08/20 at 3:42 pm
From Peter on Singapore under attack, Abbekerk lucky again

Walter,

Thank for your compliments.
More on (the crago of) DM.01 can be found on http://www.netherlandsnavy.nl/Singapore.html and this is probably the source of several other accounts on the internet. On the individual ships not much can be found.
What I know about Abbekerkâ€™s cargo comes mostly of the crew memoires:
The Hurricanes are mentioned by my father, Third Mate Visser, DEMS gunner MacNab and also Harry Tweedale from 232 squadron RAF. My father comparing Abbekerk with a modern day containership with two crated hurricanes on each of her 5 holds. Most sources only mention 54 (or 52) Hurricaneâ€™s aboard Sussex in DM.01. So it is unclear if the 10 aboard Abbekerk were extra or that in fact Sussex only carried 44.
The AA guns are mentioned by all on board. No exact number only that some of them were put on deck as extra defence in England and later en route to Singapore. Lt G. North of the 35th LAA regiment was on board Abbekerk with 15 troops to man the guns. He mentions that the guns of the 35th were on board (but not if it were all of them or may be from other units as well).
What is a bit of a mystery is why guns on deck and the 16 men of the 35th were only sent ashore by the time Abbekerk was in Oosthaven (Sumatra) and not already month earlier in Singapore with the rest of the 35th.

The anti tank guns of the 85th are only mentioned as being part of DM.01. Since both my father and the Third Mate mention field guns and artillery as part of Abbekerk cargo I assume these are the guns of the 85th. Contrary to the Hurricanes and the Bofors I have not really researched these guns.

Best regards,
Peter

2018/02/28 at 12:55 pm
From Walter Tuttlebee on Singapore under attack, Abbekerk lucky again

Peter – Firstly, you’ve done a great job with this website & the info herein – well done.
My father was a soldier in the British 85th Anti-Tank Regiment. He travelled to Singapore on the SS Narkunda. This was the only anti-tank regiment in this convoy which the Abbekerk accompanied. I’m trying to put together his story…

In this article “Singapore under attack, Abbekerk lucky again” you mention the Hurricanes, the anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons being carried in & unloaded from the Abbekerk.

In Archie Monro’s book “The Winston Specials: Troopships Via the Cape, 1940-43”, page 233, he states that:
“The MT ship Sussex discharged 54 crated Hurricanes, the guns of an Anti-Tank and AA regiment, ammunition and stores all by the ship’s company as the native dock labour had disappeared, in the space of 5 days and nights and thereafter sailed to Australia”.

It sounds the identical story, but a different ship
(The Sussex was also part of the same DM1 convoy as the Abbekerk).

Can you please point me to your original sources, so I can check them out.
Many thanks.

2018/02/27 at 5:36 pm
From John Wakeman on Home

Thank you for your website. I have been reading a book about Qantas flying boats in WW2. The ship Abbekerk was mentioned so I looked for a bit more information. My father was in the 85 Anti tank regiment transported to Singapore in 1942. I noticed Walters post in 2013. My info of the 85 Anti tank was gained from the computer so Walter would probably have the same info. However it is good to know that someone has also researched the 85 Anti tank regiment. I would be willing to pass on any info I have.

2018/01/16 at 12:09 am
From Peter on Liverpool, Albert Dock. Refit for HMS Wallflower (K44)

Dear Harold,

Iâ€™m sorry to hear you are disappointed in the way I have translated the website.

The intention of this website is to keep the memory alive of all the men who sailed merchant ships and escorts during the war. As far as I know (and intended) , I have only spoken highly of the crew of HMS Wallflower. I can assure you that there is no intention to offend anybody.

As you probably noticed this is a Dutch website en the translation into English has been a major undertaking since the website consist of over 125 pages. I am very grateful to everyone who helped me to make the website â€“ almost entirely â€“ bilingual. But since I am no professional translator, nor historian, Iâ€™m fully dependent of English speaking readers to help me with typical English (British if you like) details about ranks, names, designations, names of army units and even names of arms. But also the finer details of the English/British language.

In the next major update of the website I will correct the error.

Peter

2017/12/11 at 10:52 am
From Harold O'Neill on Liverpool, Albert Dock. Refit for HMS Wallflower (K44)

I am disappointed with use of England and English here. My father was a Scot and he served on HMS Wallflower…Britain and British please

2017/12/11 at 3:31 am
From Addy van Baar on Abbekerk's aftermath: the ships

Stilletjes heb ik de gebeurtenissen en verhalen gelezen. Ben onder de indruk van de belevenissen.
knap werk!

2017/09/24 at 10:48 pm
From Jacques Nederpelt on Abbekerk's aftermath: the ships

Mooi verhaal. Heb nog een kerst periode gevaren op de C3 versie als radio officier niets wetende van de illustere voorganger.

2017/09/24 at 5:55 pm
From Rob Balde on Two lifeboats, 62 men, 700 miles from nearest shore

Wat een goedgeschreven verhaal. Er gaat een hele wereld voor de lezer open. Zo ver overal vandaan…

2017/08/27 at 9:59 am
From Kees Saman on Port of Spain, Trinidad. In too deep

During those hazardous days crews were happy having survived the crossing of the Atlantic and having safely reached peaceful Trinidad while so many ships got lost.
For that reason Trinidad was called “The Promised Land”.

2017/07/23 at 10:59 am
From Dave Campbell on The Clyde, Glasgow, still at anchor

Peter, This photo of Freighters at anchor is not in The Clyde Glasgow Scotland. It’s Bedford basin here in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada Hope this is not being too critical,as,I thought you should know,Regards,DaveDave Campbell

2016/11/15 at 9:00 pm
From Peter on The Crew

Beste Jos,
Hartelijk dank voor je uitgebreide en gedetailleerde aanvullingen. Ze zijn inmiddels verwerkt in de lijsten hierboven.
Peter

2016/11/13 at 9:14 am
From Jos Rozenburg on The Crew

Mooie website, goed gedaan! Ik heb je eerder twee keer getracht te mailen over de update van de bemanningslijst tijdens de torpedering. Helaas zie ik die update niet terug op de website, weet dus niet zeker of je deze wel hebt ontvangen. Gegevens zijn afkomstig van het WO2 archief LOCK (Londense Collectie Koopvaardij) bij het NIMH (Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie), waarin alle gegevens van het NLD koopvaardij personeel tijdens WO2 zijn vastgelegd. De updated gegevens van 54 (van totaal 64) opvarenden van de Abbekerk worden inmiddels wel correct weergegeven op de website www.uboat.net.

2016/11/06 at 9:28 pm