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Roll Of Honour

Stratagem (P 234)
50
Built By: Cammell Laird (Mersey)
Build Group: S3
Fate: HMS Stratagem sailed from Trincomalee on 10th November 1944 with orders to patrol in the vicinity of Malacca where it was believed the Japanese were loading ships with bauxite ore.

On the afternoon of the 18th Stratagem attacked and sank the tanker Nichinan Maru.

On 22nd November a Japanese aircraft spotted the submarine and directed a destroyer to where it had dived. Just after midday the destroyer attacked, the first depth charge causing the submarine's bow to strike the bottom.

The submarine was plunged into darkness and the forward part began to flood. Attempts to shut the watertight door to the forward compartment failed and the crew were forced to make their escape.

Ten crew managed to escape, of which eight were taken Prisoner of War. Only three of these (who were taken to Japan) survived captivity. The other five were executed in Singapore by the Japanese.

Look up Stratagem (P 234) in the Boat Database

Anstee, Reginald George  C/JX 145021 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 24
Baker, Stanley William  P/JX 418354 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Born: 02-11-1924 Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 20
Bryson, Frederick  D/JX 422347 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 19
Faulkner, Brian  P/JX 501087 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Born: 26-04-1925 Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 19
RN DoB 26/04/1924
Handy, William  P/SSX 16409 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 30
Hayes, John  C/JX 221692 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 22
Mitchell, Brian Hugh  P/JX 338818 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 20
Phillips, Francis John James  D/JX 420937 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 31-12-1944 Aged: 19
Executed as POW
Richardson, John  P/JX 146168 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 25
Ritchens, Stanley Herbert  D/JX 148278 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 31-12-1944 Aged: 24
Executed as POW
Stanway, Frederick William  D/JX 368447 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 21
Thompson, Leslie William  C/JX 392378 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 21
Webb, Peter Jack  P/JX 382419 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 31-12-1944 Aged: 21
Executed as POW
Westwood, Arthur Leonard  P/JX 220335 Stratagem (P 234)
Able Seaman Died: 31-12-1944 Aged: 24
Executed as POW
McKay, William  P/MX 58555 Stratagem (P 234)
Chief Engine Room Artificer Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 28
Welshman, Maurice Waites  DSM C/JX 149286 Stratagem (P 234)
Chief Petty Officer Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 30
Hall, Ronald  P/MX 56030 Stratagem (P 234)
Electrical Artificer 3rd Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 26
Snell, Norman Ernest  P/MX 55037 Stratagem (P 234)
Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 23
Gibbons, Dennis Frederick  P/MX 117062 Stratagem (P 234)
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 24
Patrick, David  C/MX 119629 Stratagem (P 234)
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 21
Williams, Robert Gordon  P/MX 503451 Stratagem (P 234)
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 23
Weatherhead, Robert Gilbert  MID D/MX 65040 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Cook Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 26
Gregson, Thomas William  D/JX 303291 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 22
McAlinden, Francis John  D/JX 154467 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Seaman Born: 01-12-1921 Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 22
Moorhouse, Thomas  C/JX 159150 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Seaman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 22
Thomas, Harold Powys  D/JX 176017 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Signalman Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 25
Bishop, James Wilford  C/KX 93231 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Stoker Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 24
Brandon, Edmond  C/KX 92546 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Stoker Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 25
Frankham, John Henry  P/KX 91545 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Stoker Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 26
Preston, Basil Henry  P/KX 154564 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Stoker Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 21
Woolley, John Edward  P/JX 258173 Stratagem (P 234)
Leading Telegraphist Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 24
Benz, Brian Stratagem (P 234)
Lieutenant Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 21
Pelly, Clifford Raymond  DSC Stratagem (P 234)
Lieutenant Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 25
Winterbottom, Francis William Leslie Stratagem (P 234)
Lieutenant Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 23
Howard, George Henry  D/JX 134553 Stratagem (P 234)
Petty Officer Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 29
Lee, George  P/JX 145964 Stratagem (P 234)
Petty Officer Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 24
Pickard, Harry  P/JX 137672 Stratagem (P 234)
Petty Officer Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 28
Pearce, Leonard Walter  P/JX 144239 Stratagem (P 234)
Petty Officer Telegraphist Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 24
Booth, Farquhar  C/KX 171814 Stratagem (P 234)
Stoker 1st Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 21
Brodie, Thomas Irvine  P/KX 140777 Stratagem (P 234)
Stoker 1st Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 21
Dickerson, Sidney Joseph  C/KX 166027 Stratagem (P 234)
Stoker 1st Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 20
Dracup, Derek George Rendel  P/KX 156066 Stratagem (P 234)
Stoker 1st Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 21
Howlett, Reginald Charles  D/KX 164938 Stratagem (P 234)
Stoker 1st Class Died: 31-12-1944 Aged: 20
Executed as POW
Thorpe, Alfred George  C/KX 143697 Stratagem (P 234)
Stoker 1st Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 20
Watson, James  P/KX 110375 Stratagem (P 234)
Stoker 1st Class Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 23
McCauley, Thomas  P/K 65360 Stratagem (P 234)
Stoker Petty Officer Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 38
Prentice, Cyril Ernest  (RNVR) Stratagem (P 234)
Sub Lieutenant Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 24
Cliff, Douglas  D/JX 361448 Stratagem (P 234)
Telegraphist Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 20
Graham, Ronald  P/JX 271174 Stratagem (P 234)
Telegraphist Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 23
Rayner, Frederick Somerton  (Ex.M34531) Stratagem (P 234)
Warrant Engineer Died: 22-11-1944 Aged: 41

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

A Tribute To Submariners

I have often looked for an opportunity of paying tribute to our submariners.

There is no branch of His Majesty's Forces which in this war has suffered the same proportion of total loss as our submarine service.

It is the most dangerous of all services.

That is perhaps the reason why the First Lord tells me that the entry into it is keenly sought by Officers and Men.

I feel sure the House would wish to testify its gratitude and admiration to our Submariners for their Skill - Courage and Devotion which has proved of inestimable value to the sustenance of our country.

Winston Churchill


 We Will Remember Them

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