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Truculent (P 315)

Built By: Vickers (Barrow)
Build Group: T 3
Fate: Sank after a collinsion with MV Divina in the Medway estuary 12th January 1950. Salvaged in March 1950. Scrapped in September 1950 at Grays.
Truculent
Truculent
Truculent
Truculent
Truculent (P 315)
Truculent (P 315)

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Commanders
1944: Lieutenant Commander   Robert Love Alexander DSO DSC MID
1944: Lieutenant   Paul Murray-Jones MID
1944: Lieutenant   Edmund Charles Croswell DSC
1948: Lieutenant   Andrew Thomas Chalmers DSC MID

Ex P95

Unofficial badge is a lioness portrait with motto Ercite below.

Adoption

The Borough of Glossop, Derbyshire originally set out to adopt P36 during their Warship Week Feb 28th to March 7th 1942, having raised £137,000 in National Savings.

P36 was sunk alongside at Malta on April 1st, 1942 and thereafter HMS Truculent was adopted. Although Truculent appears to have an unofficial badge, a standard Admiralty shield for vessels without official badges was presented to Glossop.

By Dr Peter Schofield


The raising of HMS Truculent


The remains of the HMS Truculent returns to port

Related Pages

The Sinking of the Truculent

On the 12th January 1950, HM Submarine Truculent spent the day at sea off the Thames Estuary carrying out trials, following a long refit. Apart from the full crew, there were 18 civilian dockyard officials on board to make any last minute adjustments, as she was due to sail for Scotland the next day. As she made her way up to the Medway Approaches, the Officer of the Watch conned the submarine on the surface. Traffic in the river was heavy and the steaming lights of many ships on their way into and out of the Port of London were clearly visible on all sides.

Operation Source - September 1943

In September 1943 six in X-Craft were towed by six Submarines to attack German Capital Ships in the Kaa Fjord in Norway. In all (apart from the Towing Submarine Crew) forty-two X- Craft personnel took part in Operation Source, eighteen Passage Crew Members and twenty-four Operational Crew Members.

Roll of Honour

64
 
Alexander, Ernest William  (Civilian) Born: 27th Oct, 1913. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Ship Fitter Aged: 36
Austin, Edward  (Civilian) Born: 6th Aug, 1903. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Electrician Aged: 46
Bailey, Philip John  (Civilian) Born: 12th Jan, 1923. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Electrician Aged: 27
Barnden, William Edward  (Civilian) Born: 11th Oct, 1917. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Electrician Aged: 32
Brookes, Ernest  P/SKX 834163 Born: 27th Feb, 1929. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 20
Campbell, Eric  C/SKX 771241 Born: 9th Apr, 1929. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 20
Child, John George  C/LX 610757 Born: 25th Sep, 1925. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Steward Aged: 24
Daw, Leonard Albert  D/SKX 790457 Born: 11th Dec, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 21
Denny, John Hughes  C/M 769280 Born: 13th Nov, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Electrical Mechanic Aged: 21
In CWGC as Engineering Mechanic
Dighton, Warren Ekins  C/JX 163469 Born: 16th Mar, 1923. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 26
Donnelly, Patrick  MX 804577 Born: 4th Jan, 1923. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Electrical Mechanic Aged: 27
In CWGC as Engineering Mechanic
Dorn, Alfred  P/SKX 770263 Born: 10th Dec, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 21
Dring, Gordon Richard  C/JX 292569 Born: 25th Oct, 1925. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Seaman Aged: 24
Edwards, Kenelm King  (Civilian)
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Ship Fitter Aged: 25
Edwards, Thomas Claude  D/MX 766065 Born: 12th May, 1926. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Radio Electrical Mechanician Aged: 23
Eldridge, George Thomas  DSM C/JX 156154 Born: 1st Aug, 1922. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Petty Officer Aged: 27
Ellis, Frederick George  C/KX 804235 Born: 1st Apr, 1925. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 24
Farman, Nigel  Born: 28th Apr, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Lieutenant Aged: 21
Firbank, Walter James  D/KX 161252 Born: 18th Oct, 1923. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Seaman Aged: 26
Fox, Francis Richard  D/JX 151623 Born: 17th May, 1921. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Seaman Aged: 28
Frost, Ronald Arthur Crawford  D/MX 70161 Born: 20th Jul, 1924. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Aged: 25
Gutridge, Maurice Frederick  C/JX 778120 Born: 13th Aug, 1929. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 20
Gutteridge, George  (Civilian) Born: 23rd Aug, 1893. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Electrician Aged: 56
Hancock, Donald Arthur  (Civilian)
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Constructor Aged: 28
Harling, Robert William  (Civilian) Born: 6th Oct, 1924. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Engine Fitter Aged: 25
Harrison, George William John  P/JX 581983 Born: 5th May, 1927. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 22
Head, Percival Arthur Thomas  DSM JX 777808 Born: 27th Dec, 1919. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Seaman Aged: 30
Also as P/SSX 29670
Helliwell, Ronald Walter  P/KX 786841 Born: 25th Oct, 1926. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 23
Higgins, Leonard Charles  C/JX 246011 Born: 5th Apr, 1924. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Telegraphist Aged: 25
Hindes, Frederick Joseph  DSM Born: 16th Sep, 1923. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Lieutenant Aged: 26
Hine, Francis Walter  P/MX 47321 Born: 29th Aug, 1912. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Chief Engine Room Artificer Aged: 37
Holmes, Arthur Andrew Thomas  (Civilian)
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Ship Fitter Aged: 26
Ingle, William  P/SSX 747938 Born: 21st Mar, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 21
Jenner, Albert Edward  (Civilian)
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Electrician Aged: 46
Johnson, Robert  MID P/JX 158153 Born: 18th Jun, 1922. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Signalman Aged: 27
Johnston, Mervyn Baptist  C/KX 85491 Born: 7th Jun, 1913. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Petty Officer Stoker Aged: 36
Jones, Harry Gwylfa  D/KX 663987 Born: 16th May, 1926. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 23
Likely, Michael John  P/SKX 788502 Born: 8th Mar, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 21
Mackenzie, Gordon Edward  D/LX 702249 Born: 23rd Oct, 1926. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Steward Aged: 23
Manley, Jack Steven  D/MX 57836 Born: 14th Jun, 1919. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Electrical Artificer Aged: 30
McIntyre, John Figg  DSM* P/JX 759066 Born: 29th Nov, 1914. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Chief Electrician Aged: 35
McLaughlin, John  (Civilian) Born: 11th Feb, 1890. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Shipwright Aged: 59
Melville, John Frank  (Civilian)
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Draughtsman Aged: 27
Mills, Norman Albert  (Civilian)
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Draughtsman Aged: 22
Murphy, Michael Albert  C/JX 371908 Born: 13th Aug, 1927. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 22
Also as M/X 759066
Myatt, Francis George  C/JX 161880 Born: 9th Aug, 1923. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Petty Officer Aged: 26
Neighbour, Russell Albert  P/KX 83137 Born: 3rd Dec, 1911. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Chief Petty Officer Aged: 38
Noon, Kenneth Charles Ernest  C/SSX 837436 Born: 20th Mar, 1929. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 20
Oliver, William Alfred  C/JX 325747 Born: 18th Dec, 1923. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 26
Phillips, Edward George Lampla  D/JX 162131 Born: 8th May, 1923. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Petty Officer Telegraphist Aged: 26
Phillips, Terence Paul  C/MX 64343 Born: 23rd Jun, 1924. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Aged: 25
Potts, Charles Walter Sedgwick  (Civilian) Born: 15th Nov, 1909. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Ship Fitter Aged: 40
Powell, Denis Norman  C/SSX 789251 Born: 2nd Apr, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 21
Prouse, Kenneth Roy  P/SSX 83202 Born: 12th Nov, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 21
Purkiss, Brian Sydney  P/JX 712689 Born: 3rd Jun, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Seaman Aged: 21
Read, John Lynton  C/JX 246474 Born: 9th Jul, 1926. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Seaman Aged: 23
Richardson, Tom  P/KX 164200 Born: 22nd Mar, 1924. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Leading Stoker Aged: 25
Robinson, Peter Robert  C/SKX 789598 Born: 9th Apr, 1928. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 21
Smith, Anthony Richard  D/KX 817944 Born: 1st Jul, 1929. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 20
Strickland, Robert Henry  (Civilian) Born: 13th Jun, 1914. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Engine Fitter Aged: 35
Swire, William  P/JX 760475 Born: 1st Nov, 1929. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Able Seaman Aged: 20
Taylor, Clifford  SKX 803297 Born: 26th Mar, 1927. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 22
Tester, Herbert George  (Civilian) Born: 1st Mar, 1916. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Electrician Aged: 33
Wood, Edward Graham  D/KX 841026 Born: 2nd Aug, 1929. 
Died: 12th Jan, 1950.
Stoker Mechanic Aged: 20

Events

 04-12-1941   Laid Down
 12-09-1942   Launched
 31-12-1942   Completed
 04-06-1943   HMS Truculent torpedoes and sinks the German submarine U-308 in the Norwegian sea north-east of the Faeroes.
 28-03-1944   HMS Truculent torpedoes and sinks the Japanese army cargo ship Yasushima Maru in the Strait of Malacca
 01-04-1944   HMS Truculent sinks the small Japanese vessel Mantai with scuttling charges in the Strait of Malacca.
 17-06-1944   HMS Truculent sinks a Japanese sailing vessel with gunfire in the southern part of the Malacca Strait.
 24-06-1944   HMS Truculent lays mines in the Strait of Malacca.
 25-06-1944   HMS Truculent sinks a Japanese sailing vessel with gunfire in the Malacca Strait.
 26-06-1944   HMS Truculent torpedoes and sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Harugiku Maru about 60 nautical miles south-east of Medan, Sumatra.
 27-06-1944   HMS Truculent sinks a Japanese sailing vessel with gunfire in the Malacca Strait.
 28-06-1944   HMS Truculent sinks a Japanese sailing vessel with gunfire in the Malacca Strait.
 29-06-1944   HMS Truculent sinks a Japanese sailing vessel with demolition charges in the Malacca Strait.
 12-01-1950   HMS Truculent sank with the loss of 64 lives

On 12th January 1950 HMS Truculent sailed from Chatham to carry out trials, having just completed a refit; in addition to her normal compliment she was carrying an additional 18 dockyard workers. The trials complete she set a course for Sheerness, which would take her through the Thames Estuary hat night. At 7 o'clock a ship showing three lights appeared ahead in the channel. It was decided that the ship must be stationary and as Truculent could not pass to the starboard side without running aground, the order was given to turn to port. At once the situation became clear as the cargo ship Divina came out of the darkness: the extra light indicated that she was carrying explosives. A collision was unavoidable. The two vessels remained locked together for a few seconds before the submarine sank.
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