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Urge (N 17)

Built By: Vickers (Barrow)
Build Group: U1
Fate: Reported lost whilst on passage from Malta to Alexandria on 29th April 1942.

Experts believe that the HMS Urge was fatally struck by a German mine shortly after leaving Malta's Grand Harbour, while the vessel was still surfaced.

At the time of her loss, the submarine was carrying ten ratings as passengers in addition to the normal crew as part of the evacuation of the 10th Submarine Flotilla from Malta to Alexandria and a War Correspondent.
Urge
Urge
Urge
Urge

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Commanders
1940: Lieutenant Commander   Edward Philip Tomkinson DSO MID
1941: Lieutenant   David Bennett Allen
1941: Lieutenant   Compton Patrick Norman
1941: Lieutenant   John Dennis Martin
1942: Lieutenant Commander   Edward Philip Tomkinson DSO MID

Ex P40

HMS Urge was ordered as part of the 1939 Emergency War Programme and was built at the Barrow-in-Furness Yard of Vickers Armstrong Ltd.

The Submarine was ordered on 4th Sep 1939, was laid down at Barrow on 30th Oct 1939 and was launched on 19th Aug 1940 and was completed on 12th Dec 1940.

After Contractors Sea Trials and Working Up patrols in Home Waters HMS Urge (under Lieutenant Edward P Tomkinson, Royal Navy) was sent to the Mediterranean to join firstly the 8th Submarine Flotilla based on the Submarine Depot Ship HMS Maidstone at Gibraltar and then the 1st Submarine Flotilla based on HMS St Angelo at Malta. Also on board for the passage was Lieutenant Ian McGeoch, Royal Navy who was to be the 'Spare Commanding Officer'.

In May 2021 the wreck of a submarine sunk off the coast of Malta was finally verified as the missing HMS Urge which vanished with all hands en route to Alexandria in April 1942.

Archaeologists from the University of Malta dove to the wreck twice in April and were able to identify the vessel based on the 'N17' ID embossed on its conning tower. The confirmation put an end to controversial claims that the sub was instead sunk off of the coast of Libya by Italian warplanes while undertaking a secret mission.

Experts believe that the HMS Urge was fatally struck by a German mine shortly after leaving Malta's Grand Harbour, while the vessel was still surfaced. It was discovered in 2019 after Francis Dickinsno, grandson of HMS Urge's captain, Lt Cdr Edward Tomkinson, pushed for a search of an area heavily mined by Nazis.

Adoption

Bridgend adopted HMS Urge after raising £215,623 during their Warship Week held 15-22 November 1941. HMS Urge was lost in April 1942 and thereafter HMS Tudor (P326) was adopted.


It is believed that the RN Museum holds the adoption plaque for HMS Tudor. The commemorative plaque for HMS Urge resides at the Local and Family History Centre at Ty'r Ardd, Bridgend.

By Dr Peter Schofield

Missing WWII Submarine Adopted by Bridgend found off Libyan Coast

From BBC News - South East Wales, 29th April 2015

A submarine adopted by the people of Bridgend during World War Two may have been found 73 years after it sunk. HMS Urge left Malta for Alexandria on the north coast of Egypt on 27th April 1942 and was never seen again.

No definite explanation has ever been agreed upon for the loss of HMS Urge which was officially reported missing in the Mediterranean on 29th April 1942. However, historian Jean-Pierre Misson claims he has identified the submarine on sonar recordings taken near Libya. His research will shortly be available to view at the Local and Family History Centre at Ty'r Ardd, Bridgend.

In 1941 there was a national "Warship Week" which raised money to meet the costs of providing military machinery and vehicles for the war. Nationally, £955m was raised, of which Bridgend contributed around £300,000 - which would be the equivalent of more than £12m today - and the town adopted the submarine HMS Urge along with two other warships.

The submarine played a key role in winning the battle for North Africa during World War Two. The vessel aided the Malta Squadron, known as the fighting 10th, to cut off supplies to Rommel's Afrika Corps.

In 2011, to mark the 69th Anniversary of the submarine's disappearance, a plaque honouring HMS Urge and its 29-strong crew and 10 passengers was rededicated to the people of Bridgend in recognition of their efforts.

Roll of Honour
44
Died: 29-04-1942
Allen, David Bennett  DSC*
Lieutenant Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 22
Ashford, Harold George  D/JX 127562
Leading Telegraphist Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 32
Ashford, William George  DSM C/KX 82966
Stoker Petty Officer Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 28
Attewell, Robert Henry  D/KX 116457
Stoker 2nd Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 21
Extra personnel carried on passage
Baxter, Leslie Gordon  (RNVR) C/LD/X 3971
Able Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 24
Botting, Henry John  C/JX 137747
Petty Officer Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 25
Extra personnel carried on passage
Brown, Cyril  P/KX 84490
Stoker 1st Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 28
Bryant, Albert Edward  MID P/K 61633
Stoker 1st Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 38
Chamberlain, Sidney William  P/SSX 22878
Leading Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 22
Extra personnel carried on passage
Davison, Robert  D/JX 190316
Able Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 21
Day, Frederick  C/SSX 20578
Able Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 21
Goss, Ronald Henry  MID D/SSX 20989
Able Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 22
Gray, Bernard  (Civilian)
War Correspondent Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 26
Bernard Gray (Journalist) on board for passage to Alexandria. Long story, powerful friends.
Groves, Laurence Frank  DSM C/J 101563
Leading Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 36
Harman, Stanley Gordon  C/KX 76070
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 26
Extra personnel carried on passage
Hellyer, Reginald  DSM C/MX 47775
Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 28
Jackman, Charley John  DSM*, MID* P/J 110919
Chief Petty Officer Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 33
Lamb, James Wilfred  P/KX 94635
Leading Stoker Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 24
Law, Eric Charles  MID C/JX 145120
Leading Signalman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 22
Leeke, Ronald William  C/JX 154364
Leading Signalman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 20
Extra personnel carried on passage
Maidment, John  P/SSX 22031
Leading Telegraphist Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 22
McDiarmid, Fred  P/SSX 32644
Able Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 21
Extra personnel carried on passage
McMillan, Joseph Cresswell Dixon  MID D/SSX 32970
Stoker 1st Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 21
Morris, Frederick Harold  P/JX 145545
Leading Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 22
Extra personnel carried on passage
Norris, Jesse  DSM C/JX 142500
Leading Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 23
O'Neill, John  MID P/JX 21725
Able Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 22
Osborn, Herbert George Arthur  DSM C/JX 134094
Leading Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 27
Parkinson, John Leslie  D/JX 204152
Able Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 24
Poole, James Malcolm Stuart  DSC*
Lieutenant Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 23
Ransome, John Sandeman Deane  (RNR) DSC
Lieutenant Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 26
Rogers, Roy William George  DSM D/SSX 26082
Leading Telegraphist Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 22
Extra personnel carried on passage
Rowley, John Kenneth  DSM C/SSX 21371
Able Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 27
Rutter, Ronald Frederick  C/MX 59915
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 24
Extra personnel carried on passage
Stanger, Marcus  D/KX 90258
Stoker 1st Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 26
Tomkinson, Edward Philip  DSO*, MID
Lieutenant Commander Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 30
Commanding Officer
Toms, Charles Herbert  DSM D/M 35358
Chief Engine Room Artificer Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 38
Twist, Henry Ernest  DSM D/JX 225829
Telegraphist Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 21
Varley, Eric  MID D/MX 52497
Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 28
Watts, Henry Roland Joseph  DSM* P/JX 129967
Petty Officer Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 31
White, William Peter  C/MX 76840
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 21
Wildman, Richard  D/JX 204322
Able Seaman Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 22
Wilkes, Samuel Cornelius  C/KX 81223
Leading Stoker Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 29
Extra personnel carried on passage
Wiseman, Peter Dugdale  MID D/JX 134000
Petty Officer Telegraphist Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 27
Woolrich, John Edward  P/KX 90716
Leading Stoker Died: 29-04-1942 Aged: 24

Events

 30-10-1939   Laid Down
 19-08-1940   Launched
 12-12-1940   Completed
 18-04-1941   Whilst on the way to Malta on Submarine HMS URGE made an attack on the 10,585 ton Italian Tanker FRANCO MARTELLI in position 46`51'N 08`29'E in the Bay of Biscay firing torpedoes at a range of approximately 2,000 yards. One torpedo hit and the target sank. It is reported that the tanker had been returning to Italy from Brazil.
 20-05-1941   Whilst on Patrol along the Sicily/Gulf of Sirte route an attack was made on two escorted Italian Merchant Vessels in position 35`46'N 11`57'E. Four torpedoes were fired of which the first two hit, the third missed and the fourth one also hit. As a result the 4,857 ton PERSEO was damaged and the 5,165 ton ZEFFIRO was sunk.
 21-05-1941   An attack was made on two Italian Cruisers escorted by three destroyers and a torpedo boat in position 35`30'N 12`25'E both of the Cruisers were missed however the 1,200 ton Destroyer CURTATONE,which was one of the escorts was sunk.
 24-05-1941   HMS URGE returned to Malta.
 09-06-1941   An unsuccessful attack was made on the 3,950 ton German Tanker INGO in position 35`38'N 12`11'E.
 29-06-1941   HMS Urge attacks and claims to have damaged the 10,000 ton Italian heavy cruiser Bolzano with four torpedoes east of Sicily in position 37`55'N 15`35'E.
 02-07-1941   HMS Urge fires four torpedoes at the 6,696 ton BRARENA, which resulted in one hit and the ship sinking
 07-07-1941   Damage was claimed on a 9,000 ton Merchant Vessel in position 37`48'N 15`21'E
 24-07-1941   In position 38`15'N 13`24'E a 2,500 ton Tanker was missed.
 26-08-1941   HMS Urge attacks the Italian tanker Pozarica with torpedoes off Marettimo Island, Italy but miss.
 27-08-1941   HMS Urge torpedoes and damages the Italian passenger ship Aquitania 7 nautical miles bearing 13 from Punta Mignone.
 27-08-1941   Urge attacked a Merchant Vessel and the 4,791 ton Italian Tanker AQUITANIA in position 38`11'N 12`07'E. The tanker was hit and sank.
 29-08-1941   HMS Urge fires three torpedoes against an Italian troop transport the 23,600 ton Italian Liner DUILIO off Capri Island, Italy in position 4`25'N 14`15'E. The Liner was later confirmed as damaged.
 24-09-1941   An attack was made a 2,500 ton Merchant Vessel. All torpedoes missed.
 30-09-1941   Overnight, HMS URGE took part in an operation to deliver a package to an agent on a beach in the Gulf of Gioia. It turned out that the agent was a double agent and the officer who was paddling ashore to deliver the package was killed by gunfire from the shore.
 02-10-1941   On 2nd Oct 1941 an unsuccessful attack was made on an Italian Submarine of 600 tons in position 38`43'N 12`52'E.
 12-10-1941   Sub Lt Brian Neville Thornley Lloyd had been appointed to HMS St Angelo in Malta and it is reported that he was killed on a Special Operations Mission when operating from HMS Urge. No details of the operation are available. He was aged 20.
 22-10-1941   Urge was patrolling off Kuriat Island, Tunisia when he sighted a Merchant Vessel which he fired three torpedoes. They were seen and avoided by the target but a fourth torpedo hit and sank the 1,407 ton MARIA POMPEI. On the same day another attack resulted in the sinking of the 5,996 ton MARIGOLA.
 14-12-1941   HMS Urge torpedoes and damages the Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto about 10 nautical miles west-south-west of Capo dell'Armi in position 37`52'N 15`30'E. Urge had fired at two Battleships (the other was the LITTORIO) and had claimed two hits and one possible hit but the VITTORIO VENETO was definitely damaged by one torpedo.
 30-03-1942   A 3,000 ton Merchant Vessel was missed with a salvo of three torpedoes in position 40`04'N 13`07'E . After this missed torpedo attack Urge surfaced and attacked the ship by gunfire but had to withdraw to avoid damage from return fire.
 01-04-1942   While on patrol north of Sicily, the 5,070 ton Italian Cruiser GIOVANNI DELLA BANDA NERE and two escorting Destroyers was attacked with a salvo of four torpedoes. Two hits were claimed and the Cruiser was sunk in position 38`37'N 15`22'E.
 12-04-1942   Torpedoes were fired at a two ship convoy. This was unsuccessful as the torpedo tracks were sighted by a flying boat acting as the escort and the ships were warned to slow down and stop.
 27-04-1942   On 27th April 1942 HMS Urge left Malta on passage to Alexandria, where she was due to arrive on the 6th. The submarine failed to arrive. It is possible that Urge struck a mine outside Malta or that she was sunk by the Italian torpedo boat Pegaso in the eastern Mediterranean.
 29-04-1942   Reported lost whilst on passage from Malta to Alexandria on 29th April 1942.

At the time of the loss the submarine was carrying ten ratings as passengers in addition to the normal crew as part of the evacuation of the 10th Submarine Flotilla from Malta to Alexandria.
Comments

Comment by: Desmond Moylan on May 8, 2020

Hi,

I'm reading about HMS Urge today 08/05/20, it's was one of the saddest WW2 stories I've never heard of. It seems that the front of the boat was damaged but the rest was intact. This would mean that the men never drowned, which would have been bad enough, but would have suffocated. It's worse than a horror film, I can't even imagine what it would have been like. What brave Men.

My uncle was a WW2 submariner, he died of lung cancer in 1964, he never smoked and I've since read that the fumes given off by the batteries in the subs could contribute to such deaths.

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Utmost (N 19)