HMS Esk
The Texel Disaster took place off the Dutch coast on the night of 31 August 1940 and involved the sinking of two Royal Navy destroyers, and damage to a third and a light cruiser.
The disaster was caused by a destroyer flotilla running into an unmarked minefield, which caused serious damage to one vessel; two more destroyers were sunk going to the aid of the first, and a light cruiser sent as an escort was slightly damaged by a mine on the return journey. In all, the disaster caused approximately 300 deaths, with a further 100 men injured or taken prisoner of war.
On the night of 31 August 1940, the British 20th Destroyer Flotilla – consisting of HMS Express, Esk, Icarus, Intrepid and Ivanhoe – sailed from Immingham to the Dutch coast northwest of Texel to lay mines.
The flotilla was joined by part of the 5th Destroyer Flotilla consisting of HMS Kelvin, Jupiter and Vortigern.
While the ships were laying mines, air reconnaissance detected a German naval force moving west from Terschelling towards Britain; fearing an invasion the 20th flotilla was ordered to intercept.
Whilst heading for this German force, the flotilla ran into a newly laid, uncharted minefield and Express was badly damaged, losing most of her bow.
The explosion caused heavy casualties: ninety of the 175 men on board were killed or wounded, including her captain, J.G. Bickford, who was injured by the explosion.The flotilla commander, Lieutenant-Commander Crouch, moved his ship, Esk, to assist Express but the Esk also hit a mine and the vessel swiftly sank, killing all on board, save one man. HMS Ivanhoe then went to transfer the wounded from Express but also hit a mine and was badly damaged, the explosion killing a further 53 men and wounding the majority of the crew.
Several life rafts, carrying shipwrecked sailors, drifted into the Dutch coast where those on board were detained by the German authorities as prisoners of war.
1 September brought Kelvin and Jupiter from the 5th flotilla to help rescue the shipwrecked crews and later two light cruisers – HMS Aurora and Galatea – arrived as an escort. The Ivanhoe was scuttled by fire from Kelvin and the ships returned to port.
Jupiter towed the hulk of Express until tugs could be sent out to take over.
On the way, Galatea hit a further mine and was slightly damaged.
The final toll of the disaster was approximately 300 killed, with a further 100 injured or taken prisoner; this was the greatest loss of life suffered by Nore Command since the evacuation of Dunkirk.
The German "invasion force" turned out to be a small minelaying unit transferring from Cuxhaven to Rotterdam.
The casualties returning from the disaster, some badly burned, contributed to the myth that a German invasion had been repulsed by the use of burning oil floated on the sea.One theory amongst British civilians and press of the time laid the blame for the disaster with Lord Louis Mountbatten.
J-W
Name: James, Richard
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Age:39
No.P/SS 121836
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Evan and Elizabeth James, husband of Amy James, of Peckham.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 42-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Jones, Harold Victor
Rank: Electrical Artificer 1st Class
Age:41
No.P/M 28970
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin:
Son of Richard and Rose Jones; husband of Dorothy Kate Jones, of Bridport, Dorsetshire.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 43-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Kent, Arthur Samuel
Rank: Leading Telegraphist
Age:
No.P/JX 139786
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Husband of Mrs Kent, of Southsea.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 40-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Macleod, Norman
Rank: Seaman
Age:20
No.P/X 20830A
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Donald M and Catherine MacLeod of Stornoway.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: McCappin, Wallace Boyd
Rank: Signalman
Age:30
No.P/UD/X 1362
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Robert and Jane McCappin, of Belfast
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: McKenzie, Robert Allan
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:20
No.P/JX 144353
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Foster and Annoe Younger McKenzie, of Falkland,Fife.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 39-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Mitchell, Herbert Sydney
Rank: Leading Stoker
Age:34
No.P/K 64404
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Edward and Elizabeth Mitchell, husband of Ivy Mitchell, of Titchfield.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 41-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Newman, James Frederick
Rank: Surgeon Lieutenant
Age:26
No.
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin:Son of William F and Amy C Newman, husband of Joan Johnston Newman, of Wolverhampton.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Perkins, Henry George
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:
No.P/J 104336
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Husband of Mrs Emma Rose, Perkins, of Hornchurch.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 39-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Richmond, Henry
Rank: Engine Room Artificer
Age:37
No.P/376EC
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Thomas and Hierette Richmond, husband of Ethel Winifred Richmond, Roker, Co Durham.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Smith, Robert
Rank: Stoker 2nd Class
Age:
No.P/KX 101494
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: son of Mr and Mrs Samuel S. Smith, of Birmingham.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 42-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Stedman, George Edward
Rank:Petty Officer
Age:29
No.P/JX 128936
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Husband of Vera Pamela Winifred Stedman, of Fareham.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Taggart, James
Rank:Stoker 1st Class
Age:22
No.P/KX 90772
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of James and Elizabeth Taggart of Carlisle.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 42-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Waldron, Ernest Gordon
Rank: Petty Officer
Age:29
No.P/JX 125931
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Frederick Ernest Gordon and Louisa Waldron, of Bognor Regnis, husband of Margaret Waldron of Bognor Regis.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 37-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Wood, Isaac Edward
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Age:39
No.P/SS 120641
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of William and Susannah Wood, husband of Kate Louisa Wood, of Blaby.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 42-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Jay, John Robert James Norman
Rank: Petty Officer Stoker
Age:35
No.P/KX 75773
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of John and Flora, husband of cicely Hilda Jay, of Broadstone.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 41-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Jones, Lawrence
Rank: Stoker 2nd Class
Age:21
No.P/KX 101094
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of John William and Amy Jones, of Dunscroft.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 42-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Kerr, Robert Strachan
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Age:19
No.P/CD/X 2943
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Strachan Kerr and of Annabella McLean Kerr, of Glasgow.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 41-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Martin, John
Rank: Seaman
Age:26
No.P/X 10780B
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Donald and Annie Martin, of Stornoway.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: McDougall, Malcom Alfred
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:20
No.P/CD/X 2660
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Alexander and Mary Alice McDougall, of Clydebank, Glasgow.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Meston, Charles James
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:30
No.P/J 114875
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Samuel and Grave Meston, husband of Dorothy Lilian Maude Meston, of Eastney.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 39-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Murray, Malcom
Rank: Seaman
Age:20
No.P/X 20211A
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of John and Catherine Murray, of Ness, Stornoway.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Openshaw, Ernest
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Age:19
No.P/SSX 32710
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of William and Jane Hutchinson Openshaw, of Ascot.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 40-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Powell, Mansell Richard
Rank: Leading Seaman
Age:25
No.P/SSX 15191
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Ocavius and Getrude H Powell, of Kenfig Hill.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 38-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
The body of a M Howall/M Powall washed up on the German Island of Pellworm, and was later re-buried as unknown at Hamburg war Cemetery.
Name: Ridgway, James Robert
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Age:47
No.P/KX 98695
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Husband of Mrs E. Ridgway of Wythenshawe, Manchester.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 42-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Sparkes, Frederick Walter
Rank: Able Seaman
Age.33
No.P/JX 105925
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Walter J and Annie G Sparkes, of Portchester.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 39-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Sullivan, Thomas
Rank:Petty Officer Cook
Age:
No.P/M 34699
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Petersfield.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 43-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Thomson, James
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:20
No. P/CD/X 3089
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Andrew and Mary Thomson, of Glasgow.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 37-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Wardman, Frederick Arthur
Rank: Ordinary Coder
Age:22
No.P/JX 195305
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Arthur and Lily Wardman , of Birkenshaw.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 41-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Worledge, Reginald Stephen
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:
No.P/SD/X 1371
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Huand of Mrs Irene Worledge, of Brighton, Sussex.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Jennison, Benjamin
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Age:18
No.P/JX 189580
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Benjamin and Lottie May Jennison, of Hull.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 40-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Kemsley, Frank Harold
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Age:
No.P/JX 279071
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Jesse and Minnie Kemsley, of Sittingbourne.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 40-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Long, Harold Melville
Rank: Gunner (T)
Age:36
No.
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin:
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 37-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Mazinna, John
Rank:Able Seaman
Age:30
No.P/JX 144001
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Lawrence and Alice Ann Mazzina, of Ardwick, Manchester.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 39-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: McGregor, John
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:21
No.P/CD/X 2950
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of John and Agnes McGregor, of Paisley.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 44-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Mintram, Harold Lionel
Rank:Stoker 1st Class
Age:42
No.P/K 57946
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Charles and Mary Mintram, husband of Henrietta Mintram, of Milton, Portsmouth.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 42-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Muzzell, Charles Edward
Rank: Leading Stoker
Age:
No.P/KX 81824
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Husband of Mrs Olive Alice Muzzell, of Steyning.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 41-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Parlett, Francis Alfred
Rank: Petty Officer Stoker
Age:
No.P/K 61350
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Husband of Mrs Margaret Louisa Parlett, of Southsea, Portsmouth.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 41-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Prevett, Stanley
Rank: Cook
Age:
No.P/MX 58418
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Charles and Jane Prevett, husband of V.G. Prevett, of Portsmouth.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 43-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Slack, Bernard
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Age:19
No.P/SSX 28984
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of George Ernest and Mary Elizabeth Slack, of Mansfield.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 40-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Staples, Sidney Lawson
Rank: Leading Seaman
Age:39
No.P/J 72278
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Maurice and Ellen Staples, husband of Mary Staples, of Fareham.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 38-1
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Sunderland, Charles Ernest
Rank: Able Seaman
Age:
No.P/JX 138917
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Jim and Lily Sunderland, of York.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 39-2
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Toomer, Frank Percival
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Age:
No.P/KX 98409
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Husband of Mrs Charlotte Toomer, of Moordown, Bournemouth.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 42-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Name: Whitehouse, Horace Cycril
Rank: Petty Officer Stoker
Age:
No.P/KX 77564
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Husband of Mrs May Whitehouse, of Birmingham.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 41-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Known to have washed up at Amrum on 24-9-1940, had a golden ring with inscription HCW on his finger. most likely to have been re-buried as unknown soldier at Kiel War Cemetery.
Name: Wright, John William Frederick
Rank: Ordinary Telegraphist
Age:19
No.P/JX 153131
Missing since: 01-09-1940
Next of Kin: Son of Frederick and Bertha E. Wright, of Cambridge.
Portsmouth Memorial Panel: 38-3
KIA Information: Known to have been killed at North Sea of Texel.
Known to have been washed up at Amrum at 26-9-1940, buried grave 4, identified by Bracelet, most likely later re-buried as unknown soldier at Kiel War Cemetery.
