The Men Of The Wild Goose

In Memory: Ernest Bramwell HMS Wild Goose. Died 6 September 2006. RIP
In Memory: Tom Clisham HMS Wild Goose on the 2nd of May 2008 aged 83, died peacefully. RIP
In Memory: Ernie Woods HMS Wild Goose, aged 91, died March 2009 RIP

The majority of these images from Terry Briody. His dad, Tom, served on HMS Wild Goose.

The War Diary of HMS Wild Goose is reprinted below, and below that, email messages.

Hanging on the wall in the Maritime Museum Liverpool, this plate "Wild Goose" - April 2005	HMS Wild Goose enters Gladstone Dock following the "6 In One Trip"
Tom Briody
Wild Goose Gun Crew, Tom Briody, far rear left	Tom is to the back of this "frozen" Arctic image, wearing the hooded coat looking downright miserable. Apparently they had been ice scrapping all day
Don Barrow, who left for Tasmania	Wild Goose with a captured U Boat Dinghy L-R: A/B V Kilgour; CPO J Westwood & L/S Albuary The reverse of the above image has the following:

Starling & Wild Goose arrive in Liverpool after having sunk U-202	Field : White. Badge : A wild goose in flight proper. Motto ‘Alert to Evil’
B Gun Wild Goose March 1944 Crew: JG Wall; WD Ashwood; I Waterhouse; N Culley; CS Whatman Taken almost certainly in Gladstone Dock, Liverpool	His Majesty King George VI visits HMS Wild Goose in Liverpool. Image courtesy of Joe Wilkinson/Terry Briody
The Queen visits HMS Wild Goose in Liverpool. Image courtesy of Joe Wilkinson/Terry Briody	Newspaper clips follow; the first two you must click on them to see them full sized.


This photograph was given to my mother by Wild Gooseman Don Bones, who still lives here in St.Helens. Apparently Starling rammed a U boat (U 119) and Walker and some officers were rowed over to the Wild Goose to continue after another (U449). On the oar in the "middlish" of the photo is my dad and Don Bones himself, The next photo identifies these two. Terry Briody
	Close up of Joe Wilkinson Don Bones recently attended the Wild Goose Association meeting in Portsmouth and says there are only three members left. - Terry Briody

“SLOOP” ESCORT VESSELS

The title “Sloop” has been used by the Royal Navy since the 17^th Century to describe warships carrying out auxiliary naval duties and not deployed as Ships of the Line. By the beginning of the 19^th Century it was applied to any smaller “square-rigged” ship with three masts. After the introduction of steam later that Century only those craft attached to training ships were given this title. By 1904 its use had lapsed.

During WW1 the title was reintroduced for the FLOWER Class of minesweeping vessels also used for patrol and miscellaneous tasks with the Fleet. After the armistice in 1918 HUNT Class minesweepers were also described as Minesweeping Sloops. In 1924 the need for replacement of wartime built minesweepers had been recognised and work on a new design of Sloop commenced. The resultant ship had a minesweeping capability and the endurance needed by a warship deployed on foreign stations.

The first ships built to this specification were the twp BRIDGEWATER Class and both were ready for service in 1929. They displaced 1,045 tons with an overall length of 264 feet 6 inches, a beam of 34 feet and a draught of 11 feet 5 inches. A single 4” gun for engaging surface targets and another HIGH angle 4” gun for AA defence were provided. Although the design included depth charge throwers and rails these were not fitted but were kept ashore for installation in war, The minesweeping gear was always installed as a permanent feature. It was initially intended to fit diesel engines in one ship and geared turbines in the other and to carry out comparative trials , but as no British diesel machinery was available this requirement had to be forgone. Turbine machinery with a shaft horsepower of 2,000 produced a speed of 16/17 knots. Although as designed the Complement was 100 this increased in war when additional equipment was fitted. In the next 5 years another 13 ships of the same basic design came into service, these were designed to carry submarine detection equipment (ASDIC) which was a known essential in ships used for convoy defence.

The need for a ship intended to be used as an escort to also carry minesweeping gear was in serious doubt by the early 1930’s. Specialist minesweepers were required and the provision of an effective anti-aircraft armament in convoy escorts was gradually being accepted. Ships in the next Class of Sloop were built between 1933 and 1936. These were GRIMSBY Class and initially all were fitted for minesweeping, except one which was fitted for use as a minelayer. During service ships in this Class were re-armed with twin 4” HA guns and the minesweeping gear was removed in some.

The design of the later BITTERN and BLACK SWAN Classes included 3 twin 4” HA guns to provide effective AA defence and a large number of depth charges for attacks against submarines. I order to provide a more stable platform for gunnery purposes they were fitted with stabilisers to reduce the effects of roll. However, wartime experience revealed a major deficiency. The lack of a suitable fire-control system for the main armament during air attacks significantly reduced the effectiveness of the excellent 4” mountings fitted. Ships in these two Classes were larger (1,250 and 1,300 tons) but had a higher shaft horsepower in order to maintain speeds up to 19 knots.

During WW2 twenty-nine Sloops were built to an improved BLACK SWAN design with displacement of 1,920 tons and a speed of 19.5 knots with an increased AA armament.

Many of the earlier Classes of Sloop which had been stationed overseas in September 1939 were recalled to UK for escort of Atlantic convoys and were well able to remain operational under these adverse conditions. The later BITTERN and BLACK SWAN Classes gave most outstanding service in Support Groups deployed to seek out and destroy U-Boats operating in packs in the Atlantic. Their excellent A/S and AA capabilities proved ideal for this duty. As soon as radar became available it was fitted for fire control and surface warning and provided accurate ranging data.

Modified “BLACK SWAN” Class Sloop ordered from Yarrow’s at Scotstoun under 1940 Build Programme on 13^th April 1940. The ship was laid down on 28^th January 1942 and launched on 14^th October 1942 by Mrs Yarrow as the 1^st RN ship to carry the name. Build was completed on 11^th March 1943 and an anti-submarine ahead throwing mortar (HEDGEHOG) was fitted as well as radar equipment for surface warning radar (Type 272) and fire control radar (Type 285). Following a successful ‘WARSHIP WEEK’ National Savings campaign in February 1942 the ship had been ‘adopted’ by the civil community of Worsley, Lancashire. This Sloop was part of the 2^nd Escort Group commanded by Captain F.J.Walker RN , the most renowned of all anti-submarine specialists, who died during his service in sister ship H.M.S. STARLING as Senior Officer of the Group in July 1944 (See RELENTLESS PURSUIT by Captain D.E.G.Wemyss who succeeded him in command of the Group and was in command of H.M.S. WILD GOOSE) she was the most successful of all the anti-submarine ships during WW2.

Battle Honours

March	Contractors Trials and Commissioning
11th	Accepted into service with 2^nd Escort Group as Senior Officer’s ship
April	On completion of work – up at Tobermory joined Group based at Liverpool for escort and support of Atlantic convoys. (For details of improved weapons and tactics see SEEK AND STRIKE by W.Hackmann, THE TORPEDOMEN by A Poland and RELENTLESS PURSUIT).
May 22nd	Deployed with HM Sloops WREN, WOODPECKER, CYGNET, STARLING and KITE of Group for anti- submarine operations in support of passage of ONS8 Convoy in North Atlantic. (For details of operations by Group see FIGHTING CAPTAIN by Burns.)
June 16^th	Transferred to Plymouth Command for offensive operations in the Bay of Biscay to intercept U-Boats on passage to and from base ports in conjunction with Coastal Command aircraft and covered by HM Cruiser SCYLLA. (Operation ‘MUSKETRY’ – For details see ‘CONFLICT OVER THE BAY’ by N. Franks.)
24^th	Sank U449 with H.M.Sloops WOODPECKER, WREN and KITE in position 45.00N 11.59W. There were no survivors from the submarine.
July	Bay of Biscay operations in continuation
30th	Sank U504 with HM Sloops WOODPECKER, KITE and WREN in position 45.33N 0.47W. There were no survivors from the submarine.
August	Bay of Biscay operations in continuation
9th	Directed by Catalina aircraft to dinghy with survivors from crew of RAF Liberator aircraft of 224 Squadron RAF shot down by Ju 88’s over Bay of Biscay on 2^nd August. Two of the six rescued airmen died on passage to Liverpool.
September	Deployed with Group for Bay of Biscay and Atlantic convoy support. Subjected to air attacks. Supported passage of HX258.
October	Deployed with escort for Convoy ON207 with ships of 1^st (Canadian) and 2^nd British Escort Groups
21st	Joined escort for Convoy HX262 with HM Sloops STARLING, MAGPIE, KITE and WOODCOCK of Group supported by HM Escort Aircraft Carrier TRACKER
25th	Convoy diverted because of known threat by SIEGFRIED group of U-boats and passage safeguarded. (For details of U-Boat operations in the Atlantic see U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D.Macintyre.)
November 1st	Detached to support escort of HX264 with same ships of EG2 and HMS TRACKER. Convoy is threatened by attacks from TIRPITZ group of U-Boats.
6th	Located U842 and carried out A/s attacks with HMS STARLING. Submarine sunk in position 43.42N 42.08W without survivors.
8th	During passage to refuel in Argentia under acoustic torpedo attack by U648. This failed
27th	Reinforced escort for military Convoy MKS31/SL/140 with ships of 4^th Escort Group. Convoy, on passage to \ Gibraltar, was under threat from WEDDIGEN group of U-Boats
28th	Took part in anti-submarine hunt with Group during which U843 driven off
December	Atlantic convoy support in continuation.
18th	Taken in hand for repair in Liverpool

January	Under repair
28th	On completion of post refit trials deployed with HM Sloops STARLING, WOODPECKER, KITE and MAGPIE supported by aircraft from HM Escort Carriers NAIRANA and TRACKER to safeguard passage of convoys west of Ireland from threat by IGEL group of U-Boats.
31st	Sank U592 in position 50.20N 17.29W with HMS STARLING and HMS MAGPIE. There were no survivors from the submarine
February 7th	Redeployed to support passage of merged Convoy SL147/MKS38 under threat from IGEL group with HM Sloops STARLING, MAGPIE, KITE, WOODPECKER and carrier aircraft
8th	Carried out hunting operations against IGEL group. Located U762 and sank it in position 49.02N 16.58W with WOODPECKER. There were no survivors from the submarine
9th	After unsuccessful attacks by acoustic torpedoes from U238 and U734 carried out extensive hunt operations with HM Sloops STARLING, KITE and MAGPIE. Initial contact was made with U734 10 miles from SL147 followed by a series of ‘Creeping’ attacks (See SEEK AND STRIKE). Submarine sunk after attacks lasting 3 hours and 25 minutes in position 45.44N 16.20W without any survivors. (U238 was later sunk by HM Sloops KITE, STARLING and HMS MAGPIE after series of attacks lasting 8 hours in position 49.44N 16.07W.)
11th	Carried out attacks with HMS WOODPECKER on U424 of IGEL group. Submarine sunk in position 50.00N 18.14W. There were no survivors.
17th	Deployed with 7^th British Escort Group and own ships to support passage of Convoy ON224 against attacks by HAI group of U-Boats. Convoy is diverted
March	Carried out support operations with ships of Group and HM Escort Carrier VINDEX in NW Approaches
7th	Sank U653 in position 53.46N 24.35W with HMS STARLING and SWORDFISH aircraft of 825 Squadron from HMS VINDEX
15th	Returned to Liverpool with Group. Group transferred for duty with Home Fleet for convoy defence in Arctic
26th	Joined Russian Convoy JW58 with HM Sloops STARLING, MAGPIE and WHIMBREL of Group to supplement anti- submarine defence for passage to Kola Inlet. ( Note: This convoy included USS MILWAUKEE being handed over to Russian Navy)
29th	Under unsuccessful U-Boat attacks by THOR, BLITZ and HAMMER groups for 2 days.
April 2nd	Under unsuccessful U-Boat attacks by THOR, BLITZ and HAMMER groups for 2 days
7th	Provided A/S support for returning Convoy RA58 with Group, four Fleet destroyers and two corvettes
14th	Detached on arrival of convoy at Loch Ewe without interruption.
28th	Deployed with group and ships of 5^th Support Group supported by aircraft from HMS VINDEX in series of A/S operations based on interception of U-Boat radio signals. (For details of all Russian convoy operations see ‘CONVOYS TO RUSSIA’ by RA Ruegg, ‘ARCTIC CONVOYS’ by R. Woodman, ‘THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS’ by B.Schoefield, ‘CONVOY!’ By P.Kemp and ‘ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY’ by Corelli Barnett)
May	Resumed Atlantic anti-submarine operation
5th	Carried out sustained A/s search lasting 18 hours with HMS STARLING and HMS WREN. Forced U473 to surface and sank it in position 46.29N 09.20W by gunfire despite acoustic torpedo attack. Some survivors were rescued from submarine which had been acting as weather station.
29th	Deployed in A/S support of convoys in Western Approaches
31st	Taken in hand for repair in Liverpool. Nominated for support of allied landings in Normandy (Operation Neptune). (For details of naval activities prior to and during NEPTUNE see the Naval Staff History ‘LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, JUNE 1944’ (HMO) and ‘OPERATION NEPTUNE’ by K.Edwards).
June	Under repair. On completion rejoined Group in Bay of Biscay and wet Channel area for operation to prevent U-Boat attacks against Invasion convoys. Remained in Channel area for A/S operations and escort duty
July 1st	On release from NEPTUNE returned to Liverpool
5th	Taken in hand for refit in Belfast
9th	Commander DEG Wemyss succeeded Captain F.J Walker, Royal Navy as Senior Officer of 2^nd Escort Group (see above).
August	Under Refit
September	On completion of post refit trials worked up for service
October - November	Deployed in SW Approaches with Group for support and escort of convoys against a series of stacks by SCHNORKEL fitted U-Boats especially in coastal waters. (See ‘BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS’ by J.Terraine ).

January	Coastal convoy defence with Group in continuation.
February 27th	Sank U327 in position 49.46N 05.47W with HM Frigates LOCH FADA and LABUAN. There were no survivors from the submarine. Although not HMS Labuan, this is the class image
March 12th	Sank U683 off Lands End (Position 49.52N 05..53W with HM Frigate LOCH RUTHEN. There were no survivors from the submarine.
April	Coastal convoy defence with Group in continuation
May 6th	After VE Day nominated for service with British Pacific Fleet after refit
June 12th	Taken in hand for refit at Leith.
July - August	Under refit

Post War Notes

HMS WILD GOOSE was not required for deployment in Far East after VJ and the ship paid off and reduced to Reserve on completion of refit on 17^th September . However, in 1946 she was brought forward for service in the Persian Gulf. Apart from refit and re-commissioning period the ship was deployed in the Middle East until 1955 when she returned to UK to be placed on the Disposal List. Sold for breaking up in February 1956 this Sloop arrived at the breakers at Bo’ness on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh on 26^th February.

Small portions of the following are repeats of above information, but kept together for continuity

HMS Wild Goose was one of thirteen sloops of the Black Swan class which were built just prior to and during, WW2. These ships with their twenty four close sisters of the Modified Black Swan class were found to be amongst the most efficient ships for escort duties with the heaviest armament for ships of their size anywhere in the world. They were capable of all operations, having both a good anti-submarine and ant-aircraft armament. Wild Goose was built by Yarrow and Co. of Scotstoun, Glasgow, one of four ships of this class constructed by that company. She was laid down on 28^th January 1942, launched on 14^th October the same year and ,after fitting out, was completed on the 11^th March 1943. She displaced over 1,300 tons, with a length overall of 299 ft. 6ins., an extreme beam of 38 ft. 6 ½ ins. And a draught of 10 ft. 6 ins. Her normal war complement was 180 officers and men. Her machinery consisted of two shaft geared turbines of 3,600 S.H.P. and two Admiralty three drum boilers, to give her a maximum speed of 19 ¼ knots. Although not as fast as destroyers, these sloops had a very useful built in range, and were employed to form the long range escort groups of “Hunter-Killer” ships at a time when the U boat was causing very serious losses to the convoys supplying our strategic industries. These ships with other similar types would seek the U boats rather than stay with a convoy and let the U boat seek them. They were also used to add additional weight to the convoy escort, when extra anti-submarine defences were required after the convoy had been located and the U boat pack were closing in.

Wild Goose has additional equipment that was not fitted to earlier ships of the class .Her main dual purpose main armament of three twin 4 inch, Mk.X1X high angle mountings was standard to the class, and could give a very good account of themselves. As designed she was to have received two twin 40mm Bofors (Hazemeyer) anti-aircraft guns amidships, but as these were not completed in time single Mk 1V 20mm Oerlikons were fitted until they became available. Single 20mm were fitted on the bridge wings, with two Mk.V 20mm power operated Oerlikons fitted aft on the quarter deck. The anti-submarine armament consisted of four depth charge throwers with their adjacent loading racks and depth charge rails aft. She carried Type 144 Asdic, for underwater search, and 272 surface search radar, in the lantern on the platform back aft. This could be placed higher than the earlier Type 271 having an improved power source to give slightly increased range for locating surfaced “U” boats. Thus, with everything operational, she could detect targets both above and below the surface. An additional assistance was the high-frequency direction finder (HF/DF) frame fitted at the masthead. With this she was able to pin-point radio signals from a transmitting “U” boat, and the target could be sought before it could get to the convoy, or home other “U” boats towards the convoy to form the hunting pack. Right forward are the chains for streaming parvanes, for minesweeping, if contact mines were thought to be present. Other extra items were the stabiliser fins, fittings intended to decrease the roll of the ship at sea, and provide a steadier gun platform. These fins were stowed when not required to reduce resistance, and in close company they were quite capable of penetrating any hull they came into contact with. Opinions varied as to their usefulness, as they were prone to mechanical trouble, and many Commanding Officers thought that the stabiliser space could be better utilised, to stow additional fuel, in order to increase the ship’s range. There was a tendency to be rather wet forward where the weight of “A” and “B” mountings tended to bury the bows in heavy weather. The handling covers to the 4 inch ammunition supply chutes were liable to leak and allow water to run into the forward mess decks.

After her completion and a very short work up Wild Goose was allocated to the 2^nd Escort Group under overall command of the famed Captain F.J. "Johnnie" Walker, CB DSO and three bars. He was soon to become senior officer, when in June 1943, his own ship Starling was damaged after ramming a U boat, and had to undergo repairs. On 9th July 1944 Captain Walker died in hospital, as a result of illness brought about by overwork. Wild Goose had an exceptionally fine record of 10 confirmed U boat kills to her credit. On 24^th June ,1943, in company with her sisters Woodpecker, Wren and Kite, U-449 was destroyed. Six days later the same group sank U-504. On 6^th November with Starling back in service, U-842 was sunk. 1944 was a month old when on the 31^st January, again in company with Starling, and assisted by Magpie U-592 was destroyed. On 9^th February, with Starling again, U-734 was sunk, and two days later, this time with the help of Woodpecker, it was the turn of U-424. On the 15^th March, with Starling and assisted by aircraft, U-653 was destroyed.. With Starling yet again, and Wren to add power, U-473 was sunk on the 5^th March

On the 28^th February with the help of the American built HMS Labuan, and Loch Fada, and assisted by aircraft, U-327 came to her end. The final sinking for Wild Goose came to be on the 12^th March, when with Loch Ruthven, the U-683 was destroyed. These battles all took place in the Atlantic, with the exception of the last two which took place in the English Channel, covering the invasion forces. A gap appears in the tally when the 2^nd Escort Group took part in the Normandy Invasion, in June 1944. In March 1945, our Wild Goose, subdued for the occasion, had the honour to be inspected by The King and Queen, in Liverpool. After the war a period of peace, until the “Mad Duck” as she was affectionately known by her ship’s company, was transferred to the East Indies Station, joining the Persian Gulf Division.

For this she underwent some considerable conversion to fit her for the role of showing the flag. Her wartime colour schemes have been replaced by a white coat and a buff funnel. Back aft, “X” turret has been changed to a cabin used to entertain Oil Sheiks and dignitaries on that station. Forward “A” and “B” guns remained, but the old twin 40mm mountings have been replaced by more modern 40mm’s and saluting guns have been added. The depth charge throwers had been reduced by 50% but the rails have been retained. The mast had been replaced and re-designed with new radar fitted. The old 272 radar had been overtaken by modern development. She served with distinction on that station until 1954, when on her return to Chatham in December that year the “Mad Duck” was finally certified, and reduced to the Reserve. Sold for breaking up in February 1956 this Sloop arrived at the breakers at Bo’ness on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh on 26^th February.

Also taken from HMS Tracker, one of Tracker's Swordfish flies overhead and the follow on image below

Due to the large amount of images now on this page, I have split the page in two. It was proving difficult for one or two people to see all the images due to time it was taking to open via the telephone line modems.

Motto ‘Alert to Evil’

“SLOOP” ESCORT VESSELS

Battle Honours

Post War Notes