HMS Wild Goose Page 2

At a British port the 2nd Support Group, commanded by Captain F. J. WALKER, C.B., D.S.O., and two bars, RN in HMS STARLING, was welcomed home by the First Lord of the Admiralty Mr. A.V. Alexander, from its record breaking U-boat hunt in which six enemy submarines were destroyed. Three of the group's 6 U-boat kills were made within 16 hours. Its total "bag" is now 17. The sloop HMS WILD GOOSE (adopted by Worsley), is one of the ships of the famous 2nd Support Group.

Picture shows the Chief Petty Officer of the Wild Goose from (Dover) who has 24 years in the Navy, two as Boy, tells the "tale" to members of "A" gun crew - Ordinary Seaman Sidney Cloke (Hythe), Able Seaman Bernard Barnard (Hoddeston), Ordinary Seaman Edward Clarke (Dunfermline), Able Seaman Edward Kennedy (Manchester) and Able Seaman Ernest Jagger (Bradford) over a captured Nazi lifebelt and Swastika badge.

The WILD GOOSE'S own flag, which depicts a flying wild goose and a Red Cross for rescue work,
designed by Able Seaman C.E. Woods (Sunderland), and made by Yeoman W.L.L. Miller (Raynes Park) (right).

Members of the Starboard Depth Charge party of the Wild Goose (Inc.) Leading Seaman George Grimwood (Felixstowe), Able Seaman Peter Goodlier (Leicester.), Steward William Green (Branksome, Dorset), Ordinary Seaman Alex Bradshaw (Glasgow), Ordinary Seaman Arthur Boothey (Kettering), Able Seaman Rex Tarbard (Manningtree), Able Seaman (Stoker) Jack Thompson (Grimsby), Able Seaman (Stoker) Leonard Hawksworth (Sheffield) and Able Seaman (Stoker) Thomas Clisham (Chester).

A cheerful member of "A" gun crew of Wild Goose, Able Seaman J.Rowles of Bristol

Members of "A" Gun crew aboard the "WILD GOOSE" (L. to R.) Leading Seaman George A.Lee (Hull):
Petty Officer Harry Hudson (Southwark, London): and Able Seaman William Cutchey (Romford, Essex).

Two of the ships of the group HMS WILD GOOSE (nearest camera) and HMS STARLING, which rammed one of the U-boats.1943. What the lines etc drawn on the photo are of I have no idea. BUT Dave Mallinson, (March 2005) sent me the following information about these markings:

The diagonal hatch lines are censors instructions to delete views of the port installations that might have been of use to the enemy, if the photo was published or somehow got into enemy hands. Likewise the oval or circular lines identify parts of the ships radar fit that needed to be masked before the picture could be published. Today we suffer because of the censor's work. With many photographs it is impossible to accurately identify radar or armament fit because the historical record was changed by the censor. For some reason this particular photograph, although marked by the censor has escaped and the location and radar fits can still be identified.

Two ratings from H.M.S. WILD GOOSE with German lifebelts and escape apparatus taken from the U-boat prisoners which they captured in the Atlantic. Don Bones was telling me that my Pa had once picked a lifebelt out of the water along with a beautiful inlaid Zither in perfect musical condition. Apparently the lifebelt was put on display in a St. Helens theatre during the war - it has subsequently disappeared over the years. Pa had told me about the Zither - it was incredibly ornate and had floated up from a submarine and it played like a dream - he lent it to St Helens man called Jimmy Tickle who pestered for a loan of it for use in a "St. Helens Newtown Players Amateur Dramatics production (Which Ma and Pa were in) and still to this day Jimmy Tickle has failed to return it. Terence Briody.

The gunner talks to members of a depth charge party attached to the Wild Goose (L. to R.) Mr, J. Robert Hinton, 'Gunner' (Walderalade, Kent). At back, Leading Seaman David Lee (Chatham); Ordinary Seaman James Butler (Sheerness); Ordinary Seaman George Kemp (U. Norwood); Leading Seaman Edward White (Carshalton); Ordinary Seaman Gordon Cooper Keeble (Leytonstone); Leading Seaman Peter William Tucker (Ashford, Kent. Front: Leading Seaman Robert Malone (Isle of Skye); Able Seaman George Atkins (Worcester) known as "Enoch", Able Seaman Frederick Taber (Ipswich); Able Seaman Alex Kirk (Lochgelly, Fife) and Able Seaman Henry Stokes (Liverpool). (See Emails below)

Three of the crew of H.M.S. WILD GOOSE inspecting the lifebelts and escape apparatus of the U-boat prisoners

This print above was published in The Illustrated London News March 1944 with this title and story:

THE SIXTH "KILL" BY THE LITTLE SHIPS : THE CREW OF THE U-BOAT, WITH DINGHIES AND LIFEBUOYS, ABANDON SHIP AS "STARLING" (LEFT) AND "WILD GOOSE" (RIGHT) POUND HER AT SHORT RANGE

Our painting shows the sixth kill in daylight, with enemy crew taking to the water. "Starling" is in the left distance and "Wild Goose" on the right. According to the Admiralty communiqué, "Woodpecker" found the sixth U-boat which Captain F.J. Walker, who led No.2 Escort Group of the Royal Navy, described as a "slippery brute to hold." After a series of attacks lasting six hours, the enemy submarine surfaced nearly a mile away on "Starling's" port quarter. "This gave the gun crews some compensation for many tiresome hours of waiting for U-boats that never surface," said Captain Walker. Soon the Germans were seen to be abandoning ship, and in seven minutes the U-boat sank stern first. Later it was learned that she had been hunted for hours by the sloops and had "thrown in the towel" after being damaged by "Starling's" last pattern of depth-charges. "Wild Goose" first got in a smashing hit on the conning tower with her fourth salvo. Describing the scene to our artist, an officer of HMS "Starling" said: "It was damned impudence to surface as she did right amongst us in broad daylight - at point blank range!" After immediately being attacked by shell-fire she was abandoned by her personnel.

Officers and men left her by a small hatch at aft of the conning tower, each with an inflatable rubber dinghy, wearing "Mae West" safety jackets and carrying emergency rations and gas masks. Officers retained their caps, presumably to claim preferential treatment. The Captain on the bridge floated off as the conning tower submerged, and as the U-boat moved ahead she left a trail of the crew in her wake. All were picked up, prisoners of war, by our ships. "They seemed a very poor type compared with earlier prisoners," said Surgeon-Lieut. WD Fraser RNVR, "but all were apparently well fed. They liked our rations, and I think it shook them to find us in good trim and cheerfully confident. There wasn't much bounce and Heil Hitler with these prisoners." While the hunt was on, the War Cabinet sent a signal of congratulations to Captain Walker, and other signals were sent by the First lord and Admiral Sir Max Horton, C-in-C., Western Approaches . As "kill" succeeded "kill" it became difficult to vary the wording, and there was a chuckle on board HMS Starling" when Sir Max eventually signalled the message to Captain Walker, "For the sixth time, congratulations. PAINTED BY OUR SPECIAL ARTIST, C.E. TURNER, FROM A PERSONAL DESCRIPTION BY AN OFFICER EYE-WITNESS IN H.M.S. "STARLING

Wild Goose on the attack! Firing depth charges. Image from HMS Starling. Close Up below

Captain F. J. Walker. DSO, Senior Officer of the 2nd Support Group addressing the men of H.M.S. WILD GOOSE
when they arrived back at their base

Lieutenant W.P. Chipman, RCNVP of Ottawa (the First Lieutenant) and Lieutenant J. Evans,
DSDC, RNVR of Birmingham ( the Navigating Officer)

"Battle of the Atlantic" men of a British ship ( HMS WILD GOOSE) watching the U-boat prisoners as they come ashore

Orders before sailing in the boiler room of the WILD GOOSE : Stoker I/D. Radford of Nottingham; J. Jones of Liverpool,
S.P.O. V. Lodgers of Littlebourne; Stoker J.G. Hearne of Evercreach, New Somerset; and C.E.R.A. C. Parkinson of Liverpool

In the engine room of the WILD GOOSE showing stoker L. Stewart; AP Storey of Nottingham; Pilot Officer A. Jennings of Gillingham; Stoker A. Savage of Deptford; ERA S.Miles of Coventry; ERA F.Ward of Bexley Heath: Stoker W. Moyes of Shipley, Yorks; Stoker F. Radcliffe of Middleton, Lancs., and ERA C. Parkinson of Liverpool

Back row :- Lieutenant J. Evans DSC RNVR of Birmingham; Lieutenant Commander DF Wemyss DSC and bar RN of Saltash and Fife; Lieutenant WP Chipman RCNVR of Ottawa; Midshipman JWF Dickis RNR of Nottingham. Centre :- Surg.Lieutenant C Stewart RNVR of Elderslie; Warrant Engineer H Earp RN of Liverpool. Front Row :- Sub -Lieutenant HL Jandras RCNVR, New York City; Mr.JR Hint, Gunner, of Walderslade, Kent; Sub -Lieutenant R.K.Ha????? RNVR of Edinburgh; Sub -Lieutenant Gronvy EP RNVR of Streatham; Sub -Lieutenant DA Woods of Churt; Sub -Lieutenant RB Moore, RN of Oxford; Sub -Lieutenant AV Atkins RANVR of Perth. Australia.

Lt Comdr Wemyss took over from Captain Walker, as commander of the Group, on Walker's death in July 1944

Group with the WILD GOOSE'S own flag made by Yeoman Miller, and a flying goose designed by Able Seaman Woods, showing (L. to R.) Signaller James Kinnear (Edinburgh) Signaller W Gibson (E.Barnet); Able Seaman C.E.Woods - the designer (Sunderland); Yeoman W.L.J.Miller (Raynes Park) who made the flag; Petty Officer (Telegraphist) A.Sable (King's Lynn); and Signaller A.Clarke (Nuneaton)

July 2007: The pictures that show the rear cabin are as it was when I served on her in 51-53 in the Persian Gulf. The cabin was for the Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf. At that time that was Captain Vavasour. He was required to entertain various Sheiks and sign treaties as well as visiting dignitaries so required more space than his normal accommodation could provide. Yours aye, Brian Border.P.O.S.M.

Another undated image - I thought it was 1943 but could possibly be as late as 1955 as there appears to be a cabin now on the rear end and, as one observer puts it, she is looking a bit manky and is painted white as opposed to camouflaged. So probably well post wartime.

This picture shows Reunion of (3) Wild Goose Crewmen with former Prisoners of war German who were rescued after sinking of their U-Boats. Reunion was possibly in 2004. Don Bones is seen on front right shaking hands with former prisoner. Man on left at front is Terry Knafsey (later Kingsley) who, in Dec 2007, is in Scotland, aged 84. (Info: Louis Elliott).

This is Henry Armstrong, served aboard Wild Goose 3/3/43 - 16/12/44. Apparently he may have been a gunner. Image right: with his lovely wife.
Henry was 19 when he got married and he did survive the war.

Served aboard HMS Wild Goose and, as stated in Walker RN and in many other books, Wild Goose was the ship that frequently found the U boats for Walker to finish off. Therefore Able Seaman George Wilkinson was the gentleman who was responsible as he ran the ASDIC department on Wild Goose. His son, Dr David Wilkinson, recently came into possession of these medals and documents which he has very kindly forwarded on to me for inclusion on this page. George finished his service as a Chief Petty Officer.

	George Wilkinson & His Medals. All these images below will enlarge when you click on them.
	Award of the DSM in Feb 44
	and of a Bar to his DSM in June 1944. I would imagine the award of a bar to his DSM (a rare event) was in gratitude for his efforts in protecting the D Day beaches from a massive effort by U Boats to disrupt and destroy the many thousands of ships supplying troops and equipment to the beaches. Walkers ships formed a screen through which hardly a submarine passed. ASDIC would of course have been the main detection gear used, so George would have been in the forefront of this fantastic effort.
	C in C Western Approaches, Admiral Sir Max Horton forwards Walkers Recommendations to the Admiralty.
	Mentioned in Despatches as recorded in the London Gazette August 1944
	Asdic records for George
	Asdic records
	Trade certificate
	George Wilkinson

Sonar or asdic: Sonar is a system for detecting submarine sound in the water. It was first developed by the British for use against U-boats in World War I. Radar uses radio waves to detect objects on and above the land and sea surface. Radar was developed in the 1930’s to detect aircraft. Both sonar and radar technology matured during World War II, and both were used by the Allies to combat German U-boats. Sonar and radar were also added to Allied submarines to warn of aircraft attack and counterattack from surface vessels. Since World War II sonar has been the most important of the submarine’s senses. Hydrophones are the submarine’s ears, and they listen for sounds from other ships and the echoes of sound waves transmitted from the submarine itself. To be an effective Asdic man, like George Wilkinson, involved being able to detect the usually very faint sounds of a U Boats electric motors and slow turning screws "chopping" the water deep below. Couple with with many other "sounds of the sea" and you can imagine how difficult it was. Sound travels extremely well under water, from all directions!

Asdic Operator

November 25th 2004. An email from June Lark, nee Butler. Having just read your web-site re Men of the Wild Goose, I wanted to let you know that my father also served aboard her during the same time. In fact he is in three of the photos and named on one of them. His name was "Jim" Butler....although I believe he was referred to as "Chelsea" because he was one of the eldest!! He did manage to attend several of the Reunions...and, in fact, marched in the Parade for the Battle of the Atlantic in Liverpool, even though his health was not good by then. All his life he was immensely proud of all that the Wild Goose, and all her crew, achieved. He was in touch with several of his "shipmates" until his death.....George Atkins, "Lennie" Stokes and Bob Hall, whose own death preceded his. Some of my earliest memories are accompanying my mum on trips to Liverpool in between my dad's 28 day stints. We went on board for a "party" on one occasion - and my mum couldn't believe how small the ship was! My dad died in February 1997 and my mum just last year ; they were 83 and 89 years old respectively, so I was extremely fortunate to have shared so much of their lives. Dad never forgot those days in the Wild Goose and we were all so aware how very, very lucky we were to have him come home to us.

From Rob Driver: Dec 04: I thought I would mail you to let you know that my father, Robert Driver, served on the ship throughout the war. It would be good to be able to put him in touch with others who served with him. He lives in Burnley in Lancashire. robstella*ntlworld.com - insert @ where the * is to email Rob directly.

From Terry Briody. Jan 2005. Having successfully escorted a Russian relief Convoy and after a particularly tough and arduous journey the 2nd Escort Group's men had expected a warm and grateful welcome in Archangel. On arrival however the Russian authorities refused the ship's company permission to go ashore. After strong protests from Walker's Officers who stressed that sailors needed to touch dry land occasionally to maintain their legs and their sanity the Russian authorities attitude softened slightly: They cordoned off a section along the sea front into a restricted walkway which was roped off and lined with Russian military guards every few yards The 2nd Escort men were allowed ashore to stroll up and down the roped off area for exercise purposes but were informed in no uncertain terms that if they stepped outside the ropes that they would be shot without further warning! Furthermore, if they attempted to communicate in anyway with the Russian civilians beyond the ropes then those civilians would themselves be shot. Apparently the men were not pleased but cooperated fully with the Russian 'requests' and were not too sad to leave the place.

Did a William (Bill) Roker serve on HMS Wild Goose in the Bay of Biscay WW2 found old photo in late wife's old letters . Any help much appreciated. patjlambert*eircom.net - replace * with @ for email address. A reply from Terry Briody states that this is correct. Bill was indeed a stoker on board Wild Goose.

Jan 05. I have been doing some research for my mother as her brother served on H.M.S. Wild Goose her brother name is Bernard Barnard. Thank you for the information and photographs she was very touched, it brought a tear to her eye. Her brother, my uncle, lives in Australia, whatever information I get I will pass on to you. Doug Nicklin.

April 6th 2005. Received an email from Doug Nicklin whose uncle (B Barnard) served aboard Wild Goose and he sent me this letter from the Soviet Ambassador in Australia.

May 4th 2005: From Michael Ling. I have a 81 year old brother in law called Joe Cordell who served on the Wild Goose for some time in the war, I have just found the site and have found it very interesting and shall be contacting him with the news, I am sure he will be interested to read it. He does not have a computer but if anyone knows him and would like to get in touch I'm sure we can pass info between each other.

February 12th 2006: My name is Stephen Cheesewright and I have been spending some time recently looking into and researching HMS Wild Goose. I am interested in the ship mainly because my granddad Gordon Cooper-Keeble served on the ship during the Second World War. Over the years my grandad has told me many stories about his time in the Navy and continues to do so to this day. He lives with his Wife in Hullbridge in Essex. It would be fantastic to receive any other information about the ship or it's crew mates to pass onto my grandad, or put my grandad in touch with some of his mates, that are still with us today. you can contact Steve on his email address at stephencheesewright910*msn.com substituting the * for an @ please contact him directly, not through me..

May 28th 2008: From Dr David Wilkinson. AB GAF Wilkinson C/LD/X 5152? My mother recently died and I now have his medals. He was awarded the DSM in Feb 1944 after the sinking of the 6 subs and was awarded the bar, which was quite rare I understand, in June when he was acting leading seaman after they sank two more. I was wondering why he was given this and who else was at the same time. I know when he was demobbed he was a CPO and was involved with the ASDIC the prototype sonar but he never really spoke of it, other than being annoyed that those working on asdic were not given any credit in Walkers memoir and talking of Gladstone dock - he was a cockney and met my mother while in the docks in Liverpool.

From the link at the bottom of the page. This is George "Enoch" Atkins. A hero of Wild Goose and one of "Walkers Own". Please check out the British Legion Link and if you would - please donate.

Tom Briody on front left, kneeling. First thought to have been Wild Goose - see below

I asked - can somebody please help with this image. Apparently it is claimed that this is a photo taken on board a Battle class destroyer. And is NOT HMS Wild Goose. Can someone please fill in the gaps in my knowledge. I have had some information which might help to solve this enigma. Apparently Tom Briody may well have served on a ship, after Wild Goose, known as Solebay - would this be her? A bit of research later and discovered that Solebay was a Destroyer (D70) but the only mention of her is on the following site:

My thanks to Alan for the following email 4th May 05: The photo of the Battle Class Destroyer could be the Solebay. She was a 1942 group Battle mainly recognisable by the HA/LA Director Mk VI. The ship in your photo has this director. The later 1943 group Battles had a US Mk 37 Director which was taller than the one in the photo. Hope this helps, Alan.

Dave Mallinson emailed me in Jan 06 confirming the Solebay as the above ship. I think that's sorted! Also found this:

May 6th 2005: Anne was selling the following Invitation on eBay when it was spotted by a friend, Rob Webb (HMS Kite) in Canada. So I contacted the seller, making my bid as I did, and she withdrew the item and sent it to me, arriving today. My sincere and heartfelt thanks for this little piece of history.

My father served on the HMS Wild Goose just after the war. His name is John Edwards, his nick name was Glimpy. I know he has made contact with one of his old shipmates whom I found for him, a man called Billy Gandy who still lived in the Warrington area . I know my dad was very proud of the time he spent on the Wild Goose and has quite a few photos. I know he would love to hear from any one connected to the Wild Goose. If there is anyone who remembers him please contact me through my email address awoedwards@btinternet.com and I could pass your details on to my dad thank you. Paul Edwards.

Hi, I am a member of the Wild Goose Association and I was interested in your site in regard to the Goose... we are having our 19th reunion on Oct 7th 2008 at Sinah Warren, Hayling Island this year. On page two of your site it shows a picture of Terry Kingsley the person who started the association with some ex German submariners who had been rescued by the Goose. This was taken at our reunion in Pompey in 1992 at the Home club. We are always open to ex Wild Goose members families.. If you contact our Sec I am sure he would be pleased to hear from you. I was on the Goose 1949/1951 the 2nd Commission out in the Persian Gulf.

Our Sec is Ken Hayes. 3 Ivy House Park, Henlade, Taunton, TA3 5HR...Telephone 01823 442973. or gwen-at-gwenhayes.wannadoo.co.uk - remove -at- and insert @ for email address.

From Paul Edwards. 29th January 2006

RIP John Edwards

It is with a sad heart that I write this email. I wrote a while ago about my father whom served on the Wild Goose just after the end of war, a time which I said he was very proud of. When I told him of your site he asked me to print the pages off for him which I did and I know he read and enjoyed and I know he recognised some faces. As I said it is with a sad heart that I write, my father passed away two weeks ago after a tragic accident at home a sad loss to my mum and his five sons and one daughter, at his funeral it was very comforting for all of us, his coffin was draped in the ensign and a sailors hat from HMS EAGLET was placed on his coffin, this is where my dad started his love for the navy as a young cadet, and the service was conducted by the padre from HMS EAGLET, also the commanding officer from eaglet flew the ensign at half mast, a gesture I know my mum appreciated .my father was also a (Nuclear) test veteran, as he also served on the HMS Campania which, if I'm right, led the task force during these test. My dad has lots of photo's from this pictures of mushroom clouds in the background whilst in the foreground the men are standing on deck in their shorts, shirts and sandals, good protection or what? I know this is the only government that has never paid compensation to these brave men, a legacy they should be ashamed of. But also to insult all the brave men and women whom fought for peace throughout Europe they want to scrap Remembrance Day and rename it. Why I ask, the younger generation should be reminded this was a campaign for peace and justice and many people died to accomplish this end, so why should we not remember them.

On February 2nd 2008, the item shown below arrived in the post. I knew it was coming but was so excited to actually be holding a living piece of history, the original crest off HMS Wild Goose. In December I had received an email from Susan Houston, offering me this "priceless" piece of one of Walkers ships and wanted to know where it could be donated to. I thought of the Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool - the home of Walkers 2nd Support Group. That is where it will be going as soon as I can get up there. how did it come into the possession of Susan? Her father worked in the Yard in Bowness where Wild Goose was broken up.

The Crest above is now the property of the National Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool
I donated this on the 18th February 2008 on behalf of Susan Houston of the Martin Family.

May 2006: Anne Meakin is trying to find out information on a gent who served aboard Wild Goose during WW2. His name is (William) Saunders or WH Saunders and the initials A.B.S.T. following his name. The actual rank ABST does not exist. The book in which Anne has these details must have owned this book. Ray Holden tells me that the initials A.B.S.T. are firstly Able Seaman and the S.T. could be Starboard Thrower (Depth Charges) or Starboard Torpedo but I am not sure Wild Goose carried torpedo tubes? If anyone has information on this gent please contact Anne Meakin via myself. Beryl's email address is: pennyfields - at - msn.com (replace -at- with @ for the correct address).

June 2008: An Email from Beryl Kemp. My father served on the Wild Goose during world war 2 and was always talking about these times. He also served on the Umtali ,both ships of which he often talked about with pride. Sadly he passed away a couple of years ago but would have found this web site wonderful. He was mayor of our town for a few years and was asked to name a few streets on a housing development. This he did with pride and called them after the Wild Goose, Starling, Magpie etc. His job on the ship was radar operator and his name was Kenneth Stubbs (Stoke-on-Trent.)

2nd August 2008: An email from Shaun Prime. My grandfather was on the Wild Goose. His name was Michael Smith, he has passed away but I'm trying to find some more information on the Wild Goose. He was on that ship in WW2. I don't know exactly how long he was on there for. shaundato - at - hotmail.com is his email address - change - at - for @.

9th August 2008. An email from John Phipps. He is trying to find out if CJX 607890 A/B RK Phipps ever served aboard HMS Wild Goose. He is buried now in Ipswich Cemetery. He died in 1948 after contracting TB. you can contact John at - phipper1 -at- tiscali.co.uk - replacing -at- with @.

7th November 2008: An email from Jeremy Woods. I found your web site today as I wondered who had taken over the task of recording the history of the second escort group. My father Derek Woods (Sub Lt) served on Wild Goose. He was awarded a DSC for the 6 sinkings patrol and I still have his medals. He played the part of the German officer in Cockleshell Heroes - rather a reversed role I think!

9th November 2008. An email from Alan Cloke: ....... I thought I would make contact as my father served on the Wild Goose and features in one of your articles, he was Ordinary Seaman Sydney Cloke, he lives in Folkestone Kent, AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH OTHER SURVIVING MEMBERS, please contact me initially at this e mail address. alan - at - cloke8455.freeserve.co.uk - replace -at- with @ to email him directly.

I received an email on November 29th from a Mick Ling. He is the brother in law of Joe Cordell who served on board Wild Goose. His service ID read "S/B 3/21932. Rating A/B O.N C/JX399988
G,T; or U.A G. and was "Starboard 1st part". He sadly passed away on 19th November 2008. Joe was an local R.N.A member in Rayleigh Essex and there will be a few members attending funeral on the 2nd Dec.at 1 oclock at southend crematorium.