H.M.S. Asphodel's Guestbook

Hi,

I've just been on the internet finding information about HMS asphodel. My uncle was lost when she was sunk in 1944 he was 17, he was a boy telegraphist and was to be discharged on their return to the U.K. as he had lied about his age to join the navy, he wanted to join because all his mates joined unfortunately he was the only one who didn't survive the war.

Whilst I myself was serving in the navy on HMS Achilles in 1987 I had the privilege of being part of the ships guard on the remembrance day parade at the Chatham war memorial where the crew of Asphodel are remembered. It was a very moving day as my late mother was able to attend the service in the town where her brother was based.

I would be interested in any stories about the ship or its crew.

Many thanks,

Mr Paul Foskett

Dear Sir,

My 90 year old mother recently discovered the capacities of the internet and the HMS Asphodel website which you did a great job of creating. As the attached describe, my father was the First on the Asphodel when she was sunk. If anyone is interested in contacting my mother she would be happy to hear from them using me as the contact.

Yours sincerely,

John Binsted

My name is Harold Savage, I was the torpedo man on the Asphodel for three years November 1940 to February 1943. I have lived in the USA since 1954, mostly in California, I am now living in Ashland Oregon. I am now 89 and still very fit. I would like to hear from anyone who remembers me.

I don't think I have any photo's, Lt Commander Stewart was the captain while I was on the ship, he left one cruise before I did and I cannot recall the name of the new captain. I have looked over the photo's and some seem familiar, but it has been a long time. I am not in the photo of the crew, I think it must have been taken before or after I left. After I left I became an LTO and was drafted into Submarines, I do remember LT Hedges.

I have been directed to your website today because my Uncle George
(MacLeod) was drowned whilst serving on the HMS Asphodel. I thought that
I would send his photo to you. From what I understand from my mother,
Uncle George was coming home on leave but when his ship docked, he and
some of his pals were redirected on to the Asphodel never to return to the
Highlands of Scotland.

Georgina MacLeod Llewellyn
Llanfairfechan
North Wales.

Dear Mr. Mullaney;

I have been going through the web-page for the HMS Asphodel. My Father, P/O
John Erwin Wouters was rescued by the HMS Asphodel. He was travelling in
Convoy HX234 on the SS Amerika, in April of 1943 when it was torpedoed by
U306. As you are aware the SS Amerika sank. There were 54 survivors, one of
them being my eventual father.

My Father, like many military personnel spoke little of the war and his
participation. He passed away in 1992 and I have been casually trying to find
out more information of that Convoy and the sinking. Retirement has allowed
me to dedicate more time to this and through the War Records in Ottawa, I was
able to find the basics and through the internet, the floodgates of
information have opened including pictures of the SS Amerika and HMS Asphodel.
Powerful stuff really.

I have an article reprinted from the "Wings Abroad" newspaper that gives some
first hand details of the rescue. There are a few quotes.............P/O
Mclean says in the article........"I wouldn't believe the other boys until I
smelled the smoke from her funnel and believe me, I never knew anything could
smell as good". The other two lenghty quotes pay high tribute to the crew of
the HMS Asphodel. Somehow my Father also ended up with a picture of 10-12 of
the RCAF men who were rescued standing on the deck of the HMS Asphodel.
I would be very happy to send u a copy of that picture and the article if you
wanted to include them in the website of the HMS Asphodel.

However, of equal importance to me is the letter from John H Newland, who is
listed in the "Wings Abroad" article as one of the survivors picked up by the
British Corvette. If you have an address or phone number or e-mail address
that you can pass on to me, it would be greatly appreciated. I respect Mr.
Newland's privacy if he does not wish to communicate.

I am sorry to read about the loss of the HMS Asphodel about a year later and
the loss of nearly all the crew. They didn't hesitate to try to find
survivors of the SS Amerika in terrible sea conditions and because of their
bravery and dedication, my brother and I and my family are here. I will do my
small part to keep the memories of the those two ships and their crews alive.

Thank you.

Allen J Wouters

Hello, great website, an uncle of mines brother, David Bradley was lost on HMS ASPHODEL, he was from Londonderry. and as luck would have it he was in hospital in the City off another ship, HMS Asphodel came into Derry, her stoker was taken ill with acute Appendicitis and was hospitalised, they needed a replacement immediately, David was almost fit and he volunteered to go in his place. The other sad thing is that his mother and father watched the ship leave the Foyle for the last time.

My name is Shelley, my father is Milburn George Elliott and his father was Henry George Elliott, Chief Mechanician on the Asphodel when it was sunk. At the time my father was 11 when he lost his dad, they were close, and he was told there were no survivors. It is only recently, believe it or not, that we discovered there were 5 survivors and my father wished he could have contacted them many years ago to find out what, if anything, they knew of his dad and any stories regarding the Asphodel.

An excerpt from my father's memoires:

Dad had wonderful big ideas for when he came out of the Navy, quite a planner my father. I obviously feel more proud of him now than I did then. The last time I saw him he was in his uniform and he got on the school bus, sat upstairs with me and told me on the way that he was sad that he could not get onto submarines. Now he was on his way to be an engineer of a Flower Class Corvette, the Asphodel, which as we now know was torpedoed and all hands were lost. One thing I deeply regret now was that just before I left him on the bus he gave me an old penny (he told me to look after it as he could turn up like an old penny). I was 11 years old at the time but at some stage I lost the penny which saddens me even now.

I would be most grateful for any stories you may have or any contacts. My father is now 77 and I know he would enjoy very much anything that could be offered.

Thank you in advance.

Kind regards

Shelley

Amanda MacBrayne

[20 October, Friday, 2006, 14:40:10]

Excellent website, I'm so grateful to you for providing the information I might never have known!

Hello Ray,

very interesting, your site. It is really well made. I look over the past years for informations about the Asphodel. My wifes great uncle was a crew member of U 575. He was killed in action by the sinking from U 575, four days later. I have a website about him and U 575 (http://www.ewetel.net/~diana.elstermann/).

I think, it is important, to remind to the victims of the great war.

Best regards

Michael Elstermann

Ray, very interesting site. I have been trying to find information on this ship as my mother's older brother, Frank Leppard, died when she was torpedoed. It is still a very painful memory for her. I will try and get a photo etc. to add to the records here.
regards, and thanks.

Visited your web-site via the No10 area Royal Naval Association website in the north west

My grandfather was aboard the H.M.S clover and he was one of the crewman sent out in a rescue craft. his craft managed to pick up 3 crew members although one later died aboard the H.M.S clover. It is quite interesting to read about one of the other ships he interacted with.

Very Impressed with your research and hard work you have put in to making this website living History.

Hello Ray,
What a terrific job you have done with ASPHODEL'S W.E.B SITE. It is absolutely brilliant. May I say thankyou,on behalf of my sister,Maureen and myself.
Kind Regards,
Michael Downes.