SomersetCricketer Posted 26 January , 2012 Share Posted 26 January , 2012 Hi Everyone, Heres hoping someone can help me, I have just found a 1911 Census Return, where my Great Uncle was onboard the C37 Submarine, traveling to or arrived in China. Does anyone have any information on A; The C37 at this time, B; Why did we send a submarine flotilla all that way. Thanks in advance for your help. SomersetCricketer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aglastonbury Posted 26 January , 2012 Share Posted 26 January , 2012 Hi, C36, C37 & C38 were based in Hong Kong from Feb 1911 as part of the China Station Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melliget Posted 27 January , 2012 Share Posted 27 January , 2012 Hi. A description of the voyage to Hong Kong in an Australian newspaper: BY SUBMARINE TO HONG KONG http://trove.nla.gov...rticle/72430119 Use the zoom bottom-right to improve legibility. You may find other articles of interest: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/home I believe the three submarines were still based at the China Station at the start of the war. regards, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toncha Posted 27 January , 2012 Share Posted 27 January , 2012 Hi, Remarkably I too have just found my Great Uncle Percy Walker was also on C37 in China in 1911. If I find any other information I will let you know . Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g6yfb Posted 28 January , 2012 Share Posted 28 January , 2012 Thought you might like a picture of C class submarines of the era Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signals Posted 28 January , 2012 Share Posted 28 January , 2012 Hi Tony, you are correct that Percy Walker was in C37, the submariners were towed by surface vesslels, and the crews of C36, C37, & C38 show they were drafted to each ship for the passage, so C37 crew you will notice are drafted to HMS Hyflyer then to HMS Rosario depot ship after arrival. It won't say C37 on his papers, but we know he was C37 due to being drafted to HMS Hyflyer. Lt Fenner wrote about this passage. Will see if i can dig it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadsac Posted 29 January , 2012 Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Cricketer - whar was your GUncles name ?? May have his Service Record if you wish. Tony - here is such that I have on a Percy Walker - later lost E.10. Is that your GUncle ?? WALKER PERCY LDG STO P/K 379 NE RN SM E.10 21.01.15 Z 29 070186 F PORTSMOUTH 8 PORTSMOUTH 2 - 162 Son of James and Elizabeth Walker, of 32 Cyril St., Northampton. Killed in loss of vessel in North Sea. HMS MAIDSTONE. ADM 188 / 867. N.P 382 / 15. P.o.B ; Northampton. Occ ; Stoker O.N. 102007 Have others C36 / 37 /38 such as above in the time frame with more info. Sadsac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomersetCricketer Posted 29 January , 2012 Author Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Cricketer - whar was your GUncles name ?? May have his Service Record if you wish. Have others C36 / 37 /38 such as above in the time frame with more info. Sadsac Hi further to this request, my Great Uncles name was Charles John Colbran, I have a copy of his Service record but to be honest a coulpe of lines of it I was unable to decipher/read well enough to know what ship/boat he was on. Late in 1915 he was to lose his life whilst serving on H which was sunk by a "British" Merchantman, whilst on the surface off the coast of Wales. Any real help in understanding his service record or about the length of time the three Subs were posted to China gratefully received. SomersetCricketer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 29 January , 2012 Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Hi further to this request, my Great Uncles name was Charles John Colbran, I have a copy of his Service record but to be honest a coulpe of lines of it I was unable to decipher/read well enough to know what ship/boat he was on. Late in 1915 he was to lose his life whilst serving on H which was sunk by a "British" Merchantman, whilst on the surface off the coast of Wales. Any real help in understanding his service record or about the length of time the three Subs were posted to China gratefully received. SomersetCricketer Name: COLBRAN, CHARLES JOHN Initials: C J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Petty Officer Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M. S/M. "H5." Age: 34 Date of Death: 02/03/1918 Service No: 208778 Awards: D S M Additional information: Son of the late Thomas and Jane Colbran, of Hastings, Sussex. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 28. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL The Naval History Net has it that "H.5, submarine, rammed and sunk in error in Irish Sea" see http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1918-03Mar.htm for a full list of the casualties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomersetCricketer Posted 29 January , 2012 Author Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Hi, Remarkably I too have just found my Great Uncle Percy Walker was also on C37 in China in 1911. If I find any other information I will let you know . Tony Hi Tony That would be great, I have looked at the Australian Newspaper report that some one else has noted in this thread, only a Lieutenant Codrington is mentioned by name. It is quite a good report on how they got there. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomersetCricketer Posted 29 January , 2012 Author Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Name: COLBRAN, CHARLES JOHN Initials: C J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Petty Officer Regiment/Service: Royal Navy Unit Text: H.M. S/M. "H5." Age: 34 Date of Death: 02/03/1918 Service No: 208778 Awards: D S M Additional information: Son of the late Thomas and Jane Colbran, of Hastings, Sussex. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 28. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL The Naval History Net has it that "H.5, submarine, rammed and sunk in error in Irish Sea" see http://www.naval-his...s1918-03Mar.htm for a full list of the casualties Thanks for that, I do have this information I started writing my earlier reply without really thinking properly, but it is great people are able to help one another like this. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadsac Posted 29 January , 2012 Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Hello Steve - if you have had difficulty in reading the ADM 188 record, then if you post it here some knowledgeable fellow will explain, no doubt. Here is your GUncle's Submarine Service Record and details of loss ; COLBRAN CHARLES JOHN PO ST P/ 208778 DSM RN SM H.5 02.03.18 Z 34 301284 C F PORTSMOUTH 28 PORTSMOUTH 7 - 523 160808 & 070815TC 080816 SC 090122 BONAVENTURE C14 090700 SC 110113 FORT BLOCKHOUSE C37 110208 CHINA STATION C14 B7 130306 FORT BLOCKHOUSE TO GS 130819 DISCHARGED TO GS 150806 DOLPHIN DD H5 070318 SENIOR 160808 LS 200116 PO 011017 C S EXPIRES 021214 RECOMMENDED BY VULCAN AGE 34 PORTSMOUTH 28 - 7 - 523 Son of the late Thomas and Jane Colbran, of Hastings, Sussex. Drowned in accidental loss of vessel in the Irish Sea. HMS VULCAN. ADM 188 / 364. AG 349 / 18. Awarded D.S.M. London Gazette of 5/9/16. Rammed and sunk by S.S. RUTHERGLEN. Position 53°04'N 04°40'W. P.o.B ; Ore, Sussex. Occ ; Seaboy. Was on H.5 when it sank U-51 on 14 July 1916. Received DSM. You will note that he received the DSM - no doubt you know that ?? Sadsac Good Hunting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toncha Posted 29 January , 2012 Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Hi, Yes this is my Great Uncle Percy, he was a brother of my Grandfather Horace Walker, who served in the RNR in WW1. I would appreciate any info on C37 or E10. Thanks, Tony Cricketer - whar was your GUncles name ?? May have his Service Record if you wish. Tony - here is such that I have on a Percy Walker - later lost E.10. Is that your GUncle ?? WALKER PERCY LDG STO P/K 379 NE RN SM E.10 21.01.15 Z 29 070186 F PORTSMOUTH 8 PORTSMOUTH 2 - 162 Son of James and Elizabeth Walker, of 32 Cyril St., Northampton. Killed in loss of vessel in North Sea. HMS MAIDSTONE. ADM 188 / 867. N.P 382 / 15. P.o.B ; Northampton. Occ ; Stoker O.N. 102007 Have others C36 / 37 /38 such as above in the time frame with more info. Sadsac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toncha Posted 29 January , 2012 Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Hi, Thanks for your reply, very interested in anything you can dig out. Regards, Tony Hi Tony, you are correct that Percy Walker was in C37, the submariners were towed by surface vesslels, and the crews of C36, C37, & C38 show they were drafted to each ship for the passage, so C37 crew you will notice are drafted to HMS Hyflyer then to HMS Rosario depot ship after arrival. It won't say C37 on his papers, but we know he was C37 due to being drafted to HMS Hyflyer. Lt Fenner wrote about this passage. Will see if i can dig it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomersetCricketer Posted 29 January , 2012 Author Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Hi Tony Here is what information regarding C37 that I have found on 1911 Census Hope this will be new to you Submarine C37 - Captain A A A L Fenner - Station China - Whereabouts April 1911 Columbo Harbour Submarine with a compliment of 21 men, 2 Commisioned Officers, 19 Others Percy Walker 25 last birthday, Single, Stoker, Birth Northampton, Faith Wesleyan Thats all I have for the moment Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadsac Posted 29 January , 2012 Share Posted 29 January , 2012 Tony, here is another crew of C.37 at the time. Dates given show where boats / ships were at the time. KERR ALEXANDER CERA 2 BM P/ 271504 NE RN 191281 290208 & 300115 DD E49 210317 JOINED RN 180304 SENIOR IN RATING 010716 AGE 35 PORTSMOUTH 25 - 6 - 463 Son of Thomas and Margaret Kerr, of Glasgow ; husband of Nellie Edith Kerr, of 127 New Rd., Buckland, Portsmouth. Killed by mine explosion off Shetland Islands. HMS LUCIA. ADM 188 / 436. AG 348 / 17. P.o.B ; Glasgow, Lanark. Occ ; Boilermaker MERCURY 080229 HIGHFLYER 110207 ROSARIO 110401 C36 C37 C38 DOLPHIN 130429 GENERAL SERVICE SUBMARINES 310115 150204 MAIDSTONE 150424 DOLPHIN E49 161222 LUCIA DD 170312 E49 LUCIA Sadsac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toncha Posted 31 January , 2012 Share Posted 31 January , 2012 Hi Everyone, Can anyone interpret the abbreviations in Percy's record below? Thanks for any help. Regards, Tony Cricketer - whar was your GUncles name ?? May have his Service Record if you wish. Tony - here is such that I have on a Percy Walker - later lost E.10. Is that your GUncle ?? WALKER PERCY LDG STO P/K 379 NE RN SM E.10 21.01.15 Z 29 070186 F PORTSMOUTH 8 PORTSMOUTH 2 - 162 Son of James and Elizabeth Walker, of 32 Cyril St., Northampton. Killed in loss of vessel in North Sea. HMS MAIDSTONE. ADM 188 / 867. N.P 382 / 15. P.o.B ; Northampton. Occ ; Stoker O.N. 102007 Have others C36 / 37 /38 such as above in the time frame with more info. Sadsac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadsac Posted 4 February , 2012 Share Posted 4 February , 2012 Tony, here interpretation ; Ldg Sto = Leading Stoker P/K = Portsmouth Rating & K = Stoker Class RN = Royal Navy 21.01.15 = Date of loss of boat Z = WW1 29 = Age at loss 070186 = Date of Birth OCC = Occupation on joining RN PoB = Place of Birth ADM 188 / 867 = Admiralty file in PRO/NA O.N 102007 = Ordinary Number (prior to later RN Number - so he has a Record under that listing PRO N.P = Naval Pension ??? Sadsac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 4 February , 2012 Share Posted 4 February , 2012 "O.N 102007 = Ordinary Number (prior to later RN Number - so he has a Record under that listing PRO" ON = Official Number. His prior service would have been as a Special Service Stoker with ON SS.102007, before transferring to Continuous Service Stoker with ON K.379. His SS record is here:- http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7307112&queryType=1&resultcount=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toncha Posted 4 February , 2012 Share Posted 4 February , 2012 Hi, Sadsac and Horatio, Thanks very much for your replies. Can either of you explain the reference to HMS Maidstone? Thanks, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 4 February , 2012 Share Posted 4 February , 2012 I expect HMS MAIDSTONE was the submarine depot ship in which he was borne for pay and administration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadsac Posted 4 February , 2012 Share Posted 4 February , 2012 Horatio is correct in both Posts - OFFICIAL number & MAIDSTONE was the Depot ship to which he was posted for pay/admin/service prior to post to submarine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toncha Posted 4 February , 2012 Share Posted 4 February , 2012 Thanks once again, Tony I expect HMS MAIDSTONE was the submarine depot ship in which he was borne for pay and administration. Thanks once again, Tony Horatio is correct in both Posts - OFFICIAL number & MAIDSTONE was the Depot ship to which he was posted for pay/admin/service prior to post to submarine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomersetCricketer Posted 6 February , 2012 Author Share Posted 6 February , 2012 Hi Everyone, Firstly thanks for all the info about this question I posted. This has led me to find the 1911 Census for the C37 as well as the C36, although I cannot find the C38, C37 has its own entry as listed to be in Colombo Harbour, C36 is listed as part of the Crew of HMS Pelorus (noted to be lying alongside on the 2 April and ALL the crew were sleeping onboard), although I do not believe the Captain was onboard, the C37 had 21 Officers and Men listed, the C36 has 19, would they have had the same compliment of men? and where was the C38? I have looked at all the returns of China Shipping and cannot see it listed nor was it listed like C36 as being tied up alongside. Also in the report in the New South Wales Newspaper it notes a HMS Flora, this ship is also missing, is it possible that they became seperated and were at different stages of the journey? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Underdown Posted 6 February , 2012 Share Posted 6 February , 2012 A search on the Catalogue of The National Archives for C38 within RG 14 (the 1911 census returns) also doesn't find any hits, though C37 does. It may be that its returns we're included under those for its depot ship perhaps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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