HMS Formidable

[Hambo]

I have a man on a local memorial and wondered if anyone could help regarding an action this ship may have been involved in on the 1st of January 1915 he is

Gaunt, Frederick Roy Cook’s Mate M/2962

HMS Formidable

Died on the 1st of January 1915 aged 23

The son of Charles and Rachel Gaunt of “Wellfield”, Vicarage Road Lingfield

He was a native of Chislehurst in Kent

He is commemorated on the Chatham Memorial to the Missing Panel 12

It may be possible he died of something other than as a result of enemy action but any information would be very welcome

Many thanks Hambo

[kin47]

Hello

That one was not too complicated.

FORMIDABLE was sunk by a German submarine on that date with 547 deaths.

All best

don

[Hambo]

Never like to overburden the forum on a Sunday!

Are there any more details such as where the ship was at the time, the U boat which sunk it etc?

Thanks Hambo

[per ardua per mare per terram]

Here's his service register:

Name Gaunt, Frederick Roy

Official Number: M2962

Place of Birth: Bromley, Kent

Date of Birth: 15 November 1891

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...p;resultcount=1

[joseph]

Hambo,

Have a read here, will answer many questions;

http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/...0Formidable.htm

Regards Charles

[Hambo]

Thanks, couldn't have asked for more

Hambo

[Frajohn]

Hi John

Here are a couple of other links, one is more on the Formidable, the other mentions UB24. the submarine which sunk the Formidable. One of my Great Uncles, Henry James Watson, also died that day.

Interestingly, before my obsession of the Great War, I dived the Formidable on a number of occaisons and always found it an unsettling dive. Apart from the fact that it is a deep dive and she is upside down!

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_formidable.htm

U-Boats

Regards

John

[Michael Lowrey]

Formidable was sunk by U 24, not UB 24. The U-boat fate information at the site Frajohn provided the link to is outdated. Also, some of the pictures are of WWII U-boats.

More on U 24 here.

Best wishes,

Micahel

[historydavid]

Hambo,

On 1st January 1915 the Battleship Formidable, built 1901, 15,000 tons, was torpedoed and sunk in 50.13N, 03.04W by U-boat U 24 30 miles S from Lyme Regis in the English Channel with the loss of 547 lives.

On 30th December 1914 the Formidable, together with cruisers Topaze and Diamond sailed from Sheerness to Portland for firing practice. They were escorted thro' the Strait by six destroyers as far as Folkestone.

From this point they sailed alone in a straight line due west carrying out firing practice, reaching Portland the next morning. Instead of going into Portland Admiral Bayly, commanding, decided to carry out further exercises within 25 miles of the Bill and these lasted all day. At their conclusion the Admiral again decided to remain at sea and steered for the Isle of Wight, intending to continue the exercises the next day.

Fleet Orders stated that where submarine attack was possible a course alteration should be made just after dark. To comply with this order Bayly made a 180 degree turn when he was abreast of the Needles so that his ships were heading westwards in a straight line at 10 knots with the Formidable at the rear. The intention being to reverse course again when they were 15 miles short of Start Point at 3.00am.

The night, though cloudy, was clear with a visibility of 2 miles. There was a stiff breeze from the southward, with a sea rough enough to make the detection of a submarine very difficult.

However, at 2.30am as the squadron was passing thro' a group of fishing boats the Formidable turned out of line with a starboard list. At 2.20 am she had been struck by a torpedo abreast of the foremost funnel on the starboard side. The weather had deteriorated and caused the sea to rise which made rescue conditions very difficult and led to the large number of casualties.

It appeared to the Admiralty that the loss was caused by taking risks for no good purpose and the admiral was called upon to give an explanation. After consideration the Admiralty felt that a lack of ordinary precautions against submarine attack could not be ignored. Bayly was ordered to strike his flag.

Bayly took over the Presidency of the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, but 6 months later he was appointed to command the destroyer forces at Queenstown, a task he carried out with great succes.

Best wishes

David

[ionia]

.

(cut)

On 30th December 1914 the Formidable, together with cruisers Topaze and Diamond sailed from Sheerness to Portland for firing practice. They were escorted thro' the Strait by six destroyers as far as Folkestone.

(cut)

However, at 2.30am as the squadron was passing thro' a group of fishing boats the Formidable turned out of line with a starboard list. At 2.20 am she had been struck by a torpedo abreast of the foremost funnel on the starboard side. The weather had deteriorated and caused the sea to rise which made rescue conditions very difficult and led to the large number of casualties.

Bayly's force consisted of the entire 5th Battle Squadron plus the two light cruisers. According to Bayly's account, it had been turned again sixteen points in succession at 0200, shortly before FORMIDABLE was hit. This flatly contradicts the version given in "Naval Operations". Bayly took the remaining battleships back to Portland after ordering the two cruisers to attend to rescuing survivors.

[Hambo]

Thanks all I've got a very good picture of what happened that night

Much appreciated

Hambo (Landlubber and happy that way)