The Wartime Memories Project - HMS Halstead

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Information. HMS Halstead was a frigate, one of a large number built in the USA for the Royal Navy. She measured 1300/1840 tons and was armed with 3 x 3in, 2 x 40mm and 8 x 20mm guns, and carried 160 depth charges. She was completed and commissioned at Boston in November 1943, the crew joining her there. After working up in North American waters she crossed the Atlantic to join Nore Command (Sheerness). She was employed, along with her sisters in screening convoys in the English Channel. On 24 April 1944 in company with two other frigates she was in action whilst protecting a convoy which was attacked by a number of German torpedo boats off the Sussex coast; this was a fierce action fought at close range. She was present at the D-Day landings at Normandy, screening the ships carrying troops to the British landing beaches. After the Normandy landings there were a series of naval actions between Allied and German forces, mainly involving enemy fast torpedo craft attempting to attack allied shipping. On the night of 11th/12 June 1944, she was off the French coast, near Cherbourg, in company with her sister ship, the Stayner, screening the continued efforts to supply British forces in France, when eleven German torpedo boats made a determined effort to attack allied shipping. A series of running actions commenced between the German and British warships. At 3.15 a.m. she was hit by a torpedo which exploded in the bows, and which blew off the whole of the forward part of her hull. She somehow stayed afloat and was taken in tow back to Portsmouth. Although temporarily repaired she saw no further service and was sent to the scrapyard in 1947. One of my relatives Able Seaman Harry Heslop from Thornaby on Tees was killed on the 11th June 1944, while serving on HMS Halstead. Raymond Todd I am trying to trace, what happened to my uncle in World War Two. His name was Micky Scammels and his name is on the memorial post in Selsy, West Sussex. Just south of Chichester, West Sussex. He enlisted into the Royal Navy, we think in 1938,and I believe he was on a submarine when it went down, my grandmother was informed that he was missing in action. I know that is where he lived at the time he went missing, and did not come home. Please can you tell me where I can find out more about him. He had two children at the time, his widows name was Betty. Thank you so much. Shirley Betteridge Update: I have checked the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site, which lists only one man of the name Frederick Henry George Scammells Able Seaman official number P/SSX 30905 killed in action 11.6.1944 HMS Halstead 24 years old Husband of Betty, of Selsey, Sussex Name engraved on Portsmouth Naval War Memorial I would think that this would be your uncle. The official number with the prefix P/SSX shows that he would have been based at Portsmouth and had joined on a 'short service' engagement (seven years with a further five in the reserve). I trust this will help David UPDATE: My father, F.H.G.Scammells (Micky) died on 11th June 1944 aboard HMS Halstead along with Lesley Cobby, Alfred Cooper, Harry Heslop and others. Any information on his friends, pictures etc will be welcome. I was only 2 years old at the time. Photographs If you have any Photographs you would like to share please get in touch. List of those who served on this Ship Lesley Ernest Cobby. (d. 11 June 1944) Alfred Henry Cooper. (d. 11 June 1944) Able Seaman Harry Heslop. (d. 11 June 1944) Read his story Frederick Henry George "Micky" Scammells (d. 11 June 1944) Read his story If you have any names to add to this list, or any recollections or photos of those listed, please get in touch. If you have a story which you would like to share, or a website dedicated to a ship or sailor, please get in touch. Send an E-mail to Links Ships Index Website and ALL Material © Copyright MMII - All Rights Reserved