I am very grateful to Leo Styles for sending me this great story about Austin McNamara and his pair of sea boot stockings. Although it is a light hearted story, to me it just emphasises the quiet bravery of men like Austin. The politicians are always saying how we will never forget those who suffer on our behalf. Unfortunately most of us have. Maybe this, and other stories here, will do a little to redress that.
Leo writes This is the story that my 12 year old son Patrick gave as part of a school class presentation in his first year of secondary education. The human interest story obviously is related to Austin McNamara of Bolton, and coincidentally my son delivered the presentation on 1 March 2004, the 60th anniversary of Austin’s untimely death during the war in 1944.
I’d like to share with you an artefact that has historical significance to my family. This is a pair of sea boot stockings. They belonged to my great uncle, Austin McNamara, who was my grandmother’s brother. He received them from some Norwegian fishermen who rescued him from his naval ship, the HMS Hardy when it was sunk while in action against German destroyers at Narvik on the coast of Norway, on the 10th April, 1940. They would have been cold and wet from being in the water so the fishermen gave them some of their clothing. When he returned to England he was issued with a new naval uniform but he kept the sea boot stockings, a hat, a scarf and gloves. The survivors were inspected and addressed by Winston Churchill on the 19th April1940. In these photos, Austin is still wearing the fisherman’s clothing.
Almost 4 years later Austin was on the HMS Gould which was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in an area between Ireland and the Azores (west of Portugal). Half an hour later, this German submarine was in turn sunk by other British ships with only one German survivor! The Ministry of Defence’s Naval historical Branch’s records show that the cause of death of Able Seaman Austin McNamara was “Missing – Death on War Service Presumed”, the assumption being that he lost his life as a result of the action that day, 1st of March 1944. He was 23 years of age.
When my grandmother married my grandfather, they came out from England to live in Australia. My grandmother brought Austin’s scarf, gloves, cap and the sea boot stockings with her. My grandfather used to ride a motorbike to work so he used the scarf and gloves until they wore out. My grandmother can’t remember what happened to his cap. A few years ago, she asked if we would like to keep the sea boot stockings. My artefact has some historical value due to its age, more than 64 years old and due to its link with the Second World War. It is obviously of great sentimental value to our family. As far as monetary value goes, they would cost about 50 dollars to make today but this does not take into account any value given for their historical worth.
Austin, together with his shipmates, is remembered with honour at the Plymouth Naval Memorial in England.
Ron Cope says
Dear Leo and family.
I make these comments as a tribute.
I know from our contact in the last few months how dedicated you have been over the last six or so years, to obtaining for Josie, your mother in law, ‘that picture of Austin with Winston Churchill’ when making his speech on Horse Guards Parade. However, to me personally I was fortunate than in establishing contact with you and from your own endeavours it has resulted in my receiving a considerable amount of photograths and contact information. As you are aware this has now led me to making a number of contacts with families associated to HMS Hardy’s brave crew who were either killed or survived on that fateful day of 10th April 1940. Hopefully your quest to get ‘that photo’ will eventually become a successful ending to the story.
Yours aye Ron
NICK HAGAN says
Hi,
My Dad (Frederick Hagan) was on HMS Gould when it went down also. March 1st 1944. My Dad was 19 and was one of the survivors. Not sure who picked him up but his service log (s 459 form) has him listed as on the HMS Drake the next day untill 27th June when he was discharged as unfit for service. My Dad was on the Gould from 10th Oct 1943 untill it was hit in 1944. I have his documents and medals and also a few photos taken by him and his pals during his service, not sure which ship is which on some as he served on 3 different ships, HMS Drake ,Saker and Gould. Maybe someone elses relatives are on them? my email for contact is nickhagan1970@googlemail.com.
N.x
Leo Styles says
Nick
Thanks for your posting on the Submerged website.
It was my understanding from the limited information that there were very few survivors.
Do any of the photos have sailors names on them – I am searching for photos of my wife’s uncle Austin McNamara of Bolton
http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/Letters/GrahamWallacewasasub-lieu.html has some information about another survivor Graham Wallace
and some references to others who lost relatives.
I tried to email you direct but I couldn’t make a connection from Australia to your listed email regards Leo
RON COPE says
Message from Ron Cope. I have spent six years following up from my father’s documents / audio tapes of his experience in the First Battle of Narvik. This led to making a significant number of contacts with other families associated with the crewmen of the other ships. A lot of these came by way of this website and kindly assisted by the owner Peter Mitchell Subsequently, my book ‘Attack at Dawn’is published in April the 75th Anniversary of both the First and Second battles. The book focuses on the crewmen of ‘Hardy’ and a following book in summer will be about the ‘Hunter’ crew. If anyone would like to purchase a copy then the ISBN 978-1-909477-97-1 from Amazon or Waterstones. Or contact me for a signed copy (roncope@btinternet.com) Thanks Ron
Angie says
Thanks so much for doing this article, my mums brother also died on hms Gould 1944, his name was Joseph Stanley bogden, he was an ordinary seaman and was 18 when he died, I’m wondering if anyone has any pictures or anything that I could show my mum as she has always wanted to look into it but is rubbish with technology, my email address is angiebrownhairco@live.co.uk, thanks so much again, Angie x