In the Navik Overview I describe briefly the attack by the British into the Fjord. Recently (March 2008) I was lucky enough to meet James Renshaw, who was an Able Seaman on H.M.S. Hunter, and survived the attack. Also in the same month the wreck of ‘Hunter’ was discovered in 305 metres by the Norwegian Navy during a training exercise. The wreck will now be designated a War Grave.
Jim was a delight to talk to and this is what he told me of those dark days of the battle of Narvik. He was only twenty two at the time. The attack was led by Hardy with Hunter, Havelock, Hotspur, and Hostile following. Two attacks were successfully carried out, but on the third attack at about 0330 all ships met with heavy gunfire from the German destroyers. At this point Warburton Lee gave the order for all ships to retire under cover of smoke screens. By this time the gunfire had become very severe and our retreat was partially cut off by six German destroyers who had been at anchor in the Fjord
In addition to being badly holed forward, Hotspur’s steering gear and starboard engine were put out of action resulting in Hotspur colliding with Hunter amidships. At this point Hunters Captain, Lt Commander Linsey de Villiers gave orders for everyone to abandon ship, which proceeded in quite an orderly manner considering that we were still under heavy gunfire. After about ten minutes Hotspur managed to free herself and retire, leaving Hunter with a great hole in her side listing to starboard and virtually a total wreck with her engine room rapidly filling with water. The ship was abandoned in about fifteen minutes with the crew flinging themselves into the freezing water. The time was about 0615, and by 0630 the ship had disappeared all together.
After swimming around for the best part of an hour we were all picked up by three German Destroyers.The water temperature was 12% F below freezing and this alone must have accounted for the large number of causalities. Of the crew of 156 (8 officers and 148 ratings) only forty six survived
After swimming around for the best part of an hour we were all picked up by three German Destroyers.The water temperature was 12% F below freezing and this alone must have accounted for the large number of causalities. Of the crew of 156 (8 officers and 148 ratings) only forty six survived. All the survivors said that the Germans treated them very well, doing everything they could for their comfort. Besides being given brandy and other spirits to revive them, they were all bathed and given clothes. At 1000 hours all survivors were landed, thirty being put up in the German whaling ship Jan Wellem and fourteen placed in the Iris Café. One officer and three ratings were taken to hospital. We all spent three weeks here as prisoners of war until being sent to Sweden. This was still under German control and we had to stay there for two and a half years.
james renshaw says
My name is james renshaw and i am the eldest son of the above James Renshaw (sadly no longer with us) I believe he was the last survivor of H.M.S. Hunter,unless anyone knows differently.Please feel free to contact me if you require any further imformation on the above story..
james renshaw jn says
I am the above James Renshaw,and i am submitting my e-mail address if you would like to contact me ref the above story..
peter kerswell says
dear james, only now have i found out about james passing away,jim phoned me just after they found hms hunter and we had a good talk about the ship and other things about narvick.my late father was a petty officer on board at the time and he was taken prisioner and sent to sweden when he made a break and got home to england,he is in the second row far left of the group photo,he passed away in 1972.
yours
peter kerswell
Ron Cope says
My father was Cyril Cope see his story on this website. He left audio transcripts of the Battle whuch I finally managed to put on paper. I have been informed that Navy News is doing a full feature next month dedicated to the epic battle. I am also hoping to collate as much information as possible with hope of producing a book about not only the Battle of Narvik but also the sailors and thier families at home. I have had contact with a number of families one as far as Australia. I am also in contact with Harry Rogers the only remaiing survior I have found from any of the ships. James and Peter I wold be interested in hearing from you. roncope@btinternet.com
Ron Cope (CPO Rtd)
Ron Cope says
James and Peter ..on the chance that you come back to this website I would be most grateful if you could contact me. This year is the 70th Anniversary. It may be your local newspaper would be interested in doing a feature mainly focused on both your late father’s involvement in the 1st Battle of Narvik. I will be able to give you examples of other families associated with Narvik where this resulted in an emotionally rewarding experience. Ron Cope
Ellen Siddall says
Just to say that my Grandad Thomas Norton is on the photo of the survivors of HMS Hunter 1940, he is on the Second row second person on the left.
Josie Johnson says
I am also the Granddaughter of Thomas Norton from Manchester. He was one of the lucky few who survived the sinking of the Hunter. He was take prisoner and held in a school building before they were taken over to Sweden. He had to sign papers saying that he would not take up arms against the Germans again before he was released and sent home. MY Grandma received a telegram saying he was missing believed killed.
Ron Cope says
Dear Ellen and Josie. Cyril Cope (If not already done – see one of the other sections on this website) was a survivor on HMS Hardy and came from Salford. They were both Devonport based so could have known each other. In researching to write a book I am looking for any interesting stories from survivors or families recollections of the events that occurred in the epic Battle of Narvik or subsequently. I would be very interested to hear from you. I have some relevant material which you may be interested in receiving online. Ron Cope ‘roncope@btinternet.com’
Ron Cope says
This is a message to James Renshaw from Ron Cope. I am now at the stage of putting together the material for writing a book. Whilst the story will be mainly narratives from those who survived on my father Cyril Cope’s ship Hardy. It is obviously important to acknowledge the part played by those on the other four ships in the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla. I have read your father’s account not only on this website but another provided by yourself. I found it a compelling story about his internment in Sweden made enjoyable by his sense of humour throughout a period of uncertainity.
You may be interested to know that in the last week I have had a post from New Zealand by way of Jeremy Sutton-Pratt. His father was the British Military Attache in Sweden between 1939 and 1947. Subsequently Jeremy has sent me photos of his father’s visit to Narvik in June 1945. Presently I am awaiting further information from him which you may find interesting. However, should you want a part of your father’s story told in my book please contact me. ‘roncope@btinternet.com’. I have now had contact from Peter Kerswell whom as you know his father was also a survivor on ‘Hunter’ and interned in Sweden. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Ron Cope
JAMES RENSHAW (JNR) says
RON,MANY THANKS FOR CONTACTING ME I WILL BE ABLE TO E-MAIL YOU SOME FURTHER DETAILS LATER, STRANGE HOW LIFE IS ISNT IT,LIKE YOU I ALSO FOLLOWED MY DAD INTO THE ROYAL NAVY,STRANGELY ENOUGH ALSO IN 1964
Ron Cope says
Jim… thanks you for your package I have now received concerning your father’s documents. There is some very interesting material which can be used in my book . Also your permission to have them published. Kind regards Ron
james renshaw (jnr) says
JUST TO LET ALL INTERESTED PARTIES KNOW ,THAT I HAVE CHANGED MY E-MAIL ADDRESS .SORRY TO ANYONE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT ME WITH REF MY DAD JAMES RENSHAW OF H.M.S.HUNTER I CAN NOW BE CONTACTED ON jimbob1948@btinternet.com
Ron Cope says
This is to let those interested parties know that Peter Kerswell the son of Stanley Kerswell, (Stan was a survivor on ‘Hunter’) passed away on the 11th October 2012. This sad information was just passed to me by Peter’s son Martin. Peter fortunately kept his father’s account of his experience at Narvik as well as his escape from internment in Sweden. Peter always replied swiftly to my queries regarding his father to support my efforts in writing a book on the subject. ‘Rest In Peace’. Ron Cope
Submerged Comment says
Carole Knowles (caroleknowles1@btinternet.com) wrote on 27 December 2013:
It is with much sadness that I report the passing of my Dad John Clune Hague B.E.M survivor of HMS Hunter on Friday 20th December 2013 RIP Dad
danny beckford says
CAROLE KNOWLES SO SORRY TO HERE ABOUT UR FATHER!!! MY GRANDFATHER WAS ON THE HUNTER WEN IT WENT DOWN AND NEVER GOT OF IN TIME HE WAS A STOKER! HIS NAME WAS DANNY BECKFORD BUT HE WAS KNOWN AS PERCY, HE WAS ONLY 23 AT THE TIME. AND COME FROM THE EASTEND OF LONDON. MY NAN ROSE SENT HIM A LETTER TELLING HIM SHE SHE WAS PREGNENT WITH MY FATHER. BUT SAD TO SAY HE NEVER EVER GOT TO SEE HIS SON MY FATHER.MY NAN WENT THREW A HARD TIME ALL THREW HER LIFE AND ALLWAYS HAD THAT HOPE THAT ONE DAY HE WOULD WALK THREW THE DOOR THIS IS WOT KEPT HER GOING SADLY SHE PASS AWAY IN 2011 AGED 92. AND ALL I HAVE IS STORYS OF MY GRANDFATHER IN MY HEAD.I WOULD LIKE TO HERE FROM ANY1 ABOUT THE HUNTER AND MAYBE SOME 1 MIGHT HAVE SAME PHOTOS OF THE MEN ON SHIP. HOPE TO HERE FROM ANYONE OF YOU THANKYOU.. DANNY BECKFORD.
RON COPE says
Message to 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 readers of this website:
RON COPE says
Message for Danny Beckford, as you know I have included your Grandfather in my book regarding ‘Hunter’ to be published in summer.
Hayley Williams says
My grandad, James Gordon Williams (always known as Gordon to us) is in the photo of the survivors – in the back row, 3rd in from the right. Any information about him, or generally, would be very welcome – I’m hoping to type up a copy of the diary he wrote whilst held in Sweden. I know he was an electrician but I don’t know much more than that, I’m afraid. Sadly he died in 1999 – but my gran has recently had her 90th birthday (she was in the Timber Corps). It would be fantastic to learn more about the crew of the Hunter and their experiences.
Ron Cope – I shall look out for your book!!
Christine Gibbens says
Can anyone tell me if Ron Cope’s book is out and how to obtain a copy
Ron Cope says
Christine, book is out now purchase at Amazon / Kindle and all good bookshops. Signed copies from Ron at ‘roncope@btinternet.com’
Ron Cope says
UPDATE. “Doomed Destroyer” forthcoming publication. June / July 2017
I have had many contacts from readers of my first book “Attack at Dawn” the popularity has been shown in the amount of received royalties, where donations will be made to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. The last six months have been hectic having received more relevant information from contacts and other authors for “Doomed Destroyer”.
The manuscript is now with the publisher and editing and proof reading completed. The book cover will be a copy of the painting by the renown WW2 artist John Hamilton. Permission kindly given by his daughter Jane Hamilton.
The new book has 25% more words and 100 photographs, some have never been published before. I have been humbled to be asked by so many people to send a signed copy. Anyone wanting to purchase a signed copy leave a message here and I will ask ‘webmaster’ owner Michael Mitchell to send me your E Mail address.
Finally, I have some strange experiences whilst writing both books where contacts have turn up out of the blue. The last one, occurred when about to sending off the manuscript came from Victor Wallwork in Toronto, Canada. He was searching the internet for information about the Battles of Narvik, and came across a feature in the Falmouth newspaper “The Packet” I made in 2010, and he made contact. To my great surprise his stepfather Percy Danby was an Engineering Artificer on HMS Hotspur [which collided with HMS Hunter – subject of my second book] and the welcoming news that at the age of 98 he is still with us, with full facilities. Publisher had to wait until I got Percy’s amazing story of his experiences. Best Wishes Ron [Cope]
Frances says
Hello there,
I am working on a Documentary for UKTV that looks at the importance of Narvik and the railway to the mines in Kiruna during WW2- I was wondering if there were any remaining survivors from either the HMS Hardy or Hunter (or any other vessels from the battle over there) that were still alive today?
I would be glad to hear from them if so.
Many thanks,
Frances
Antoine Attard says
My uncle Officers’ Cook Anthony Mercieca E/LX 21860, (27 years) was lost in action on the HMS Hunter on the 10th April 1940 during the first battle of Narvik. I have some souvenirs which were passed to me by my late father, his brother. I have his serviced record on a card index, which I found in the National Archives in Malta, his medals and accompanying scroll, his portrait picture in uniform, and other pictures which I found as I was surfing the web. There was another Maltese name on the ship’s losses: AQUILINA, Antonio, Officer’s Cook 2c, E/LX 20866, MPK.
Any further information or sources would be much appreciated.
graham newton says
a long time ago but does anyone have anyone Jan Stewart serving on the hunter at the time
Carole Knowles says
Hi Graham
My late Dad John Hague (Albert as he was known in the Navy) talked a lot about Jan Stewart